********** The "BETTER LATE THAN NEVER" Trip Report **********
******** ~~~ SEPTEMBER 12 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 ~~~ ********
Yes, you read it right ...........
It took me a long time to get off my butt and write this Trip Report.
I first started it, then I had problems moving the pictures (first time with new phone).
Then the “Big 3” Holidays came,
............ Then work is so busy (that’s where I do my Trip Reports), ............. Then I procrastinated.
But Hey, ... Here It Is, ..... It’s long, bland and uneventful, so Consider Yourself Warned
We looked over our offers for this fall, and decided that out usual October visit to Sin City
didn’t show anything great, so we decided to go in September, signing up for the
Wine and Roses Slot Tournament at The Orleans.
It featured 3 nights each for both me and Rock’n Rita (so that covered our full stay),
and 3 sessions in the Slot Tourney with an Awards Banquet.
THURSDAY
We pulled out of our garage at 4:16 AM, and headed off to the Manchester, NH airport.
Although we live in Massachusetts, this airport is easier for us in many respects,
much easier than traveling to and leaving from Boston.
I commented to Rock’n Rita that the 4:16 AM showing on the car clock could be a lucky omen,
because it’s my dear departed mother’s birthday, April 16th (4/16), and she used to LOVE to gamble.
Got to the airport and through all the gauntlets,
......... We started to board almost as soon as we got to the gate.
Rock’n Rita didn’t even have time to stop at the Dunkin’ Donuts in the terminal.
We took off at 6:05 AM .......... I’m still not awake yet.
Arrived in Vegas after a stop-over at Chicago/Midway.
The cab line in Vegas was the longest I’ve ever seen it.
Six times up and down those long cattle paths, each time funneling us one lane closer
to the curb and the awaiting cabs. We almost never stopped walking as we were herded,
pulling our suitcases until the rrrrrrrrrrrrrr of the their wheels finally stopped and
our cab trunk opened. I figure each “aisle” we walked was approximately 100 yards long,
and if you multiply that by 6 that would be 600 yards, which is over 1/3 of a mile.
Well what else is there to do while walking this cement maze back and forth ???
This is the first time that we left on a Thursday,
mainly because my son was driving in from California on Friday night,
and we would be able to spend the entire weekend together.
In the past we’ve come in on a Saturday, but more recently we’ve been doing a Sunday
arrival to save a lot of the weekend BS.
As many of you know, we always start our gambling with a traditional kick off,
......... playing a session of quarter Looses Deuces.
This time we had no luck at all, so we started to walk around a bit,
but since we were both hungry for lunch,
the aroma and convenience of the hot dog cart near the Sports Book attracted us (actually me),
......... and since I was starving, we stopped and “snacked” there.
Now just a note about those hot dog carts,
......... where else can you get served almost immediately ???
It’s definitely faster than a sit-down place, faster than the buffet,
and really even much faster that a “fast-food” place,
......... so we were back in action after only about 5 minutes of noshing.
We signed up for the slot tournament we were entered in then walked
to another favorite bank of machines that we always play,
Quarter Bonus Deuces Wild with a Progressive Royal (near the Buffet).
It wasn’t long before Rock’n Rita was the first to hit 4 Deuces ($250)
.......... and here’s the lucky picture.
NOTE: I will have to tell you now that on this trip I intentionally left my home
and used only my Samsung Galaxy III phone for picture taking.
However, a few key times during this trip, I was unable to snap a picture
and a detailed explanation of those times will be explained as they unfold
within this Trip Report.
We shuttled over to the Strip where we walked up Flamingo from the back side of Bally’s
(temporary shuttle drop-off spot, I hope)
and could see that the new Ferris Wheel was really taking shape.
Hopefully that whole new area with all the Strip and Carnival Court construction will be completed when we return in May.
We hiked up and over, the non-moving escalator and walkway to get over the Strip and enter Bellagio,
......... but first we thought the fountain show might be almost ready, so we waited.
Shortly after it began with Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean
We’ve never seen this show before, and although I’m not an MJ fan,
I rate the fountain choreography to this song as one of the better shows I’ve seen.
Meanwhile back inside the Bellagio Triple Trouble Poker awaited us,
.......... but our favorite machines were moved, and replaced with (what else) slot machines.
After looking for a bit I asked a “suit” near the Players Club if he knew, and he directed us
to a row of Game Makers, and sure enough Triple Trouble Poker was one of the choices on the start-up screen.
Rock’n Rita had little luck and was switching from that game to Joker Poker (KOB).
I also was doing the same, but did connect on a small 4OAKS on Triple Trouble.
We moved on to the Conservatory where we were unable to enter due to the seasonal
turn-around. Of all the times we have been to Vegas, this was the first time that
our schedule conflicted with the redecorating.
However, this is only our first day here, and we’ll return to check it out again.
Tonight we ate at The Prime Rib Loft at The Orleans,
where prior to Rock’n Rita noticed a sign in the casino about a Surf & Turf Special.
It was a 6 oz. sirloin steak and 2 Canadian Cold Water Lobster Tails $24.99.
This is what we both chose. It came with a salad and potato (we each chose baked).
I had the Lump Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and a Beefeater Martini as a little appetizer. Heh, heh.
I should have taken a picture of this feast, but my stomach talked my brain out of it.
After dinner I hit a Wild Royal on Joker Poker for $500
A nice surprise after just holding one Ace.
FRIDAY
We played the morning session of the slot tournament, and neither of us did that great.
Later Rock’n Rita hit 4 Deuces for $500 (that’s her second set of 4 Deuces)
We played the afternoon session of the slot tournament, and still we were nowhere near the top,
but could possibly be in some lower prize money if we did very well in the final session, which is tomorrow morning.
Tonight we met up with a friend from work and his wife who are staying at Bellagio.
They have been in Vegas since Sunday, and tonight is their last night.
They had a car so it worked out well that they drove over to The Orleans and meet us for dinner at Canal Street,
our favorite restaurant there.
We had a great meal and enjoyed each other’s company, and the time flew buy.
They did confirm to us that the Conservatory is now open, so we will definitely be doing the
up, over, down, up and across that non-moving escalator and walkway once again.
Before we knew it it was after 9:00 pm and they were headed back to the Strip
and soon after my son would be arriving by car from California.
His wife flies in tomorrow afternoon as her work brought her in for the big Mayweather-Alvarez
fight at the MGM. She was staying at Planet Hollywood.
SATURDAY
We ate breakfast at The Orleans Breakfast Buffet, as we did every morning this trip.
Then we played the final session of the Slot Tourney.
After that the three of us played Loose Deuces again.
Rock’n Rita hit her third set on Deuces so far this trip.
After about an hour we all separated and went our separate ways,
planning to re-grouped later at those same Loose Deuces machines.
Funny how people seem to schedule their meet at certain areas, and with us,
even though these machines were recently moved, this still is our main gathering/meeting place.
In the afternoon, my son was getting itchy to get out of The Orleans, and the plan was to walk the Strip a bit, starting at MGM.
My son was playing those Loose Deuces when Rock’n Rita and I arrived,
and he was up a few dollars from the $20 he initially put in.
He was on one of those downward playing spirals,
and said that as soon as he got back down to his original $20 he’d cash out, and we would leave.
It took a few hands, and on his last hand that left him only $20 left on the machine, he was dealt
2 Deuces, and as I yelled “Here it is” he hit draw and up popped the other 2 Deuces for $625 !!!
I told him that I was going to take a picture,
so as I was getting my phone out to take a picture as the credits (2,500) were ringing up,
but to stop the noise he hit Deal, and away went a nice
Photo-op. Sorry. I told you that I missed a few good pictures
We drove over to the Strip, and parked at Excalibur.
.......... another maze of going inside the Excalibur, then out, then over, then down, then up,
then across and into the MGM.
It was my stupid idea to go to the MGM to play that sole Lion’s Share Progressive slot machine.
The last trip we couldn’t play it because of that lady who was playing one spin every 5 minutes.
Well this time there was a guy playing it, and he WAS actually playing,
and also playing the machine next to it at the same time.
So seeing that he was “legally” camped there, we moved on and back out to the Strip.
Now back to “It was my stupid idea”, because the MGM was a madhouse because of the big fight that night. A ZILLION people,
..... we could just about move through the crowd,
and the Strip was very crowded too, ........ the most crowded that I’ve seen it in years.
One nice thing though was all the cute-chickie Alvarez fans, many of which were wearing
Red, white and green ribbon “Canelo” headbands tied across their foreheads.
We trekked up past the Flamingo to checkout what’s happening with that LINQ project,
Then we headed back south now doing the up, over, down, up and across two non-moving escalators and walkways
to get over Flamingo and over the Strip to enter Bellagio.
It takes five minutes to get over the Strip this way.
We checked out the Conservatory, and then basically walked right to the tram that runs through Aria to the Monte Carlo,
where I got this nice shot of their wave pool and lazy river.
Years ago, on our first two trip to Vegas we stayed here.
The pool area was bigger then, as part of it was taken (foreground in picture) for the City Center project.
Saturday night was the Slot Tourney Awards Banquet back at The Orleans.
Both Rock’n Rita and I were well out of the winning money positions.
I finished 254th out of the 311 that played, and Rock’n Rita finished 217th.
She has always scored higher than me in every tournament that we have ever played in, and this time it was no different.
Still we had a great time both playing and at the Banquet. Each participant in the Slot Tournament receives an Awards Banquet ticket for themselves and a guest,
so it was great that I could bring my son along too.
BTW, The top 155 best were in the $$$, with First Place netting $15,000.
NOTE TO SELF: Saw people exiting with unfinished bottles of wine after the banquet.
I guess you can take them ??? It would be nice to have back at the room.
Next Time Remember
Saturday night, and I still haven’t hit 4 Deuces,
Well not exactly, as I hit them playing Triple Trouble Poker, but still not on any “Deuces Wild” type game
........... however they WERE dealt for a quick $200, so I’m not really complaining.
Since I was at the Crawfish Bar, right in back of Rock’n Rita,
I was close enough when she hit twice again on Loose Deuces to get pictures of these two nice $625 hits.
She was really ON FIRE now !!!!! ............... I think that this is her 4th and 5th time hitting 4 Deuces.
She got tired of sitting and wanted to walk the entire casino since she hadn’t done that since we arrived.
She wanted to see what new penny slots they had,
but before she left she told me that two machines at the bank of Loose Deuces were,
..... for whatever reason???, .......exceptionally hot.
Rock’n Rita told me which two machines to play, so I sat down and started.
After awhile I was becoming frustrated with my luck of not hitting 4 Deuces on any type of Deuces Wild game,
so for some strange reason when I was dealt a straight with one Deuce (which payed 10 quarters) I just saved the single Deuce.
And wouldn’t you know it, ........ up popped the other 3 Deuces for my first set of
Deuces !!!!! ........ and $625.
I know, I know, It was not a correct Video Poker play, but I was desperate to change my luck any way I could,
besides sometimes for whatever strange reason, there seems to be a certain vibe,
a premonition, ESP, Karma, aura, gut feeling, or whatever, but I did feel it this time and I acted upon it.
This reminds me of the time I was talking to a girl sitting next to me.
We were playing the Bonus Deuces Progressive Royal at The Orleans,
when she told me that she hit the Progressive Royal a week before, ....... and she “only held a 10”
When I asked her why she would only hold a 10 when playing Bonus Deuces (or actually any VP game), she replied,
“Because if just felt right”.
So now I’m psyched, I just hit 4 Deuces and was on one of the HOT machines that Rock’n Rita told me about.
Oooooops, I forgot to get a picture. Sorry again.
I continued to play, and about 10 minutes later I was dealt 3 Deuces and picked up the 4th Deuce on the draw !!!!!!
Yahooo.
I really have NO idea why I haven’t picture of this either ?????,
other than I was shocked that I had such great luck.
Then I plugged away for quite a long time and wouldn’t you know it,
I was DEALT 4 Deuces !!!!!
Sorry once again, ........ a GREAT photo-op, and I messed up.
The only other think that I can think of is that I left my phone in the room,
but I seriously doubt that. ?????
SUNDAY
My son stayed on the Strip Saturday night and partied with his wife and her co-workers.
later crashing at Planet Hollywood where she was staying.
Sunday morning both of them drove over in my son’s car to meet us for the breakfast buffet,
then the DIL cabbed it to the airport for the quick flight back to CA.
Later my son, Rock’n Rita and I headed Downtown.
Strange thing about our last several trips there, is that we now basically play at only two casinos,
Main Street Station and the El Cortez.
MSS, because the Player Cards are linked with The Orleans / Boyd group,
and it has quarter Loose Deuces with a Royal Progressive along with dollar Loose Deuces.
The El Cortez we like because it’s ........... well because it’s The El Cortez.
We didn’t fare well playing at MSS, and since it was getting late we ate the dinner buffet there,
We said our goodbyes to my son after he picked up a coffee for the road, and he drove off to back to CA.
When he drove in to Vegas he said that from his house to The Orleans was exactly 300 miles.
Man, I wish I lived that close. He can drive there hours quicker than we can fly there.
A few hours later he called (as I asked) to let us know that he was home safe and sound.
Rock’n Rita and I walked down Fremont Street, stopping here and there, at a store or attraction
until we got to the El Cortez. This time some lady was playing my favorite Joker Poker machine.
Funny how when you have a specific game plan, and it doesn’t unfold the way
you expected, it really throws your whole strategy out of whack (well at least that happens to me).
I played my F$P and decided it was time for a bathroom break, hoping by the time I walked out
that lady would be off MY machine.
So while sitting there I hear a cool song playing over the speakers that I was unfamiliar with.
Well I have this wicked cool App on my phone that will tell you the name of the song, the artist, album,
when it was released, etc, etc, etc, and it even shows the lyrics and sometimes scrolls them right in sync with the song.
So I’m pretty involved with this “project” when Viva Las Vegas starts playing on my phone.
That’s the ringtone I’ve assigned to Rock’n Rita for when she calls.
“Hello?” ........... “I just hit 4 Deuces!!!” ..... “Great !!!!, I’ll be right out to take a picture”
So now I finish up the process and rush out, all in less than three minutes,
only to find her playing again.
“Well where’s the 4 Deuces?” .......
“It was a hand-pay for $500 and the guy asked me to play the hand off the machine”
Aghhhh .......... so now you see why I didn’t capture this nice winning hand,
but at least this time I did have a reason for it.
BTW, She hit 4 Deuces on some quarter Double Deuces machine for $500,
and for some reason at the El Cortez, it was a Hand-Pay.
We cabbed it back to The Orleans.
This was the fastest cab ride I’ve ever had. It should actually be an attraction on top of the Strat.
This cabbie was doing 78 MPH on 15, passing cars like crazy.
Before we knew it I was seeing sign for The Orleans.
I did give the cabbie an overly generous tip,
......... not for getting us back in a very timely manner, but for getting us back safely. Whew !!!!
MONDAY
Tonight we had tickets to see LOVE at the Mirage.
This was our second time seeing this show.
We got our tickets for free by playing the games on the myVEGAS website.
The seats were actually pretty good,
and much better than the ones we bought a few years ago
when we saw it for the first time.
Prior to the show we ate at the Mirage Buffet, which was another freebie from the myVEGAS site.
This is a very nice buffet, but for some reason I’m not a big fan of it, not sure exactly why,
……………… maybe I’m looking for more of the fried chicken and “make-your-own” taco type food.
One thing though that I didn’t like was the salad station, where a “salad guy” makes your salad specifically to your liking,
I’m guessing fresh dressing too.
Really nice, but I only wanted a few shreds of lettuce to compliment my shrimp and cocktail sauce,
and opted out of waiting in line, as I didn’t feel like being number 6.
Anyway, here’s some pictures of Cravings Buffet at Mirage.
Note that if you visit here, the shellfish is tucked away, very discretely nestled in the far, back-left corner
Later at LOVE I got a popcorn and drinks for the both of us using the points on my MLife Card,
so our dinner, show and a snack cost us nothing.
Rock’n Rita said to be sure to relate just how easy it was to actually redeem your rewards
and obtain the tickets from myVEGAS.
The night ended back at The Orleans with Rock’n Rita hitting 4 Aces for $500 on Triple Trouble Poker.
TUESDAY
When you check in at The Orleans the boothling gives you a couple of sheets of coupons,
one of which is for a free small at the movies.
We saw the 1:00 pm show of “The Family” with Robert DiNero and Michelle Pfeiffer.
It was a pretty entertaining movie, but I thought that it was going to be more of a comedy,
but instead it was more of a action/adventure thing I thought.
Still it was a nice break from everything that we’ve been doing,
And that is realy great.
The “popcorn girl” kept filling the bag, then pushing it down with the scoop,
over and over until she couldn’t fit anymore in. Thank Kiddo.
WEDNESDAY
This is the part of the trip that really sucks, .......... the last day of a Vegas Vacation.
But today we didn’t even have time to think about the “sucks” part,
because of our 4:30 AM get up, and off to the airport for our 7:00 AM flight home.
This was probably the only time that neither of us play VP at the airport prior to leaving,
.......... just not enough time, boarding soon, By Vegas, ..... sniff, sniff.
The first half of the flight was non-eventful,
however this was the first time in years that when we had a non-stop (Baltimore),
and we actually had to stay on the plane after most others disembarked.
After a people count, we would be able to change our seats if we so choose.
Although we were in the 7th row, we were thinking of moving a bit closer to the front.
Well while sitting there, with the plane now mostly empty,
we both noticed a certain smell that sometimes is in the air on a plane,
..... ya know THAT “aroma” either from the restroom or a recent diaper change,
............. but only this time it was much stronger.
It seemed to permeate the entire cabin.
Ah-ha, I noticed a lot of ground crew activity outside (as I had the window seat)
and told Rock’n Rita (who was now trying to hold her breath, ... and almost gagging)
that I think it was from them possibly draining the restroom.
Yeah, that’s it, all those hoses and all that hustle and bustle outside.
Just as I said that, a flight attendant started wiping down one of the newly vacated seats two rows directly in front of us,
where I believe an elderly gentleman had sat. She was wiping the armrests too.
Then she sprayed them and the area with disinfectant, but I guess because things were such a mess,
a maintenance guy had to come in and rip out the cushions and/or whatever and replaced things.
Can you just imagine being strapped in the middle seat, landing gear down, just seconds from touchdown,
with the restroom about 20 feet away, ....................... and running out of time.
Enough said ????,
other than one can only feel sorry for anyone who has such an embarrassing accident.
......... With that, we cancelled that idea of moving forward on the seats.
A few hours, and a few short naps later we arrived home, but no matter how long it takes to get home,
our Vegas Vacations always seem to end very abruptly.
We hope to return in May to pick up right where we left off.
On our next agenda we already have a few items listed;
First, check out that new LINQ area and ride that HUGE Ferris Wheel,
however this is a Big “No” for Rock’n Rita , but I do promise to snap some great pictures from the top
Next up is to see that DIVAS show at the Quad (free tickets from a very kind Boothling at a sister property).
We want to see “O” again, but this time it will be free from points we saved playing myVEGAS.
I think the Lion’s Share slot machine deserves a third try to see if it’s finally vacant.
Two things on the list that we have never done before is
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay along with their buffet.
We will also get these two items free from myVEGAS.
Oh, and one more thing that is a definite next trip,
......... upon boarding our aircraft, remember to not sit in the 5th row.
Thanks for Reading
Oh, and by the way,
besides gambling, ........... every day we did spend some very relaxing hours by the pool. lol
I hope you enjoyed tagging along.
I do promise to get more pictures next time
Rock’n Rick and Rock’n Rita
