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A Recent Past, Present, and Near Future Trip Report

Discussion in 'Full Las Vegas Trip Reports' started by UKFanatic, Nov 12, 2017.

  1. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    So, where to begin? A few times over the past month, I thought about writing up a TR. I decided to celebrate my bday this year with three plus weeks of almost continuous travel. The journey included a trip to Tunica to watch the Warriors play in Memphis (and a solid win at the casino), a trip to Caesars Palace (with another solid win in the casino), my first visit to the Greenbrier resort (really beautiful and a decent casino considering its size), a quick trip to the Magic Kingdom in orlando (a lot of fun), a trip to the Hard Rock casino in Ft Lauderdale (the gf loved the Tracy Morgan performance and we scored passes to the backstage meet and greet after the show), and a trip to the Skylofts at MGM last week (big win in the casino!).

    I kept thinking about writing a TR for some of those trips, but it was so much that I really had no idea where to begin or what people would be interested in reading. I also considered waiting til next month to write a TR. In December, the gf and I are headed back to orlando to take my nephew to Epcot for his bday and then we head back to vegas for the blackjack tournament at the Cosmo. But instead, I have decided to attempt a live TR for yet another Vegas trip I leave for early in the morning. And here's why.

    I get to Vegas very early. Since I will have time to kill before checking in to the hotel, I have decided to rent a car and take a quick hiking excursion to Red Rock. I am concerned, however, that my hiking plan is too ambitious. I am going to attempt Turtlehead Peak. I actually snapped a few pics of the peak when I did my hike to the Calico Tanks this past spring. Can;t recall if I posted those pics in my TR back then, but here is the peak:
    20170402_091537.jpg
    There it is, to the right in this pic

    20170402_091720.jpg
    And there is a pic of it straight ahead

    The hike is around 4.5 miles in and out with 2k of elevation gain. A couple years ago, that would be no problem for me. These days, not so sure. I won't get winded with that distance and elevation, but I have been having back and leg problems since the summer. So I am not sure how I will react when they tighten up.

    So I am using the TR for motivation! Once I get tight, I will remind myself that I have a TR to finish and pics from the summit would really make the report! So once I post this, I will feel obligated to power through to the summit!

    I will also certainly eat some good food, watch some sports (my UK team is going to get stomped Tuesday night), go to the spa, and do some gambling. the gambling may be light this trip. I have been on a great run the past couple months and I feel like I am due to take a beating. It almost happened last week at MGM (got a little out of control and ended up making multiple table max bets!). So I will be much happier losing black chips rather than yellows and flags.

    So follow along if any of that interests you. Or if you want more details or have questions about about any of the other recent past trips, let me know and I will try to remember them
     
  2. Texas Steph

    Texas Steph I think I'm addicted to Vegas...
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    Sounds like you've been having a lot of fun trips, and add in the winning gaming, that's even better! Getting to enjoy this 1 life we are given is very fulfilling and I'd say the most that we could ask for.

    Good luck on the hike and hopefully your back and legs cooperate... I get sweaty palms just imagining climbing up a tall peak!
    Looking forward to your report!
     
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  3. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    Thanks. I have read up on the hike and it should be interesting. It starts pretty easy, but then there is a middle section where you ascend the peak up a ravine that is almost vertical at a few points. Plus, everything I have read suggests its very easy to lose the trail. But the trail becomes obvious again once you reach the straddle near the top. So as long as I can power through that steep ravine, I should make it!
     
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  4. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    Well, I didn't make it.

    Everything leading up to the hike went well. Smooth, early morning flight into Vegas. Gave me a chance to start watching the Mindhunter series on Nextflix. Really enjoyed the first three episodes. I am a fan of the Douglas books, so that shapes my opinion. The first few episodes were beautifully shot by Fincher. After landing, I quickly got my rental car and encountered no bad traffic on the way to Red Rock. Got there just before 9 and the temp was perfect. I even left my sweatshirt in the backpack and hiked the trail in a t-shirt.

    After fifty minutes, I was at the halfway point and would estimate I had hiked 800 feet of elevation gain. But I wasn't feeling it. My back started to tighten up and the enormous, steep ravine was directly ahead of me. I thought I could power through and make it to the straddle, but then I thought about coming back down. That was going to be exceptionally difficult in my condition. So I decided to turn back. In my twenties, I would have pushed myself. But now I'm 43, retired, and really never want to push myself anymore, lol.

    So I hiked back to the car, completed a leisurely drive through the Red Rock scenic loop, and decided to head to Luxor. Why Luxor? Because I always like to eat Mexican food after a hike and Tacos & Tequila is my favorite place on the Strip.

    I self parked in the back of Luxor and FYI, the pedestrian bridge from parking to the hotel is closed off.Now, you have to walk around the pyramid to the west tower to enter. Rather than make that walk, I decided I wanted to see Mandlay Bay instead and headed that direction.

    It was my first visit there since the incident. It was mildly depressing. I looked up the floor where it all happened. That was eerie and made me a bit queasy,l so I hurried inside. It was dead. I would normally expect a lot more activity on a Monday morning, even this time of year. I went to the high limit. There was one person playing blackjack. That's it. I sidled up to a bac table and took out a marker for 10k. After half a shoe, I was up 3k, so I colored up and left a nice tip. All the employees seems to be going out of their way to be especially friendly. Later in the day, I heard some CET employees talking about how their friends at MB were being laid off. I guess that's not really a surprise, but its depressing nonetheless.

    After playing a little, I walked over to T&T and chowed down. Fish tacos were excellent as always. After that, I hiked back to the rental car and drove to the Pinball HOF. Several new machines, which I always like to see. But I still spent most of my time at the excellent Simpsons pinball game.

    After that, I drove to CP and checked in. I had booked a Julius tower suite. They are small, but I like how much closer those rooms are to the casino. My room, though, wasn't ready. And I needed a shower. Badly. So I asked the desk clerk what he could do. He said he could put me in the Augustus tower instead and that was perfect. I actually ended up with the room at the end of the hall with a fountain view, which is great. So after a hot shower and a little rest, I was feeling good.

    I hit up the high limit room and took out a 10k marker at a BJ table. Played a shoe and a half, felt myself getting out of control and lost some dumb bets. I grinded my way back to even at the table and decided to move over to bac. I hadn't played at the big table in a long while, so I grabbed a seat on the end and started betting bank. It went very well and an hour later, I was up $3900. Then I got a bit out of control, but nothing too crazy. Lost it and eventually got it back. So I left the table up $4300.

    So now I am sitting in the sports book and watching the bets I made. All of them are going well for the moment. Probably going to crash early tonight after getting up so early. Tomorrow is my spa day followed by the UK game. Will try to post more then
     
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  5. klevegas

    klevegas Gold
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    Good luck on your trip! I love red rock area...did a small hike with friends years ago.
     
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  6. VegasMonkey

    VegasMonkey the pleepleus
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    I’m a fan of Tacos and Tequilas too!
     
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  7. jyen

    jyen I love gambling !
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    Good luck ! Looking forward to follow along
     
  8. Sharper

    Sharper Bronze

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    Glad to hear you checked out the Greenbrier. I really like it there.
     
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  9. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    The only down side is that I ate so much, there is no way I can eat dinner tonight. So pushing my Nobu meal to tomorrow
     
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  10. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    We liked it, even if it was a bit hard to reach. We lost our phone signals for the last thirty miles driving through the WVA hills. But the drive was worth it. Such a pretty resort
     
  11. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    Won my first two sports bets of the night, but got extremely lucky on both. I laid the Panthers in the first half and that final minute INT and score bailed me out. I also took the Knicks plus five. Fortunately, LeBron missed two free throws and a field goal in the final second. If he had hot those, I would have been stuck with a push. My under bet on the Lakers game looks fantastic with one quarter left to go. I also have the Lakers plus one and the Magic plus 12.5. Hoping the absence of Steph Curry keeps that last game close
     
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  12. Elf70

    Elf70 Palladium
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    Great start. Enjoy the spa today. Looking forward to your next update.
     
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  13. tringlomane

    tringlomane Theoretical Video Poker Addict
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    You're back in Vegas again?!?!?! Lol

    I keep meaning to PM you about a possible Disney meetup next month, but I'll wait until after this trip. Keep the winning streak going!
     
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  14. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    I am always here! Or at least it seems that way.

    Went undefeated on my sports bets last night. And then crashed early. I was asleep by ten. But I had been up for over twenty hours, so that makes sense. Just waking up now. Probably won't be much to report today. I am going to the gym shortly. I am also going to the CP spa after lunch. Haven't been to this spa in a few years, so looking forward to trying it again. Then, the evening will be a lot of basketball and using my 2017 diamond celebration dinner voucher at Nobu.
     
  15. Dynasty22

    Dynasty22 Blackjack Connoisseur

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    Always love your reports UK! Keep it up and hope it’s a profitable trip
     
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  16. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    Thanks. Its been a good trip. About to start packing and head to the airport. Not much interesting to report from yesterday. I gambled a bit more, mostly baccarat, and won some more. Sent the afternoon at the Qua spa. Its very nice. Not quite top tier, but definitely in my top five for Vegas spas. Then I ate dinner at Nobu and watched sports for the rest of the night. I won three of my four sports bets. Ironically, the only bet I lost was wagering against my team!! I had Kansas -4.5 and they only beat UK by 4. Argh! If I was going to lose the bet, at least UK could have won. Oh well.

    This morning I grabbed a quick breakfast at the Bellagio Café. The current conservatory display is interesting, two giant peacocks! After breakfast, I played another two shoes of blackjack and decided to cash out. Finished the trip up 15k! So very pleased with that. Now hoping for an uneventful journey home
     
  17. Niteshade

    Niteshade Palladium
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    Safe travels home. Always
    nice to leave up for the trip.
    Enjoyed following along. 2
    more weeks then I get to go back.

    Was hoping you had stayed in the Julius
    Suite - I am staying in one and haven't talked
    to anyone yet that has. Thought I might
    try something different, but I may chicken out
    and get my host to move me back to Augustus.

    Thanks for sharing your trip!
     
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  18. Dynasty22

    Dynasty22 Blackjack Connoisseur

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    Welcome buddy! I’m actually planning a trip to New Orleans after the New Year. Going to take advantage of the 7* benefit before it expires. Any advice or must see/do’s for while we’re down there? Both @BoostedRS and my self are taking our girlfriends down there for a little couples getaway
     
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  19. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    Wow, I think there are so many people around here that know New Orleans better than me. Couple things off the top of my head: enjoy the diamond lounge. its small compared to the lounges at other CET properties, but the food and staff are excellent. otherwise, dine off property. its New Orleans. There is lots of great food near the hotel. And if you like the outdoors, I visited the New Orleans botanical gardens earlier this year and really enjoyed it. Have a great time!
     
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  20. UKFanatic

    UKFanatic Gold
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    I have stayed in the Julius suite on other trips. Its smaller than the Augustus rooms, but there is a wall separating the living room form the bedroom. There aren't doors, however. Also, the Julius bathroom is not as nice and does not have a tub. On the plus side, they were refurbed so recently, the furniture in the Julius suites is in much better condition than Augustus. And I greatly prefer the location of the Julius tower. I never mind walking, but its kind of annoying sometimes to walk back and forth to the room in the Augustus tower if i want to drop something off or retrieve something.
     
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