Las Vegas-Chris, Jimmy, Belly Dancers and Railroads

Las Vegas Trip
Chris, Jimmy, Belly Dancers and Railroads
September 18, 2003 – September 23, 2003

This trip will include delays, concerts, belly dancers, dinner with friends and hikes through railroad tunnels in the desert. After all it’s Las
Vegas!

My wife Maggie and I left for Las Vegas on Thursday, September 18th on time at 7 AM on Continental. As always seems to happen
when we fly in to Newark we had problems with the connecting flight out. This time it was weather related with some heavy rains in the
area. We were delayed approximately an hour before the flight departed. Since we seemed to be one of the few flights leaving we felt
very lucky. Years ago when People’s Express used to fly I always remember problems in the Newark hub. Even though the airport is
much larger and remodeled the curse for me at least at this airport continues.

After arriving in Las Vegas we picked up our rental car at Dollar with no hassle as usual. I would encourage any traveler to Vegas to use
Dollar but only after signing up for Fast Lane. Fast Lane is their program that will enable you to just catch the shuttle from the airport (a
very short ride) and then go to the type of car you reserved and then show your license at the gate. Never again will you have to spend
minutes, hours, and days in the line like you used to. We picked up our mid-sized car, a Stratus, for the very reasonable price of
$108.83 for five days including all taxes, fees, surcharges and anything else the local/state/federal government can tack on.

For the last several visits we have stayed at the Fiesta Henderson. This is a small hotel/casino located obviously in Henderson about 20
minutes from the airport. We like it because it has good video poker, a good buffet and great employees. Our casino host is Jane
Quine, Jane Quine and always takes care of us. Another nice part is that because it is relatively small (224 rooms) waiting to check in is
rare. My number one complaint about the hotel is the position of its shower heads. I am a bit over average at 6’ 1” but the shower head
sprays at the level of my middle chest. I can’t think of any reason for this unless it was to save a few cents on some pipe. But that was
pre-Stations era. When the hotel was first built it was called the Reserve. The second complaint is also really not their fault because it is
because the hotel/casino is so small. My wife and even sometimes I get bored after awhile. We fix that by traveling on our various trips,
hikes, etc. But more about that later.

Well after checking in and getting comfortable we did what most visitors to Las Vegas do, we went over and checked into the Las
Vegas Hilton. As some background for new readers to our adventures, my wife and I either together or sometimes myself separately
travel to Las Vegas usually around four times per year. We are almost exclusively video poker gamblers. When you go to Las Vegas
four times per year and gamble six to eight hours a day you are bound to get offers for things. We checked into the Las Vegas Hilton
because I received an offer for 3 free nights. Now normally this wouldn’t be enough of a draw since I already had free rooms at the
Fiesta. However, this was also combined with free tickets to the Jimmy Buffet concert on Saturday. Since my wife is a reformed Parrot
Head that was the clincher. So we checked in and did a bit of gambling and went to the buffet before heading back to the Fiesta and
settling in for the night.

Friday

After breakfast and gambling at the Fiesta we headed over to the Las Vegas Hilton to do some gambling and for my wife Maggie to do
some sun bathing at the pool at the Hilton. The Fiesta does have a small but adequate pool but it is nothing like the Hilton’s. So to get
to the good part as she is laying in the abundant Las Vegas sunshine I am gambling on a $1 video poker machine.

Here are some details of video poker gambling if you are new to the venue. The state of Nevada mandates that all video poker
machines must deal the cards in a random order. What this means is that the only way casino operators can vary the mathematical
payouts of these machines is by the listed payouts for various combinations. The game I was playing at the Hilton is referred in the
video poker world as a NSUD (Not So Ugly Deuces) machine. If you play perfectly (which I do pretty close) the payout over time will be
approximately 99.7%. This combined with the cash back at the time of .55% at the Hilton will make this machine a positive play over
time. If all this sounds Greek to you that’s fine. If you gamble to have fun just enjoy it but realize that you will lose money over time.

In any case I am sitting down at a slant top dollar video poker machine near the Sports Book. I prefer slant top machines because they
are much more comfortable over time on you neck than an upright one. After an hour or so I pull three cards to a royal flush and lo and
behold the other two come up to complete the hand. As you may not know that is the top pay in a normal video poker machine and pays
4,000 credits with max (5) coins played which in my case equals $4,000. On the second day of a Vegas trip or any day for that matter
that is a very welcome sight. As is said in one of my favorite movies, Bull Durham, “You know winning is a lot better than…losing.” And
to add some more icing on the cake after receiving my winnings I am playing off the last 100 or so credits I had on the machine and up
pop four deuces. Four deuces on a NSUD machine pays 1,000 credits or $1,000. Now it is time to leave and show the winnings to the
Mrs.

That evening we had tickets to go see Chris Issak in concert at Paris. It is hard to describe Chris Issak’s music. But I would say he is
for the most part a rocking, ballad singing crooner. Now that should clear it up. My wife is a big fan and I am a small one. A little before
going on this trip I found out that he was going to be in Vegas when we were there and surprised her with the tickets. I have learned the
hard way that the way to make any relationship work is to do just that, work on it. When you start taking each other for granted it is going
to lead to a rocky road. Well that’s enough preaching.

I’ll just say that this concert was one of the best concerts I have ever been at. His voice is amazing and he is funny and comes across as
just like you and me. It was also fun watching the 30-40 something women in the audience anxiously and giggly awaiting his arrival on
stage. After the concert he stayed and signed autographs for anyone who bought a t-shirt or cd or anything. But of course when he
signed my wife’s t-shirt (she wasn’t wearing it) he looked directly in her eyes. Only her eyes mind you. Not the eyes of the other 500
women in line. It was a fun time and if he is ever close to us again we will definitely go.

Saturday

Today is the day for another concert featuring Mr. Jimmy Buffet. This is courtesy of the Las Vegas Hilton. We arrived over at the Hilton
and boarded a bus for the short trip to the MGM Grand where the concert was. The Hilton had two buses for the group so I would
estimate perhaps 80 people in all. Just to let you know that everyone one the bus as far as I could tell where “normal” people. And by
normal I mean not whales or big time gamblers in the Las Vegas definition. What kind of gambling you have to do to warrant some
freebees like this depends on what games (video poker, slots, table) that you play. In my case video poker only at normally $1
denominations for 6-8 hours a day. If you are on a losing streak those loses can add up. However, if you play smart at the right casinos
and have the right bankroll for the denomination you choose you can do okay. I win on about 3 out of 4 trips not counting the comps that I
receive.

We arrive at the concert venue and of course it was mobbed. I am positive Jimmy is more popular now than when he had hits 30 years
ago. Now his fans are older, have more money and therefore can spend more on tickets and assorted memorabilia. Our tickets had a
face value on them of $110 but were not great seats being located pretty far up in the arena. But you could hear him fine and it was
more fun for me to watch the people around me. Before the concert started I smelled the distinct odor of a certain herb that I haven’t
smelled since my college days. After looking around I could see that it emanated from a 55+ distinguished looking man who was
probably a doctor or lawyer. Such is the affect of a Jimmy Buffet concert on his most devoted fans. I have never, repeat never seen so
much alcohol consumed or sold in any event I have ever attended. And I include Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills football games. It
was quite a sight.

This was my second Jimmy Buffet concert both of them with my wife and other than the people watching I have to say we were both a
little bored. But it was free (sort of) and it certainly filled the evening. Back to the Hilton on the bus and then back to our official home
base at the Fiesta.

Sunday

I refuse to go anywhere lately and not indulge in my passion of hiking at least once. This trip was no different. I got up early in the
morning for a short, easy hike along the Railroad Tunnel trail along Lake Mead. Follow this link for a complete description of the hike. I’ll
just say that I strongly urge anyone visiting Vegas to take some time to explore the countryside. It is absolutely beautiful. This particular
hike has very little elevation gain and is about 5 miles RT. It can be done by anyone in at least fair condition as long as you start early in
the morning. It would be pretty darn hot in the middle of the day in the summer.

After waking up sleeping beauty we stopped back at the Hilton to check out at our secondary hotel. We then went to Sunset Station so
that my better half could take some lessons in her new found passion of Texas Hold-Em poker at Sunset Station. She played there
awhile and had some fun but I think some of the passion generated by the TV shows faded a bit. We then went to a free (again sort of)
movie at the theatres at Sunset Station courtesy of my points from the Fiesta Henderson.

Monday

Today is belly dancing day! I have arranged to meet some old friends from Pittsburgh today and take them to dinner. Paul and
Georgetta are staying at the Golden Nugget downtown and we went and picked them up. They have just celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary! As I have often said Paul must of got to Georgetta quickly before she realized what a catch she was. Our destination is the
Marrakech restaurant at 3900 Paradise Road, 737-5611. I have seen ads before for the Marrakech and was looking for some place
different to take our friends and this seemed to fit the bill. The Marrakech is a Moroccan themed restaurant where you sit on cushions
and you get fed a fixed six course meal. The fun part occurs during the meal when the entertainment comes out, a very competent belly
dancer. She was very fun and friendly and my 70 year old friend Paul had no problems joining her for a dance. Now I am not a belly
dancing expert but I can tell you I liked what I saw. You can click here for some pictures of the trip including the belly dancing
experience. A good time was had by all.

Tuesday

We went to the airport at 8:30 AM in plenty of time for our scheduled 11:15 AM departure home on Continental via Cleveland. As my
wife and son will attest, I like to get at airports way before I have to. Once again we had flight problems. Not specifically Continental’s
fault but they canceled the flight due to weather problems. They re-booked us on a United flight leaving just a few minutes after our
scheduled time and even though we flew through Chicago we arrived home in Rochester around 8 PM, tired but certainly enjoying our
trip. Next trip scheduled for Thanksgiving.

Pictures from this trip.