Almost a year into all the
Covid-19 restrictions, Lou and I decided to take a short road trip to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire
Mountain. Yes, I know that's quite a name & it
certainly isn't close to Sacramento
being about an hour's drive north. But it was a fun day and to be honest, getting away
to go somewhere other than shopping felt just a little decadent and a bit weird.
 |
The iconic guitar in front of the entrance to the Hard Rock Casino. I was wondering if this could have been the same guitar that hung over the Sacramento Hard Rock Cafe that closed years ago? Who knows?
|
 |
| The Hard Rock Hotel which is attached to the casino and eateries. There was a line of people checking in for the weekend. |
Neither of us are gamblers and didn't put one nickel in a slot machine. Do they even still have nickel slots? But being a couple of old
rockers, we've always enjoyed visiting Hard Rock Cafes on our travels around
the world. Strolling around looking at all the memorabilia from rock and roll
bands and legendary singers has been a favorite pastime of ours for many years.
The Hard Rock Casino in Wheatland,
California, didn't disappoint.
 |
| The late, great Eddie Van Halen's Harley Davidson motorcycle. Can't you just picture him with Valerie Bertinelli on the back cruisin' down the street? |
 |
| A mural depicting Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and one of the Hawaiian shirts he wore during a performance. I saw them play at the Greek Theater in Berkeley in my teens and didn't appreciate what I was experiencing. |
 |
| A couple of dresses worn by a couple of first class diva. That is Diana Ross's gown on the left and one worn by Bette Midler on the right. |
 |
| One of Eddie Van Halen's guitars on the top and a hat worn by Tom Petty. We saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert just down the street at the Toyota Amphitheater many years ago. Back then I think it was still the Sleep Train Amphitheater. |
 |
Some of the outfits worn by more recent performers. Britney Spears on the left and Gwen Stefani on the right.
|
We shared our first indoor
dining experience in over six months when we decided to live dangerously and
eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe inside the casino. I have had both of my covid
shots and Lou had his first this past week. The tables were spread out and the
staff all wore masks so we rolled the dice and said, "What the hell!"
(Did you catch my gambling reference?) Both the restaurant and casino were
quite busy at midday on a Friday. Gambling is alive and well in California.
 |
| As we were seated and ordered our lunch it wasn't too crowded but by the time we left every table was pretty much full. |
 |
Waiting patiently for my lunch as the cooks worked behind me. "Love All Serve All" is the Hard Rock motto - good advice for all of us I'd say.
|
 |
| The service was a little slow but I really enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich while Lou managed to eat all of his huge cheeseburger. Just eating out again was such a treat! |
We made a short detour off
of Highway 65 to visit "Historic Downtown Wheatland" on the way back
home. Not a whole lot there but here are a few interesting photos.
 |
| Wheatland Smog and Repair was a cute storefront with decorative murals. The block long "downtown" had seen better days but this was the highlight for me. |
 |
One of the murals on the above building.
|
 |
| The inside of the above shop. I put my phone flat against the window and snapped this shot. My guess is that this is Wheatland's only museum. |
 |
Downtown Wheatland's Front Street. The entire street was one block long.
|
 |
Outside the "Emporium and Thrift Store". The owner didn't seem too concerned that anything would be stolen.
|
 |
| "Bill's Place" didn't look like it was open any longer. Maybe it would come alive when the sun went down but I'm not betting on it. I'll save the betting for the casino patrons. |
