A few days after my wife said I needed to get away and unwind, Palazzo sent me a 3-free nights offer so I found decent airfare and booked a trip.

USAir sent my email 48 hours before the flight confirming that they upgraded me. Smooth, on time flight. I chose the quiche this time for breakfast. It was served with a couple sausage links, a small salad and a pretty decent warm roll. The flight attendant actually took a litle effort to make a decent bloody mary. She added a lime and pepper to the mix.

I went crazier than normal on the rental car this time. I got upgraded to Executive level with National so I kind of wanted to rent from them in hopes of getting a really nice car. They were kind of high though, $38/day. I reserved the "Wild Card" car at Thrifty for a mid-sice or larger, $12.95/day. I was planning on doing a lot of driving and I figured the weather would be great this time of year so I reserved a Vette at Avis for about $150/day with unlimited miles. I drove myself half crazy deciding which car to take.

I was a litle concerned about my being comfortable in the Vette. I went and sat on one. It was cozy but I thought I'd be alright. I arrived at the rental facility adn went to National's Executive aisle to see what they had. Nothing exciting. Mostly mid and full size, blah cars. I finally spotted an SS Impala with leather and a sunroof. I thought a while and walked over to Thrifty to se if I could talk my way into a convertible. They wanted $30/day extra for one so I went downstairs to teh Avis counter. They had an awful line but I decided to wait. Well, I waited about 15 minues, hadn't moved very far so went back to National and took the Impala. Whew!

I thought I'd go to GVR for brunch I didn't have my slot card with me so that was teh first stop. I forgot it was Mother's Day adn the line was huge. Ended up having a fat Burger and Onion Rings.

Check in went smooth. Got a room on the 42nd floor overlooking the pool, TI, and Trump. Someone must have had one hell of a party in this room. Two of the TV remotes were missing, a large hanging over the sofa is missing and the wood trim in the hallway is broken off.

Pool report: Went for a dip and some sun after checking in. There are Nine pools plus two whirlpools. Most of the pools have a lip around them that's about a foot deep and probably six feet wide. There are lounge chairs in this area which put your body in 3-4 inches of water when laying in the chair. Cabana's are available at six or seven of the pools. In addition to cocktail service, there was a guy walking around with cold cucumber slices I guess you're supposed to put over your eyes. I also liked teh the chairs are all set up and you just get your towels and pick one. You don't have to have someone take you to the chair. No key check, just walked right in. But maybe that could have been cause you come down the elevator and right into the pool hallway. There may not be any other way in and they do check keys to get to the elevators.

Part of the offer I received was a 25% bonus in slot credit for cashing your tax refund check, up to $10,000. I actually had a refund this year so I brought it with me. I kind of figured this would be the case but still tried to cash the check. It was in both names and my wife isn't here so, no go.

I sat down for some Pai Gow and Macallan before heading for dinner. Well, about 4 hours and several scotches later, it was too late for dinner so I went up to the room and cimbed in bed. No turn down service unless I was just too early. I was in bed a bit after 9.

Got up Monday morning at 7 and hit the road. The plan was a trip through the desert towards southern California. I took I-15 into Califirnia then headed SW. I went through Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park. I then cut across to San Bernadino, and back up I-15.

I had been using the nav on my Blackberry quite and bit and the battery was getting low. I'd left my car charger in my room so I stopped at an AT&T store and asked them to charge the phone for me. The girl suggested I just buy a charger then return it when I got back to Vegas. She said as long as I returned it within 30 days there would be no problem.

Food TV has a show called Diners, Drine-Ins and Dives. One of the places they showed was the Mad Greek Cafe in Baker, CA. I stopped and had a schwarma, I hope I spelled that right. It seemed like a Gyro to me but it was really good. I had onion rings also. They were very good. I got back to Vegas, played some pai gow and called it a night. This place is only about an hour's drive if anyone wants an excuse to go for a drive some time.

I hate to admit this but I've never been to Wynn. I think I'll take a stroll over there and check it out. More later!

Was the schwarma at the Mad Greek your dinner Monday - or was it another Macallan dinner<vbg>?

The pool area sounds really nice - is it a Ventian clone?

It sounds like you're doing a very good job of unwinding -keep up the good work!

Daisy,

The Mad Greek WAS dinner. I did enjoy a few scotches over a Pai Gow session that evening.

I did receive turn down service Monday night. 5 chocolates on the bed, radio on, blinds closed.

Tuesday I slept in till about 8. I got in the car and headed for another DD&D restaurant, the Coffee Mug or Coffee Cup in Boulder City. This is a little breakfast/lunch, greasy spoon sort of place. The show talked about omlettes, pancakes and chicken fried steak. I chose the later served with eggs, hash browns and toast (1 slice). I should have substituted the short stack for the hash browns and toast. guess I'll have to go back. The downtown area of BC is small but interesting to walks around. It's a really pretty little town.

I decided to head thru the Lake Meade recreation area, $5.00 fee. Drove down to the marina, beach, picanick area nd a few scenic look outs. There's a picanick area that would be neat for a TV meet. I drove thru the Lake Las Vegas area on my way back into town. It had been really windy the last two days. The positive result was less haze than I'd seen for a long time. The blue skies were really pretty.

I decided a little R&R at the pool was in order. Drove back to the hotel, changed clothes and went downstairs to find a guard saying the pool was closed due to high winds. I can't quite figure that one out nad teh guard certainly couldn't explain it. Were they afraid the water would blow out???

I went back to my room and looked down at the pool to see the pine trees very, very still.

Ended up getting on the computer and waiting for maid service, it was about 3 PM. A little past 4 I decided to check out the Wynn. I signed up for a slot card, got my 25 points and headed for my free buffet (which actually cost me $25). So, I saved $13.95. It was pretty good but I'd sure never pay that much to eat there. Loads of peeled cocktail shrimp (decent size) plus split crab legs. I thought the salad selection was pretty weak. I saw some nice MR Prime rib when I was getting my salad. When I went back for hot food, they had a small end piece that was pretty well done. The guy wouldn't cut into the full one. I went back later after he'd cut into the new roast but he was working from the end and again wouldn't cut into the middle for me. Grilled Salmon, beef short ribs, and lamb chops were all excellent. Desserts didn't taste as good as they looked and I tried several .

I walked around a bit after dinner then headed back to the Palazzo for my last Pai Gow session. I actually played some VP before hand and did fairly well. Pai Gow finally was a winning session. This turned into a late night, finally getting to bed about 1 AM.

Time to board the plane. Will try and finish up tomorrow.

Turn down service on Tuesday only got me 3 chocolates.

Slept in a bit Wednesday I just lazied around the room slowly packing and getting ready to leave. Checked out on the TV a couple minutes before 11 (check out time). Only charge was $9.95 for 24 hours internet access. I left the room about 11:30, filled the car with gas and drove down to the Gamblers General Store to buy some Kem cards for poker. Also picked up some Hooters and Tropicana cards to keep.

Next stop was the airport to pick up Daisy for lunch. We've booked several trips that were near misses. This time we had almost 3 hours that we were both in town! We went to Giuseppi's Bar & Grill on Durango, I ate there a couple years ago and thought it was good. They bring a basket of really good, home made Italioan bread with vinegar & oil plus butter. Daisy had the Parmesan crusted chicken breasts which I recommended from my first visit and I had the Giuseppi Special. My sandwich was on a round, triple layer bun that had to be 10# across! The bottom layer was fried eggplant, cheese, letuce and tomatoe. The second layer was Italian meats with more lettuce and tomatoe. It came with a bowl full of fries. You could have probably fed four people! I elimineted 2 layers of bread and got thru most of it but hardly put a dent in the fries. This place is on S Durango just off 215 and I highly recommend it. There's a VP bar in the center behind glass doors so you can smoke.

We both went back to teh car rental facility and Daisy only had to walk about 100 feet to the Thrifty Kiosk. This was the most I've paid for a car in Vegas for a long time ($213.54 for 4 days) but it only worked out to 31.4 cents/mile. National's Executive aisle had far fewer cars when I returned but there were mini-vans and SUV's including a Suburban and Cadillac SRX.

Check in at USAir was a breeze and there was NO wait at security. When I arrive on Sunday morning the security line went well past the elevators coming up from ticketing.

I was in 1A with another great flight attendant. The Glenlevit flowed very well. I chose the blackened salmon for dinner which was very good. Arrived in Columbus, on time, just after midnight.

Jeff, Thanks for the Great report! Sounds like you ate well, or aleast ate a lot!
I've never been to vegas on my own. I don't know if I'd care for it much really. But you showed me the up side, you can do what ever YOU feel like doing, when you want to doit, and for however long you wish! LOL

It seems so long since my last trip to Vegas.....

You sure had trouble picking a car this trip. Would you have picked the same, now, knowing the way your trip went and the amount of driving you did do? I've been thinking of bagging the car.

Soooo, when is your next trip????

Senator, hope you got the R &R results your wife was hoping for! And how lucky to be able to cross paths for 3 hours with Daisy. I think we are missing each other by about 10 hours.

I guess that's a pretty big miss!

Wow, they trashed the room already? Palazzo has gotten a little bad press lately. Most of it for not living up to it's hype. I never understood what the JayZ 40/40 club was about. I guess the public didn't either. It was really hyped up prior to opening though. They are in financial woes and might close soon.

Did you see the Lake Of Dreams show or the Parasols at WynnDot?

I always felt the Coffee Cup was overrated. If I go for a nice morning drive to include the dam or state park, it's an okay stop along the way for breakfast. If the objective is breakfast, there's just too many options that are much better and much closer.

Giuseppi's is a great Italian pub and grub. I never can remember how to spell it. I often eat there on Friday nights as they have a fish fry that is all you can eat for $9.99. It is nice size filets that are hand breaded (not battered) with well seasoned breading, and pan fried. When they are on their game, it is excellent. Their desserts aren't bad either and they almost always have a wine special. The owners are from Ohio, and I think it's Cleveland. They often have Cavs and Browns games on their TV.

Jeff - I was interested in reading about your driving trip. I've always daydreamed about doing something like that but never have. How many miles did you drive that day and what time did you get back to Vegas? Thanks for another great TR!

Lee,

All alone certainly has it's advantages as you pointed out. There were times it would have been nice to have Patti with me but it was also nice not having to consult someone else about plans.

Would I have picked the same car, good question. I guess the answer is yes. I think I'd have fried my bald head if I'd have had a convertible. The SS had a V-8 and sporting suspension which made it fun on the many back roads I took. I enjoyed the sunroof and satelite radio.

Next trip, probably before the end of July.

Kes,

Daisy and I once tried to meet at the car rental facility for a quick hug. If I remember correctly, her flight was running late and we literally passed between the airport and the rental car!

As for the R&R, I'd say Mission Accomplished.

Joe,

No shows at Wynn. I walked in the entrance at the bottom of the escelators from the Palazzo. I saw the atrium which was really pretty. From there I signed up for my card, played VP, ate dinner, walked by the poker room, then out the front doors to the sidewalk and back to the Palazzo.

Have you eaten at the place on the corner as you come into Boulder City? I think it was called Dagwoods? I'd agree that there are better breakfasts to be had in Vegas but I enjoyed the drive, the atmosphere and the downtown stroll.

I saw an ad for the all-you-can-eat fish and wondered if it was any good. My friends who retired to Vegas several years ago were with us the first time we went. Now that you mention it, I seem to remember them saying the owners were from Ohio. It was either Cleveland or Youngstown.

Another thing I forgot to slam the Palazzo on was their drink service. Very slow.

Mike,

I think I drove about 570 miles that one day. I'd be glad to share my route with you if you want to try it. I don't really remember what time I got back to Vegas. I'm gonna guess around 8.

Allegiant has only run late twice in the past couple of years - both times when I was supposed to meet Jeff<g>. Luckily, we had more overlap time on this trip.

Thanks for the scenic tour over to Giuseppi's - we'll have to give that other joint a try sometime. Your suggestion of the crusted chicken mozzarella was excellent.

Folks, the waiter warned Jeff that sandwich was "big" - but that word doesn't begin to describe it. "Huge" or "gigantic" would have been more appropriate, and the look on Jeff's face was definitely in the "priceless" category when he saw it coming out of the kitchen.

Thanks for starting my trip off so well.

Never been to Dagwoods. I've only stopped in Boulder City a few times. I usually pass right through. There could easily be some gems in there that I haven't heard of.

Guiseppi's fish was great when I first moved here. Then it got bad a couple of years ago, being cold and soggy as if the fish was not defrosted completely before frying. I stopped going there for a very long time. I went back about 6 months ago and there was a sign saying cooks wanted or something like that. The fish was excellent and I complimented them. They said the old cook left and the main guy was doing the cooking. I begged them to train the new cooks carefully on the fish.

I tried nearly all of the little food places in the southwest that got any hint of a positive reccomendation when I first moved here. I had my list narrowed down to about 5 worthy of my standards. Then the no smoking law changed everything. The area is growing like wildfire and new places are springing up all around. It's like a whole new area to me now. Surprisingly, most of my top 5 are still going well. Guiseppi's, Roadrunner, Blackjack, and Amore-Taste Of Chicago. Rounders was on the list but went to a 10 item frozen/fry menu with the new smoking restrictions. I heard they are trying a comeback. I may give them another try soon. If you saw a place about a half mile north of Guiseppi's called JRs Place, it didn't do anything for me. I tried it twice. They say it's real Italian. I guess there's different versions of real Italian and I don't like this one. Their meatballs were the size of tennis balls, but I felt cheated, even with my coupons.

sounds like you had fun senator and i think i will pencil in that baker trip. ok so what is a schwarma?

Daisy,

You were certainly worth the wait. This does bring up something I for got to mention. The "passanger Pick-up" area of Macarren is very convenient. Except, if your passanger isn't there for you to drive up and load, you park in a very close area that has parking meters. There's change machines but no bill breakers and I REALLY didn't want $20 worth of quarters 3 hours before boarding a plane!

When I saw the waiter come out of the kitchen with our food, my first thought was someone was getting a birthday cake that looked like a hamburger. The light finally went on and I realized that it was my lunch! This is actually a good way to describe this thing. Imagine a standard, 8-9" layer cake.

joe,

I've already made a mental not for a Friday night at G's. Althought I try to not be in Vegas on Friday nights.

So, with the smoking laws, you're saying that most of these places went the bar route rather than the food route?

Although G's VP bar is right in the middle of their restaurant, it's completely glassed in including glass doors. Does that make it legal to smoke at their bar or are they cheating?

DAG,

Not sure I've got an answer for you. It looked (and tasted) just like a gyro to me. Maybe it's the sauce???

They're also famous for their strawberry shakes which I was too full to try. I kind of wish I had.

G's was all open. It is my understanding of the law that for them to continue to serve food, they had to make the whole building no smoking until the glass walls were put into place.

OTOH, Rounders stopped their food service and allowed smoking everywhere in their building. I think technically they did have a fry station sectioned off in the back and brought in pre-prepared snacks to the main building.

It cost a lot to section off these places. It's easier in some buildings are harder in others. It's not just the glass wall and doors. They have to have seperate air conditioning systems and the non-smokers must have no smoking access to the restrooms among other little stipulations. All pub and grubs were stunned at first. Some knew exactly which direction they wanted to go, some experimented, some changed back and forth more than once.

One thing that is really attractive to me about G's Friday special is that it is Friday and that's a less appealing night for me on the tourist areas.

There is a gyro shop near me that advertises falaupels.

Senator,
I saw Daisy's picture of your sandwich, and I thought it was a whole chicken!!!! Amazing...............
Sounds like you had an interesting trip. We also like Peggy Sue's Diner a little further west, near Calico Ghost Town. You might give it a shot if you ever get over that way.

I thougth G's was all open the first time I was there. I wonder if they lucked out in their design, allowing a relatively easy retrofit or someone actually planned for this?

Tater,

Is Peggy Sue's on the way to Laughlin?

Jeff,
Nope, Peggy Sue's is beyond Baker, almost to Barstow. It might be a bit far for a day trip, unless you made a day of it and went to the ghost town of Calico, etc. You could even stop at the Zzzyx Hot Springs (I THINK it's 3 z's, but might be 4) I'm not sure, but I think the little ol' town of Oatman, between Laughlin and Kingman, might be closer. There's no Peggy Sue's there, though...............but there are fairly tame burros wandering around looking for handouts.

so what is the speed limit there senator<G>

My cruise was set on 80 most of the way. I was passing some and some were passing me.

Tater,

I should have gone past Peggy Sue's then. I remember seeing a billboard for the Greek place before I got to Barstow so I didn't even think of stopping anyplace else.

Been to Oatman. Bought carrots at one of the shops to feed the burrows. We did a day trip from Laughlin to Oatman and Lake Havasu a few years ago.

OK, the sandwich was big, a monster, what was the price? I'm just curious, I mean, if the tag on the thing was 27.50, you had to have had a clue to the size???

I'm pretty sure it was under Ten Bucks. Keep in mind this thing was probably 75% bun! The bun and lettuce are what made it so big.

They also sell a double-decker hamburger with two, 1/2 pound patties and I don't think it's much more than $10.

I don't need a bif fluffy bun with lunch. LOL
Nor do I need a pound of hamburger! Yikes

i need a lb. of hamburger! i penciled that in right away senator!!burp

Just remembered something I forgot to post.

On my first Palazzo trip report, I mentioned liking their safe. It's a drawer in a large piece of furniture in the sitting area that also holds the TV, DVD player, and refrigerator.

I like it because it's at a level you can see down into easily and find things.

On this trip, I noticed there's 2 electrical outlets INSIDE the safe. You can lock up your laptop, cell phone, etc. and have them charging at the same time!

I guess I've got a little concern about heat build-up someone must feel they're safe.

Is electric inside a safe something new or have I just missed seeing it other places?

Senator,
I've never seen an electric outlet in a safe. But I think it's a smashing idea!
I'll be honest, I didn't inspect your safe that day, and I just thought it was a cool idea in the drawer. However, I'm guessing it's metal lined? My guess is it's fire safe as well. You know you need 3 things for fire, a spark (ignition), something that will burn, and oxygen.
I'm guessing here, that the same applies that if it's fire protected from the outside, it is also fire protected from the inside?
I wouldn't be afraid of heat build up and causing a fire. I would be worried about heat build up and possibly ruining my electronics.