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Going TO Vegas to get AWAY from Vegas!!! Report for December 14-18, 2015.

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by xman30, Jan 14, 2016.

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  1. xman30

    xman30 High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston, Texas
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    My Trip Report

    This is my trip report for December 14-18, 2015. I'll do with this report what I've done with my previous reports, 1 day = 1 post.

    December 14, 2015. Monday.
    --------------------------------------

    My Southwest Airlines flight took off from Hobby Airport in Houston at 6:15am. To my pleasant surprise there were only 44 passengers on my flight. I had a row all to myself. I sat by the window, something I rarely do. I took a few pictures during the flight.

    [​IMG]IMG_1325 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1331 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1338 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1341 by grooverman, on Flickr

    My plane landed in Las Vegas at 7:25am. I got to the MGM Grand at 7:56am. I was already assigned a room number, but I wasn't able to go to my room because the people in the room hadn't checked out yet. The lady behind the counter said for me to give her my cell phone number so she can call me to let me know when the room is ready. It would be a few hours till my room is ready she told me. That's fine I said, I have things I can do in the meantime. I checked my bag.

    I headed out for breakfast. I made my way to the Cosmopolitan. I took some pictures while I walked through the casino.

    [​IMG]IMG_1369 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1370 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1376 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1377 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I eventually made my way to the Wicked Spoon for breakfast. 9am.

    [​IMG]IMG_1383 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1385 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1386 by grooverman, on Flickr

    A lot of good at the Wicked Spoon.

    After breakfast I made my way to the Bellagio to do a couple of planned activities, but I got a phone call from the lady who works at the MGM Grand. She told me that my room is ready. I headed back to the MGM Grand. I went to the lady so I could get my room number, keys, & put my credit card on file. When I was about to put my credit card in the reader, the display said I was only supposed to be there for three nights. I told the lady that I booked the room for FOUR nights (she saw this when I gave her the paperwork when I had arrived earlier in the day). She added the fourth night back. I then noticed that I was being charged $110 per night. I told her when I booked the room in May, it was only $80 per night. She lowered it to $80. She told me all this happened because 1) the previous people hadn't left yet & I had arrived so early and 2) MGM had very recently updated (or upgraded) its system (bugs). Things were set for my room (although things got "interesting" again on Wednesday. More on that in my write-up for that day.).

    I finally got to my room at 11:57am. I had a Strip View room on the 21st floor.

    [​IMG]IMG_1393 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    I left my room & went to the Bellagio Conservatory. 2:11pm.

    [​IMG]IMG_1415 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    After the Conservatory I putzed around the Strip taking pictures.

    [​IMG]IMG_1475 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    I eventually headed towards dinner. Along the way I took a few pictures.

    [​IMG]IMG_1515 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1516 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1517 by grooverman, on Flickr

    During the time I was taking pictures, I learned that there was going to be a Republican Presidential debate at the Venetian on Tuesday night. (More on that in my Tuesday write-up).

    [​IMG]IMG_1518 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1520 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I ate dinner at Lagasse's Stadium. 5:20pm. I had chicken nachos. They are my favorite nachos!!! I watched the first two & a half quarters of Monday Night Football.

    [​IMG]IMG_1521 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I made my way back to my room. 8:25pm. I was pretty worn out. Didn't get much sleep the night before.

    Next up: Day 2: Tuesday, December 15.

    xman30
     
  2. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

    Joined:
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    Great pics like always

    I love that one taken in front of the Venetian showing the mirage and cp

    Awesome shot
     
  3. sailboat310

    sailboat310 Low-Roller

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    Love the pics!
     
  4. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Love the pics. Can't wait for the rest of the TR.
     
  5. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
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    Once again great pics, thanks for taking the time to post them here! Look forward to more!
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2016
  6. Raptor

    Raptor High-Roller

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    Great report, awesome pictures
     
  7. PayTriple

    PayTriple VIP Whale

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    Great pictures! Looking forward to the rest.
     
  8. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Great pics, cant wait to read more.
     
  9. xman30

    xman30 High-Roller

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    Day #2: December 15, 2015. Tuesday.
    -------------------------------------------------

    I woke up at 5am & got ready for the day. I got picked up for my tour of the Grand Canyon at 6:30am. Along the way we made a pit stop by the Hoover Dam. 7:45am (More on the Dam in the Wednesday write-up.)

    [​IMG]IMG_1546 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1549 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    Everyone got back on the bus & we headed towards the West Rim part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Along the way I took some pictures through the window next to me.

    [​IMG]IMG_1570 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1575 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    The West Rim area of Arizona had gotten some snow the day before. Luckily it hadn't all melted yet. Being from Houston, I don't get to see snow too often.

    [​IMG]IMG_1586 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1589 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1591 by grooverman, on Flickr

    We eventually made it to the West Rim. About 10:45am. Our stopping point was an airport where helicopters & airplanes took off from that gave people tours of the Canyon from the sky. There are buses that you can take to go to different places around the West Rim. The first place I went to was Eagle Point.

    [​IMG]IMG_1653 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    [YOUTUBE]Mw4c42dtpwo[/YOUTUBE]

    [YOUTUBE]cbgr1ktZO9Y[/YOUTUBE]

    I then went to Guano Point.

    [​IMG]IMG_1711 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    I then went to what is called The Ranch for lunch. I ate BBQ ribs, potatoes, beans, cornbread, & a cookie along with Diet Coke. Very good food. After lunch I took some pictures of The Ranch.

    [​IMG]IMG_1733 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    We left shortly after lunch to go back to Las Vegas. Along the way, we stopped at a gas station in Arizona so people could use the restrooms, get snacks, etc. I was shocked to see that gas is $3.49 a gallon for regular gas. I filled my vehicle earlier this week in Houston for $1.63 per gallon (regular gas). I made it back to my room at 4:25pm.

    At about 5:30pm I ate dinner at the restaurant inside the Hooters Casino. I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich, curly fries, & a Pepsi.

    After dinner I made my way to the Venetian. That's where the GOP candidates were having their debate. The debate started at 5:30. I got to the Venetian a little after 8pm. The debate was almost over by then. I walked around both inside & outside of the Venetian taking pictures.

    [​IMG]IMG_1758 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    I found the area inside the Venetian where the debate was being held. It was a section of the casino that I had never been to. I saw a lot of people wearing red shirts with the GOP mascot on the front, college age kids with Cruz jerseys on (& one girl with a Reagan jersey on). After the debate was over, there were a lot of people walking around the casino that I'm guessing were in the audience.

    [​IMG]IMG_1786 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I continued to take pictures around the Venetian.

    [​IMG]IMG_1787 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1791 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_1792 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I made my way outside to the front of the Venetian to discover that Anderson Cooper was hosting a panel of "experts". They were discussing the GOP debate.

    [​IMG]IMG_1816 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    [YOUTUBE]UdwMftQZbzk[/YOUTUBE]

    [YOUTUBE]Q-NyxagEERE[/YOUTUBE]

    After watching the panel for a while, I got back to my room at 10:26pm. Went to bed a little big later.

    Next up is Day #3, Wednesday, December 16.

    xman30
     
  10. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

    Joined:
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    You take the most amazing pics! I hadn't heard the story of Guano Point. Very interesting.

    Thanks for posting your awesome pics and fun trip report!
     
  11. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

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    Great TR so far!
    I also did a bus tour out to the West Rim, back in 2007~ has changed a bit , we didn't eat in the Ranch but under a canopy tent! ... nice storefronts they have built up
    I found it awesome to be there , being a prairie gal from the Canadian prairies..
    How interesting to stumble into Anderson Cooper doing his thing....
    This is one reason I Love Vegas, never know what you might run into, do or see!
     
  12. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Those pics...alllllllllllllmost make me want to burn a day visiting the Grand Canyon. :thumbsup:
     
  13. xman30

    xman30 High-Roller

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    The debate was hosted by CNN, but it was odd that the group was outside in the cold. He said (jokingly) to part of the group "Shouldn't you guys be gambling?" I yelled that he should do a "360" in his chair. He never did. ;)

    xman30
     
  14. xman30

    xman30 High-Roller

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    Day #3: December 16, 2015. Wednesday.
    ------------------------------------------------------

    I woke up at 6:40am. I ate breakfast at the MGM Grand buffet. 7:20am. Good, but limited food. I got picked up for my Hoover Dam tour at 11:00am. Made it to the Dam around Noon.

    [​IMG]IMG_1823 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    [YOUTUBE]Pls-30sr2ts[/YOUTUBE]

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    On our way back to Vegas we stopped at Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens in Henderson. I didn't buy any chocolate, but I did take some pictures of the cactus garden.

    [​IMG]IMG_1904 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    I got back to my room at 3:39pm. The original place I wanted to eat dinner at (Pub 1842) was closed for two weeks (there were a few other restaurants doing the same), so I decided to eat at Tilted Kilt, which is in The Linq. 5:26pm. I had the "S.O.B." burger (called Fiery burger last time I ate it), fries, & a Diet Coke. Very good. The burger was much spicier than the previous time I ate it. I took a picture of three ladies that work at Tilted Kilt. The one in the middle was my waitress.

    [​IMG]IMG_1959a by grooverman, on Flickr

    I walked around The Linq a bit taking pictures & a video. There was a snow machine.

    [​IMG]IMG_1964 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    [YOUTUBE]qE2QbagUGmo[/YOUTUBE]

    After The Linq I went to the Fremont Street Experience. 7:41pm. The express bus I was on had a lot fewer people on it than normal. I took in a couple light shows & watched two dancing DJs perform. One DJ danced a lot more than the other.

    [​IMG]IMG_1980 by grooverman, on Flickr

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    [YOUTUBE]hNSHjafPCSI[/YOUTUBE]

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    I left at 9:37pm. My bus ride back to the Strip was almost empty. Maybe 10 people. I've never seen a Vegas bus with so few people. Looking back I can say that there were fewer than normal people at the Fremont Street Experience. It was cold that night, but I've been to the FSE when it was cold during other December trips & the place was always packed. Not sure what the case was with this trip.

    After I got to the Strip I took a couple pictures before heading to my room.

    [​IMG]IMG_2030 by grooverman, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_2031 by grooverman, on Flickr

    I got to my room at 10:41pm.

    Next up is Day #4, Thursday, December 17.

    xman30
     
  15. Raptor

    Raptor High-Roller

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    Great stuff so far.
     
  16. lulucob

    lulucob Low-Roller

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    We would like to do the Tour. Which tour did you take? When you said there are different buses to take you to different areas, did the bus take you to more than one place?
     
  17. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Great report so far. I love how you get around. What kind of camera are you using? a phone camera, point and shoot or something more sophisticated? Your photos are fantastic.
     
  18. xman30

    xman30 High-Roller

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    There are buses that are constantly dropping people off & picking people up at different locations. Buses arrive at each location every 5 to 10 minutes. There are four different places for the drop-offs & picks-ups: 1) Airport (or Hub as I like to call it), 2) Eagle Point, 3) Guano Point, & 4) The Ranch.

    To Flowers: I'm currently using a point & shoot camera by Canon. Powershot SX710. I got it October 2015. It became available in January 2015. I'm thinking about getting a Canon Powershot SX530. I would take both the SX710 & SX530 on my trip to Vegas in April.

    xman30
     
  19. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the camera note and please continue with the great report!
     
  20. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

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    hahah
    love the Dam pictures I've never taken the *DAM* tour (to quote from Vegas Vacation :p) other than a quick stop to peek at it, enroute to the West Rim Grand Canyon tour
     
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