OK, been busy building websites and programming my ass off since my return, but here goes.
Flew out of Pittsburgh on US Air at 11:45am on Friday the 16th. Very long flight, almost 5 hours to Vegas. Land at 1:25 local time (3 hour time difference). Head for the baggage pickup and meet our LIMO DRIVER!!!
Get our luggage and head down to the pickup area and Maureen, our limo driver, pulls up in a 2002 Cadillac Escalade stretched to fit all 8 of us very comfortably. We was PIMPIN!!! Short ride to the Excalibur, during which the guys try to convince the girls to go topless out the moon roof of the limo, but apparently we all date very conservative women cause it just didn't happen. After check in at the hotel we all meet back together and look for someplace to eat, cause for us its dinnertime. Unfortunately Vegas doesn't think its much past 3 and none of the dinner places are open yet. End up eating at the American Cafe at the NY NY. And wow was it expensive. $160 for 8 people... the beers were something like $9 a piece. We head our separate ways and I'm off to the Poker room at the Excalibur.
As I'm getting chips I tell the poker hostess that I'd like to be tracked for room rates. So she gives me a form to fill out and apparently gives my $100 dollars to the guy cashing out beside me.... huh... I gave you $100 for chips. Uh Oh... Jerry the Poker Room manager is on the phone to security. I listen as my exact movements for the last five minutes are told to Jerry and then security shows up and then minutes later the guy that took my money is back and returning my money and then whisked away. Surreal! Finally sit down to play and make it for about 6 hours till I lose $30 or so on one hand cause I didn't see the straight possibility on the board and my trip Queens don't hold up. Figure that’s a sign that being up for 18 hours and trying to play poker don't mix. Head for bed.
Back up and at the poker table by 7:30 am and play till just after 9 am, win back my losses from the night before, when my girlfriend, Vicki, comes down and we go and grab some breakfast before meeting the LIMO AGAIN to go to the Hoover Dam. That’s right PIMPIN TO THE DAM. All we need is some bling bling and we would look so ...white! Hover dam is awesome. Some of the guides are hilarious. The only thing was the way the pounded you with facts over and over again. The dam is 726 feet high, 660 feet wide at its base and 45 feet wide at the top, 96 workers died during its construction... I swear I'll remember that till I die. Back on the limo and to the hotel. The total cost of the limo rides was $450, which was a bit more than expected but we all agreed it was well worth it. Here's the website
http://www.lasvegastransportation.com/ if your interested and ask for Maureen.
Dinner at Sir Galahads Prime Rib, food was terrible and service was worse. The waitress made as if it was the most difficult thing in the world to split our bills by couples. Finally had to tell her to imagine that in her world we are all sitting as separate booths, and in our world we'll all be together. I think that just confused her more...
Walked the strip on Saturday evening and saw the fountains at the Bellagio. Crashed after a long day.
Back up at 7 and playin poker till just after 9 again and then get some breakfast at the Sherwood cafe, which is the only good place to eat at the Excalibur besides the fast food joints. Went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay bay, which I would rate as 2.5 stars outta 5. Then played poker for 13 hours straight
! Crashed just after midnight after being down $150 and then turning it around and walking away up $100 or so.
Monday: The usually morning poker, then breakfast at the Sherwood cafe and then we headed to the Grand Canal shops at the Venetian. 5 outta 5. That place is cool. The ceilings look like they are moving, living status, and Gondolas. Wow!!! A must see! Over to the Mirage for a bit and then back to the Excalibur. Lunch and then poker till dinner. Ended up $180 or so from poker over all. Felt good playing this year, was in control and was respected at the tables. Ate dinner at Mizuno's Japanese Steak and Chicken in the Tropicana. 15 outta 10 stars! Best meal I've had ever in Vegas and maybe in my life. Played some slots and wondered around a bit till we crashed flew back the following morning to Pittsburgh.