We were in Vegas Oct 7-14, weather was perfect. Flight from Savannah, GA via Delta was rescheduled about seven times, but we (two couples) wound up in First Class from Cin. to Vegas, sweet! The wife and I get to Vegas about twice a year, our traveling companions have been once, about 7 years ago. The highlights: Thursday nite at the Freakin Frog! We got to (finally) see the Picadillos. What a fantastic show! We had a table on the second row! Cool! These boys are tight. What a fun night. If you like LIVE music you must make an effort to catch this group, they are unique, they will blow you away. The Freakin Frog has good food, a great beer selection (550 different beers) and IMHO, the best beer in America - Shiner Bock - on tap no less, it don’t get any better than this.

The gambling was OK, I mostly play VP, found some full pay JOB at Caesar’s near the Sports Book. Which, by the way, was our favorite place to watch sports and bet sports. We also had fun at the Hilton for Monday Nite Football, some good give always and a good crowd (if you were for the Steelers). I did not have much luck at Green Valley Ranch this time - this is one of my favorite casinos, great selection of VP. Also did not do well at the Palms, also a good VP selection, but no luck this time. I did better at places I usually don’t do much at, like MGM, Bellagio, and Venetian.

As for dining, we had the Sunday brunch at Commander’s Palace, my favorite restaurant, not just in Vegas, but anywhere! As usual, the service, the food were fantastic. We also ate at Fiamma (sp) at the MGM, it was crowded and noisy, the food was OK, but pricey for what we had. One of my new favorite places is Ferrara’s Cafe’ in the Forum Shops at Cesar’s, this was our second visit there and we were not disappointed, food and service were good. We also ate at Fat Burger on the Strip and In and Out. I prefer Fat Burger, the other three in our group voted In and Out.

We also ate at Toby Keith’s I Love the Bar and Grill at Harrah’s. They give you large portions, the price is reasonable, the food is only fair. My gripe: no draft beer!, they call this a bar? I Hate the Bar and Grill. We also tried Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. The food was good, reasonable and the place is fun. We had a “Perfect Margarita”, it may not have been perfect, but it was the best margarita I have ever had.

Our wives liked shopping at Green Valley Ranch and the Desert Passage Mall the best, they also liked the Fashion Show Mall.

One other gambling note: at Harrah’s, at the front (toward the street) they have a game called Rapid Roulette. It was great fun, you can loose you money quickly, or win a lot quickly. We had much fun playing there. Also, as reported by others on this group, your points at Harrah’s are wiped out after 6 months. I was there in Feb. but had no points left when I put my card in this time. Also, as previously reported, to park in their parking garage you have to have a player’s card or room key, or else they charge you. I had my player’s card ready and got in with ease. Thanks for the heads up.

Shows: We saw Mac King, this is by far the best show for the $ in Vegas. Went to the Total Reward’s booth and asked for “Mac King promotion?” and they gave me four “free” tickets - just had to buy one drink for each ticket. Tipped the bartender and got Capt.Morgan rather than the well brand, stout drinks! Also saw Folies Bergere’ for about the fourth time - still “The Classic Vegas Show”. Enjoyed by all.

Drove to Red Rock Canyon State Park, this is still an impressive place, no matter how many times you have been there, I go out there every trip to Vegas, a “must see” place. Can’t wait til my next visit, hope to get there in the spring.