 A First Time Trip Day 2...Long Again
How long does it take you to get your body clock acclimated after a flight? Woke up at 8AM body time then realized it was only 5AM Vegas time… O.K. roll over and try to get some more sleep….No good, I keep thinking that we have to get a new suitcase today. No putting it off till the last minute.
Downstairs to breakfast. We had decided to try to avoid buffets this trip. Too many tempting items for a guy with zero willpower. We had read a good review on Bally’s Sidewalk Café so decided to give it a try. Well it turned out to be pretty ordinary with a small omelet and greasy hash browns. When Karen ask for a Ham with Swiss Cheese Omelet as opposed to American Cheese we were told that it would be a “Special Build Your Own Omelet” and would be $10.. Not too user friendly. Breakfast for two was $27.00 for two omelets and two coffees.
After that we went to the Bell Captain’s desk to inquire about a place to find some luggage. After assuring him that the Gucci shop there was way out of our price range he came up with several suggestions. After mulling over the various distance and transportation options to the Outlet Malls, Target, Wally World he mentioned the Fashion Show Mall. There was a Dillard’s Store there and we were very familiar with them from our South Florida days. It was only about a mile away so we decided on a morning walk. Love all those safe overpasses and escalators.
When we got to the Fashion Show Mall it was too early so we decided to explore some of the casino’s nearby. First stop was the Treasure Island since it is on our MGM card. We spotted one of my favorite games the Wheel of Fortune. There was only one person playing so K and I grabbed a seat. I went thru my $20 pretty quickly and decided to move over to a V.P. machine. K stuck it out for another few minutes and then came over to check on me. When she got up from the WOF the woman’s husband decided to take K’s machine. Well you can guess what happened next. Of course he hits a SPIN and of course he lands on 1000 coins. Doesn’t that frost you when that happens!!!
We decided to move on after that and went across the street to see the new Wynn’s. WOW what a place. The flowers and the tile work were great everything just whispered stay here if you have money. We decided to sign up for the Red Card anyway just to show them we were not intimidated. Actually K hit one of the 3 reel slots for about $50 and I found a full pay V.P. Jacks or Better that paid me back $150 for a $20 investment. That was better…. I just had to see the rest room, all marble, as big as my first apartment. It was so plush I wanted to take pictures but I resisted.
Well over to Dillard’s which we find out is at the very BACK of the mall natch. We found a great piece of Polo luggage in the markdown area. Was $280 marked down to $79. Bought that in a flash and decided that we did not want to haul it back down the street so invested in a cab ($10).
We then decided to give Bally’s and Paris another chance. Bally’s were tearing up a different section of the floor so on to Paris where we tried most of the 3 and 4 reel machines. Basically breaking even or down a little. K then decided we needed to go up the Eiffel Tower. When we presented the coupon that we had gotten at check in ($2 off) the cashier said I can do better than that , how about buy one get one free? Of course….The tower was nice, lots of pretty vistas of the mountains, some nice views of the hotels, a nice view of the airport, lots of parking lot and air conditioner views. A nice deal at 2 for 1. Really windy and not a place for you if you do not like heights.
As we came down we stopped at the photo booth and looked at the picture they take of you as you go up. I looked like a tourist dork as usual but K said we should have one anyway. ($21).
Then upstairs to our room to get ready for the Platters, Coasters, Drifters show at the Sahara.
We took the Monorail from Bally’s to the Sahara. It was a very nice smooth ride with some not too bad views for a first timer. It is very easy to get to and pretty user friendly, but not idiot proof, as I would find out a few days later.($18 for 2 RT)
The Sahara.
This is what I imagined the old places looked and smelled like. Real old time Vegas.
K has the ability to walk in, look around and then sit down at a machine that more times than not pays off. Drives me wild.. I am the butterfly type, try $20 and if no hits move on. Well she sits down at a Bonus Frenzy 4 reel machine. Plays for a few minutes then hits 3 red 7s with a 7 multiplier for 1400 coins. She then continues to hit lots of smaller but still profitable amounts till the machine turns cold about an hour later. In the mean time I have found some Quarter Slots on a wall and am trying to get ahead. The first machine, Moolah I think breaks even with me but that’s not good enough. I have to catch up with K darn it. The only problem is when I go to cash out it will not give me a ticket, jammed paper path. It takes two slot attendants and 15 minutes to solve the problem. I move two or three machines down on a Double Diamond and lose another $10 without hitting any pay symbol. As I try to cash out Guess What…Paper Jam again. When the Attendant shows after another 15 minutes he gives me the eye and says I have a real touch with the machines.
That’s it… I decide it is time for some food so I drag K away from her latest paying machine and head for the Caravan Café. They had listed a Prime Rib for $7.95. It turned out to be a really good value. Very little fat, done just right a super large baked potato and soup or salad. K opted for a filet which she asked to have butter flied since they never seem to get the middle past rare. ERROR on her part, it came out cooked like shoe leather not medium. She also had to send her potato back since it was still raw and cold in the middle. Total price of $33.
The Platters , Coasters, Drifters show was FANTASTIC. If you are from that era I cannot recommend it highly enough. We lined up outside the showroom about 20 minutes before doors open since there was no assigned seating. You just paid extra for the closer seating sections. As we approached the podium I folded a $5 bill and handed it to the Maitre D’. He said go find a seat you like and the higher seats give a better view. Best $5 I ever spent. We went to the last row on top and got end seats. Great view, we were eye level with the performers and only a short distance from the stage since it is a very small venue. The folks that paid the higher prices were closer but were below eye level so were always looking up. The ones closest to the stage actually sat in regular chairs at right angles to the stage so they were not only looking up but spent the entire performance looking hard right or left. Also they were very near the speakers so it must have really blasted them. The only advantage that they had was many of the performers came down and walked around them.
The show itself was great. I was kind of expecting some sour notes and creaky voices. NO WAY, they all put on a full volume, full throttle show. All of them have retained their voices and have amazing range and breath control. They still make moves that would put me in traction. How they can put on a 90 minute show that many days a week for how many years without blowing out their voice boxes I don’t know. They obviously really enjoyed performing and it showed. Total for 2 tickets $94 and very well worth it.
On a side note, the ushers who were dressed in tuxes, must kill for that job. I saw more money pass hands that night. It was amazing for this small town boy to see.
Well back on the monorail to Bally’s for a few more hours on the machines to justify our players rate on the rooms then to bed. Tomorrow there will be a chance encounter many miles from home and we will see the Fremont Street Experience for the first time.
Will K keep winning? Will I ever get back to even? It should happen at Fremont Street if the slots are as loose as everyone says. We shall see..
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