May 9-13 Doing Vegas Solo.....again.

PROLOGUE:
I was still trying to shake the cobwebs out of my head from my March Madness trip with MadMan Mike, when I spied a round trip fare on Sun Country for a measly $186. May is one fine month to visit Vegas so I just couldn't resist...when it comes to Vegas trips, I'm a pushover. Booked Harrah's for 5 nights, bought a 3 day bus pass on-line and booked a round trip fare on the airport super shuttle to get me from/to McCarren. I bought a "VIP" groupon ticket to see Rich Little at the Tropicana and I thought I would avail myself to see one of CET's shows using a monthly Diamond card voucher. The art gallery at the Bellagio has a new display, Yousuf Karsh, and a MyVegas voucher would take care of the admission fee. This was going to be a nice getaway from work and the glum Minnesota Spring weather...."haven't seen the sunshine since I don't know when"..........

Monday 5/9-
I worked my usual 10 hour night shift and arrived home at 0800 and completed packing my suitcase and rechecking my bankroll. I did a little house cleaning (don't want my daughter-in-law/cat sitter to think I am a total slob) and then tried to get some shuteye. I got about 4 hours of restless sleep before heading to the airport. I upgraded to first class and printed out my boarding pass the night before, so checking my bag went smoothly, and I bypassed a line of about 50 people using the TSA line for first class passengers...sweet. No drama getting through the checkpoint and I was soon sitting at the bar with a tall glass of Hendrick's gin and tonic.

It just amazes me to watch people scurry to get in line when they announce the pre-boarding process...like the damn plane is going to leave without them. The flight attendant brought me another gin and tonic as I settled into my first class seat. This was an evening flight so dinner consisted of a cold sandwich, salad and some cheese and crackers....washed down with more gin and tonics. First class passengers can use the airline's electronic devices for free to watch movies, TV shows or play games. I watched the movie, "The Martian" starring Matt Damon which was entertaining...only problem is that we went into landing mode with about 10 minutes left in the movie; so I don't know if he was rescued or not....will have to re-watch it on Netflix to find out what happened.

The super shuttle people texted me to let me know where to pick up my shuttle. I patiently waited by the assigned baggage carousel for my suitcase...and waited....and waited. Then they announced that our bags would be coming out on another carousel, way down on the opposite end of the terminal. The shuttle driver was waiting for me, but we had to wait for a couple of other people to finally show up before getting under way. He dropped some people at the Cromwell and then I was deposited at Harrahs. The Diamond check-in area was closed, but they had a separate line for Diamond card holders in the main lobby check-in, so I didn't have to wait very long. I was given a room on the 15th floor of the Mardi Gras tower, with a view of the pool below. The room had a small balcony which I could actually open the sliding glass window and walk out on. The bed was very comfortable and the A/C was blasting out cold air....this will do. I unpacked and then headed to the Tag bar at the Linq.

The friendly bartenders at the Tag bar set me up with a nice glass of Porter and soon I was plugging away playing bonus VP. Several twenties and porters later, I gave up...no Quads.....down $100. I walked back to Harrah's and then for some reason I decided to check out Casino Royale...I had heard that they had done some remodeling over there....they certainly did. The bar area is totally different now. I planted myself down on a stool, ordered up a gin and tonic and started to play some more bonus VP. Boom.. the Quads started to show up. Several G & T's later I cashed out with $103 profit. Things got a little fuzzy(a lot) after that..... I remember cashing in my TITO ...how I got back to the room is a mystery.

Tuesday 5/10-
I woke up around 0900 and felt like I had been run over by a stampede of buffalo's. There was a bottle of Heineken on the nightstand..no clue where I picked that up from...I know that I didn't get it at CR, because I had asked the bartender for one when I had first sat down and he told me that they didn't carry Heineken. I checked the table and my wallet and bankroll were still intact. I had the good sense at some point last night to drink some Pedialyte(empty packet in the bathroom), but I still felt lousy. Normally I would have crawled back into bed, but I had promised Julie (Timberwolf's girlfriend) that I would check out the Ka backstage tour at MGM. The tour is only offered on Tuesdays. I took a long hot shower, dressed and staggered out the door.

I bought a 24 hour monorail pass and headed for MGM. When I got to the Ka theater I knew I was in trouble....everything was dark, no people around and the tour was supposed to start in 10 minutes. I talked to a "Suit" who informed me that the show was dark that week and there would not be a tour...but he smiled and said that I could see it next week...thanks for nuthin. I stopped at the MGM food court and got a crepe and a "Hangover Fix"...a raw vegetable blended concoction that tasted like dirt, but I drank it anyway...I needed the fluids....blah.

I trudged over to the Tropicana to exchange my groupon voucher for a real ticket for the Rich Little show. The lady at the counter said that the show started at 7 PM but that I should be at the theater at least 45 minutes before the show in order to be assured a "good" seat.....what a crock. I took the monorail back to Harrahs and crashed in the room for most of the afternoon...I must of had a hell of a good time last night...wish I could remember what the hell I did. I made a pilgrimage to the Harrah's diamond lounge for some snacks and a couple glasses of ginger ale; briefly chatted with one of the "regulars" before catching the monorail to migrate south to the Tropicana for the show. I arrived at the theater 45 minutes early as was suggested only to find one couple standing in the theater lobby....we stared at each other for a couple of minutes before I decided to take a tour of the casino.

I arrived back at the theater 15 minutes before the show; no one was in the VIP line, so the usher escorted me to a small table up front. Rich put on a good show; he was very popular in the 60's and 70's and still can do some great impressions. I loved his take on George Burns..he has all of his mannerisms down pat...even how he used to hold his cigar. Unfortunately, there was a very small crowd for his show tonight...maybe 30 people (being generous). Rich gave a good show, but I could tell that he was a little dismayed by the small audience. I have seen some of the great comedians perform live over the years and I can add Rich Little to my list....now I have to see Don Rickles perform in Vegas.

The monorail took me back to the Linq where I did another VP session at the Tag bar, losing another 60 bucks. I sat down at a 3 card poker table at Harrahs' and played for a couple of hours and had a good time. I chatted with a pleasant couple from Hastings, Minnesota which is not too far from where I live. I am always running into Minnesotans when I am in Vegas. I lost $100 early in the game, but then rallied to walk away with $125 profit. I decided to grab a late night burger over at Johnny Rockets at the Flamingo food court.

I sat on a stool on the far end of the counter which afforded me a great view to people watch the other patrons. There were 3 younger guys(late 20's) quietly eating their food when a stunningly beautiful young woman sat down next to them and immediately started up a conversation with the guy sitting next to her. I couldn't hear the words being spoken, but I had a pretty good idea on what was transpiring. Pleasantries were exchanged, and I could tell from the guy's expressions that he was thinking, "Man, this chick is really into me!" She was telling him how sexy his shaved/bald head was, as she rubbed her hands over his scalp and caressed his arm. I could tell the exact moment when she finally decided to "get down to business" as the guy's facial expression went from all smiles and jokes to dead serious...in a nano-second....and then comes the dawn.... His reply probably went something like..."Well gee, you see I have this wife/girlfriend....and well you know...you are really sexy and all, but I can't do that." She looked deeply into his surprised eyes, shrugged her shoulder, picked up her soda and casually walked away. Fifteen seconds of silence followed before his two buddies sitting next to him broke out in hysterical laughter. Another typical night in Sin City. Having seen enough entertainment for one night, I retired at 0100.

Wednesday 5/11-
I woke up at 0700 and still felt a little sleep deprived..damn night shifts at work really play havoc on my sleep cycle. I used my LVA coupon at the Harrah's buffet..no line. Their buffet is pretty basic, food is nothing special or outstanding, but it is solid breakfast fare. My waiter was terrific, however, checking back to my table to see if I needed anything several times. The beef sirloin was very good.

I walked over to the Bellagio to take in their seasonal display at their conservatory. I figured that it would be quite crowded with gawkers, but the place was pretty empty for that time of day. I enjoyed the summer display, they do such a good job.

Yousuf Karsh was a famous photographer, who took portraits of many famous people; from Mohammed Ali, Albert Einstein and many of Hollywood's elite. I especially like his photos of Georgia O'Keeffe and Pablo Casals. He was a master of using light and shadow in his photographs. His most famous portrait was also on display, Winston Churchill. It was taken while Churchill was in Canada (during WWII) to address their parliament. It was a hurried session and Winston was not in the best of humor. Karsh politely asked Churchill to remove the rather large cigar that he had stuffed in his mouth, which he gruffly refused. Karsh quietly walked over to Churchill and snatched the offending cigar from his mouth and proceeded to take the photograph of the defiant faced Prime Minister. The photograph brought instant fame to Karsh. Churchill admitted later that Karsh could even make a roaring lion sit still to be photographed. I am getting to look forward to these displays at the art gallery; they really enhance my Vegas vacations.

I have heard a lot about the new Park between the Monte Carlo and NYNY casinos so I decided to have a look see for myself. It is a big open air plaza with some interesting artwork, but little else to hold my interest. I speculate that this place will be hotter that Hades at the height of the summer...even with the misters. They have employees walking around that are dressed up like park rangers...almost expected to see Yogi Bear. I stopped at the Beer Haus and had a tasty Scrimshaw Ale at the bar. They had food menus on the bar, but when I tried to order a sandwich, the bartender said that I had to go over to the far corner of the room and order my food at the counter. I had a decent chicken sandwich which cost only $4 with their happy hour pricing. But their set up is kind of a cluster fuck. The menu is on the bar, but you can't order food from there. You order the food at the far end of the place, they give you a gizzmo that goes off when your food is ready. So you sit at the bar, then walk over and order your food then walk back to the bar, sip your beer, then walk back to pick up your food then walk back to the bar to eat it......bullshit.

I retraced by steps back to the Cromwell, but didn't see anybody that I knew at the Bound bar; so I decided to hit Harrahs DL for some more food and adult libations. I sat at the bar and Richard, the bartender, fixed me up a nice gin and tonic. I filled up on snacks and then caught the Deuce for downtown. I played VP at the Vue bar at the D casino and slowly lost 40 bucks. I then wandered around FSE and ended up playing a prolonged session of blackjack at the Golden Gate; but not before chatting with Valaria, one of the bartenders at the Gate....lovely lady. My tablemates were pleasant enough; I didn't have any knuckleheads sit down and piss me off with their lousy play, the female dealers were chatty and I won some money. Walked away $100 to the good.

Things were booming on FSE, lots of people milling about. I walked through Binions and ended up at the California cafe for a late night meal of oxtail soup....really hit the spot...best 10 bucks you can spend in Vegas. I then took the Deuce back to the Strip, played some slots (broke even) at Harrahs and then called it a night.

Thursday 3/12-
Breakfast was at the Grand Lux cafe at the Venetian; always a solid bet for good food to start out your day. Their portions are large and I was stuffed when I was done. I walked to my room and decided to take a swim in their(Harrah's) pool. The pool is nothing to get excited about, pretty laid back, but the water was very refreshing. I swam some laps as most of the people just stood at the edges of the pool. The rest of the time I quietly floated on my back, hands resting on my chest, soaking up that southern Nevada sunshine...maybe a little too much...got a slight tinge of sunburn. I showered and then took the Deuce back downtown.

I cashed in two sports bets that I had forgotten about during March Madness at the El Cortez and then lost part of my winnings playing VP at the Parlour bar. Usually this one machine is like my personal ATM, but not today. I played some more VP at the 4 Q's breaking even and then picked up a couple of silver strike coins to add to my collection. Well it's mid afternoon and I am downtown...so that can mean only one thing....Hogs and Heifers.

I bellied up to the bar and ordered a draft and a Jameson Black straight up. The female bartenders were crazy as ever and very friendly. There were four people sitting next to me at the bar....guess where they were from...yup, Minnesota. I had a good time, talking to the bartenders, but didn't stay all that long. See you tomorrow gals.

I had another VP session at the Vue bar, hit some Quads and actually cashed out plus $20. I then ambled down to the Gate and played one on one with a very nice female dealer from Cleveland. I was up then I hit a hand where I split my 3's, four times with a couple of double downs thrown in and lost all four hands....ouch. I had an Asian guy standing very quietly beside me and was very intently watching me play. After a while his girlfriend showed up with an entourage. She asked me if her boyfriend could sit down and play; saying he didn't know all of the rules. No problem, have a go. He slowly pulled out a Bennie and tried to hand it to the dealer. No dude, just set the money down on the table. He looks at me and then his girlfriend translates in Chinese...the guy doesn't understand a word of English...this should be interesting. He wins his first hand and his entourage goes nuts...high fives all around. He bumps his bet a little, gets a King and then tries to put more chips on his bet, which affords him a slap on the hand by the dealer. I explain to the girlfriend who in turn explains it to the guy...a lively conversation ensues, none of which the dealer and I can understand..but it ends up with the guy being satisfied. Here are some of the other things that went on that I found amusing: He tried to flip over the dealer's hole card, add to his bet, pick up his cards (shoe game) and go all in a couple of times. His girlfriend would pull back most of his chips when he tried to go all in...which set off a 3 minute conversation between the two of them, with members of his entourage piping in from time to time. He ended up doubling his money and was one happy camper when the left the table. All in all they were a very friendly and entertaining group. The girlfriend thanked me for being so understanding...no problem, their antics really made me have a good laugh. I finally cashed out ahead by $150 and walked away still chuckling to myself. Good times at the Gate.

I had a good seat to see Legends in Concert at the Flamingo, so I caught the bus for the Strip. I have seen the show a couple of times before, but this was the first time at the Flamingo showroom. They have really stepped up this production...a lot more vibe and energy. The band is much better and is a more intrical part of the show. Michael Jackson was great and the Blues Brothers were every funny and entertaining. I thought that I would be just killing some time, seeing this show, but I really enjoyed it....score. I played some VP at Harrah's bar and then some slots breaking even at both...but not before being offered a good time from a hooker, which I politely declined. She didn't stick around as a Harrah's security guard started to walk towards us. I cashed in for the night at 0100.

I have to take a break from this...will finish up tomorrow. Will I have good luck on Friday the 13th????? Stayed tuned......

You met some interesting folks. Thanks for the TR so far.

Very nice, Larry! Thanks for the report so far and yes, those are definitely some interesting people that you dealt with.

I'm sure that that Chinese Blackjack player was interesting and it's good that his girlfriend could help him out thanks to your aid!

And speaking of Blackjack, sorry to read about the results of your four split and doubled down on hands! That must have really smarted!

Looking forward to your next installment!

Yeah, that four card split stung a little bit. The dealer had a "5" showing, so I was fairly confident that I could "take her down". All four hands turned out lousy; no hand higher that a 16....prayed that the dealer would bust....she flips up a "7"...I have a chance...then an "8" for "20"...stick a fork in me, I'm done. Well, it was better than seeing the dealer flip over a seven card 19 to beat my 18 the last time that I played at the Gate.....that was bizarre.

Friday: 5/13-
I woke up at 0730 still tired, man I just can't get a good night's sleep in Vegas. I considered hitting the Harrah's buffet again; but then remembered that I had never had breakfast on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi....I had nothing but time on my hands this morning, so why not check it out? Good call.....I was seated at a table by the rail overlooking the sidewalk...ringside seat. It was a beautiful morning, azure blue sky, just a hint of a slight breeze; man, this is living! My waitress was great, brought me some delicious tasty O.J. and some very flavorful coffee to start things out. One of the specials that day was an eggs Benedict with a French twist. The eggs sat atop a baguette, and broiled lamb was substituted for the usual Canadian bacon. The hollandaise sauce was also different; it had a greenish tint, from some of the fresh herbs (including basil) that were mixed in. The meal was delightful..I could have sat there most of the morning enjoying myself, but the triple play VP machines inside the casino were calling my name. Gotta say, having breakfast at MAG, is going to be a regular thing on future trips.

I found those triple play machines inside the Paris casino and thought that I would risk a $100 to give CET some play on my last day. I played for the next three hours and had one hell of a good time....no Royals, but plenty of good hands to keep me going, culminating with hitting a straight flush. I put a ton of tier points on my card and finally quit with $120 profit.

I walked back to Harrah's and ducked into the Diamond Lounge for some refreshments and had a long talk with Orhan, one of the bartenders...great guy. I then grabbed the bus for downtown to spend the afternoon. I played some VP at the Vue bar and actually hit a couple of quads and cashed out with a $20 profit. I stopped in for some brews and a couple of more Jameson blacks at Hogs and Heifers. Things got a little interesting when the female bartenders jumped on top of the bar(which they do from time to time) to dance. They were joined by a very good looking woman ( of Spearmint Rhino caliber) who decided to take her top off halfway thru the song, exposing her amble breasts.....classic.

Back onto FSE I walked over and took a photo of the two costumed ladies in front of Mermaids(gave them a tip) as well as the two ladies out front of La Bayou slot joint. They gave me a ton of beads when I tipped them 5 bucks. What the hell, this place is closing next month...might as well play here and get some quick drinks. I sat down at a Haywire slot machine and I had a drink in my hand before my second spin. Three gin and tonics later I hit Red Seven---Red Seven----Triple bonus. I cashed out, filling up almost two bucket loads of quarters. So long La Bayou, thanks for the memories.

I returned to the Strip via the Deuce and decided to grab a bite to eat at Margaritaville. I thought that I would have something mundane, so I ordered the fish and chips along with a tasty Landshark draft. My compliments to the chef, because the meal was delicious. I have lived a good portion of my adult life in Wisconsin and believe it when I say that Friday night fish fries are considered a religious experience on par with watching the Green Bay Packers play on Sunday afternoon so I know good fish when I taste them. Also, I grew up on the shores of Lake Huron and regularly ate fish that we had caught only hours before out on the Bay. Anyway, the fish was excellent for several reasons: The batter was just right, not too heavy, and was fried at the right temperature so that the batter was not soggy or undercooked. It wasn't over seasoned so that the natural flavor of the fish was there to enjoy. The slaw was also very tasty, crisp and crunchy; not drowned in a vat of dressing. I was so full that I decided not to order a second glass of Landshark...a rare occurrence.

I walked back to my room to pack ....I think that I am gambled out...decided to rest until my scheduled shuttle pick up time. I was there on time for the pickup, but I got a call from the shuttle saying that my driver was stuck in traffic and would be ten minutes late. Sure enough, he arrived exactly 10 minutes late. I was his only passenger and he took me directly to the airport. Great service for just a few more dollars more than the regular airport shuttles..highly recommend these guys.

I upgraded to first class again; just a few people in first class so there was no one sitting next to me. I had one in flight gin and tonic before drifting off to sleep for the remainder of my red eye flight. It was sunny and 94 degrees in Vegas on Friday afternoon and I was greeted in Minneapolis with temperatures at 33 degrees and overcast...well I least it wasn't snowing. I called the park and fly people to pick me up...waited 30 minutes before they arrived. The driver said that he had to swing by the other terminal to pick some other people up...great...as they turned out to be "no shows". Took me an hour before I was on the road heading for home. Another trip in the books.

EPILOGUE:
Another enjoyable solo trip....pace myself on my own schedule..do what I want..when I want...no rules(well almost). I came back with my gambling bankroll intact maybe won a few dollars...I'm building quite a war chest for my next Vegas trip. Still have not stopped in and had a shot and a beer at the Stage Door...still on my Vegas bucket list....one of these days. Enjoyed having Julie and Timberwolf act as my cheering section with regular texts back and forth with pictures of my quads. Check out the McCarren super shuttle folks if you are inclined to take an airport shuttle while in Vegas, these guys are great. Breakfast on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi is a pleasant Vegas experience.

I have already booked by September trip...mid month for a week to celebrate my 66th birthday...yikes! Not ready to retire yet...but soon. I used my Flyers points to pay for my roundtrip first class fare on Sun Country again. I have four comped nights at the Rio and then I'll move over for a couple of comped nights at the Gold Coast. I have a car rental and plan to do some hiking at Valley of Fire state park. Hopefully Julie and Timberwolf will be in town. I'll think that I will cap the trip off with indulging the Sterling Brunch buffet before I leave. Oh..almost forgot....I have a ticket to see John Fogerty at the Venetian ...going to "run through the jungle".

Thanks for reading......never know...I might get the itch and book a last minute trip this summer...it could happen.

great TR thx for posting

Thanks for a great trip report Larry, I always really enjoy them. We were there the week after you and also went to the exhibit at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. That Georgia O'Keeffe photo really struck me too. I was amazed to be able to detect the weave pattern in her dress even though her dress was black and she was in shadow. Just fantastic photos! I was also able to see a very faint mustache on Lauren Bacall! Thanks for always taking the time to write such detailed trip reports!

- Linda in TX

Excellent TR. Love the story of the 'Asians at the Gate'.
Except for you losing your four card split/doubles, etc. Which I have done many times.
Those make for great moments when we win them...painful to lose, but that's gambling.

Thanks for lots of excellent trip details. Oh, I always liked the Harrah's DL too. Usually good for a quality Gin & Tonic.

Enjoyed your Report Thanks