As I lay on the pavement, bruised and bleeding from a motrocycle accident, the first thought I had was not about the physical condition I was in. Rather, my biggest concern was whether a scheduled trip to Vegas in less than 16 hours would take place. Back in March, I made plans with a wheelchair-bound friend of mine for an annual trip to Sin City. I go out all the time, but for him, this would be his only chance. Re-scheduling was not an option either. After getting fixed up at the emergency room, I was advised by the doctor not to go. My wife told me not to go. I couldn't even get a shoe on a bandaged right toe and was walking with a limp. Much of the right side of my body had a painful road rash. The positive was that X-rays showed no broken bones. That was good enough for me. Medicated up, I decided to go. Upon arriving at my wheelchair friend's home, he also insisted I stay home and rest. I demonstrated to him that I could still lift him in and out of his chair without much problem. So away we went to the Rockford, IL airport for our Allegiant flight. Even with my injuries, the trip went well. By the second day I was feeling much better and no problems were encountered. Back to the TR: We had a package deal for RT airfare and 3 nights at the Sahara for $195/person (including all fees and taxes). It was a great deal and Allegiant continues to impress me as an airline. At the Sahara, we initially were put in the dumpy Tunis Tower. After entering a somewhat dank and musty room, we asked for another tower and were placed in Tangiers. It was very suitable. I've got to give the Sahara credit for some of the best maid service I've ever received at a hotel. The Sahara is certainly showing it age and that buffet - is there anything else in Vegas that resembles a institutional school cafeteria as much as it? My highlight of the trip for my friend was Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Olympic Gardens. Since the place was virtually dead, he had two girls to himself both days. He was pleased that one of them, Nicki, remembered him from last year. For the record, he received 47 lap dances and spent 840 dollars. Since some construction was going on inside, he was able to go into a VIP room and be more liberal with the girls than Las Vegas laws allow. What happens behind close doors, well... The folks at the OG treated him like a king and for that, he thought it was $840 well spent. This is another reason I glad I decided to forego everyone's advice and go to Vegas. By having that experience, it will put him in a good frame of mind for the time to come and give him something to look forward to next year. My friend definitely recomends doing this instead of spending the same amount of money on a girl you call up and have come to your room. While he was with the strippers, I spent my mornings at the Paris and Wynn buffets. Not much I can add to what has been said on these boards regarding those places. I do recomend trying to get to Paris around 10:15 to catch both breakfast and lunch. I actually enjoyed the lunch stuff better. We did two things on this trip I've been meaning to try for awhile - eat at Roberta in the El Cortez and see Clint Homes. People have raved about both. They did not disappoint. With the LVA 50% coupon and the already low prices at Robertas, that may be the best value for a meal in town. Nothing fancy, just a good old-fashioned meal in a simple, yet pleasant atmosphere. Another good time was playing blackjack at the outdoor tables at the Wynn. The combination of being at the Wynn, the great weather, a friendly dealer, prompt cocktail waitresses and nice scenery at European-style pool all made for one heckuva a good time. Originally, I had planned to play craps there, but the table has still not been set up yet, as they had promised me back in July. Speaking of gambling, I saw something at the Sahara I've never seen. In the mornings, to save labor, they only use part of the craps table. They put up a padded board halfway across and only need one dealer. I tried playing on it and did not care for it. Vegas is one town that you can find a good time about anywhere you go. For example, we stepped into Ballys to use a free drink coupon and ended up staying most of the evening. For the hell of it, we decided to see how cheesy their lounge act was. They looked cheesy, acted cheesy, but they knew how to play music that encouraged people to party. They weren't the greatest singers, nor did they play the hippest songs, but they made it fun. It was a small venue and we met some other folks and it was one big party. Sometimes, the best times are the ones you don't plan. They just happen. If there was a negative to the trip, it was the return. Our plane left at 6:00 am, which required us to get up at 2:15. Since the CAT 108 doesn't run at that time, we had to take the DEUCE to the South Terminal and then transfer to the 109. The only problem was that we did not know the southbound DEUCE was being detoured around the stop in front of the Sahara. We stood out there for 45 minutes until someone told us. We eventually found the other stop and barely made to the airport in time.
Wow what a time! Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you walked away with no broken bones. I would have done the same. It would take a full body cast to keep me from getting on a plane to Vegas. Glad your friend had a GOOD time too!!!! Thanks for the TR! Sticky
This from a guy who knows his way around institutional cafeterias! Sorry to hear about the bike accident, but man, that's dedication. Very cool that you look out for your friend like that. But oh my fellow frugalite -- at 2:15am, shell out for the cab!
Ouch! Dude, glad you snuck out of that with minor injuries. Be careful out there. Ick! Who's idea was this? That doesn't sound like much fun at all. Thanks for the trip report chef. Rest up for October my friend, and I hope you get to make it to some of the festivities
Chef, glad you came out OK from the accident. What a guy you are, friends and Vegas before yourself. They used these dividers in Laughlin many years ago and I hated them. Thanks for the TR!
As has been mentioned chef, be careful out there. I hope you are feeling better each day. That is dedication, glad your friend and you had a good time. Another for Roberta's, the place has to be OK if you and Ken enjoy it. Al has said good things too. That's one thing I regret, never trying the place out and having stayed at the El Cortez twice to boot. Not like it's been out of the way or anythng...... Only using 1/2 a craps table? Doesn't sound like much fun to me... Good read. Stay safe Andy. RW
As a motorcycle rider, I am glad you are ok. As an ICU nurse, I can see how everybody would want you to "take it easy". As an lover of LV... glad you went. We went 5 yrs ago 48hrs after I had my gallbladder taken out emergently. My doctor's advise... sit a lot!!! But it went just fine. I napped alot and drank plenty of water only.
Hey Andy, that accident didn't sound good, glad to hear you are on the mend...don't do that again I'm glad that in spite of your physical condition, you and your friend were both able to have a great time. It's to bad you're not closer to Peoria, I always fly Allegiant to Vegas and love the times, no early morning returns or anything like that. Thanks for mentioning the outdoor blackjack tables at the Wynn...didn't know they had them. That will definitely make my list of things to do
