Monday, January 9, 2012

SHOT Show Meetup...

Well, SHOT Show 2012 begins in a little over a week, with folks trickling into the Las Vegas area in about a week's time. We're heading out on Saturday, getting in a day as a family in the gaudiest place on earth Sin City Vegas and surrounding area before daddy gets sucked into more than two city blocks of the latest and greatest in gunnie goodness.

Numerous folks have expressed interest in getting together for dinner one night during the week of SHOT Show. Wednesday night is out, as there's an event that night that a good number of folks are attending, but other than that it's pretty open. Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday night are open, and ExUrbanKevin over at Misfires and Light Strikes is trying to pull something together and has a poll up for time and place.

Now, I've never been to Vegas - hell, this will make the first time in my 40 years on this planet I've ever been more than one time zone away from home. I'm guessing that there are more than a couple places where a rowdy group of folks could get together for good food, a few adult beverages, and stimulating conversation. I'd wager that pretty much anywhere we picked on the strip would be fine.

Anyone local - or just a frequent Vegas guest - have any suggestions?

I've been to blogmeets in New England, OH, MD, and FL, and they've all been great. The venue may change; the players may - or may not - differ; the locale may or may not be hospitable to folks what like to talk about guns, but every single time I've gotten together with members of my chosen tribe it has been a wonderful time that's over far too soon. I'm eagerly looking forward to SHOT Show and seeing all the cool new guns, gadgets, and gear that are poised to roll out in 2012; I'm even more excited about seeing some old friends again and meeting up with new ones.

So, who's going, and when and where are we getting together?

That is all.

18 comments:

George said...

I'll be there...as to where, I'll leave that to more experienced folks.

ZerCool said...

It's been several years since I visited, but consider taking the kids and Mrs to a show. There are several kiosks down the strip selling half-price (or lower) tickets for same-day shows.

Food: I don't think I had any BAD food while I was in Vegas. If drinks are your thing, I highly recommend Red Square in Mandalay Bay - it's a Soviet-themed vodka bar, and while the busts of Lenin everywhere you turn are kinda creepy, the selection of vodka is excellent and the mixed drinks are very good. (A friend of mine had the Chernobyl. In college, I'd have called it a Pink Panty Dropper. Five shots, tastes like punch.)

bluesun said...

Uh oh. Get ready to enjoy the West!

Bubblehead Les. said...

Food and Drink in Vegas is easy. But you might want to spend some time (and money) and go to the Gun Range that allows you to rent FULL AUTO GUNS!

Citizens of Free States get to do that, you know.

ExurbanKevin said...

Thanks for the link!

And I'll have suggestions tomorrow from friends of mine who went to SHOT last year as where would be a good place to meet up. Don't want to walk TOO far, but on the other hand, I don't want to end up at some place that vacuums the money from your wallet at the door.

Jay G said...

I've shot full auto in MA plenty of times, Les...

It's the money part, not the legality, that keeps me out of the FA game... ;)

Kim said...

So I am a local!!! Heh. I would love to meet some of the bloggers. Did you guys want on or off strip? And how far off are you willing to go?

ExurbanKevin said...

Lila, I would readily appreciate some help on this! I know the difference a local can make on this sort of thing, and I'd love to hear from you. Can you email me at kevin *at* exurbanleague.com with a few suggestions that are close to the Sands/Venetian/Palazzo?

Kim said...

Sure thing. I'll get the kiddo off to school and we can brain storm!

Kim said...

Oh and for anyone looking to sight see out of the chaos. Go to the dam. With the new bridge open it is amazing. A lot less traffic and you can also access the foot traffic part of the bridge which is pretty cool. Plus Boulder City is seriously a great town. They have a city rule against gambling so it is what a small western town is. Cute little main street with some yummy food spots. Great little shops. Very awesome place. If you are in to history and antiques and funky then the town of Nelson which is out near Boulder is also a great place. They claim to be the oldest mining town in the state and they have a great little area with old buildings full of antiques and things like that plus they offer mine tours. The schools do field trips out there so kids can go on it.

Christina RN LMT said...

Take the kids to the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus. Indoor amusement park! And/or the Springs Preserve. I second the suggestion of Hoover Dam and Boulder City. I LOVED Boulder City. There's a park there called Hemenway Park where the bighorn sheep come down off the hills to graze in the summer, and you get a good view of Lake Mead.
If you're going to brave a show with the kids, I suggest Blue Man Group or one of the Cirque du Soleil shows (NOT Zumanity! Ka, maybe, or O.)

Anonymous said...

You should know that "Vegas Blocks" are about 3 miles long. Don't look at a map and be fooled into walking.

For great Italian food at a very reasonable price try Lombardi's inside the shopping mall part of Planet Hollywood.

sv

Kim said...

O and Ka are fabulous!!! As to Circus Circus if you decide to do Adventure dome either drive or be very aware. Right now it is surrounded by either empty lots or closed casinos. It sits back off the strip so the chunck from Fashion Place Mall to Stratosphere has become a mecca of crime and homeless. Pretty icky to walk.

The lake is great to go out to. My husband works out there and so far we are up like 40 ft. So the shore is different and pretty cool. There is also a great place to shoot out near nelson for those driving in if we wanted to have an evening of fun that way. I might be able to convince my BIL to come play and he has some fun toys, lol.

Kim said...

Oh and Kevin I emailed you. Watch for lila *at* readlilawilliams.com

Anonymous said...

The last time I was on the Strip was last year, and I suggest that if you want to go to any casino that's not directly adjacent to the one you're in, you take the monorail. It's a tad expensive, but at least you and your kids won't be heckled by throngs of people handing out cards with naked women on them. Or impersonators/entertainers trying to make money on the sidewalk.

Um...there hardly is a bad place to get food on the Strip, but if you're taking kids, I'd suggest the Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand. Great food, nice atmosphere. :) Now, I can't tell ya where to get drinks, because I was underage every single time I've been on the Strip and still am underage. ;)

Going to Boulder City is pretty cool, too, but you'll have to drive there. It's in an entirely different valley than Vegas.

wolfwalker said...

Jay, I'm assuming you're flying rather than driving. I don't know if you're taking a carry gun, but if you are, then for ghu's sake, BE CAREFUL WHAT CITIES YOU CONNECT THROUGH.

LaGuardia Airport has been in the news several times in recent weeks because under New York state law you can be arrested there simply for having a gun in your luggage -- even if it's locked away in full compliance with federal regulations. I don't know if other cities have similar regs, but the malice and stupidity of liberals knows no bounds. I would check the laws of any city or state you're connecting through and plan accordingly.

JT Trujillo said...

Treat yourself to the awesome fruit plate breakfast at the Peppermill on the Strip-you'll be amazed! Look up my good friend, saxophonist Charles McNeal if you want to hear some GREAT music!

firefighter4884 said...

Jay,

I sent you the message on facebook. I'm definitely in. I'm staying within walking distance (easy walking distance I'm told) of the show itself...

I'm game for wherever...