Las Vegas Trip

Gary and I had so much fun last year on our trip that we decided to take another one this year.  We booked this trip back in March and it was the first time we have booked a trip on the internet.  This trip was through Expedia and we think we got a pretty good deal out of it.  For the two of us with air and motel is was $885.

We flew Frontier Airlines this time which took us from Billings to Denver to Las Vegas and back.  At the time of booking I was able to pick out seats but was not allowed to chose seats next to each other on the flight from Billings to Denver on both legs.  We were able to chose next to each other on the Denver to Las Vegas legs.  I was told that usually when this happens the airlines fix it by the time your have to check in.

We left on Friday the 2nd and returned home on Tuesday the 6th.  I printed out our boarding passes the night before and sure enough we were together on the Billings to Denver leg.  We had good times, left Billings at 10:20 am and arrived in Las Vegas at 3:00 pm.  We had a two hour layover in Denver which gave us time to find our gate and get a drink.  All of our flights were on time and we breezed through security.  We also just had carry on bags, no checked bags. Our luck was with us before we left Billings, the long term parking lot was full and we had to park in the overflow lot.  Didn't have to pay for parking, but had to walk a long ways to the terminal.

The Las Vegas airport had built a new terminal since last year which we arrived.  Found the shuttle bus place and bought our tickets.  Learned our lesson from last year to make sure I got four tickets.  It was $26 round trip for the both of us.  All I had to do was call the day before to make arrangements for the pick up shuttle.

We got checked in to the hotel without any problems.  A big tour bus was in front of us and we managed to make our way to the registration desk in front of the tour group.  We were on the 22nd floor in Tower 1.  We didn't have a view of the strip, our view was the roof of the hotel.  We also signed up for a time share tour on Monday morning.  These people were out and about last year but just ignored them, we though why not.  Had nothing to do on Monday morning anyway and just by going we got $100 worth of dinner coupons.

Send a message to Ed and he met us at the casino with Eden.  We took them out to dinner at the burger place then just walked around and visited.  Gary went up to the room to take a nap after dinner, so Ed, Eden and I checked out the casino.  When I checked in I was given a book with coupons.  There was a coupon for the game area and I let Eden have that.  He went home with a little prize.  Had a good visit.

Played a bit on the machines wasn't winning to I left.  Saturday morning Gary and I both placed bets on the college football games.  One game I was going to bet on was taken off the card, so had to pick another team.  Good thing because the team I was going to pick ended up losing that day.  I was so excited as I won $500 on my picks.  Gary also won $2100.  We lost on the football games on Sunday.  Oh well, that's how it goes.  Still was successful.  I told Gary that he has me hooked on sports betting.  It was exciting sitting there watching the games with all the other people.

Monday morning we went on the time share tour.  It was interesting and lasted about three hours.  We got some pastries and drinks had fun telling the salesperson no, we were not interested.  It would be a great program if you traveled alot which we don't.  We got our dinner coupons and went on our merry way.  We had $50 at the Excalibur and $50 at the MGM Grand.  It would have been better if they gave us cash, but still got some free meals.

In between times we walked up and down the strip.  It was fun watching people and we even stopped to watch a street magician.  He was pretty good, Gary enjoyed it enough to tip the guy.  Didn't make it up the whole strip really need a vehicle to see all the sights. We did walk further than we did last year.

Met up with Ed again on Sunday, we sat in the lounge at the Excalibur as they had a live band performing.  I bought Ed and I some beer and told him to drink every drop.  Beer was $11.89 for two during the first round.  Bought Ed and I another round and it was $13.89.  Since the band was performing there was a live entertainment tax.  That's all the drinking we did.

Tuesday morning we had to be ready for the shuttle by 5:30 am. We got our boarding passes printed and this time we were not sitting together on the Denver to Billings leg. Security was a bit harder this time.  I didn't have a problem, but Gary had to go back several times.  The first time he had his truck keys in his pocket so back he went to take them out, the second time the machine didn't like his glasses in his shirt pocket or the papers that he had in his pants pocket.  I wondered what happened to him as he was right behind me.  He finally made it through.  We got to Denver and he couldn't find his truck keys.  We went through everything.  He had left them in the little bowl at the Las Vegas airport.  No problem since we get into Billings at 2:30 we can just go to the Nissan dealer and get a new key.  I had my truck key with me. The flight to Billings was not full and the seat next to me was empty so Gary was able to sit with me anyway.

We had so much fun again that we are planning on going again next year.  I have posted my photos onto Picasa.  Didn't take my big camera, too much to carry without a checked bag so the photos were taken with my cell phone.  Not the best quality especially the night and lounge photos.