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Trip 12-26 - 11-31

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by bubbakitty, Dec 31, 2014.

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  1. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2003
    Messages:
    14,899
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    65

    My Trip Report

    Uploading some pictures and will fill in the gaps tomorrow. Happy New Year everybody!

    It was a great trip. Both going and coming late by 10 – 15 minutes. Not a problem. Could have been icy in the Dallas area upon return but was not which made the journey back home much less stressful.

    Stayed at the Gold Coast 4 nights and California one. I had 2 night offer with minimal food and the wife had 2 nights without food. Had trouble booking on line, on the phone and upon check – in. Assumed it was NYE and all that goes with that. Wife went to check in on our overlap day (Me-Friday – Sunday….Her-Saturday – Monday.) and the counter person / greeter / computer key tapper offered to let her have Sunday – Tuesday if she wanted. She did but said no one would let her.

    So now we were set for Friday night (9 p.m.) through Tuesday with a night still @ California. Except she left her credit card in the room (same account as mine) and needed it to “check-in” so off to the room she tromps. In no time “now we were set”.

    Had a goofy driver (I hate cabs from the airport but it IS quick). Told him I read on the board to get to Rio it had approximate fares of just over 19.00 $. Told him we were going to the Gold Coast so however he wanted to divide the 25 $ I was giving him was fine; we were in no hurry now so just make the meter as small as you want.

    He said ok. Traffic is terrible he relates. Our first trip? No, been coming since mid 80’s but thanks. Ok, I’ll take the tunnel due to traffic. I said that’s up to you, however we can get there for 25 $.

    Get to the Flamingo exit and make it through the light without stopping. Get to Gold Coast and it is 25.50 $. He says pay me whatever I think ?????? So I dip into the tip fund and give him 2 more $’s. I hate starting off trips like this but it seems the norm. Taxis need beverage licenses. Anyway---
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    Hit the vp and a short craps session. Had some luck. Craps up 30 $ (add as many zeroes as you need to feel comfortable) and the wife (who usually plays nickels) plopped down at a 25 cent video poker vacillating from Jacks or Better to Bonus. It was fun for the first few days but taxing the last two.

    Got a good night’s sleep and headed out after breakfast at the Gold Coast Buffett. You either like it or don’t. It was good and not only filling, but also without that gastro-intesinal – when is it going to hit me – feeling. Went to the car rental place.

    Fun times. I love Enterprise because of the way they treat you. No insurance….no problem. Let’s look at the car for damage and you go out with theis template of how big a dent is actually a dent or scratch or whatever. Never had a problem.

    Got a call when lining up to climb on the SWA flight that there was a problem. It was the rate. When advertising $ 9.99 a day for the weekend….Friday – Monday (72 hours in-out) plus applicable b.s. Total is usually just under $ 40.50. The manager on the phone said it wasn’t applicable unless Friday – Monday….not any part of it. We had Saturday – Monday rental for like 24.00 $ with 200 miles free. Just went to the site and put it in. Had my copy.

    I went a bit overboard as to the notification at less than the 24 hour mark. This was 5:47 p.m. Las Vegas time and I was picking up in a.m. at noon. What?

    It wasn’t pretty or the conversation of a mature person as I responded in my usually ignorant passiveness. They said I needed to pay 27 $ a day for the rental if I still wanted it. Lonnnnnnnng story short; He called the next morning about 9:30 and said he was in touch with those who could and they did. So our original reservation would be honored and “they” agreed 24 hours or less was a bit short to give notice when the reservation was made in August.

    I told the guy I would write a letter upon return to explain my dismay when (as he related) someone had to call and explain the “mix-up” and also not have authority to assess ALL the information and make a change. Just an e-mail to direct him to notify customers fitting this description.

    And no one was available as they did not work the day after Christmas. Sort of left the agent hanging with nothing but bad news he says was out of his control. If he was truthful I hope he passes on my concerns. If not he will just “file” it......

    We get the car and head out to Downtown for some MSS interaction. We are also supposed to meet Joe for dinner and pass by the 777 brew pub for the meet-up. It is choppy. All the regulars are off for the holidays which is probably all about seniority. Those working are as always very positive and efficient.

    Not much to show for it

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    Sat at the bar, saw Joe’s beloved and sat alongside for a bit of 25 cent vp. Introductions made amongst the ladies and focus goes on the machines and a High Roller brew. The wife chose the darker variety with a bit of grapefruit. It was good too upon sampling from her.

    Went to play craps after a bit while waiting for Joe to make an appearance. He came over and we shook hands said hello-how are you?—and reconfirmed the dinner and off to the bartops he trekked. I kept playing (6 and 8 for 18 $ each) and ended up 100 $ to the good after about 45 minutes.

    Finished the point and headed off to the Redwood to meet Joe and significant other waiting in the bar. We get to the table fairly quickly and proceed to have appetizers. French onion soup was fabulous although the cheese could at times be somewhat adversarial to my moustache. It was both delicate and delicious.

    I had the Prime Rib and it was good but wayyyy to big. I ordered the 16 oz. and it had to be 26 oz. I did my best. Baked potatoe was huge and good. Had ice tea as I was the designated driver back to Gold Coast. The rest of the party fell off the wagon back at the casino so it was quite the meal and exchange of various subject matters.

    Joe ended up springing for the bill. Extremely generous and well received. It was time to go to the meet and although it was about 7:30 p.m. we figured it would just be warming up at the 777.

    Met TY3188 and his wife / son eating sushi. Had some drinks and some laughs recalling the various posts we had mutually read or have helped us on various trips. The poster’s name was not usually recalled at first but ultimately were credited correctly.

    Alas my wife doesn’t care what Mrs. TY3188 allows her husband to do (I was told upon inquiring as to my availability), I can’t attend the sushi party on MLK weekend. Ty is halfway there as he DOES enjoy sushi. Lucky guy you are Ty.

    Well went back to the vp and onward we trudge toward to ever elusive Royal Family. MSS is really a great place to play vp with the beer selection (if you are into beer) and the pay tables. We primarily played at the Gold Coast and MSS. We played on the same card exclusively except Sunday at the Gold Coast we played on her card for a couple of hours due to the 2 night comp. You’re welcome.

    Not sure of the order but the view from the bathroom window (where she came in according to Joe C. RIP) was of the strip but not an upgrade charge....



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    (WILL FINISH LATER as HAVING TROUBLE WITH TAPATALK DOWNLOADING.....it is about as exciting as it has been thus far)


    Sorry still no luck so onward we trudge....

    Got up Sunday and decided to go to the Peppermill for breakfast. Got there about 10:45 and it was a 25 – 30 minute wait. It went quickly. We were seated. Had a good bloody mary with celery tomatoe and celery stalk. Made for a good stirrer though. Had the pancakes and split them with the wife but managed only ¾ of the rather large portion. 3 pancakes about the size of a hubcap. Very well done with ham. Sometimes difficult to get it done through when the cakes are so large.

    Left and went back to MSS for follow-up. And it turns out the Packers are on TV; imagine that. Joe was happy and dressed in an Aaron Rodgers’ jersey sitting where else; Mss boar’s bar. Front and center. Hey; you never know; Rodgers could get hurt and put a helmet on Joe….who’d know from the stands. They were in good spirits as the early game was about over. Joe got a sampling of the slurpiness some announcers have for the beloved Cowboys. You’d think their employment was a consequence of such adulation.

    Well we were floating along pretty good and then my wife raises her right hand and goes stiff and proceeds to shake-rattle-roll-sweat and shiver all while the coins tabulate. Her second; first one was some years ago also on quarters in North Lake Tahoe on our trip around the lake stop in each casino and say we did.

    I had placed a parlay for the last weekend but should have thought about the Pats taking it easy. I assumed everyone would take it easy but the play off teams may want to enter the next level with a win behind them. Did ok with the Tex-Ark under and S.C.-Mia. Parlay for 20 $ (again add your zeroes for comfort) so sports betting was a plus.

    Monday went to eat at the Omlette House on Charleston. Saw it when we left the Gold Coast on Arville going downtown just . prior to turning on Casino Center Blvd. which took us all the way without getting on the strip or highway (Look at a map; don’t trust that description)

    We had not been to any other OH except the one in Summerlin near Angel Park G.C. Food was comparable but service / ambience was not. You live and learn.

    Went to turn the car in and stayed at the Gold Coast for more video poker. This day was not as promising and NOW complaints were coming in the machines were growing tight and taking “all of my money”. I think that happens after the RF because suddenly you have been empowered and vp is sort of a second job with paydays and all t hat. And maybe that is not how it normally goes but that is how it went.

    On one side the trip suddenly seemed much longer but then again the trip became much more longer. Went to the Orleans for dinner at the Prime Rib Loft. Had 3 giant fried shrimp as appetizers with a great red chili sauce. The wife had Oscar’s special and I had NY strip. Both good and no room for dessert. Baked potatoe again big. Nice salad and water this time vs. iced tea. The wife had a merlot of some type off the wine menu. She said “ooohhhhh”. I said ahhhhh. I don’t do wine much.

    She had checked into the Orleans on Sunday to check out Tuesday so we went up to the room and ruffled the sheets. It was a remodeled room and was quite acceptable. She got 15 $ free play to make an appearance and came out like 10 $ up. Woo-woo. Shuttle back to the Gold Coast and more vp as we digest. Bed came about midnight and sleep was as in previous nights, quite relaxing.

    But Tuesday was moving day. And off to the California we went.

    Check in at 11:40 a.m. and have the 14th floor inside view. Room is good and meets approval of all members so we now head over to the 777 brewpub to split a burger and have a couple of beers. It was good and especially out of a pilsner type glass. Had the California burger and split it as it was advertised as ½ pound. Quarter pound of good beef would be ample to soak beer I think.

    It had to be ½ pound prior to cooking with a great weight loss program. But it fit the bill. I guess I have ruined my expectations as we make ½ pound burgers on the grill with much greater success in preserving the burger size. So off to vp we go in order to enjoy our last day.

    We begin to play and continue to play for hours thereafter. This is my first full day I don’t have to be responsible for driving. I have many brews and some tequila sunrises. And some water but not enough. That is one unusual thing unique to MSS in my observation and that is they will often offer you a water when ordering or delivering a drink to the floor. It reminded me to hydrate beyond ice or hops.

    Went to eat at the Fremont Seafood buffet. We both grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and I like a lot of different sea fare and she not so much except crab / lobster legs and fried shrimp (the kind with more shrimp than batter). It fit the bill. But back home it would be more trouble than it would be worth with all the other choices.

    Trout was good as well as the boiled shrimp, sea bass and salads. Service was nonexistent. Saw her once and then only as we were getting up to leave. There was a dispenser for iced tea but not sure we were supposed to access although we did.

    Back for more brew and vp and then off to beddy-bye time about midnight. Up at 7:30 for MSS breakfast buffet which again was surprisingly good. Back to California to grab our stuff and off to the 9:51 bus to the airport. All worked as designed and we are at the gate for our 11:55 a.m. flight at 11:00 a.m. with time to spare. We plop and I post the pictures to the board and off we go.

    A couple of minor observations.

    Peppermill was a pleasant surprise in that nothing has really changed in terms of quality / service. I recommend it.

    I usually don’t eat bacon on trips to Vegas unless ordering where I can ask it to be “crisp” and not greasy or “micro-waved” to pink imperfection. Both Gold Coast and MSS had bacon which appeared “somewhat” normal. Crisp, fat appeared to be trimmed off and cooked off. It was much better quality than previously encountered. (Rubber consistency was the norm previously)

    The MSS / California area is great for us at this time. Less drama. A little more serene.

    Went down on the Fremont Street for a walk-through the casinos for some sampling gambling in each. Wife wasn’t thrilled with the ornaments dancing on the talbes, in the pits, on stage and on the street itself. No one this night (12/30) appeared even remotely pleased much less happy to be there shaking their thing.

    Ate at the IN-OUT on Tropicana late one night and that was an experience we all need to have at least once. Always good food. And good show.

    This was our only venture out and about. No pan handlers or offers for pictures. Bands on Fremont love their bass.

    Used mostly points (except Peppermill) for meals. Probably used 22,000 or so points more than we earned this trip for eating / drinking. (Boyd points) So that was good.

    Love the WAX. $ 4. for two riders. Timely and clean. Caught it by Binion’s and again there was a transit employee to help with questions. (My main question the day before was whether NYE was a holiday for scheduling purposes;;;;it was not)

    Love the live trip reports posted by others but we have no lap top love with tapatalk so the smart phone is it and typing on that is arduous at best. Kudos to those that are able to be “live”.

    Used the $ coins again (easy to count drinks and keep up with tips) for tipping. Take a set number to the floor with you and you can keep up with the degree of inebriation. Had a 100 to start the trip and came back with 4 which were given the shuttle driver upon return to the airport parking spot.

    Hope you got something from this sometimes driveling narrative. We had a good time. Used points on SWA so our only really outlay of $ was Peppermill and about 123 $ in tips. Car rental and 3 $ gas.

    Any questions asked will be answered with some degree of promptness.

    Sorry about the sequencing.....


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    Last edited: Jan 5, 2015
  2. pphold

    pphold pp Park Place Degenerate

    Joined:
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    Great hits on VP.

    Were they all at. Gold Coast ?

    Nice pics. Waiting on report.
     
  3. NCAAHoops

    NCAAHoops VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Looks like plenty of VP porn, Also a very happy TITO. Looking forward to the comments
     
  4. guapoxxx

    guapoxxx High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Yes, the VP porn was great on congrats on the wins!
     
    Annual Golf Trip
  5. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

    Joined:
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  6. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

    Joined:
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    Tap a talk is not so friendly so I can't post but will update the pics (especially the royal) when I can do so....
     
  7. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Surely you recall my wife saying something like, "No way in hell" or "If you go, don't come back".

    Nice hits on the VP.
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Nice report Bubba!! Also thanks for the kind words.
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
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    Good report!

    Why the mix of 9/6 and 8/5 JoB though? Gold Coast should have 9/6 somewhere in that massive place. I am really gonna miss the 9/6 JoB w/STP there though. :(
     
  10. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Oh; THAT's what she said. Damn brews!! Well I guess no one from the 3 person meet up is going to be eating January sushi.......You SURE she said no way?? hmmmm...

    Good to meet the three of you...sorry about the Falcons...
     
  11. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    I hope this FINALLY works.....there must be a process step I am missing...lol [​IMG]

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    Thanks for the patience.....Super Bowl will be the next challenge
     
  12. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    Yay Royal; congrats!!
     
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