I've posted a few times, but am more of a lurker! I thought I would share our latest trip for others...

This was a trip with challenges!

We were suppose to fly out on the Thursday before Easter to Vegas and then drive to the Grand Canyon for two nights and then Vegas for 4 nights.

Tuesday, my husband complains of back pain, similar to prior bout with kidney stones - get thee to the doctor and find out - we need to know before we go!!!

Doctor thinks it probably is, husband gets pain medication and insists on still going.

Wednesday night we get 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. Up at 4:00am to get to the airport for a 6:20 am flight - on the way there - get a flat tire! Fill the tire - drive another 15 minutes to the airport (of course ruin the tire.) Get to the aiport to find that our flight is delayed for 2 hours since the flight crew got in late the night before due to the snow. After 2 hours of trying, we would only be able to get as far as Cleveland, due to booked flights for spring break - so re-booked for the next day (I say, it's a sign, no many signs, we are not destined to see the Grand Canyon on this trip). Go home to sleep! (to be continued...)

Now I'm so curious, I want the rest of the story!

PAMom1 - Please, please, please go back and copy your other posts as replies here. No one will ever be able to connect them up after a few days when posts get separated on the board!

Part II-Good Friday morning we get to sleep in a little later. During the prior day, my husband had an "attack" with his kidney stone -so it was probably better that he wasn't on the plane.

We did have some "luck" on this day (which also happened to be my son's 14thB-Day!).My brother, who was driving out from CA to meet us, had not left Wed. night,so I was able to get to him Thursday and let him know that we were delayed. Our travel agent was able to get our first night deposit from our Grand Canyon hotel. We decided that we weren't going to be able to get there and back when we had hotel and show tickets for Saturday. My husband's friend drove us to the airport (after we got the flat tire fixed yesterday.) Flight from Northeast PA to Cleveland was uneventful, and so was Cleveland to Vegas,except for the last 1/2 hour when my husband starting having some more pain. Luckily, the meds helped! Brother met us at the airport and we drove to our last minute booked hotel, Terribles. (Which wasn't terrible- just older and smaller than our other hotel). We were again lucky to get anything the day before flying. When we checked in, they were turning people away, left and right - which surprised my bro who usually does not book before driving out (it's about 4-5 hrsfor him). My son picked pizza for dinner for his birthday(not a foodie!) Went to the Palms food court-pizza was good!and then went over the Rio for the free show. We then called it a night...



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Part III
thought it might be easier to follow if I broke it down -hopefully I'm not too longwinded!
Saturday, went downstairs (at Terribles) for breakfast. It was fine (andinexpensive). Went across the street to golf store to get some presents-then off to explore!

Went to the Stratosphere to try the rides,but it was too windy.So over to Adventuredome by Circus Circus. My son and brother both agreed that this was one of the best coasters that they had ever been on! Played some lasar tag, then on to In and Out Burger.What a set-up!We don'thave anything like this in PA.
Finally-time to check into Mandalay Bay. Beautiful and big! Room was very nice- lots of room - even with 4 of us...and the bathroom! The soaking tub was heavenly! We got cleaned up and headed to TI to pick up our tickets to Mystere! Had dinner at CA pizza in the Mirage.Much excitement since it is right near the sports book and college BB was being played.

Mystere was amazing! Beautiful,strange,wonderful displays of strength. Couldn't believe our eyes! Half way through the show,my husband has to leave-the kidney stone has returned!

So...after the show we get to experience the ER...in Vegas...on a Saturday night!

All things considered, it could have been a WHOLE lot worse! My husband was seen within 30 minutes...we were there about 6hours-released about 4:30am! Needless to say, we slept in.

Part IV-Conclusion
Easter Sunday - luckily,there were many masses to choose from since we didn't get back from the ER until 4:30 this am. Went to the Guardian Angel Cathedral- right off the strip,across from the Stardust. Very unique church. Even if you're not Catholic, it has very interesting stained glass-and if you have read any of Dan Brown's books - lots of triangles!

That night walked around the shops at Mandalay Bay and went to see the sharks. It was ok, but we've seen better..

Monday was driving day. Since we didn't get to go to the Grand Canyon, went to Hoover Dam. Very pretty day, but windy! I had read to get there early and we did and were glad. It took us almost an hour to get up to the speed limit on the way out. There is construction in addition to tourist traffic.

We then proceeded to RedRock Canyon. (We were going to try Valley of Fire,but it was too much for my husband). Very beautiful, esp if you have never been out west and are this close to mountains like these.

My brother took my son to Gameworks and I did some shopping intheForum shops in the evening,while my husband rested.

Finally on Tuesday,we gambled (a little).My husband put one dollar in a slot and won$30. (maybe his luck was changing!) Went to the Luxor - great arcade for kids! On it Excalibur - New York (the roller coaster was not as good as AdventureDome).
In the afternoon, my son (finally), got to try out the pools(since that was one of the reasons, we stayed here). Make sure to bring your own tubes - they charge$20 aday to rent and we bought one for $10. It was cold, but he had a great time!
For dinner,went to Lucille's by the Green Valley Ranch. Pretty good BBQ-lots of food!
Wednesday- headed back home...(luckily the snow had melted!)

Nice! First time to Vegas? Sounded like you had a great time despite your husbands painful kidney stone. I'm glad you went to Red Rock Canyon, beautiful and less walking for your hubby. Took me a second to figure out the hotel name was "Terribles". I thought it was terrible! How was lucilles? I hear that is great BBQ, only location outside LA area too. A friend of mine lives in Henderson and raves about that BBQ. Definitely hitting up that joint this summer. Thanks for the report!

How was lucilles?

Very good food, but alot of it! Depending on what you get and your appetite, you might want to split a meal (esp. if you get an appetizer, like we did).

We also went to the Hard Rock for (of all things) Prime Rib. Very, very good. A few places might have slightly better, but not for $15...

I had been to vegas as a teen (many moons ago) and for business, but not for vacation. First time for hubby and son - they want to go back...Thanks!

Thanks for the report and putting all the parts together.

You are the first person that I have heard of say that the Circus Circus roller coaster is superior to the NYNY. I have done both and completely disagree....but that's what makes the world go around!

I thought the coaster at Circus Circus was cool, but it did bang my head around a lot.

Hilarious report. Thanks for the "it could have been worse" thoughts about my own trips....