Gun show in Las Vegas again

If you have been following my blog you know that every year in Jan. we attend the Antique Arms gun show held at the Riviera is Las Vegas (can read some of the old post here).

The Riviera is one of the older casino's on the strip and there is talk that it will be closing down. The Sahara is currently closed. Vegas has been hard hit by money problems like all other area's. Every year that we have gone we look forward to eating at Christofers but his year.....they were replaced with Rsteak house. Went the first night and it was pretty good but the next night....it was a disaster. Should have known when we showed up for our reservations and there was a pressing crowd all trying to get the same time of reservation! We took friends and after close to 2 hours of waiting and them bringing us cold to touch steaks......they comped the dinner which included a bottle of wine some salad and bread....we left hungry.
This is our routine...we leave home early and drive to Wikieup,  just in time for  breakfast. .

Just a little spot in the desert (double click to read the history found on the back of the menu)

It has continued to grow and improve since 1980 and is a popular spot for  many.

You are first greeted by the Indian and can choose the restaurant or the little country store to go into...basically go left or right or if you are in need you can go straight ahead to the restrooms which is usually the case.

Once we get to the hotel and check in, it is time to go set up......

This is the quiet time of the show and by the way this is only one very small section in one meeting room so don't be fooled thinking it isn't very big. This is the time dealers often buy and trade from each other so although it looks like nothing is happening a lot can be going on.

Here we are...all set up.

Unlike many...we only rent 1/2 of a table so our set up is pretty simple. Some people spend the whole day setting up with special displays and rifle racks etc.

Here is a close up of one of the guns.....

Notice the plastic band over the hammer? Those are required for all weapons for safety reasons. The paper you see under the gun is very important. That is a authenticity letter from the Colt manufacturing company. They cost $150.00 but are very important to verify how the gun left the company and where it was shipped to.There are many people who go to great lengths to fake guns and this helps to curb some of that. Colts are not the only weapons sold at this show but everything from spurs to guns to antique jewelry to swords and knives and on and on.

True enough the drive is all desert but most people don't realize how vastly different that can be....there are the little mountain ranges....

The rocks that looks like they were piled up by hand....

And those that are ready to topple....

and of course the cactus that look like sticks and some that look like they are flipping you the bird like the one on the left....

and unusual formations that just crop up....

and the drive through the  Joshua tree forest....

Not sure what the next year will hold or if they will have the show there again. To tell you the truth...I would be delighted to go to a different location but it is very difficult to find a place that meets all the criteria needed for the show.....time will tell.