A week ago last night a few of the Goodboys and I went into the Fremont Street / downtown area of Las Vegas. To tell you the truth, it didn’t grow on me much: if I’m going to Vegas I like the flash and the dash, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect Las Vegas’ past - in many ways it’s a hell of a lot more interesting than anything the Strip has to offer. But I enjoyed taking a few photos because when it comes to neon and the legacy of “old” Las Vegas, it’s good enough for me:

I love martini-themed neon signs. One of these days, Tracey and will start our own combination martini bar / tiki lounge; we’ll call it The MarTiki Room, borrow money from frequent commenter Jana to help get it off the ground, and then collectively lose our shirts.

Aren’t those pictures great. We also saw the legendary El Cortez Hotel (one of the very first Las Vegas hotel/casinos), complete with (as the sign said) “forced steam heat”. And, here’s the place where some guy actually had a heart attack last week. But it’s not the restaurant’s fault; it’s more the fellow’s lifestyle history and maybe even genetics, I think…

And what would a visit to old Las Vegas be without Elvis impersonators? That night you had your choice between a circa 1968-70 Elvis and the 1973-75 edition. I went with the former. How do you like my new thin look?

Just like I said earlier this week, I already miss the place and wish I was back there. There’s no place like Las Vegas!