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On the Road to SEATTLE on the U2 360 tour

Posted in 360 (2011), U2, 'On the Road with U2' with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 1, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 13 – MAY 26

My mom, Aunt Pauline, Elvis, Cilla and I piled in the car once again and left Salt Lake City for Reno, Nevada. Eight hours later, we arrived at the Ramada Reno Hotel and Casino, where we would stay for the next five nights. We were so happy to stay in the same place for more than a couple nights. I really liked our hotel, which had a restaurant and small casino, as well as a really nice big room. I wanted to stay on the strip, but no hotels allowed 2 dogs. Of course I would have rather been in Las Vegas than Reno, but Reno was on the way from Salt Lake City to Seattle.

our Reno hotel

DAY 14 – MAY 27

We had a yummy breakfast in the hotel restaurant before taking the free hotel shuttle a mile down the road to the Reno strip for a day of gambling. We played at Eldorado, Silver Legacy, Circus Circus and Harrah’s. I won a little bit, but ended up about even for the day. We had lunch at Café Sedona at Silver Legacy. After about 6 hours on the Reno strip, we took the hotel shuttle back and had dinner in the hotel restaurant and gambled a little more in the hotel casino. I did not love Reno. It was a bit ghetto – nothing like Vegas.

Reno

DAY 15 – MAY 28

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. 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. 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. 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. 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!

driving to Tahoe

got my candy

Lake Tahoe

freezing Lake Tahoe

snowing!

DAY 16 – MAY 29

My mom, my aunt and I started off our Sunday at 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 its name for me. Breakfast was fantastic and they had fresh squeezed orange juice. After breakfast, the sleet/snow/rain had stopped and we headed out to the Grand Sierra Resort. We noticed this casino on our way to Lake Tahoe. 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. They allow dogs and is reasonably priced! It’s the best casino I’ve seen in Reno – reminds me of Dover Downs. Grand Sierra has a great variety of slots and several bars and restaurants, so there is no real need to ever leave the resort. And besides free drinks, they were also giving out free cookies!

DAY 17 – MAY 30

Before taking Mom and Aunt Pauline to the airport for their noon flight home, we had breakfast in our hotel and then went back to the fabulous Grand Sierra Resort to gamble for a couple hours. 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, and Elvis, Cilla and I just relaxed for the rest of the day before our long drive to Portland the next day. Part one of my U2 360 tour had ended.

DAY 18 – MAY 31

Elvis, Cilla and I left Reno at 6:30am and finally arrived in Portland, Oregon 715 miles later at 6:30pm. I took the long way, so I could drive on bigger roads – 80 west to 5 north. It was beautiful scenery between the rain and fog up and down the mountains. I stopped just twice on our 12 hour drive listening to U2 the entire way – as I would do for the rest of my trip since my mom and aunt were no longer with me. When I got to the fabulous Vintage Plaza hotel in Portland, there was a welcome sign for Elvis and Cilla, they had upgraded us to a huge suite, and gave me free valet parking. In our beautiful suite, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb  was playing in the cd player and there was a framed picture of Elvis and Cilla. Also I had a bottle of wine waiting for me as well as vouchers for the restaurant and honor bar. And Elvis and Cilla had all sorts of treats waiting for them as well.

on the way to Portland

are we there yet?

Hotel Vintage Plaza Portland

Welcome Elvis and Cilla!

Please watch my video of Day 18 – our long drive to Portland and our lovely suite at the Hotel Vintage Plaza.

DAY 19 – JUNE 1

My stay at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland got even better and better. I literally made my upgraded luxurious suite our haven for 36 hours, only going outside to take Elvis and Cilla to O’Bryant Square. It was nice just to do nothing after almost 3 weeks of going and going. I used my restaurant vouchers and ordered lunch and dinner in my room. It was fantastic! I loved Portland. Even though I only saw the couple blocks around my hotel, it seems like my kind of city – big enough where there is plenty to do and very liberal and dog friendly.

enjoying the high life

O'Bryant Square

DAY 20 – JUNE 2

Upon my checkout of the Hotel Vintage Plaza, Jonathan, who had checked me in, left me All That You Can’t Leave Behind cd for my drive to Seattle. On my way to my car, I met Jeri, the General Manager, and her dog Georgie, Diva of Pet Relations. Jeri contacted all the Kimpton hotels I was going to be staying at (Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia) asking them to treat me well. Kimpton Hotels is now my favorite hotel brand. They have the best customer service I’ve ever seen and are truly dog friendly. They do no charge extra for dogs nor do they have breed or size restrictions. They also provide dog snacks, toys and bowls.

We arrived in at the Monaco Hotel in Seattle around 12:30 after passing by the Tacoma Dome, where I saw U2 10 years ago on the Elevation Tour, and passing by Qwest Field, where U2 is playing on this 360 tour. Jenny joined us for our stay in Seattle, which was to be one of the best times of my entire trip. In fact my time in Seattle began my favorite part of my U2 360 tour – from Seattle to Oakland to Anaheim to Baltimore. Not my favorite U2 shows, but my favorite part of traveling.

Monaco Seatle welcomes Elvis & Cilla

We attended the North American premiere of Killing Bono at the Seattle International Film Festival. It was shown at the Neptune Theatre, one of the University District’s oldest theatres. The movie Killing Bono is based on Neil McCormick’s memoir Killing Bono: I was Bono’s Doppelganger. I liked the book better. In Killing Bono, Neil McCormick tells the story of his life and how he was always competing, in his mind, with U2. He went to school with Bono, Larry, Adam and Edge and was forming a band at the same time they were. In fact, his brother Ivan was almost in U2 – he was in Larry’s kitchen at that first rehearsal. Neil always wanted to be famous and be in the biggest band in the world, but that happened to Bono not him. The movie Killing Bono was good. It was well-done, entertaining and funny. I especially liked Robert Sheehan who played Ivan McCormick, Neil’s brother. I liked that the only U2 song that was played was I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, especially since I’m wasn’t hearing it live at the time. The Larry character of course did not do Larry justice, but the Adam’s character late 1970s hair was dead on. What I did not like was that the movie took some liberties with the truth and added scenes for dramatic purposes that did not happen. One of these scenes was Neil McCormick pointing a gun at Bono deciding if he was going to kill him. It was very disturbing. All I kept thinking was ‘Mark Chapman.’ The book Killing Bono had more U2 in it, especially when they were starting out, and continued throughout Neil McCormick’s writing career – past 1987 where the movie ended. After the showing, director Nick Hamm skyped in and did a Q & A with the audience. He said that U2, with the exception of Larry, viewed Killing Bono in Australia when they were touring there. He said they found themselves amusing, especially Adam’s hair. I was surprised that the small theatre was only about half full, and that it wasn’t all U2 fans. There were some folks there with U2 shirts on, but it was mostly film festival fans.  I expected it to be in a huge sold out theatre with wall to wall U2 fans. I mean I changed my plans and came into Seattle a day early just so I could see the North American premiere of Killing Bono. 

North American premier of Killing Bono

Seattle International Film Festival

Please watch my video of Day 20 of our drive to Seattle.

DAY 21 – JUNE 3

Jenny and I started our day with breakfast at the Blue Water Taco Grill. I had a yummy veggie scramble. Then we walked to the Monorail, which is still operating from when it started at the 1961 World’s Fair – the same fair where Elvis filmed It Happened at the World’s Fair. The Monorail took us to the Space Needle, but we didn’t go up in it. I went up in it 10 years ago when I was here for U2’s Elevation show in Tacoma. But right next to the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project, which was showing a Nirvana exhibit – the reason why I went to the EMP.

Seattle Monorail

Space Needle

The Experience Music Project was named and modeled after Jimmy Hendrix. The Nirvana exhibit was great. It had memorabilia, photos, performances, documentaries, and a studio where fans can record their Nirvana stories. I did not tell about the dreams/nightmares I had after Kurt’s death involving me yelling at Courtney. I bought a Kurt Cobain biography, a Nirvana tee shirt, Elvis guitar picks, a drum keychain and Seattle and EMP/Nirvana magnets.

Experience Music Project

guitar sculpture

Nirvana at EMP

in utero

we miss you Kurt

After the EMP, Jenny and I wanted to take a bus tour and had only a short time to make it. While we were rushing to catch the light rail, we heard the drums for Desire. We paused because we weren’t sure we heard it correctly, but then we heard ‘Lover I’m on the street.’ So we ran toward Desire. It was a band and gospel choir on the back of a semi truck. The banner above the stage read ‘One Life No Regrets’ and then in smaller letters ‘noregretsu2.’ The singer, Patrick Stark, turned 40 and wanted to make sure he was living his life with no regrets – something I could identify with. He had always had a fear of singing in public, so to conquer his fear he was making a documentary called One Life No Regrets about his quest to sing on stage with U2. In preparation, he sang a set of U2 songs with a Gospel choir – Desire, In God’s Country, All I Want is You, One, Until the End of the World. Please watch the video of One Life No Regrets.

One Life No Regrets

After our impromptu U2 show, Jenny and I walked to Pike Place Market for lunch. We stumbled upon the Hard Rock on our way and people were lined up just like they were at the Denver Hard Rock waiting for free tickets to the U2 concert. They brought shoes to donate to the Souls for Soul charity, and those first 100 people or so were to get free U2 tickets. We went to the Fish Market and saw them throw the fish and then had lunch at the café overlooking the water. I of course had tuna. What else do you have at a fish market?

Hard Rock Seattle (notice the upside down guitar)

Pike Place Market

After lunch it was finally time for our Sub Seattle bus tour, which we had tried to take earlier but got sidetracked by Patrick’s U2 show. We lucked out and it was only Jenny and I on the tour. This Sub Seattle tour told us the non-toursity, non-obvious facts about Seattle. We went to Beacon Hill, Washington Lake and my reason on going on the tour Kurt Cobain’s house. We also saw the Black Hole Sun sculpture, which supposedly inspired Soundgarden’s song. Looking through the hole, you can see the Space Needle in the distance. After our busy day walking around in the rare Seattle sun, we just relaxed in our hotel room and ordered room service. Seattle is a great city, but very hilly!

Sub Seattle bus tour

Washington Lake

Kurt Cobain's house

Black Hole Sun

my Seattle stuff

I loved Seattle. It is a great city with great people, and while I was there the weather was great. My time in Seattle was one of the best times I had on my entire trip. Please watch my video of my day in Seattle.

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On the Road to DENVER on the U2 360 tour

Posted in 'On the Road with U2' with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 30, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 1 – May 14

My dogs, Elvis and Cilla, and I left Memphis Saturday May 14 at 9:45am CST. We drove across the route 55 bridge for fear that parts of route 40 were flooded, as the Mississippi River had overflowed onto Beale Street. We passed through Bono, Arkansas about two hours later. A nice reminder of our trip ahead – too bad I didn’t get a picture. There was a lot of construction, but luckily not a lot of traffic since it was Saturday. We drove up 63N through small towns that had ‘filling stations.’ We travelled through the Ozarks and stopped for the night in Independence, Missouri right outside of Kansas City – stayed at the Motel 6. It was a cold 52 degrees, windy and cloudy. We had driven 455 miles and it was 5:54pm CST. I ordered a pizza from Minsky’s, which claimed to be KC’s best since 1976, and it was very good and cheesy. I had the idea of getting pizza in every city I stopped, but that didn’t really happen.

Elvis and Cilla in KC

Please watch my video of Day 1 Memphis to KC

Day 2 – May 15

The next morning I left KC at 6:30am to drive about three hours north on route 29 through Iowa to meet Mom and Aunt Pauline in Omaha, NE. They were going to be with me for the first two weeks of my trip – not going to the concerts, just sight seeing. It was a nice, easy drive. I passed by Kauffman Field (KC Royals baseball) and Arrowhead Stadium (KC Chiefs football). I was freezing, but tried to remember how cold I am when I’m in miami for the U2 show on June 29th. I arrived in Omaha just after 9:30am, got settled into the Sleep Inn and Suites hotel by the airport and waited for Mom and Aunt Pauline’s plane to arrive. We then went to downtown Omaha, actually it was called Old Market Square. It was a really cool place with lots of shops, bars and restaurants with cobblestone streets. We had a great lunch at Upstream Brewing Company. And only the second day of my trip, and I’m eating meat which I hadn’t had in well over a year. But it was a really great reuben sandwich, which apparently started in Nebraska. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to relax and then went back to Old Market Square for dinner. It was the only place we knew how to get to and it was close. We ate at the Twisted Fork, and I had a cheeseburger. I felt guilty, but it sure tasted better than a veggie burger – I was in cattle country so when in Rome. So I never tried pizza in Omaha – there went my pizza in every city quest. It was tough night in that hotel room in Omaha. Only my mom, Elvis and Cilla slept. My aunt and I talked, ate, read and watched tv. Luckily this was the only night we would be sharing a room, or so we thought.

Elvis and Cilla in Omaha

Omaha

Old Market Square Omaha

Please watch my video of Day 2 of KC to Omaha

Day 3 – May 16

We left Omaha Monday morning at 8am, stopped at Subway in Iowa for breakfast, a Cracker Barrel in Sioux Falls for lunch and then arrived at our hotel the President’s View Resort in Keystone, South Dakota 548 miles later at 5:30pm MST. Our hotel overlooked the town of Keystone, which looked like an old western town. From my Mom and Aunt Pauline’s balcony, we could see Mount Rushmore in the distance. Mount Rushmore was the first place I planned on visiting on this trip since I first planned it back in 2010. My room was around the other side of the hotel on the first floor – the pet rooms. After settling in, we drove down the steep hill to Keystone and had dinner at the Railroad Family Restaurant in Keystone – it was not very good.

Elvis and Cilla can

Keystone, South Dakota

our hotel overlooks Keystone

Mount Rushmore from our hotel

Please watch my video of Day 3 from Omaha to Keystone

Day 4 – May 17

I got a great night’s sleep – a solid 6 hours. It was light out at 5am and cold, windy and rainy. We had breakfast at 1880 Keystone House down the hill. It was an ok buffet, but cheap, quick and close – may favorite. If I was alone, I would just eat a cereal bar and be on my way, but Mom and Aunt Pauline like real meals in real restaurants.

After breakfast, we were off to Mount Rushmore! I was so excited! We arrived, and I looked up and it was just magnificent! Undescribable and hard to imagine unless you’re actually there. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I didn’t know there was a park around it that you could walk through called President’s Trail, which we did – even my mom. There were book shops, museums and a café. I was wearing my U2 I’ll Go Crazy shirt with the 4 faces of U2 on it and a guy asked me if I was wearing a Mt Rushmore shirt – because it sort of looked like the faces on Mt Rushmore. Well that gave me the idea to take a picture of me wearing the four faces of U2 in front of the four faces of Mt Rushmore. I just wish I had either left my hat on or combed my hair out. I bought many souvenirs, but no tee shirt. I swore I wasn’t going to buy any tee shirts on this trip, but I broke that promise to myself later. I bought a keychain, a magnet, a small model of mt rushmore and a book about the making of mount rushmore. Buying books from everywhere we visited came to be my new souvenir, as were magnets because they are easier to display than keychains – my previous souvenir of choice. We had a great lunch at the café with fantastic customer service.

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Mount Rushmore

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

my Mt Rushmore stuff

We left Mt Rushmore for Crazy Horse. I didn’t know much about Crazy Horse the monument or the history of the actual Crazy Horse. It was quite fascinating. It is the largest monument in the world, and still isn’t completed yet. The guy who started it and made it his life’s work is now dead, but his family keeps working with no money from the government. We started off in the visitor’s center, then took a bus up to the actualy monument, then back down to the musuem and gift shop. I bought books, a magnet and a christmas ornament from Crazy Horse.

Crazy Horse National Monument

Crazy Horse

what Crazy Horse will look like when it

my Crazy Horse stuff

We decided to, or really I decided to, continue the loop around back to our hotel through Custer National Park rather than turn around and backtrack the way we come. I thought we would see more that way. We surely did. It was the scariest, windiest, loneliest drive – or so we thought. We drove for what seemed like hours in the middle of nowhere through hairpin turns. We didn’t see any other cars. We did see buffalo though. And one looked me right in the eye and was going to charge the car. I was freaking out, so I did a 360 and got out of there quickly. After a lot of tears and laughter, we made it back to our hotel. And to my surprise, Elvis and Cilla were fine and no one complained that they barked while we were gone all day. This was a huge relief to me because that was my only concern about this 3 months road trip, but now I knew I could leave Elvis and Cilla in the hotel room all day and they would be fine. We went down to Keystone for dinner to Ruby’s Brothel. It was a great restaurant that used to be a brothel and still had red velvet on the walls. The food was fantastic. I had the most amazing salmon en croute. Wow!

buffalo

the best dinner at Ruby

Please watch my video of Day 4 in Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Day 5 – May 18

After visiting Mount Rushmore, I didn’t care what we did the rest of our time in South Dakota. We decided to go to Deadwood and Sturgis on Wednesday. We had breakfast at that same little restaurant with the ok buffet. Deadwood was not what I thought it was going to be. I pictured it as this old western town, and it sort of was but a little too modern. We first stopped at the Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane were buried. It was a great old cemetery. I don’t know why I’m so attracted to cemeteries – maybe it’s the history. I again bought a book about the history of Deadwood and Mount Moriah as my souvenir. The cemetery overlooked Deadwood. We drove down and parked in a garage and walked to all the casinos, bars and restaurants. We played the slots at Bullock’s Hotel and Casino. I didn’t want to play too much, or lose too much, as we were going to be spending five days in Reno soon. We went to Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickock was shot. I bought a tee shirt at the Harley Davidson store. This is what started my downfall of buying tee shirts as souvenirs, but this one was blue and orange so I had to get it. We had lunch at Miss Kitty’s Cantina, which was in Miss Kitty’s Gambling Saloon. Miss Kitty was the Belle of Deadwood – she also has the same name as my mother.

Deadwood

Mt Moriah Cemetery

Wild Bill Hickok

Wild Bill

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane

overlooking Deadwood

saloon where Wild Bill was shot

my mom at her namesake casino

We left Deadwood for Sturgis, which is the destination of the great annual motorcycle rally. It wasn’t much of a town when there is no motorcycle rally. Nothing really there. We went to the Knuckle Bar, and I bought a magnet. We got back to Keystone and again ate dinner at our favorite Ruby’s Brothel. I again had the salmon en croute, and it was again fantastic! We walked around the shops after dinner. I bought a great tourquoise and orange silver ring, which I wore the rest of my trip and it matched the tourquoise in my hat.

Sturgis

the Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis

my Deadwood and Sturgis stuff

back to Ruby

Please watch my video of Day 5 in Deadwood and Sturgis

Day 6 – May 19

Thursday morning at 8:45am we left Keystone, SD. We drove for ten minutes, the temperature dropped to 32 degrees and it started snowing. We had lunch in Wheatland, Wyoming at this great little local diner – because mom and aunt pauline can’t eat at subway. We arrived in Denver, CO 456 miles later around 5:30pm. We went to check Mom and Aunt Pauline into their hotel, but it was gross, so we cancelled it and they came with me. I could see my hotel, but couldn’t figure out how to get to it. It was off the same exit as the stadium, so I pulled into the stadium to ask. I heard the music from U2’s 1983 Red Rocks concert coming from Invesco Field. I thought they might play it as U2 walked to the stage on Saturday, but they didn’t. We checked into the really cool, circular, Hotel VQ right next to the stadium – literally the same parking lot. I got out of the car and screamed, scaring both my mom and aunt. I heard the crew soundchecking Zooropa and then as I continued to unpack the car I heard Even Better Than the Real Thing, City of Blinding Lights and Streets. We couldn’t find Mom and Aunt Pauline a room that night, so they stayed with me. It was to be another sleepless night for me, but I didn’t care because the U2 show wasn’t until the day after next. Plus I was in Denver at the stadium where my beloved Broncos play, and it was my first U2 show of this leg of the tour! All was good in the world. Mom and Aunt Pauline went up to the hotel restaurant for dinner and drinks and brought me back something as I was too tired and stinky to go out in public.

Hotel VQ next to Invesco Field at Mile High

Invesco Field at Mile High from my hotel window

Elvis and Cilla relaxing in the hotel room in Denver, so happy to be out of the car

Please watch my video of Day 6 from Keystone to Denver

Day 7 – May 20

Because I couldn’t sleep, I took the dogs for a walk around the stadium at 6am. I was SO excited to walk around Mile High stadium where my beloved Denver Broncos play! The GA line had already started – right in front of our hotel. I was not getting in line though. I learned back in 2009 that there was really no point to it for me. Plus I wanted to enjoy Denver and spend time with my mom and aunt. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. A lady from a radio station in Salt Lake City heard about my trip and wanted to interview me on her radio station. So I called her and she interviewed me on the phone for a few minutes. I never got to hear the interview, but it did air later that day.

GA line at 6am 5.20.11

U2 at Mile High stadium!

Mile High walk

Mile High Stadium

We drove into downtown Denver and checked Mom and Aunt Pauline into a nice hotel that I had booked overnight when I wasn’t sleeping. We walked around 16thStreet Mall, which is just a bunch of shops and restaurants. I really love Denver. If it wasn’t so cold there with all that snow, I could live there. We had lunch at the Paramount Café. I went to the Hard Rock to get Dad a pin and noticed all of these people sitting outside. They were U2 fans in line for free tickets. The first 300 people who donated shoes to Soles for Souls got a free ticket to the U2 show. I was to see this again in Seattle and Hollywood.

driving to downtown Denver

Denver Pavillion

After lunch, Mom and Aunt Pauline continued to walk around Denver while I went back to my hotel. I walked Elvis and Cilla to the GA line, which had moved around the corner from the hotel. Elvis and Cilla had their U2 laminates that I made for them. They weren’t mingling too well with everyone though. This was all very new for them. I saw Jennifer and Melissa and met Beth, who became a good friend on 360. We saw several shows together. I went back to the room to take a nap and do laundry.

GA line at 2pm 5.20.11

Beth and me, the beginning of a beautiful friendship

I drove back into downtown Denver, parked at Mom’s hotel and she and I walked over to the Hard Rock for the Under a Blood Red Sky U2 tribute show. Mark Souce, who I had been talking with on Facebook, saved us a table right up front by the stage. We had dinner – really great mac and cheese. We met Billy (Bono of the group), who was tall and very attractive. I also met Jerry, the Larry of the group. They put on a very passionate performance. I also met Chris and Jennifer, who I became friends with and hung out with again at the Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh shows. My mom was miserable because the music was so loud. And it was – louder than an actual U2 show. So we left before the first set even ended. Mark asked me for a ride back to his hotel. We walked my mom back to her hotel and then I drove Mark back to his, except he didn’t know how to get there so we drove around for what seemed like hours before we found it. I finally made it back to my hotel to find out that U2 had played a secret private concert. I could have stayed at my hotel and listened to the real U2 and maybe caught a glimpse of Larry driving in and out. Oh well, only a few more hours…

Under a Blood Red Sky at Hard Rock Denver

me and mom at Hard Rock Denver

Mark and I at Hard Rock Denver

Billy

Under a Blood Red Sky at Hard Rock Denver

Please watch my video of Day 7 in Denver

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After 3 months I’m finally home and my musical journey is really over

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on August 8, 2011 by DeenasDays

My U2 360 tour ended 2 weeks ago, but it just hit me today that it’s really over. I’m finally home. I drove exactly 18,073 miles through 31 states since I left Memphis May 14th. Since my last U2 show in Pittsburgh, I’ve been hiding out at my parents’ house in Maryland avoiding reality – the reality of finding a job.

The final leg of my journey began Sunday morning just before 10am as I left my parents’ house. I stopped twice and was in Kingston, TN about 9 hours later. This morning I left just before 5:30am est and was back home in Memphis by 10am cst, after making my last travel plaza stop. I’m going to miss eating Subway and Sun Chips and drinking bottles of water, tea and gatorade from my cooler.

I’ve spent today watching tv show season finales from May that I recorded and buying tickets for Fall events: the play Memphis and the Denver Broncos – Tennessee Titans football game in Nashville – yay a road trip! Tomorrow I need to get groceries, do laundry, clean the house and get ready for reality.

Luckily I have another week before reality truly sets in because tomorrow starts Elvis Week, and I have many events to attend, which you can read about on my other blog DeenasDays.com But don’t worry, I am still going to write a detailed recap on my U2 360 tour because many of you said you wanted to read about it again – plus it will help with my book and help get over my post tour blues. Speaking of my book, should I title it  On the Road with U2: my musical journey   or      On the Road with U2: my search for Larry   or   On the Road with U2: it’s all about drums  ?

til next time fellas!  (photo by Tony Chiappetta at http://t.co/yAXyNgd)

Happy Birthday Edge!

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I have Found What I’m Looking For on the U2 360 tour

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

Today is the last show of the U2 360 tour in Canada, but I am not going. The challenge I made to myself was to drive to every US show on this last leg of the U2 360 tour, and I met that challenge. I didn’t want to cross the border several times back and forth with my dogs. The last US show was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and it ended in the best way possible – Larry hugging me on his way to the stage!

Here comes Larry!  (photo by Tony Chiappetta at http://t.co/yAXyNgd)

I saw 16 magnificent U2 shows and each had its special moments – and there were many smiles and waves from Larry to me. The Denver show was special because it was the first show, it was the first time I heard Zooropa and Scarlet, and it was at Invesco Field, the home of my favorite Denver Broncos. The Salt Lake City show was special because it was the first time I have ever heard Love Rescue Me – even if it was only one verse. The Seattle show was special because I talked with Bono before the show about meeting Larry and then after the show Larry walked over to me and shook my hand as he walked off stage and to the tunnel. The Oakland show was special because Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day. The Anaheim1 show was special because it was the first time Paul McGuinness had ever been on stage. The Anaheim2 show was special because U2 brought back my favorite I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and completely changed the set list opening with five straight songs off Achtung Baby followed by Streets. The Baltimore show was special because it was the loudest audience, Larry took off his shirt on the way to his car and I got the set list. The East Lansing show was special because it stayed light through Elevation and U2 entered through the bleachers up top behind the stage. The Miami show was special because it was the first time U2 played North Star in the US. The Nashville show was special because it was the first time U2 played The Wanderer, in honor of Johnny Cash, and they brought up a blind guitar player at the end of the show to play All I Want Is You. The Chicago show was special because U2 played Out of Control for the first time in the US this leg and it was the first time I have ever heard One Tree Hill, which was completely spontaneous and the first time it was played in the US since 1987. The Philadelphia show was special because U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent and moved it down in the set list. The St Louis show was special because there was a great vibe both from U2 and the audience, and I got a little shout out from Bono about the Larry Mullen Band. The New Jersey show was special because it was the longest show of this leg with 2 extra songs, including Out of Control which ended the show. The Minneapolis show was special because it was the only show in the US this leg that it rained – and it was a drenching downpour complete with lightning. There was a fantastic vibe much like in St. Louis. The Pittsburgh show was special because it was the last US show, Larry hugged me on his way to the stage, Matt and Melissa danced on stage during With or Without You, U2 closed with Bad, which was played for the first time in the US this leg. My favorite shows were Pittsburgh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6eL2aSHFw , Anaheim2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpIx4WhGxDc , Chicago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucea4oPHfrA , St. Louis  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8B-u712OO0  and Minneapolis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYlP9qYGryM .

Larry jumping down so he can hug me in pittsburgh

Larry I

Larry and Bono LET ME IN THE SOUND in Chicago

Larry turned around facing the back during Mysterious Ways in St. Louis

Larry waves goodbye in the rain in Minneapolis

I drove over 18,000 miles through 31 states – some states I drove through multiple times. I drove through and/or stayed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Jersey and Minnesota. I visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood in South Dakota, Red Rocks in Denver, Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the Experience Music Project and Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Harmony Hotel, Joshua Tree Park and Elvis’ homes in Palm Springs, took a bus tour of LA and Hollywood, visited Johnny Cash’s grave outside of Nashville, Bronz Fonz and Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Football Hall of Fame, and Soundgarden in Philadelphia. My favorite thing I saw was Mount Rushmore, and my favorite place was Palm Springs.

me at Mount Rushmore

me at Harmony Hotel

Along with the great U2 shows I went to and the great places I saw, I also made great friends and reconnected with old friends.

I met Beth in Denver, and we hung out through the rest of the tour

I met Chuck (and Bono) in Seattle, and we hung out through the rest of the tour

Before I planned to go on this epic 2 1/2 month road trip to every U2 360 show in the US, I was kind of lost – didn’t know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I started a blog to document my trip and share it with others and then decided to write a book about my U2 travels. Through my U2 360 tour, I discovered that I loved to write – that I would like to make a living writing. So now I have a purpose, a direction. I am looking for a job writing, and I am writing my U2 tours memoir. I met someone who is going to help me get my book published. This U2 360 tour changed my life and helped me find what I’ve been looking for.

Larry Mullen

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U2 360 tour across America Days 66-67 St. Louis to New Jersey

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , on July 20, 2011 by DeenasDays

I left St. Louis around noon the day after the fantastic U2 show in St. Louis. In fact it was so fantastic that I didn’t get much sleep, so I only drove about 350 miles to Dayton, Ohio. I originally wanted to make it to Columbus, which was only about another hour, but I just couldn’t do it. So I ordered an amazing pizza from Donatos (thin crust and lots of cheese), settled into my Motel 6 room, and watched Bono and Edge on Letterman.

Dayton's Donato's yummy Pizza!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get much sleep Monday night either and I had to drive 600 miles to New Jersey. I left Dayton at 6am, stopped twice, drove across the Pennsylvania turnpike again and arrived in our hotel across the street from the New Meadowland stadium.

New Meadowlands Stadium from my hotel in New Jersey

I have 2 nagging questions from my drive. Question 1 – Am I the only one who obeys the speed limit? I set my cruise control about 5 over the limit, but when the speed limit is reduced I reset my cruise control. Apparently, everyone else just ignores the ‘reduce speed limit’ signs and continue on at 65. Question 2 – Why do the bathroom stall doors open in toward the toilet? There is so much room in between the stalls and the sinks that the doors should open out, not in where there is barely enough room, especially if you have any sort of bag, purse or suitcase.

Anyway, I got a great night’s sleep last night in our hotel in New Jersey and even took a nap a couple hours after I woke up. But I was awakened by the fire alarm going off, which was luckily a false alarm. Now, I am going to watch tv, order lunch and walk over to the Sheraton around 2 to catch the shuttle to New Meadowlands Stadium for the U2 show tonight.

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U2360USA from Michigan to Miami at the Epic hotel

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

Days 45 and 46 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from East Lansing, Michigan to Miami, Florida – 1,426 miles bringing my miles driven over 10,500 miles so far. I left East Lansing Monday morning after the U2 show Sunday night, drove through Dayton and Cincinatti, Ohio, drove through the blinding rain in Kentucky, and stayed the night in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tuesday morning I left Chattanooga, got stuck in Atlanta traffic, drove through Macon, Georgia, drove through the blinding rain in Florida as U2′s Summer Rain came on my Ipod, and finally arrived at the lovely Epic Hotel in Miami at 8:00pm. After 2 long days of driving, it was wonderful to relax in such a fabulous hotel!

view from my balcony of my fabulous suite at the fantastic Epic hotel in Miami

Jacqueline Ploettner, Resort Manager at Epic, heard about my U2 360 tour across America and graciously upgraded me to a fabulous suite with separate living room, bedroom, huge bathroom, and a wrap around balcony with doors off the living room and bedroom. I could live here! Because she knew I had a long drive from Michigan and would be arriving late, Jacqueline had a cheese plate and chilled white wine waiting for me – and this amazing chocolate U2 guitar! There were also framed pictures of my Elvis and Cilla and U2.

Epic welcomes Elvis and Cilla

my living room

my chocolate U2 guitar

my bedroom

my wine and cheese

my bathroom

Elvis and Cilla love the Epic!

Because this suite is so fabulously relaxing, we are staying the day after the U2 show and driving to Nashville on Friday for the U2 show on Saturday.

Please watch my video of my drive from Michigan to Miami and a tour of my fabulous suite at the Epic hotel in Miami http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBpP-zq1iM

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U2360 USA Day 43 – Maryland to Michigan

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

Day 43 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from Maryland to Michigan for U2 360′s show at Michigan State University in East Lansing tomorrow. I left my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 10am and arrived in East Lansing, Michigan at 7:30pm – driving 578 miles stopping only twice. It was a long, boring drive along the Pennsylvania and Ohio turnpikes, costing me a total of $22. in tolls.

Please watch my video of my drive from Maryland to Michigan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I5Epl8YrTE

They are very excited here in East Lansing for the U2 360 show tomorrow. There was a U2 flyer and a newspaper with U2 on the cover at the front desk of my hotel. Apparently U2 haven’t played in East Lansing since the early 1980s and there hasn’t been a stadium concert here since the Rolling Stones in the early 1990s. Should make for quite an excited audience!

U2 360 East Lansing

I’ve never been to Michigan before, but I’m not going to do any sight seeing while I’m here. I’m just going to rest in my hotel until it’s time to walk over to the stadium tomorrow – I have a long drive to Miami the morning after the show. This U2 show in East Lansing tomorrow is the halfway point of my 360 tour – it is show number 8 out of 16.

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U2 360 tour across America – 2700 miles from Anaheim to Baltimore

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 23, 2011 by DeenasDays

On Sunday, the morning after the second U2 show in Anaheim I left for my cross country trip to Baltimore. I had just 3 1/2 days to drive 2700 miles from California to Maryland to make it to the U2 show in Baltimore on Wednesday. It was very important that I go to the Baltimore show because it is my hometown show, and I have great memories from the Elevation show in Baltimore 10 years ago.

People tried to dissuade me from trying to make this long journey in just 3 1/2 days, but I’ve never really listened to reason. Some said I should either skip the second Anaheim show or skip the Baltimore show in order to have a more relaxing drive. I didn’t want to skip either. I had made this challenge to myself to drive to every U2 show in the US on this leg of the 360 tour, so I had to try. For 3 1/2 days, I survived on subway subs, cheese crackers, pizza, water and sweet tea, stopped at Love’s and spent nights at Motel 6s along the way. But I made it! I left Anaheim, California at 7:30am pacific time Sunday June 19th and arrived at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 11:30am eastern standard time Wednesday June 22nd, the morning of the U2 360 show in Baltimore.

The first day Elvis, Cilla and I drove 777 miles from Anaheim to Albuquerque in 12 hours, stopping just 3 times. I passed through the towns in Arizona and New Mexico along Route 66 that I didn’t get to see last year on my Route 66 road trip from Tulsa to Albuquerque.

somewhere in Arizona or New Mexico

The next morning we left Albuquerque at 6:15, drove 733 miles to Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 11 hours, stopping just twice. I had wanted to make it to Little Rock or even Memphis, but I just couldn’t do it. I was wiped. It was the first day that I did not enjoy the drive. Although I did enjoy passing by Cadillac Ranch and the Big Texan ranch in Amarillo, Texas where I had so much fun last year.

the long drive

The third day of our drive we left Ft. Smith at 5:40am, drove 863 miles in 14 hours to Wytheville, Virginia, stopping 4 times, sitting in traffic and driving through blinding rain storms. We also stopped by our house in Memphis, and it was still standing and everything was alright. It was nice to be home if only for a half hour.

Memphis skyline

 

The next morning it was finally Show Day – the reward for my long drive. We left Wytheville, Virginia at 6:10am, drove 326 miles and arrived at my parents’ house in Ellicott City, Maryland at 11:25am, stopping twice. I made it – and with hours to spare before the U2 360 show in Baltimore.  Again, never listen to reason, follow your passion – always!

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U2360USA Day 31 – Palm Springs to Anaheim

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

Day 31 of my U2 360 tour across America was an uneventful one, chores rather then sightseeing. We left the fabulous Palm Springs around 10:15am and were in Anaheim by noon. It was 89 degrees when we left Palm Srings and 73 degrees when we arrived in Anaheim. What a difference 90 miles makes.

The hotels gods have followed me to Anaheim. I checked into the TownePlace Suites to find that the manager had upgraded me to a two bedroom suite. I am very happy because I am going to be here for 6 nights, so it will be much more comfortable having this apartment-like suite as opposed to a regular hotel room. I have 3 flatscreen tvs, 2 bedrooms, a living room with a couch and coffee table, a dining table, bathroom and full kitchen. And I am at the end of the hall on the first floor right by the door, which is really convenient for the dogs. It’s like our own little apartment in Anaheim for 6 nights. Plus it’s only a 10 minute walk to Angels Stadium for the U2 shows Friday and Saturday nights.

After unloading everything out of my car, I went to the grocery store, which was only a mile down the road. I got enough groceries to last the week as well as for my 3-day drive to Baltimore next week. After grocery shopping, I did two loads of laundry because I had no clean clothes at all. Then I unpacked and organized the rest of my things. I still have to make an appointment to get my Saturn’s oil changed, which I’ll call about tomorrow. And I have to get a ticket to the Dodgers game Wednesday. But I did buy a ticket for a bus tour of LA and Hollywood tomorrow. They pick me up at my hotel in the morning, so I don’t have to venture out on those crazy LA freeways!

Please watch my short video of my short drive from Palm Springs to Anaheim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0N4mtnxdf0

4 days until U2 360 in Anaheim!

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U360USA Day 28 – Oakland to Palm Springs, A Place in the Sun

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , on June 10, 2011 by DeenasDays

Finally it’s summer!!! For the first time since I left Memphis on May 14th, it is above 75 degrees. In fact, it’s in the 90s here in Palm Springs. I had one day in Denver above 70 and one day in Seattle above 70, otherwise it’s been cold. I am SO glad I am finally feeling summer. It is June 10 after all.

Day 28 of my U2 360 tour across America brought us from Oakland to Palm Springs. We left Oakland around 7:20am, and it was 55 degrees and arrived in Palm Springs just over 8 hours later and it was 95 degrees. We only stopped twice on our journey south on Route 5 up and down the mountains – again. It was a pretty drive though.

on the road to palm springs

I love Palm Springs! I haven’t seen any of it except driving through downtown, but I love the desert! A Place in the Sun garden hotel is my new favorite hotel - in fact I think I want to live here. It is named after one of my favorite movies, A Place in the Sun starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters. The production crew stayed here while they were filming.

A Place in the Sun garden hotel

 

A Place in the Sun movie poster

A Place in the Sun garden hotel is a collection of bungalows situated in a rectangle surrounding the pool with palm trees and mountains in the background. It’s gorgeous! It was built in the 1950s, so it’s very retro, which I obviously love. There is even a walled in patio, so the dogs have a little space to go off leash. Yes, it is pet friendly here! And to make it even better, they upgraded me to a one bedroom bungalow, which is basically like an apartment with a full kitchen, dining room table, 2 couches and tv in the living room, a king bed, closet, and tv in the bedroom. They even have a library of books and movies for me to enjoy.

A Place in the Sun pool

inside my bungalow

my patio

Please watch my video of our day from Oakland to Palm Springs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S7s9trNeMk

I know I am going to really enjoy my time here at A Place in the Sun garden hotel and in Palm Springs. I wish I was staying longer than the weekend.

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U2360USA Days 26 & 27 – Oakland & San Francisco

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 9, 2011 by DeenasDays

Days 26 and 27 of my U2 360 tour across America were spent in Oakland and San Francisco. The day after the U2 show in Oakland, I just stayed in my hotel room napping, reading, watching tv and relaxing. Luckily I had enough leftovers, so I didn’t have to go out for food – just to walk the dogs. My hotel here is nice because it has free breakfast, free shuttle to and from the concert, and they delivered a microwave and refrigerator, but they have very thin walls. Everytime someone shuts a door or is talking in the hall, my dogs bark – even at 4am while I’m sleeping. So I haven’t really slept well since I’ve been here.

This morning I got ready and caught the 9:15am ferry from Jack London Square in Oakland to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Unfortunately, there were about four large groups of children on field trips on the ferry and it was cloudy and cold when I arrived in San Francsico. Of course it was warming up and sunny as I was leaving to return back to Oakland.

Port of Oakland

 

Oakland Ferry to San Francisco

 

Alcatraz

 

I spent my time in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf, walking up and down and all around. I looked at the historical ships on Hyde Street Pier and had lunch at historic Boudin’s (sourdough since 1849). I could barely see the Golden Gate Bridge through the fog, but I could see Alcatraz and some good views of the San Francisco skyline and hilly streets.

Fisherman's Wharf

Hyde Street Pier

historic Boudin's

 

the streets of San Francisco

Please watch the video of my day in San Francisco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KlsjDnANoA

I am really looking forward to going to Palm Springs tomorrow, not only because I’ve always wanted to visit, but also because it will finally feel like summer. I’ve been cold since I left Memphis 27 days ago. It will be 99 degrees in Palm Springs tomorrow! Yay summer – finally!  

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U2360USA Days 23 & 24 – Seattle to Oakland

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 6, 2011 by DeenasDays

Over 800 miles and 2 days later, we’re in Oakland, California. I’ll be in California for the next 13 days and am really looking forward to my time here! We left Seattle just before 1pm yesterday and arrived in Eugene, Oregon just before 6pm. It was the first day I drove to another city the day after a U2 show, and I was exhausted. It was also the first time I drove and it didn’t rain. And it was the first backtrack of my trip. I drove north on route 5 from Reno to Portland, and the past 2 days I drove south on route 5 from Seattle to Oakland.

Today is Cilla’s 4th birthday, and she spent it in the back of my car. She is relaxing in our Oakland hotel now though, as is Elvis. We left Eugene just before 9am and arrived in Oakland just after 6pm, stopping 3 times along the way. I was in such a good mood on the drive today. I’m not sure if it was a good night’s sleep or the memory of Larry’s smile walking toward me at the end of the Seattle show that kept me happily on my way today. Even the guy at the California inspection was in a good mood. He was a U2 fan. He said the U2 trucks came through a few days ago on their way to Oakland.

Cilla's 4th Birthday 6.6.11

 

California for 13 days!

Please watch my video of our drive from Seattle to Oakland (uploading now)  

In addition to this being my U2 360 tour, this is also my tuna and pizza tour. I had the best tuna melt I’ve ever had at the Hotel VQ in Denver, had an ok tuna melt at Carrow’s in Reno, and a great tuna salad sandwich at Pike Place Market in Seattle. In addition, I’ve had tuna subs from various Subways along the way. I had a yummy pizza in Kansas City my first night on the road. I had pizza from the hotel restaurants at the Ramada Reno, Vintage Plaza Portland, and Monaco Seattle. The best of these was the margherita pizza in Portland. I also had domino’s pizza in Eugene last night because I was too tired to look for anything else.

Less than 24 hours until U2 360 in Oakland. Please say Hi if you see me at a show – would love to meet you!

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U2360USA Day 21 – Seattle, the day before the U2 show

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 4, 2011 by DeenasDays

Holy hills Batman! Who knew Seattle was so hilly? And who would have thought I would get a bit too much sun on my face in Seattle? But even with that, I had a great day touring around Seattle with Jenny, even if it did make me too tired to go to the Owl & Thistle tonight.

We started out our day with breakfast at the Blue Water Taco Grill. I had a yummy veggie scramble. Then we walked to the Monorail, which is still operating from when it started at the 1961 World’s Fair – the same fair where Elvis filmed It Happened at the World’s Fair. The Monorail took us to the Space Needle, but we didn’t go up in it. I went up in it 10 years when I was here for U2’s Elevation show in Tacoma. But right next to the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project, which is currently showing a Nirvana exhibit – the reason why I came to the EMP.

Seattle Monorail

 

Space Needle

 

The Experience Music Project was named and modeled after Jimmy Hendrix. The Nirvana exhibit was great. It had memorabilia, photos, performances, documentaries, and a studio where fans can record their Nirvana stories. I did not tell about the dreams/nightmares I had after Kurt’s death involving me yelling at Courtney.

Experience Music Project (EMP)

Nirvana at EMP

After the EMP, we wanted to take a bus tour and had only a short time to make it. While we were rushing to catch the light rail, we heard the drums for Desire. We paused because we weren’t sure we heard it correctly, but then we heard ‘Lover I’m on the street.’ We ran toward Desire. It was a band and gospel choir on the back of a semi truck. The banner above the stage read One Life No Regrets and then in smaller letters noregretsu2.

One Life No Regrets

The singer Patrick Stark turned 40 and wanted to make sure he was living his life with no regrets. He had always had a fear of singing in public, so to conquer his fear he is making a documentary about his quest to sing on stage with U2 – One Life No Regrets. Peter is going to try to sing on stage with U2 Saturday at Qwest Field. Today he sang a set of U2 songs with a Gospel choir – Desire, In God’s Country, All I Want is You, One, Until the End of the World.

Please watch my video of Patrick’s U2 lunchtime performance today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IlMbq4_VpQ

After our impromptu U2 show, we headed toward Pike Place Market for lunch. We stumbled upon the Hard Rock and people were lined up just like they were at the Denver Hard Rock, so I inquire. Yes, just like in Denver, these U2 fans were waiting for free tickets to the U2 concert Saturday at Qwest Field. They brought shoes to donate to the Souls for Soul charity, and those first 100 people or so were to get free U2 tickets.

U2 fans waiting for free tickets at Hard Rock Seattle

We went to the Pike Place Fish Market and saw them throw the fish and then had lunch at the café overlooking the water. I of course had tuna. What else do you have at a fish market?

Pike Place Market

Now it was time for our Sub Seattle bus tour, which had tried to take at 1 but got sidetracked by Patrick’s U2 show. We lucked out and it was only Jenny and I on the tour. This Sub Seattle tour was supposed to tell us the non-toursity non-obvious facts about Seattle. We went to Beacon Hill, Washington Lake and my reason on going on the tour Kurt Cobain’s house. We also saw the Black Hole Sun sculpture, which inspired Soundgarden’s song. Looking through the hole, you can see the Space Needle in the distance.

our Sub Seattle tourbus

 

Kurt Cobain's house

Kurt's bench

 

Black Hole Sun

Please watch my video of our day in Seattle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UqelrSx3RY

After our tour, Jenny shopped so I walked back to the our hotel up hill. I mean up, up, up hill – in the glaring sun. Then I had to walk Elvis and Cilla because they had been in their crates all day. It was just about 5:00, so everyone in Seattle was apparently out walking the streets around the Hotel Monaco with their dogs and their kids and on their bikes. This was all just too much for my non-big-city dogs. Between the up hill walk in the sun and my crazy dogs freaking out in the big city, I was dripping with sweat, so I relaxed with a nice cool shower.

Jenny returned, and we decided just to order room service from the Hotel Monaco for dinner. Luckily it was really quick service. In fact, they said it would be 20 minutes and it was exactly 20 minutes – I like promtness! My ceasar salad was fantastic! My white pizza was also good, but I really liked my ceasar salad with fresh slices of parmasan.

To see all the pictures from my time in Seattle (and Portland), please click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150209290514168.328250.734599167&l=9347e090fe

Less than 24 hours until U2 360 at Qwest Field in Seattle.

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U2360USA Day 18 – Reno to Portland at the Hotel Vintage Plaza

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011) with tags , , , , , , , on June 1, 2011 by DeenasDays

I love Portland – and I haven’t even done anything yet. I’ve only seen the couple blocks around my hotel, but it seems like my kind of city – big enough where there is plenty to do and very liberal and dog friendly. Dogs are even allowed in the cabs here! My hotel is fantastic! It is the Hotel Vintage Plaza, which is a Kimpton Hotel.

O

I discovered Kimpton Hotels while online searching for dog friendly hotels. Many hotels say they are dog friendly and do allow dogs, but Kimpton really loves dogs. They do not charge extra and there are no restrictions with size or breed, and they even provide dog snacks, toys and bowls. I became a Kimpton InTouch member and made reservations in various cities for my U2 360 tour across America road trip this summer – Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia.

My first Kimpton hotel is the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, and it has greatly exceeded my expectations. While still in Reno, I got an email from Guest Services Agent Jonathan Garcia welcoming me to the hotel. I returned his email explaining about my U2 road trip this summer and that I was staying in various Kimpton hotels across America. Then I received an email from General Manager Jeri Riggs and Diva of Pet Relations Georgia saying they upgraded me to a suite with free valet parking for the same price I had booked for a standard room. Jeri also made sure I had a refrigerator and microwave and a room on a low floor as I requested, and Georgie wanted to know all about Elvis and Cilla.

After a long 12 hour 715 mile drive from Reno driving through the rain and fog up and down the mountains, it was such a pleasure to be greeted by a friendly and caring staff at the Hotel Vintage Plaza and to relax in our beautiful luxurious suite! There was even a welcome sign for Elvis and Cilla in the lobby. After a friendly and quick check in, we were escorted to our fantastic suite, the Chehalem, by the extremely helpful valet who parked my car, brought up our bags, hung my coat in the closet and told me how everything in the suite works.

 

Elvis and Cilla on the road with U2

fog and rain on the way to Portland

Hotel Vintage Plaza welcomes Elvis and Cilla

I couldn’t believe what I saw in our suite. It is a 2 room suite with a king bed and tv in the bedroom and a sofabed, big screen tv, a few chairs, coffee table, dining table, microwave and refrigerator in the living room. There were treats, toys, bottled waters, and bowls for Elvis and Cilla. There was a bottle of wine and candy for me. There was a hand written letter from Jeri and Georgie welcoming us to the Hotel Vintage Plaza. I also have vouchers for the restaurant and the honor bar. But the piece de resistance was U2 playing in the cd player – thanks Jonathan! I ended my long day with a glass of wine and my leftover pizza I brought from Reno and was asleep in my big comfy bed by 10pm.

treats for Elvis and Cilla

treats for Deena

U2 in the cd player

Please watch my video on our drive from Reno to Portland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Ijp10ag3A

Even though it’s raining and cool out, I think I am going to love my short time in Portland. Everything I want to see (Powell’s City of Books, Old Town, Pearl District and the 24 hour Church of Elvis) is within walking distance of my new favorite Hotel Vintage Plaza. Too bad U2 isn’t playing in Portland, so I could stay longer, but alas it’s off to Seattle tomorrow.

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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 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 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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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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