Viva Las Vegas!

Canceled 8/2/19
Rebooked for 10/19-22/19

Yes, folks…we are heading to Vegas again, fingers crossed there’s no medical emergencies this time!

Ahhh…Las Vegas…where I hung my hat for 8 great years! My late husband, Ed, retired from Kodak and decided to be a casino dealer. He loved poker! We had visited Vegas for years before packing up 25-some years of accumulation and moving across the country in 2005. I worked at Caesars Entertainment Corporate for 7-1/2 of those years. Unfortunately, and sadly, Ed passed away in 2012 after 40 years of marriage. Shortly afterwards, I retired and Karen and I started our journey together. It is with mixed emotions that I go back to Vegas after a 4 year absence. Once I moved there, I never thought I’d leave. This will be a short trip of 3 nights to honor Ed, but it will be filled with many memories and friends for both Karen and myself.

For the last several vacations, Karen and I have traveled internationally. Requesting wheelchair assistance was always easy – just indicate when purchasing ticket and check in at the airport. However, I was a bit surprised to have American Airlines call and leave a message regarding my request for wheelchair assistance for our flight to Las Vegas. I was interviewed on the phone, basically confirming the information that I provided when booking the ticket. I also told them that I have a handicap parking pass, which seemed to assure them that I needed the assistance that I requested. Just a different procedure from being greeted at the door of Southwest with a wheelchair, for sure!

Hotel – check
Flight – check
Rental car – check
Friends notified – check

We will be enjoying a complimentary stay at the Four Seasons hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, which we are definitely looking forward to! Love being treated like a valued guest! The cutest amenity was sent to our room. A totally chocolate Las Vegas sign and delicious assorted macarons. I’ve always loved the famous Las Vegas sign. Outside our window was a view of the new Raiders stadium being built.

I wasn’t able to walk back to where we memorialized Ed the last time we were in Vegas, four years ago. This time, come hell or high water I’m going to do it! Just pray my sure-footedness is locked in and operational! It’s a great spot, high upon Mt. Charleston, overlooking the Las Vegas valley.

It was a nice sunny day on the mountain, except when the wind blew by. We planted cactus seeds and poppy seeds. We hope they survive the winter and bring some color to the mountain. Even if only 1 seed produces a plant, it will be worth the effort. We decided that we need a bench on the mountain  instead of the small tree stump I rolled off from! More scary than anything besides trying to get back up off the mountain floor! As I looked up at the sky, I thought, well at least the helicopter can drop a basket to get me out of here! Both hips took a beating but thankfully I walked back out off the mountain with Karen’s assistance. It’s always a sad but memorable day when we visit Mt Charleston. We all know that Ed left us way too soon.

Had wonderful visits with friends Bernie, Akira, Mary Lou and Eddie by the pool. Sunshine! Sadly our dinner with Kelley was canceled due to her brother’s accident. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Not a fan of all the new slot machines. Hard on the eyes with all the very bright flashing lights and huge screen displays  Thankfully there were some of my older favorites to play. The Planet Moolah game was kind to me. As was the Craps table for Karen. But being good visitors, we left a nice casino donation behind!

Ate lots of food. From burgers to fish and chips to happy hour selections and more.It was a nice warm, relaxing getaway.

If something good happens, travel to celebrate it.
If something bad happens, travel to forget it.
If nothing happens, travel to make something happen.

Note: As you may have noticed, I begin writing my blog posts in advance of the travel dates. This helps build the excitement of travel for me as well as writing the memories when we return for you all to read, enjoy and live vicariously through us!