Yes, a surprise for me!
An unexpected visit to Las Vegas is in the works. It’s a result of a promise I made to my granddaughter Kaitlynn the first of this year: If she achieved her goal of hiking the complete 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, I’d take her to Vegas to celebrate.
Well, she reached her goal last Sunday!
This is a far cry from the little girl who, 28 years ago in her stroller, screamed to high heaven when the animatronic wolf started howling in the Sam’s Town Mystic Falls light and water show. No longer does the wild scare her, not even if a diamondback rattlesnake blocks the path or a bear starts poking around outside her tiny tent.
But now she’s up for urban adventure and I’m hoping I can keep up on the trip, scheduled to start a week from today, October 15, and run through Wednesday the 19th.
We won’t be renting a car, but Kaitlynn is an Uber expert. We plan to do a monster LVA coupon run downtown and visit some new casinos and attractions that have popped up since Brad and I moved to Georgia. I like running around with a young person; Kaitlynn will take me to places I’d probably never go on my own, like Area15, and lead me on geocaching expeditions to dark and mysterious locales. And we both want to hit the newly expanded Pinball Hall of Fame.
Again, as on my earlier trip this year to Atlantic City, this will not have a VP advantage-play purpose, just a fun visit with my adventuresome granddaughter. So yes, we’ll also spend some time looking for fun slot machines.
Of course, I immediately jumped on the opportunity to plan a Frugalite get-together, a chance to chat with old friends and some of you Internet friends I never got the privilege to meet in person. And it will be a great occasion for everyone to mingle with other gamblers, just like we often did in the past.
Anthony Curtis has graciously invited us to have this meet-up at the Huntington Press/Las Vegas Advisor office (3665 Procyon St.) on Tuesday, October 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. No reservations needed. I’ll autograph any new books you purchase and I love to sign those old dog-eared ones you’ve had and used forever! Also, Kaitlynn will be happy to talk to anyone who is interested in Appalachian Trail hikes.
Needless to say, I’m over the moon to have this unexpected opportunity. Yes, both Kaitlynn and I are sad that Brad can’t join us on this visit, but I’m so fortunate that Angela and Steve can take him into their home and give him the loving care that will allow me to have a worry-free respite in my favorite city.
Hope to see a lot of you there!
Jean,
Glad to see you back in Vegas. Unfortunately I won’t be there till the end of the month. I hadn’t been in town since 2015 (you know why) but have to say I miss the Pinball HoF most of all. Pinball was huge in my childhood and was likely responsible for my later interest in gambling machines. Would have been great to face off against you and yours on Taxi, Fish Tails, Monte Carlo, or Firepower. Maybe next time.
TC
I remember first reading your frugal book about the coupon run and positive returns expected. I made $175 the first run which was a lot of money to me then. It has all changed in Vegas and coupons are gone along with decent blackjack rules except for Fremont and El Cortez and of course the local casinos…Changes can be good but these really suck…What is the point of staying on the strip anymore but Planet Hollywood has cheap rooms and food in Miracle mile. I would like to do a blog someday about the best blackjack tables in Vegas, where they are and what the rules are in each casino. I remember the first time I ran into 6-5 blackjack payout at the Sahara years ago. The count was +3 so I doubled down my blackjack and the dealer told the floor mgr “this guy just doubled down a blackjack..” with a credulous voice as if he could not believe someone would do that. I had $75 out and hit a ten card for 21 and the dealer had a 5 up and busted. I soon left that table and have not been back to any table paying 6-5. Downtown does not do that but limits double down after a split with two exceptions noted above. Cheap drinks all over the place downtown but I don’t drink- used to pretend I did drink when at my best and dumped them out in the bathroom and ordered more and acted drunk.
Congrats to Kaitlynn and I hope you have a great visit in Vegas! I also hope the weather is cooler for you. We won’t be going until first week in November, last year was still too hot in September. Thanks for your meeting us at the Orleans just before you and Brad left for Georgia (December 2019) I’m sure you’ll visit the Sportsbook for a couple of hot dogs. (WITH such great hot dog buns. LOL)
Hubby and I will think of you both on our November visit.
Good luck and have a great time
Sounds awesome! Wishing you a fantabulous time with your granddaughter. Hubby and I sold our home and left Vegas this year… I miss some things… don’t miss others. It’s quite the adjustment. If we were still there – you can bet we’d be at your meet-up!
This is great news! Thanks for sharing the meet-up!
There are a lot of cool new things to see that have nothing to do with the casinos. (Having nothing to do with the casinos, aside from cashing in coupons, is the new optimal Vegas visitation strategy.) Many of them will be things you and K can enjoy together.
If she wants to go hiking, there might not be any better time of year (spring can be windy).
Hi Jean, love your columns and books – of which I have several. I’m coming to Las Vegas November 6 for 2-3 weeks from New Zealand, comped rooms galore – and happy to share if you decide you want another trip out to Las Vegas. Like yourself I’ll be well equipped with the LVA and other coupon books to maximise the experience. I always have an amazing time in Vegas – and NEVER pay retail lol. If you’d like to come out again and join in, do get in touch. The LVA team have my contact details.
Congrats to Kaitlynn on her epic achievement!
Your trip sounds awesome! Have a wonderful time. And please tell us about which new venues you enjoyed and others that didn’t live up to your expectations.
I’m jealous of your plans for the Pinball HoF. I have been to the old one but the new one wasn’t open yet when I left in March, 2020. When we moved to PA many years ago, I wasn’t able to start substitute teaching for about five months. I spent a lot of my free time playing pinball at a local store.