Our Vegas Getaway

On August 14, Andrew and I flew to Las Vegas!  Yes, we did it...without Eva Brooke!  This was our first trip away, other than one night back in May for our anniversary.  It was kind of surreal at first, but we really didn't worry about our baby girl at all.  She was with Momma Lyn and Daddy Don for the first 3 nights and with Mimi and Pop the next 2 nights.  Boy, was she spoiled when we brought her back home!! :-)

The hospital sent Andrew to Vegas to attend the National Pharmacy Purchasing Association Conference, which was held at the Tropicana...and I just went to play (and no, not the slots)!

After what felt like a long tiring day traveling, we arrived in Vegas at like noon (Vegas time).  We were exhausted but there was just too much to do to nap!  Plus, we needed FOOD!

It looked like such a "short" walk to Planet Hollywood, but it so wasn't!  We had forgotten how massive this place was.  The New York New York hotel is in the background here.

After quite a hike in the 100+ degree weather, we found P.F. Chang's!  Yes, we travel to Vegas to eat at one of our favorite chain restaurants.

Momma Lyn, Daddy Don, Aunt Deb, and Uncle Syd had been to Vegas in July and recommended we find Oakey Boulevard Church of Christ.  We did, and I really didn't expect to find such a congregation like "home" out in Las Vegas.  It is a very small world.  The guy pictured on right went to Freed Hardeman and the speaker that night was attending Memphis School of Preaching.  The Freed-Hardeman guy (I've already forgotten names) gave us a ride back so we didn't have to take a taxi.  We all decided to grab some pizza (that came highly recommended) at the Cosmopolitan hotel, and it was very yummy!

Doing a little sightseeing and a LOT of walking.

8/15/11- After a refreshing night's rest, we're ready to go again!  The conference didn't start until later in the morning, so we decided to head out early (yes, we are officially old now) and find breakfast.

We found the famous Hash House a Go Go at Imperial Palace for a little grub.  Did we mention this place was featured on Man vs. Food?  I'll let you guess why...

This would be enough food for every person who will be reading this.

Later on, we headed over to the MGM Grand and stopped to see the lions.  We learned that they actually live offsite and different groups are brought in twice a day.

The lion habitat

It seems each casino has one, but this is the sports betting room at the Tropicana.  I thought it looked like Wall Street, ha!

Andrew and I made reservations at The Range Steakhouse at Harrah's for dinner.  It was delicious and over-the-top, as usual.

Afterward, we needed to walk off that surf and turf!

We went to the Bellagio to see their impressive conservatory.

This picture is actually made from flowers.

Outside the Bellagio while waiting on the water show to begin.  You can see Bally's, Paris, and the Eiffel Tower in the background.

The Bellagio water show.

Andrew did not get to see this when we were here before in 2007, and he never let me forget it...  So we watched it twice to make up for it!

8/16/11- Since the conference gave you time for lunch on your own, we went back to the MGM Grand to the Rainforest Cafe.  By this point we were just ready for a good old burger.  We just had to pick up Eva Brooke a couple of happies in the gift shop, too.  :-)

I was trying out the panoramic feature on my camera.  These massive bridges are built just so you can cross the strip.  This place is a little bigger than Tupelo...

At Caesar's Palace, with the Mirage (and volcano show) in the background.

That evening we ate dinner at Isla Mexican Kitchen at Treasure Island.  We had gone there back in 2007 and wanted to go back.  Food was pretty great, but service was not up to par (and neither was Andrew's tip). :-(

At the Venetian

Of course, we had to get a quick picture here...

A shot of the "fancy" casino floor.  Basically an arcade for adults.

The lobby at the Venetian.

The front of the Venetian.  Very much a flashy lifestyle that some live!

At the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  This is one of the newest casinos built, costing $3.9 billion.  This chandelier is 3 stories high.

The Las Vegas Strip

8/17/11-  So it was destination pawn shop.  It was my (not very) bright idea to ride the monorail down as far as it would go, to save on getting a taxi from our hotel at the other end of Las Vegas Boulevard.  However, the last monorail stop was at the Sahara.  The Sahara, my friends, closed its doors back in May.  This end of the strip is not quite as glamorous, and the walk to the nearest casino with a taxi line was much further than I anticipated. 

The vacant Sahara casino

After much walking and sweating, we found a taxi at the Stratosphere that took us to the famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop featured on Pawn Stars.

It pretty much looks just as it does on TV!

The Old Man, Rick, Corey, and Chum Lee must not need to work much these days.  We were told not to expect to see them.  We did recognize the door guy from TV.

I don't think I saw anyone buying anything except souvenirs (which is what we bought)!

After our pawn shop visit, we took a taxi back to our Sahara monorail stop and enjoyed the scenery as we rode back to our side of town.

I found it interesting that work was stopped on this under-construction $3 billion Fontainebleau casino in 2008 due to the declining economy.  Another link about stopped-in-progress Vegas projects.

The back side of the strip (where monorail runs) is primarily parking lots.

On our last evening, we went to Botero at the Encore for probably the most elaborate dinner I'll ever see.  Yes, this was sponsored by a pharmaceutical company (even my dinner!).  Behind us you will see our  bling-bling ride to dinner that evening.

We tried to sneak out after dinner, but the group wanted us to see their elaborate (I cannot think of another word) bungalow they had rented out at club Surrender at the Encore.  Private foot pools, flatscreens, cocktail waitresses in short-sequiney dresses, air misters, private bathroom, and private balcony overlooking strip.  This crazy-elaborate (here I go again) lifestyle was how I imagine celebrities must live.  SOMEBODY, please show me the way back to Mississippi!!!

We had a marvelous time and made some happy memories, but we were beyond ready to get back!  Thanks to the grandparents who kept Eva Brooke while we enjoyed a little time away!