We came. We saw and darn it we gambled about a perfectly good $100 away. (Obviously we didn't spring for airline tickets to Las Vegas for the high rolling.) We went there for relaxing and good entertainment, laughs, and to spend some time with our good buddies and enjoy sunshine and 70 degree temperatures for one last time this year. It's pretty well known among my friends that I'm not an enthusiastic flier. I'm getting better at it the more I do it but I still like to ensure a relaxing time on the plane by having a toddy before I get on.
Even though no one else felt it necessary to join me my entourage supported this weakness and helped me find a cold beer at 7 a.m. before the flight out (for the record there was another lady sitting down the bar from me with a 7 a.m. glass of wine - I hear ya sister - Salute!) and a Bloody Mary at 10 a.m. before the return flight so both went incredibly well. Which is good because, for some reason, it didn't occur to me that we'd be looking at mountains, lots and lots of mountains, underneath us a great deal of the way. (I've seen those movies - I knew airplane pretzels and beef jerkey from my carry on backpack wouldn't keep us alive for double digit days if we went down in the Rockies.)
While we were in Vegas since we didn't gamble a whole lot we decided to do other things with our cash like treat ourselves to a once in a lifetime, wallet busting, authentic French meal. The waiters pulled out our chairs, put my jacket over my backrest for me and then waited for us to be seated and gallantly opened and placed our napkins in our laps.
It was pretty un-Pizza Ranch-like ya'all. I was kinda glad my kids weren't with. We were at a Bed and Breakfast out East one time and they thought having a mint leaf in our water was so exotic it made them giggle. Although we were surrounded by professional artwork by Picasso the room was so dark the waiter brought a small flashlight over for the table next to us to order wine by. Michelle and I would have liked wine with our fancy schmancy meal but when the menu came in the way of a catalogue with no prices and offered mostly by the whole bottle we figured we might be out of our Barefoot Moscata comfort zone.
Before we ordered we were allowed to sample a 'gift from the chef,' which came in the way of a small, lightly breaded morsel on our plates. "Tator tot?" I quizzed my fellow diners. For over a hundred bucks a person they thought likely not. My husband picked at his and declared it flaky. He took a bite and said, "Hmmm I think it's fish."
"Aahhh," I said, nodding, "Fish stick." Although it was doubtfully perch, crappie or bullhead.
As for the fanciest and my most expensive dinner ever - My friend Michelle and I gave a thumbs up to the dessert and entree (young fallow deer...sorry little buddy...but you were tender and delicious), but thumbs down, enthusiastically, to the Pate' course (translation: goose liver). I know it was chef Julianne's specialty dish but a savory cheeseball with a Triscuit would have been just fine, really. Squash soup though? That was surprisingly enjoyable especially for someone who doesn't even like squash. The next night we were back to steak and garlic mashed potatoes - THAT I understand.
While we were in Las Vegas we saw shows that delighted and entertained.
We saw this one
A Cirque Du Soleil that was mesmerizing to watch and had fun ushers too.
Although it was hard to get the song, "All You Need is Love" out of my head the rest of the night.
And we also saw this one: A comedian Kirk loves that brought his A Game that night. My side hurt.
No fun ushers but our table was three back from the stage.
I'm pretty sure he was talking directly to us the whole time.
We toured the strip a little everyday. The buildings and architecture are fabulous and because it was Halloween we were treated to all kinds of other sights as well.
Michelle and I even stumbled upon a real live Betsy Johnson fashion show in progress with a catwalk and models. We're pretty uptown sometimes.
And Bob and Kirk?
Well, interestingly enough, they stumbled upon an Oompaloompah while we were in the Sugar Factory buying rope licorice. Here's something you don't see everyday in Brainerd - but I'm guessing you probably do in Las Vegas.
Still, I couldn't love this picture more.
It was a great three days. We walked until we were limp, ate until we gained weight and gambled just long enough to come home with money still in our pocket.
Okay winter.... bring it!
