doctor al, I know you appreciate my TRs including something "outside of the box". This time, I have a sex topic to share. More on that later.
For now, let's start with July 16.
Driving to the Rockford Airport, I felt like I was cheating on an old friend - Southwest Airlines. It was the first time in several years I wasn't headed to Midway to board a SWA plane for a trip.
Instead, I booked with Allegiant. The price was comparable, but the big selling point was free parking at Rockford and a 1/2-hour trip commute compared to 2 hours for Midway.
After my experience at Rockford and with Allegiant, I don't know if I'll ever go back to Midway. Imagine if you will, parking about 50 yards from the airport doors and not paying for it, plus not having to fight Chicago traffic. Also, no congestion at all inside airport. This is a throwback to when air travel was a breeze. If you live in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin, it might be worth your while to check things out.
Upon arrival (3:00 pm) in Vegas, the first stop was Green Valley Ranch for their Sunday buffet (2-1 LVA). Two outstanding items - broiled lamb chops and grilled crab legs. They have warm crab legs, but will also grill them with a fresh garlic, hot peppers, cilantro, green onions and chopped fresh tomato combination. The grill gal (Ethel) does a wonderful job with these.
We (my son and I) stayed at El Cortez Sunday and Monday with the $30, 2-1 LVA coupon. Unfortunately, Tower rooms are no longer available with that offer. On Monday night, a movie ("Lucky Me", starring Drew Barrymore) was being filmed on the street outside the ElCo.
About 8:30 pm, 60-MPH winds reared up and nearly blew the set away. The crew had to scramble to tear everything down. Later, fierce lightening and rain blanketed the entire Vegas valley.
Unfortunately for us, we had planned to hike to top of Mt. Charleston and spend the night up there on Tuesday. We the possibility of thunderstorms the rest of the week and having witnessed what happened Monday night, we had to cancel the camping.
There was a silver lining, though. Instead of heading to the mountains, we wound up at Wynn on Tuesday where I had a chance to meet Joe Schmo and earthbound-3 for a T2V members meet. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought them to be a father (earth bound) and son (Schmo). Both fellows were complete gentlemen and lended some class to the Wynn.
There is something to be said for putting faces to T2V monikers. From now on, when I see those guys post something, I have a point of reference.
I just missed Korked Batz by a few minutes, though.
While I was visiting, my son picked up a quick $600 at the crap tables. You know, if there hadn't been a T2V meet planned, we wouldn't have been at the Wynn and he wouldn't have won the $600. Thank you T2V.
I did walk out to the Wynn pool to check on the status of the outdoor crap table and was told it was still being built. It will be next to the blackjack tables, near the adults-only pool.
Speaking of the Wynn pool, there was one topless person out of probably 30 women. She casually sat there, working on a laptop, seemingly oblivious to those eyeballing her.
Speaking of sex, I did have an unusual experience. Some background first:
I was at the Stardust villa pool Wednesday morning and noticed security fences, porta-bars and a music stage being put up. Shortly before noon, couples with green wristbands began parading in, most in skimpy outfits. A security guard came by and told me I had to leave as a private party was about to begin.
The next day, I ran into a guy with one of those green wristbands and we started talking. We really hit it off. You know how it is when you become fast friends with someone on a vacation. Since I had a rental car, I even chauffered him around on a couple errands.
Anyway, I had mentioned to him that I had to vacate the Stardust villa area for their party and was curious as to what their convention was about. Turned out it was "Lifestyles", a group whose members enjoy swapping mates.
He was quite explicit in what takes place at this event. This was strictly a couples-only deal. Harmlessly, I said it sounded like fun.
Apparently, he took my interest to indicate I wanted to take part in it. On Thursday, he called my cell phone and told me he ran into a woman who worked a booth (I think it was selling sex toys) at the convention who was looking for a male to attend one of the evening parties with.
He told me it would be a way to check out the scene and see if it would be something my wife (who by the way, refuses to go to Vegas) and I would want to get involved in.
I was shocked by the offer, but politely refused it, even though the curiousity was there - not as a participant, but an observer,
The next day, I ended up giving him another ride. He told me I missed a great time and gave me a bagful of literature from the various booths to take home.
Actually, the real thrill of the trip for me was my daugther flying down from Salt Lake City to join my son and I midweek. You can't beat having your 20-something kids still wanting to spend time with you on a vacation.
We stayed at the Hard Rock two nights for a $49 comp mid-week rate and enjoyed a top-floor room overlooking the pool. The rooms ended up being free, as we went 3-3 on $25 matchplay bets and won more $$ off free slot play. All were from ACG Six-Packs.
As strange as this sounds, I prefer the simple Stardust villa (the one in the back) pool over Hard Rock's elaborate spread. The villa area at Stardust plays 60s/70s music instead of the current crap (IMO) HR loudly plays. The villa pool even has a grassy area surrounding it with real plam trees and generally never has more than a handful of people around it. It has old school Vegas feel. There may be no better place in all of Vegas to come and relax and feel a world apart from everything.
If you're looking for a collector's item, the Stardust gift shop is selling $30 polo shirts with the Stardust logo and inscription "1958-2006 Celebrate the Legend". I even bought one and I never buy touristy stuff,
On Thursday, my son braved afternoon showers and made it to the top of Mt. Charleston. Wisely, he came back down instead of camping.
Friday and Saturday, we had comp stays at the Plaza, even though we had done any gambling there lately. The Plaza is an easy mark for room comps.
That pool at the Plaza has so much potential to be a showcase for all of downtown. There is so much empty space going to waste. Get rid of the sledom used tennis courts and gussy up the whole joint. There is enough room for the Plaza to challenge most Strip properties for a first-class pool area.
Other notes:
I was craving to be in a wildnerness area for a couple overniters, but the weather wouldn't cooperate.
More towns need In-N-Out Burgers joints.
Checked out the new Silverton buffet for lunch. Not too bad, especially the seafood selection with raw and fried oysters and steamed clams in a light garlic sauce. It's an eye-pleasing room and quite comfortable.
Other than taking a hit at the Rampart, the matchplays were very good to us, especially at Strat and HR. If you join Las Vegas Advisor or buy American Casino Guide, it's virtually impossible not to profit off the gambling and dining coupons.
We saw American Superstars (2-1) at the Strat. Okay, but same old, same old. I regret not being able to see Steely Dan Saturday night, but had a prior commitment.
Checked out the Red Rock Casino. You seen one new casino, you've seen them all. After awhile, all of Vegas becomes homogenized, or so it seems.
I'm glad I took the T2V advice about being at McCarran two hours early to check bags and catch my 6:00 am Allegiant flt. Airport security was a snap, but the Allegiant counter was a logjam.
Father, son and daughter all went home with extra cash in the pocket from gambling winnings.
For now, let's start with July 16.
Driving to the Rockford Airport, I felt like I was cheating on an old friend - Southwest Airlines. It was the first time in several years I wasn't headed to Midway to board a SWA plane for a trip.
Instead, I booked with Allegiant. The price was comparable, but the big selling point was free parking at Rockford and a 1/2-hour trip commute compared to 2 hours for Midway.
After my experience at Rockford and with Allegiant, I don't know if I'll ever go back to Midway. Imagine if you will, parking about 50 yards from the airport doors and not paying for it, plus not having to fight Chicago traffic. Also, no congestion at all inside airport. This is a throwback to when air travel was a breeze. If you live in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin, it might be worth your while to check things out.
Upon arrival (3:00 pm) in Vegas, the first stop was Green Valley Ranch for their Sunday buffet (2-1 LVA). Two outstanding items - broiled lamb chops and grilled crab legs. They have warm crab legs, but will also grill them with a fresh garlic, hot peppers, cilantro, green onions and chopped fresh tomato combination. The grill gal (Ethel) does a wonderful job with these.
We (my son and I) stayed at El Cortez Sunday and Monday with the $30, 2-1 LVA coupon. Unfortunately, Tower rooms are no longer available with that offer. On Monday night, a movie ("Lucky Me", starring Drew Barrymore) was being filmed on the street outside the ElCo.
About 8:30 pm, 60-MPH winds reared up and nearly blew the set away. The crew had to scramble to tear everything down. Later, fierce lightening and rain blanketed the entire Vegas valley.
Unfortunately for us, we had planned to hike to top of Mt. Charleston and spend the night up there on Tuesday. We the possibility of thunderstorms the rest of the week and having witnessed what happened Monday night, we had to cancel the camping.
There was a silver lining, though. Instead of heading to the mountains, we wound up at Wynn on Tuesday where I had a chance to meet Joe Schmo and earthbound-3 for a T2V members meet. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought them to be a father (earth bound) and son (Schmo). Both fellows were complete gentlemen and lended some class to the Wynn.
There is something to be said for putting faces to T2V monikers. From now on, when I see those guys post something, I have a point of reference.
I just missed Korked Batz by a few minutes, though.
While I was visiting, my son picked up a quick $600 at the crap tables. You know, if there hadn't been a T2V meet planned, we wouldn't have been at the Wynn and he wouldn't have won the $600. Thank you T2V.
I did walk out to the Wynn pool to check on the status of the outdoor crap table and was told it was still being built. It will be next to the blackjack tables, near the adults-only pool.
Speaking of the Wynn pool, there was one topless person out of probably 30 women. She casually sat there, working on a laptop, seemingly oblivious to those eyeballing her.
Speaking of sex, I did have an unusual experience. Some background first:
I was at the Stardust villa pool Wednesday morning and noticed security fences, porta-bars and a music stage being put up. Shortly before noon, couples with green wristbands began parading in, most in skimpy outfits. A security guard came by and told me I had to leave as a private party was about to begin.
The next day, I ran into a guy with one of those green wristbands and we started talking. We really hit it off. You know how it is when you become fast friends with someone on a vacation. Since I had a rental car, I even chauffered him around on a couple errands.
Anyway, I had mentioned to him that I had to vacate the Stardust villa area for their party and was curious as to what their convention was about. Turned out it was "Lifestyles", a group whose members enjoy swapping mates.
He was quite explicit in what takes place at this event. This was strictly a couples-only deal. Harmlessly, I said it sounded like fun.
Apparently, he took my interest to indicate I wanted to take part in it. On Thursday, he called my cell phone and told me he ran into a woman who worked a booth (I think it was selling sex toys) at the convention who was looking for a male to attend one of the evening parties with.
He told me it would be a way to check out the scene and see if it would be something my wife (who by the way, refuses to go to Vegas) and I would want to get involved in.
I was shocked by the offer, but politely refused it, even though the curiousity was there - not as a participant, but an observer,
The next day, I ended up giving him another ride. He told me I missed a great time and gave me a bagful of literature from the various booths to take home.
Actually, the real thrill of the trip for me was my daugther flying down from Salt Lake City to join my son and I midweek. You can't beat having your 20-something kids still wanting to spend time with you on a vacation.
We stayed at the Hard Rock two nights for a $49 comp mid-week rate and enjoyed a top-floor room overlooking the pool. The rooms ended up being free, as we went 3-3 on $25 matchplay bets and won more $$ off free slot play. All were from ACG Six-Packs.
As strange as this sounds, I prefer the simple Stardust villa (the one in the back) pool over Hard Rock's elaborate spread. The villa area at Stardust plays 60s/70s music instead of the current crap (IMO) HR loudly plays. The villa pool even has a grassy area surrounding it with real plam trees and generally never has more than a handful of people around it. It has old school Vegas feel. There may be no better place in all of Vegas to come and relax and feel a world apart from everything.
If you're looking for a collector's item, the Stardust gift shop is selling $30 polo shirts with the Stardust logo and inscription "1958-2006 Celebrate the Legend". I even bought one and I never buy touristy stuff,
On Thursday, my son braved afternoon showers and made it to the top of Mt. Charleston. Wisely, he came back down instead of camping.
Friday and Saturday, we had comp stays at the Plaza, even though we had done any gambling there lately. The Plaza is an easy mark for room comps.
That pool at the Plaza has so much potential to be a showcase for all of downtown. There is so much empty space going to waste. Get rid of the sledom used tennis courts and gussy up the whole joint. There is enough room for the Plaza to challenge most Strip properties for a first-class pool area.
Other notes:
I was craving to be in a wildnerness area for a couple overniters, but the weather wouldn't cooperate.
More towns need In-N-Out Burgers joints.
Checked out the new Silverton buffet for lunch. Not too bad, especially the seafood selection with raw and fried oysters and steamed clams in a light garlic sauce. It's an eye-pleasing room and quite comfortable.
Other than taking a hit at the Rampart, the matchplays were very good to us, especially at Strat and HR. If you join Las Vegas Advisor or buy American Casino Guide, it's virtually impossible not to profit off the gambling and dining coupons.
We saw American Superstars (2-1) at the Strat. Okay, but same old, same old. I regret not being able to see Steely Dan Saturday night, but had a prior commitment.
Checked out the Red Rock Casino. You seen one new casino, you've seen them all. After awhile, all of Vegas becomes homogenized, or so it seems.
I'm glad I took the T2V advice about being at McCarran two hours early to check bags and catch my 6:00 am Allegiant flt. Airport security was a snap, but the Allegiant counter was a logjam.
Father, son and daughter all went home with extra cash in the pocket from gambling winnings.
