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brief TR-Sept 7 to 12-Golden Nugget

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by LolaDoggie, Sep 16, 2014.

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  1. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    Sunday Sept 7 to Friday Sept 12

    -myself, my husband and another couple who both work with my husband

    No particular order:

    -flew Southwest Airlines out of Detroit. Our first time with SWA. I have nothing bad to say about SWA. I think they have slightly more legroom than Delta. And they have a comfier seat with that lumbar support.

    -stayed at Golden Nugget for the 2nd time. Really love downtown and the GN in particular. Nothing bad to say about our Carson tower room. I'm going to book Gold tower next time though.

    -weather; we arrived during those rainstorms and flash floods. It got pretty bad but we had rented a smaller SUV-Ford Escape so I drove like one of those yahoo's who think they can get through anything with their SUV (I got through everything I was dumb enough to drive through which is good because our next car is going to be a small AWD) Anyhow, I didn't enjoy the muggy weather. But, it cleared up the last 3 days. Still more humid than I'd like but better.

    -got supplies at Von's by the airport...it sucked...but whatever.

    Meals;

    -prime rib dinner at Magnolia's 4 Queens, Dupar's Golden Gate pancakes (they really are awesome and I'm not a pancake lover), Golden Nugget breakfast buffet, Mandalay Bay brunch buffet, Ellis Island cafe, Hooter's prime rib special, fried Oreo and twinkie at Mermaid's (oreo was good), Binion's ribs, MSS coffee shop? I'm not sure but I got a reuben sandwich

    Highlights;

    -shark feeding at Mandalay Bay Shark Reef was awesome, spa at Golden Nugget very nice, H20 bar and VIP pool at Golden Nugget very nice, little bit of shopping since I could hardly drink with my medication, Rock This Town performing at Golden Nugget's Rush Lounge is awesome, efforts to clean up FSE are working, lunch with Buddha

    Low points;

    -we were about 10-15 feet away when that pickup truck drove through the main entrance of the Stratosphere on September 10th, the other couple were not ideal Vegas buddies, came home with a very bad cold, not being able to drink with my meds really sucked

    http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/judge-releases-man-who-crashed-truck-stratosphere

    interesting characters;

    -the well kept old guy at Golden Gate who accidentally did his business in the ladies room and I was like whatever because I've always had to share a bathroom, he was so glad I didn't make a big deal out of it that he gave me a big hug and kissed me on the top of my head like my Dad used to and he even smelled like Old Spice

    -the elderly gentlemen in the wheelchair in the Carson tower lobby at Golden Nugget who was staring into space and singing just like Tony Bennett while his family fussed with printing boarding passes. He was freaking good too. I'd sit and listen to him for sure. The upside of dementia.
     
  2. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Sorry you couldn't drink on your trip. Still looks like you had some fun. I know how it feels when the other couple traveling with you ends up being bad Vegas buddies.

    I guess some trips aren't up to par sometimes but it sure beats not going, no?

    I'm sure the next time will be awesome. Btw, if you feel inclined, elaborate on the shark feeding experience. Do you get to feed the monsters or just the little guys. I might want to try it!:thumbsup:
     
  3. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Forgot to add: Glad you were o.k. when that jerk drove his truck into The STRAT . Must have been scary.
     
  4. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I ended up being the only one who had booked a shark feeding that day. So, I was on my own with a cute marine biologist. You get a backstage tour, Cashman photo and shark feeding for $70. I think it's a bargain. The sharks you get to feed are the tiger sharks. They have a smaller mouth and they're more docile. They make a slurping noise when they grab the fish from the tongs. Then I got to hang out while they fed the other kinds of sharks at different feeding stations. I also watched the turtles and rays get fed.

    I had several friends and family members express concern when I booked the shark feeding. I was never in any danger during the shark feeding. However, going to the Stratosphere to pee, eat dinner and meet up with the other couple...that turned out to be dangerous. It's by the grace of God nobody was hurt in that incident.
     
  5. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Thanks for sharing!

    and holy crap about the truck driving through the doors! He was on a six day drug bender, eh? Solid fella.
     
  6. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    Yeah, he was a peach.
     
  7. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Good report! Sorry to hear you were sick, but at least you weren't hurt by that jerk!
     
  8. Elf70

    Elf70 High-Roller

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    The shark feeding sounds awesome. Glad you made it out of the Stratosphere without injury!
     
  9. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    Wonderfully concise TR! I saw some pics of the Stratosphere wreck and some video. You may or may not have won money, but it was a lucky trip nonetheless for avoiding injury.
     
  10. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    It is amazing no one was injured at Stratosphere....lucky day for everyone in the area. The upside of dementia.....love it!
     
  11. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I haven't been able to look at Stratosphere pictures and video yet. I'll tell you why since you guys are my friends.

    I'm the super dumb, chubby, brunette lady in the green sleeveless top who ran for the stairs after the truck came through. I was totally sober so I can't blame booze. My husband and I were on our way to the washrooms to the left of the doors and bell desk at the main entrance.

    When the truck came in, I knew he had to get past our rental car to get in there. So, I flipped out thinking he hit the car. I ran for the stairs to go check. I figured he was walking towards the casino and wasn't looking my way at all. I was wearing sandals and all the broken glass stopped me at the base of the stairs. The bell desk lady right beside me got my attention and I hid behind that partial wall at the bell desk. I screamed over to my husband to get down and let him know where I was. Then the bell desk lady pulled me into the bell desk area proper and she closed the double metal doors.

    We hid back there until security started banging on the doors to be let in. They had the guy and were trying to restrain him. The bell desk lady grabbed me and we both ran out the other bell desk doors. I found my husband and we decided to get the hell out of there. I was still worried about the rental car. We went out the back doors and came up to the valet. All the cops were inside at that point. The valet guy who checked the car in came over to us with his big thing of keys and gave us the keys to the car. We looked around and our car was fine. But, I think he hit the car in front of us and the car beside us. The valet guy had a grease pencil and was writing on the windows of the damaged cars. He's like you're OK, get out of here before the cops lock it all down. So, that's exactly what we did.

    Anyhow, it's a freaking miracle that nobody was hurt. I sincerely hope the guy who did this, Ryan Brown, gets himself together after this. We're all lucky, but he's the luckiest because it would be a lot worse for him if he had hurt anybody or had managed to kill himself. He was probably a good guy before he got mixed up in drugs. I suspect his life only went sideways fairly recently because the truck was clean besides the pee smell. It was shiny and in good shape. No old dents or anything, the engine sounded good. I'm actually praying for him that he gets his life together.

    I called the cops in Vegas to offer them a statement and confirmed I'm the idiot in the green top. I got a lecture about how the guy could have had a gun and I would have been the first one dead. Trust me, I know. I have no idea why I ran for the door like that. Dumb, dumb, dumb. I also called Stratosphere to let them know how awesome the bell desk lady was. They said they're doing awards for all the employees dealing with the incident.
     
  12. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    LolaDoggie, don't be too hard on yourself. We all do crazy stuff … stuff out of the ordinary when confronted with potential life threatening circumstances. I'm happy that you and your hubby are okay. Heck, it makes a good story!
     
  13. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Damn, this story is just as awesome as your trip report. I mean I'm glad you and everyone else came out if it unharmed, it's just that the story is so out of the ordinary.

    You need to return to Vegas soon. You seem to be surrounded by good luck. That's a good thing! :thumbsup:
     
  14. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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  15. PayTriple

    PayTriple VIP Whale

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    WOW! What a story! Glad you did not get hurt! Thanks for sharing and be well.
     
  16. FullBoat

    FullBoat VIP Whale

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    Feeding sharks... safe
    Going to the bathroom.... deathly

    Welcome to Vegas. Glad y'all are all OK. From the sounds of it, that guy was totally off his rocker.
     
  17. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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  18. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    Wow, I'm so glad you and hubby are OK. Hey, we never know how we are going to react in an emergency like that. It's too bad Ryan didn't have the opportunity to get the help he obviously needed.
     
  19. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I've made a few calls today about making a small donation to an organization that does addictions work in Las Vegas.
     
  20. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I really enjoyed your report. I might have to use this format. It is just nuts to come into Vegas when there are flash floods. The whole truck scenario is just nuts! I am so glad you were unharmed.

    The interesting characters were hilarious especially the one that kissed you on your head. You seem to hit my typical food spots. I am glad you enjoyed the GG pancakes. Typically a real treat. You should try the french toast. Mmmm! You met Buddha! Wow, that's awesome. I would like to try the GN spa one day. What did you like most about it?



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