Vegas: The Final Chapter

On our last day in Vegas, Kevin and I went out to Lake Las Vegas for some fun in the sun. It is one of Kevin’s favorite places to go and I had never been. We perused the Ritz Carlton and talked about how we needed to stay there next time we flew down. We journeyed along the Lake and walked together hand in hand (I was feeling mushy there for a minute). We checked out the casino, signed up for their player’s club card, and earned $5 in free slot play. Neither of us won very big that day. We continued our journey, checked out a few other Hotels along the lake.



Then, we saw these fliers for condos for sale for way cheap. Some of these places were $600,000, but the prices had dropped down to $150,000, which was a steal. We decided to drive around and look for some open houses, or just see what was out there. We only caught the tail end of one condo viewing so we checked it out, it was pretty spectacular. We discussed the pros and cons of having a condo out in Lake Las Vegas and if it would even be worth it. It probably won’t happen, but it’s one of those things that is great to talk about the “what ifs.”

After looking at way too expensive condos, we headed back to the Ritz Carlton area for some Gelato. We strolled along the water while we eat our tasty treats. There was a rental stand where you can rent paddle boats or motor boats and tour the Lake. Next time we are down there with Trenton that is something we really want to do.





I noticed there were fish in the water and I wanted to try to catch one. After much thought and consideration, I decided my Gelato would make some great bait and when they come close to the surface I would simply grab one. Sounded like a pretty awesome idea at that time. Kevin told me he would give me $1,000 if I caught a fish with my bare hands. Challenge accepted, was my response. I lay out on rocks, got some Gelato on my spoon, and stuck it in the water waiting for the fish to respond. A few venture close, but they were too far under the water. After a few minutes, the Gelato melted and I got bored. Kevin took pictures and was highly amused by my efforts.



After that, we headed on home where I took an awesome nap before heading out to another of Kevin’s friends’ home. We had an awesome feast of a dinner which consisted of chicken, steak, corn on the cob, melt-in-your-mouth cornbread, salad, chips, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Great trip, great people, great memories, and great guy. Who could ask for anything more?

Vegas Part 2

Our Vegas trip is long over, but I finally have some time to write about it. We had a great time. I already wrote about our first night, so lets move on.

Our second night in Vegas, I really wanted In N Out burger. I knew there was one up the street from the strip a bit on Tropicana. We took the monorail up to the MGM, which was in and off itself an adventure, thanks to my Kev. We walked from our hotel over to the monorail. Kev was trying to be the great gentleman that he is and attempted to move a sign out of my way. Somehow, he grabbed the sign wrong and sliced his finger causing blood to spurt out of the wound. We didn’t have anything with us to wrap it in, so he cupped his palm to catch the dripping blood. By the time we made it up the escalator, his entire hand was covered in blood and that was dripping down his arm. It was really quite gross, I gave him a ticket I found on the ground to wrap his finger in until we could find a bathroom. I don’t know how the boy does it, but he always seems to get himself into these situations.



Back to the In N Out Burger story…So, we made it to MGM, Kevin cleaned up his hand, and we crossed over to New York New York. As we started up Tropicana, we realized the road was going to run out and there was no possible way to get to In N Out Burger by walking. I was extremely disappointed, but what could we do. We ended up walking in and out of various casinos trying to decide what to eat. We spent some time in MGM where I got in a fight but lost.



Of all places we ended up at Denny’s. It was the least crowed and least noisy. After we finally ate, we walked all the way back to our hotel. Over the course of the evening we walked practically the entire length of the strip. Once back at the hotel, we decided to go soak in the hot tub. As soon as we got into the hot tub, the wind started kicking up (there was a huge windstorm the next day). After a few minutes of soaking and trying to avoid dirt in the eyes, we called it a night and headed to bed.

The trip was great and full of fun adventures. Life with Kevin is always an adventure and there is never a dull moment. I’m glad we both can look back at things and say “that was pretty fun”, instead of focusing on the negative. We laugh about it and say “this will be a great blog post.”



On a side note: I went to my favorite slot machine location (Slots-O-Fun)with the intention of spending some money on my favorite slot machine the Let's Make a Deal slot. Much to my great sadness, they no longer had the machines. I found a Monopoly game and won some money, but it turned out it was a penny slot, so I only won about $2. I gambled $5 all together and lost big.

Vegas, baby!

This week Kevin and I are in Las Vegas, my home once upon a time. I lived here 2001-2004; I had some of the best times and some of my lowest points in this city. I had no idea how much I really missed it here. The city itself is so full of wonder and mystery and holds many memories for me.



The flight in was long, we had a layover in San Francisco, and I got a little bit of work done on the flight. Once we landed in the city, I got this huge grin on my face and I couldn’t stop smiling all the way through the airport. Kevin kept looking at me and telling me how happy I looked, and all I could say was “wow, wow.” Walking outside the airport alone set off all kinds of thoughts and emotions off. We were picked up by a good friend of Kevin’s and went out to eat with his family. Our first night, we stayed at the Riviera ($30 a night special), the room was not fancy, as the hotel is not fancy. They charge a $3 service charge to turn on power in your room, what? I remember going to that casino a few times in my days here, not often, but enough to remember my way around. It was an interesting stay and we were both glad it was just for one night.



Wednesday morning, we pack our bags and walked across the convention center parking lot to the Marriott Suites where we would be staying for the remainder of our trip. This is quite a step up, if you ask me. Separate living and sleeping area; pull out couch, two tvs, very fancy. We checked in and then Kevin had to go to work, at the Convention Center running a booth there for his company. I had this huge room to myself and I sat in it all day, working on a large writing project. I got most of it done by the time Kevin got home. We were both in the mood for a buffet (its Vegas and the rock). We decided to walk the strip and check out some of the newer hotels, and there are a lot. We walked halfway down the strip until we came to the casino formerly known as the Aladdin, now known as Planet Hollywood or PH. Then we pigged out in the buffet, which was decent but not spectacular. We continued our trek along the strip by cruising through the Bellagio and Forum shops before heading home.

My Plate


Kevin's Plate


We stopped and watched the fountains at the Bellagio and as I looked around I teared up a little bit. At that moment, I realized just how much I missed this place. The lights, the warmth, the people, all of it just came back to me. I grew up a lot here; actually I would say that I grew up the most here. I learned a lot about myself, and this place had the biggest influence in making me the person I am today. I cried the hardest here, and I struggled the most here. I would not be the person I am today if it were not for Las Vegas. It is good to be back; I will really enjoy this trip and be sad to leave this place once again.

East Coast Trip

So, I’m on a plane to Baltimore and my first East Coast trip. I’m really excited and pumped about all the new adventures the week holds for me.

Kevin drove me to the airport this morning with a few pit stops along the way. We stopped at McDonald’s where they got his order wrong. Then, I stopped at work because I had a disk the boss needed this week. While at the office, I introduced the Admin and the PIC (partner in crime) to Kevin, I talk about him enough, it was time they met him. I will get their reactions upon my return.

Anyway, I got to the airport about an hour before my flight time. Security was a breeze, took about 2 mins. And then I was off. The boarding gate was A14, which is the newest terminal at SeaTac, and 14 is at the very end. I got a good 5 min. walk out of that deal, I probably needed the exercise, since I’m stuck on a plane the rest of the day. I then made a stop into one of those magazine kiosks and picked up the travel basics: Cosmo, word search, red vines, and animal crackers. As I waited for my flight to board, I called my mom (she’s been in Idaho visiting my sister), we chatted for a bit and she told me she had a good time.

The plane is pretty big, considering what I usually fly on. My longest trips have been 1-2 hours, this flight is 4 hours into Cincinnati, and then 2 more hours into Baltimore. Its one of those planes that has tvs in each seat. Pretty cool, I can watch movies, listen to music, play games, watch tv shows, or watch the progress of the plane. I’m watching a map of my journey right now. 2:13 left to go, not quite half-way there yet. -63 degrees outside, traveling 509 MPH, and we are currently over South Dakota, almost to Pierre. Its entertaining to say the least. Air is pretty turbulently right now, but not too bad. I have to pee and I’m in the window seat, which means I would have to squeeze pass the people next to me and then wobbly my way to the bathroom. I’ll hold it a bit longer, maybe I can make it all the way only two more hours. Okay, I’ll wait until the plane stops shaking all around. Good times.

So, that is my adventure so far. Oh, I saw some ice on the wing when I first sat down and snapped a photo of it. It was only a small patch, but I remember from my Northwest Airlines training that ice on the wings is the most common reason for plane crashes. I had to write it down and take a picture in case we crash and anyone wants to sue. Pretty sure that won’t happen, but I gotta watch out for everyone.

I’m gonna explore this TV gadet and see if I can’t find something entertaining to watch. If not, Kevin downloaded “Californication” and put it on my computer. I think I’m going to try and get some “Dexter” or “Weeds” while I’m at Kari’s house.