Curling in Vegas

On Sunday we were part of the mass exodus from Gold Canyon.  We left behind Mark and Jan and a lot of vacant RV spots.  In the past 2 weeks the park had gone from a buzz of activity to almost a ghost town.  We did manage to get our spots reserved for next year and by the sound of it, despite a price increase, it is going to be full up again next year.

The drive up to Vegas was uneventful but seemed to be a lot longer than it actually was.  Sitting in one place for 4 month did not prepare us for an almost 6 hour drive.  Better get used to it cause we have a few more of those in the next week.  We are really appreciating the bigger fuel tank on this truck.  335 miles and still had over 1/2 tank upon arrival.  I got 10.6 MPG which was an improvement over the trip south.  Not sure if it was the lack of strong winds which we had experienced on the way down or if after 5000 miles the truck is getting broken in.  In any event I will take anything over 10 MPG.  

The plan was to stay here for 2 days, take in one draw of the Ford World Curling Championships and then make our way north on hwy 15 up to Lethbridge to see the kids.  The weather in Idaho and Montana is not cooperating with a number of systems forecast to hit over the next week.  We had planned on going to Moab, UT for a few days and then make a decision based on the weather.  Campgrounds in Moab seem to be all booked so we have now booked another 2 days at the Oasis RV Park in Vegas and then check the weather forecast again. 

Today we headed over to the Orleans Arena to see Canada play Italy.  Usually you would think this would be a quick game but the Italians were up for the game and it seemed like the Canadians had other things on their mind.  We had great seats right behind the sheet that Canada was playing on.  Team Gushue's family was right behind us and noticed Stoughton sitting just to our right in the next section.   

Every major curling event I have seen has an old guy in a kilt 
playing the bag pipes leading the teams out onto the ice.   
In Vegas things are a little different. 

Amazing control.
Kept his hands in his pockets and eyes focused down the ice.
She looks just a little uncomfortable though. 

Keep your eyes on the prize guys

All stretched out and ready to go. 

A little team confab.  

The boys played ok but both Mark and Brad had some key
misses that let a sharp Italian team take the lead late in the game.
Canada came back to win when the the Italian skip missed a
double to win the game.
Improvement will be needed to repeat as World Champs. 

A shot of the strip from the "smoking" balcony outside the arena.  

We purchased tickets to the Wednesday morning draw when Canada plays Norway.  Ulsrud isn't representing Norway this year so not sure if we will see the "pants".  If you don't get the reference google "norway men's curling team 2015".  

Learned a couple things today about attending a curling event in Vegas.  It may be 85 outside but its about 55 in the arena.  We dressed in shorts, t-shirts and sandals and if not for the kindness of a couple of Yanks sitting in front of us who lent us their blanket we could have got frostbite.  They layered up with long pants, hoodies and jackets.  Wasn't their first rodeo.  
The souvenir store was pathetic.  Sure missed revenue opportunities with poor selection and no Canada stuff.  Met a couple of ladies from Killarney who were volunteering selling 50/50 tickets and they confirmed that Vegas could use some help hosting Curling events.  
The crowd was sparse but about 70% were Canadians.  The next largest contingent was probably Scotland followed closely by Americans.  The Scotts were the loudest and had the best chants.  
I took my camera and made it through security but then a supervisor saw me and told me I couldn't bring a camera in.  Don't get that cause everyone has cell phones with cameras built in.  They decided to let me in with the camera as they had another rule that I found out about a few minutes later.  
Once we realized how cold it was inside the arena I wanted to go back to the truck to get Lori's jacket.  They told me that if I left I wouldn't be allowed back in.  Huh!  Guess this was the reason they let me keep the camera as I had already cleared security.  

Another shot of the owlets courtesy of JC.  They are going to have to learn
 to fly pretty soon as the nest is getting kind of small.   
Look a lot like Ewoks.

Tuesday morning we have to move to another site for our next two days.  We will probably spend the afternoon checking out the strip.  Lots of new hotels since our last visit some 15 years ago.  I'm sure it will be more of the same though.  Over the top architecture, lots of people, noise, bells and sirens.  Much prefer a hike through the desert.  Each to his own.