Well, as some of you know I took a total spur of the moment trip to Vegas yesterday on about 3 hours notice after pondering it a few hours longer then that.

Meeting up with a friend here (who I’ve yet to see by the way, he went to bed about the time I arrived on the America West redeye last night). I didn’t have a hotel (could’ve crashed with him), I instead stayed up until 9:30 a.m. and at the end checked into the Orleans for $35 a night for Tue. Wed. Thurs.)

I buried the lead, I hit my first ever royal flush last night. What an awesome feeling! I’ve been playing VP for 18 years (2 years pretty intense, I used to live in Reno and played every blue moon).

It was on 25-cent DDB, at the Palms, the 100% machines right as you walk in by the sportsbook. I was dealt 3 to the royal in spades, then drew the other two and whooped it up. The machine locked up and I had to stare at it awhile.

The Palms was having problems and still is. Their computers are down they say and so the ticket in, ticket out isn’t working on very many machines. For insance, previous to the Royal, I put $100 in a machine around the corner, played it to $61.25, decided to change out and handpay celebration music came on. It took forever to get my $61, the floor lady apologized saying she’s overwhelmed as everytime someone cashes out she has to do a handpay. So I go around the corner, put in the $60 and hit the royal at $40. (more…)

Just got back and while I’m not the glib trip reportist many of you are, I really enjoy reading your trip reports and thought if I can add even a moment of enjoyment or new information to readers of this board then I’ll give it a shot.

Second caveat…I’m only 24 hours back and it’s practically a blur already. Thus a day-to-day report is impossible (my hats off to those of you who keep written or mental notes). This report will be categorized with highlights of my trip. So here goes and hope you enjoy…

Flight
Continental out of South Florida through Houston. Uneventful and on time for all four legs (not a bad start to the trip). First time going through Houston and was caught off guard at how busy and large Houston airport is. So many trucks on runway it looked like a freeway. Also surprised at being given food/snack on each flight, plus two beverage services per flight. Four sandwiches offered; no sandwiches taken. Hate airline food, but nice touch in these troubled airline times. Only complaint — luggage took nearly an hour to get. Apologies were relayed over PA system. Seemed there were 3 flights coming in and two going out even at 11 pm.

Car Rental
Chose Dollar using my Fastlane membership. Pure breeze. Arrived at Dollar at 11 pm. I was offered a van (reserved intermediate). Since this trip was with my mom (84 years young) and sister (with knee problems) declined the van and within 60 seconds a Sebring rolled up. Hopped in and was off. By the way thanks to those of you who advised me to modify my reservations with the exact pick up and drop off times. Cost me a few dollars more but it relieved my anxieties considering the delays getting our luggage.

Hotel
Orleans for six nights. Couldn’t beat price ($40 weekday, $99 weekend) and ease of parking. First night got a room in the new tower. Dropped off luggage in my room and called my sister’s room only to hear squeals. Seems ants were crawling around the baseboard and nightstand. Called housekeeping who came up with spray. All was well with the ants, but…an hour after going to sleep in my room (about 7 am) was awaken by a weird scratching noise in the wall. In my sleep-deprived blur, and I’m sure thinking about the invasion of the ants in my sister’s room, thought for sure it was some larger critter scratching it’s way out of the walls. Went downstairs later that day and changed rooms. Was told the scratching was probably one of the many construction noises on the property. New old room was much better. Upside of rooms in new tower –better water pressure and lighting. Downside of older rooms — sinks set so far off edge of bathroom counter that short people like me have to enter a spitting contest to brush their teeth! (Anyone else have this problem?) Oh, well. Still love the Orleans (more…)