All,

I am truly sorry for not responding to all your replies to this topic. Your input has been most appreciated.

As this is very much a family trip, and as most (if not all) the family will be staying at Circus Circus, the decision has been made we -will- be staying there. So to try and make the best of it, I have booked a Large King Tower room. Question: Anyone know the layout of this room? Is there pull-out sofa that the kids can sleep on? Any recommendations for which floor (or even room ) I might try to request?

As for the drive (and overall time spent) going to the Grand Canyon, your feedback is well taken. Visiting this natural wonder has always been a dream of mine. I passed on it once last year while on a cross-country drive from CA to GA. But my drive was not pleasure (driving back an auto that my mom had left when she passed) so I'd hoped this would be my opportunity. Alas, I may save it for another trip.

Currently I am struggling to decide when to purchase airline tickets. Prices from Atl to LV seem outrageous to me... $300-$400/person round-trip? Sadly, I may have to pay that price

Anyway, thank you again for your input. I apologize that I have, and probably will, respond here infrequently. Work and home have me slammed all the time. This trip will truly be a welcome respite from my everyday life.

BTW, after reading Las Vegas Cajun's remark about possible snow in Kingman, I decided to map how far Kingman is from the GC. I can't belive I was THAT CLOSE to it (I spent the night in Kingman on my cross-country trip).

Hi Andrew,
I am just catching up on the boards, and wanted to tell you that our kids, who live in Paulding County, often find low fares from Birmingham to Las Vegas, on Southwest. If you can do the 1-2 hour drive, you can save a lot on airfare. Good luck, and have a great trip........hope your niece has a great time with the pageant. Is she Miss Georgia? We'll have to watch for her....

Hi GamblinTater! My niece is representing South Carolina (my wife's home state).

A little history: I lived on a small farm (28 acres) in Dallas when I was a child; we later moved to Smyrna and my dad leased the property. To this day I recall how the leasee did a little renovation of the property, including running a water line to the barn (several hundred feet away from the house) in order to run is MOONSHINE STILL.

Little did he know that our neighbor down that dirt road (this was still very rural country) was the Deputy Sheriff (later Chief of Police; last name Cason; ever heard of him/them) had 9 kids, and that they enjoyed playing on our property. They found the still & notified their dad; dad rounded up a posse, blew up the barn and arrested the man. I remember vividly how every tree in the nearby gully had died from the 'shine, and how much work it was to clean up every milk jug top and other destroyed remnants of this "largest still bust in the history of Paulding County." (then, of course)

Getting back on topic, I live just south of Braselton, on the other side of town. It would be almost as close to fly from Columbia, SC (definitely closer to go to Greenville) as it would Birmingham, considering the distance and time it would take to get there (traveling thru or around Atlanta). I've heard Clark Howard say many times how there are low fares from Birmingham. But realistically, it just doesn't makes sense for us.

I do appreciate the input, tho.

Take care...

Great story, Andrew.........my daughter lives in Dallas.........off of Due West Rd. We lived in good ol' "May-retta", the home of the Big Chicken, for eight years, and really enjoyed our time there. Toby worked on the Peachtree Station downtown, and then worked in Ballground......where the best BBQ in the area was found.......at Two Brothers! Did you ever eat there?
Anyway, hope you find a reasonable fare, and we'll cheer for Miss South Carolina!

Hi Andrew,
I went online and got Excalibur for 49.00 per night + 10.00 food voucher + 20.00 free gambling but you must Join the slot club. Excalibur.com or call 1 877 750 5464 Res. and fab some story why your calling res.. If the reservation person thell you no dice ask for the superviser and say you don't like to give your credit card on line. Then ask for the phone number of check in when you arive at the LAS air port. That way you woint have to wait in a long line at the hotel. Ask if you can get Tower 2 that is where the pool is located. If you park near Tower 2 you wont have to walk through the casino with all your bags. With using the quick check in only 1 has to go to the information desk for the key to the rook. There are a few eating places at EXcalimer, Lux or MAN Bay. You cand walk on the inside to eache hotel or take the Mono train.
Also Gold Cost has $20 per night for there 20 yrs in the gaming busniss offer going on now.
CC is no place to stay I would sleep no the out side in a tent maybe 20 yrs ago it was a good place.

Join the club, I've been living here for nearly 16 years and prior to moving to Vegas I lived in Arizona for 11 years. In the nearly 27 years I have lived out west, I can't tell you how many times I have crossed Hoover Dam, got to be over 100, and have yet to stop and go on the tour of the dam. With about one thousand - nine hundred and fifty two days I have left on my vacation here in Vegas I might try and squeeze in a tour of the dam before I leave.