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| - I've driven by the boneyard on countless occasions (usually on my way to Jerry's to tack a big hunk of prime rib onto my already ample butt and leave a sizable donation in their video poker machines). I sort of vaguely thought it might be interesting to visit, but probably would not have bothered were it not for an arm twisting by Rosebud, who was visiting from out of town. Their No Open-Toed Shoes policy was nearly a deal breaker, as I have shod my hooves exclusively in flip flops since I retired and had to shovel through my closet to find my rhinestone bedazzled dress-ups, the only pair that filled the bill, in order to attend.
I was grumpy, but I went. (A promise of lunch afterwards may or may not have influenced my ultimate decision to cooperate.) And I was quite glad that I did.
They have a local admission price (about 13 bucks, I think), which seemed a little steep for a brief stroll around an outdoor, gravelly yard stacked with junked metal. But oh, what metal it is. I was actually surprised to see how cool all those old signs look up close, and we were really having nostalgia rushes at the sight of the old signs from the Showboat, Alpine Village, Fox Theater, and countless other old haunts of my misspent youth.
Our guide was not a native, but was well informed, friendly, and I found the facts about manufacturing neon surprisingly interesting. She seemed quite enthused for a person who has to repeat basically the same spiel multiple times per day. Thumbs up to her.
We went in the daytime when the weather was lovely, and there were several benches where a fatty could rest while waiting for the rest of the group to take photographs. I imagine it would be better at night, but be forewarned that only a few of the signs are restored, so only those are lit.
AND- the paths are very well kept, and the signs are all behind rock barriers, so the danger of injuring your feet was greatly exaggerrated. Busted out the rhinestones for nothing.
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