Thackerville, OK 5-17-09

[Troubadour]

One more that I forgot to post earlier:



I took this as we left WinStar. That place was enormous.




Bye bye!

[MikeA]

That picture of you and Jess is one for the ages. But Lou, if you're gonna hang out on the prairie lands, you're gonna have to get some sunglasses and wear them. It's the only way you can keep the dust (and ROCKS) out of your eyes. I guess that Oklahoma is still considered Prairie Lands even though back in the 30's all the topsoil blew up into Kansas and Nebraska.

I believe I read somewhere that WinStar is now the largest casino in the world. Larger than the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Foxwoods, ALL of them!

I can't even imagine that. I've stayed at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and that place is unbelievably huge! The only way I could get anywhere from the elevators to any specific part of the casino, was to walk counterclockwise around the entire casino. If I tried to take a shortcut, I'd end up somewhere I'd been but not where I wanted to be!

[Glennsallnighter]

Welcome Home Lou!!!! I'm so pleased you had such a wonderful time in Oklahoma. I just LOVE Don in his casual gear, and I think my favourite photo is that one with the little bit of tongue sneaking out. He looks fantastic!

And thats a brilliant arial view as well.

Maleah, don't worry. I WON'T kill Lou!

[Prettymaid]

Hi Troub, glad you're back on terra firma, and I'm so, so happy for you that you enjoyed your first trip to the states! I'm sure a certain Mr. Henley helped make your trip memorable. Great pictures by the way!

[Ive always been a dreamer]

troub - glad you are settled in back at home. I'm so happy that your first trip to the States was such a wonderful experience for you. You and Jess look like you thoroughly enjoyed your 'excellent adventures'. Thanks to both of you for sharing your pictures and experiences with all of us. As I said before, your enthusiasm and excitement was very contagious. When I came to the pic from the plane and read your comment, I just said to myself "Awwww". And again, it was really fun chatting with both of you after the first show.

[Peekaboo]

I believe I read somewhere that WinStar is now the largest casino in the world. Larger than the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Foxwoods, ALL of them!

I can't even imagine that. I've stayed at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and that place is unbelievably huge! The only way I could get anywhere from the elevators to any specific part of the casino, was to walk counterclockwise around the entire casino. If I tried to take a shortcut, I'd end up somewhere I'd been but not where I wanted to be!

Well, It's not the largest in the world but I'm sure it's in the top 10. One of my bosses said that there's only about 3 or 4 casinos in Vegas that are bigger. WinStar is only going to get bigger with time. It's over twice the size I saw it at nearly 2 years ago and they aren't even finished adding to it.

[TimothyBFan]

Lou, I have a question for you and you don't need to answer if you don't want. I'm sure getting on that plane to come home was bitter sweet. I remember someone else here (can't remember who) telling about taking a flight to another country to see Glenn and on the way home on the plane having a moment where she broke down and cried because she was so happy to have gotten to do it but was sad because it was all over. This has really stuck with me since I read it, probably about a year ago, because I could so relate to that and I'm sure, had it been me, I would of probably done the same thing. Any emotional rollercoaster feelings for you?

[Troubadour]

Well, Jess will tell you - right after the WinStar concert, it hit me. I was slumped on Jess's shoulder at the bar, completely gutted that it was all over. That I had seen my last glimpse of Don for the moment, and that I was flying back home to 'reality' the next day. I really didn't want to leave the US and these new friends that I'd only just really begun to know.

But, I pulled myself together, and I've done a lot of thinking and talking about the whole thing. It was all incredible and I'm so lucky to have had this chance. Plus, I am seeing Don again (with the guys) in July, so I don't have too long to wait. I think I'd have been even more down if I didn't have that to look forward to!

I definitely had a few moments at the airport and on the plane though, where I was close to tears. It's just such a come-down. It's only when you have time to process and look at the photos and realise what an amazing time you had that you put it into perspective. Talking to you guys helps A LOT.

I had a couple of emotional moments during the concerts too. When Don sang New York Minute at Downstream, I got all choked up and had to fight back tears. I've always loved that song but his voice sounded so strong and passionate. He sang the "you can get out of the rain" line a couple of times and really emphasized it. Hearing him sing that and "things can get pretty strange/everything can change" as I looked around at the vast blue sky and realised that I was on the other side of the world in a place I'd dreamed about most of my life... It just got to me. It's still getting to me now, as I write this! But it was a good emotion. I was ecstatic. It struck me that I was really there.

[Jojo]

I got all emotional reading your post....I'm so glad you had fun and more importantly such good memories.

[TimothyBFan]

Ahh Lou I think all of us here can relate to exactly how you felt!