*Exhausted - Broke - Happy*

[lynnestankard]

Hello everyone - well we're home safe and sound from our Las Vegas trip!

It was such a blast. It took Don about three days to recover from the surprise! He thought we were off to Spain as usual and I broke the news to him at the airport - 'Well love, we're actually going to Las Vegas'!! He couldn't speak for about 5 minutes and looked totally bewildered for the whole 10 hour flight!

But once there - fun, fun and fun! Yours truely turned into a Gambling Monster!! :D :D Those places are unbelievable - folks are gambling at 8.30 in the morning - but you know darn well they've been at it since the night before! Amazing!

We saw a couple of shows - 'The Blue Man Group' at the Luxor and 'Cirque de Soliel' at Treasure Island. They were fantastic productions - and so clever.

Oh yes - we went on a three and half hour horse ride around the Red Canyon - that was spectacular - the scenery just left us open mouthed in amazement - most of the cactus's were in flower - just too beautiful for words. Must just add - I've never been on a horse in my whole life! Luckily my horse was so calm and laid back - I just left the hard work to him! He was called Shooter -and after the ride we had a lovely relationship going - me chatting away to him and him stopping every now and then to have a nibble of the odd flower!

Diane and Jason flew out to spend 5 days with us - this was the second part of Don's Birthday Present and he was so thrilled. Just being with our much loved daughter was a delight to see - and there was much laughing and non-stop chatting!!

We saw them filming a scene for 'Miss Congeniality 2' in Treasure Island and actually saw Sandra Bullock - lovely lady.

The Bellagio water fountains were superb - so lots of pics., were taken!

We ate ourselves to a standstill - I cannot get used to the HUGE portions over there!! All the hotels do the most amazing buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner - great value and wonderful choice.

So now we're home and it's back to earth with a bump :D

Lynne

[Killearn Kitties]

It sounds llike you had a fabulous time! I'll be you're very jet-lagged now.

Would I be right in thinking that these "lots of pics" are not in a digital format? Or are you just making us wait? ;)

[ramanth]

Sounds like you had a great time! I love Vegas. There is so much to do OTHER than gambling. :D When my family went, the Luxor was one of the newest casinos.

We stayed at Circus Circus and my sisters and I played in the amusement park and arcade while mom and dad gambled. We saw some shows and mainly just walked the Strip. Oh, we took a trip out to Hoover Dam. That was a blast.

Hope to see pictures!! :D

[Logan]

Welcome back, Lynne!!! :) I'm so glad your surprise trip to Las Vegas went so well!! And what an added surprise for your husband to have your daughter and son in law there too!!! :D

We missed you, and can't wait to see the pictures!!! :)

[catnapper]

Sigh... we went to Vegas for our honeymoon (we really wanted to get married there to ;) ) We cannot wait to go back. We're not gamblers - heck, I have such bad luck that I don't even try to play anything but the nickle slots! LOL.

Sounds like you've had a wonderful time and I'm wondering where those photos are... well????? :D

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

I'm glad that you had a great trip and that the surprise was a success! The red-rock canyon is beautiful, isn't it? I had no idea the rocks would really be so red! Welcome home!

[AmberLee]

Welcome back! So glad that you and Don had such a good time. Sounds great! And you managed to keep it a surprise -- I'm impressed! I'm looking forward to the photos, too.


{{{hugs}}}

[momoffuzzyfaces]

:D I'm so glad you had fun!!!!
I bet Don will never know if he should believe you or not now when you say you are going to Spain! I would never have been able to keep a secret that long!!!:D

[trayi52]

Sounds like your suprise birthday gift went great, and you had a wonderful time! Now thats what you call a grand vacation. I have never been to Vegas, my son said he drove through there when he was driving truck.

I am also wondering about the pictures, I just can't wait to see pictures!!

Willie:)

[RICHARD]

Ice your elbow and start saving your pennies for next year!!

What was your favorite meal and favorite food??


Now you see why the rest of the world hates us!!;)


It's the 99 cent shrimp cocktails!! :eek:



P.S. Did you get to eat a foot long hot dog???

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Lynne!!! I'm so thrilled to hear you all had a great time! I would have loved to have seen the look of surprsie on Don's face when you broke the big news!:D You went at the most ideal time (weather wise) to visit the southwest! Aside from the gambling, I'm glad you go to see a bit of the beautiful desert/canyon scenery and indulge in a bit of a critter connection to boot. First time on a horse and you handled it like apro! Way to go Lynne! lol! I hope the locals were kind and courteous, too!:) Was this your first trip to the U.S.? We have to start planning your next trip! Hmmm, should be try the east coast next go round? Maybe a little Florida/South Beach! I can definitely see you and Don in a local hot spot dancing the samba!:D

[lizbud]

Lynne,

Sounds like you all had a wonderful trip.:) I'm so glad it all
worked out for everyone. Never been to Vegas, but I've heard
it's quite the vacation spot. Good to have you back.:D

[dukedogsmom]

Sounds like an amazing time! One day, I'm gonna make it to Vegas. You did a lot of things I would like to do, too. Cirque de Solei has a new show out now, too, that I'd like to see. I can't remember the name of it but it's more for adults. I would have loved the canyon ride. And those fountians, I've seen them on tv but would love to see them in person. Glad you had a wonderful time. Will be looking forward to a lot of pics really soon.

[captain]

Welcome back Lynne!!!!

Sounds like you had a ball!
Las Vegas is one place I would love to go to, too!!!!!

Looking forward to pics ..........

[Randi]

It's good to see you back, Lynne - but your husband will never trust you in an airport again. He'll want to check the tickets before you leave. :D

It sounds like a wonderful trip you had, I'm happy for you! :)

[lynnestankard]

Originally posted by RICHARD
What was your favorite meal and favorite food??
It's the 99 cent shrimp cocktails!! :eek:
P.S. Did you get to eat a foot long hot dog???

You would bring up the foot long hot dog Richard - that's exactly what Don did! Urgh! He insisted on eating that monstrocity in the Harley Davidson Cafe and spent the next 24 hours.........well should we say - not feeling very well :eek: :eek:

We saw the 99 cent shrimp cocktail - but being a snob I insisted on the Bellagio's version!!

And that had to be my favourite meal/food - the Bellagio's dinner buffet - food was gorgeous - I seem to remember mussels, prawns, crabs legs, beef, chinese food, orchards of salads, - divine pasta and chocolate cake to die for - mmmmmmm. As if I could forget I had my very first Margarita - oh what an experience - how yummy that was!!

Oh Ramanth - we stayed at Circus Circus too - but next time I'd love to stay at The Mirage or Treasure Island - if not the Bellagio!!

No Sandra not our first USA trip - we've visited New York and of course about 3 trips to Chicago to visit with Diane and Jason.

We always find the people of America very friendly and eager to help - the interesting conversations I've had in lifts - sorry elevators - is amazing! I wish some British workers could be as friendly and helpful as their American counterparts. Waiters/waitresses, shop clerks - are always friendly and eager to find whatever your searching for. The guys at the bell desk couldn't do enough to help - even drawing maps for us!

I got an Eeyore piggy-bank for my Birthday so I'm saving up for our next visit!!! (2010?!!:eek: )

Lynne

[neko1]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
Sounds like an amazing time! One day, I'm gonna make it to Vegas. You did a lot of things I would like to do, too. Cirque de Solei has a new show out now, too, that I'd like to see. I can't remember the name of it but it's more for adults.


It's called Zoomanity and it's an awesome show!! I saw it last year when I went to Vegas for my seminar.

[moosmom]

Lynne,

Welcome back! I'm glad you had such a wonderful time and got to see your daughter! Pictures please!!! ;)

[DJFyrewolf36]

Living in good ol Nevada, I get to poke around Vegas at least once a year if not more being since I can just hop in my car and drive there :) Worth the 7 hr trip I tell you what! I'm glad you had fun and that people treated you nice!!! Nevada exists on people coming from all over the world to see it...not so much up north where I'm from though...and hospitality is the norm. Once in Vegas, this cocktail watress was rude *we were at the star trek hilton thingy* and the casino MANAGER came and personally apologised, baught us drinks, gave us a dinner and a free ticket to the ride!!! Hows that for nice!

I hope you come back, cause when you do there will be even more new things to see!!! *They build stuff ALL the time* Maybe I'll be working there, It would be neat to meet another PTer!

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by lynnestankard
You would bring up the foot long hot dog Richard - that's exactly what Don did! Urgh! He insisted on eating that monstrocity in the Harley Davidson Cafe and spent the next 24 hours.........well should we say - not feeling very well :eek: :eek:

We saw the 99 cent shrimp cocktail - but being a snob I insisted on the Bellagio's version!!

And that had to be my favourite meal/food - the Bellagio's dinner buffet - food was gorgeous - I seem to remember mussels, prawns, crabs legs, beef, chinese food, orchards of salads, - divine pasta and chocolate cake to die for - mmmmmmm. As if I could forget I had my very first Margarita - oh what an experience - how yummy that was!!



LOLOL,

Sorry about that, Don!!

And what made you order the margarita????:D

I have dreams about the buffets.......

Orchards of salads, that's a great description!!

[Cataholic]

Wow, that must have a FUN trip! Welcome back!!!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by lynnestankard

And that had to be my favourite meal/food - the Bellagio's dinner buffet - food was gorgeous - I seem to remember mussels, prawns, crabs legs, beef, chinese food, orchards of salads, - divine pasta and chocolate cake to die for - mmmmmmm. As if I could forget I had my very first Margarita - oh what an experience - how yummy that was!!

Lynne

Isn't their buffet AMAZING!?! I'm not much of a buffet person, but that is one I could handle :)

Glad you guys had fun! It is definatly a place you have to see to believe!!

[Miss Meow]

Welcome back!

Sounds like you had a great time (apart from the hot dog thing ;)). You could probably spend three months there and still not see everything!

[carole]

Oh Lynne, your trip sounded so fab, nothing like being in the entertainment capital of the world, My sister and hubby went there this year and had a ball, me I have changed buses in vegas, but never had the pleasure of staying there, oh I wish, and to see Sandra Bullock, lucky you, she is one of my favourtie actors., must see that movie when it comes out.

Welcome back to reality dear, and PT.:)

[anna_66]

Goodness it sounds like you had a fabulous time!!

I can just imagine how surprised Don was when he found out you were going to Vegas:eek:

Glad to hear you had fun!

[ChrisH]

Lynne, glad to hear you had a great time! :D :D Welcome home, and back to PT. :D

Chris

[Vio&Juni]

Oh, sounds like you had a lot of fun! I think Don will never ever trust you organizing the trips, but I am sure, he loved the surprise.