Crossroads of the West.
The last time I went to this gun show was in the waning years of the last century.
After braving the traffic, coming from Scottsdale, I arrived at my destination. I was immediately gigged $7 to safely park my truck. I then embarked on a quest to find a parking spot that was less than a days hike from the entrance portal, a feat in and of itself. Succeeding in that, somewhat, I then passed in front of some sort of uniformed whatever and asked if I had any sort of armament, which I thought was rather strange considering it was a GUN SHOW!! I then had the sublime joy to be charged another $8 to get in.
OK. I'm finally through the hazards and terrors of the forces which seemed bent on my NOT being able to attend this singular event (and out 3/4Th's of a twenty dollar bill in the process) and am actually IN!!! All is good, or so I thought!!
First things first. A trip to the head (those who have had anything to do with the navy and it's coffee will understand the place and it's importance). Apparently, this was on the minds of a LOT of other people also!! Now keep in mind, I'm up at a time that I'm not supposed to be (I worked nights at the time), I'm out the better part of a twenty, and I have yet to even see a gun (or anything else for that matter) for sale!!
This done, I approach the main hall where the sacred event is taking place.
What am I greeted by but a virtual sea of bandannas!!! Gang punks everywhere!! The ain't a gun show!! It's the 'hood!! I now regret having left my sidearm locked in my truck and have vague angst regarding it's health and safety.
Almost in vain, I search for others of my kind, who thought they were attending an event advertised as a GUN SHOW????!!! We were almost as scarce as teeth on a chicken!!
Oh well, whatever, I thought. I might as well look around while I was there. Usually, I attend these things in order to locate something specific. But this time, I was just looking for anything that might pique my fancy.
I set upon my surveillance. Arts and crafts???!! Books?? OK, I can understand that. All is still good. Then I happened upon the Nazis!!! Gott im Himmel!! Nationalsozialist en Amerika?? Vas ist los??? They were not even true Nazis!!! They were the American Nazi Party!! Now, true military memorabilia and collector stuff I could see, but this???!!! My interest is fading. Nevertheless, I continue.
I figure I should at least try to find a mag or some ammo or something just so this will not be a wasted trip. I diligently seek out the local magazine vendor. I'm looking for Walther P5 mags, which at the time, were at least, extant. Yeah he had one or two, but at a price that would have left my wallet smoking!!! I declined!!
I'm down to the last chance item...ammo. This is a gun show, right?? You would think that the purveyors of stuff would, at least, sell their wares for a price that made it worth all this aggravation to buy from them, right?? Not so!! This is not a good thing!!
Needless to say, the only thing I left with was a sense of irritation and a lighter wallet.
I have not been back since!!!