Vegas Bound

Next Thursday I'm heading to Vegas.
No, not to move - not yet, anyways. Not to predominantly have fun/vacation, either. This visit will be mostly running around town scratching off a long, boring list of to-do's. That said, there are certainly worse places to be, so I'm not complaining.

I'll be gone for a week and a half, which includes four days of driving - two each way. Flying wasn't an option this time as we are helping my father-in-law (who lives in the area half of the year) to drive back an extra vehicle to Canada.

As always, I'll be staying at the IP. Gotta love VIP reservations. We managed to get a really good deal for the duration, with the exception of our last planned night - Friday the 21st. Seems there is a convention in town with approx. 5,458,365,252 attendees, so we are pretty much shit outta luck for that day. Since paying $935 at Caesars Palace doesn't sound too desirable, we will probably just head home a day early.

If you have never done the drive, there is a whole lot of nothing in between Canada and Vegas. Montana is beautiful, but seems to go on for days. Idaho is the shortest part, but also the most boring. After you have seen the thriving metropolis of Pocatello and the potato fields, there isn't much else. Utah, by far, drags on the longest though. With the exception of the Salt Lake City / Provo stretch, there are very few signs of life.

Even though it isn't the most exciting of drives, I still can't help but look forward to it. I have a true passion for road trips - the gritty gas stations, 24-hour greasy-spoons, all the cheap motels along the way. Yes I prefer luxury resorts and 24-hour room service once I arrive at my destination, but there is just something so...real about life on the road that it keeps me coming back for more.

Even if the errands don't keep me too busy to play poker, the kid is coming along for the ride this time too, so that will very much limit my casino time. She is seriously excited since she hasn't been there since 2004. I let her plan out our itinerary (for what little free time we will have left) and it looks like we will be (at the very least) visiting the Sharks at Mandalay, the White Tigers at The Mirage, and the Bellagio fountains. Also on the agenda is a visit to the Forum Shops, mainly to stock up on Bath & Body Works products since my supply has dwindled since the WPBT Classic in December, though she seems to think that she will be outfitted in DKNY, D&G, Versace and Cavalli. Yeah fat chance, eh?

Anyway, it will be a much needed break in my routine. All I need to see are the palm trees and I'll be happy.