Archive for May, 2011

U2360USA Day 17 – road trip part 1 recap

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2011 by DeenasDays

I consider this 17th day of my U2 360 tour across America the end of the first part of my road trip. My mom and aunt left today – they had been with me since the beginning. We had breakfast in our hotel and then went back to the fabulous Grand Sierra Resort to gamble for a couple hours before their flight. Luckily I won back my money that I lost yesterday. After I dropped them off at the airport, I went to Petco to get dog food for Elvis and Cilla, got gas for our trip tomorrow, and went to Subway for lunch. I was back at the hotel by 1. Elvis, Cilla and I are just going to relax for the rest of the day before our long drive to Portland tomorrow.

Cilla n Elvis resting

I had a great first part of my U2 360 tour across America road trip. It was only 2 U2 shows, but I still consider it the first part of my road trip because tomorrow is the last day of May and my mom and my aunt were with me the first 17 days, and they went home today. We had a great time touring Omaha, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Keystone, Deadwood, Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe. My favorite was Mount Rushmore. It was beautiful, and we had a great day walking through the park.

me and the 4 faces of U2 at the 4 faces of Mt Rushmore

Both U2 concerts in Denver and Salt Lake City were great. I got a lot of Larry love at the opener in Denver, but the audience wasn’t that into the show. The crowd was much better at the show in Salt Lake City, but Larry didn’t even know I was there. The set lists were pretty much the same for both shows, except Love Rescue Me was played at the Salt Lake City show. I watched the Denver show with my old friend Mike, but lost him in the beginning of the Salt Lake show. I got to hang out with my Elevation friends Matt and Melissa during the Salt Lake City show. I’m enjoying the new set list on this leg of the U2 360 tour with the exception of the void of my favorite I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – but I’m loving the addition of Pride.

Edge, Larry, Bono, Adam

14 more shows to go on my U2 360 tour across America. Part 2 will be those in June in Seattle, Oakland, Anaheim, Baltimore, East Lansing, and Miami. And along the way I’ll also visit Portland, San Francisco, Palm Springs, the Joshua Tree, and Hollywood – as well as a really long drive across the country. Please look for me, Memphis Mullen, in my Larry Mullen Band shirt with my dogs Elvis and Cilla in a GA line near you.

Cilla, Memphis Mullen, Elvis

It’s on to Portland, Oregon in the morning! 5 days until U2 360 in Seattle!

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U2360USA Day 16 – Reno

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , , on May 29, 2011 by DeenasDays

While everyone else (well at least a bunch of U2 fans I know) is in Winnipeg for the U2 show tonight, I was losing much money at the slots in Reno. Since I am not doing the Canada shows on the U2 360 tour, I decided to spend  my week between the Salt Lake City and Seattle U2 shows in Reno and Portland.

My mom, my aunt and I started off our day different today. On the recommendation of a Facebook friend (Thanks Skott!), we went to Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs for breakfast. Apparently it is the must-eat breakfast spot – definitely a local spot, not a lot of tourists there. It lived up to it’s name for me. Breakfast was fantastic and they had fresh squeezed orange juice. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo. I was kind of thrown by the sleet/snow/rain this morning. I still cannot believe that it is in the 40s on the last days of May!

From breakfast, we went to the Grand Sierra Resort. We noticed this casino on our way to Lake Tahoe yesterday. The Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino is only about a mile from our hotel and about a mile from downtown Reno. I would definitely stay there if I ever get back to Reno – and if they allow dogs. It’s the best casino I’ve seen in Reno. It has so many different slots, including all of my favorites. There are also several bars and restaurants, so there is no real need to ever leave the resort. And besides free drinks, they were giving out free cookies!

Grand Sierra Good Luck cookie

Unfortunately, my ‘Good Luck’ cookie did not bring me any. I lost all of my money. I played a variety of slots including every Hot Shot slot in the casino (about 10), Dirty Dancing, Sex and the City, 7 Double Jackpot, Fireball, Star Wars, Bombs Away, and Power Strike. I won a few bonuses on some, but ended up losing everything. So I just sat while my mom and my aunt, who were winning, continued to play.

We were back at our hotel by 2pm. I did my laundry because my hotels in Portland and Seattle don’t have guest laundry facilities. Now Elvis, Cilla and I are just relaxing in our room before I meet my mom and my aunt for dinner. I’ll see if I can resist playing the slots in our little casino. But maybe I can win my money back?

(Several hours later: After dinner, I did play the slots in our hotel, but luckily only lost $20! Now if I can just stay away from the slots tomorrow or change my luck.)

6 days until U2 360 in Seattle!

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U2360USA Day 15 – Lake Tahoe

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009) with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 28, 2011 by DeenasDays

We started out our day just like yesterday, with a yummy filling breakfast in our hotel. But that’s where the similarity ended. This 15th day of my U2 360 tour across America brought me, my mom and my aunt through Carson City and into the snow of Lake Tahoe.

driving to Lake Tahoe

Our first stop was just about 10-15 minutes from our hotel, south of Reno on the way to Carson City and Lake Tahoe. We stopped at the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. I think I bought enough candy to last me for the rest of my U2 360 road trip – peanut butter fudge, chocolate covered graham crackers, chocolate caramels and a big hunk of white chocolate.

Chocolate Nugget

We made it to Carson City and just drove through and see what it was like. There was a casino and a couple of cool looking bars and a park, but not a big vacation destination.

We reached Lake Tahoe and the temperature drastically dropped. It was about 50 degrees when we left Reno and it dropped into the 30s by the time we stopped at Lake Tahoe to take pictures.

Lake Tahoe

We drove around the Lake and went into the Horizon Casino. I wanted to stop here because it used to be the Sahara Casino where Elvis performed in the 1970s. There was no longer any evidence of the King though. It was a small casino, but they had Hot Shot, so I played a little and luckily only lost $4.

We decided rather than drive back the way we came, to drive all the way around Lake Tahoe. So we made our way into California along route 89. This road was quite narrow and at many points had no guard rail and just dropped off with no shoulder. My mom was terrified and at one pointed shouted, “Stop the car and let me out!” After, she didn’t even remember saying it she was so scared. To make matters worse, it was snowing – hard. 32 degrees and snowing on Memorial Day Weekend – the official start of summer. I never thought it would be this cold on my summer road trip, or that I would encounter snow – twice!

Lake Tahoe snow

We finally made it around Lake Tahoe and back to Reno. It was in the high 40s and raining, but a big improvement from the snow. We had eaten since breakfast, so we had a really late lunch or early dinner at Carrows down the street from our hotel – I think we ate enough for 2 meals.

I think I’ll skip the casino tonight and stay in the room and relax with Elvis and Cilla. I’ll gamble more tomorrow.

Please watch my short video of our day in Carson City and Lake Tahoe (uploading now)

7 days until U2 360 in Seattle!

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U2360USA Day 14 – Reno, Nevada

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 27, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 14 of my U2 360 tour across America was a lucky one for me – lucky at the slots that is. I returned to my hotel room this evening with the same amount of money I left with this morning.

My mom, my aunt and I started off our day with a yummy, filling breakfast at our hotel restaurant. Then we took our free hotel shuttle to the Reno strip, just a mile away.

Reno

Our first stop was at the Elderado Casino. It is a huge casino with all of my favorite slots. I played Sex and the City, I Love Lucy, Wizard of Oz, and all 6 Hot Shot slots. Hot Shot is my favorite slot, but I only won a few little bonuses on them. I also won a few small bonuses on Sex and the City.

the Elderado

We moved across the street to the Silver Legacy, which is also a huge casino but a little less crowded. I found four more Hot Shots to play. It was almost noon, and I put my last $20 into the 4th Hot Shot slot. I won back about half of my money I had lost.

Silver Legacy

Feeling a little relieved that I had won some of my money back, we went down the street to Harrah’s. This was a smaller casino. I was surprised that Harrah’s was smaller than the other casinos that I have never heard of. I won back the rest of my money back on Double 7 Jackpot. Now that I was even, I wanted to take a break so I didn’t lose any money.

Harrah's

We went back to Elderado’s for lunch, but their buffet was closing at 2pm, which was very weird. And none of their other restaurants were open. So we walked across the street back to the Silver Legacy, and their buffet didn’t open until 4pm. So we ate at their Cafe Sadona, which was really nice. It was upstairs where the non-smoking slots were. We sat ‘outside’ overlooking the casino.

Since I was even, I thought I would play a little more. I walked down the hall not realizing I was crossing into Circus Circus. I played Sex and the City, Amazing Race and Rich Little Piggies slots and won some bonuses on each but kept playing until I was even again.

We got the shuttle and were back at our hotel around 5. After resting for a bit, we going to meet in the casino diner in our hotel, grab a bite and play a little more tonight. Hopefully I can stay even.

Reno

8 days until U2 360 in Seattle!

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U2360USA Day 13 – SLC to Reno

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2011 by DeenasDays

We’re in Reno! It’s not Vegas, but it’s still pretty cool. Las Vegas was too far south to be on the way from the U2 show in Salt Lake City to the U2 show in Seattle. We left Salt Lake City just after 8am this morning, stopped 3 times, and arrived in Reno, Nevada just after 4:30pm.

Even though our hotel in Reno is not on the strip, it is still pretty great. No hotels on the Reno strip allowed 2 dogs, so we are about a mile away. We can take the free shuttle to and from the strip. This hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a laundry room, and a little casino with my 3 favorite slots – Hot Shot, Rich Little Piggies and Fireball! And my room is huge – plenty of room for Elvis and Cilla’s crates, a king bed, a couch, closet, coffee table and desk. I really lucked out and made a good choice booking this hotel, especially happy since I’m going to be here for 5 nights.

our Reno hotel

Tomorrow we’re going to spend the day on the Reno strip and Saturday spend the day in Tahoe. Looking forward to being in the same place for 5 nights! And maybe I’ll win at the slots and make enough money to pay for my U2 360 tour across America road trip this summer. (haha)

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U2360USA Day 12 – Salt Lake City

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 25, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 12 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me to Temple Square in Salt Lake City today. It was quite beautiful, and luckily beautiful weather as well. We spent time in both visitor centers, saw the Brigham Young statue and the Temple, listened to an Organ recital at the Tabernacle, visited Assembly Hall, strolled through a 6 acre rooftop garden, saw the Christest statue, and had a great lunch at the Garden Cafe on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Building.

Bringham Young Statue

 

inside the Tabernacle

 

The Temple

 
Please watch my short video of our day at Temple Square  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP9loW0J_OU Also please click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150202118069168.325994.734599167&l=d022614fcb to see all the pictures I took at Temple Square.
 
The people of Salt Lake City are great, especially the Mormons in Temple Square. About every 5 feet, there was someone to assist us with any question we had about which direction to go to see the sights. I even ran into a few sisters who were U2 fans and asked me about the concert last night. One girl was from Albania and hopes U2 will play her country soon.
 
Tired from the U2 show last night and our day in Temple Square, we decided to have dinner in our rooms to rest up before our long drive to Reno tomorrow. I got pizza from Whole Foods, not quite specific to Salt Lake City, but I haven’t had pizza since my first night on the road in Kansas City. I have slacked on my pizza report from each city. Hopefully I’ll get back to it once I’m on my own for meals again.
 
I’ve enjoyed Salt Lake City, especially the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding the city, but I enjoyed Denver more – even though I liked the U2 show in Salt Lake City more than Denver. But it’s time to leave the mountain time zone for the pacific. It’s on to Reno, Nevada in the morning, where we will be for 4 days - also visiting Lake Tahoe in between the playing of the slots. Then my mom and my aunt fly home, and Elvis, Cilla and I head to Portland for 2 nights and then to Seattle for my 3rd U2 show of this leg. 10 days until U2 360 in Seattle!
 

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U2 360 Salt Lake City 5.24.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Larry Mullen, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2011 by DeenasDays

The U2 360 show in Salt Lake City was fantastic - better than the opener in Denver, even though I didn’t get any Larry love. The audience at the University of Utah was so much more into the show than the crowd in Denver. The set list was the same except for the addition of Love Rescue Me and a couple other Bob Dylan covers in tribute for his birthday. I almost cried when they played Love Rescue Me as it is my 2nd favorite song off Rattle and Hum. I still really miss I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. All I Want is You is good, but doesn’t have the same uplifting inspiration as Still Haven’t Found. I love the addition of Pride though.

Before going to the U2 show, we went to Emigration Canyon and had lunch at the historic Ruth’s Diner. It was probably the best baked mac n cheese I’ve ever had.

Ruth's Diner

I left for Rice-Eccles Stadium just after 3pm and although it was only a couple of miles from my hotel, I didn’t actually get into the GA line until almost 4pm. It took a while to find the general parking lot and then to walk to the stadium from that lot. The good thing was that parking was free – free! That almost never happens at a U2 show. I wasn’t going to get in the GA line. My plan was to hang out for a bit in the GA line and then go wait out for the band to arrive, but I ended up talking to some people in the GA line and running into Jason, a friend I have been talking with on Twitter the past few months and finally got to meet in person. I also signed up (again) for the One campaign, talked to people about my trip to all the US shows and handed out some U2TourFans stickers.

U2 Salt Lake City 5.24.11

the long walk to the stadium

SLC GA line

 

I decided to stand on Adam’s side of the stage in the inner circle. I had a nice view of the stage, but then it got so crowded. I think they let too many people inside, so I moved over more toward the side. I again ran into my friend Mike. I also ran into Matt and Melissa, my friends from Elevation. It was great to see U2 with them again. I decided to go over to Edge’s side to watch U2 enter again. Larry did not see me or wave to me this time though. I did get 4 photos of each band member entering, but they are blurry. I also got video of their entrance, but it is a little shaky.

Larry enters SLC

Adams enters SLC

Edge enters SLC

Bono enters

Enjoy this short vide of U2 entering Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsRWT8WCXyI

It was still light out when U2 took the stage. After watching U2 enter, I went over to Adam’s side to watch the show. Then I went back to the soundboard during Walk On to watch the end of the show. I have never seen it from the back. It’s really cool with all the screens and lights on the claw, and I especially enjoyed the Joshua Tree footage during Streets.

Adam

Bono

Edge

 

Larry

Edge 1987 / Edge 2011

the claw

The U2 360 show in Salt Lake City was almost perfect – great crowd, great performance, great experience! Highlight of this show for me was hearing Love Rescue Me for the first time – brought me to tears. Looking forward to my next 14 shows because I think each one will be better than the last. I have over a week before my next show in Seattle though. In the meantime, I’ll sight see in Salt Lake City, play the slots in Reno and Tahoe and check out the cool city of Portland. See you On the Road with U2!

If you would like to see all 70 pictures I took at the U2 show in Salt Lake City, please click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150203301784168.326327.734599167&l=971eb0caf9

Please watch my short of video of Larry and Bono singing LET ME IN THE SOUND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GBQFdsNUpk

Please watch my video of Bono introducing the band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AQIOyYLHE

Please watch my video of U2′s brief performance of Love Rescue Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqvPcQp3MaI

Please watch my short video of Larry during I’ll Go Crazy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OszNBp9xEDs

Please watch my video of the intro of Streets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOHK3Jpv2dI

Please watch my video of an overview of the entire U2 360 show in Salt Lake City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxgjwygFZgc

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U2360USA Days 9 & 10 – Red Rocks and the drive to SLC

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 24, 2011 by DeenasDays

I’m finally in Salt Lake City! What a day we had. Not quite as bad as the drive from South Dakota to Denver though. Today instead of snow, we hit hail. I mean loud, pounding hail. We saw the blackest skies, and I kept hoping they weren’t tornadoes. But we did see lightning hit the ground in the distance.

scary Wyoming sky

What should have been an 8 hour drive turned into a 10 hour drive, but we did get to see the smallest town in America – Buford, Wyoming. It has a population of 1, was established in 1866, and is the highest town between New York City and San Francisco on Route 80. 

Buford, WY

Please watch my short video of our drive through Wyoming from Denver to Salt Lake City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAYqWxRPuTs

Before leaving for Salt Lake City, I had to do one more thing in Denver. Yesterday we went to Red Rocks. I have been there once before, back in 1998, and got my picture taken on stage but never went to the visitor center or musuem. My mom and aunt were impressed with the park, and I of course was excited to see the U2 memorabilia and just to be in the presence of that magical show from 1983.

Red Rocks park

 

U2 at Red Rocks

 

Red Rocks ampitheatre

After visiting Red Rocks, we had lunch in the cute little downtown area of Morrison. A great little town along the stream at the bottom of Red Rocks park. It was a real motorcycle town.

Please watch my video of our afternoon at Red Rocks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVkE-Z6sf8

U2 360 in Salt Lake City is less than 24 hours away!!!

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U2 360 Denver 5.21.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

U2 360 in Denver was a fantastic show – a great way to open this US leg of the 360 tour. It was a great set list that included Pride, All I Want is You, Stay, Zooropa, Scarlet, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me and Even Better Than the Real Thing. It was the first time I had heard Zooropa and Scarlet, and it has been a while since I’ve heard All I Want is You, Even Better Than the Real Thing and Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me. I was very disappointed U2 didn’t play my favorite I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, but they did play Pride. And judging from my reaction when it started, Pride is going back into my top 5 U2 songs. It was a great set list and the band seemed really into the show, but the audience wasn’t overly enthusiastic – especially for opening night. Maybe Denver is just more mellow than the East Coast shows I’m used to.

After a good night’s sleep, I woke up Saturday morning to find the GA line had moved to outside of my window of my hotel room. Elvis, Cilla and I hung out in the GA line for a while. It was quite warm because it was sunny with no shade on the cement parking lot. I saw a bunch of my friends from the Elevation tour and a lot of new ones I’ve made this year on Twitter and Facebook.

U2 GA line in Denver 5.21.11

After a short nap, I went back over to Invesco Field around 4 and waited for the band to arrive. Bono and Edge arrived after 5:30. They both got out and signed for the fans. Then Larry and Adam drove by, but did not stop – they didn’t even roll down the window or wave. I casually walked in the GA entrance after 6pm – no line, no stress. I went to Adam’s side inside the circle. I ran into my friend Mike, my oldest U2 friend – we used to go to all the U2 shows together on ZooTv and Popmart and spend hours and hours watching U2 footage. Mike and I decided to go over to Edge’s side. It was a good opportunity for me, since I wasn’t with Tasha (big Adam fan). Edge’s side was more crowded, so we were actually a little bit behind the stage on the side. But I didn’t mind because I was going to go behind the stage a lot anyway to watch Larry – and when Bono and Edge went back there.

my initial view

I went went behind the stage to wait for U2 to arrive and watch them walk in. It was great. They don’t go up the stairs to the stage, they go under the stage, which makes them even closer to the fans standing there watching. I called out to Larry (of course I’m wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt), and he looked into my eyes, nodded and smiled at me before going under the stage.

Larry enters

Bono enters

Bono talked quite a bit during this show, which is why it lasted over it’s normal 2 hours. He talked about how the tour was postponed last year because one year ago on May 21st he had back surgery. Bono talked about the supposed ‘end of the world’ on May 21st during ‘Until the End of the World.’  He thanked the U2 crew and even brought out Dallas to take a bow.

Bono

Larry and his drums rotated around on 3 songs this time, as opposed to the 2 times he turned around on 360 in 2009. He turned around and faced the back of the stage during Mysterious Ways, All I Want is You, and Sunday Bloody Sunday.  Of course I went behind the stage each time. As I did when Larry started back for I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. He again saw me and smile and nodded.

Larry during I’ll Go Crazy

Larry facing the back during Sunday Bloody Sunday

I went back behind the stage during Moment of Surrender to watch U2 leave. I called out to Larry as he was walking away, and he turned and smiled at me.

Thank you Denver

Good night Denver

It's All About Drums

U2 360 in Denver was a great show. A great set list, but I thought the audience could have been more enthusiastic.  It was a very relaxed show for me because I didn’t wait in line all day and didn’t have to stay in a certain spot once inside the stadium. I’m glad I got to see the show from Edge’s side for once, but there was a lot of smoke because the smoke machine was on that side. I’m going back to Adam’s side for Salt Lake City. It was great to actually be on the field where my Denver Broncos play – that made the U2 show even more special for me. I have been a Broncos fan as long as I have been a U2 fan – over 24 years.

U2 play Mile High

The set list for U2 360 in Denver 5.21.11 was as follows:  Even Better Than the Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get on Your Boots, Magnificent (remix), Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, All I Want is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Here Comes the Sun, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (with Discotheque and Please snipets), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

For all 50 of the pictures I took at U2 360 in Denver please click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150200635894168.325376.734599167&l=f1c7380cb8

Please enjoy the following videos I took during the U2 360 Denver show:

U2 entering Invesco Field http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYCE300aBas

Bono and Larry singing Let Me in the Sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9cXOvUXuys

The return of Pride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeFRHMQqwrw

Overview of the U2 360 show in Denver  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhYsNo9osSY

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U2360USA Day 7 – Denver the day before the U2 show

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , on May 21, 2011 by DeenasDays

Last night U2 performed a private concert for Special Olympics at Invesco Field at Mile High, which is right next to my hotel. But instead I was listening to U2 tribute band Under A Blood Red Sky perform at the Hard Rock in downtown Denver. Ironic? At least the anticipation will be even greater tonight for the U2 360 US opener, since I didn’t hear their show last night.

Day 7 of my U2 360 tour across America started off great with a 6am walk around Invesco Field at Mile High, home of my beloved Denver Broncos. I didn’t sleep well because I had to share a room with my mom and aunt (they have their own hotel room now though). Elvis, Cilla and I left the room as soon as it was light enough and had a great walk in the brisk Mile High air.

After our loop around the stadium, I saw that Barbara and Alice had started the GA line the night before. I did not get a number because I’m not planning to put time in the GA line. Instead, I am going to hang out with everyone and come and go as I please. Hopefully it will be like 360 in 2009, and I’ll be able to get close without waiting in line all day. If not, I’ll get to see the show from a distance which I’ve never done before. Either way, it’s going to be a great U2 night in Denver!

After breakfast, I did a short phone interview with a radio station in Salt Lake City about my road trip this summer to all 16 US shows and consequent book. Then my mom, aunt and I went downtown to get them settled into their hotel and walk around the 16th St Mall. We had lunch at the Paramount Cafe and checked out the Hard Rock.

I came back to check out the GA line, which had moved around the corner and had grown to about 80 people by 2pm. Elvis & Cilla had their U2 laminates on, so they wanted to show them off. I got to see my friends Jennifer, Melissa and Michelle and met some folks I’d be talking with on Facebook and Twitter.

After doing my laundry and a taking nap, I got ready to go downtown to the Hard Rock for the U2 pre concert party with U2 tribute band Under A Blood Red Sky. Just as I was leaving, I got a text saying U2 was doing a private concert at Invesco Field, which is right next to my hotel. I was torn, but I already had made a commitment to be at the Hard Rock.

My mom and I arrived at the Hard Rock about 2 1/2 hours before the show started, so we could have dinner and mingle with everyone. My friend Mark saved us a table up front. I talked with Billy (Bono) and Jerry (Larry) of Under a Blood Red Sky. They couldn’t have been nicer. I also met a lot of great folks excited about the U2 show tonight and they were very interested to hear about my trip to all 16 US shows this summer. They really liked their U2TourFans stickers I handed out. I was able to meet a few people I had been talking with on Twitter and Facebook, but missed a lot of people because it was so crowded.

Under A Blood Red Sky are known for playing older U2 songs. In fact, they played at Red Rocks recreating the entire U2 show from 1983. But they opened their show last night with Vertigo, followed by Elevation and Beautiful Day, before going into U2′s older songs. Billy (Bono) is a very impassioned performer that the crowd really responds to. Except for mom who had napkins in her ears because it was too loud for her.

Please watch my video of my day in Denver with a bit of a soundcheck as well as the Under A Blood Red Sky party at the Hard Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYlKG683M0U

After a good night’s sleep last night, I’m going to spend today hanging out with everyone in the GA line conserving as much energy as I can for the US opener of this leg of the U2 360 Tour just under 14 hours away!

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U2360USA Day 6 – Keystone to Denver

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , on May 19, 2011 by DeenasDays

We left Keystone around 8:45am and it was 45 and raining. Within 10 minutes, it was snowing and 32 degrees. It snowed through South Dakota and a little in Wyoming. I never expected it to be literally freezing in mid-May. We were on state roads going through tiny towns for most of our trip, so we didn’t eat until 1:00. We found a little restaurant in Wheatland, Wyoming.

We finally arrived in Denver just in time for rush hour. I could see Invesco Field through the traffic. Besides obviously being excited for the start of the U2 tour in the US, I’m excited to be in Denver because I’m a huge Broncos fan!

From my hotel room, I can see Invesco Field at Mile High. In fact, I can hear everything at the stadium from my room. The techs were soundchecking. When I arrived, I heard the pre show music from U2′s Red Rocks show. Then I heard Zooropa, Even Better Than The Real Thing, City of Blinding Lights, Streets and a few others.

Please watch my short video of Day 6 of my U2 360 tour across America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ALBMo7mxEw

Less than 48 hours until they LET ME IN THE SOUND!!!

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U2360USA Day 5 – Deadwood and Sturgis

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 18, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 5 of my U2 360 tour across America took me to Deadwood and Sturgis, which are only about a 30 minute drive from where we are staying in Keystone. This was the second day that Elvis and Cilla stayed at the hotel alone while we went sight seeing, and they did so well – no barking! This is good to since I will be leaving them for several hours while I’m at the U2 shows this summer.

I enjoyed Deadwood. It was pretty much what I thought it would be – a cowboy western kind of town with old saloons and casinos. We first went to the Mt. Moriah cemetary to visit the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Then we hung out on Main Street and went to the casinos and saloons, including the Original No. 10 where Wild Bill was killed and Miss Kitty’s – which is my mom’s name.

Deadwood

 

graves of Wild Bill & Calamity Jane

 

Original No.10 Saloon

my mom at her namesake casino

 

From Deadwood, we drove about 11 miles over to Sturgis, which is where the motorcycle rally is held every year – for the past 70 years over 700,000 motorcycles converge on this small town. I was not impressed with Sturgis at all, but it’s probably fun during the rally in August. Most of the bars aren’t even open until the rally, but the Knuckle saloon was open so we stopped in there for some souvenirs.

Sturgis

 

 

my Deadwood and Sturgis stuff

We came back from Sturgis, rested briefly in our hotel and then went back to Ruby House restaurant for dinner because we loved it so much last night. I again had the salmon en croute, and it was again amazing! After dinner, we shopped a little on the boardwalk in Keystone where I bought a new ring – silver with orange and blue. We really liked Keystone – a great town and close to everything we wanted to see.

Keystone

We’ve had a great time in South Dakota – saw everything we wanted at Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Sturgis and Keystone. It’s been a great 2 1/2 days, but it’s time to pack up the car and move on to Denver for the opening of the U2 360 Tour in the US. I can’t wait. I have been waiting for this for well over a year!

Please watch my video of our day in Deadwood, Sturgis and Keystone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBHsm9NVic, and click  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150194402834168.323542.734599167&l=4b2e69d91b to see all of my pictures from today.

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U2360 Day 4 – Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 18, 2011 by DeenasDays

The four faces of U2 met the four faces of Mount Rushmore today when I wore my I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight shirt. A Steelers fan at Mount Rushmore told me he took a double take when looking at my shirt because he thought it was Mount Rushmore. I then decided I had to get a picture of me with the 4 faces of U2 in front of the 4 faces of Mount Rushmore.

the 4 faces of U2 at the 4 faces of Mt. Rushmore

Even though it was a cold, windy and then rainy day, today was a great day. Today we went to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. Mount Rushmore was the first place I planned to see, other than U2 shows, when I started planning this trip last year. Mount Rushmore was everything I dreamed it to be. It was more than just the faces on a rock, although that was amazing and I just wanted to stay there all day and marvel at it. The Mount Rushmore memorial is situated in a beautiful setting with lots to do. We watched a movie about it, walked the President’s Trail around it, had lunch in the cafe and bought books and souvenirs in the bookstore and gift shop. I loved it!

Mount Rushmore!

 

my Mt Rushmore stuff

After our wonderful time at Mount Rushmore, we left for the Crazy Horse memorial just a short drive away. I had no idea what to expect but I knew it was something I should see. The Crazy Horse memorial was much more than I expected. Besides the unfinished memorial that will take decades to finish, which is the largest monument in the world, there is a large visitor center dedicated to honoring Native Americans and the family that built the Crazy Horse memorial. I was fascinated by the story of this man who dedicated his life to building this memorial and then his family followed in his footsteps.

Crazy Horse monument

 

my Crazy Horse stuff

We left Crazy Horse tired and cold wanting to go back to our hotel for a bit to rest before dinner. Rather than go back the way we came, we continued around the circle which ended up taking us through Custer National Park on the most treturous road on which I’ve ever driven. It took us over an hour to drive 34 miles, but along the way we got to see Buffalo. I was a bit terrified they were going to charge us. The one I was taking a picture of looked me in the eye – and not fondly.

Buffalo

After finally making it back to our hotel, we rested for a bit and then had the most fabulous dinner at Ruby House Restaurant in Keystone. Ruby’s looks like an old brothel, complete with red velet wallpaper and a saloon. I had salmon en croute, which was amazing! A generous portion of perfectly cooked salmon wrapped in a yummy pastry topped with a creamy wine sauce – fantastic!

Please watch my video of our day at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHevQA170c and for all of my pictures (and there are about 50) of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, please go to my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150194402834168.323542.734599167&l=4b2e69d91b

Wednesday we’re going to Sturgis and Deadwood then it’s on to Denver Thursday for the start of U2360USA!

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U2360USA Day 3 – Omaha to Keystone

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on May 16, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 3 of my U2 360 Tour across America was all about driving, so no pizza or food report today. We left Omaha, Nebraska this morning at 8am central standard time and after 3 stops and 548 miles arrived in Keystone, South Dakota at 5:30pm mountain standard time. We stopped at a Subway and gas station somewhere in Iowa, had lunch at a Cracker Barrel in Sioux Falls and stopped at a Sinclair gas station a few hours east of Keystone.

our 3rd stop

 We arrived at our hotel in Keystone, South Dakota and can see Mount Rushmore from my mom and aunt’s balcony – the dogs and I are in a different room on the first floor with a view of rocks. I am so excited to finally see Mount Rushmore. It was the first place I planned to see when I was originally planning this U2 360 road trip across America last year.

Mount Rushmore from our hotel

We had a quick dinner at the Railroad Family Restaurant in Keystone and retired to our respective rooms. We are all so exhausted from over 10 hours in the car. Elvis and Cilla are especially happy to be out of the car. We have 2 full days in Keystone before heading to Denver for the first Us show on U2360. Tomorrow we are going to visit Mount Rushmore.

Keystone, SD

Please watch my short video of Day 3 of my U2 360 Tour across America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqos3REIA6E

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U2360USA Day 2 – KC to Omaha

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 15, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 2 of my U2360USA tour brought us to Omaha, Nebraska today. We left Kansas City, Missouri at 6:30 this morning, drove 200 miles, and arrived at our hotel in Omaha at 9:30am. Just a few miles past our hotel, we passed the Kansas City Royals’ Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Chief’s Arrowhead Stadium. Then in St. Joseph, Missouri we past the Kansas City Chiefs training facilities. It was a cold and rainy drive up route 29. I’m going to try to remember how cold I was on the beginning of this trip when I’m in Miami on June 29th.

My mom and aunt landed in Omaha an hour after I arrived. They will be with me for the next two weeks. They will not be going to the U2 shows, but will probably go with me to the pre parties in Denver and Salt Lake City. I really like Omaha. It’s a much bigger city than I thought it would be.

Omaha

Unfortunately, no pizza report from Omaha. My mom is not a big fan of pizza, and I’m trying to be social. I do still have leftover pizza from Kansas City though. So instead of a pizza review, I have a meat review in Omaha. Apparently you have to eat meat in Omaha, because I had it for lunch and dinner and I am a vegetarian – or at least I was.

We went to Old Market for both lunch and dinner. Old Market is this great little area of cobblestone roads and shops and bars and restaurants. For lunch we ate at Upstream, and I had a reuben, which I found out originated in Nebraska. It was so yummy and served with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. For dinner we ate at the Twisted Fork, and I had a cheeseburger. It was amazing – dripping with garlic mayo. I have to admit that a veggie burger does not hold a candle to to a real cheeseburger – but the poor cow. I’m trying not feel too guilty or too much like a hypocrite.

Upstream in Old Market Omaha

 

Old Market Omaha

 

Twisted Fork in Old Market

Please watch my short video of Day 2 of my U2 360 Tour across America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgK1QUMZuNM

6 days until U2360 in Denver, but first Mount Rushmore!

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U2360USA Day 1 – Memphis to KC

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , on May 14, 2011 by DeenasDays

I’m finally on my U2 360 Tour road trip across America that I have been planning for over a year! I’m sitting in my hotel room in Independence, Missouri right outside Kansas City with my 2 dogs Elvis and Cilla. Elvis is a little anxious as usual, and Cilla is relaxed as usual. I’m somewhere in between.

Elvis and Cilla in MO hotel

We left Memphis at 9:45 this morning and 455 miles later we arrived in Independence, Missouri at 5:55pm after stopping just once. Along the way we saw flooding rivers, Bono Arkansas, a lot of construction and small towns. Luckily it is Saturday, so even with the construction there was no traffic. For about an hour in Arkansas, we drove through many small towns with ‘filling stations’ and ‘population 450.’  When we stopped halfway, it was freezing and windy and cloudy and 52 degrees! A big difference from the 90 degrees in had been in Memphis this past week.

I have decided that along with reporting on the U2 360 Tour across America and all the sights I’ll see along the way, I’m going to sample local pizza in each city. Pizza is my most favorite food. So here in Kansas City, I ordered pizza from Minsky’s which boasts ‘Kansas City’s Best Pizza since 1976.’ I ordered an extra cheese pizza, which is what I always order. It was a little pricey for a 14 inch pizza – $20 with delivery charge. It was good, not great, but good and very cheesy - which is important.

KC's best pizzaextra cheese Minsky's

 

extra cheese

Now I’m going to enjoy the rest of my pizza and watch my favorite James Dean in East of Eden. Hopefully I’ll get some good sleep tonight because I’m leaving at 8am tomorrow to meet my mom and aunt in Omaha at 11am. Hopefully more people will wave to me as they drive past me on the road like they did today!

Please watch my short video of Day 1 of U2360USA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqbfaje35p8

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On the Road with U2 – finally!

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2011 by DeenasDays

Tomorrow I leave for the U2 360 tour, a journey that I have been planning for over a year. I am so excited! For 2 ½ months I will be driving with my 2 dogs, Elvis and Cilla, across America to all 16 US shows. Along the way, meeting great people and visiting great places – writing about all of my experiences for a book and recording everything for a documentary.

The U2 360 tour will bring me to Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Oakland, Anaheim, Baltimore, Michigan, Miami, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Jersey, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. In between all of these concerts, I am also going to visit Kansas City, Omaha, Mount Rushmore, Reno, Tahoe, Portland, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Hollywood, Milwaukee, James Dean’s grave in Indiana, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and the Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

While on the road, I will write daily updates, including pictures and videos, that I will post here on my blog On the Road with U2. Throughout each day, I will also be posting on Facebook (Deena Dietrich) and Twitter (MemphisMullen).

I would also like to have U2 Fan Meet Ups the nights before the U2 concerts – when I’m not totally exhausted from all the driving. There are already pre-concert parties planned in Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Baltimore, and Nashville that I am attending. So if I can get enough interest, I would like to organize U2 Fan Meet Ups in Oakland, Anaheim, Chicago, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh for the nights before the U2 concerts in those cities.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting me – both with your kind words and reading my posts.

I look forward to seeing everyone this summer ON THE ROAD WITH U2!

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