Just got back last Tuesday night and thought I would give a report on our seven day trip. We had three days comped at Harrah’s under Terry’s name and four days comped under my name. The flight was an uneventful 4 hours and we landed about 11:00am Tuesday morning. We usually take the later flight that arrives at 10:30pm but it feel’s like we have wasted a day of vegas time so thought we would try this for a change.
A couple from Ottawa sat next to me and they were staying at Trump. First timers and he said they had a lot planned like going to Grand Canyon on Thursday and Hoover dam on Saturday. I asked him if he knew how far it was to the Canyon and if he knew there was road construction at the dam. He said no but how bad can it be? I would have liked to see him at the end of his vacation to find out.
We jumped the shuttle bus to the car rental and ended up with a Chrysler with no power locks or windows. I think I will stop being so cheap for the rentals and get a real car next time we go. I always say to myself that I do not need anything fancy just to jump around town but I am changing my mind on that as something with a little energy and comfort would be nice.

This is the route I take to get to the hotel and it seems to work out pretty good. When we leave the rental building we get up to Las Vegas Boulevard and head north until we get to Mandalay Bay Road where we turn right. You can follow this road as it turns into Giles Street then E Reno Avenue and you end up on Koval Lane. It sounds complicated but it is all the same road and is a great way to avoid the strip. You can stay on Koval right past Tropicana and Flamingo to Winnick Avenue where you turn left and it takes you to the parking for IP and Harrah’s. The problem we ran into was construction on Koval between Tropicana and Flamingo so for the rest of the trip we used Swenson to get to Tropicana when going south. Whew. We go to Albertsons on Flamingo to pick up cokes, some fruit, milk, a box of cereal and some snacks before getting to the hotel. There is very little wait time to register. This is the first time we have split our reservation between the two of us and I am unsure if I should tell the girl that I have a reservation on Friday or just get the room Terry has booked and then move to the deluxe room I have booked. We figured we would get to try both types of rooms this way so she registered us and we get room 1552 in the Carnaval Tower. This room is at the far end of the hallway, 128 steps from the elevator. I know this because of my daily 100 step trips to the ice machine each morning. (Be honest, I know you count steps sometimes when walking long hallways) Please don’t ask why I just don’t get a fridge and be done with it. It’s a long story and makes no sense.
The room is larger than I expected and actually we were quite comfortable with it.
The rest of the day was spent gambling and hanging around the neighbourhood.

Wednesday
We want to go to Southpoint as we liked this place last time and wanted to spend a bit more time here. I first went to Harrah’s box office to pick up a couple of free tickets for Legends that night and I dropped a few bucks in the machines. I am finding lately that if we are not on the road I spend more time with Terry at the slots playing side by side or doubling up on one machine. In the past I was usually in the card room and we didn’t see each other much except for meals and the odd evening show. I went back to this routine during the last 4 days as the machines were not very kind although one morning I was sitting at a Wizard of Oz killing time waiting for Terry to get ready and was playing 60c and Glinda came along and put up four rows of wilds. It ended up a $329 payoff when Dorothy and the three amigos came on the fifth reel.
Anyway we go to Southpoint and I mention to her that the new “M” is out here somewhere but we just stay at Southpoint and on the way back stop at the western store and pick up a couple shirts and a belt for her. That night we go to Legends which has not changed much since the first time I had seen it some 15 years ago. They had Jerry Lee Lewis who could really pound the ivory’s, Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Michael Jackson and of course Elvis. Elvis sang a great version of “My Way” but otherwise I was not too impressed with his act. The Michael Jackson guy was good and could really dance but in my opinion he didn’t sing enough. Small nitpicking as overall the show was entertaining.

Thursday
This morning I am going to Bills to see about getting a couple tickets to “Human Nature”. As I am passing O’Sheas I see a half price ticket booth “VEGASTIX4LESS” and see that they have these tickets at half price so I buy them at a cost of $74.00 for two. I don’t know if this is a good deal or not but I am happy with it. I still go for a walk to Flamingo and wander around for awhile.

I had yet to see Ethel M chocolate factory or the Liberace Museum so we take off and visit both. Ethel M is very disappointing. The factory was almost empty and all I saw was a conveyor loaded with chocolates sitting there doing nothing. A lady at the end of the viewing area said that it was a slow day and handed me a small wafer. That was it except of course the door leading out which conveniently takes you through the store with their overpriced but delicious goodies. It was 100 degrees out so it was a short walk through the cactus garden. I may try this again if we ever go during the Christmas season as I am told that is the best time.

The Liberace Museum was about what I expected. Some interesting artefacts including cars and pianos and a lifeline of a unique showman. This was my late mothers favourite entertainer and I remember her not missing any of his television shows so I won’t say anything negative just in case.. well, you know. When we left the museum we were a little hungry and decided to go along Maryland to the Huntridge Diner that Joe had talked about. It was easy to find and we got there about 2:00pm. The place was deserted. No customers in the Pharmacy or restaurant. I won’t get into details about the place as Joe has already done that. We ordered a burger and fries with coke. The burger was very tasty and fresh and the fries had a light crispy coating which was also very tasty. Thanks for the recommendation Joe. It’s to bad but I don’t know how long this place will last unless we just happened to hit it at a slow time of day.

We got back to Harrahs and gambled until it was time to go to the show. Human Nature is a high energy show with lots of audience interaction. For me it started a little slow but didn’t take long to have everyone up clapping and singing along. Put it on your “to do” list.

Friday
This is moving day or so I thought until I went to look at the room they had reserved for the rest of the stay. The lady said for me to go have a look and see if I want to change. I was not impressed even though it had flat screen tv’s (one in the bathroom) a small balcony and was in the Mardi Gras tower. This room was much smaller than the one we had and I just told the girl we will stay where we are.
This morning I was looking at a map and saw just how far out “M” is so we went there and gambled for awhile. When we left I headed west up Blue Diamond and 159 as we really like the drive around the loop towards Red Rock and down Charleston and decided to stop at Red Rock Casino. This is another place we like but I don’t think I would stay here as it is a long way from the strip. On the way back down Charleston I spotted a Fatburger and dedcided to give it a go. The place was not the cleanest and the washrooms are outside the restaurant and quite dirty. The womens was out of order so Terry had to use the mens and to flush the toilet she had to take the tank top off.
The burger was ok but I will take In and Out any day which we did before we left for home and it remains our favourite burger palace.

Saturday
Today was a trip to Mount Charleston. This is very easy to find and within a half hour or so you are heading up the road to the mountain. It is a contrast when driving along a desert road with stucco homes here and there (one side road was called “Elvis Lives Drive”) and then the road starts to bend and twist and next thing you know your in a forest with log homes and magnificent trees that were just starting to change color. I would love to take a motorcycle along this route one day. This area reminds me of back home driving to where one of my sons lives in northen Ontario. It is worth the drive and to take the time to do a short hike around the area. We just walked a little bit but there are some serious trails if your into that sort of thing.

Sunday
This was a hang around day and I spent most of the day at the Mirage playing cards as Terry did the tour of the strip stopping here and there.

Monday
We decided to check out Springs Reserve today. This is another easy drive and the reserve has sign posts as you enter 95 off of 15. Unfortunately when we got there, parked and walked to the ticket booth we realized that it was just to hot to spend a day exploring this place and decided that we would come back another time when the heat is more bearable. On the way back Terry spotted a mall and we went there and spent some time window shopping and having an ice cream.
We went back to Harrahs and spent our last night gambling.

Tuesday was get away day and we caught the 12:15 to Toronto and got home about 9:00pm est.

It was a busy trip and I am sure I missed some parts but this is it in a nutshell. We did go to Ellis Island and for the first time I was disappointed in the steak special. My meat was tough, the baked potato was undercooked and it took forever for the waitress to serve us. I will try it again and hope this was just a bad day for the chef. Temperatures were in the high 90’s to 100’s every day and again I brought my bathing suit and never made it to the pool. Gambling wasn’t too good but I did make a profit playing poker and we did come home with some money still in our pockets. It doesn’t look like we will make diamond status. I have about 8000 points which is good for platinum but you need 11,000 for diamond and we have no trips planned for the rest of the year.
I do have a couple pictures that I will post later. Thanks for reading and may all your wins be big ones.

Thanks for a great trip report. Wow, 19 reads and no replies. What's going on?

There doesn't seem to be many roads that aren't under construction. It's pretty weird. A couple of days ago I was on Trop and all the construction was gone. It wasn't finished, but no cones, no blocked lanes, no signs of trouble. It'll be back, I just don't know what's going on. Flamingo is a mystery minefield. Especially on Monday mornings.

And you wouldn't believe the weather. Highs near 80 and bone chilling 50s-60s at night. Probably a good time for the Springs Preserve if you aren't a desert person. Once you visit, you'll find that there are much more indoor attractions than outdoor unless you want to hike the trails.

So what's Terry's final verdict? Will next time be the IP or something different?

Thanks for trying the Huntridge. I'm glad you liked it. I eat there on Tuesdays when a burger, fries, and drink is the daily special. They close at 3 or 4, so when you were there at 2, the lunch rush was over and it's not long 'till closing time. I wish I would have known you were going. I would have told you about Luv Its Frozen Custard. Just a mile or so away, in the shadow of the Stratosphere, it is a Vegas tradition and a perfect stop on a warm day after a nice Huntridge burger.

On your Red Rock stop, I would have suggested LBS burger instead of driving down to that Fatburger. The cook there pulled a knife on me one night when we disagreed on the Monday Night Football game that night. It wasn't a really big deal. We came to terms, he cooked a good burger, and all was well. I haven't been back though.

The drive up to Mt Charleston was a great idea. I like watching how the plants change from desert plants to cold weather plants.

What did you think about that mall near the Springs Preserve? That mall was almost a ghost town in a good economy.

I'm not a fan of the Ellis Island steak either. I think it's because in the excitement of calling it bargain steak, some people mistakingly represent it as a good steak. I've never heard anyone say, "if you want to go dirt cheap and have a steak dinner where quality, cleanliness, and service aren't a priority, this is a good choice. And don't forget crappy parking and the same questionable people you might find a block or two off Fremont St.

So when are you coming back and what's on your to-do list that you just didn't get to this time? Gotta keep that to-do list current, you know.

RUkiding,
WoW, you covered a lot of ground.
Chef at Ellis Island, that is a stretch! grill cook maybe. LOL
I agree 100% with JMT's assessment of that steak and place!

How did you do playing cards, as you mentioned the slots where not real kind to you this trip?
I don't think I have ever had a rental car with crank up windows?
Thanks for the great report. I think maybe you should plan another trip and grab that diamond card! I hear thanksgiving is nice!
Lee-PA

Thanks for reading. I have tried to get Terry to go to Paris or Caesars the odd time they have a comped room but she is a creature of habit and hates change so the IP will probably be it next time. I think the temperature in Vegas dropped 20 degrees the day after we left and was 40 degrees colder when we landed in Toronto.
I had a feeling Joe that the Huntridge would be busy for breakfast and lunch and we did get there at an off time.
I assume the large building across the street to the east was once a movie theatre. It was all graffiti and boarded up but has that classic movie theatre look. I will put Luv Its Frozen Custard on my list for next time.

Joe, you mean the cook at fatburger pulled a knife? Yikes. The fatburger was just a spur of the moment thing. I saw the sign and we were not real hungry but I wanted to compare the burger with In and Out so I just ordered two regular burgs, no drink or fries. Whenever we go travelling Terry brings a small soft sided cooler with us that holds 6 cans of diet coke because she knows I will veer off somewhere and we may be gone for 5-6 hours on a one hour trip. She always knows where we are going originally but after that she just follows along.
The mall we were at is beside all the county buildings and where the weird Salvadore Dali looking building is. Is that the one you are talking about? Theres a lot of brand name stores etc.

Lee. The more I think of it I think we are through with the Ellis island thing. It is really no better than the steak and shrimp special ($9.99) at Harrahs where the atmosphere is safer and better and I can use a comp.
I put the rental through its paces on the way to Mt Charleston. There was a gravel road that I took and at the top you had a great view of the surroundings and the road below. This gravel road was very bumpy and you had to go about 5 miles an hour or you couldn't keep the car straight. I posted a picture from there.
Poker was pretty good for me but I didn't play any tournaments or high limits. One 2-5 and the rest 1-2 no limit. You buy in for 3 or 4 hundred and unless you get run down by some maniac you shouldn't have any wild swings.

We definately, probably, maybe won't be back this year. When we got home one of my main sources of income advised me they are moving all their business in house and I have always been on an independent contractor basis with them so things may dry up. I will have to see what happens over the next few months. The only way diamond status is remotely possible is if we take a few trips to Windsor which is a possibility.

Thanks again to all who read the report.

It's good to hear someone else enjoyed Human Nature, and we pretty much had the same reaction to it since I also thought it started a little slow (like what have I gotten myself into this time<g>) - but those guys won over everyone as the show went on.

LOL, I only went into Ellis Island once, and I was definitely on the underwhelmed side that day - I know some folks have enjoyed good "bang for the buck" meals there, but the place just isn't my cup of tea.

Your description has moved Mt. Charleston up a few notches on my "to do" list; it sounds like a drive I would really enjoy for a change of pace.

Thank you for my Vegas fix for the day!

My pleasure Daisy, you have done the same for myself many times with your escapades. I have to tell you that we bring along and play the cd you gave us last year. It's becoming a vegas tradition so thanks again. We also have it in the player in the car. I had really never had an urge to go to Mt. Charleston but am glad I went.

I think you might have gone to the Premium Outlet Mall. That one is okay. There is a different mall within rock throwing distance of the entrance to the Springs Preserve. Please don't go that one.

On the burger front, I don't like Thousand Island dressing on my burgers. That eliminates several, including another chain that just hit Vegas from the west. Farmer Boys Burgers just opened a couple of locations. Their online menu said Thousand Island dressing, so it's not on my radar. But you might like it.

The Huntridge Theater has an exciting history. It has hosted performing arts, movies, and live concerts. It was not segregated and was popular with families and first run Disney productions. It also featuered a Cry Room in the tower where parents could take crying babies and not disturb everyone else. Ah, the good ole days when responsible people did not want to disturb others.

Thanks again for a great trip report.

Thanks for a great TR!

And congrats on the Wizard of Oz win!

The Ethel M Cactus Garden is definitely worth a look at Christmas time. I think it's really something to see.

One question: How long did it take you to get out to Mt. Charleston? Does the trip take a full day, including driving, walking around, and taking in the sights? I've always thought about doing it but am not sure I want to devote an entire day to it.

Hi Mike
Thanks for reading.
To your question, from Harrahs we got on 15 north to 95 north to 157. It took about 30-40 minutes. Depending on what you are going for you could easily spend a whole day if you are a hiker. There was one sign that said "Mary Jane Falls" so we thought we would go up the road and see the falls. The road is all stone and very bumpy and shortly you are at a parking lot. I asked a couple who were there how far it was to the falls and they said about an hour. An Hour!!!! We didn't go any further.
If you stay on the main road you will come to a nice spot with a restaurant and cabins for rent. We weren't hungry so we just looked around and headed back. I guess some people spend days here. In total I would say we spent about 4 hours from the time we left Harrahs to the time we were heading back on 95. Next time and if the weather is above 80 but below 100 we are planning on going back with a cooler and lunch to spend a bit more time.

There was one other thing I forgot to put in the report. Our room as I said was at the far end of the hall but at least I felt it would be a quiet area without much traffic going by. I sleep with earplugs and Terry is a heavy sleeper so it was ok. One morning when we were leaving the room we saw the housekeeper and asked for an extra towel. She said no problem and what did we think of all the action last night? Huh? What action?
She tells us that there was a brawl in the room two doors down and security and metro police had to come and break it up. What!! Yea she says there is blood all inside the room and it is off limits until the police say it is ok to have it cleaned. She thinks someone was stabbed as well.
Honest I thought she was joking with us but she wasn't. Damn, We slept right through it. The rest of the day I couldn't get the jingle "bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do when they come for you"

Thanks for the report! I will be making the switch from IP to Harrahs in November. Thanks especially for the detailed description of how to get from the car rental place to Harrahs. I will have to think about how to get around that construction on Koval, so used to tooling up and down - Swenson is a good suggestion.

How did you get free Legends tickets - being platinum TR folks, or came with the room?

I too was wondering about Mt Charleston. But we already have planned a one day trip to Valley of Fire. Kinda hate to dedicate another half day to a trip out of town, especially since it sounds like it would look so similar to some areas around here!

What did you think of the M resort? Eat any meals there?

Hi Kes
The legends tickets came in a mailer I got about a month before we left. It also had two for one buffet tickets for IP, Harrahs or Flamingo and a discount for "the price is right". Small potatoes compared to some of the offers I hear others get but I did use them except for "the price is right" tickets. The best offer we have gotten was free tickets to Bette Midler but the dates were in conflict with my annual Motorcycle ride with the boys that I had already booked and Terry is non to happy with me about that. We have never gotten the same offer since.

M resort is a lot further south then I thought and in my opinion reminds me pretty much of Red Rock. We did not eat there but it is very nice inside.
You can't go wrong with Valley of Fire Kes. I wonder what the temps are in November?

Enjoy your trip and we will wait for your report.

Your timing was excellent for a trip to Mt Charleston. IMHO, the perfect time is when it is very warm in Las Vegas and much cooler at the top of the mountain.

The mountain is still popular in the winter when it becomes a ski and snowboard resort...mostly snowboards. And it's still a pretty trip in the spring and fall.

The first part of summer and the end of summer have the best temperature swings and the most dramatic plant life changes with elevation.