Memorial Day Weekend: Pre-trip/Trip report

Here I sit at work. At the point where I can no longer concentrate on my students but instead only dream of what I will be doing in 24 hours.

We are heading to the Golden Nugget. My first stay downtown since my first trip to Vegas. This is only my 3rd trip in general but you get the idea. Tearing myself away from the Trip Reports thread I was able to pack my suitcase and pack my bag of shoes (I’m a female so just don’t ask) last night. In comparison, hubby plans on packing tomorrow after dropping me at work (so he can pick me up on the way to the airport) and taking the dogs to doggie hotel. We have two- a mix-Beagle and a mix-Lab. I love my pound dogs. Feels good knowing I saved them from slaughter. Max is the older one and wants NOTHING to do with the younger puppy lab Brunswick (his pound name). They are our kids. With the big difference being they eat my slippers and “nest†in my dirty clothes.

Priorities this trip: We have none. I’ve asked tons of questions on here and done extensive research but really we have no set, MUST DO plans. And it feels great! Exhilarating! I’m such a control-freak over planner with everything in life, and I have finally grown tired of it. Plus if I’m going to let go and just live, Vegas is the city to do it in. Tentative plans are to leave here around 2:25 EST and arrive Vegas time 4:45 Friday afternoon. Grab our bags and cab it over to the GN. Sidenote: We chose the GN because we mainly wanted to do a downtown trip this time and I’ve always had a thing for white and gold signs. Therefore Golden Nugget it is! Actually, hubby wanted to stay here because he really likes the shark tank. I think he liked my father’s stories of being “flashed†while he was on a men’s trip last spring. So hubby says shark tank, I say he wants to see boobies.

So we arrive at the GN, check in and hopefully get upgraded using our Landry’s card, drop off luggage and head to Firefly. When deciding where we should eat Friday night, Golden Gate was a given (both times I’ve been DT before, the shrimp cocktail was the first stop) until I found out they did away with the 99 cent shrimp cocktail. I sent Firefly’s link to hubby to see if he’d be interested and his response was “They serve Guinness so looks good to me!†The rest of the weekend is up in the air. We have a 2:30 ressie for fountains brunch Sunday but not sure if we will make that depending on the night before. We leave Monday afternoon for the direct flight back home.

My games of choice are craps and blackjack although I only really love craps. I do have a thing for the monopoly slots though! Had such great memories from last trip. Hubby’s games of choice are Indy slots. The end. Rofl. He lost at one round of BJ last trip and hasn’t looked back. I have the cheat card for him this trip so he feels more comfortable He did download the craps app and has been practicing in his free time. So I also plan on teaching him a few things so he can be at the craps table with me.

I look forward to trying my hand at VP. We shall see how well I do. I've practiced a bit but there are so many different types, it's hard for me to keep up. I get the feeling once I have a few drinks in me I will throw all strategy to the wind and just do whatever.
So I got home from work and had a nice greeting from my dogs. I'm guessing the younger one didn't like my packing job so he took out a few of my bras and chewed them to bits. Great. At least he went for the expensive ones. A quick trip down to Vicky Secret and I'm already in the hole for $120. I was also able to use the Vegas excuse when hubby whined about stopping at BWW's to watch the Yankee game. Just like speaking to a child I said "Either we can go to Vegas or we can go watch the Yankee game". That's only because we can never leave out of there without spending $60. I really don't feel like being down $200 before the start of our vacation. I also feel tired as heck and want one decent night sleep before this trip.

So there you go. I've been eagerly waiting since September to go back and the time is finally here. I want you all to hold me accountable in writing a trip report once I return!

 

Have a good trip! Take notes Ms Teacher.

 

Sounds good to me. Getting geared up is exactly how I feel with about a week to go.

Good luck with the VP. Go Yankees...lol....

 

I feel your pain.. last trip I packed at least 157pairs (I want to say 10 were flip flops) and I had to carry them.. 12lbs of them. This was primarily because I overpacked and there is that awful 50 lb bag limit. I mean you can't expect someone who brings that many pairs of shoes to pack lightly. It's a sickness really.

 

women bringing too many shoe pairs...shocking

 

Nice. I wake up early due to a thunderstorm and see the complimentary suite offer from Venetian for stays Memorial Day-June 3rd. If only we could tack on a few more nights!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend and I shall post once I return...IF I return .

 

I'm back!!!

Officially back from Vegas and tired as heck! Sure sign of a great trip.
As a disclaimer I am very random when I report and am not very creative/descriptive. It's a fault I am more logical than creative. But I like reading back on my own reports and maybe someone will find something of importance. I also ramble. A lot. And can't spell. I also make sure to actually make paragraphs. I hate having to read a TR that is all one page. Duly noted? Great, on with the show!



Friday: Day of Vacation I started my morning listening to Nancy Sinatra. It somehow relaxes me and pumps me up at the same time. I also feel like and wouldnt be surprised if I were the only person my age that listens to her. Luckily I didn't have any important things to do in the 4 hours I would be in the office. At 12:01pm I clocked out at work to begin my mini-vacation. Hubby picked me up and we were off! A short 10 minute drive down the interstate and we soon parked and headed into ORF. I was starving. The banana and trail mix I had for breakfast wasn’t holding out long. We had a bite at the A&W rootbeer stand. Is it me, or have they changed the formula over the years? It tasted like fake-sweeteners. I used to go to a REAL A&W stand every summer in Ohio and it sure didn’t taste like that fake crap we had.

Our flight was fairly uneventful. Hubby had a jack n coke and I had a rum n coke. I slept for an hour (out of a 4+ hr flight) and daydreamed the rest of the time. Hubby and I watched 2 of our favorite episodes of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and then he played craps on his iphone. I began re-reading The Gunslinger. Had a great flight with slight turbulence upon landing due to the wind. Figured that was coming though. We landed 20 mins early but of course had to wait as a plane was in our spot in the concourse. Also hubby tells me Gary Coleman ended up dying. Also Dennis Hopper passed away. Very sad.

Wow, the airport was busy! Lots of college kids, lots of families grabbing their luggage. We got in the queue that almost doubled its size by the time we got to our taxi. Traffic was full but it was only around $30. I liked how he drove like we were in NY. Passed a few accidents and soon pulled up to the GN.

Golden Nugget was slammed! Check in line was almost out the door. Got pointed in the direction of VIP check-in. As I waited in line in there, hubby ate them out of peanut M&Ms. It’s the little things in life. No free upgrades available. Asked about other options. No upgrades available at all. Fully booked hotel. Sometimes I think hotels just use this line, but after being their all weekend, I truly believe it. Even the pool guy checking IDs on Sunday had mentioned it. We were lucky in getting the last king/no smoking available. Put us in room 1193. Other side of the hotel facing the mountains and parking garage. Typical Carson Tower room. Actually, it ended up being very nice. We don’t need elaborate accommodations although I was really hoping for that soaking tub!

By this time it is going on 6:30. We hang clothes up and freshen up a little. Game-plan was to walk down to Firefly and then walk throughout Freemont Street in and out of random casinos. Heading over to the Plaza, we passed the pool and it was packed! Saturday was still supposed to be a little breezy so we decided to make Sunday a pool day. Freemont Street had some people out on it but not much was happening yet. There was a small crowd at Golden Gate outside watching one of the girls dance. Another was at a dj table/stage playing music and also dancing. I kinda felt bad for the girl up there by herself. At least inside there were 2 girls dancing and sort of dancing off each other. This girl was just doing her thing. It made hubby uncomfortable watching her. I dunno.

We made our way across the street and up to Firefly. Seated at a tall table in bar area. Didn’t look overly busy. We ordered the pitcher of sangria. Hubby got the mac n cheese and something else. I got the beet salad and the seared tuna. Both of my dishes were ok. Hubby didn’t want to go out on a limb and try the dates. He REALLY loved his mac n cheese. We drank almost the entire pitcher. I think I had 2 glasses more than he did but he said it was kept the same It was worth the $25!! Absolutely delicious. I’m craving more as I type this. The atmosphere inside has a great lounge type of vibe especially in the bar area.

After finishing the meal and getting lost trying to find an elevator (the DOWN escalator was out of service), we head back out on Freemont Street. Events get a little hazy at this point. The lack of sleep and only a small dose of food (I didn’t finish either dishes of mine) plus half a pitcher of sangria made for fuzzy memories. I know hubby and I were feeling great though! I wanted to find a craps table. We walked through Golden Gate and then right back out. One table was really alive but packed. We walked past Bayou and Mermaid. Freemont Street was now getting crowded the way I remember it. There was a band playing and singing and I danced with some random people in the audience. Everyone was dancing and singing YMCA…good times. Hmmm, I do now remember some creepy guy grabbing my hand and wanting to dance and I did NOT want to with him. Hubby quietly intervened and then all was right in the world. We walked throughout 4 Queens and Freemont and made our way back to the ABC store near Bayou. We bought some bottled water and then went to hang inside Golden Nugget. A few more drinks later and we were back in the room. It was fairly early for “Vegas time†but we were tired. Had a great night’s sleep and didn’t wake up to find any notes on our door (more on that later).

 

Enjoying your report.
I keep meaning to try Firefly.

 

Thanks for reading Blonde . Just be careful of that sangria as it really sneaks up on you! But omg it is so delicious. We ended up going back the next night but that will come later. Seems I caught the bad kind of Vegas bug and am home sick today from work. I want to get some pics uploaded but I have to censor them first.

 

glad you had fun! I was thinking of creating a pretrip report, but it is 24 DAYS before the trip. I need to focus on other things...but I can't.

Did you see if the LV Club had the 2 dollar drinks? I think thats what it was.

 

Turbo, I say go ahead and make that pre-trip report! Extend your trip as much as possible! Wait, didn't you just get back from a trip??

The most I saw from the LV Club was staring at it as we sat at Firefly. Hubby was the one who relaized the outside (near the roof) was shaped like a stadium. Also, I was wondering what is up with the b-ball player statue guy. Bucket, it would be nice if you could share one of your LV history lessons with us.

I'm not fond of the LV club when it comes to gambling so we didn't step foot inside. Maybe next trip if it's true they have the $2 drinks.

 

Ha, yeah I got back from one in early April.

I created a pre-trip checklist, to try to gain people's opinions on some new things to do, as I have 10 days this year.

I'll check to make sure it was the LV club that had the drinks, I'll double check, I've never stayed down at Freemont, so this will be the first time over night. I'll have to check out firefly, are they open 24/7?

 

Well good for you with your b2b trips! If we lived closer I'm sure we'd be doing the same thing.

Here are the hours for Firefly:

MSS has the $1.50 beers at the bar....not sure if that's what you mean. Heck, most drinks are cheaper downtown

 

I live in Baltimore, so I'm far away too, so there is no excuse you should go back soon too .

Thanks for the info, and I know the MSS has 1.50s, I'll go there too.

BTW your name reminds me of Dogfishhead mmmm

 

Yeah, I figured you knew about the MSS beers but wasn't sure what $2 ones you were talking about. Let me know when you find out so I can add it to my list.


Also, I don't think I've ever been compared to a beer so...thanks?

 

Gak! I somehow missed your TR until now! Well, time to start returning the favor of all the commenting you've done on mine:

Hmm... Though I don't know what your age may be (I'm in my late 30s), I might not have any Nancy Sinatra. that I listen to with regularity. However, the live recording of her dad (and the rest of the Rat Pack) performing at the Sands in 1963 is in the CD player of my car right now. It's really quite a treat, both in general and for the fact that it is a gem of Vegas history in audio form.

The Rat Pack Live at the Sands

 

Yea! That rocks. You know, if enough M&Ms get involved, there is an outside chance that they could end up losing money on your reservation... (sorry, I'm always looking for ways to stick it to the GN)

I'm not sure why, but creepy-dude syndrome seems to be a recurring theme for Fremont Street. Some (lady) friends of mine went a couple of years ago and stayed downtown, and were accosted by some drunk/homeless looking dude who wanted to "be their daddy". I haven't had that particular sort of problem myself in Vegas (though I did experience the gay version of that on a trip to San Jose), but it seems to be semi-common issue among the crowds on Fremont.

 

Alright, the work week was a beeotch but I am off now and back to this trip report. Just to think, around this time (6:30pm Vegas time) hubby and I were heading over for some sangria at Firefly. Our little vacation was JUST getting started. ::sigh:: I'm taking a look at planning another trip but just can't pin-point the dates down. I'd love to go Labor Day but looks like hubby is on shift (firefighter). So maybe the end of September or begining of October.

We are now up to the morning of May 29th.

I woke at 3 in the morning. Really?? Seriously?? I went and washed my face and had some water. I crawled back into bed and tried to relax my brain. Back home it is 6am. Typically the dogs start getting restless around this time and want to eat. My body has not deceived me and is keeping me on this time line. I get up and part back the curtains enough to not let too much light in and take in the sights. Lights are blazing around me (not as much as on the strip, or on the other side of the hotel close to Freemont Street) and the shadow of the mountains is beautiful. I might be the only one who actually prefers the view of mountains over a view of a city street. I like my vacations to contradict themselves.

I snuggled back against my hubby as the AC in the room was blowing full glacier and the bed was comfy and warm. I woke up again around 5:45 and decided to grab a quick shower. I’m thinking I didn’t shower before bed (hazy details) as I still smelled of smoke. And that might be tmi with the extent of my bathing habits. Honestly, except for waking at 3 am (6am EST) my typical daily habits are thrown out the window in Vegas. After the quick shower I picked out my breakfast outfit and jumped on the bed to wake up hubby. Bad idea. I didn’t realize he had moved from when I was showering and I landed on a bad spot. Erm…yeah. Poor guy :-( Hubby got up and took his shower and then we were off to have brunch at Main Street Station. I chose to wear my capris and tank with a cute cardigan in case the restaurant was cooler. Yeah. Great idea for wearing the sweater as it was windy and chilly at 7 in the morning! Before leaving the room I looked at one of the coupon books found in the back of the cab to refresh my memory of where MSS was located. I hadn’t been there before but once I saw it was on the other side of Plaza my recollection came back. I showed hubby where it was located and he said “That’s farâ€. Rofl. Oh my.

A brisk walk down to MSS only took a few minutes. We walked down to Plaza but didn’t cross over. We walked down to MSS only to miss the crosswalk so we had to double back. In we went and I then really began to appreciate the type of casino MSS is. I loved the old-school feeling. It was open but the rich woods made it feel homey. There were several tables of blackjack and 3-card going on and some random people at slots. Otherwise it was quiet. We found the buffet area and got in line. Now let me preface this saying I had higher expectations about the Champagne Brunch. The reviews I read online and even my parents’ personal experience led me to believe this was a great breakfast. Well there was lots to choose from but the fruit was limited and the French toast was…stale? The champagne was fine as I mixed it with some OJ. The service was lacking too. We waited 10 minutes for our waitress to come around once we were finished eating so I could order some hot tea. I was just overall disappointed. However…I DID like the décor. Very pretty…almost Victorian. After the buffet we sat at a blazing 7’s slot and fed a $20 through as our stomachs settled. It played out for about 25 mins before the money was sucked dry. Hubby did get his own player’s card here and also excused himself to the restroom. When he came out he had a puzzled look on his face…he just utilized the Berlin Wall! He was weirded out but I think it’s great and am super jealous women don’t get to take advantage. Don’t ask me how it would work!

We walked back over to Golden Nugget finding the crosswalks without any issue this time. We hopped into the GN really quick so I could grab a Mocha to warm me up. The hot tea I had at breakfast had worn off. As we were passing casinos, hubby had a hankering to play his Indiana Jones slots. We walked down to Freemont where he claimed he had seen them last year. Couldn’t find them. Wah wah for him. We walked through 4 Queens and BAM! There they were. He sat down and stuck a $20 in the far left of 4 Indy machines. He cashed out when he reached $12 and moved to a different machine. He hit a bonus and that’s when the fun began. Since I really only wanted to watch I just went ahead and put a $20 in the first machine he had sat down to. ½ hr later I cashed out at $168 and change. I would hit bonus after bonus. Hubby moved to the machine next to me and we would be alternating hitting bonuses. Almost like our machines were talking to each other. Does that read as silly as it sounds?? Lol With the bonuses hitting, we basically got through all of Last Crusade and most of Temple Of Doom (you watch movie clips when you hit a bonus). VERY entertaining! I think all total we made $250. (hubby fed a couple of $20s in his machines) We spent about 3 hours at those machines. I didn’t want to leave from the one I was playing through (the 1st that hubby sat down to). Looking back through pictures, it seems we played some Monopoly slots as well. By this time it is a little after 11 and I suggested to Hubby that we head back to the GN and watch the Yankees game in their Sportsbook. He had placed money on them winning the day before.

Instead of sitting in their Sportsbook we chose the bar right outside it. The far right TV had the game on and I kept myself busy between playing some VP (yeah I broke my VP cherry!!!) watching the game, and listening to the cocktail waitresses complain about some players. The bartender was nice. I got a Miller Light and hubby got his Guinness. It was charged to the room but we left the slip on the bar in case we wanted more. Hubby stuck a $20 in his VP machine and we sat there until the 7th inning or so. Another bartender came around at this point and saw our slip and said I should be comped as I was playing. He brought over a new slip and hubby was mentioning that he had played too but don’t worry about re-ringing the ticket. The bartender insisted and we tipped him appropriately. We walked over to the Grille and sat at the counter still watching the game (although we should have given up at that point) and grabbed some lunch. I got the chicken fingers and hubby got the cheeseburger I think. A table cleared and we chose to move because those counter seats were not comfortable at all. I have SOME padding back there ;-) but it wasn’t enough. When we moved to the table a couple of kids (must have just turned 21) came in and blocked my view of the TV. Clearly I was rooting and screaming at the game so it should have been obvious. They had been drinking though so it wasn’t. At one point I yelled at the game (through their group) and one kid thought I was talking to him. Um, no. They then realized they had been blocking my view and moved out of my way.

(more to come...need to get ready as we are heading to the pub for my snakebite and fried pickles!!! )

 

Yes, you can.

You can indeed take in the grandeur of the Berlin wall at MSS. Just snag a security guard (preferably a male one, which would be most of the security force in LV, to avoid having to have another called). He will enter the restroom ahead of you, check it for occupancy, if occupied announce the visitation of a lady, and bring you into the men's room to observe (if not actually pee upon) the Berlin wall segment featured within.

 

Chicken fingers. Downtown. It doesn't get much better than that.