We just got back from our little overnight trip over to the north shore. I reserved a room at the old Cal-Neva hotel and bought tickets to see Sam Bush perform in the small Crystal Bay Casino. This is what I got Christy for her valentines day present, (okay , I really wanted to go to this show as well, so we both win out). Sam Bush is an amazing blue grass mandolin player, singer, songwriter and as we found out also plays the fiddle.
I drove the truck over there along the east shore side. The west side, Hwy 89, is closed because of all the snow. We figured having 4 wd was the way to go, that old truck does great in the snow. There was a car that rolled over about half way to our destination. Lots of fire trucks, ambulances and police with flares in the road. Anyone that's ever ridden with me driving knows that I drive super cautious,especially in the snow, kinda like grampa.
We check into the Cal-Neva and find ourselves in a very nice room with a great view of the the lake from the eighth floor. Looking through the large windows we can see all the way from Crystal Bay to south shore. I open the window and it's just beautiful. The sun glistening on the water, the snow capped mountains reflecting so much light you need sunglasses to even look out at this fantastic scene. Even after living here for almost 50 years I'm still awestruck from all the beauty this place affords.
After a wonderful prime rib dinner at the hotel we take a short walk over to the casino. We pick up our tickets for the show and play some video poker. I walk over to the small room where the show is to be performed just to check it out. Walking down the corridor, I bump into Sam Bush, the musician we came to see. We shake hands and I tell him I'm a big fan. Now I'm a guy that likes a firm handshake so as I'm gripping his hand I could feel the crunching of bones in his hand. He winced a little but was very nice. I walk back to find Christy thinking, great, I just broke his hand!
The concert starts and Sam comes out and his hand isn't bandaged so I breathe a sigh of relief. He has a lot of energy and from the very first song he has the audience in the palm of his hand... his good hand anyway! He played his little mandolin and sang wonderfully. He also played the fiddle for some songs and that was very good as well. His band was kick ass with a banjo player, a guy playing acoustic guitar, a bass player, and a drummer. They mostly played original material but also did a few cover songs with their own spin on it. Really really good!
There were only a few tables in the room and they were reserved for VIP's. So that meant we had to stand the whole time which was kinda rough on my knees and back. We met several nice people and exchanged e- mail addresses and had a few beers. This "showroom" is not very big; holds maybe 200 people so you get to know your neighbors right away.
The drive home was beautiful with the sun shining and the lake calm. In the same stretch of road where the other car crashed there was another accident. This little SUV was upside down, sitting on its roof. I've taken some good natured ribbing over the years about my slow driving and maybe overly cautious approach to the road, but hey, I'm not in the ditch or upside down!
We made it home safe and sound just a little sore and stiff. Back, knees... man, just going to a concert and I'm all stoved up! Oh, well, at least it was a great weekend! So if you're ever on the north shore, check into the Cal-Neva and ask for room 808 and if Sam bush is playing anywhere nearby, go see him. He's great! Just give him a soft handshake.
Take care,
Old Bob
I drove the truck over there along the east shore side. The west side, Hwy 89, is closed because of all the snow. We figured having 4 wd was the way to go, that old truck does great in the snow. There was a car that rolled over about half way to our destination. Lots of fire trucks, ambulances and police with flares in the road. Anyone that's ever ridden with me driving knows that I drive super cautious,especially in the snow, kinda like grampa.
We check into the Cal-Neva and find ourselves in a very nice room with a great view of the the lake from the eighth floor. Looking through the large windows we can see all the way from Crystal Bay to south shore. I open the window and it's just beautiful. The sun glistening on the water, the snow capped mountains reflecting so much light you need sunglasses to even look out at this fantastic scene. Even after living here for almost 50 years I'm still awestruck from all the beauty this place affords.
After a wonderful prime rib dinner at the hotel we take a short walk over to the casino. We pick up our tickets for the show and play some video poker. I walk over to the small room where the show is to be performed just to check it out. Walking down the corridor, I bump into Sam Bush, the musician we came to see. We shake hands and I tell him I'm a big fan. Now I'm a guy that likes a firm handshake so as I'm gripping his hand I could feel the crunching of bones in his hand. He winced a little but was very nice. I walk back to find Christy thinking, great, I just broke his hand!
The concert starts and Sam comes out and his hand isn't bandaged so I breathe a sigh of relief. He has a lot of energy and from the very first song he has the audience in the palm of his hand... his good hand anyway! He played his little mandolin and sang wonderfully. He also played the fiddle for some songs and that was very good as well. His band was kick ass with a banjo player, a guy playing acoustic guitar, a bass player, and a drummer. They mostly played original material but also did a few cover songs with their own spin on it. Really really good!
There were only a few tables in the room and they were reserved for VIP's. So that meant we had to stand the whole time which was kinda rough on my knees and back. We met several nice people and exchanged e- mail addresses and had a few beers. This "showroom" is not very big; holds maybe 200 people so you get to know your neighbors right away.
The drive home was beautiful with the sun shining and the lake calm. In the same stretch of road where the other car crashed there was another accident. This little SUV was upside down, sitting on its roof. I've taken some good natured ribbing over the years about my slow driving and maybe overly cautious approach to the road, but hey, I'm not in the ditch or upside down!
We made it home safe and sound just a little sore and stiff. Back, knees... man, just going to a concert and I'm all stoved up! Oh, well, at least it was a great weekend! So if you're ever on the north shore, check into the Cal-Neva and ask for room 808 and if Sam bush is playing anywhere nearby, go see him. He's great! Just give him a soft handshake.
Take care,
Old Bob
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