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Thinking about a different type of vacation

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by IWannaBeInVegas, Jan 12, 2020.

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  1. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Vegas is my love, I love going, love the atmosphere, love everything about it. Having said that, I am considering a different type of vacation this year. Here is the thoughts and thinking.

    I have gone to Vegas the last 4-5 years and even made 2 trips in 2019. I have not had any luck and have lost thousands, way more than I should have and in reality could afford to lose. My bills are paid, I have food and shelter so I did not cut into my living expenses, just more of my savings than Id like to see go. In addition to that, I feel like there is so much to see and do in in this great country.

    This past summer, I left my job and was going to go drive semi, I went to Northern Wisconsin for training and on my off time I discovered the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan and what an amazing place it was to visit. I took one whole day and drove up to Lake Superior and visited a few beaches and with my love of photography I fell in love with the whole area. Although the water was much to cold to go into, it was a great experience.

    My thinking is this spring/early summer I may do some car camping. Not only do some staycations on my days off work but if I can get the time off work for a week or so, drive back up to the UP and just go camping, more than likely car camp again and just make it a chance to get out, enjoy nature, get some great photos and relax. Surely it is not a Vegas trip, but it would be something new. I have been researching car camping (Iv only camped twice in my life, in tents) and have the perfect car for it, a Subaru Forester.

    The draw back to this plan is I am not sure id be able to get time a second time to make a Vegas trip, but maybe I should skip going this year, I just don't know.
     
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  2. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    You could always add a night in one of the Detroit casinos or Caesars Windsor to your UP trip for a gambling fix. Lots of good golfing in Michigan too.
     
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  3. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Thought is there as well. It would have to be Detroit, I do not have a passport or border card so my understanding even with my enhanced DL I could not get into Canada.
     
  4. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    OP, I think your idea is a great one and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time and gain memories to last a lifetime. I say go for it and have fun!

    Now that I recently retired I'm also thinking of taking trips elsewhere. I'm leaning more toward trips to Japan, Korea, and Alaska.

    I still love going to Vegas but I agree with some of the members like @Breeze147 and others experiencing too much nickel and diming and lack of favorable games and minimums.

    Maybe a side distraction or two is what is needed to put ever changing Vegas in perspective.

    Good Luck!
     
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  5. gr8whitenorth

    gr8whitenorth VIP Whale

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    We split our leisure time into 3 separate types of downtime. Our first passion was (and still is) is camping. We started out in tents and progressed our way up into our current 30' fifth wheel. Having spent more than our fare share of nights in tents in the rain I can say first hand your idea of car camping is a great one. It is a fantastic way to wind down and get away from it all. Our second way of vacationing is all inclusive in Mexico. Lastly (of course definitely not least) is Vegas. Finding a variety of ways to vacation keeps things interesting and fresh. I am sure there are lots of places in the UP to do just what you are planning on. Enjoy and share the pics!
     
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  6. julia

    julia VIP Whale

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    I love to travel in general. I also love Vegas. Vegas is my cheap solo travel place. But every summer we go boating in western Canada with the kids and I usually take them on a cross country road trip. I’ve been to the UP twice-it is indeed beautiful! And the pasties! So tasty.

    Travel enriches in so many ways.
     
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  7. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I would love to do Alaska, that will have to wait until I can get more than 4-7 days off work, and that maybe pushing it since I just took a vacation in Dec.

    I actually came up with the idea when I was up there over the summer but did not have time or the proper gear. I am looking for a mattress for my car plus a tent incase I want to tent camp on top of the other stuff needed like a sleeping bag and stuff. I have zero experience with it, so it will be an adventure.

    I wish I could say Vegas is cheap, yes rooms are and some food, but dang that gambling cost me thousands. I would love to go boating and and stuff, but $$$.
     
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  8. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I love Vegas, but I wouldn't be happy if Vegas was the only place I traveled. I love day trips and short overnight trips around the PNW, trips to the beach or a road adventure somewhere.

    Variety is the spice of life. :)
     
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  9. julia

    julia VIP Whale

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    I’m a dedicated low roller who hates to lose:). But with focusing my play at the MGM casinos, I now get room offers. Believe me, it kills me to pay $$ for basic boring Super 8 rooms on a road trip when I can get an awesome casino hotel room for a third of the price in Vegas.

    Once you have the boat, boating is a pretty cheap vacation. Marina rates average $20-40/night for our little power cabin cruiser. Cook your own meals, and it’s like car camping on the water.

    I say go for a week of summer car camping-that’s a great vacation!
     
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  10. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    Same here. We've made, at minimum, annual trips to LV for the past decade or so, and this last trip out, sitting there...sipping a cocktail with the Mrs. in a bar in Caesars, we came to the agreement that we're Vegased out. It's gonna be some time before we're back. Too much geography and other venues to try before we're waltzing through McCarran . :cool:
     
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  11. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    You didn't mention if a wife or SO was involved but that could alter your plans a bit. Got to keep the women happy.
     
  12. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I never really thought of it that way. On top I really knew no other vacations. But this couple months I was up north opened my eyes to things I never thought of.

    I do the same, I get all my rooms comp not counting resort fees. I wish I could afford to get a boat, even then I would need a car to haul it, my Subaru is only rated for 1500lbs towing.


    My eyes were opened up on my trip up north over the summer. Now I have been reading and so much I want to see beaches and forest and all that.
     
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  13. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Im a single guy, empty nester. Am thinking about getting a dog, kinda lonely here.
     
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  14. thegov2k2

    thegov2k2 VIP Whale

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    Canada will let you in, but the US won't let you return without a passport (regular or card).
     
  15. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Sounds like you found something that really sings to you, so go with it. Vegas is fun, but there are SO many places to go, things to do, and if we had to choose travel that only includes Vegas or any place we want except Vegas, that latter is a no-brainer decision. No one goes to Vegas as often as we have without really enjoying it, so this isn't sour grapes. Thankfully we don't have to choose.

    Vegas will be EXACTLY as you last saw it when you next go back. Go see what else is out there.
     
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  16. TableToddyy

    TableToddyy VIP Whale

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    https://www.baymillscasinos.com/ If you get the itch back

    When I was a young lad. My grandfather and I drove around Lake Huron. Detroit to Niagara Falls then ferried across Georgian Bay. Then drove to Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island was pretty cool. Except for the dodge aspen wagon he had. Took the poles and did some fishing here and there also.

    Ya Vegas ain't going anywhere.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2020
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  17. slusher

    slusher Tourist

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    You’d like Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahquamenon_Falls. we did a UP and Superior trip a few years ago. It’s a weird funny how we can switch between luxe Vegas stays and what we call the Honda Hilton (car camping).
     
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  18. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I am sure someone with more recent experience can confirm or correct this, but the last time I went to Canada (ten years ago) all I needed at the border was a copy of my birth certificate. No passport needed (unless the rules have changed)
     
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  19. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    It's changed; Passport when flying through a Canadian airport...land travel has other acceptable ID

    https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1116&top=16
     
  20. thegov2k2

    thegov2k2 VIP Whale

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