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The other night I booked my trip to Vegas for a few days. Last year I took the family to San Francisco, this year it's just me. I'm visiting a couple college friends who live there now, so free place to stay (although I'm reserving one night in a hotel for Vegas debauchery). I love the American west with a passion..if it weren't so far from family and Duke sports, I'd move somewhere out there in 2 seconds. I really loathe Vegas as a city, but it's dirt cheap to fly in to.
What is super awesome is that my friends are big into hiking, and they know every scenic place for hundreds of miles around. She was a painter when I knew her in art school..then went to photography, and then I inspired her back to painting. So in June, I get to spend a weekend with my friends Chris & Crystal (high school sweethearts, never dated anyone else) and they show me where the colors are. Then I'm on my own to get stupid for a night, then back to their place to say adios. I've got a couple months before I go..but damn I'm looking forward to it. As with San Francisco...once the trip is in progress keep an eye out for photos and updates.
P.S. I do plan on hunting Sue down while I'm there.

CameronBornAndBred wrote:The other night I booked my trip to Vegas for a few days. Last year I took the family to San Francisco, this year it's just me. I'm visiting a couple college friends who live there now, so free place to stay (although I'm reserving one night in a hotel for Vegas debauchery). I love the American west with a passion..if it weren't so far from family and Duke sports, I'd move somewhere out there in 2 seconds. I really loathe Vegas as a city, but it's dirt cheap to fly in to.
What is super awesome is that my friends are big into hiking, and they know every scenic place for hundreds of miles around. She was a painter when I knew her in art school..then went to photography, and then I inspired her back to painting. So in June, I get to spend a weekend with my friends Chris & Crystal (high school sweethearts, never dated anyone else) and they show me where the colors are. Then I'm on my own to get stupid for a night, then back to their place to say adios. I've got a couple months before I go..but damn I'm looking forward to it. As with San Francisco...once the trip is in progress keep an eye out for photos and updates.
P.S. I do plan on hunting Sue down while I'm there.

Have a great trip. You should be able to find some nice California brews while in Sin City.

Cough cough.

Sue71 wrote:Cough cough.

She posts! Welcome back!

Sue71 wrote:Cough cough.

I'd see a physician about that.

devildeac wrote:

Sue71 wrote:Cough cough.

I'd see a physician about that.

I stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, a simply elegant lodging experience. They have their own shark reef aquarium, and the people pools are fun--wave pool, lazy river, lagoon pool, and they were building a topless pool that ExLax really wanted to see. We saw Mama Mia when we were there. It's probably gone by now, but there will be good shows playing in the theater. And, of course, there are the casinos and The House of Blues and its gospel brunch. THEhotel is at the end of the strip, so if you want to be in the middle of all of the action, you'll probably want to stay somewhere further north up the strip. I wanted to see the fountains at the Bellagio, and it was within walking (and tram) distance of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. I bought a cute Nevada charm bracelet at the Brighton store at Caesar's.

While you're in the area, you should check out Hoover Dam. We took the kids down there and took the tour down in to the dam. Loved it!

If I go back to Las Vegas, I would want to see Barry Manilow. Actually, I'd like to see Donny and Marie again. I'm not sure when she's going to be back on stage, but they're such wonderful entertainers.

Have fun, and keep us informed as you plan your trip!

CathyCA wrote:I stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, a simply elegant lodging experience. They have their own shark reef aquarium, and the people pools are fun--wave pool, lazy river, lagoon pool, and they were building a topless pool ....

Damn, I want to experience that TOPless experience with YOU, amongst other things!! Maybe 1 DAY, MY GOOD GIRL! <3

If I ever travel to Vegas (and for the record, if I die having never spent a night in Vegas, that'll be OK with me), I resolutely refuse to stay anywhere other than Treasure Island.

wilson wrote:If I ever travel to Vegas (and for the record, if I die having never spent a night in Vegas, that'll be OK with me), I resolutely refuse to stay anywhere other than Treasure Island.

Becareful of the treasure/gift that keeps on giving! ;)

CB& , your trip should be a blast. I am so past ready for a trip. Maybe soon.

I might post a bit about next week's Texas Adventure too.

cl15876 wrote:

CathyCA wrote:I stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, a simply elegant lodging experience. They have their own shark reef aquarium, and the people pools are fun--wave pool, lazy river, lagoon pool, and they were building a topless pool ....

Damn, I want to experience that TOPless experience with YOU, amongst other things!! Maybe 1 DAY, MY GOOD GIRL! <3

We are not going there. I am not interested in seeing other women's private parts.

Vegas is one of those places that keeps on changing, but somehow stays the same.

I enjoyed a tour of some of the surrounding areas and sites such as the Mars candy factory (their high end specialty chocolates) and the adjoining cactus garden, the Ocean Spray factory (they offered some absolutely fabulous cranberry salsa to taste plus tasting all their beverages) and some of the residential neighborhoods. Wayne Newton's house will probably be deleted from that tour now though.

If you have never seen the Grand Canyon, you can see it via a long day trip tour from Las Vegas.

CathyCA wrote:

cl15876 wrote:

CathyCA wrote:I stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, a simply elegant lodging experience. They have their own shark reef aquarium, and the people pools are fun--wave pool, lazy river, lagoon pool, and they were building a topless pool ....

Damn, I want to experience that TOPless experience with YOU, amongst other things!! Maybe 1 DAY, MY GOOD GIRL! <3

We are not going there. I am not interested in seeing other women's private parts.

Very Clever my princess!!! In case you were might wondering, me either!!! I thought we might be able to experience that by ourselves, just you and I! FOR ME, once I've experienced PERFECTION, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT COMPARES FOR ME! MY HEART AND EYES ARE FOR YOU AND YOU ALONE!

CathyCA wrote: While you're in the area, you should check out Hoover Dam. We took the kids down there and took the tour down in to the dam. Loved it!

If I go back to Las Vegas, I would want to see Barry Manilow. Actually, I'd like to see Donny and Marie again. I'm not sure when she's going to be back on stage, but they're such wonderful entertainers.

Have fun, and keep us informed as you plan your trip!

The first time I went (years ago) we stayed at the Mirage..that place was fun. Two years ago we stayed at the Plaza (which is good because it's right at the end of Fremont St., and they screwed my room up so we got a suite for no extra charge ), and we stayed one night at the Stratosphere (but never bothered going up it). I've been to the dam twice now..so no more. I'm dying to check out where my friends take me hiking, since that's the primary reason I'm going.
I think lots of the hotels have the topless pools now..but my guess is all you will find is a bunch of guys waiting to see if any women actually walk in. "Hi grandma!"

Devil in the Blue Dress wrote: If you have never seen the Grand Canyon, you can see it via a long day trip tour from Las Vegas.

That's what we did last trip. We stayed on the South Rim, which was a 6 hour drive from Vegas. I love the Grand Canyon, it's one of my favorite national parks, although Yosemite is my favorite.

CameronBornAndBred wrote:

CathyCA wrote: While you're in the area, you should check out Hoover Dam. We took the kids down there and took the tour down in to the dam. Loved it!

If I go back to Las Vegas, I would want to see Barry Manilow. Actually, I'd like to see Donny and Marie again. I'm not sure when she's going to be back on stage, but they're such wonderful entertainers.

Have fun, and keep us informed as you plan your trip!

The first time I went (years ago) we stayed at the Mirage..that place was fun. Two years ago we stayed at the Palms (which is good because it's right at the end of Fremont St., and they screwed my room up so we got a suite for no extra charge ), and we stayed one night at the Stratosphere (but never bothered going up it). I've been to the dam twice now..so no more. I'm dying to check out where my friends take me hiking, since that's the primary reason I'm going.
I think lots of the hotels have the topless pools now..but my guess is all you will find is a bunch of guys waiting to see if any women actually walk in. "Hi grandma!"

CathyCA - tisk tisk tisk... I had those ticks!
CB&B - I think they are all waiting for YOU! You topless, flamboyant exhibitionist ;) !

cl15876 wrote:

wilson wrote:If I ever travel to Vegas (and for the record, if I die having never spent a night in Vegas, that'll be OK with me), I resolutely refuse to stay anywhere other than Treasure Island.

Becareful of the treasure/gift that keeps on giving! ;)

True dat. Some things, in fact, most things, do NOT stay in Vegas.

Chris, sounds like an awesome trip! Have fun!

-EarlJam, who would also be okay with never going to Vegas again. If I did go again, it would be for hiking and other, more naturey stuff. Also on my list of places I could care less if I see again: The French Quarter in New Orleans. It smells of stale beer and vomit.

For those that could never care to set foot in Vegas...it's true you have to spend time to get your car and get out of town, but that's all you have to do. There are tons of fascinating sites within driving distance, especially if you enjoy the desert. You can't beat the price of getting there and back. My round trip ticket is $230, if I were going earlier (Spring is really when you want to go), fares can be found for about $170 RT, maybe less. Since I have a free place to stay, my total trip will be under $300 (rental car is a whopping $8 a day). I will do a hotel one night, because I'm gonna go around taking shots of Fremont and the strip, but my guess is it will be under $50. All through the magic of Hotwire.