Five days in Las Vegas flew by so fast! I had so much fun!
storms brewing around Vegas
My sister and I were so lucky to not only get to take a little vacation, but to have the entire trip be a gift from my parents who served as our tour guides.
Everything was amazing, minus our landing … or not landing… when flying into Las Vegas. We hit some serious turbulence and when we were about to touch down, the plane was tilted severely to the left (just outside my window). The enormous wing nearly hit the ground as the landing gear barely tapped the runway.
I turned to my sister and was about to tell her that it looked like we were about to crash. Just then, the pilot pulled that huge jet abruptly back up into the air. I have no idea how he was able to pull that stunt off. Then there was complete silence … for about 10 minutes. It took the pilot that long to get back on the intercom, to announce that due to unfavorable winds, we would need to circle back around and try to land on another runway.
Everybody was scared to death! It’s a funny feeling to know that there’s not a dang thing you can do when you’re high in the sky with no other way out but to land. When the pilot finally tried it again, landing was a bit shaky, but successful, so everybody on board cheered. Weird story but true! Our parents had been trying to call us unsuccessfully and it freaked us out to finally hear the fear in my mom’s voice message. Many passengers were in tears after this fiasco.
new architecture City Center
My parents have been going to Vegas since the late 60′s … back when Elvis, Tom Jones, and all the other big stars were frequenting the city that never sleeps. My mom and dad actually saw Elvis perform on numerous occasions, as well as many other celebs. Those glamorous times of old Hollywood/ Vegas are gone. Things are super casual now.
My folks own a time share condo right on the strip and that’s where we got to relax between all our fun, entertainment, eating, gambling and running around… oh yes, and more eating! Our parents are two of the coolest people I know. They’re known to outlast all the younger folks with their ability to stay out super late and have a good time. (Just ask my daughter). They know all the ins and outs of Vegas. We got to eat at all the great places that only the locals know about.
For entertainment, we got to see the “Fab Four” Beatles show. That was just incredible to listen to all that old music performed by quasi-look-a-likes. We also got to see Max King, a comedian/magician. If you haven’t had a chance to see him perform, do it! He’s hilarious.
The very best entertainment of all was getting to see the musical Menopause. This performance was done by four sassy ladies who had me laughing so hard, I was crying. They sang songs with altered lyrics, about the “change”. Because I am such a “risk-taker”, I volunteered to get up on stage for the closing number and danced alongside the cast and other crazy ladies. Woo hoo (earned a button for this one)! Loved this so much! If you ever get the chance to go see this musical when it comes to your city, go! After the show, we ran into two of the performers in the casino, and got to chat a bit to one of them … what a lovely woman that Skye is!
I’ve never been to Vegas in Autumn. The temperatures were in the 70s, just perfect. The Bellagio is one of my favorite casinos. Classy all the way. Their gardens were so gorgeous. I especially love the ceiling in their lobby, because it’s filled with glass flower petals that serve as both a piece of art, and a source of light.
lobby ceiling of Bellagio
Not to be forgotten, are the dancing waters out in front of the casino.
New Vegas: Cosmopolitan due to open January 1, 2011
new Vegas
Old Vegas: older than me!
old Vegas
Street Art: done with cans of spray paint … no lie!
I still love this 60s look, now making an appearance in a current ad.
retro 60s look
We had a simple dinner our last night … one that I’ve been curious about for a very long time. In and Out Burger! This was the exact opposite of a flat McDonald’s style burger. The restaurant only offers you three choices of sandwiches, which makes ordering easy peasy. Yum, is all I can say. This burger cost less than two bucks, making it the cheapest Vegas meal on the whole trip. The only draw back is that when you eat in the restaurant, the neon bright florescent lights inside nearly blind you throughout your meal. Other than that, it was very much worth the wait.
In and Out Burger
Well I can hardly wait to go back to Las Vegas. It was magnificent! Here are two big fat kisses for my parental units.
hugs and kisses to my parents
Smooch!
