About a dozen years have passed since Donna and I last saw the Moody Blues in concert. They are one of our favorite musical acts of all time. I was barely a teenager when the band began its successful run. Their music has held up well over time.
But the wheel of time is rolling, and the band is showing its age. Actually, only 1 member of the original group remains -- Graeme Edge, the drummer. John Lodge, bassist, and Justin Hayward, lead guitar and lead vocalist, did not join the group until about 2 years after its formation. Ray Thomas, another original member and flutist, retired from the group in about 2002. He has since been replaced by Norda Mullen, who plays guitar and provides backup vocals in addition to the flute.
Other members of the backup stage band for the group on this tour were Julie Ragins (keyboard, sax, and backup vocals), Gordon Marshall (drums), and Alan Hewitt (keyboards and backup vocals). All of the backup band members seem to be very talented and comfortable on stage. Mullen especially had several opportunities to display her talent on the flute, and the audience was appreciative.
The show started slowly, with the band playing several of their lessor known songs. The pace was slow and awkward. Momemtum began to build after nearly an hour, and peaked with their last song just prior to their 20 minute break. The second half of the show was much better, and the audience was on its feet for the last few numbers.
Hayward's guitar playing skill is still evident, but his voice is not as strong and clear as it once was. However, it seemed to improve as the show worked toward its end. By the time he sang "Nights in White Satin" and "Question", his voice had gained considerable power.
Edge has also slowed. Marshall picked up the slack admirably and put a great deal of enthusiasm and energy into the show.
Lodge still enjoys being on stage. He interacts with the audience throughout, and the smile never leaves his face.
We enjoyed the show. I'm glad we went. I did not know how much I would enjoy the act since the last time we attended a Moody Blues concert, Ray Thomas was still on stage. I just don't know how much longer the current version of the Moody Blues will continue. The older members are now about 65 to 70 or thereabouts, so the clock is ticking. They all appear to be in good health, but one has to wonder how long someone this age wants to continue touring.
This blog follows Keith and Donna Cameron as they enjoy retirement. 01/24/05
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Good Eats: The King and I, Midland, Texas
It's no secret that Donna and I love Thai food. I've reviewed a couple of Thai restaurants in the past few months. You can find these and other restaurant reviews on the "Good Eats" page my website, "Living the Good Life".
While living in Midland from 1997 to 2002, Donna and I had a favorite Thai restaurant called The King and I on Big Spring Street just north of downtown. The restaurant operated out of a former Taco Bell, so seating was limited. A loyal clientele frequented the restaurant. We were among that number. Our favorite dish then was the toom yon goong, which is a spicy shrimp soup. The dish was always good; we were always satisfied with our meal.
Then Donna and I left Midland and we did not eat at the King and I again -- until this past Saturday. This place has only improved with age.
There is now a second location in the north of Midland in the Cornerstone Shopping Center. If I recall correctly, this location formerly housed a CiCi's pizza restaurant, so there is plenty of room here. We opted for this location on this trip.
We began our meal with 2 green chili egg rolls. These vegetarian egg rolls were served fresh and hot, and they were tasty and very spicy.
For our entrees, we both ordered curries. Donna prefers a green curry while I prefer a red. Both contained chicken and were served with sides of steamed rice. I do believe this was the best red curry I have ever had. Donna felt the same about her curry. The only problem is that the bowl had a bottom to it. I could have stayed and eaten the entire pot. My red curry had a coconut milk base. The golden curry dish had a full, rich flavor.
You can view the menu for The King and I at http://www.midlandmenus.com/category/menus-j-l/king-and-i/. The addresses for both locations are provided at the site as well.
I'm looking for an excuse to return to Midland so I can enjoy another bowl of red chicken curry.
While living in Midland from 1997 to 2002, Donna and I had a favorite Thai restaurant called The King and I on Big Spring Street just north of downtown. The restaurant operated out of a former Taco Bell, so seating was limited. A loyal clientele frequented the restaurant. We were among that number. Our favorite dish then was the toom yon goong, which is a spicy shrimp soup. The dish was always good; we were always satisfied with our meal.
Then Donna and I left Midland and we did not eat at the King and I again -- until this past Saturday. This place has only improved with age.
There is now a second location in the north of Midland in the Cornerstone Shopping Center. If I recall correctly, this location formerly housed a CiCi's pizza restaurant, so there is plenty of room here. We opted for this location on this trip.
We began our meal with 2 green chili egg rolls. These vegetarian egg rolls were served fresh and hot, and they were tasty and very spicy.
For our entrees, we both ordered curries. Donna prefers a green curry while I prefer a red. Both contained chicken and were served with sides of steamed rice. I do believe this was the best red curry I have ever had. Donna felt the same about her curry. The only problem is that the bowl had a bottom to it. I could have stayed and eaten the entire pot. My red curry had a coconut milk base. The golden curry dish had a full, rich flavor.
You can view the menu for The King and I at http://www.midlandmenus.com/category/menus-j-l/king-and-i/. The addresses for both locations are provided at the site as well.
I'm looking for an excuse to return to Midland so I can enjoy another bowl of red chicken curry.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Hike Report: Tasajillo Flats Trail, San Angelo State Park
During our brief 2-night stay at San Angelo State Park, we took a short 4 mile hike along a series of trails, most of which we had traversed before.
We began the hike on the Tasajillo Flats Trail, a trail we had not hiked before. The trail head for this trail is located near the Red Arroyo camp ground (see map), so it was a short walk from our trailer to the trail head. The trail is appropriately named, as there are clumps of tasajillo all along the trail. As with other trails in the park, desert plants dominant the landscape. This is typical of this area between the Edwards Plateau to the east and the Chihuahuan Desert to the west.
The Tasajillo Flats trail passes near the park headquarters, crossing one of the main park roads and then approaching the Highland Range subdivision of moderately priced homes. For the most part, the trail is on level terrain, but it weaves through patches of prickly pear and mesquite.
After a while, our trail intersected with the Nature Loop Trail, which we followed to the Isabel Harte Day Use Area. At this point, we decided to follow an old paved road from the Corp of Engineer days. The road still has a good, level surface, but clumps of grass have broken through the pavement in many places.
We then took the Red Dam Loop trail, which actually dips down into the dry lake bed in an area which has probably not seen water in a few decades. As testament to this, we passed the bottom of a boat ramp that hasn't seen a boat in a long, long time.
It was a short hike on an overcast and windy day, but the exercise was good. We've not been walking recently, so it was good to get out, regardless of the weather.
We began the hike on the Tasajillo Flats Trail, a trail we had not hiked before. The trail head for this trail is located near the Red Arroyo camp ground (see map), so it was a short walk from our trailer to the trail head. The trail is appropriately named, as there are clumps of tasajillo all along the trail. As with other trails in the park, desert plants dominant the landscape. This is typical of this area between the Edwards Plateau to the east and the Chihuahuan Desert to the west.
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| Trail junction early on the trail. We took the left fork and stayed on the Tasajillo Flats trail. |
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| The trail crosses a park road near park headquarters |
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| Trail winds through prickly pear, mesquite, and juniper. |
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| Another road crossing at one of the higher elevations, affording views of distant horizons |
After a while, our trail intersected with the Nature Loop Trail, which we followed to the Isabel Harte Day Use Area. At this point, we decided to follow an old paved road from the Corp of Engineer days. The road still has a good, level surface, but clumps of grass have broken through the pavement in many places.
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| Old road leading to picnic area no longer used |
We then took the Red Dam Loop trail, which actually dips down into the dry lake bed in an area which has probably not seen water in a few decades. As testament to this, we passed the bottom of a boat ramp that hasn't seen a boat in a long, long time.
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| Red Dam Loop trail, with the Red Dam itself in the background. To the left of Red Dam, you can also see the dam for OC Fisher lake. |
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| A long forgotten boat ramp |
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| A closer view of Red Dam, with our trail in the foreground. |
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| View from atop Red Dam. Our back trail is clearly visible, and leads roughly to the paved road at barely visible at upper right. All of this area was once under water. |
It was a short hike on an overcast and windy day, but the exercise was good. We've not been walking recently, so it was good to get out, regardless of the weather.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
House Update and Other Things
Donna and I left the KOA where we usually stay when in San Angelo and went out to San Angelo State Park for a couple of days. Spaces are cramped at the KOA, and traffic along the highway is constant, day and night. It's peaceful at the park, and the night skies are beautiful. However, there are no full hookups, so we only stay out here for 2 or 3 nights at a time.
This morning, we left the park and drove to Midland, where we will spend a couple of nights while attending a Moody Blues concert at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center located midway between Midland and Odessa, just north of the airport. This is a wonderful venue for concerts, and they bring in a number of acts that people our age enjoy. About a year ago, we attended a concert there by Glen Campbell on his farewell tour (click here for my blog entry on that concert).
After the concert, we will go back to San Angelo to take care of some business related to the construction of our new home. The house is coming along nicely. Cabinets are in, tile is being laid, and the walls are painted. The fence has been put up, sprinkler system has been installed, and the front yard has been landscaped. The carpet will be laid next week. There are still some other little jobs to do, so after we take care of things next week, Donna and I will take off for one final trip before coming back to San Angelo and moving in. We are currently planning a loop trip through the Hill County, where we will stay at various state parks. Anytime we stay at state parks, Internet connectivity is questionable, so I'll post entries when I can.
Below are some pictures I took of our house last week. They are already out of date, but do show the progress of the house.
I'll see you down the road.
This morning, we left the park and drove to Midland, where we will spend a couple of nights while attending a Moody Blues concert at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center located midway between Midland and Odessa, just north of the airport. This is a wonderful venue for concerts, and they bring in a number of acts that people our age enjoy. About a year ago, we attended a concert there by Glen Campbell on his farewell tour (click here for my blog entry on that concert).
After the concert, we will go back to San Angelo to take care of some business related to the construction of our new home. The house is coming along nicely. Cabinets are in, tile is being laid, and the walls are painted. The fence has been put up, sprinkler system has been installed, and the front yard has been landscaped. The carpet will be laid next week. There are still some other little jobs to do, so after we take care of things next week, Donna and I will take off for one final trip before coming back to San Angelo and moving in. We are currently planning a loop trip through the Hill County, where we will stay at various state parks. Anytime we stay at state parks, Internet connectivity is questionable, so I'll post entries when I can.
Below are some pictures I took of our house last week. They are already out of date, but do show the progress of the house.
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| Floor tile being laid in master bath. |
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| Fireplace, with hearth stones resting where they will be placed. |
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| Back wall of kitchen, with cabinets and granite countertop in place. Back wall is prepped and ready for back splash tile. Refrigerator fits in space at end of counter. |
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| Main kitchen area. Stove will go in right space and dishwasher in left center area. |
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| Posts have been set in back yard and are ready for fencing. |
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| Low-maintenance landscape being installed in front yard. |
I'll see you down the road.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada
From my perspective, there are 3 major gambling areas in Las Vegas: the Strip, Downtown, and locals' casinos scattered around town.
The Strip has all the glitz and glamor Las Vegas is known for, but it also has the high prices. The top shows and top entertainers are located on the Strip, as well as the premier restaurants and clubs. But I can't afford the Strip. The odds at the machines and tables are not very favorable to the gambler, so I avoid that area.
These days, we spend most of our time at what are known as locals' casinos. These locales cater to the knowledgeable local gamblers. As a result, you can find some of the best gambling odds at these places, especially for video poker, which is what Donna and I play.
While at Sam's Town during our recent visit to Las Vegas, we took the free Sam's Town shuttle to the downtown area. Our last time to visit downtown was about 12 years or so ago. At that time, we spent nearly a week at the Golden Nugget, which had recently been refurbished. The Fremont Street Experience had also recently been added as an attempt to draw visitors downtown. The Freemont Street Experience is essentially a pedestrian mall along the westernmost 5 blocks of Freemont Street in downtown LV. The pedestrian mall is covered by a barrel vault canopy which erupts in choreographed light shows set to music at scheduled times. Concerts and other events are also held in this area, once known as "Glitter Gulch".
Donna and I like downtown; it is old Vegas to us. Locals' casinos are scattered all over town, and the large mega casinos on the strip are usually located at good distances from each other making it difficult to visit more than a few casinos on foot. But in downtown, you can visit a dozen or more casinos all within a few easy blocks of one another. You can find all sorts of meal deals downtown, and slot and table odds are normally very competitive. There are a number of 100% plus video poker games downtown.
When you think of the downtown area, think of a suburban shopping mall. In each such mall, you have several major stores, like Sears, JC Penney, Dillards, and others. Then you have a number of smaller shops. That is how Freemont Street is. There are numerous large casinos, like Binion's and the Golden Nugget, and several smaller casinos like Mermaids tucked in between. It's an exciting area for adult entertainment.
The Strip has all the glitz and glamor Las Vegas is known for, but it also has the high prices. The top shows and top entertainers are located on the Strip, as well as the premier restaurants and clubs. But I can't afford the Strip. The odds at the machines and tables are not very favorable to the gambler, so I avoid that area.
These days, we spend most of our time at what are known as locals' casinos. These locales cater to the knowledgeable local gamblers. As a result, you can find some of the best gambling odds at these places, especially for video poker, which is what Donna and I play.
While at Sam's Town during our recent visit to Las Vegas, we took the free Sam's Town shuttle to the downtown area. Our last time to visit downtown was about 12 years or so ago. At that time, we spent nearly a week at the Golden Nugget, which had recently been refurbished. The Fremont Street Experience had also recently been added as an attempt to draw visitors downtown. The Freemont Street Experience is essentially a pedestrian mall along the westernmost 5 blocks of Freemont Street in downtown LV. The pedestrian mall is covered by a barrel vault canopy which erupts in choreographed light shows set to music at scheduled times. Concerts and other events are also held in this area, once known as "Glitter Gulch".
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| Looking east down Freemont Street under the Freemont Street Experience canopy. The Four Queens is on the right, and the Freemont is on the left. |
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| Looking west down Freemont Street. Binion's is on the right and the Golden Nugget is on the left. At the end of Freemont Street is the Plaza. The Golden Gate, home to the famous cheap shrimp cocktail is somewhere on the left. We had their shrimp cocktail for breakfast during our visit. |
When you think of the downtown area, think of a suburban shopping mall. In each such mall, you have several major stores, like Sears, JC Penney, Dillards, and others. Then you have a number of smaller shops. That is how Freemont Street is. There are numerous large casinos, like Binion's and the Golden Nugget, and several smaller casinos like Mermaids tucked in between. It's an exciting area for adult entertainment.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sam's Town, Las Vegas
For the week of February 18 - 25, we stayed at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall on the Boulder Highway in Las Vegas. It was our second time to stay and play at Sam's Town, and we had a good time.
The rooms are very adequate at the hotel, though they do lack some amenities such as refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. This seems to be a trend at casino hotels. They want you down in the casino playing and spending money, not in your room. And lack of fridge and microwave forces you to use their restaurants for food.
But Sam's Town has some good eateries, most of them located around Mystic Falls, the center atrium of the hotel. At various times throughout the day, Mystic Falls comes to life, with water spouts shooting 8 stories into the air and the cries of various wild animals, including wolves, bears, and eagles.
Sbarro, Panda Express, McDonald's, Willie and Jose's, and Billy Bob's Steakhouse are all located around Mystic Falls. We enjoyed $6.99 fajitas at Willie and Jose's while there. Although the fajitas lacked the strong fajita seasoning I like, the food was well prepared and the meat was quality meat. The food was so good, we ate there twice. Elsewhere around the casino are Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, TGIF, the Sam's Town Buffet, and two casino delis. The casino delis offer great deals, and are a good place top use your points.
We like staying at Sam's Town. First, Sam's Town is part of the BConnected gaming club. BConnected has casinos around the country, so our play around the country keeps the comps coming in for us. Second, Sam's Town Las Vegas has full pay deuces wild video poker, which returns 100.76% with perfect play over the long term, so it is an advantage play for serious video poker players.
Third, in addition to gambling, Sam's Town offers other entertainment. There is a bowling alley downstairs and a movie theater on the main floor. The casino also operates a shuttle service to the Strip and downtown. During the week we were there, we never cranked our truck.
Sam's Town is easy to reach. The Boulder Highway does not have the traffic of the Strip. There is also a Super Walmart right across the street from Sam's Town. If you want some variety in your gambling, Boulder Station is less than a mile up the Boulder Highway. Like Sam's Town, it also offers full pay deuces wild at 100.76%.
I'm sure we'll be heading back to Sam's Town in the near future.
The rooms are very adequate at the hotel, though they do lack some amenities such as refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. This seems to be a trend at casino hotels. They want you down in the casino playing and spending money, not in your room. And lack of fridge and microwave forces you to use their restaurants for food.
But Sam's Town has some good eateries, most of them located around Mystic Falls, the center atrium of the hotel. At various times throughout the day, Mystic Falls comes to life, with water spouts shooting 8 stories into the air and the cries of various wild animals, including wolves, bears, and eagles.
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| Mystic Falls |
Sbarro, Panda Express, McDonald's, Willie and Jose's, and Billy Bob's Steakhouse are all located around Mystic Falls. We enjoyed $6.99 fajitas at Willie and Jose's while there. Although the fajitas lacked the strong fajita seasoning I like, the food was well prepared and the meat was quality meat. The food was so good, we ate there twice. Elsewhere around the casino are Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, TGIF, the Sam's Town Buffet, and two casino delis. The casino delis offer great deals, and are a good place top use your points.
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| Skylight above Mystic Falls. Hotel rooms are located on 3 sides of the atrium. |
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| Glass elevators servicing the hotel at Sam's Town. |
Third, in addition to gambling, Sam's Town offers other entertainment. There is a bowling alley downstairs and a movie theater on the main floor. The casino also operates a shuttle service to the Strip and downtown. During the week we were there, we never cranked our truck.
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| Mystic Falls. Water flows from various holes in the rock. At designated times during the day, water fountains shoot straight into the air. Note the mechanical bear at lower right. During shows, he rares up, growls, and paws at the air. |
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| Another angle of Mystic Falls. Note cougar at left and eagle at center of picture. A wolf on a track at the top of the mountain rolls out and howls. |
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| Looking down on Mystic Falls park from the second floor balcony in front of the elevators. Walkways weave through the atrium park. Various mechanical animals live in the park, including woodpeckers that tap away. |
I'm sure we'll be heading back to Sam's Town in the near future.
Friday, March 1, 2013
On the Road: Laughlin, NV, to Las Vegas, NV
We're back in San Angelo now, so I'll try to catch up and post a few entries about our recent trip.
On Monday, February 18, we left Laughlin, Nevada, for a week in Las Vegas. The drive from Laughlin to Vegas is really a pleasant one, with good roadways. It is just under 100 miles, with all of it on 4 lanes or more. It's a good highway to just slow down and take in the landscape.
The trip begins with getting on Highway 163 for a 20 mile drive to connect with US Highway 95. Highway 163 heads west from the Colorado River and the casinos lining it, climbing the Newberry Mountains. Spirit Mountain, the highest peak in this range, rises to 5,642 feet.
After cresting the ridge of the mountains, there is a short and slight slope downward before the highway intersects with US Highway 95. A small housing community is on the west side of the road, along with a convenience store/gas station. Just north of the intersection is a rest area with facilities on the east side of the highway. It is modern and well planned, and a good place to stop and stretch your legs.
A few miles farther on is a small community typical of rural Nevada. On the east side of the highway is an RV park, while on the west is a casino. A few houses also line the west side of the road. The name of the place is Cal-Nev-Ari, which is a syllabic abbreviation of the states California, Nevada, and Arizona. Almost anywhere in Nevada where there are a few houses, you can usually find a casino. About 200 people make this community home.
Next up the road is Searchlight, Nevada, which is an old mining town. It has at least 2 casinos and a few other businesses, such as a McDonald's. If you drive through this area, please note the drastic drop in the speed limit from 70 MPH to about 30 MPH in a very short distance. Local law enforcement had a car stopped when we came through.
Just north of Searchlight, the snow-capped peak of Mount Charleston comes into view. At 11,916 feet, it is the tallest of the southern Nevada mountains. It is located just west of Las Vegas, and provides an area for winter sports for the greater Las Vegas area.
Just south of the intersection of US 95 with US 93, a large solar farm appears along the west side of the highway. The light plays off the panels such that at first the area appears like a large body of silvery water. It is not until you get near that you can actually see the rows of panels reflecting the bright sunlight off the desert floor.
We then join Highway 93, which goes from Las Vegas to cross the Hoover Dam and continue on to Kingman, Arizona. Known locally as the Boulder Highway, this highway takes us straight to our destination, Sam's Town.
On Monday, February 18, we left Laughlin, Nevada, for a week in Las Vegas. The drive from Laughlin to Vegas is really a pleasant one, with good roadways. It is just under 100 miles, with all of it on 4 lanes or more. It's a good highway to just slow down and take in the landscape.
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| Laughlin to Vegas |
The trip begins with getting on Highway 163 for a 20 mile drive to connect with US Highway 95. Highway 163 heads west from the Colorado River and the casinos lining it, climbing the Newberry Mountains. Spirit Mountain, the highest peak in this range, rises to 5,642 feet.
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| This photo was taken along Highway 163 a few miles out of Laughlin. It is probably about halfway up the slope of the Newberry Mountains, and is the last view of Laughlin. The picture shows the mountains in the east in Arizona, and clearly illustrates how Laughlin lies low in a valley. |
After cresting the ridge of the mountains, there is a short and slight slope downward before the highway intersects with US Highway 95. A small housing community is on the west side of the road, along with a convenience store/gas station. Just north of the intersection is a rest area with facilities on the east side of the highway. It is modern and well planned, and a good place to stop and stretch your legs.
A few miles farther on is a small community typical of rural Nevada. On the east side of the highway is an RV park, while on the west is a casino. A few houses also line the west side of the road. The name of the place is Cal-Nev-Ari, which is a syllabic abbreviation of the states California, Nevada, and Arizona. Almost anywhere in Nevada where there are a few houses, you can usually find a casino. About 200 people make this community home.
Next up the road is Searchlight, Nevada, which is an old mining town. It has at least 2 casinos and a few other businesses, such as a McDonald's. If you drive through this area, please note the drastic drop in the speed limit from 70 MPH to about 30 MPH in a very short distance. Local law enforcement had a car stopped when we came through.
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| Desert landscape just north of Searchlight |
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| Joshua Tree just north of Searchlight |
Just north of Searchlight, the snow-capped peak of Mount Charleston comes into view. At 11,916 feet, it is the tallest of the southern Nevada mountains. It is located just west of Las Vegas, and provides an area for winter sports for the greater Las Vegas area.
Just south of the intersection of US 95 with US 93, a large solar farm appears along the west side of the highway. The light plays off the panels such that at first the area appears like a large body of silvery water. It is not until you get near that you can actually see the rows of panels reflecting the bright sunlight off the desert floor.
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| Solar farm south of Las Vegas |
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