That is a lovely sentiment,
as long as there is no possibility of it being true.
But more about that later....
I am Blonde4ever, soon to be Gray4ever.I have lost track of what number trip this is and I am too lazy to count, but suffice it to say this is my umpteenth.
I have been retired now for a year and while the rest has been good for my ouchy body,
I have been bored senseless.
This makes my Vegas trips even more exciting than usual to me because I am finally out of the house and doing something!
Yay!
If you have been paying attention at all you know that my frequent traveling partner is Kodidog and she joined me again on this trip.
This is our fourth trip together and we have got being roommates down to an art. Who would have thought that an internet forum would provide me with a fast friend and an awesome traveling partner?
(P.S. I swear I did not touch the thermostat this time except to turn on the fan!)
This trip Kodi arrived in Vegas a few days before me. She decided to stay at Bally's which was also the hotel I chose for the first leg of our trip together. She asked for one bed when she booked her room, but I suggested to her that if she got a room with two beds instead I could just move right into her room when I arrived, thus eliminating the need for her to pack up her belongings. (Which is a very long process indeed). Sadly Bally's could not accommodate this request so we had to change rooms after all, but somehow, in her dealings with the front desk she managed to get my ordinary room reservation turned into a Junior Suite. I am Diamond level on the Caesar's card, yes, but so is almost everyone else in the world. I have been staying in CET rooms for 10 years and have never rated a suite before. I am not sure how she accomplished this, but I think she just bugged the living daylights out of the desk people until they gave me a Jubilee Suite to make her happy. That is my theory anyhow.
Anyhow, when I arrived in Vegas after my perfect Spirit flight out of Detroit
(pooh pooh on you Spirit haters)
I was surprised and pleased at the lovely room we checked into.
The Bally's Junior Suite
There was an unusual empty space that we figured must have been a dining room at one point. Kodi dubbed it the Dance Floor.
Eventually she moved a table and chairs in there so it wouldn't look so empty.
Our room faced Drai's but other than some distant music that earplugs successfully muffled, we were not disturbed by noise.
The first matter to attend to was a decent meal, with vegetables and everything. We dashed over to Bellagio where both Kodi and I had MyVegas lunch buffets waiting. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals and then did the obligatory saunter through the conservatory. It is difficult to get a picture without a million tourists in it.
I think this tree is saying "Get out of my picture buddy!"
Kodi in the conservatory
We walked back to Bally's. Now it was time to gamble. I asked Kodi if she had found any agreeable machines that would let you play for longer than ten seconds. She was fond of a heart themed "stroke machine" that emitted suggestive sounds. I took a pass on that one. "Stroke machine" is my name for those slots with the brightly lit whirling wheels that seem built to cause a cerebrovascular event.
Kodi then showed me another favorite. I think it involved dragons, but it seems like every second machine involves dragons anymore. I had a bit of luck on it but then moved on to wander the casino by myself. I was on the lookout for a machine that had babies and bowls on it, but I never located it in Bally's, so I went to snuggle with my old friends, the Buffaloes. I started at 40 cents, got a bonus, upped my bet to 80 cents, got a bonus, then went to $1.20 and got another bonus.
They do remember me! I wuv you Buffaloes!
I spent the rest of the evening on that machine.
Tuesday, October 27
Kodi and I had been vacillating over whether or not to do our usual ROSS trip this time. We finally decided it just wouldn't feel right to miss "old people day" at Ross. We went downstairs to NOSH for a quick breakfast. I asked for a bacon and egg sandwich without the bread and got a good pile of bacon on a fluffy egg. I was very pleased. Kodi only got two pieces of bacon on her sandwich and I got around 7. Remember this bacon lovers.
Now for a challenge. I embarked on this trip with the intention of trying both Uber and Lyft to test them out. It is my first time using either.
Since I have neither a smart phone nor a data plan it makes things difficult. I do have an Ipad so I downloaded both Apps. Apparently Caesars Entertainment finally has free Wifi in their lobbies and it even extends outside their doors. I was able to sit on a bench outside of Bally's Flamingo door and summon a Lyft ride.
I used Lyft first because they allowed me to sign up using a Paypal account as my method of payment. Uber wanted my credit card numbers in order to open an account, even though they state you can pay with Paypal. I was also delighted to see that Lyft offered new members 10 free rides, $20 and under!
Yes 10 of them!
After a false start when I thought I had called a car but I hadn't, the driver came quickly. You get the driver's name, picture and the make of their car and a picture of it so you know exactly what you are watching for. There is also a countdown on the screen that shows you how many minutes you will have to wait. The driver was polite and the car spotless...as were all five of the Lyft rides I took this trip.
Kodi and I were dropped off at the ROSS down by the Riv and began our usual onslaught on the bargains there. I headed for the makeup department and found a few treasures and as always tried on some clothes and wound up with a pair of pants (that I need) and two tops (that I don't).
Some Ross treasures
When we were finished I needed to find some wifi to call for our Lyft home. There is no wifi at Ross but they said there was some at Denny's. We walked over there but theirs wasn't working. I knew there was some across the street and down a block at McDonalds but that was looking pretty far away at this point. We went into Peppermill and had a spinach salads and "Glory Hallelujah!"...they have wifi.
Ordering a Lyft car went perfectly now that I am an old pro.
Back at Bally's we played for a few hours before dinner. My Buffalo friends turned up their respective noses at me.
We went for dinner at Burger Brasserie using the LVA coupon. I have never had a bad meal here. We split the most delectable chicken salad and we each had a burger. (Mine bunless....I did not miss the bun.) The maitre d brought over some small milkshakes for being Diamond. Way to screw up the diet!
I decided to conserve funds and call it a night and retire to my comfortable room to admire the view outside the window.
Wednesday, October 28
I have never visited a spa in all my trips to Vegas. This is probably my last year as Diamond and I just now discovered that I get free admission to the spa for myself and a guest. I wish I had realized that before! Kodi and I decided to go explore the spa at Bally's. It was a bit of a hike because it is downstairs past the sport's book but we made it.
First the "spa girls" explained all the rules to us and gave us robes and locks for the lockers. Then they took us on a little tour and showed us all the facilities. We decided to do the eucalyptus steam room first. I haven't been in a steam room in 30 years so I found it a little scary at first. The heat was intense and you couldn't see a thing. It was difficult to breathe. I calmed down after a bit and relaxed. I couldn't stand the heat for long though. I had visions of my blood pressure soaring.
I left the steam room and went into the "room temperature" whirlpool. Kodi chose to go in the "hot" hot tubs. I figured I would collapse on the floor if I did that. The jets on the tub were fairly violent. It was like being pummeled in the back. I guess if you can't afford a massage this is the next best thing!
I took a pass on the sauna as I figured I had had all the heat I could take. I went to shower instead. I was delighted with all the products they offer for your use. Not just shampoo, conditioner and body wash, but lotions and mouthwash and all kinds of things. I scampered around like a goof, oohing and ahhing at it all.I think they could tell I had never been in a spa before.
We went back to our room to apply our "faces" and then we went to Mon Ami Gabi for breakfast. We got a lovely "ringside seat" where we could watch the action of Las Vegas Blvd. We both had omelettes and loved them. I especially enjoyed their date coated bacon. (Can you tell I am developing a bacon fetish?)
My Omelette
Since we were in Paris I decided to play there and Kodi went back over Bally's. I wandered around looking for something new and exciting to play and decided to toss twenty dollars into a Britney. I never expected to enjoy it but I did. The machine is so beautiful and colourful and I was bopping to the music. Miss Britney ended up giving me a nice bonus so I was up for the day. I had a hard time tearing myself away when it was time to LYFT down to Mirage for our MyVegas dinner buffets. After another lovely meal we crossed the street to Harrah's to see Menopause the Musical. We have both seen it before but it is so much fun that it is the kind of show you don't mind seeing multiple times.
Kodi and her prime rib at Mirage Cravings.
When it was over we Lyfted back, Kodi to Bally's and me to Paris. (Harrah's has a designated Uber/Lyft pickup to the left of the main cab area. Just watch for the signs.) I tried to get back on a Britney but by now there was a line up to play her. I walked back to Bally's and played various things until I lost what Britney had given me earlier.
Thursday, October 29
Today is "moving to the Plaza" day. I was going to miss our coffee maker and fridge. We packed up and headed for the Flamingo entrance to Bally's again. I was determined to try UBER this time so I logged into my new account and asked for a ride, but there was still no way that I could see for me to change my payment option to Paypal and I didn't want them to use the CC so I canceled the request.
We called another Lyft driver instead. I was certain that this ride downtown would be over the $20 mark. Every ride I have ever taken downtown has been more than $20. I was absolutely shocked that after another delightful driver and ride, the fare was only $18.64. So it was free again! This is the only trip I have ever been on that I have paid so little for transportation.
There was no lineup at Plaza registration and they had blocked off the room I had requested in the north tower. In a few minutes we were in our room and unpacking. After we were settled we played at the Plaza for a bit, then we walked up to the D where we both had some food comps and freeplay to use.
Our Plaza room
We decided to combine our comps and have a nice meal at Andiamo's. I chose a chopped salad and their famous meatball and Kodi chose a chicken dish. I enjoyed my food but Kodi's did not like her chicken dish. It was described on the menu as vinaigrette, but it was too vinegar-y for her taste. It is customary in any restaurant, especially a fine dining one, for the staff to inquire if everything is to your liking after you have taken a couple bites of your meal. No one addressed us at all until we were almost done. Then Kodi asked about the makeup of the sauce and expressed her feeling about it. The manager offered to replace it but it was too late at that point. They did offer us a dessert to "share". I said "can't we have our own dessert?" So they brought us each our own dessert and left them off the bill. Our comps covered the bill and we tipped normally, but the service left us less than thrilled. Even at a Mom and Pop diner they ask you if everything is OK.
My chopped salad
After dinner we separated to try and turn our freeplay into cash. That didn't happen.
My $15 flip phone started ringing; it was Flusher and the Quad Queen asking us to join them.
So we got together over VP and drinks. It is always so much fun chatting with Flushiepants and his mate.
After a few hours we headed back to the Plaza. I tried hard to beat a Royal out of the nickel VP progressives but it just didn't happen.
Friday, October 30
One of the great things about traveling with someone of similar age and health is that we tend to move at the same pace. S-L-O-W-L-Y We got ourselves together and sauntered over to Main Street Station for their buffet. It was great as always.
After eating we returned to the Plaza to give them some play and then we got ready for the LasVegas4ever.com's meet down at Hennessy's Claddagh room. I had declared this the Creepy Crawly meet and I had gone to a lot trouble to sew a spider costume, but it turns out that it was too hot, scratchy and heavy to wear for long. Having six arms is cumbersome. (I was a defective spider...what can I say) I only could stand it for about an hour at the meet.
Kodi wore the most gorgeous spider necklace!
There was around 20 of us and everyone had a good time meeting new board members and renewing old acquaintances.
I was excited when both Flusher and QQ and Scott Roeben (of Vital Vegas and FSE fame) showed up.
My idea of heaven is being sandwiched between Scott and Flusher just listening to them talk.
I could do that for days.
The group picture. Sadly we didn't get Scott in it.
I really want to thank everyone who takes the time to stop by these meets. I appreciate each and every one of you.
As the meet wound up we left Hennessy's to walk over to the Cal. Trawnajack had offered to buy Kodi and I our first taste of Oxtail Stew. My first taste of Oxtail ANYTHING for that matter. While the gravy had good flavor, the actual wrestling the meat off of the bones was way too labour intensive for me, but I am grateful for the experience. Thanks Jack!
Kodi and I made our way back to the Plaza and a little play before bed.
Saturday, October 31, Halloween
We did our usual slow path to readiness and went down to the Subway in the food court to have a bit of breakfast. I tried my "bacon and egg with no bun" there but it wasn't as good as Nosh.
Then we walked over to the Cal and played for an hour while we waited for the Sam's Town shuttle.
We had visited there last trip and really liked it so we wanted to do a return visit.
I hit the 50 free spins on Sun and Moon while we waited.
We split up when we got to Sam's and played the afternoon away. I had no luck there, but I still enjoyed the selection of games and the feel of the place. At 5 pm we met up to have the buffet and it was wonderful as always. We ran into board members, Marg from Calgary and Mario out there again.
Sam's
The buffet
We took the 7 pm shuttle back downtown and the Halloween insanity was in full swing. We wandered, as much as it was possible in that massive crowd, snapping pictures of the costumes.
We played a bit at the 4 Queens and a bit at Golden Gate. The machines at GG weren't very kind so when my daily allowance was gone it was time for bed.
Random blurry pictures while walking down Fremont.
Sunday, November 1
We got dressed and headed down the street as I wanted to give Flusher some coupons and to say goodbye. Then we used a LVA coupon for the Fremont buffet. Just a word of warning about that. The coupon has no day restriction and it says "good for breakfast, lunch or dinner". To me that means the coupon can be used any time. However they were giving me some flack saying the coupon doesn't say it is good for BRUNCH. This seemed like a game of semantics, but perhaps LVA should clarify the wording on that coupon. Anyhow they let us have it in the end.
We wound up settling in at the ancient Keno machines at the Fremont for the entire afternoon. I didn't win but Kodi did, so that was fun.
We decided that Benny Binion's ribs were calling out to us so we had to heed the call.
If you have never tried them you really should.
Monday November 3
This morning we were packing up for our move down to the D.
(If anyone is counting Kodi packs five times this trip.)
We dragged our bags down the street. It is a short distance but it seems longer when your luggage weighs a ton. We finally got there, gasping. I was able to check in right away. Kodi always does a bedbug check of our rooms and this time she spotted something. She asked me for my travel flashlight to get a closer look. I went and examined the mattress too and sure enough there were tiny orangy spots on the seams of the mattress. Kodi drew it to housekeeping's attention while I went downstairs and told them about it and asked for a room change. In our new room, as well as a sheet and mattress pad, there was a third covering on the mattress that seemed to completely encase it. Everything looked OK in this room so we stayed.
It may have been evidence of bedbugs...or maybe not, but better to move and relax about it.
Reminder to everyone - pack those tiny flashlights and pull the sheets off of the corners of your mattresses and study them. You never know what you will find and bedbugs don't play favorites. They are in every hotel, regardless of the prices of the rooms.
The D room
Our view
After the bedbug excitement I went down to the valet drive thru to wait for MammaCat and Dan to pick me up for my first trip to an In and Out. Kodi wasn't feeling up to snuff so she stayed home. I could not get over how insanely busy this place was. But when I saw the prices and the burgers I understood. Thanks MC and DShort! I enjoyed the time with you and just being driven around Vegas is a treat for me. I get to look at things from different angles and see things I have never seen before.
They dropped me back at the D around 3:30. Kodi and I played until dinner which we had at the D Grill with more food comps. I had been hearing about Loco Moco for years so I ordered it. It is eggs, hamburger, gravy and rice. Meh. Not exciting.
We played the night away and I had the best luck of the trip on my Buffaloes and Starry Night. Those hits allowed me to actually return home with some bankroll for next time.
Tuesday, November 3
Tuesday morning we were awoken at 6:15am by some loud voices in the next room. I get the impression that the D's walls are fairly thin. Since we were up we figured we might as well start our day.
We met Kiddo for lunch and she drove us over to MSS to have the buffet with her. It was helpful to have a ride over as Kodi moved her suitcase to her next destination.
Kiddo checking in.
After our visit with Kiddo, Kodi played at the D but I wandered over to my favorite Video Poker chair at the 4 Queens bar and played for an hour. It wasn't giving me any love so I came back to the D.
We had dinner at the D Grill again and I allowed myself to have chicken quesadillas and brownies for dessert. Oh the indigestion.
Big mistake. I should have stuck with veggies and meat.
I spent my last night in town just playing some Keno on the D's second floor.
I resolved to hang onto my winnings from the night before. It is a good feeling to come home with money!
Wednesday, November 4
I placed at 6 am wakeup call with the D front desk the night before I was to fly home.
I woke up early on my own so I took the phone off the hook so as not to wake Kodi and snuck off to the bathroom. Apparently when you do this they send up some burly security guys.
They beat on the door (and likely scared the bejeezus out of Kodi) and asked me if I was alright and I explained. So much for not waking Kodi.
I think that is nice though. I expected it to be an automated thing, but I guess they pay attention if you don't answer. They want to make sure you make your plane, I guess.
I packed up and went downstairs to McDonald's to grab a coffee while I waited for my shuttle to the airport. That was a "different" experience. There was about 25 of what my mum used to call "rummies" and me. I was the only woman in the place. They kind of looked me like "what are you doing here?" but then we all drank our coffee together. I guess this is a street person refuge on a cold rainy morning.
When I had arrived in town nine days previous I had done the thing
that Vegas vets tell you never to do.
I booked a ROUND TRIP SHUTTLE to and from my hotel. (Gasp!)
I always use Showtime because I like the larger buses that they use.
I don't like being crammed in the back of a van.
Showtime's Round Trip Airport Prices
Strip drop off and pick up - $14.00
Downtown drop off and pick up - $17.00
Strip drop off and downtown pickup - $16.00
I paid $8 each way to and from the airport which is a great price. I was concerned about my pickup at the end of the trip because I have heard some horror stories. I called the day before as they instructed me to do. The morning I was leaving it was drizzling so I stayed inside the D to keep warm and dry. The driver's stop was across the street in front of the 4 Queen's. Not only was the shuttle driver early, he got out of the van and came over to the D to look for me! Talk about service. I would not hesitate to do this again.
(Disclaimer...I had issues on a subsequent trip)
This trip was perfect in every way. (Well...except for that bedbug encounter)
I don't feel the need to dash around like a maniac anymore. I just take it slow and easy and enjoy the company of my friends and the city I love.
Thanks for reading!
Loving LYFT
