Day 1 started and finished great with an "on time" departure at DFW and arrival at McCarran. This permittted an early arrival at the Orleans with an immediate check-in and room. After getting settled, we were picked up by Lee and Sharon and it was off to the Hofbrauhaus where we met up with the Senator and Daisy. Good German beer and food was available here along with great company. After a little Talk Vegas gossip and company, it was off to Palace Station for a great Italian dinner with Daisy. Dinner was accompied by live piano and singing by the individual who plays at the Liberace museum. I highly recommend this adventure for a great evening of dining and listening. Back to the Orleans to catch up on "Jet Lag" and ZZZ's. Day 2 started with breakfast at the French Market Buffet and a little "chit chat" with Boyd Management personnel regarding our annual meetThanksgivng. They really were not interested in booking this far in advance and stated that their booking individual would contact me before our trip ended - which they never did so consequently nothing was booked. I definatley was not impressed with Boyd people. Lee had mentioned the day before that he thought Haufbrauhaus would make a good meeting place and I agree! I recall our meet at Brendons Pub which was also a great meet, as well as Main Street Station so if anyone has any suggestions or ideas, now is the time to speak up. That afternoon we ventured down to Harrahs buffet (Maxine loves their banana foster} This was followed by "Hats" there at Harrahs which was OK - I guess- comparable to "Menopause" but not quite that good. This ended day 2 and back to the Orleans. Day 3 started with breakfast there at the Orleans and would you believe I got in a little "hot tub" time there at the Orleans. Dinner that evening was at the Cortez room in the Gold Coast and a little "Jazz Time" there prior to dinner. The evening was topped off at Caesars for Bette Medler - we really enjoyed her performance but I do believe she could have cleans up some of her wit. This lady can really sing! When the show ended and aprx 4000 people made their exit, it was wall to wall people. Back to the Orleans for more shut eye. Day 4 started with breakfast at the Courtyard and off to town for a little souvinier shopping. On the way, we must have walked (way too far) to catch a double decker city bus. I can't help but comment on the "enormous construction Project" going on mid-strip. Maxine said she counted 17 crains and one of our tour guides stated that he had counted 35 at one time. We were informed that this project is estimated to cost 10 billion dollars with half being footed by Steve Wynn and the other half by Saudia Arabia. One would never know the LV economy was down if they strolled up and down the Strip. That evening was topped off by the Las Vegas Mob tour at the Greek Isles. IMHO, this tour is a MUST for those Talk Vegas people that are continuously in and out of Las Vegas, as well as those people that have an interest in the history of Las Vegas.Viewing of the movie "Cssino" is definately a must. The tour guide here is extremely well informed as to Mob activities. The only recommendation I would have here would be to move it out of Greek Isles. It is difficult to believe that this facility once belonged to Debbie Reynolds. Day 5 was uneventful as it was another travel day back to DFW and reality and to prepare for another one. (Sorry we missed you JMT on this one but figured that Southwest had you well occupied. - catch you next time) Adios Amigos.

Wendell - Thanks for a great TR - I'm very envious that you got to see Bette Midler. Glad you liked the show!

I've seen the guy from the Liberace museum - I think his name is Wes Winters. I was with my parents when we stumbled upon him one time - the guy can really play. My Mom fell in love with him and we went back to see him again on subsequent trips. I didn't know he plays at Palace Station.

Regarding the November meet - I'm open to all of the suggestions you made. I'm sure whatever you choose will be great.

Please give Maxine my regards!

Wow Wendell. It sounds like you had a good time. I've heard that guy at the Palace Station. I just haven't taken the time to sit down and enjoy it. I don't know much about Italian food except that I don't rate that place very high for my personal taste. I'll try it again someday to catch Wes Winters.

Sorry to hear Boyd did not want to talk to you. They didn't want to talk to me either when I had some concerns. I've been in their properties about 5 times in the last year or so except for special events from Lena, Kelly, and a few others.

While you hit on the Mob Tour, Bette, and Jazz band, which I like, you also reminded me of shows I need to see. I'm not eager to see Hats, I know some girls from Menopause, and I really should take time to see Barry Manilow and even Jimmy Hopper. The more I look at the show listings, the more I realize how far I am behind. None of them will be around forever and neither will I, so I need to catch what I can while I have the chance. I don't like the Riviera at all but I could spend a few nights there catching up too.

I've only eaten the Harrahs buffet once, and I thought it was pretty good. Is the Cortez room still good?

Thanks for the trip report. Sorry I missed you. We'll catch up next time. When is your next trip?

Wendell, you sure don't let any grass grow under your feet!
How did you get from Ceasars, back to the Orleans? By cab? If so, I can only imagine the cab lines. One more thing I liked about Bette's show....7:30, after the show you still had some night left for a cocktail or 3!
As for future meets....I think anywhere to host a meet with talkvegas people, your garrenteed a good time. So I wouldn't sweat the details. You have plenty of time, and plenty of choices!
Great meet at the houfbrahouse. I really like the pretzels and beer....I think the senator really liked the ice tea! LOL
I think I'll skip hats, the mob tour sounds interesting, but 2 1/2 hrs seems a bit long at night.
Thanks for a great trip report! I'll see you in November!

This is so great - dueling trip reports! Well, not really dueling - its just fun to read so many posted at once. Would only better if I had one to post myself!

Wendell, you and Maxine make me tired just reading all the stuff you did. That jacuzzi or hot tub thingie at Orleans must be really rejuvenating (or, maybe its the bananas foster!)

You reminded me I do want to try the Harrahs buffet.

Does the attitude of the Boyds people make you consider moving your hotel room home base to another location, rather than the Orleans? As far as the meet location goes, anything goes!

For JMT; The "jazz band" is still great and so is the Cortez room - it seems as though we always have to have at least 1 meal there per visit. Haven't decided on the exact dates for the next trip BUT we will be there and that's for sure! For Lee: You wouldn't believe the size of the taxi-cab line after Bette - almost unbelieveable so we didn't even try it - we crossed the street into Bally's and stepped right into a taxi. Maybe we can catch you and Sharon before November??

Wendell,
That was a smart taxi play. We didn't exit the casino when Bette's show was over, but thinking about your show, I couldn't help but wonder about the huge lines for cabs.
Our dates are pretty fixed for this year. July 16 to 22 and sept 10 to 16 and then Nov. 21 to 29, for your big meet!
Sharon has 3 unscheduled days yet, but those are planned for boating season, for nice weekends.

Thanks for dinner, Wendell - that was very nice of you to FINALLY pay off your 2006 football bet<vbg>.

I don't think the location of our meets really matters - this group has shown they can have a pretty darn good time just about anywhere.

wendell-you continue to be this boards ramblin-gamblin guy how you keep up with maxine,i don't know<G> another great trip to vegas,hope to see you in july over your birthday.

For Daisy: Your welcome - it was indeed a nice night - will have to try that again sometime. You are right - we can have a neat time anywhere we meet. For DAG: Will keep the board informed as to our next trip.

Wendell,

Nice seeing you and your bride as always.
You certainly do keep busy in Vegas.

Haufbrau House was great for our visit. If they'd let us meet out back where the smaller tables are I think it would be good. With those big tables like we were at, once you're in, you're in!

Wendell, Do you know if the houfbruahouse has any days with afternoon entertainment. I always used to hit the place at noon and something was going on???
BTW, the place was a great choice. Pretzels and beer, ah, the good life!

No, I don't know, but I can certainly find out - and will. I love the oom pah music and alp horns.

Kes: Do you recall the name of the individual you talked to when you set up the Main Street Station meet??

Hi Wendell!

Back at the time of the MSS meet, I knew nothing about this sort of thing. I didn't even realize at first I was hosting a meet! I just innocently posted "hey, gonna be in Vegas in February, anyone going to be around?" and next thing I knew a bunch of you were saying - hey, yeah! (except for you Mr. W, who pulled the surprise visit!)

Anyway - I don't even remember calling for a reservation over there. But I must have, since the 777 brewpub had a table set up for us. But - maybe someelse here realized I didn't have a clue and made the call?

So if I did it Wendell, it was just a call for a large party table reservation.

Hey, the way I remember it, you had four surprise guests that night. :p

hey i am amazed that i even remember being there!drank an awful lot of beer with lord that nite.by the by,where is lord lately?

YES....were is that Lord????

Daisy - you were ALL a surprise to me!

I think I titled my trip report that year something like "A blind date with 18 strangers"

of course you are not strange ---- ers any more!

that was a fun nite kes!! i still have davids art on the wall in my office