Rio - Oct. 25 - 29

Background on us:

Husband and I in our mid 40's
Been to Vegas 40 something times
Platinum with Harrahs
Been staying at the Rio since it was one single little tower


Drove from our home in Winnipeg, Canada to Fargo, North Dakota (about 4 hour drive). Flew Allegiant from Fargo to Vegas. Arrived about 30 minutes early. We were seated at the very rear of the aircraft and the bags were already on the baggage carousel by the time we got there - amazing! Jumped on the bus to the rental car place and when we got to Alamo, there was nobody in line - wow! Had a mid size reserved for $99 for 4 days. Got a PT Cruiser which didn't thrill us but we ended up liking it more than we thought we would. Made a quick stop at a gas station to pick up some bottled water (we find the air at the Rio very dry). The husband had a good idea and suggested that we buy a 6 pack of beer to keep in our fridge since cocktail service at the Rio can be spotty. We were then off to the Rio.

Since the last trip in August they have closed the Platinum check-in desk. Not knowing any better we went to the Gold check-in desk. Waited about 10 minutes for our turn. We had a great young lady help us at the desk. She said that we should have gone to the Diamond check-in - oh well. Didn't bother even trying the $20 trick since last I heard a large number of their better suites have been closed down. She did give us a room on one of the Diamond floors, but apologized that it didn't have a great view. I shocked the heck out of her when I said that we preferred the mountain view. Where we live it is flat, flat, flat. Not a mountain in sight, besides we don't sit in the room and stare out the window. She said that nobody had ever said that to her before.

Up to the room, where we quickly freshen up. Grab a beer each, but they are Corona and don't twist off. Hmm, no opener in the room. Luckily I am old enough that when I first started drinking beer, none of the tops twisted off. I simply grabbed one of the hangars from the closet and used the pants clip thingy to pop the tops off our beers. My husband was impressed that I still have that skill! That hangar also came in handy to keep the curtains clipped together so that crack of daylight can't shine through.

By this time it was midnight which was 2:00 AM to us. Went downstairs and within 15 minutes my husband got 4 Aces with a deuce for $500. He ended up cashing out $575 on a $20 investment. Me, not so much. I was down $60. Been a long day, time for bed.

9:30 AM and the husband goes down to get my Starbucks, then he is off to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for NHRA drag races. They have these huge drag race events twice a year - October and April. We always go to Vegas on those weekends so he can attend the races. On Friday at the races they also have night racing, so he doesn't come back until around 9 PM. This is always my absolute favorite day in Vegas. I take my time unpacking, have a shower and get ready to go. I brought granola bars with me so that I don't have to waste time sitting in restaurants alone. Start with some dollar slots, just for fun. After about 15 minutes I am up $150. Move to dollar video poker. After 30 minutes that profit is gone. Move to a 3-5-7 table. Everybody is very friendly at this table and I played for about 2 hours and had alot of laughs. Tables like that are always very enjoyable. Even though I lost $100, I got a pretty good buzz going which will help me with what I am about to do. Catch the shuttle to Ceasars.

Walk to Bill's Gambling Hall or whatever the hell it is called now. Use the ACG coupon for a free hot dog and beer. It was lousy and I was glad that I didn't actually pay for it (except for the tip of course). Walk to Planet Hollywood to the V Theatre and buy a ticket for......Stripper 101! This is a 90 minute class taught by an actual Vegas stripper. Now you know why I needed that little buzz. You learn about the art of the strip tease, lap dance, and a little pole work. For $60 you get the class, a cocktail, a picture of you at work, and a tank top. This is for women only - no men allowed. I was pretty hesitant about doing it since that is definately outside my comfort zone, but I had a blast and found it very liberating. I highly recommend it!

Back to the Rio, drop another $60 into their video poker machines and then walk across the street to Gold Coast. Played a couple of hours there, lost about $100. Went back to our room around 8:30 and the husband walked in about 5 minutes later. He quickly washed up and we went to In-N-Out for dinner. Back to the Rio, we both played for about an hour but the machines were very cold. Up to bed around midnight.

The husband wakes me at 9:30 with my cup of Starbucks and he is off to the races. I played at the Rio for a little while, then walk to The Palms. Ate lunch at the Chinese food place in the food court. Play video poker for a couple of hours, can't seem to win anything here. Quite unusual for the Palms. Update my card at the players club and they give me a Halloween bowl to take home. On my way out I drop $20 into a penny machine - I never play penny machines. After about 15 minutes I cash out $120.00. Maybe I should play penny slots more often. Walk back to the Gold Coast, drop $100 there and back to the Rio. The husband returns around 7:00 and we go to the Orleans for dinner at Don Miguels. As always we can't finish our fajita dinners, so I take the leftovers to have as my lunch tomorrow. After dinner we play at the Orleans for a couple of hours, not winning, but at least not losing either. Back to the Rio to sleep.

Husband wakes me at 9:30 to ask if I want coffee. Yes please I say. He returns less than 2 minutes later saying that the lineup is just too long and he doesn't have time. Grrrrr! I play at the Rio and the Gold Coast most of the day and can't win a thing. Walk back to the Rio and stop at the 3-5-7 table. I play for about 2 hours, have several coctails and cash out $300 up! I love Las Vegas! The husband returns around 6 PM and we change quickly and drive over to the Orleans again. Have the only bad meal we have ever had at the Orleans. It was in the coffee shop and it was awful! Had tickets to see Craig Ferguson at the Orleans. His show was excellent, we laughed an awful lot. I would see him again, for sure. After the show we played at the Orleans for a little while, then back to the Rio. I had a booming headache (from the earlier cocktails?) and went straight to bed. I don't know what time my husband came up, but it was late.

The next morning we get up, pack and check out. We drove out to Silvertons to play until our flight. Broke even there. Fill up the rental car and return it. Find out our flight is delayed 45 minutes. Better to be late going home from vacation than the other way around.

All in all a pretty great little get away. Can't wait until April to do it again. So we probably won't, maybe we'll go in January. Thanks for reading!

 

If you ever leave your husband...

...please look me up! I hope he knows how lucky he is with a wife who:

- Knows how to open a beer with a hanger. (I like the drapery tip, too.)

- Doesn't whine when left alone for the day.

- Goes willingly to In-N-Out for dinner.

- Is now an amateur stripper!

 

Really enjoyed your report! I am trying to screw up the courage to do that Stripper Class too! KUDOS to you for being so brave!

 

Good trip report
I think I would love having a day in
Vegas by myself
sound wonderful

 

Great report! I really wanted to try the stripper class last time we were out there, but just didn't have the guts. Maybe getting my buzz on beforehand is the key.... It's certainly how I learned to play blackjack. The whole playing at a table with other people thing scared the hell out of me. Many drinks later I was able to do it and now I'm not just stuck playing slots!

 

Thanks for the report!
I am taking my DH, and since he doesn't like to gamble, we plan to explore the surrounding area. I do plan though to have a few hours here and there to play the slots!

 

nice tr.

 

You can open a beer with a coat hanger.
You are now an amateur stripper.

You are definetly a multitalented woman. Your TR was a great read thank you.

 

THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME!!!!! I had forgotten all about the stripper classes. I think that would be a blast to do. I'll have to see if I can fit it in!!

 

opening a beer with a coat hanger!!... stripper class!!... wooohooooo

you go girl.... great trip report!...

 

Nice win on the pennies!

 

See...this is exactly why I read this board. Clip the curtain with the pants hanger? Damn I could have used that last trip after going to bed in the daylight. Next time I will know. Thanks for the great TR and keep working on those stripper moves!