The rest of Vegas....

I've been sick since we got back from Vegas, started to feel better in time for Christmas and then managed to face plant into a sidewalk today. LOL! Figured I'd better get folks caught up to date before I forget everything....[giggle].

So, here are the Las Vegas highlights with a few photos. You can see the rest of the pics in our SmugMug album.

Sunday (arrival): We got in early enough to do some sightseeing after managing to snag an early room check-in. We had a really nice view and I snapped a couple of shots. [Oh, before I forget, ALL photos while in Vegas were taken with my phone so forgive the quality!] We checked out the hotel, Planet Hollywood, then headed outside. The weather was nippy but sunny...but I don't think Stu noticed after we found the show girls.

Here are a few shots taken around town as we enjoyed our first afternoon...

Monday: We slept in a bit, ate breakfast at the Earl of Sandwich on the casino level of the hotel and people watched for a couple of hours. We had planned to go to Fremont Street later in the day to see the lights so we finally ventured out to purchase 3 day bus tickets ($20 each) and headed that way. We weren't disappointed.The overhead light show highlighted Christmas and Stu snapped a video sequence (we just don't know why it didn't capture the audio).

Tuesday: Free Wi-Fi in both Starbucks and Earl of Sandwich, along with free coffee refills at the latter helped us through the morning. Once it warmed up a bit, we ventured out again and perused some of the hotels and casinos. I really like the Paris and Venetian, both give you a sense of being indoors while in the shopping areas.

We stopped for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's in the Paris shopping area and got to experience an indoors rainstorm. What a production...what a treat! Then we wandered into the Wynn and loved their holiday decoration. Flowers, upon flowers, upon flowers...breathtaking! After dinner we headed to The Flamingo for the show, "Battle of the Dance", which had just opened. We had good seats and really enjoyed ourselves.

Wednesday: The show we had booked for today was at 9 pm and at The Four Queens on Fremont Street so we decided to do some sightseeing. We visited The Gold/Silver Pawn Shop (of TV fame). Seems like things have gotten REALLY pricey in there and lots more gift shop stuff. We caught a glimpse of Corey (Big Hoss) in the back but no one else. We then went next door to another little collectible/antique/trash shop and browsed a bit.

On the bus it was a hop, skip and a jump to The Stratosphere where we really enjoyed a leisurely, delicious lunch. There are several "rides" there and Stu shot a little video of one of them as they passed our window. For those that don't know, the restaurant at the top of the tower is a rotating one so we really enjoyed our views.

Outside we noticed two helicopters running around, looking military with guys holding guns sitting on the runners....then they closed in one of the hotels and we heard gunfire. This was repeated several times so we suspect they were filming a movie. It was fun to watch! Stu tried to shoot a little video.

The show was La Cage which has been around for years. We really enjoyed ourselves, laughing a lot and being surprised at how good some of the performers really were. Afterwards we stopped back at Chicago Brewing Company, where we had dinner, and picked up an empty growler and pint glass for our collection.

Thursday: Home again, home again! While never fun to head back into the Eastern timezone from Pacific, , Stu was smart enough to NOT book an early flight. As it was, we took off late from Las Vegas but our connection was even later so we had time to grab an airport hot dog. We picked up Freddie (the Freightliner) from the hotel and headed the 30 or so miles home. We spotted a Denny's and made a late (very late) dinner stop).

I woke in the middle of the night with a very sore throat and it went downhill from there. We pretty much vegged until Christmas, other than Stu running errands here and there. He did get all his scuba gear ordered and he still plans to write an blog about that (as well as his new trike).

The next week was quiet other than managing to spend a fantastic four hour lunch with our good friends, Nick and Terry Russell. We haven't seen them in over a year and it's been way too long. We hope to catch up at least once more before they head to Arizona.

Christmas was quiet and uneventful, at least I was finally starting to feel better. We watched two favorites, "A Christmas Story" and "Home Alone" while we ate turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac 'n cheese and asparagus. Fine dining for us....LOL!

Today we headed out to Wal-Mart for some last minute items, then to Mickey D's for coffee and while Stu finished up, I headed next door to Walgreen's (nothing special, just wanted to browse). Well, I should have gotten another cup of coffee...instead I managed to catch my foot on nothing, trip and take a header into the sidewalk. Now home with ice on right knee, chest and eyebrow. Scratched my brand new glasses....not a happer camper. No heavy walking or riding (bicycle or motorcycle) for a couple of days. Sigh....

I know other stuff has happened but guess it wasn't all that important since I can't remember any of it. LOL! Will try to blog more often now that I'm couch-bound, but I'm also playing around with a long forgotten romance novel that I outlined over 10 years ago as well as letting some mystery ideas germinate. Yup, Nick gave me the writing bug...bit once again.

I've been a published writer but it was over ten years ago and was 99% non-fiction. Now it's time to dip my toes in the fiction water and see how it feels. Wish me luck...remember back when I said I needed a hobby? Now I have TWO!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu