07-12-2008, 02:51 PM
|
|
High Roller
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 31
|
|
ELV Slot Tourn July 2 -8
Trip dates -- July 2 to 8
Our flights on Northwest from Philadelphia to Minneapolis and on to Las Vegas as well as the return by the same route were pretty much on time and uneventful. Study the seat maps and use www.seatguru.com to pick "good" seats or at least stay out of "bad": ones.
Yes, it was hot! Daily highs ranged from 107 to 110. Humidity was almost non-existent. Sun screen is a must by the pool or on the golf course. But, it was cooler than the same period last year. Nuff said.
After collecting our luggage (some of the first on to the carousel -- woo-hoo) we went to get our rental. Dollar had a huge line, BUT I'm a Dollar Express member so we went right down to the garage level. They had our paperwork all ready at the booth and we were on our way in minutes.
We were hungry (our stomachs had been up for 12 hours and we had eaten only lightly so far) so we stopped at BLACK ANGUS STEAK HOUSE at the Galleria on Sunset just by the interstate. We had a Restaurant.com certificate for them and it is just minutes from the airport and Sam's Town. They are a "casual dining" type of place with moderate prices and good value. The hostess asked if it was our first time there, and since it was, they gave us a complimentary appetizer of fried zucchini. Adrienne the "zucchini hater" even tried some and said that it was good! Portions were large to the point that we had leftovers for the next day's breakfast.
Then to Sam's Town with a quick stop at CVS for Pepsi One. On sale for $2.99 per 12 pack sure beats buying cans from the vending machine. When staying at Sam's Town try to get one of the newly remodeled rooms. Adrienne loves having a make-up mirror. Being very nearsighted is not good having to do eyeliner when you are 2 feet away from a mirror. Also, a view of the Atrium is preferred.
For those who haven't been there you should visit Sam's Town as well as Red Rock, Cannery, Silverton, Green Valley Ranch and Orleans.
As for the gambling -- we are serious video poker players and when that gets tiring we play slots for fun. We did OK on video poker at South Point and Ellis Island (nickel Multi-Strike) And pretty poorly elsewhere -- Sam's Town, Red Rock, Santa Fe Station, Harrah's, Flamingo, Gold Coast. In other words -- no royals and not enough quads. On the slots we had fun and came out ahead. Wizard of Oz at South Point, John Wayne and Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back at Sam's Town, And various others that I can't remember. The word on the street and our feeling is that the slots are getting "tighter". For info on location of "good" video poker I consult VP Free.
Other dining was at: Ellis Island for the Steak Special -- not on the menu but at $6.99 a top value. Sam's Town Friday Night Seafood Night Buffet -- one of the lowest priced crab leg buffets in town, with Mexican, Italian and Chinese areas. Sam's Town Champagne Brunch; Harrah's Champagne Brunch -- better than Sam's Town but also 60% more expensive. Hilton Lunch Buffet - not a big buffet, but good quality.
TJ's SteakHouse at the Hilton -- a very good steakhouse with great steaks, great service and a strawberry dessert that you MUST leave room for if you are a fan. Del-Mar Deli at South Point -- the fried chicken and turkey sandwich were good sized and excellent quality. Kate's Korner Ice Cream (South Point, Sam’s Town, Gold Coast and other locations) serves Edy's (known also as Dreyer's) and offers better value than the Ben & Jerry's or Hagen Das stores. It will be a while until I can look at a buffet without reaching for my "fat" pants.
Entertainment!!! On Friday we attended the Las Vegas Philharmonic's Star Spangled Spectacular 4th of July Concert and Fireworks display. Held in in a natural amphitheater at The Hills Park in Summerlin. With sponsorship from Hughes Corp. (developers of Summerlin) and Ruth's Chris they put on a great show. On a hill that overlooks the entire valley we could see fireworks lighting off in every part of Las Vegas. The concert concludes with the 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes forever both accompanied by the BEST fireworks display we have ever seen. We were VERY IMPRESSED.
On Sunday we went to Steve's ELV member's lunch at Harrah's. It was a pleasure to meet and talk to all of you who were able to attend. Following that we went with the group to a performance of Toxic Audio in the V-Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops (formerly The Desert Passage). Again WE WERE IMPRESSED! Talented performers put on a great show that we were not prepared for. Why they don't get more publicity is a mystery to us. They "rocked"!!!
On Monday was THE ELV SLOT TOURNAMENT. (I was tempted to add "first annual" but that would be very presumptuous). All I can say is -- A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. From the lunch buffet to the final door prize it was well organized and a pleasure. Steve handled a running commentary with professional ease. Assistance from Las Vegas resident Marty and special guest MC Impressionist/Singer Larry G. Jones added to an already great tournament. Even those few of us who came away empty-handed had a good time.
Special thanks should go to Ira and all of the people from The Las Vegas Hilton, hotel, special events, food and beverage and sports book. They were very cooperative and more than generous with facilities and door prizes. Also, the Hilton does have some of the best video poker on or near the strip.
Finally, a special hello to some of the people that we met on this trip: Steve, Marty, Bobbie Jo, Curtis, Greg and the rest of you who's names have already faded into the middle-aged fog that I used to call a memory! Marty, we are making it a point to visit you at the Skyline Casino on our next trip. I've read that the prime rib is terrific and a great value. |
|
Last edited by Steve; 07-12-2008 at 11:19 PM.
|
Linear Mode
