Day 150

The Strip

Oct 3, 2013, 10:10 PM

What a WILD day!! We road the bus to the Mandalay Bay, on the strip then started working (riding trams and walking) our way north. We hit the Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Bellagio, and Paris. By the time we got to Paris we were ready for a break. We had covered a lot of territory by this time. It was a full day already. Kim and I had decided early on we were going to make a concerted effort to photo bomb people taking selfies. Come on, you know you want to too. Anyway, we had done some shopping, we watched fountains, we went back into the Bellagio to take photos of a fall decorated courtyard. I'd left my camera at home forgetting that there were so many things to take pictures of. Thank God for Sandy having her camera and she very graciously allowed me, to borrow it for the day. There was the cutest covered bridge with little water arcs, daddy and Sandy wanted a nice photo at the beginning of the bridge under the water, Kim who had been dying to put her hand in the water to make it splash on the people that were posing under it saw her chance, so as daddy and Sandy were waiting for me to snap she splashed the water and daddy and Sandy got it good. Oh we do have fun!!!!! We were having fun, but now we were tired and we wanted to sit and take a break. We'd walked down to Paris and we were walking around the casino looking for a nice lounge, we saw a sign for the Neapolitan Piano Bar, they were doing 2 for 1 drinks 4-6PM. So we found the bar and went to open the door, it was locked. We checked the time, it was 4:15PM. We checked the sign again, it didn't mention specific days. I knocked on the door, there was a bartender speaking with someone that I could see right through the door, but did they even look my way? HELL NO!!!! As a matter of fact they walked away. Now that got me HOT!! As I turned around there were two people in suits walking by, we grabbed them and asked what the deal was. The gentleman went to the door to knock, but they were ignored too. Oh this isn't going well. Both of them got on their phones, they were making calls left and right. They got a hold of the Beverage Shift Manager. While we waited for him to show up, Steve was pissed and ready to leave but at this point it was a matter of principle. I don't put up with people shitting on me and that's how it felt, I at least wanted to see this through. While we waited we did have a nice conversation with the first two people that came up, they were asking us about our trip and where we were all from. The Beverage Manager  came up, opened the doors, and apologized, but that didn't change the service level. We went in but the bimbo waiting tables still ignored us. As we walked past her, she was holding open the door, she told us, "You can come in but we aren't ready for you". This girl finally came near the table and it was just to wipe it down, REALLY. We wait longer, she comes back around and puts a candle on the table and handed us drink menus. She had nothing at all to say to us, she didn't take our order and she acted like we were really annoying the hell out of her just being there. Kim was sure they were going to spit in our drinks, we were pissed, we left. We were walking away and the Beverage Manager came running up to us to find out what had happened. So we told him what had transpired after he had the lounge opened. We really didn't appreciate the attitude from the server and we were leaving. He was so apologetic and he offered to take us to their bar on the casino floor and he wanted to buy us the first round of drinks. We went and had our drinks and we did have very nice service. Then he brought Steve and I a bottle of champagne and fancy chocolate. We did appreciate his attempt to make amends. We decided to take the bottle with us and I sampled the chocolate, it was very nice. We discussed it at the table and we came to the decision to give the bottle of champagne to the first bridal couple we found and really make their day special. 

After this we made our way down to the Venetian. We watched Gondola rides and just took in the beautiful scenery of the Venetian Casino. We found a very good Asian Noodle place to eat and sit but I think that was our down fall. We sat for over an hour and rested our tired feet and when we went to leave oh that was difficult. I think that caused a quicker end to our night than might have otherwise been. We wanted to see the pirate show at Treasure Island so we again walked out to the street and down to Treasure Island. As we are fighting the crowds someone kindly told us that the pirate show had been canceled sue to the high winds, so now back home. At this point I am thanking God we are going home I'm beat. Kim and I were going to play some more roulette, but the tables upped the minimum bet and we weren't willing to lose that much money. So the night was done!!!!! (Or so we thought) Steve and I said good night to Kim and went out to the street and what we saw will scar me forever. We ran into a man and woman pirate street performer/picture taking type persons. When we got closer we realized the female pirate was wearing a skirt, corset and a tri-corner hat, a smile, and NOTHING else, plus this woman was HUGE, and she was decorated with sequined pasties, and I don't mean the meat pie pastie like in Michigan either. Oh it was not pretty, however a tourist family felt it note worthy and they gave their baby to the woman and took pictures. YUCK!!!! 

Well I'm a day behind on my blog, but I will catch up. Good night all!!

Day 149

Fun In Vegas

Oct 2, 2013, 9:39 PM

Oh my gosh what a great day we had today. We started out going to Walmart, while there we decided having dinner at the RV one night would be a perfect idea. So we decided today would be the day to cook since we already lost time, we got what we needed, went back to the RV to start the process, then went to the pool for the afternoon.  We had a great time there!! The Golden Nugget had a nice pool with a slide/tube that goes through a shark tank. It was lots of fun, but the best part was when Kim came down the tube almost side ways to make sure we could see her, you could see through the fish tank, the tube that goes through the tank is clear, Alex was able to completely stop so we could wave, daddy almost got stuck, it was a riot. After the pool dinner was ready and great, then on to Fremont Street again. 

I wanted to get some photos, of course. Well the people that walk around Fremont Street all dressed up are very obnoxious, they think that walking around dressed like freaks gives them the right to demand money for photos. WHATEVER!!!! People that were worth photographing were more than willing to have you take their photo. However I did have fun screwing with some of the really obnoxious ones. We watched the spray paint artists again, we saw the cellists, and the Indian puppet dancer. 

There was a group of people walking around, one of the women had a post-it note with Happy Birthday BJ on it and she was asking people to say that to the guy in the orange shirt a few steps ahead. OH YOU KNOW US, we made BJ's night. We wished him Happy Birthday, Kim photo bombed him a few times. The guy thought he had a sign on him somewhere cause people he didn't know were wishing him a happy birthday. We played with them for a good long time. We got photos, BJ was having a picture with the show girls, we got the entire street to wish BJ a happy birthday. It was fun and they were terrific people. We could have partied with them, in the middle of the afternoon Hotel Security had to come to their room to make them be quiet. MY KIND OF PEOPLE!! After that Kim and I were going to play Roulette again, but none of the tables looked fun so we decided to wait till tomorrow. We walked Kim back to her room and laughed so much on the way, people must really wonder about us, no alcohol at all and we act more drunk then the drunks. 

We are having the MOST fun. I can't wait for tomorrow. 

Day 148

Vegas Day

Oct 1, 2013, 9:48 PM

What a crazy day, I'm not even sure where to start. . . We went to the airport to try to get Kim, Robert, and Alex and they had to check bags and they were very early, but then daddy and Sandy's flight was early too. So everyone ended up at the airport within a few minutes of each other and we only have a five seater, so we took daddy and Sandy to the hotel and Kim, Robert, and Alex took the shuttle. It was one of those perfect days, everyone was able to check in early. So we got together and went to a buffet lunch, of course. We had so much fun, we were laughing so hard Steve tried to sit at another table but the hostess chased him back to our table then she talked to us for about ten minutes. Food, fun, laughs, family, it doesn't get much better!!!!! At this point we were going to walk around a bit, but when we passed a Roulette table Kim and I squealed and we had to play. The very nice Roulette guy and the men at the table talked us through how the game was played, what the game protocol was, and the betting etiquette. We had a blast. Kim, won $33, I lost $5, but that's OK. Then we did walk around Fremont Street. 

After a while walking around Fremont Street we went back to one of the rooms and played card games, I think between Sandy and I we were the big winners, however Kim will try to convince you that she was the winner because she had the high score (which was to loser). Then we went out to Fremont Street again, it was dark now. At first I thought the light show was a big disappointment because it was just advertisements, but then we were there at the right time and the music started, the light show started and although it was too loud, no I'm not getting old, it was loud to the point of distortion. Even the people sights were interesting. We saw guys making pictures with spray paint, we saw Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe, Transformers, and super heroes, and those were the benign sights. Some FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodnight everyone, expect more fun in tomorrow's blog. Have a great night. 

Day 147

We're In Vegas Baby

Sep 30, 2013, 9:01 PM

It was long day on the road but we made it just fine. Then the fun started!! The Vegas traffic was tough, the exit we were supposed to use was closed, we get to the RV park and there is a truck parked in the spot we are supposed to be in. That didn't upset me too much. The RV that would be next to us if we were in that spot was creepy, so we got a different spot. Now this is an RV park for one of the casinos, when I say it said parking lot with hook-ups, I mean it is a PARKING LOT, there is almost no room in between each RV, but what the hell, it was about 1/3 the price as the last Vegas place we went to. 

Tomorrow Kim, Robert, and Alex and Sandy and Daddy get here. We can't wait!!!!! We are going to have a great time celebrating our 10th anniversary in the place it happened. So good night darlings, I'll be sure to give you updates. 

Day 146

Dinner With Marines

Sep 29, 2013, 7:08 PM

Well we packed up cooking necessities and headed to Curtis and Courtney's to make dinner for Marines. Curtis asked if we would mind if a few of his buddies came over for dinner with us. So I'd planned on making dinner for them and we just added a few more people. Courtney and I made meatloaf (2), a double batch of macaroni and cheese, five pounds of mashed potatoes, green beans, and brussels sprouts. Curtis invited five of his fellow Marines and we had one hell of a dinner. Courtney and I cooked pretty much all afternoon, but judging by the way those boys went at it, how quiet it got while they ate, and how there were almost NO leftovers, I think it was appreciated. 

Steve and I are on the road to Las Vegas tomorrow, so this was a perfect goodbye to Curtis and Courtney. Curtis will be going to Afghanistan in December, in light of that I'm so glad we were able to spend this time with him and Courtney. It has been really great. Good night all, I'll be in touch tomorrow. 

Day 145

Great Day With Curtis & Courtney

Sep 28, 2013, 9:02 PM

We had such a nice day with Curtis and Courtney. They came to the RV and we had such a great time talking about old times with Curtis, getting to know Courtney, laughing, joking, and eating. After dinner Steve, Curtis, and Courtney went fishing at the lake here in the campground. Courtney hadn't been fishing since her grandfather took her when she was 8. There was no luck with the fish at the lake but they came back full of smiles so at least they were having fun. 

Tomorrow we are going to go to Camp Pendleton and meet some of Curtis' fellow marines. I can't wait. Good night all.

Day 144

Change Of Plans

Sep 27, 2013, 9:43 PM

Well we had a sudden change of plans. Curtis had to work late so we weren't able to do dinner with them tonight. No biggie, Steve and I got some errands run. What should have been a few quick errands turned into an all afternoon escapade. However we did see the craziest thing in the world and we probably looked like two idiots standing there watching it. We had to pick up a few things at Walmart. We found a Walmart that was a super center so that we could get some food shopping done at the same time. Being limited as to how much I can fit in the refrigerator and cabinets, I'm going to the food store much more than I ever have, but that is another story entirely. We went into this mall that had a Walmart as part of the mall itself, so we went into the Walmart. One of the first things that Steve noticed was that the Walmart had a second floor, there was an escalator visible as you walked in. I thought that was kind of cool! What kind of wonderful surprises would we find on the second floor of a Walmart. Oh the mind can't even fathom. As we walked a few feet into the store I realized that there was a second escalator for the shopping carts. It makes sense, if you go to the second floor you will need your shopping cart up there too. I should have taken pictures but what would people think, the people that typically go to this store see nothing strange about an escalator for the shopping carts, but here is some crazy woman taking pictures. I just couldn't do it, but let me tell you, it was CRAZY!!!!! There was no way in hell I was trusting that thing with my cart, but wow, a shopping cart escalator. Now I really have seen EVERYTHING!!!!!!!  Only in California!

Well I'll let you ponder on that for the rest of the night. Have a good one and I'll be in touch again tomorrow.