Trip ran from March 17th to March 22nd.

AIRLINE- Checked in at airport about 4:30 A.M. and had no trouble getting through security. Flew National both ways and had smooth flights. Left Philadelphia 45 minutes late and every seat on the plane was occupied.
Check in 3/22 – Airport – Gave ourselves plenty of leeway to possibly be ahead of the crowd. Breezed through downstairs at McCarran- no more than 10 minutes maximum. Fred and I traded seats before boarding the plane home and yes, yes, yes. I lucked out with an empty seat in the middle. If possible, Fred and I get aisle seats across from each other.

WEATHER- Beautiful weather during the week. Continually got warmer until it was in the 80's by Friday. Returned to Philadelphia where the temperature was 30 degrees. Of course, our winter coats were in the suitcases.

HOTEL-Check-in at The Orleans went rather fast. The clerk blocked a room for Mike near ours available later in the day. No problem, we dropped all luggage in one room and headed off to the casino. Fred and I were lucky enough to have 3 comped nights this trip. Mike was a “first timer” who joined us on this trip.

CASINOS- Bellagio must need players. We were simply strolling thru after viewing the Conservatory (more fragrance than usual emanating from the gardens) and decided to stop at an end video poker machine with $5. It wasn't but a few minutes before we were approached by an employee wanting to obtain a slot card for us. This holds true with what Jan indicated on her report.

Texas Station – While entering the buffet, the cashier asked if anyone was a veteran. Since Mike was, he was given a comped meal. First time I can remember that happening. 9/11 must have had an affect. There I had the best bean soup that I tasted in a long time. . Does that tell you something about how impressed I am with food and restaurants in Las Vegas?

Orleans – Had some good sleep on this trip as I took along my own pillow.

Green Valley Ranch – ate at Trophy's. I'd rate it average.

Casinos visited on this trip – Orleans, NYNY, MGM, Barbary Coast, Rio, Venetian, Harrah's, Casino Royale, Bellagio, Sam's Town, MSS, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate, California, Binion's, Suncoast, Texas Station, Green Valley Ranch, Fiesta Reserve and Mike entered Bourbon Street to check it out.

NYNY was disappointing with all the construction. Even though we managed to get sandwiches at the deli.

GETTING AROUND- It was amazing how many shuttles were waiting for us with our hit or miss way of catching them on this trip. Probably couldn't have planned as well had we had schedules in hand.

Many cab rides this trip, but only one below par………….seatbelts broken, side of car damaged, goblets and garbage on floor in back and driver that did not appear to understand English very well. Had a conversation with one cab driver about Winpoker. He uses an older version.

We walked the strip from San Remo to Stardust ( on different days). In between we logged many miles on the strip and elsewhere.

We took the CAT bus from downtown to the Bellagio. Boarded at the DTC and exited at Bellagio. Use the 302 if possible as it stops at fewer places.

FRIENDS- Enjoyed meeting new and old friends as usual. Thanks to everyone. Never enough time for everything.
We met Mike Dunghe at Brendan's Pub at Orleans. Great guy. It was a pleasure meeting you Mike. Conversation flowed freely as it wasn't until the last point where Duke lost did we realize the NCAA tournament was even running. Here at home, we don't miss a game!

SHOWS-Bobby Vinton show – first rate……..really played the audience. Strolled not just up and down aisles, but through rows to meet people. We agree with Wendell, we were amazed at how great a musician he is on various instruments. “God Bless America” was a real highlight of the show with the audience joining in and coming to its feet. Entire backdrop was draped in an American flag. Being from PA and roots in NE PA, I especially enjoyed the Pennsylvania Polka and the Beer Barrel Polka.

Enjoyed the Ronn Lucas afternoon show at the Rio. Obtained a coupon for 2 from the internet requiring the purchase of a $6.95 drink. Asked several in line if they had reduced tickets and got some suspect looks wondering what I was up to. One couple did accept a coupon. Thirteen plus dollars much better than the $43.30 it would have cost them. We did enjoy the show very much. The show was originally a nightclub act so some content may disturb those with small children. At times, you realized he was trying to adapt and tone it down when seeing young children in the audience. I thought him a class act guy. I'm looking forward to making a puppet with our granddaughter via his instructions.

Coffee at GN, sat on patio and watched two shows of FSE. First one impressed me not at all as all I saw was red/yellow flames running from one end of Fremont to the other. Fred disagreed and tried to explain to me it was a lot more than that. Truth is, I believe it was a rain forest burning. Second show was much better in my opinion, but still not the best I've ever viewed. Guess our timing was off.

GAMBLING- Best gambling for Beth was Monday at Sam's Town, MSS and The Orleans in the evening. Rest of the week was a struggle to come out ahead. Tried the FPDW at Sam's with no luck. I do not like the speed of most FPDW at The Orleans so this trip found me playing Bonus and DB and DDB the most. Then again, I could win NOTHING on deuces.

TIDBITS-By the way, Beth served coffee and muffins to Fred in the room at least three mornings this trip. Must write that in my ledger.<LOL>

Shuttle driver told us of convention building being constructed by Mandalay Bay Corp. This is located at the southern end of MB.

Did you guys have to go home in order to "rest up"? WOW - while reading your report, I thought it might have been simpler if you had just listed the Casinos you did "not" hit - you guys sure got around - great report. When is your next trip?? I took advantage of the Orleans $39.00 offer for July and National is also running at "reduced rates". Glad you enjoyed Bobby Vinton - great performer, huh? I passed a "Sun Country" gate while passing thru DFW, but I was pleased with National - so I booked them again. It sounded like you guys did not have too much time for gambling (like us), running around so much. Thanks for the report, if we don't see you guys before hand, hope to see you in November. Best Regards: Wendell

Beth,

It still amazes me to hear how much you get around with no car.

What time did your flight leave Philly that you got to the airport so early?

JM,

The flight was scheduled to leave at 7:55 A.M. We allow time to get to the airport, park the car and get SHUTTLED to the airport. Then one never knows how long it will take to get through security. We would hate to be late and miss the plane.

I like the first part of line one ...
"the trip ran......"

Yup, I think you had to do some running to get everything in<g>. Sorry I missed you out at Sam's, but I still think it was amazing to run into you that first day at the Orleans. I think the "our slot club has moved to a new CONVENIENT location" sign is hilarious! It might be convenient for them, but it's a royal pain for the rest of us<vbg>.

Didn't Fred bring you coffee & muffins once in November? Don't men get triple credit for such thoughtfulness?

Beth, thanks for another fun packed trip report!

The Orleans slot club is tucked away so well, I had thought of leaving a bread crumb trail back to my favorite machines! Yikes, but the bar back there is great looking and had a little time to check out the new poker room too. Very nice, and quiet. Sorry we missed you by a day in vegas, but we can visit anytime neighbor! LOL

Enjoyed your report. I find more and more I'm electing not to rent a car. I think if I planned on all the off strip casinos you went to, I'd still rent one. But you've shown it can be done. A little planning, and a little luck with timing helps. How do you feel about your transportation choices in retrospect?
- Mike

Mike,

This trip we hopped cabs a few more times than most trips, but it worked out well. If one plans and avoids those "forever" left hand turns, it keeps that meter down.

The shuttles seemed to be waiting for us this time so we lucked out in that area. The one from Harrah's to Sam's took exactly 17 minutes from door to door. Couldn't do much better than that in a car as one still "should" stop for red lights.<s>

We even rode the CAT #302 one night from the DTC which we haven't used on recent trips. My needing a pit stop while at DTC worried me a little, but I had two good men who agreed to stand body guard at the door. Scary place by oneself. If they weren't with me, there would have been a mishap on the ride back to the strip.

We would not have visited a few of the casinos on the outskirts this trip had it not been for friends.

In addition, once National Airlines solved its computer problems in Philly early morning, that too was a good selection for a flight. Time did not matter at this point as we would have had to sit in the terminal anyway.

Thanks for reading. Hope we can get together on one of these trips.

Beth