3 years ago, Alice and I went to Vegas with 6 of our canoe club friends and it was a quick 4-day event that I didn't document. Wanting to see the place again, I talked Alice into going with Ted, Connie, Harold, and Laurie who were wanting to get away. Ted and Connie do the Wyndham timeshares and they secured a 3 bedroom for us all to use. Plans were finalized and everyone flew out of Ohio on March 1st.
Alice and I rode Spirit from Columbus on a direct flight arriving at the Vegas airport at 3:00pm, 25 minutes ahead of schedule. It didn't do any good because there was still a plane in our terminal. We got off and waited for Harold and Laurie who were arriving around 4. After they got in, we all rode the shuttle bus to the car rental center. I got a 6 seat Ford Explorer and we loaded up and drove the whole 3 miles to the timeshare. Ted and Connie got in around 10 and came out to greet us then we headed to the room where there were cold beers waiting. After sucking those down we thought, hey, it's Fat Tuesday, let's find someplace to celebrate. There's a casino called Mardi Grau which sounded like a wonderful place to go. No Fat Tuesday celebration so off we drove to Orleans', another larger casino. Still no celebration but we did eat supper there. Afterwards we headed back to the timeshare as everyone had jet lag and was pooped. With the 3-hour time change, their 9 o'clock was midnight to us.
Wednesday March 2nd had Harold and I up really early. Darn time change. Harold and I played cribbage till the others awoke then we got around and drove 2 blocks to the Ellis Island Casino. We stopped there last trip and I liked the place as it is considered a local's casino. They have good food, a brewery and the games seem a little looser. While looking over the breakfast menu the prices seem ok for Vegas. An omelet was $9.99 but I asked about any specials and the waitress said 10 oz steak and eggs for $8.99 every day. It was excellent and so much food that Alice and I had leftovers for breakfast the next day. After losing some money playing games, we next headed to the Pinball Hall of Fame. We saw it the last trip but since then, they moved into a larger building on the south end of "The Strip". We played pinball for close to 2 hours then went to take pictures of the "Welcome to Vegas" sign. Next stop was the Paris Casino as we were looking for a dueling piano bar that we visited 3 years ago. Didn't find it so off to Target we went to get some supplies. Back at the timeshare we lounged a bit then thoughts turned to food. Ted and I flavored wings and we searched for some award-winning wings. A couple reviews had good ones in casinos, but the price was way more than we wanted to spend. Then we found Sickies Garage. It's like a Roosters or Buffalo Wings type place. In fact, Alice and I stopped at one in Bismarck, ND when we went to Montana a few years ago. Wings and beer filled us up and back to the room we went to finish the evening playing cards.
Day 3 it was going to be 80 degrees, so we decided to spend the morning and afternoon at the pool. It was gorgeous and the drinks, hot tub, and poker us guys played was very relaxing. After the pool we all walked the 2 blocks back to Ellis Island for supper and more gambling. Alice and I had scheduled tickets to see the Cirque du Soleil show "O". The other folks walked back to the room while Alice and I walked to the strip and found the Bellagio Resort and Casino. The Bellagio is a huge fancy place. The show was excellent and very entertaining. I thought I had figured out where the piano bar was and Alice agreed to walk that way. We found it and got a table. The Twins, 2 sisters, were playing and taking requests. We requested Crocodile Rock by Elton John and with the $5.00 tip I handed in with the paper, they played the song real quick saying "for Tony from Ohio". Folks in there loved the song and were up dancing having fun. We couldn't stay very long as a 12 oz beer was $12.00, so after 2, we walked back to the room. Walking the strip watching the people was an eye opener. You see all kinds there and some you don't want to see. Back at the room everyone else was asleep so Alice and I went in our room and turned on the TV and chilled.
Day 4 - Last day. Since Alice and I were leaving at 10:45 pm and the others were staying another night, they had to move from the 3 bedroom to a smaller 2 bedroom. After getting luggage moved, we loaded in the car and headed for Red Rock Canyon. Harold did the research and the Red Rock Canyon was wonderful. It was designated as Nevada's first National Conservation Area. Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. The area is visited by more than two million people each year. We only had to pay $2.00 for the car load since we had a lifetime government pass and after touring the visitors center we drove the 13 mile one way drive. It was beautiful just wish the weather was as beautiful. It was only in the 60's and the wind just cut through your clothing. After finishing the drive we drove on around a loop road stopping in the village of Blue Diamond. Ate lunch at the only restaurant in the village but the food was great. Heading back to Vegas town we needed gasoline. Connie is a member of Sam's Club and her phone said gas was $3.87 but by time we got there it was up to $4.04 and the line was very long, like a 20-30 minute wait. We went back to the room for drinks until supper time then it was back to Ellis Island for food and dropping another 20 in the machines. We then had to say our goodbyes and head for the airport. I thought it would take longer to get rid of the car and get through security but it didn't. Sitting there waiting I decided to get one last beer to help me sleep on the plane. $10.53 later I slipped it down then got on the plane heading to Columbus. We got in at 5:45 am and drove to get our dogs and go home.
Vegas is fun and the people watching is even funner but I lost around 600 dollars playing machines and it's probably the last time I will back out that way...unless someone talks me into it!
