UK's August Adventure! A Live TR

As I discussed over the past week in a different thread, today marks the start of a four trip month for me and my partner (well, she is coming along for three of our four stops). And for those who want to follow along with the fun, this is the trip report. The trips this month will encompass two trips to Vegas, a run down to Tunica, and a weekend at a Disney World water park. Here's a preview of some of the details:

We leave tonight for Orlando and plan to use our soon-to-expire water park tickets to visit Typhoon Lagoon tomorrow. If you've never been to Typhoon Lagoon, it has the best wave pool I've ever seen. Will have lots of Disney pics and details starting tomorrow.

Next weekend we head to vegas, staying at Mandalay Bay. Haven't stayed there in years, so it will be nice to mix it up. Our plans for the trip include a day at Moorea Beach Club, diving in the shark aquarium, and dinner at Red Square.

Then, on August 20th, I return to Vegas for four days at Caesars. The plan for that trip is meeting some friends at the Mojave National Preserve for some hiking, lots of futures wagering on the upcoming NFL season, and significant pool time.

Finally, the day after I get back from Vegas, we drive to Tunica for a two night stay at the Horseshoe . No real plans for that trip, other than picking up whatever promo gift the casino is giving away that weekend and checking out the new sports betting scene in Mississippi.

I will try to keep this report updated regularly. Hope you enjoy. Time for me to pack my bag ....

 

Cant wait to read about your upcoming Mandalay stay as ill be staying there for the 1st time next month

 

Thanks. I know they have refreshed the rooms and suites since I last stayed there, so I am curious as well

 

Good Luck.

 

My southwest boarding pass is ready and my bag is packed!


Our big cat, larry bird, doesn't seem to care that we are leaving. As long as he had his skylight, he is happy

 

I’ve always thought Typhoon Lagoon was underrated. Enjoy it all!

 

Thanks. We agree! Our annual bigger disney trip is next month and we might hit up Blizzard Beach then, but we didn't hesitate in deciding where to use this water park pass. We did Typhoon lagoon a couple years ago (back when they still had the shark snorkel attraction) and the wave pool alone makes it worth a visit

 

My partner requested I pull out her disney approved Bambi hat for the trip. So I guess now we are both ready to leave!

 

In preparation of the football bets I will be making this month, I sat down and started doing my research for the upcoming season. The first three big picture conclusions I came to are that the Chargers are going to be a lot better this year (not really a surprise, as I think a lot of prognosticators agree), the top of the NFC is stronger than the AFC by a wide margin (maybe a bit surprising, but I think the top four teams in all of football are in the NFC), and the conclusion that has surprised me the most as I have started researching is that the Patriots are only the fourth, maybe fifth best team in the AFC this year! I did not expect to reach that conclusion. Fortunately for Pats fans, their division is a joke (I think the Fins and Jets will be two of the worst teams this upcoming season) which will net them 5 or 6 wins and another division title. But after that, I think the Chargers, Jags, Steelers, and possibly even the Ravens will be better than them. The Patriots defense was just so awful last year and I don't think their great offense can keep bailing them out. Still going to do more reading and research over the next couple weeks, so my thoughts may change, but I am sure those thoughts will generate some passionate responses, lol

 

Patriots will be better than last year , were they we robbed in Super Bowl by 2 bad calls, there defense is much better ,and as long as the Goat is healthy , next Super Bowl is within reach.

 

Educate me here, how is their D much better? I agree their offense will still be one of the three best in football, but their defense worries me

 

Enjoy your trip!

 

They upgraded their pass rush a lot , thats what they lacked last year, they got Clayborn a free agent from Atlanta and Danny Shelton a free agent from Browns that if they perform how they should they will have the pass rush they didnt have last year ,and getting Eric Decker yesterday makes up for Ammendolas lost.

 

I agree Shelton is a nice addition and an upgrade. But I am not a fan of Clayborn. He had one monster game for the ages last year, but never really did much else. Will he start ahead of Lee? I honestly assumed he is their third DE.

As any recent Titans fan will tell you, I wouldn't count on Decker to give you much. He has this problem of being unable to catch balls thrown directly at his hands, lol. Your team's offense, though, isn't my worry. I love the formations they run and especially how they use their running backs. If you're right that the Pats have significantly upgraded their pass rush, then I think you're right that they will be a top team. Their secondary is atrocious, but getting better pressure on the QB will help out those corners and safeties immensely. I'm not convinced those two D line pickups will make much of a difference, but you've intrigued me to watch those positions during the pre-season

 

Stephen Gilmore is one of the NFL best cover corners, they only need to replace Butler and hes got 2 or 3 in camp trying for that spot.They got Wise ,and Flowers also at DE ,I Iike Flowers

 

Just finished packing my carryon and planning some in-flight entertainment. I have been watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt and downloaded the third season to watch. And if I am not into that, I downloaded the first few episodes of the new OITNB as a second choice

 

1-dont'a hightower is a game changer for the defense. allows van noy to play outside.
2-track the defensive stats for the last 11 games. one of the best defenses in the league.
2a-defense, especially the patriots', is based on points allowed and not yards. ranking defense based on yards is a joke and for losers.
3-mccourty is an upgrade over butler's performance last year.
3a-gilmore started poorly last year and missed games. he was very good as the year went on and will be that good all year long.
4-much upgraded on the d line with shelton,rivers, and clayborn.

 

patriots aside, have a great trip and enjoy yourselves

 

1. He wasn't last year. Granted, he was severely limited by injuries, even when he did play, but their linebackers weren't their defensive weakness last year.
2. I just don't think the stats back you up on this claim. The only really good defensive effort I saw against a good offense was the Atlanta game (where their D was impressive). But shutting down teams like the Jets, Fins, Titans and Jags (and still losing one of those games and almost another) just doesn't impress me
2a. I am not reaching my conclusions based on total yards
3. You're probably right. I didn't consider that change thoroughly, but now I will.
3a. He is solid, although he needs help. As I mentioned above, if the D line really can get more pressure this year, that changes the analysis. I think that is more important than the McCourty/Butler change.
4. Again, not sure I agree. But that's what makes informed sports debates interesting

Thanks!

 

....football discussions.

Just kidding, sounds like a very fun trip. Good luck!