Chauffeured Trip to Biloxi

As often happens, family visits and casino visits merge together – and that is what happened a couple of weeks ago. Earlier in the week I had written here about our trip to Columbus, GA  for a family celebration of Zachary’s high school graduation.  Since we were flying Delta on frequent flier miles, we could fly home from a different city.  We had received  some good offers (free food and suite, transportation rebates, and free play) from the Biloxi Grand (generated from a Harrah’s 7 Star visit in February).  So we decided we could rent a car, drive the 5 1/2 hours to Biloxi, stay 3 nights, and fly back to Vegas from the Gulfport/Biloxi Airport.

To our delight, Zachary and his sister, Kaitlynn (you may have know them down through the years as the Little Frugal Prince and Princess) decided they wanted to be our chauffeurs.  They neither are now “little,”  both taller than I am and driving their own cars.  When I found out their busy work and sports schedules could be arranged so they had a few free days, I cancelled the rental car and we all four headed south in Zachary’s car.  The two kids took turns driving while Brad and could sit back and relax.

A big part of the joy we have in gambling is that we are able to treat our families to wonderful vacations for little or no expense by using comps.  These days we earn a lot more comps than we have the energy or desire to use ourselves.   So of course the kids were glad to “help us out” by using the free 7 Star benefits at the Grand so they wouldn’t “go to waste” – a  big suite;  movies in the room; a cabana at the pool, with a frig full of free soft drinks; and all the food they could eat.

We did go off property once – and spend real money – to visit a fun park down the ocean road toward Gulfport.   (So many entertainment options in the area haven’t been rebuilt since being wiped out by Katrina.)   Brad and I hadn’t played miniture golf for many years and our high scores showed it.  But the fun factor for all four of us was high  so that was all that mattered.  Although Brad and I try to keep up with the kids – we did zipline with them in Alaska last summer – we decided to save our already stenosis-sore necks and just be enthusiastic spectators at the bumper cars.

The kids stayed two nights and then on the 3rd morning left for the 5 1/2- hour drive back home to Columbus, GA.  Although we had played some video poker the previous two days, while the kids were watching movies in the room or running on the beach (Kaitlynn is back  in training for cross-country when school starts), we decided to put in some concentrated time at the machines this last day.  But after about 2 hours, the busy pace of the last nine days caught up with us – and rest was the sensible option, especially since we had a long travel day coming up.

We arrived back in Vegas late on the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend.  (Note to myself:  Try not to book a flight like this again, especially if the friends who normally pick you up at the airport are out of town themselves.)  The taxi line snaked back and forth in 5 lanes, taking 45 minutes to finally reach a ride.  (Is the recession over and now everyone has the money to visit Las Vegas?) 

We were two tired puppies when we staggered into our condo at 11:30 p.m.  It had been a wonderful ten days, but it would take as many days for our bodies to recover from this much fun.

My how fast they grow up!  One day they’re little kids – having to be watched and taken care of  every minute.  

Christmas 2001

Christmas 2010

The next day they are taking care of you!