Via Las Vegas!

John and I went to Las Vegas this weekend to celebrate my birthday and to just have a good time. It was a nice trip. We arrived bright and early to the Excalibur casino. Right away we were attacked by the time share folks. I made a bet to John that we would be asked (harrassed) by the time share folks at least 6 times. We dropped off our bags and were off for the adventure! The first step was the Star Trek experience at the Hilton. We took the monorail behind the MGM Grand (after asking how to get that and twarting a time share guy). It was a smooth trip and dropped us off right in front of the Hilton. We hopped off, walked into Hilton and to the left was the lovely Quarks Bar. We ate lunch and watched the costumed actors. There was also a flock of Star Trek nerdal, about 40 people dressed up in STTNG uniforms going thru the Star Trek Experience. I’m not sure if flock is the right word, pride, murder? John tried to be sneaky and have them bring me a b-day cake. But I kinda figured it out, since the lady came up twice to ask if that is what he wanted. But the cake was darn good.

After that we went to back to Excalibur. We spent some time in the game section where John readly defeated several people, small people including children to win a bear. Since we were going to the Tournament of the King next it seemed only right that his name be called Lord Booty. King Arthur joins the kings of Europe in a battle for honor with real jousting and sword fighting. It was hokey but neato. After that, we went to the games again and I was lucky enough to defeat some people including children, to win him a Tiger. Then we walked down the strip. It was a good night.

Very very very early the next day we grab some coffee and met Ed, a guide for out Hummer Tour to a gold mine. We hopped into the Hummer and we were the only ones on the tour that day! He drove us to El Dorado and gave a tutorial of how Hummers were made and how there are levels of Hummers. We were in the delux Hummer. Ed was a nice guy and defintely had a world view that can be described as “Libertatian.” He talked about how to truely support our troops (buy them body armour). Then he showed us the small town of Nelson (population 38). This areas was small, and just a few years ago there was a flash flood and 3 old packards were exposed in the river bank. They looked cool, I would love to have stopped and checked them out.

Then we arrived at the Teahattcup mine for a guided tour. The guy whose name I forgot so we called him Tonys Cousin. Tony owns the mine and his cousin helps him a lot. He told some great stories and was defintely a rockhound. They found this entrance to the mine a few years ago and expanded the tunnels, added lights and I assume made it safer for the clumsy tourists. This area is also used for a lot of movies, the last being some elvis type flick staring Kevin Costner and Kurt Russel. I forget the name and I really dont wanna investigate the title. Tony’s Cousin talked about how the miners would stand on this wooden planks, smack small holes with a metal rod, pack the holes with blackpower, light it and then get the hell out of the way. All by candlelight. Yowza.

Ed gave us some information about the desert. The man is a foundtain of knowledge. Quite a character.

We made our merry way back to the hotel, changed and we to Cravings, follow the intriguing aroma into a contemporary village of savory world flavors. Celebrate the art of eating in a visually appetizing scene designed by Adam Tihany and experience 11 cooking stations, a street of restaurants and an array of tempting elements only at Cravings – the ultimate buffet dining experience. Okay thats the PR but damn it was good. We walked around a bit, saw some more Casinos (I still don’t agree with the beauty of the new casino, Wynn. But whatever)

We made our way bacl to the hotel, had a power nap, got dressed up and made our way to the MGM Grand to see Tom Jones. Okay that manmight be in his 70′s but heck he can move. Great voice. Lots of women in the audience swooning. Good Show. Of course its illegal to take pictures or recordings, so we have neither. Cause that is wrong.

After that we made our way down to Freemont Street, wandered a bit and at midnight saw the Freemont Experience. Back to the hotel, next day made our way home. It was a good trip.