Lake Tahoe/Foreigner Concert....

[Yessongs]

 Hit Lake Tahoe the week of July 11th-17th. Pulled into The Hard Rock Hotel. 91 degrees ( 32c)  when we got there, a far cry from Feb 2020 when we arrived it was 25 degrees ( -3.8c) 

Room was nice, King Bed very comfortable. Alice Cooper kept us company there. 8th floor overlooking the Montbleu and Harrah’s hotels. They play great music in the casino. There are some really nice looking girls all over that place, both working on the casino floor ( Blackjack dealers especially)  Cocktail waitresses and girls there on holiday

They are hurting for “labor" all over Tahoe at this time.  The Alpine Union restaurant we had breakfast at in the morning, have “imported” 8 Thai kids. They “sniffed” Rachanee out right away as you can see. They told her they love it there, they don’t want to go back.  Came in May and have to go back in October as they are on a 6 month work visa. My morning breakfast there was “French Toast” tasted great, not so good for the waist line though.

Did alot, certainly one of the highlights was renting a speed boat for a half day one afternoon. 25 foot, 2021Yamaha AR 250 with all the bells and whistles. Full LED/Digital displays, Bluetooth where we loaded up our music, Stones, Zeppelin, Foreigner, Journey etc. Sound system was outstanding. 350 HP dual engines and we screamed along the lake. Just outstanding day out. She even drove for a while……that was an experience. She was “running it up” at full speed!  

Met my buddy Roland and his fiancé Lisa one evening for Italian dinner and gambling. He has a condo up there.

Various trips to Emerald Bay, hiking at Eagle Falls ( tougher then you think at 6,500 feet, 1,981 meters) over for lunch one afternoon at north shore at Incline Village. Rachanee found this creek over there, stopped for a few pics. We also hit “Baldwin Beach” which was very nice. The locals told us the water has not been this warm in many years. 73 degrees is warm for Tahoe, we both went in all the way. 50 years going to Tahoe and have never been in the water that far out.  No snow run off for 2 years in a row due to the drought. That they told us, has made the water warmer. The Environmentalist are having a field day, saying the lake will be ruined if this continues. 

Night time activities were dinner, drinking and gambling. Had dinner at Harvey’s Casino one evening and hit “Hell’s Kitchen” Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. Was good, but very over priced. She loves throwing the dice in “Craps” with my money of course LOL!

 Last night there, we hit “Park Prime” restaurant at Hard Rock. I had Salmon, she had the Chilean Sea Bass and topped it off with Chocolate Mousse/Vanilla Ice-Cream.

Lake Tahoe still great after all of these years. Gas prices? Not so much LOL! 

 

    Rachanee and I went to Fresno to see “Foreigner” in concert. Sadly last year May 2020, had tickets at Concord Pavilion, 5th row to see "Journey” and was cancelled. Was not going to miss this opportunity, so we spent the night there at the “Double Tree/Hilton” Great location, right across the street from “Saroyan Theater” where the show was. King Bed, room and hotel both very nice and breakfast buffet included. This is the way to go, shared a bottle of Wine and had dinner right at the hotel, then head across the street, 5 minute walk. 103 degrees (39c) outside, thank god for indoor shows.

This is their 45th year together, a few band member changes though. Sadly the original vocalist, Lou Gramm is no longer touring with the band. He retired due to health reason in 2002. They bring in “Kelly Hansen” and this guy is the voice they need. He is good and has been with the band now since 2005 since being named the "official” lead singer for 16 years. Rachanee tells me he reminds her a lot of “Steven Tyler” from Aerosmith…..good analogy. 

So they cancelled a lot of shows in 2020, they are now back on the road again for 145 shows in USA and Europe, through June 2022 ending in Paris. They are playing "Foreigners Greatest Hits” and they did not miss a beat. 

Opening up with “Double Vision” they were on their game, they just had 3 weeks off prior to this show they said, and were raring to get back again. Next up was “Head Games” at this point I knew it was going to be a great night as Rachanee was already throwing her “fist in the air” LOL! Wine does wonders for her!  Reserved seats in the 8th row dead center, that’s the good news, the bad news was no one sat down the entire night. Ok by me, I was geeked up too. This is not “Celine Dion” you know? 

Kelly Hansen introduced all the band members. Gets to Bruce Watson the lead Guitarist. Tells everyone “Please any of you who ever have a chance to meet Bruce, in the airport, at the hotel, out tasting various fine beers across the world, perhaps at a car race, just please, please, do not ask him if he is Brian May"??  He looks over at him and Bruce starts playing “Tie your Mother Down” by Queen and the rest of the band joins in for a few riffs.  Pretty cool…they all start laughing. Seems like a bunch of real cool guys who like playing together. My “Sony Cyber Shot” small camera did well with no flash in concert lighting. 

I tell you these guys play all that  Foreigner music crisp, clean and clear. The cadence and timing of every tune is just spot on.

“Cold as Ice”  “I've been Waiting for a Girl like you”  “Blue Morning, Blue Day”  “Dirty White Boy”  “ Feels like the First Time” “Urgent” and a few others were all played. 

Closed the show with a blistering version of “Juke Box Hero” and came back with encores of “Long, Long Way From Home, I Want To Know What Love Is” and then one more encore of “Hot Blooded” to close out the night. 

Well done to Foreigner, glad they still tour.  

 

[roomark]

Still living life to the max good for you Mike...

Stunning pictures , really enjoyed seeing something different and how life is treating you both now.

If I lived over in your neck of the woods I think I would care less about even going back to LOS .

Take care 🍻

 

 

[lazarus]

Many thanks for the Tahoe pics. Nice scenery. 👍

Mrs. Mike is especially photogenic when she's having fun spending your money... 😉 

Lake Tahoe -- one of my favorite places in the summer as a kid...lived there in the winter (Donner Lake & Squaw Valley) in my mid-30s. 

I'm heading up that way tomorrow (north shore) to visit my cousin & will add some pics to the thread when I get back to the fog.

[Glasseye]

Fabulous report, outstanding !

Tremendous pics, wow !

 

Now that you mentioned it... The tune "Juke Box Hero" is a great song to finish with. That song friggen cranks ! For sure one of their top songs. probably my favorite from them.

 

Most of all, it's really cool that you enjoyed yourself. Nice to see pics of you and Ranchanee. You are both looking great (especially her, wink wink).

 

Thanks !                            ⭐

[Yessongs]

16 hours ago, roomark said:

Still living life to the max good for you Mike...

Stunning pictures , really enjoyed seeing something different and how life is treating you both now.

If I lived over in your neck of the woods I think I would care less about even going back to LOS .

Take care 🍻

 

 

Thanks buddy, yeah we are having a blast here, lot's of things to see/do. For sure right now LOS is in the rear view mirror till things get better over there..when ever that is. Are you a Foreigner fan? I think you have mentioned a few concerts you have been to. May 2022 they are doing shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Cardiff with Whitesnake and Europe. They play well and think it might be worth a look. Forgot to mention, a fair amount of good looking gals were at this show. 

14 hours ago, lazarus said:

Many thanks for the Tahoe pics. Nice scenery. 👍

Mrs. Mike is especially photogenic when she's having fun spending your money... 😉 

Lake Tahoe -- one of my favorite places in the summer as a kid...lived there in the winter (Donner Lake & Squaw Valley) in my mid-30s. 

I'm heading up that way tomorrow (north shore) to visit my cousin & will add some pics to the thread when I get back to the fog.

Thanks Matt, have a good time on the north shore, hey go all the way in the water and let me know how it feels? 

12 hours ago, Glasseye said:

Fabulous report, outstanding !

Tremendous pics, wow !

 

Now that you mentioned it... The tune "Juke Box Hero" is a great song to finish with. That song friggen cranks ! For sure one of their top songs. probably my favorite from them.

 

Most of all, it's really cool that you enjoyed yourself. Nice to see pics of you and Ranchanee. You are both looking great (especially her, wink wink).

 

Thanks !                            ⭐

Thanks Glass, yeah good time for sure. I am so glad that "hacks" like us, still have some of these bands from back in the 70's that still tour and the best part is, they still sound great. Good to see live music is back...at least for a while hopefully. 

[Aqualung]

Brilliant stuff Mike. Stunning pictures and the scenery ain't half bad as well. Glad you both had a great time. 

[forqalso]

The first concert I ever went to had Foreigner as one of the opening acts for the Eagles. Over forty years ago. Good to see they’re still at it. 

[Pumpuynarak]

Great quality pics as usual Mike TFP. Wifey's looking as lovely as ever.

[lazarus]

On 8/1/2021 at 7:33 AM, Yessongs said:

Thanks Matt, have a good time on the north shore, hey go all the way in the water and let me know how it feels? 

Nice up on the lake today...

I picked up a little boat so you don't have to rent one next trip!

 

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by lazarus

[Mr. Smooth]

Lake Tahoe, one of the crown jewels of North America. Fabulous pics, you and your wife looked to have had a great time. Sorry I couldn't come up for the day like I had hoped to.

How large was the venue that Foreigner played? Maybe 7500? It's amazing how a band that has been at it for well over 40 years, through personnel changes, no Top 40 hits for a generation, and yet, can still draw huge enthusiastic crowds to hear their greatest hits catalogue and still kick ass doing it. Just proves how much their 70's and 80's stuff still holds up with the audience, both the old one and the younger people who are discovering what a great band they were and still are and they don't need to go on the State Fair circuit as an "oldies" act.

The difference in recreational opportunities here we can enjoy couldn't stand in more stark contrast to what we are seeing happening in Pattaya with the lockdowns. Like night and day.

Glad you both enjoyed. I'm off on a cross country road trip tomorrow. Be gone nearly all of August. Hope to reach Maine before heading back.

America, as your pics can attest, is a beautiful country. We need to remind ourselves of that fact from time to time and get out there and see it.

The open road will show me the way.

 

[roomark]

@Yessongs

Cheers for the info I just looked it up Manchester is the 18th May I wouldn't mind going to see that , that's a good line up Whitesnake and Foreigner I used to really like Europe were OK too.

It's not a bad arena either I think the biggest in The U.K I saw Roger Waters there last (though have seen a few over the years)

 

[galenkia]

Awesome pics Mike, good to see you two looking well. Thanks for posting them. 

Lake Tahoe looks stunning, just the sort of place I'd love to see. Do like the great outdoors. Can't beat the old 70s and 80's bands, was meant to see a Saxon, Krokus and Girlschool gig but that's been changed for the third time to next year. WASP ended up being cancelled altogether, Geoff Tate was meant to be this month but is now next year, and Toyah is next year also. Most of them were booked nearly 2 years ago. 

But hopefully gigs will get going properly soon as most will be dying of old age by the time they get back lol.

[boydeste]

Superb Mike, it's very refreshing seeing you both living life to the max.

[Yessongs]

On 8/1/2021 at 8:15 AM, Aqualung said:

Brilliant stuff Mike. Stunning pictures and the scenery ain't half bad as well. Glad you both had a great time. 

Thanks Steve.....hope you and wifey are doing well? 

20 hours ago, forqalso said:

The first concert I ever went to had Foreigner as one of the opening acts for the Eagles. Over forty years ago. Good to see they’re still at it. 

Good on you, I am just amazed at how great these "70's" bands still sound. So glad to hear live music again. 

12 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Great quality pics as usual Mike TFP. Wifey's looking as lovely as ever.

Thanks Cliff, was hoping Angus had left one of his "Gibson SG's" at The Hard Rock. How is wifey doing? 

10 hours ago, lazarus said:

Nice up on the lake today...

I picked up a little boat so you don't have to rent one next trip!

Dam Matt, that boat is a beast. Is that your "bar fine" you picked up at one of the local clubs taking care of you on the boat?  If you want to be in the "big leagues" I need to hear that you went in the water and tell me how it felt. Wifey and I are in the club now LOL! 

9 hours ago, Mr. Smooth said:

Lake Tahoe, one of the crown jewels of North America. Fabulous pics, you and your wife looked to have had a great time. Sorry I couldn't come up for the day like I had hoped to.

How large was the venue that Foreigner played? Maybe 7500? It's amazing how a band that has been at it for well over 40 years, through personnel changes, no Top 40 hits for a generation, and yet, can still draw huge enthusiastic crowds to hear their greatest hits catalogue and still kick ass doing it. Just proves how much their 70's and 80's stuff still holds up with the audience, both the old one and the younger people who are discovering what a great band they were and still are and they don't need to go on the State Fair circuit as an "oldies" act.

The difference in recreational opportunities here we can enjoy couldn't stand in more stark contrast to what we are seeing happening in Pattaya with the lockdowns. Like night and day.

Glad you both enjoyed. I'm off on a cross country road trip tomorrow. Be gone nearly all of August. Hope to reach Maine before heading back.

America, as your pics can attest, is a beautiful country. We need to remind ourselves of that fact from time to time and get out there and see it.

The open road will show me the way.

 

Oh Smooth, thanks for your inputs buddy. We will meet up one day, that theater was 2,600 seats. Love when those 70's bands play places like this. You can feel the drums hitting your stomach! Looking forward to hearing about your cross country trip and some pics. Be safe out on the open road, have a great time. 

7 hours ago, roomark said:

@Yessongs

Cheers for the info I just looked it up Manchester is the 18th May I wouldn't mind going to see that , that's a good line up Whitesnake and Foreigner I used to really like Europe were OK too.

It's not a bad arena either I think the biggest in The U.K I saw Roger Waters there last (though have seen a few over the years)

 

Yeah would love to hear a review of that show, always wanted to go to "Wembley" or some other "monster" place like " Donington" to see a concert in Europe. Roger Waters is phenemonal. He will be here Sept 2022...I got my tickets. Cancelled shows from last year. 

4 hours ago, galenkia said:

Awesome pics Mike, good to see you two looking well. Thanks for posting them. 

Lake Tahoe looks stunning, just the sort of place I'd love to see. Do like the great outdoors. Can't beat the old 70s and 80's bands, was meant to see a Saxon, Krokus and Girlschool gig but that's been changed for the third time to next year. WASP ended up being cancelled altogether, Geoff Tate was meant to be this month but is now next year, and Toyah is next year also. Most of them were booked nearly 2 years ago. 

But hopefully gigs will get going properly soon as most will be dying of old age by the time they get back lol.

Thanks Alan, I need to ask you. Am I too old to go to one of those shows like you go to? I mean I can still "bang" in the mosh pit! I am older but in relatively good shape, I know if anyone f***d with me, you would get it sorted pretty quick LOL! 

3 hours ago, boydeste said:

Superb Mike, it's very refreshing seeing you both living life to the max.

Thanks Stu, saw a few guys fishing in Lake Tahoe. 

[galenkia]

Lol I'm to old for the pit myself, but most of the bands I see now ain't the type to have pits, most are as old as me or older. 

[lazarus]

1 hour ago, Yessongs said:

Is that your "bar fine" you picked up at one of the local clubs taking care of you on the boat?  If you want to be in the "big leagues" I need to hear that you went in the water and tell me how it felt. Wifey and I are in the club now LOL! 

That's 'Angel'...picked her up off the street in front of my house. Seriously. Woof.

Nope, didn't go in. Just lunch & a hello to my Cuz...then back to the Bay. I could feel the altitude...didn't want my heart to stop, too.

On the way home took a side route (Highway 12) through lower Napa into Sonoma Valley.  Very beautiful there right now.  Take your Mrs...she likes wine, right?

Edited August 2, 2021 by lazarus

[Yessongs]

22 hours ago, lazarus said:

That's 'Angel'...picked her up off the street in front of my house. Seriously. Woof.

Nope, didn't go in. Just lunch & a hello to my Cuz...then back to the Bay. I could feel the altitude...didn't want my heart to stop, too.

On the way home took a side route (Highway 12) through lower Napa into Sonoma Valley.  Very beautiful there right now.  Take your Mrs...she likes wine, right?

Cool Matt that you took her off the street...well done. Yeah wifey is good for a glass of Wine, then her "Engrish" becomes a challenge LOL! We are going to San Luis Obispo for a week at the end of this month, staying at the Mt. Madonna Inn. There are some fun things to do hopefully. 

[maipenrai]

2 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Cool Matt that you took her off the street...well done. Yeah wifey is good for a glass of Wine, then her "Engrish" becomes a challenge LOL! We are going to San Luis Obispo for a week at the end of this month, staying at the Mt. Madonna Inn. There are some fun things to do hopefully. 

Good to see you both out enjoying the good life. When I bought my old Mercedes from a gentleman in Pismo Beach a few years ago, we had to go to SLO to take care of the legalities and he took me to the Madonna Inn when we were there - quite the place and I still have a souvenir t-shirt...

[Yessongs]

21 hours ago, maipenrai said:

Good to see you both out enjoying the good life. When I bought my old Mercedes from a gentleman in Pismo Beach a few years ago, we had to go to SLO to take care of the legalities and he took me to the Madonna Inn when we were there - quite the place and I still have a souvenir t-shirt...

Thanks Gord, yeah been planning on going to Mt. Madonna Inn since my first wife LOL!  Too bad for her huh? Place is unique and looking forward to this. Hope all is well in Canada..... eh? 

[Yessongs]

Dam, this is tough to see for me and alot of others I am sure. 52 years going to Lake Tahoe and god only knows what is going to happen here. It was "pristine" the 2nd week of July when we were there. 

Hope a miracle happens and all the people there survive. 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Yessongs