Riverboat Fantasy

Feb 8th, 2025 Niagara Falls, ON

Kim Mitchell and David WIlcox. David Wilcox and Kim Mitchell. Unless you are Canadian or an avid music fan, you might not have heard of these gents. 2 all time classic rockers, bluesy and progy, with most of their success coming in the late 70's and early 80's. Together, a double bill, in Niagara Falls, Canadian side, about 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. I jumped on tickets and 3 of us were on board to have a blast. There is a relatively new theatre built there, OLG Stage and I am pretty sure Billy Joel opened it, a few years ago. 5000 seater to replace the Avalon Ballroom which is only 1500 seats. We knew what to expect and we got it, all of the classic hits with David on stage first, and Kim closing. These guys are oldish now, so they are on their rocker (maybe a bit off it too) more now than actually rocking, but still moving ok and more importantly sounding as they did on their records. Unfortunately for us but as expected, the crowd was a similar age to the showmen, so, everyone was in their seats, and god forbid you should stand up without getting yelled at, and then try to stand in the aisle and get yelled at by an usher. What gives man. This is a rock and roll show, so pathetic on so many fronts, but as we do, we find places where we can stand and dance in peace and not "disturb" any other lamos. Enough complaining already, we had a great show and even better time after at the lobby bar in the hotel, another band playing new music, old music and just music, good dancing and laughing. I was mistaken for the owner of the bar and a dude bought me drinks! Maybe he liked me or maybe he was trying to get an in somehow, anyhoo, we went with it and added to the allure of the night. Hit the tables for a bit, not long enough to get a free drink though. Happy to report that my playing partner went on a mini run and the mensch he is, picked up the "suite". God bless vingt-un! Although we didn't think about it, we knew sleep was coming at some point. "Best night ever!" was shaping up. Fortunately, we have had countless of those, but because my memory is fading as I age and this one is fresh in my mind, let's put this one as a candidate!

SET UP

I booked a 2 bedroom "suite" at the Hilton which is where the concert was and also a short walk across a covered bridge to the casino and the falls close to that. Great location and really no bad one at the falls, but some of the hotels are off the strip, so nice to be central. We check in and walk up to the room, open the door, right into the first bedroom. HA! In all my years, not sure I have ever seen that before, it was probably another hotel room at some point before converting it into a 2 room "suite". Through a very short corridor with a wet bar on the left and bathroom on the right was the original room with a king bed and a sofa couch in a sitting area. Plenty of room for the 3 of us, and as I booked it, I felt I had the choice to choose my space, first bedroom with a queen, it was. This was certainly no Honeymoon Suite.

MATTRESS

The Hilton Suite Dreams plush mattress by Serta. Didn't get a great pic of this old ratty label but the manufacturing date on it is 02/02/wait for it, wait for it 02! Triple threat. February 2nd 2002. 20 years old, uggghhh. What you can see is the other label which tells the cleaning crew to rotate the mattress for certain months, well that label was at the foot of the bed, so we can guess how many times in 20 years this mattress was rotated. Zilch, nada, zero, bagel. I was a bit surprised, as it didn't feel like a 20 year old mattress, although not too sure the last time I slept on a 20 year old mattress. It has help up somewhat well, and I guess the nights used is not 365 - judging from the wall paper and the tile in the shower, I'm guessing there hasn't been an update to this room in 15 years. The sheets were clean though and no other apparent staleness.

SLEEP

Not much of it as it was a fun night that lasted into the wee morning and since the Mrs. and I were hosting the superbowl party, I had to get home to get the smoker fired up! To bed around 3 and up at 9, on the road by 1030. Worked out great. Was expecting the room to be cold and dry and then warm and dry with the old hvac blowing loudly, you know, one of those.......in fact it was pleasant and slept well for the 6 hrs it allowed.

OVERALL

What a riot we had. Canadiana at it's best! Dim lights, and loud music from way back when, Niagara Falls, and even a stop in for lunch at the Flying Saucer. It's a fun and easy and inexpensive way to get away with some good friends, have a lot of laughs and keep the spirit and mind young. So blessed and grateful to have brilliant friends to share so much goodness with. Hope to do it again soon boys. 🎸🃏🎶🍸🛸