Romancing the Stone-the Last Diamond Trip
March 15 - 20 Las Vegas
So, here's the thing-we accidently made "diamond" status in September of 2007. We were in Metropolis Illinois and as soon as we realized we had crossed that 10,000 point mark, we asked if they could issue us a diamond card right away as we were scheduled to go on a junket to Reno in less than a month. They did, and we dreamed of all the special times we would have with our high status at HET. LOL Then, right before Reno, Pete was laid off and we went on a big ole gambo diet. We still had our hobby, but we had a much smaller budget for gambling trips. That's when our diamond status became something of value because for a while (until April1,09) we would be able to take advantage of being a Diamond, without spending like a Diamond (because we couldn't). We started in Reno and have taken trips to Illinois, Indiana, Tunica, Laughlin and Las Vegas.
Turns out, there's not that much to being in the diamond club. You get to check in a little quicker, get to the cage and to the buffet a little quicker, enjoy a lounge here and there (when they're open)-and that's about it. All of our mailers reflected our low budget. We still paid a little for our room (s) sometimes. But, if you're not spending too much, there were cool perks to have. We have felt like we've gotten a very fair shake from Harrahs in the whole time we've been giving them our play. There's also continuity in all their properties we like. Plus, most of the time Pete would win enough playing live poker to offset what we lost in machines.
As we were winding down to the end of diamond-ness we booked five comped nights at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas for my fortieth birthday. We got airfare for about $500(for two)-and felt like that was a great price for a week in Vegas. We also were able to get two show tickets to see Legends in Concert.
Arrived Sunday March 15. It was my 40th birthday -- between that , the diamond business, and the $20 tip we were upgraded from a Luv Tub to a Jr Suite. It was a nice big room with no view and a balcony. Love being able to get outside without leaving the room. No coffeemaker but we did have a fridge, and it was pretty close to the elevators.
After settling in, we headed out just so excited to be breathing Nevada air. Walked around the Carnival Court and then looped back and headed to Margaritaville for my first birthday cocktail. There was excellent cover bands at the Court and at MVille. Sunday night was really party night on the strip! We had Margaritas and beer and the biggest darn plate of nachos ya ever saw. It was fun. We walked around some more after MVille and then called it a night around 1am.
Monday we went out to do a Griswold tour of the Mirage-saw the lobby aquarium, played video poker, and went through The Secret Garden. The weather was just perfect all week-great for walking the strip and taking in the sights. After an afternoon nap or something, we walked to Ellis Island and played video poker and drank their brew. Came back and had a burger and watched TV before hitting the sack again. Great day.
Tuesday Pete went over to Flamingo to play in a cash poker game-didn't come out a winner this time. We enjoyed seeing all the folks who were taking St Patricks day very seriously. Osheas was really hoppin. LOL We ended up heading back to Ellis Island for some more VP & beer. Then we went to "Restaurant" and I had the steak special. 10oz sirloin, two veggies, a salad and a beer for $6.99. We'd been hearing about the special since it was $4.99, but this was our first. It was a great deal and we would like to dine here every trip. Pete had chicken fried steak and enjoyed his meal very much as well. Great service too. Walked to the Tuscany afterwards where we had $25 freeplay. Put it in a $1 slot and hit $100. It was our one & only slot success the whole trip! On the walk back we stopped in and caught a Big Elvis show. Another first! He sounded very much like Elvis. Then we saw another Elvis singing at the Flamingo. That night we went to Harrahs and saw Lengends in Concert. Would you believe we saw another Elvis?? LOL
The Legends show was actually very good ---great singing and live band. The singers come out afterwards for pics. It was another great time.
Wednesday morning Pete tried again at poker and only won $30, but played a long time. While he did that I went to Casino Royale to goof off and walked around some more by myself. After Pete left poker, we walked to Venetian and went to the wax museum. They had some new things since we'd been there and we had our pic took with the President. Then we walked through Palazzo, Wynn and Encore. At Encore we stopped and played VP at the Eastside Lounge. These places were so nice but pretty empty in the casinos. Seemed like the IP had a busy casino almost all the time.
Then we caught a cab downtown. We had a great pizza at Grotto inside the Golden Nugget. Afterwards we sat out by their pool and shark tank. Then we went back out on Fremont -headed into Mermaids to get a fried Twinkie. This is something Pete has been curious about for some time. LOL It was sooo disgusting and delicious. Tasty but WRONG. LOL One time is all you should do. Then we caught the KISS light show (cool). Would like to have seen the Queen one too. Then we rode the Deuce bus back to IP. I went to bed and Pete headed to IP's poker room. He came in about 5:30 am whispering something about getting all his money back. Yay….
Thursday we went and played in a Hold 'Em tourney at IP. I got knocked out right before the first break and Pete cashed 4th. That afternoon we took a cab to the Peppermill. We LOVED this place. We had a great meal then headed to the lounge for more drinks and VP. I had a Pineapple Upside down Cake martini , a chocolate chip cookie martini, and a Creamcicle martini-all expensive and tasty. LOL For food we had a cobb salad (huge! More cobb than salad too) and Pete again with chick fried steak. All great and good service too. We enjoyed the lounge more than anything. Drinks, VP, and all that neon! We want to make Peppermill our first stop from now on. When we left, we walked to Riviera and took pics with the Crazy Shiny Butts. LOL We did this 10 years ago and tried to pose exactly the same to see how old we're getting. LOL I'm proud to say we don't look too different (and Pete's skinnier!). LOL Then we walked to Sahara and caught the monorail---did a ride all the way down to MGM then came back up to IP. Played quarter VP until bedtime without losing too much.
Friday was depart day. We schlepped coffee and packed. Checked out on the TV, got to the airport, lost $40 extra dollars on slots, and made it back to TN safe.
It was a great trip , but kind of a crappy report! Sorry, I'm rusty at reports and I drank more this time than usual, so I'm blaming that for my lack of recall. That and being all middle aged now. LOL
Happy Gambo!
Hopefully, the pics will be slightly more entertaining than the report:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ViewSlideshow.action?&collidparam=215808561111.677189493211.1237833126645
I need to try one of those fried
twinkies....it looked really good.
And yeah, this would
have been the year I'd feel moved to photograph my mashed potato martini....
