AGW, the story behind 2010 and observations.

All girls weekend was our typical time frame of Veterans Day Weekend. Mom and I headed out and flew direct – I so enjoy a direct flight. Since we were the first to arrive, we caught a shuttle to the hotel. We got there and they had (drum roll please) LOST my reservation…. I just calmly waited, showed the nice guy my printed confirmation from the website (their website, might I add) that stated I had even paid. The funny thing? The money never came out of my account – I double checked and they were telling the truth – it didn’t. How sad is that – I didn’t even notice that something I paid for and put extra money into the account for never came out? It worked to our benefit – and honestly, I think that they were offering upgrades all day long anyway, but they upgraded Janet and I to adjoining rooms on the 4x floor with a nice strip view. Yeah us. The rooms were quite interesting with a foyer door leading into the two rooms. That was nice – just lock the outer door and block open the inner doors and we were able to travel back and forth as we wanted. Mom, Tandy, Linda and I went to dinner that night and went in search of an inexpensive buffet…and my phone lead me astray. We went to the Sahara because a buffet was listed for that hotel – however there wasn’t one that we found. In the mean time, I put some money into a machine and hit a nice little jackpot – I put in $20 and came out with $80. Nice! I then put in $1 and got back $6. I really should have stayed there a while :o) Oh, well – Linda asked about the buffet location and was informed there wasn’t one… so we headed out and went to the Mirage to eat. It was a nice meal and fun to visit for a while.

The next day Sandy and Suzie and Aunt Tuny came into town in the late afternoon. We took the morning to head out to see the new bridge over the Hoover Dam. Yes, I said OVER… it’s farther downriver, however MUCH higher than the dam. The approach to the lake was shocking to me. I would think that the lake is a good 40’ below where I have ever seen it while living in Cedar City and diving there in my certification classes. When we were diving there, our place was in 20’ of water… If I had a car I would have driven out there – however it’s a good 40 miles to the north, so didn’t ask for that much of a drive… I’m sure it’s beyond bone dry now. Anyway… the drive down was interesting to see islands that had been underwater for YEARS now high and dry in the desert sun. Going over the actual bridge was very much a bust as the walls are high to keep folks from rubbernecking on the way over… traffic does NOT slow down at all zipping from Nevada to Arizona. Interesting… we go to the other side, turned around and headed back so we could take the “old” road down to the overlooks and such. Linda and I got out and hiked to the top of the hill to walk over the bridge. We refused to let mom go with us… she would have made it, but would have been done for the day. I was huffing and puffing at the top of it…but that’s not saying much, I’m out of shape. We walked to almost the middle – took a few pictures and headed back down to the car then headed back to town.

While Mom had been sitting there waiting on us, she made the decision she was going to take a helicopter ride to see what we had seen – really? First Helicopter ride at 75? Yes! She did… we went back into town and signed up – we splurged and took the more expensive one and went OVER the dam and around back over the lake – short, but thrilling ride. My first helicopter ride as well – Linda – was it yours too?? How would that be to do our firsts all together as the Autrey women? I’m assuming you have ridden in one in Hawaii at some point in your adventurous life.

We headed back into town and that afternoon Linda and I did a massage at the spa – ahhhhh. The only thing weird about the spa there was there was NO Jacuzzi. I REALLY missed soaking in the Jacuzzi :o( Oh, well… the massage for me wasn’t as nice as what I get at the chiropractors… so my days of spa may be short lived since they are so expensive in Vegas… I guess the expense hasn’t really changed, I have changed. With me now being able to get a massage for $20 why on earth would I pay $100? Hum… yeah, good question.

Dinner was an experiment in choosing a restaurant on the fly. It was OK – but not the best I’ve ever had, however as always it was fun to have us all together laughing, catching up and enjoying our time together :o)

Saturday dawned with a later start… and to be honest, I have no idea what we really did… the “highlight” of this day was the dinner at Sahara and a failed attempt to work the food challenge to our benefit. They have no way to order the 7lb burrito for the table, you have to do it challenge style… however what they did NOT tell us was that you have to sit at the main table for 30 minutes before they will allow you to go back to your own table WITH the burrito and share it. You have GOT to be kidding me! So… we all ordered, told the lady “just a drink – we’re sharing the burrito”… and they still made me sit up there and do the stupid time in the chair all by myself… I was VERY bad advertising for the challenge as everyone came by and talked to me and I let them know how stupid this was to have me sit there and not just “fail” already and go back to the table. What a joke. Mom and a few others hung with me for the duration and I ate my portion of the thing before taking it to the table and having everyone share it. Sigh. That didn’t go well! The burrito, however, was very tasty and good and there was still a LOT left over after everyone else ate a ton of it – Linda even had enough to take home with her for leftovers for a few more days! BIG burrito! Oh, well Angie got the shirt and was happy (pink shirt that says “Official Weenie”)

Janet and I were pressed for time as we were headed out to see a show that night as well. We went to see Cirque De Sole “Beatles – Love” I can honestly say that the HBO special did the costumes justice, however it wasn’t nearly the “typical” mouth hanging open gasping at the antics type of Cirque show. I was a little let down, it was more of a “show” style with production more of a focal point than the acrobatics. Sad, but this is one of the ones I wouldn’t go see again – all the others, I could easily go again!

Sunday was Mom and I headed home :o(

All Girls Weekend 2010

This year was the year of the "posh" stay - Thanks Suz for finding the deal of the week on this hotel.  The hotel itself isn't right on the strip, however, it's not that far OFF strip either.  It's to the north of the Fashion Place Mall and about a block off strip - although it is only an empty lot towards the strip.  I'm sure that will change soon enough since the Frontier has been removed and I'm sure that there will be another hotel take it's place soon enough.

 Gotta LOVE the bath tub in this place!  It's HUGE!!

 The room - very nice room....

The view.  with Linda on the sleeper sofa.

Dinner on night one at the Mirage Buffet.

Day 2 - a visit to the Dam.  Linda and I walked up to the overlook from the bridge to see the dam from that view - very nice.

Click on the picture to view in larger size... Linda is at the 2nd column waving :o)

Mom was sooo mad that we wouldn't let her walk to the top of the bridge (*I* was huffing and puffing at the top - which isn't shocking... since I'm soo out of shape) because it was about 2+ floors worth of stairs... and only because, yes, she could have done it, but would have been worn out for the day.... she decided she wanted to take a helicopter ride instead!  Yes MOM made this call - and we went with her :o)

 

 

The view at night from our hotel room - between the Mirage and what I can only assume is the Bellagio we could see the fountains going off from time to time :o)

 Dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Treasure Island Casino.  Nothing to write home about...not really great Mexican food, however GREAT company!!

 The Lobby at the Trump  morning #3

The Challenge that went awry - taking the first bite. 

After the challenge fiasco sharing the burrito with everyone at dinner. 

 The End

 

Did I mention how much I love my wacky funny family :o)



Don’t forget all girls weekend is THIS weekend.

Tentative plans for now are:

• Thursday arrival for the Autrey/Liebhardt/Ashwood clans and spa afternoon (since I’m the only spa person this year)
• Friday, Dinner for everyone at The Golden Steer (302 W Sahara)
• Saturday: lunch at the Sahara for the 7lb burrito challenge (not that we’ll do a true challenge, but it will be fun just to SEE this thing!)
• Saturday night – Show –Cirque’s Beatles Love
• Sunday – departure for the Autrey/Ashwood/Liebhardt clans
• Monday departure for the Winn/Sumida/Stratton Clans

2010 best of places in Vegas...who's game?

Best Bakery
Freed’s Bakery
4780 S. Eastern Ave. 9555 S. Eastern Ave.
+51 (from 81 votes) Others come and go, but when readers think of bakeries in Las Vegas, they clearly think of Freed’s. For the old-timers, that probably has a lot to do with tradition, but for all of those newcomers, it’s probably because Freed’s keeps up with the times, with cupcake towers and photo cakes and Las Vegas-themed cakes, among others. Great Buns finishes a distant second.

Breakfast
The Cracked Egg
Rating: +50 (from 80 votes)Is it the homemade coffeecake? Is it the Tropical French Toast, with its toasted coconut, macadamia nuts and bananas? Is it, per chance, the gluten-free menu? Whatever it is, readers are all cracked up over The Cracked Egg. Omelet House finishes a close second.

Restaurant with a view:
Panevino Ristorante
246 Via Antonio Ave.
Rating: +20 (from 40 votes)We still don’t quite understand why the view is so fantastic from Panevino, because to look at the place from Sunset Road you’d think the only view would be the airfield across the street. But walk inside and you find out that this is indeed a breathtaking vista, the Strip undulating before you in a panorama of glittering, out-of-the-fantasy-books colors. The view from Ventano Italian Grill & Seafood finishes second.

Steak House:
Golden Steer
308 W. Sahara Ave.
Rating: +42 (from 92 votes)What can we say, we’re suckers for history, especially as it applies to old Las Vegas, and the Golden Steer is the epitome of old Las Vegas with its U-shaped leatherette booths, soft lighting and Sinatra-dominated soundtrack. But this 50-something favorite also is beloved to us for doing things right, whether it’s a steak, shrimp cocktail or gin martini

Dessert:
Layers Bakery Desserts
2708 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson
Rating: +29 (from 33 votes)What do we love about Layers? Well, for one thing, we can stop in and maybe have a piece of warm Heart of Darkness Cake, with its warm, gooey interior, or maybe a Whoopie Pie or chocolate eclair or Chocolate Mud Puddle (do you see a pattern here?). And we can drool over the rich, elaborate cakes in the case and maybe even take one home. If we feel like sharing

Anyone want to try a food tour???

I just watched Diners Drive-ins and Dives on Las Vegas….


Want to do a food tour of Vegas?

I know I really enjoyed the food tour of Memphis when I went… it wasn’t done on purpose, however I did hit all of the spots on the food challenge guys sites to see.

Chris Cognac, The Hungry Detective, rolls the dice by leaving the touristy Las Vegas Strip behind to uncover the best food off The Strip. As Chris arrives in Vegas he lands at Ellis Island Casino and Brewery and discovers a back porch barbecue bargain platter for under $8. Next, Sean Griffin and Adam Soebel, two top chefs from Caesars Palace, lead Chris to an authentic Italian restaurant in a Vegas strip mall. Chris’s next lead takes him to Vegas’s Chinatown for some Thai lobster at Joyful House, a family run restaurant. Next, on the trail of some serious snacks, Chris meets up with two officers from the Las Vegas Police Department for dollar hot dogs and deep fried Hostess Twinkies at Mermaid’s Casino. Finally, Chris hits the jackpot when he stakes out Binion’s Ranch Steakhouse and tries lobster prepared a whole new way.

Rachel’s $40 a day: It's a high stakes gamble when Rachael tries to take on Vegas on $40 a Day. She starts her morning off with the Bellagio breakfast buffet. Next she decides to lunch at Mr. Lucky's 24/7. After some gambling she heads off to the Hookah Lounge. Rachael takes advantage of the late-night supper scene by visiting a hip local hangout called Firefly on Paradise.

Getting closer and closer and closer!!!

YEAH!  We're within a two and a half month window!!!!
Yes, you read that correctly - we're within two and a half MONTHS!
I look at the calendar and am chalking of the events that are coming up.
I have scrapbooking with Janet and Gail in less than two weeks!!  Yeah!!!
Next up will be VEGAS!
I don't get that excited about the concept of Vegas, but the idea of the All Girls Weekend really makes me happy!!

Chocoate, anyone

Does anyone want a repeat of the "Chocolate Tour" of our previous year? New and improved, of course.

And Gail and I wanted to know what sort of dinner the "Group" dinner would be. Mexican?
Big Name restaurant? IHOP? :-)

Another option for an interesting activity might be "Finding Nemo in Las Vegas" where we find all the aquariums in casinos, restaurants, hotels, then finish with the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Gail and I already have a sizable list of tanks we know of. I found one or two while wandering around there last week. Of course, you'd have to enjoy fish tanks to even consider doing somthing like this. We could throw in some sushi for you, Donna. (JK!)

~Linda

More Planning

There were some e-mails lately about more choices on hotels.

Mom and I are booked at the Trump on a non-refundable, so this is where we’ll be staying.

I believe Linda and Gail will be joining Mom and I in our room since prices just keep rising as the dates get closer and they missed out on the $98 average a night pricing. 

 

I did see some e-mailing back and forth on Friday – and dare I admit this, I was doing so in the potty because it’s the ONLY place at work I can get any private time to sit with a cell phone and “chat”…  Work is – well, it’s by definition work.  Emails are a bit hectic for me and I don’t tend to check very often because when I do, there tend to be a boat load of orders out there for jobs #2 and #3 or is that jobs #3/4?  I believe kids would be #1 in reality, main paycheck would be #2…ah, you get the point.  I don’t do email often and at best, I skim and typically think “Ok, I’ll get back to that tonight…” and never do.  I’m horrible.  I have a LOT of plans, and less and less follow through anymore.

 

ONE plan is to go see Cirque Du Soleil’s Beatles Love show.  I saw the HBO special on how it was made…and before that point, I had no desire to see it…

After seeing the show, I have to see it now J  I plan on getting tickets through the concierge at the hotel – I’m assuming top hotel will have some NICE seats available for us… I’m also looking at the highest price seats – after having them at the last show and sitting next to the plant… I want that experience again.   If you’re interested in going – the price is $165 for the EXPENSIVE seats and $108.90 for the full view “inexpensive” seats… $102 for limited view seats and no offense, I think the $6 would be worth the full price view J   In all honesty I want to see what they save back for the nicer hotels to sell… however this could bite me in the tush too… ya never know.  I should ask someone who’s been in Vegas a while if this is the best way to go about it… 

 

The only other plan I have is spa and I’m thinking Saturday is the day to do this…. 

Anyone for a spa or Cirque Du Soleil???

from prior post...

Donna said...
I do believe it's Trump then.I went through priceline to get that price.
June 18, 2010 2:19 PM

Let the debates begin!

I have booked my flights - I know, shocking for me to book my flights, however I couldn't beat the deal lately - I haven't seen them for less than 275ish for a long time. So, we're booked.
Mom and I will arrive on Thursday the 11th of November and leave out on Sunday the 14th.

Now the next issue - I have been looking for a hotel with the following: Shuttle and Spa.
I have come up with 7 so far - only a few that are within what I would consider reasonable - as in has what we're looking for AND having transport or easy access to the strip to do anything.

The Mirage - $174 average rate
Mandalay Bay - $169 average
South Point Hotel - $103 Average (not near strip - no transport to strip)
Red Rock Casino Resort Spa - $120 avg (not near the strip - no transport to strip)
The Platinum (no gambling and not a safe walk from hotel to strip) - $142
Green Ranch - $134 (again - not near the strip - no transport to strip)

Trump International Hotel, Las Vegas is averaging $98 a night for the time frame... I vote we do that one!!
Who's in?