[Fresh2Salt]

There is just so much to take in that the few days we were there just weren't enough. Unfortunately our flight arrived late in the evening and I just didn't have the energy to start having fun until I had rested.

I awoke the next morning feeling like I was ready to take on the world. This is the view from our room at the Excalibur...

We my brother had slept in so I decided to try my hand at some games. First of all to any body I've ever judged in the past let me say I'm sorry. I remember thinking "How in the world could anyone get so excited about throwing away their money?" Let me tell you folks, the energy around the tables is what keeps you coming back again and again.

We walked up to a C-R-A-P-S table and it was buzzing. I watched for a few minutes and then decided to join the fun. In my opinion the dealers make all the difference. These guys were very helpful and started pointing me in the right direction. In no time my wife and I were ahead of where we started. One of the dealers with a heavy Asian accent told us..."I take care of you. Listen to me, I take care of you like family doctor." And he did. After an hour or so my brother managed to gather himself and we were off for some eats. Here's me cashing in our first winnings...

Our first eating experience was less than what we expected. Let's just say that the buffet at the Excalibur was a little subpar.

We spent the rest of the day walking the strip and taking in the different casino atmosphere's. We had a drink at the Luxor, played a few slots at Mandalay Bay and rode the rollercoaster at the New York New York. My brother was worn out from the heat and decided to go back to the hotel for some R&R while the wife and I shopped a little.

When we got back I hit the tables again and continued to build my knowledge of the game. That night it we did some more sight seeing because this place is a different world at night. We had a great time and had some good eats.

Day one behind us we the next day was deemed a travel day. After one of the best breakfasts I've ever had we were off for a drive. Let me just say that if you've never eaten at the local restaurant called CoCo's do yourself a favor and give them try. The food was spot on fantastic every time we ate there.

After an hour or so we arrived at the Hoover dam and it was nothing short of impressive.

Next on our agenda was the grand canyon. Unfortunately it was not to be. We were trying to access the canyon through a park area but because of recent rains the road was washed out so it was game over. However we did get to see Arizona and I loved it. When we left Vegas it was 106 degrees and in Arizona the temperature was 66 degrees. What an awesome state. Of course we had to hit the historic route 66...

The last day was more sight seeing and gift shopping. We did make our way over to downtown Vegas and enjoy some of the more historic side of things. We even got to witness a little Vegas crime as we saw a guy steal someone's chips and then get tackled by some onlookers and the cops. Cheers busted out with clapping as the cuprit went away in cuffs smiling...

I never thought I'd say it but I can't wait to go back and take in more of what we didn't get to see...

 

[bradc]

Yeah the Excalibur Buffet is Scary....LOL. Breakfast isn't that bad. We stayed there the last time we went. I liked the Location of the hotel though. Pretty much in the middle of everything.

The best Buffet is at Mirage. The prime Rib is Awesome.

I'm going back in November for a SQL Connections Conference on the Company dime. Really looking forward to it.

Looks like you had a great Time.

 

[Hullahopper]

Heading there Next Week

Looks like you had a great time Fresh2Salt! Did you take in any of the shows while you were there? Ka & Stomp Out Loud are on our hit list for this trip. This will be our fourth trip and we are already fired up and ready to go. Gonna make a fortune on the black jack tables, (yea right! LOL!). Staying at Planet Hollywood which used to be the Aladin. Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam are indeed cool places to visit. Sunsets are pretty awesome as well! Here are a few from our January 2004 trip.

I got ya covered Miss Dixie! :biggrin:

 

[kdubya]

Man, I can't wait !

Wife and I are headed to Vegas in 11 days, 1hour and 10 minutes.

Great pics by the way.

Kelly

 

[Fresh2Salt]

Unfortunately we didn't make it to any shows. We kind of took a "let things come to us" attitude and pretty did everything spontaneously.

The next time I go will be specifically for some shows and higher limit at the c-r-a-p-s tables. I tried my hand at blackjack at Binions and it was great. We had two really good dealers that had us laughing hysterically from start to finish.

I might have to make a quick trip to Louisianna just to take deal with the withdrawls...lol

 

[SpeckReds]

Sounds like you had a Great Trip, Gald you had Fun. But you definitely missed alot and I am sure you will go again to take in some more of the City. Great Food, Great Shows and some incredible exibits to see. We go to Vegas 4 to 6 times a year. We love it there. I like to go for 3 to 4 days at a time. It s about all I can handle. Each trip we take is a diffierent type. Sometimes my wife and I go by ourselves, other times we go with couples, Sometimes a guys trip and sometimes a girls trip. I even take my mother just her and I once a year. They all are very differnet and each a blast. I also Go out to play Poker In the WPT and WSOP Events. Be sure to see some shows next time you go. Hope you make it out to the Canyon sometime. I try to go once or twice a year. Awesome sight to see. I saw it with snow around it for the first time not long ago. It was really something.

 

[kdubya]

Sounds like you had a Great Trip, Gald you had Fun. But you definitely missed alot and I am sure you will go again to take in some more of the City. Great Food, Great Shows and some incredible exibits to see. We go to Vegas 4 to 6 times a year. We love it there. I like to go for 3 to 4 days at a time. It s about all I can handle. Each trip we take is a diffierent type. Sometimes my wife and I go by ourselves, other times we go with couples, Sometimes a guys trip and sometimes a girls trip. I even take my mother just her and I once a year. They all are very differnet and each a blast. I also Go out to play Poker In the WPT and WSOP Events. Be sure to see some shows next time you go. Hope you make it out to the Canyon sometime. I try to go once or twice a year. Awesome sight to see. I saw it with snow around it for the first time not long ago. It was really something.

I appreciate again your advice from awhile back. I have a couple of pages of activities covered on my little "itenerary". We've got everything from a helicopter tour, Blue Man Group, and everything in between, with some gamblin' mixed in along the way.

Kelly

 

[ComeFrom?]

F2S;

I'm glad you had a great time. I worked and lived there for nine months at the Yucca Mtn. project and believe it or not, Las Vegas can make you sick if you stay too long.

The greatest Italian Restaurant I ever ate at was at one of the casinos. I can't remember which one it was and I don't really like "I" food. It was a build-up of card points collected at the slots.

Great pics. Go there many times but don't stay too long. You may discover the ugly side. LOL! CF?

 

[11andy11]

wow, that place looks nothing like I though vegas would look like. Looks like disney land.

 

[Fresh2Salt]

wow, that place looks nothing like I though vegas would look like. Looks like disney land.

There's so much more to do other than gamble when you go there. I hope we get to make it back there when the weather cools down and take in more of the sights. Viva Las Vegas!!!

 

[rendon]

Wow nice pictures....thanks for sharing....sounds like you had a great time...

 

[BritishSlave]

Lotsa airliners stored at Kingman. Did you by any chance go to old downtown Kingman and see the Andy Devine stuff?