Penny Slot Hopping

Finally! To Vegas we go!

When we heard about Emily and Tims wedding, and decided we were going, we wanted to piggyback some trips off of it. I came up with a plan to leave my kids on the east coast (in very capable hands), and spend a few days in Las Vegas where Asa would meet me. Then, the kids could fly out later, and we'd all meet back up in Seattle for the wedding. It was a good plan, if I do say so myself.

Tuesday July 16- Vacation Day 12; Off to Vegas!

Since the kids had kids college, I needed to get dropped off at the Detroit airport and a good time for everyone else, and not necessarily me. Before the airport, however, I made a quick stop by grandma's house to say goodbye. It was so nice to have seen her so many times during my visit! I think we were up there 5 times.

I ended up spending 5 hours before my flight took off watching Scandal episodes on my kindle, reading my book, and wandering around the airport. I felt like Tom Hanks in the movie where they won't let his character leave the airport, or go anywhere because of a problem with his visa.. crap, what was that movie called? Whatever, that's what I felt like. I almost thought about returning luggage carts for the quarters.

Asa was leaving Tampa a little after I was leaving Detroit, then I had a quick flight (really, like 40 minutes) to Chicago.  I found myself dinner ($14 for a blt and some grapes, ugh.. airport food), and took a Flat Peyton picture to show he was in Chicago, before calling Asa. We just barely had a minute to talk to each other; he was in Atlanta for his layover, before I boarded my plane and headed for Vegas, I landed around 8:30, got my luggage (which I thought they had lost- turned out since I was so early they put my luggage on an earlier plane!), and waited about half an hour before Asa's plane landed. After getting his luggage, and the rental car, it was only 9 Vegas time, but midnight for us. We were tired, but decided we needed to stop at In-N-Out Burger before getting to the hotel.

We got there a little after 10, being exhausted from the day we went up to our room on the 24th floor of the Mirage, and crashed. The good news is, the next morning we were totally adjusted to the time change!

Wednesday July 17- Day 13; The Hoover Dam

When we woke up Wednesday morning, we had brunch at the Carnegie Deli at our hotel. We had to get the massive 'Best Thing I Ever Ate' sandwich, the Woody Allen- consisting of pastrami and corned beef piled high, and split it. It was really good, but it was a lot of meat. Together, we only finished about half of it.

After brunch, we headed out to the Hoover Dam. It was about a 45 minute trip from the hotel, and we got there just in time to grab one of the last parking spots available. We had planned on taking the Dam Tour, until I saw this sign.

I get claustrophobic on airplanes and elevators, so I knew I couldn't handle the tour. We quickly jumped ship and settled for the visitors center instead. We had taken Flat Peyton with us, so we took some great pictures of him enjoying the Hoover Dam as well, AND he got two new states: Arizona and Nevada. We really did risk his life holding him over the edge on a windy day, but he made it out ok. (I said how awful it would be after all his travels, we were the ones to lose him)

It was a nice day trip, we got to see the Dam, which is kind of amazing, and add another state to my massive vacation (bringing the current total to 9). It's hard to really capture how huge it is on camera.

We even rubbed the toes of the statue at the Dam. They say it brings you good luck. 

On the way back, we stopped at Lake Mead and dipped our toes in. The water was really warm, but I wasn't a fan of the rocky beach. I prefer my Florida sand, however, I did like the fact it was like you were out in the middle of nowhere. There were no buildings to be seen. And really no trees or anything for that matter.

We got back around dinner time, and decided we would try BLT Burger, another resturant in the hotel. We had wanted to go down to Gordon Ramsey's Burgr (we're Burger people), but still feeling tired from the day before, and the convience of the one downstairs, we opted for that. And, I'm glad we did. Asa and I got the Lamb Tandoori to split, and some Waffle Bites. The Waffle bites were good; they were basically loaded waffle fries. But, the Lamb Tandoori was amazing. It was a Colorado Lamb burger with mint-cilantro yogurt sauce, and Mediterranean salsa. Probably the best burger I have ever had. I almost wished we hadn't split it.

We also got shakes. Asa opted for the Monkey Business, with vanilla ice cream, bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate. Good, but not mine. I had a Grown Up Shake- the Fuzzy the Bear. Peach Schnapps, Peaches, and Vanilla Ice Cream made up the best drink I've ever had in my whole life. I need to learn how to recreate this concoction at home.

After dinner, we hit the pool. I love the Mirage pool, it's big with a nice waterfall, and has that ledge you can sit on all the way around the pool.

Thursday July 18-

The next morning, we walked down to Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel. A totally affordable breakfast, and delicious too. Asa got a turkey egg white omelet with avocado and tomato salsa, and I got a Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Super yummy, I highly recommend this place if you happen to be in Vegas.

Then we penny slot hopped our way around Vegas. Each casino we went into, we'd put a dollar in, and cash out once we went over a dollar. We played conservatively at first. If I got up to $1.04 I'd cash out, but after awhile that didn't cut it. After all, I wanted to be able to buy a deck of cards from the Mirage with out winnings (only later did I find out that was only 99 cents).

After a few casinos, we started playing more lines too. Only a few times did we lose our whole dollar with nothing to show for it, but we more than made it for it. And so we penny slot hopped from place to place, a dollar in each casino, taking some pictures along the way 

At Paris, Asa won 20 cents, and I won 4 cents. However, the machine spit out 3 pennies and a dime at me. So, technically I won 13 cents. Thanks Paris, Casino. 

We walked back out to the strip with our big 33 cents, and over to Planet Hollywood, where we gained $1.07. 

We walked a little father to the Aria Casino, a new one I guess, I had never heard of it. And for good reason, we both lost our dollar there. Boo. 

New York, New York was up next. Asa lost his dollar, but I won 22 cents! 

After penny slot hopping, and going to screen a new CBS series at Television City, we decided on Gordon Ramsey's Burgr for a late lunch. After a quick hop on the monorail and a walk through Bally's, we had arrived back at Planet Hollywood for some Burgr. 

We had to wait even though it was 3 o'clock! I had to try it though, the boys and I had seen it on Master Chef, so I needed to report back to them.

We ordered the Euro Burger to split. I don't remember exactly what was on it, and apparently it's impossible to find the menu online (you knew I didn't remember all our orders everywhere else that well without cheating and looking up the menu online, didn't you?). It was good. Not amazing, but good.

Asa didn't have a shake, but I said I needed to try one, to compare with BLT Burger, and report back to the boys so I got a carmel pudding chocolate shake with a snickerdoodle on top. Good, awesome even.. but no Fuzzy the Bear. The drink was a shake on the bottom, pudding on top. And it was rich, really, really, rich.

But then there were the Parmesean Truffle Fries. You should seriously go here for the fries alone. I am a potato person. And this is the best potatoes I have ever tasted in my whole life. So, SO good. Really, $11 fries, and totally worth it.

After our late lunch, we thought we'd start heading back. We walked through the Bellagio, fyi they have a cool ceiling, and of course put a dollar each in the penny slots. Asa made up for the fact that I lost my dollar, and we actually gained a whopping two cents! 

We went back to the hotel for some more swimming. Seriously loved the pool area. I'm sure part of it was being kid-less at a pool, but it was so relaxing.

Before we headed out for the evening, we stopped to play our favorite slot machine at the Mirage, the ladder bonus game. I won $2.52! But of course, Asa lost his, but we still made 52 cents! Bringing a decent total thus far for the day. 

Thursday night we decided to head out to Fremont Street to see the Lights, and go to some of the old casinos. 

Not only could we finally use some of our change in the old slots (instead of just feeding a dollar into the new slots),  but The Golden Nugget proved to be kind of awesome to Asa, as he won $5 off his $1 at the penny slots.

It was a good time, plus Fremont street is kind of crazy. A good time for sure, though. And the lights were awesome.

When we got back, we walked over to the Vientian to the food court for a little late night snack. Nobody was really hungry for dinner, so we just split some snacky items, and headed back.

Friday July 19-

After sleeping in, we decided to have brunch next door at the Forum Shops, Asa had been googling places in Vegas to eat that were good, and didn't cost a ton. He came up with this place called Max Brenners. Basically, they put chocolate in anything. And it is good.

Because it was kind of between breakfast and lunch time we had our pick, Asa went breakfast food with an omelet, complete with spicy salsa, home fries, and a biscuit with chocolate for dipping. But, he also got his coffee in what they call a 'kangaroo cup'. Theres a little pocket in it, where you put chocolate to melt into your coffee. Asa was thrilled when he found out you could buy one.

I went lunch food with the B.A.L.T. It was a BLT with avocado cilantro dressing on it. And it came with waffle fries, dusted in chili powder and cocoa. You wouldn't think that sounds good, but it was. So good.

And then we had to get dessert, since we were at a chocolate place. Smore's ice cream it was. (Now that I'm typing this, yes our trip was eating, gambling, and swimming-- but SO much fun. And something we never get to do just the two of us)

We found some good penny slots at Caesars Palace, after failing to do so the day before, and they were actually pretty good to both of us. Not a bad haul for penny slots. Oh, and we played one $1 slot, and lost that too. But it was big, and awesome, and calling our names.

After walking down to see the fountains, we took a little break from the heat and enjoyed the view from our room. 

We spent a couple hours at the pool Friday, knowing it was our last full day there we wanted to really relax and gear up for the next leg of the trip. We each got a drink at the pool (some of us bigger than others.. ahem Asa), and even took some Flat Peyton pictures to document his trip to Vegas.

After picking up our tickets to the Cirque Du Soleil Beatles Love Show, we walked over to Margaritaville for some Nachos. And then went back for the show, but not before stopping at the ladder bonus penny slots at the Mirage, thats when Asa really started racking it in.

 The show was AWESOME. I LOVED La Nubia at Disney World, but I adored Love at the Mirage. I wish I had pictures to show you, but they won't allow photography, and honestly I'm not sure I would have wanted the distraction either. If you have a chance to see it, totally go. We had high up seats, still rather expensive, but the seats weren't bad and it was so worth it. (Full disclosure the tickets were a gift, but I would have paid it anyway--- so much fun). Asa's favorite part of the whole vacation, and probably mine too. (Although when I asked what my favorite part was, I like to break up the legs and cheat naming like 8 different things)

When we got out of the show, we were totally prepared to go get a late light dinner. When we walked outside though, the strip was practically deserted and flooded. We walked down to eat at Serendipity's, and despite checking the hours (and knowing they would be open), they were closed, with workers frantically mopping inside to get all the water out of the place. Because of the lack of drainage in the streets, there were puddles inches deep. We had no idea it had rained, since we had been in the show.

So, we headed into Caesars Palace to try and find an alternative. Except, there restaurants were closed too, with towels everywhere. And half of the casino had caution tape around it and water a couple inches deep in places. I would later find out it was a Monsoon, as one of my friends posted it on my facebook wall. But at that time I just thought Vegas was totally unprepared for any sort of rain. (Though that may also be the case). Not sure what to do, we noticed we were right back by Max Brenners, where we had gone for lunch, and it was the only place we had seen open.

It was happy hour though, so we got a couple of appetizers, some philly cheese steak sliders, and onion rings, and each got a drink. My chocolate martini came with a chocolate covered strawberry, even!

When we got back to the hotel, we noticed all the stores closed in the Mirage, caution tape, and towels everywhere. I'm still not sure how the first floor can be flooding so badly, with water dripping from the ceiling in a 27 story hotel, but I'm glad we missed most of it by being at the show. When we got back to the room we had a message telling us the elevators were up and running again, after the entrances to them had flooded. I was glad, being on the 24th floor, we missed that!

Saturday July 20-

Another travel day was on board for us, so we got up early getting a crepe for breakfast before finally spending our winnings (I think Asa won at least $15 on penny slots) and getting some cards in the gift shop, along with some souvenirs at the Cirque Du Soleil shop, and playing our ladder bonus slots one more time. Then it was upstairs to pack everything away.

By lunch time, we left the hotel and drove down to the Vegas Sign to get our picture taken. I hadn't asked for anyone to take a dip kiss picture for us all trip, but I knew I needed one here.

Then we were headed on our way to the airport before making In-N-Out Burger our last Vegas stop. The line was massive inside though, so we had to settle for a drive-thru stop as we were already behind schedule.

We returned the car, checked our bags (annoying southwest guy telling me my bag was oversized when they let me through just fine in Detroit, and later San Fran), and met up with the kids. They had a layover in Vegas, and then we all hopped on the same place to Seattle.

We landed in Seattle a little after 5. That was fine for me and Asa, who had totally adjusted to Pacific Time. Not so good for the kids who hadn't. We got our rental mini-van and headed to Aunt Patti's, where she was hosting a night before the wedding cook-out for Tim and Emily.

My mom and I had been working on the quilt for Tim and Emily for a few months. She did one side, with their t-shirts, and I did the other with material that had meaning to them along with a map of where they (and flat Peyton) are going on their honeymoon. I hadn't posted any pictures of it until now though, because I wanted them to see it in person before seeing pictures. I think it turned out pretty cool.

It was late for the kids by the time we made it back to the Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle, so they snuggled in and fell right to sleep, ready to start the next leg of our trip.

Next Up: A day in Seattle!