Sunday, October 27th
Well today was a comedy of errors.
I woke up at 4 am with the wind howling like crazy outside my window. I started worrying about our flight to Vegas being affected, then all our power went out. How am I going to get ready for a trip with no power? I showered by candlelight . That was a first
While driving to Detroit Metro airport every turnoff we wanted to take was under construction and closed. It took awhile but we finally made it.
My daughter, Nicky, and I boarded the plane on time but then they announced that the luggage door was broken. It took a half hour to fix and another two hours to do the paperwork to allow us to leave.
We finally deplaned in Vegas and it took ages for the luggage to come out. I was thrilled/surprised to see that the walker I had chosen to travel with made it intact!
I kind of expected it to be smashed to smithereens.
Neither of us had U.S. SIM cards in our phones yet so we could not summon an Uber and had to take an "actual cab" to Paris. GASP! ($25) We checked in at the Platinum desk. I didn't even realize Paris had a Platinum desk, but they do. Our room was on a low floor but at least we could see the Eiffel Tower.
I woke up at 4 am with the wind howling like crazy outside my window. I started worrying about our flight to Vegas being affected, then all our power went out. How am I going to get ready for a trip with no power? I showered by candlelight . That was a first
While driving to Detroit Metro airport every turnoff we wanted to take was under construction and closed. It took awhile but we finally made it.
My daughter, Nicky, and I boarded the plane on time but then they announced that the luggage door was broken. It took a half hour to fix and another two hours to do the paperwork to allow us to leave.
We finally deplaned in Vegas and it took ages for the luggage to come out. I was thrilled/surprised to see that the walker I had chosen to travel with made it intact!
I kind of expected it to be smashed to smithereens.Neither of us had U.S. SIM cards in our phones yet so we could not summon an Uber and had to take an "actual cab" to Paris. GASP! ($25) We checked in at the Platinum desk. I didn't even realize Paris had a Platinum desk, but they do. Our room was on a low floor but at least we could see the Eiffel Tower.
I thought it would be a wonderful treat to bring Nicky to Mon Ami Gabi for dinner that night but it did not dawn on me how cold and windy it was outside. If only they had had the heaters on! Nick ended up running back to the room to get coats and sweaters for us. I had salmon and Nick had a pasta dish but I liked mine more than she liked hers. My "surprise"was kind of a bust. Oh well, I had good intentions .
We were both too tired to do anything else that night.
Time for bed.
Nick's meal
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Monday October28
We had a nice long sleep.
I was disappointed to learn that there will be a day or two delay in service when I put a US SIM card in my phone. Poop.
The first task of the day was to head off to Skechers on Flamingo East. It was only partially successful visit. Nicky has size 12 feet and has great difficulty in finding nice shoes since they closed Payless. She did find one pair of running shoes she liked. She was really looking for a somewhat dressier shoe in her size. Maybe she will have better luck when we go to ROSS on Tuesday.
I was happy we went if only to experience Blueberry Hill restaurant next door. That place has a huge menu and great prices. We both had their coconut honey chicken waffles and it was AMAZING.
We went back to Paris and got ready to go swimming. Yes...it was 50 something degrees and we went to the pool. The water was warm so we swam for about an hour, but we almost died when we got out. That was the first time my teeth have chattered in years...lol.
FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nicky and I were experiencing the usual super dry nasal passages so I asked Paris to bring us a humidifier. They obliged but all we succeeded in doing was dumping water all over the floor. We made several attempts to get it running properly but none were successful. I don’t know if it is us or the machine.
After the swim I showered and went downstairs to play for awhile. Had no luck at all and was back upstairs in an hour.
Tried a Buffalo Gold and a Happy and Prosperous. I wound up neither.
We had purchased tickets for the Bronx Wanderers for Monday night.
Nick didn’t like this show much sadly . I figured she would not be into the whole "Frankie Valli" aspect of it but thought she would enjoy the young fellas. Not so much.
We decided to head down to the Linq early ( 6 pm) to have a frozen Baileys at O’Sheas and check out the Halloween decorations along the Linq Promenade.
Halloween on the Linq (all Nicky's pictures)
By the way I am Ubering everywhere I go now. (Even when it is a short distance )
Despite appearances to contrary I am not plastered in this picture.
I just blinked. I swear.
Those frozen Baileys are very tasty!
Tuesday October 29
Old People Day at ROSS
This morning we just snacked on some room food and headed off to Ross. Had another marathon shopping session and we both found some nice tops etc.
Some of my purchases;
A new beach cover up.
Bras
Two black tops.
Housecoat
Black sparkly long coat thing to go over the black tops
Sadly Nick did not find more shoes to fit her.
Went to Peppermill for lunch as always. I had a Swiss mushroom burger and Nick had a focaccia chicken sandwich. Both were excellent.
We returned to Paris and had another swim. Today I found the outdoor air warmer but the water itself cooler. I came back to the room and left Nick out there sunbathing.
Our room was on the sixth floor overlooking the pool. When I came upstairs from the pool and Nick was still down there I walked over to the window and saw her waving. I waved back went to change.
I walked back to the window and she was still waving.
And waving.
And pantomiming something.
I was thinking “Why the heck won’t she stop waving?”
Finally I realized she was trying to tell me to take her picture.
Duh. Takes me awhile.
I went downstairs around 5 pm to try to give Paris some play. A Buffalo Gold machine was nice for awhile but then he took it all back. Tried a few new games but had no luck. This place is sadly lacking in Lightning Links it seems. I wound up playing nickel VP for awhile. Back in the room by 7 pm.
Nicky decided to go wandering. I told her she needed to go see the chandelier at Cosmo and she loved it! She adores taking pictures of things.
I REALLY needed this walker this trip. I am not sure how I would have managed on my own without Nicky’s assistance. We are both amazed at how many places here in Vegas that are not very disabled friendly. ROSS doesn’t have an automatic door. Neither does Peppermill. Main Street Station has this lovely ramp up to the door but no automatic door opener. Not good.
Nick was grabbing the walker and putting it in the back of all the Ubers we have taken. She was a great help to me.
Wednesday October 30
Meet day at the Plaza
Time to move to the Plaza.
Decided to have breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi because I still had a twenty dollar off coupon to use. I had my first lobster roll and Nick had a Croque Monsieur. They had taken down the umbrellas and put up the heaters, thank God.
It was yummy and a much warmer experience than Sunday night.
Nicky took a walk last night around this neighborhood and got lots of fabulous pictures.
She asked me if there was a way to cross over to Bellagio from Paris. There used to a street level crossing there but apparently either that is gone or she couldn't find it.
While she was standing in front of Bellagio taking pictures a Spider-Man dude snatched her phone from her hand and started taking pictures with it. Then a Mickey Mouse and a Captain America crowded into the picture. They all wanted tips of course but she only tipped the Spider-Man. It is terrible that you can’t make it down the street without get set upon. It is ok to ASK if you would like a picture but not to grab your phone!
We had a wild ride down highway 15 to the Plaza. There was a HUGE traffic jam which , if you know me at all, I just love.
Nick got nauseous in the back seat.
When you call an Uber you don’t know what size the vehicle will be. We had a tough time fitting two suitcases and a walker and the both of us in that Camry.
We successfully checked in and just rested waiting for the MEET. Once again the CEO Jonathan Jossel was kind enough to allow us to use the private Simpatico room.
It is so lovely to have a quiet place to chat. Three hours just flew by.
There was
Me and Nick
Otto and Ian
DM Jewel and Linda
SMG
Booker
Gary
Trawnajack
BBKing
Pebbles and Tony
Kelly- a fellow who used to write for Vegas Bright too
From VMB-
WelshBlonde and her husband
BubbaKitty and his wife
And a member of our Facebook group....William
I truly appreciate everyone who came by to say hi!
Not everyone was present for this picture unfortunately.
After the meet Nick and I were too tired to leave the building so we went downstairs and had some Mexican food at Ori’Zabas . It was really good.
Then we went to play for awhile. Nick went back to the room quickly but I was having some luck so I stayed in the casino till about ten pm.
Yay!
Have I mentioned how much I love the Plaza recently?
Thursday October 31
Halloween
Nick and I got a slow start this morning. We went down to the D for a comped brunch around 11:30. I had chicken and waffles and Nick had corn chowder and sliders.
I went to play my bits of Freeplay downtown. Nick played for a few minutes but then she went in search of stamps. (LV boulevard and Carson)
She went past the Donut Bar but sadly they were closed .
She wandered around downtown taking pictures of all the murals.
I played a Lightning Link at Binion’s for an hour or two.
Then we just went back to the Plaza to rest up for Halloween night.
I made a reservation at Vic and Anthony’s to finally use the "Distinctive Dining" coupon. When I got there I discovered they did away with that. Sniffle......
We wound up eating at Claim Jumpers and I was amazed at how good it was. I had a pasta with blackened chicken dish and Nick had chicken fried chicken.
After eating we went out in the street to watch the parade of costumes. I stationed my walker next to a palm tree and was able to see everyone in comfort, sitting on the walker. Nicky flitted around trying to take pictures of everything.
Here are some of the sights we saw that night. It gets busier every year it seems. You could barely walk on Fremont at 7:30 pm.
LOVED this guy!!!
Nicky had cooked up a cute spider costume for herself. I know from experience that no matter what kind of costume I attempt it never gets the response that this crazy money boa does. Yesterday was no different. I love the way it makes everyone laugh and smile. I am now in many people’s photo collections...lol.
We sat/stood next to that palm tree for about an hour or so but then we started making the attempt to get from Binion’s to the Plaza. Normally not a challenge, but it sure was that night. Again I was super happy I had the walker. It was hard to maneuver through the crowd but at least I was moving. The poor people in wheelchairs and on scooters were not!
So I got to see my first canopy show since it was renovated. It is impressive but I still like the old shows better. I did not recognize a single song. I liked the way the graphics on the canopy used to go with the song. That doesn’t seem to happen as much anymore. The graphics seem quite random.
The band playing next to Binion’s was also playing modern tunes. I actually recognized two or three of theirs but I think I preferred Frank and the Steins. Didn’t hear Monster Mash even once this year.
Sad. I am old. I like things the way they were.
They had a dry ice thingie over the crowd which made for some cool special effects. The smell of weed was so strong I began to suspect that that was the smoke coming out of the mister thing. Ha!
Back at the Plaza Nicky went to bed and I played for awhile to earn my keep. Once again.... the slot that loved you on Wednesday, hates you on Thursday! Why is that? Lol
The band playing next to Binion’s was also playing modern tunes. I actually recognized two or three of theirs but I think I preferred Frank and the Steins. Didn’t hear Monster Mash even once this year.
Sad. I am old. I like things the way they were.
They had a dry ice thingie over the crowd which made for some cool special effects. The smell of weed was so strong I began to suspect that that was the smoke coming out of the mister thing. Ha!
Back at the Plaza Nicky went to bed and I played for awhile to earn my keep. Once again.... the slot that loved you on Wednesday, hates you on Thursday! Why is that? Lol
Friday November 1
When we got our act together this morning we walked over to Main Street Station, past all the amazing construction, and had lunch at the Garden Court buffet. It was good as always but there was no pecan pie for me. Sob!
Then we picked up the brochure for all the antiques MSS has at the front desk and wandered around finding them all. This was my first time going upstairs to see Winston Churchill’s snooker table. It is cool up there so if you have never been....go!
When we got our act together this morning we walked over to Main Street Station, past all the amazing construction, and had lunch at the Garden Court buffet. It was good as always but there was no pecan pie for me. Sob!
Then we picked up the brochure for all the antiques MSS has at the front desk and wandered around finding them all. This was my first time going upstairs to see Winston Churchill’s snooker table. It is cool up there so if you have never been....go!
In the afternoon we just rested.
Friday night I had arranged a special surprise for Nicky. We were headed off to Carrot Top for his show but I had booked a ride share karaoke car to get us there. It is one of those things with flashing lights and music. I told him to play lots of Whitney as Nick loves her. I was messaging back and forth with him all day.
About 30 minutes before we left the room. Whitney came on the radio and Nick said “Why isn’t there a Whitney tribute show. I would go to that !”
I was so pleased because I knew what was about to happen.
Sadly the fella read my message wrong and went to Palazzo instead of the Plaza. We wound up taking a normal Uber.
CT was great fun as usual and he came over to us and said HI and gave us each a shot.
After the show we stopped at the Luxor food court for a late dinner and then Ubered back “home”.
Saturday November 2
As is our custom we laid around in bed in the morning. Since today was going to be a toasty mid 70s we planned to head for the pool. Before that could happen I got a message from Deann/Haleysmom (A LasVegas4ever.com forum member) who happened to be in town for a quick trip. It has been about ten years since we have seen each other. She was kind enough to stop by the Plaza for a chat. It was lovely to see her again! I got to meet her charming BF as well .
After our visit I grabbed some coffee and Egg McMuffins and bought them up to the room for Nick and I.
After eating we went to the pool. It is usually heated but it did not feel very warm this time! I had a swim regardless and we soaked in the hot tub for awhile. The sun was nice and hot so we even caught a few rays.
Nick went back to the room for a rest and I went to give the Plaza some play. I did some keno, video poker, and Buffalo Gold.
Jonathan came by for a chat and to say goodbye as we are moving to the D tomorrow.
At 6 pm we went to eat at Hash House a GoGo. I had to laugh at the expression on Nick’s face when they carted over her food. She has never seen a portion so large. She had a chicken pot pie and I had the Sage chicken salad. They were both excellent.
After our visit I grabbed some coffee and Egg McMuffins and bought them up to the room for Nick and I.
After eating we went to the pool. It is usually heated but it did not feel very warm this time! I had a swim regardless and we soaked in the hot tub for awhile. The sun was nice and hot so we even caught a few rays.
Nick went back to the room for a rest and I went to give the Plaza some play. I did some keno, video poker, and Buffalo Gold.
Jonathan came by for a chat and to say goodbye as we are moving to the D tomorrow.
At 6 pm we went to eat at Hash House a GoGo. I had to laugh at the expression on Nick’s face when they carted over her food. She has never seen a portion so large. She had a chicken pot pie and I had the Sage chicken salad. They were both excellent.
After dinner Nick just wanted to rest. I went across the street to the Golden Gate and tried Mighty Cash for the first time. Fun machine...when you are hitting. Like them all.
Sunday November 3
Moving down to the D
Nicky sure enjoyed that chicken pot pie and even brought the remainder back to the room.
Sad to be leaving the Plaza. I am always so comfortable there. We were not in one of the renovated rooms but I noticed that our room had new mattresses, new bedding, upgraded towels and has been painted. Good for them....staying on top of things.
You never know how long it will take you to switch hotels so I wasn't sure what the plan would be today.
Our room at the D was not ready till after three. The safe would not lock, we had no wifi and every time we turned the heat on it smelled like the heater was on fire.
Not a good beginning!
They fixed the safe quite quickly and we just switched the AC over to cool.
Not a good beginning!
They fixed the safe quite quickly and we just switched the AC over to cool.
Despite talking to the IT dept multiple times we still had no wifi.
After we dragged our stuff down to the D at one and found out we could not check in, we decided to leave our bags and go have lunch at Magnolias and then visit Springs Preserve.
Our main objective was to visit the butterfly conservatory however it turned out to be a day they were having the Day of Dead celebrations. We were there before it began so it wasn’t busy.
Nicky slapped me in a wheelchair and pushed me all over the place. It was very hard on her. We got lost but finally located the butterflies. It is a very small habitat but we really enjoyed it.
Nicky slapped me in a wheelchair and pushed me all over the place. It was very hard on her. We got lost but finally located the butterflies. It is a very small habitat but we really enjoyed it.
After the butterflies Nicky went scampering around taking pictures of the Day of the Dead displays.
I had free tickets to see the late Jokesters Comedy show at the D at 10:30 pm. So late for this old woman! There were only ten or fifteen people there. The first two fellas were ok but the headliner was really good.
Don Barnhart was his name.
Don Barnhart was his name.
Monday November 4
We spent all of yesterday trying to get the IT people at the D to get our IPhones and IPad working. No luck at all. So I called the desk again to see if anything could be done. They sent up an actual IT guy and even HIS phone wasn’t working in our room. A manager came with him and when he could not fix the problem she moved us to a new room.
It is a giant pain in the butt to pack up and move everything but at least we had wifi! Yay!
After the move we decided to attempt to have a swim in the D's icy pool. It was too cool even for us. We did have a soak in the hot tub though and enjoyed the sun.
Next we went down to Binion’s to use my $25 Binion’s app food credit in the cafe.
Nick had soup and biscuits and gravy. I had a cup of soup and a tuna melt. It was all very good.
I had ten dollars in freeplay to use from the LVA coupon book. I sat down at an older Buffalo deluxe and got that up to $136! Played it back in of course. Nick went wandering on her own. When I came back to the room my key wouldn’t work so it was back to the desk and yet another lineup to get a new key. Grrrrr!
At 6 pm I walked over to Triple George to meet Vital Vegas's Scott Roeben for a drink.
As I was walking through the D someone approached me. He is a member of VMB and other boards. I met him a million years ago at an old LVT meet at the Monte Carlo. His screen name is LeeRawhide. It was fun running into him again.
After a few martinis with Scott a LOUD bunch of SEMA guys invaded the restaurant so we moved over to the Grand and played VP at the bar. Had a nice long chat. I always enjoy seeing him. He is one of my favorite people on earth to talk to. Scott walked me back to the D.
As I was walking through the D someone approached me. He is a member of VMB and other boards. I met him a million years ago at an old LVT meet at the Monte Carlo. His screen name is LeeRawhide. It was fun running into him again.
After a few martinis with Scott a LOUD bunch of SEMA guys invaded the restaurant so we moved over to the Grand and played VP at the bar. Had a nice long chat. I always enjoy seeing him. He is one of my favorite people on earth to talk to. Scott walked me back to the D.
I sat down at that giant Lightning Link the D has and played to hopefully keep the comped rooms coming.
Tomorrow is our last full day. Sob!
Tuesday November 5
We decided to go to the Secret Garden at Mirage again because Nicky loved it so much last summer. But first we went to the Tix4tonite at Casino Royale and bought tickets to Raiding the Rock Vault that night.
(Since the one at the 4 Queens is gone)
Walked across the street to Mirage. I don’t understand why the MyVEGAS tickets assign you a time because it is not a show. Our ticket said three but we were allowed in early. We spent some time with the dolphins.
Then we went to the cats. As we approached them Nick said “Omg look at that lion.” And I said “No he can’t be real. He must be stuffed”
But sure enough, he was real. Sitting with his face about a foot from the fence, staring intently beyond us. I had never see one act like that before even though I have been many times to Secret Garden.
As we moved around we saw several of the tigers pacing too, poor things. They do that when it is close to closing time and they are going to be fed.
(Since the one at the 4 Queens is gone)
Walked across the street to Mirage. I don’t understand why the MyVEGAS tickets assign you a time because it is not a show. Our ticket said three but we were allowed in early. We spent some time with the dolphins.
Then we went to the cats. As we approached them Nick said “Omg look at that lion.” And I said “No he can’t be real. He must be stuffed”
But sure enough, he was real. Sitting with his face about a foot from the fence, staring intently beyond us. I had never see one act like that before even though I have been many times to Secret Garden.
As we moved around we saw several of the tigers pacing too, poor things. They do that when it is close to closing time and they are going to be fed.
Where is my dinner!!!???
Then we spent another hour with the dolphins. I think Nick could spend an entire day watching them, she loves them so much!
We had some Blitz frozen yogurt and then Ubered over to the Hard Rock. I had intended to check out the memorabilia display but it was closed that day. There were tons of other artifacts around HR for Nick to take pictures of to kill time before the Rock Vault show started.
She wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the Jimi Hendrix era
but enjoyed it much more as the years progressed.
Those guys still do an amazing job!
After Ubering back to the D we decided we were hungry and went to a pizza place across the street from the D.
Never do that! Worst pizza ever!
She wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the Jimi Hendrix era
but enjoyed it much more as the years progressed.
Those guys still do an amazing job!
After Ubering back to the D we decided we were hungry and went to a pizza place across the street from the D.
Never do that! Worst pizza ever!
Back Home
I made it through the trip better than I thought I would. I think it helped that I brought a vibrating heat and massage pad with me ad I put that on my lower back every time we stopped for a break.
Having the walker was super helpful. The airport staff did not break it...despite the rough handling.
And if course it was great having Nick to run interference for me. Amazing how many places have a ramp but no automatic door or have handicapped washroom stalls and no automatic door. Crazy.
I would be ok because I am still mobile enough to wrestle the doors but if you were in a wheelchair you would be out of luck.
Nick would put the walker in the trunk of the Uber every time we went somewhere . I would hope if I was alone the drivers would help? Maybe?
We had one driver who said we could not put it in the trunk because it was already full! How sensible is it for you to be an Uber driver in a tourist town and have your trunk already full?
Insane.
Having the walker was super helpful. The airport staff did not break it...despite the rough handling.
And if course it was great having Nick to run interference for me. Amazing how many places have a ramp but no automatic door or have handicapped washroom stalls and no automatic door. Crazy.
I would be ok because I am still mobile enough to wrestle the doors but if you were in a wheelchair you would be out of luck.
Nick would put the walker in the trunk of the Uber every time we went somewhere . I would hope if I was alone the drivers would help? Maybe?
We had one driver who said we could not put it in the trunk because it was already full! How sensible is it for you to be an Uber driver in a tourist town and have your trunk already full?
Insane.
This will be it for this year. Sadly I am down to one trip a year. And you never know about next year...do you?
Adios for now.
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