I’m playing a bit of catch up again, but I don’t feel too bad about it this time because I’ve been out with my family   We’ve been having quite a bit of fun and there’s more planned for the next couple of days   I don’t have too much time tonight for lots of writing, but I wanted to get the pictures up while I have the chance 8)  As always, click the pics for full size

Last night saw Mom, my brother, and me shopping at Bass Pro and dining at Mi Casa at the Silverton.  I’ve eaten there many times and my brother’s been there in the past, but Mom hadn’t been there before.  It’s good Mexican food, but the service was a bit slow when it was time for the check.  Mom picked out her Christmas presents herself – a sweater and a pink Streamlight Nano and I also picked up something for Dad   I also got one thing for myself – a Streamlight Stylus Pro (recently reviewed by Nutnfancy) for everyday carry   Yeah, it was a pretty good night

Our first destination today was the Motor Trend International Auto Show   Lots of new and classic cars were on display and available for climbing into which is something both my brother and I enjoy greatly.  Mom liked quite a few of the cars, too

The new Corvettes were all available for our enjoyment and I couldn’t pass up a chance like this

Chevrolet seems to have actually grown a few brain cells for a change.  So far, I’ve owned a Camaro, two Cavaliers, and an HHR.  They’ve been pretty darn good cars, but Chevy has had a serious problem in the past with marketing and somewhat in knowing what to produce.  The Camaro was supposed to be out in 2005 or 2006.  The SSR convertible pickup was two or three years late.  They can’t seem to get the clue that hype sells and they seem to let the hype die off before introducing the product.  This time they seem to have changed that which is a nice development.  If you’ve seen either of the Transformers movies, you’ll recognize Bumblebee here

Of course I had to get a picture of Mom in here   She really liked this car, but I don’t know if she’s really all that ready to buy one.  Still, it’s nice to dream of nice things

I can’t go into too much detail, but the Corvette club showed up with some really nice cars   I’ve always loved the 1968 to 1982 models, but I confess that I prefer them with rear exhaust instead of side exhaust.  I’ll take a 1963 to 1967 with side exhaust any day though

Nobody in my family is really into low riders, but this truck is still pretty cool

The Ford club also showed up with quite a nice collection of cars, especially the Mustangs   I’ll take the Shelby

Today’s Maseratis aren’t the fastest or best handling, but I still think they’re seriously good looking

Scion brought some interesting cars to the show and I have to confess that I was considering something like the silver car on the left.

This FJ Cruiser is one of the specialized versions that’s optimized for off road use.  It’s got big wheels and tires, gauges on the dash for roll and incline, and it’s got a wonderful desert tan paint job with a flat black surface on the hood.  I could really use something like this out in the desert

We stopped by the hotel room to drop some stuff off before going to dinner so I took the chance to snap a quick pic of the view out of their window.  I also wanted to show the water they leave you in the room.  There’s two bottles and two cups, but I don’t think I’d ever drink it – they want $4.00 per bottle if you do

My brother bought dinner tonight for the three of us at Benihana’s in the Hilton 8)  No, it was by no means inexpensive.  Quite the opposite actually.  But it was GOOD!!! I had swordfish steaks, Mom had steak, and Rob had a combination of shrimp and chicken.  Mom and I did something we don’t normally do and actually had dessert.  Their cheesecake wasn’t very sweet, but it was incredibly light and fluffy (that’s the best way to describe it) and it was covered in mandarin oranges.  I could get used to this

One of the things I love about Vegas is the wonderful outrageous nature of much of what you’ll find in this town 8)  I mean, where else would you find a 1980s hard rock/heavy metal band as Christmas entertainment or art work like this in a lavatory (and no, I don’t normally take pictures in there ) ?  I don’t know where else you’d find those sorts of things and actually think that they’re somehow normal

So that’s what I’ve got from the past two days in a fairly quick post   I don’t know exactly what’s up for tomorrow, but I’m thinking it might include a trip to Carrol Shelby’s diner and a stop by Nellis Air Force Base

Have a great day everyone