Drron's Do Disney.

[Pushka]

I’ve always said I wanted to board Air Force 1. Of course a silly dream. But it actually seems you can! Thanks Drron!

 

[drron]

Back to the main museum to see their special exhibits.Christmas trees naturally and a model railway display.

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Pat Nixon started the tradition of a First Lady gingerbread house.
A copy of the Cabinet room.

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[RooFlyer]

I’ve always said I wanted to board Air Force 1. Of course a silly dream. But it actually seems you can! Thanks Drron!

There's also a 707 version at the Seattle Museum of Flight that you can go through.

 

[drron]

As always you exit through the gift shop.You could buy replicas of all Presidential crockery.

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The Nixon Library is unique amongst the Presidential Libraries.Although originally opened in 1990 it was then just the Nixon Museum and Birthplace.It wasn't a Presidential library as Nixon basically had none of his Presidential papers.The Museum was about his life before becoming President and his Post-President years.It served as the Burial place for his wife in 1993 and for his funeral in 1994.
Nixon sued the Federal government for the return of his private papers and for compensation for their theft as he put it.The papers were returned to his Estate 1 month after his death.In 2004 the case was finally settled and his Estate was awarded $18 million compensation.
He was treated pretty shabbily by Jimmy Carter who refused him permission to visit Australia in the late 70's and put obstacles in the way of other trips he took.However in 1979 Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping.Jimmy Carter wasn;'t going to invite Nixon to the White House Reception but Deng insisted and said he would go to California to meet Nixon if he wasn't invited.Carter also refused to go to the opening of the museum.
A little trivia.Jimmy Carter and Nixon shared a common ancestor Thomas Cornell.He was the original member of both families to come to America.Another descendant is Bill Gates.

With the return of his private papers then copies of his Presidential papers a little later the Nixon Museum finally became a Presidential Library in 2007.It was fully remodelled and closed for most of 2016 reopening in October 2016.
Of interest one of the Eulogies given at Nixon's funeral was by Bill Clinton who had become a friend.

Another was by Henry Kissinger.If you want to watch it is here-

So now off to the shops!

 

[JohnM]

There's also a 707 version at the Seattle Museum of Flight that you can go through.

That one's the Lyndon Johnson-era version.

 

[drron]

We now made our way to the Desert Hills Premium outlets.Unfortunately once again mrsdrron came up empty handed but another shirt for drron.We were getting a bit hungry as nothing since breakfast.There was a Red Lobster not far from the hotel so that's where we headed.Mrsdrron had the appetiser of Coconut shrimp then their lobster roll whilst I had the meal of Coconut Shrimp plus a scallop skewer.Main meals come with a salad as well as warm cheese biscuits-ie scones.We love those biscuits.

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They have certainly improved their salad offering.My meal also came with a side.Mine was sweet potato mash with candied pecans.
As we left the sky was unusual-

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OK just a cloud but I am going with the story that I am the only one to have seen the Northern lights,the Southern lights and the Southern Californian lights.
The day hadn't finished.This Red Lobster was also close to Ontario Mills another Outlet mall.However mrsdrron was tired so only went to Nordstrom Rack.After that we went to an AT&T office and bought a cheap USA phone as this time we are going to be here with family.
Then to the noisy hotel.Must be getting used to it as we both slept better.

 

[drron]

Thge 4 Points was only 2 blocks from I 15 which leads straight to Las Vegas.The traffic was very heavy with occasional stop starts.The longest episode was over 4-5 miles and was due to people rubber necking passing an accident.Once past that a good run.It is desolate country.

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We made a short stop in Barstow which has 2 Outlet Malls.Both appear to be failing.
So on to Primm just over the Nevada border.As you come into Primm there is one of the newer solar farms that specialises in turning birds into a puff of smoke.The Outlet there is surviving with most shoppers Chinese.We passed one Chinese woman who had 6 extremely large carry bags full of stuff from Coach.
We were a little early into Las Vegas so went to the Northern Premium outlets.Mrsdrron was emotionally scarred when she found out no Ted Baker shop in Las Vegas stocks her size whilst they do stock the largest size for men with lots on special.So once again it was I who came away with the goods.Leaving the parking lot we passed 2 Chinese women trying to load a very large van.It was already completely full and they still had about 10 bags to load.

Now for those of you wondering what smart casual footwear you could wear into a QF domestic lounge the Croc shop had just the thing.Animal print lined crocs.What taste.

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So then to the Cosmopolitan-a member of Marriott.Basically a failed time share being converted into a hotel.First the car park was a shambles.I wasn't the only one who got lost but finally found a spot very close to the lobby lifts.Mrsdrron stayed in the car whilst I went to check in.3 lines with 20-30 people at least.There was a VIP checkin so I asked if I checked in there as a plat.Told to line up with everyone else.Now fortunately after the Mandalay Bay shooting I was able to rebook and get a 1 bedroom balcony suite for less than the original standard room.
By the time I got to the agent I was told there are no platinum upgrades available but I will give you the best 1 bedroom available.Now the best are in the front Boulevarde Tower and have a view of the Bellagio fountains or down to the South strip.I was given a room towards the back of the rear Chelsea tower with views of I 15 and an IN N OUT burger.
On top of that the room comes with a microwave.Turn it on and the lights,sounds and timer work but absolutely no heating.You also get a Japanese style tub.A small square,deep bath with 2 seats.Unfortunately it didn't hold water.There are no tea,coffee making facilities.Not as much as a teaspoon or a cup.No waters during the stay and obviously no welcome letter or amenity.
You also have to pay a $39 resort fee per night which includes standard internet.The one platinum benefit was that you get premium internet for free which is normally $20 per day.Well the wifi kept putting me back to standard internet randomly.You knew when this happened as nothing else happened.Even with the premium internet speeds were hopeless and often web pages timed out.
So to the room-

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As you just might have guessed I do not recommend staying here.

 

[drron]

The view at night isn't too bad-

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Now really famished so cross the road where we know there are a few choices.nothing much but we came to ME lobster where we had eaten before so that is what we had.Each had a ME lobster roll and I also had a shrimp and fish cerviche tostada.They went down well.

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On the way back we bought some water,a bottle of Sav Blanc and some stuff for brekkie.The lights as we crossed the strip.

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[drron]

The view is different in the morning-

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However if you go out on the balcony and to the far end you get good views of LAS using zoom.

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The IN N OUT burger sign is seen better at night.

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[drron]

So to Christmas Eve and we stroll up the strip to the north.As we were passing Bellagio there water show began so we stayed and watched.

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Interesting doing a panorama shot as the pattern has changed as you move the camera around.The left edge is the beginning.

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And a shot to stimulate discussion.

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Diversity bollards recently installed along the strip.

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I assumed there had been intel of a Christmas attack.When we got back and watched the news there was a story of the FBI foiling a planned attack on Pier 39 SFO on Christmas day.
And finally to an item of clothing I nearly bought.A Ted Baker jacket.Would have needed to lose less than an inch around the waist for a nice fit.In real life the purple was a little lighter and pink more pronounced.Would have been a hit on the Silver Muse in 2019.

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[Denali]

I’ve always said I wanted to board Air Force 1. Of course a silly dream. But it actually seems you can! Thanks Drron!

My friend has been on AF1 a few times, I've got the Presidential M&Ms to prove it

 

[drron]

Walking back we passed my favourite name for a bar.

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We came to a P F Changs and decided to stop.It was 1500 and the place was virtually full and a constant stream kept arriving.As usual we started with the dry rub ribs.We then had 2 new dishes-surf and turf and pork Lo mien.The surf and turf was great.Shrimp,lobster and steak with mixed veggies.We will have that again.Same with the pork lo mien.Really nice.

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Mrsdrron wasn't feeling the best so we took the leftovers back with us knowing we had a microwave.Well you know how that turned out.
By the time we got back to our room it was well past sunset but with some beautiful colours.

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An incredible number of helicopters presumably coming back from the Grand Canyon.You would have 5 in a row then 5-10 minutes later another 5.

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[drron]

And so it is Christmas.Unfortunately mrsdrron is feeling worse-febrile and a cough so antibiotics started.We left late on a walk to the South.Pass an Irish pub with a few sound sayings.

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Then past New York,New York.

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Whilst in the sky they are playing noughts and crosses.

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[Denali]

Sending positive thoughts to Mrs Ron, for a speedy recovery.

 

[drron]

We got down to Luxor and mrsdrron was feeling exhausted.Close enough for the now obligatory pic of the Mandalay Bay and the concert arena over the road.

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Walking back I found a shop named after me-

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Whilst mrsdrron found her Christmas tree with lots of designer gifts underneath.

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In the upmarket shopping mall attached to Aria we found the Todd English pub.Over the years we have eaten in a few of his restaurants in New York.I had an Outbock beer brewed locally and mrsdrron a Napa SB.She had the lobster roll and I fish and chips.Despite the outside look my fish was cooked perfectly.

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Above our booth was another witty saying-

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[drron]

A floral carpet outside the restaurant.

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Inside the mall another Christmas tree.

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Back to the hotel in time to see sunset-

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and see planes take off.

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[drron]

It turned out that our room was OK for plane spotting.LAS is certainly busy.

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Occasionally a plane would take off from what must be a north-south runway.

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[GarrettM]

.After that I watched Atomic Blonde with Charlize Theron in thigh high boots.

Sounds excellent!

 

[GarrettM]

As we left the sky was unusual-

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OK just a cloud but I am going with the story that I am the only one to have seen the Northern lights,the Southern lights and the Southern Californian lights.

Cloud? Or leftovers from the Space X launch?

SpaceX Rocket Launch Lights Up The California Sky, Freaks Out Some Residents

 

[drron]

Cloud? Or leftovers from the Space X launch?

SpaceX Rocket Launch Lights Up The California Sky, Freaks Out Some Residents

Well there you go.And you saw it first here on AFF.