Visiting Vegas 2021

Well, it finally happened! We made it back home to Las Vegas for a short trip – our first in well over a year. The trip was filled with memories, friends and great food – oh and a little gambling as well! Speaking of the gambling – once again I would like to say that I do not like the new huge, bright slot machines. Give me my good old Planet Moola desk model or similar. And also once again, the machines were not very kind to me. But then, I didn’t expect them to be nor did I spend much time playing. We were too busy socially!

Our trip started with a 3-day notice that Karen had the week off. We scrambled to make plans for our limited time and many friends. We arrived by 11AM and as expected, our room was not ready. Ok, let’s eat! Easier said than done. Vegas is still maintaining many Covid closures and our hotel – The Cosmopolitan – was no different. Looking for a lighter lunch, we checked out the open restaurants and struck out. There was a 2-hour wait at The Henry. Nope! That wasn’t going to work for us. We were very hungry and wanted food now! A quick call to the pool area restaurant – Overlook Grill – netted us an immediate table. We soon ordered and enjoyed our meal – breakfast for Karen; lunch for me. Our server was great, wanting us to be 100% pleased with our choices.

But, I get ahead of myself. Let’s discuss our flight experience in almost 2 years. We chose Southwest because they had a non-stop itinerary. The Orlando airport was packed! Karen and I ended up getting separated going through security. We both always have pre-check but the wheelchair valet – I always get gate-to-gate assistance – had other ideas as he was taking care of me and another passenger who did not have pre-check clearance. So Karen went through pre-check with all the bags and my rollator walker and I went through the regular line with nothing. Not my phone or purse. Just my ID and boarding pass. When we got through the line and came out the other side, we did not see Karen. No big deal. She knew our gate and I knew she’d find me there. So off we went to catch the shuttle. Karen caught up with us and we all traveled to the gate together. Whew! I really don’t want that experience again!

Our room at the Cosmopolitan was on the 53rd floor overlooking the Bellagio fountains and the LV Strip. Our friend had arranged for VIP check-in and they called us when our room was ready. The room was very nice and the view was great! Soon, it was time to meet Karen’s friend and his friend from Rochester for dinner at Blue Ribbon. We shared many Rochester memories. It turned out that he worked in the same building at Kodak as my late husband, but did not remember him. What a dinner! We dined on an assortment of menu items family style so we could taste a bit of everything. Our server was great and took excellent care of us.

As the week progressed, we shared many meals with local friends from breakfasts to lunches to dinners. All our food from the Cosmopolitan restaurants was very good. Our offsite lunch was a treat but an offsite breakfast and dinner were rather disappointing food quality-wise. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to re-visit favorite old restaurants as food and management changes over the years. Still, for the entire week we did not go hungry!

One of our traditions when visiting Vegas is to visit the memorial area Karen and I created for Ed on Mt. Charleston. Of course, what’s a visit to Mt. Charleston without a little drama?! Yes, we are talking about me again! This trip was made with a ‘boot’ on my foot and a bandaged toe. Not the most comfortable of all things to vacation or trek a mountainside with! In spite of it all, with the assistance of my wonderful, helpful and encouraging daughter, I made it to and from the memorial none the worse for wear but exhausted from my efforts. It was a bit disappointing to see that the perennial and cactus seeds we planted on our last visit didn’t not survive. We talked about future visits and perhaps what we could do instead. It seems the area is now well used as there were a couple camp fire rings close by.They looked well placed but a spark is possible and another fire on Mt. Charleston would be devastating.

Too soon it was time for our return flight. There were empty seats on this flight so thankfully Karen and I did not have anyone else seated between us. Not sure why, but the cabin was freezing cold! And of course the captain does not like turning off the seat belt sign! We both caught some type of ‘crud’ from this trip and many days later are still trying to get over the coughing part.

To our friends who came out to see us and dine with us, you all know who you are and we thank you for arranging your day so you could spend some time with us. Not sure when we will return, but now that travel is opening up again, it may be sooner than we all thought! Until next time…

UPDATE: I just realized that his blog post was never published. After our return and for many days, I endured a dry, hacking cough that I couldn’t shake. Off to the doctors with me! He quickly sent me to the hospital to be checked out further. After a total of 29 days – between 2 visits – I finally came home with new-to-me illnesses, life changes and a mini pharmacy. As time moves on, I am doing better and the 2 major specialists for my care are pleased with my progress. My daughter, Karen, is part of the progress as she has supported me emotionally and physically during the past couple of months. I lost the month of June. July has been spent visiting doctors and labs on a weekly basis. August is here with a breath of fresh air as I continue to improve and my on-site doctor visits have decreased. I will say that I never want to experience 29 days in any hospital ever again! Value your health – you never know!

The scene is worth the journey.

–Unknown