ZEE and Company

[PokerBabe(aka)]

Hi All,

I just got back from my "summer vacation" to Montana, USA and thought I would share.

My best boy, Jason Brown, invited Babe and hubby (along with best dog Napoleon) to Montana, USA for a few days. I was really excited about the trip, as I knew that the famous ZEE lived there as well as the Shadow. If I could see them as well as Jason, that would be really cool. I had never met ZEE, so he was on my top 10 list of "things to do before dying". [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Off we went to Missoula (Jason's home). We actually drove through Missoula before finding the exit to the place we were staying. There is so much SPACE in Montana, it's hard to find buildings. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Our first night in Montana, we went to Shadow's restaurant (aptly called Shadow's keep)with Jason. It sits on a hill overlooking Shadow's golf course and Missoula. We feasted on some great food and wine and chatted mostly about poker (surprise). Shadow was not to be found, but he could be anywhere. Jsson said he might be in Australia, Canada or on Mars. I was disappointed that he wasn't around, because he is a really colorful character.

Jason runs a poker game at the "Silvertip" casino. Silvertip is a misnomer, as the property has nothing shiny about it except for the outdated neon tube lights inside. I was curious to see the "action" at the Silvertip, since I knew they limited pots to 300 bucks. After walking in, I walked right back out and told my hubby that we "weren't at Mirage anymore". [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Not for the Babe, this "silvertip" [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

The next two days, We played golf at Phantom Hills and Larchmont courses. The greens in Montana are actually green instead of brown. Really makes the game alot more fun. It was only Babe and hubby playing, and as always, hubby won.

Ok, so here we were in Montana, but when were we going to meet Zee? I asked Jason that question about 4 times in 2 days and he kept saying "maybe tomorrow night". In Montana, USA, nobody is in a hurry to do anything.

The third day, we caravaned with Jasons family up to their beautiful lake houses at Flathead lake. The area is absolutely picture perfect. There are deer, bison, llamas , cows and many animals that don't hang out in Vegas. The houses sit lakefront, and the view is just magnificent. Also, the nighttime temps were in the 50s and the daytime temps only reached 80. What a refreshing change from Vegas 100+ (it's 114 today btw). We ate, hung out with Jason's parents and inlaws (all of whom are GREAT people) and finally got to meet Baby Boy Will and Jason's beautiful wife. A great time was had by all. I should mention that we played another round of golf with Jason, his dad, his father in law and pal Kelly. As usual, Babe's husband had the lowest score. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

But WHEN WERE WE GOING TO MEET ZEE?

Finally, on our last night at the lake, Jason announced we were going to meet ZEE for dinner. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

We drove for about 30 minutes to a place called Kallispel, Montana, USA. THere is very little on the road from Flathead lake to Kallispel, btw. A few dead animals, some live animals, a few little buildings in some towns I can't remember, and lots of trees. There were a few houses scattered around and I kept wondering how someone would get to the hospital if they had an emergency. I mean, you could die waiting for an ambulance to find you up there. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

As we entered the thriving metropolis of Kallispel, we passed the famous Shadow estate. No time to stop, since we were on a mission to find ZEE and company. Shadow's house, like many others in Montana, sits back on a dirt road and faces lots of green things. Really pretty spot.

After passing a "casino" named Sawbuck, Sawtooth, or Sawhacker (lol), Jason explainted that was where ZEE and Shadow play poker. Somehow, this was a letdown. [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] I mean, imagine Ray Zee playing 10-20 hold em in this place with pots that were limited to 300 bucks. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Jason explained that things are not always what they seem and sometimes there are "other games".

At last, we approach the single lane road leading to Zee's house. I am really in awe of this spot, since it comprises 160 ACRES. WOW. This is incredible. I don't know anyone that has this much space except Steve Wynn and Donald Trump. But this is ALL IN ONE SPOT. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Very cool.

Hey, at last I am going to meet Zee. : [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I am greeting by the man himself and his companion Linda. She is an artist and has a bunch of original paintings in their home. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Zee is much more sociable than I expected. Of course, he wanted to meet me, too, being the Babe and all. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

We enter the kitchen where there is some very nice red wine being poured in LARGE glasses, and then we hear a knock on the door. Who could it be? WOW. It's the Shadow and his companion Kay. Awesome. What a surprise. Apparently, Ray found him and asked him to join us for dinner.

We explore the property and go into Ray's backyard. There is a view of a gorge with a river stream running through it (movie type stuff here). There are beavers, wild turkies, ospreys and other animals that hang out with Zee and Compnay every day. It is like a national park up there.

Shadow insists we drink more wine before letting it "breathe". He tells me, honey, "this is Montana". No time for those prissy-formal type things like letting wine breathe- we are DRINKING NOW.! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

After a photo op, we head off to dinner. Now this scares me a bit cuz I envision going to the Sawbuck or some buffalo burger place like that. I wish we were in Vegas for just a minute now.

To my surprise, we enter the downtown area and go into a lovely restaurant called Max's. The menu is very nice and the wine list is also quite good. Heck, they might have some good food there after all.!

We order everything and more wine as well. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] The dinner is GREAT. The food was excellent and Bab'e hubby is totally diggin' the conversation with Shadow. Shadow is talking about everything from Ray "slowplaying his corn crop" to Kay's flowers. What a great guy he is.!

I sat next to Zee during dinner and heard his rather stong opinions on everything from open container laws to who is /is not a good poker player. Don't ask, boys, but I know who you are. You might be surprised who Ray thinks is "solid", "good", and "bad", but I will never, ever, tell. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I could write on and on about this very special time with Zee and Company, but time doesn't permit.

I can tell you this: If you ever get a chance to meet Zee and Company, it's well worth your time.

Thanks to Jason Brown for setting me up on this trip. I will never forget it. [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

Thanks to Shadow for making it to dinner. We are on for WSOP next year. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

And, finally, thanks to ZEE. You have what it takes to be a Best Boy, I think. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

LGPG

Babe

[fnord_too]

Someone just passed by and informed me that green was not my color...

[Boris]

[ QUOTE ]
Jason runs a poker game at the "Silvertip" casino. Silvertip is a misnomer, as the property has nothing shiny about it except for the outdated neon tube lights inside. I was curious to see the "action" at the Silvertip, since I knew they limited pots to 300 bucks. After walking in, I walked right back out and told my hubby that we "weren't at Mirage anymore". Not for the Babe, this "silvertip"

[/ QUOTE ]

Not at the Mirage anymore? What the hell are you talking about? The silvertip has better dealers, nicer players and colder beer than the stupid mirage. Jason's game at the silvertip rocks! you missed out on a great part of the trip ms. pokerbabe.

[HDPM]

Wait, I think you used the word "comprises" correctly. I am not sure I have ever seen that, and certainly not in an internet post. Look good, talk good I guess. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Zeno]

Enjoyable post.

Why didn't you go fly-fishing? It is almost criminal that you didn't do so.

Mr. Zee is indeed a wise gentleman but don't let his strong opinions bamboozle you. Nobody is ever 100% correct. Or, at least I don't think so. I could be wrong.

[ QUOTE ]
At last, we approach the single lane road leading to Zee's house. I am really in awe of this spot, since it comprises 160 ACRES. WOW. This is incredible. I don't know anyone that has this much space except Steve Wynn and Donald Trump. But this is ALL IN ONE SPOT. Very cool.


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. But it is much more common than you think, having a large amount of space to life on I mean.

I'm very happy for you - that you got to visit Ray and company in Montana. I have to be honest and admit I'm a bit jealous also.

-Zeno

[Ray Zee]

thanks for coming up to the top of the world babe. good time for all. one of the beavers cut two of my big cottonwood trees yesterday. little bugger.
contrary to what people may think we have just as good eating joints as any place. stopped by shadows house to eat some corn and bother him a bit. too bad you had to leave so soon but please come back next summer. bring hubby too as he is a blast.
right now i have ten turkeys in my front yard eating the grass that went to seed that i didnt mow, three spotted fawns on the island, and a cat in my lap.

zee

[wacki]

Good lord.

Kids have Santa, Poker players have Ray Zee.

When did this fad take off? Not that I'm complaining of course. If Zee was at the mall in a white beard and a big red suit, I'd probably want to sit on his lap too.

One thing I've always wondered about Zee is, why does he surf 2+2 in invisible mode? You never know when he is on.

[Phat Mack]

[ QUOTE ]
One thing I've always wondered about Zee is, why does he surf 2+2 in invisible mode? You never know when he is on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Also, I've noticed that his reflection can never be seen in a mirror.

[M2d]

One day, I was driving from the lc's to aj's. as I passed the cemetary in colma, I noticed zee in my back seat, through the rear view mirror. freaked, I kept a white knuckle grip on my steering wheel and raced to the next card room. when I got there, the back seat was empty.

[Ray Zee]

m2d you actually go someplace other than the oaks club.it wasnt me in the back seat but the ghost of rich englestein.