VEGAS WEEKEND IN THE WORKS!!

[Julia1Pin]

Jewel-

One of the things I've learned from watching my parents (33 years married) and DH's parents (31 years married) is that don't do anything you don't want SO to not do. I wouldn't want him to go away for a weekend w/out me, so I wouldn't do it to him. Neither of our parents have ever gone anywhere alone for a weekend. I guess it's just a matter of personal opinion.

BTW, the rodeo finals are Dec 9-11 (it's DH's birthday. Every year we go to Vegas, and we're ALWAYS surrounded by cowboys). So, either the weekend we'll be there in Sept. or that weekend in Dec. work for me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Another good, inexpensive hotel is Bally's. If we do Harrah's, I might be able to get a better deal on group rates, seeing as I'm a crad member there.

[Jewel]

Julia I just checked online rates and used the Sept 21-23 dates as a baseline. Tropicana is $139 per night (based on double occupancy, which is all they quote) and Harrahs is $125. If you could do group rate that would be even better!

For any Washingtonians I checked Alaska Airlines from Seattle, and those dates leaving Seattle Friday night about 7pm and getting to Vegas at 9pm, and leaving 5:30 on Sunday evening, getting home about 8pm is only $185! Not bad at all. SandyM and I will be rooming together since we discovered that neither of us snore, we're not excessively quirky, and it's Vegas! We'll have to do something strange just to fit in there! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Lets all settle on a weekend so we can actually book these flights and hotels. First things first! Come on, anyone else? We'll have fun, we promise!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 06-15-2001).]

[Laura]

Hi! It is unlikely that I would go but I wanted to pass a web page on to people who like to travel at the last minute. There is a page called www.smarterliving.com. (http://www.smarterliving.com.) If you put in your home airport it will send you an email every Wednesday for travel that weekend. The fares are often very cheap. If you are flexible for these types of trips and are willing to take the chance you can get some great deals. Laura

[Wendy w]

Hi Jewel, Sandy and everyone!

OMG!!! Heathens!!! drinks with umbrellas!!! Tight pirate hineys!!!!!!

The weekend sounds great!! My only impediment would be that we are extremely busy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif at work from Sept.15th-2nd week in October as I work at a university and this is the start of fall quarter. My supervisor (a very cool person) may frown upon my taking a Friday off then.

HOWEVER, I am a 45 minute flight from Vegas and live and work in very close proximity to an airport. If I have to, I can come in on Friday night. I will be nuts (even more so than usual) and obsessing knowing that you all are just hours away.

As far as hotels are concerned, all of the suggestions are great! We don't need the fanciest hotels around as we will be out and about having fun!! I am all for doing something crazy but I don't think we had better do the happy naked dance.

[SandyM]

Wendy, darling, you make me LAUGH and I can't wait to meet you! Tight pirate hineys? Dang, I didn't even think of that.

Don't worry about busy work weeks. The majority of us will be doing a Friday night to Sunday kind of thing (me especially, being an east coaster - I still don't understand why they call Michigan midwest).

Yay!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Wendy w]

Sandy, you crack me up as well!! Really want to meet you!! Will have to teach you the "shiney hiney" song. Yes, there is such a thing, my BF and I made it up last summer and we sing it regularly.

[Jewel]

All right Wendy!! I'm not taking Friday off either, I'm leaving Friday evening. The city never sleeps, so I'm not worried about coming in late. I looked up Bally's online also, and they want $140 per night! ACK! So far, Harrah's is the cheapest at $125. If you can find a roomie that would make it even easier, since you could split it. However, Sandy and I may be cozying up to a few homeless men in their cardboard boxes before the weekend is over, considering we both seem to have a 'thing' about gambling and may try to 'double or nothing' the hotel money (kidding Sandy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif )

Do you people realize exactly how much trouble we could get into around there? I can't wait! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[KValley]

OKAY! PENCIL me in. Like Wendy, I work in higher ed and this is the busiest time of the year for me (Wendy, where are you? I'll be in SoCal in October), but I do not want to miss the shiny hiney dance! Or dancing naked!! Or tight pirate hineys dancing naked!!!

Can DHs/SOs come or is this a women's only fest?

Wheeeeee http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Julie

[SueK]

Hey, I'd love to go to Vegas for a get together. My husband's travel schedule forced me to miss this last get-together. Any other PA BB folks up for it?

September would be good for me. October is busy, although both months involve football games around here, and Heaven forbid that my DH miss one. Too bad this time! I'll be there!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by KValley:

Can DHs/SOs come or is this a women's only fest?


Julie, if we're able to do the Sept 21-23 weekend, Julia's husband will be there, but Sandy and I are leaving our hubbies at home to take care of the doggies, and I believe everyone else is thinking 'Girls Weekend'. That doesn't mean the boys will feel out-of-place if they come, however! We'll need something to compare the Pirate Hineys too! Come on Matt, are you coming?? AD??

Obviously we're not talking about a wild free-for-all! Well, maybe a little wild, we're young! Nothing for the husbands to get stressed over. Actually, DH said the safest place for me when I'm not with him to be is with a dozen other women! (He says most women nowadays know how to protect themselves, so a group of us would be like the Charlie's Angels movie if we were attacked!)

OK, so we have Jewel, SandyM, Julia1Pin, Aggie94 (crossing fingers), KValley, Wendy W, and SueK. That's 7 so far...we need more people if we're going to look believable as a Conga Line at The Luxor!! Come on!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[slknight]

I'm somewhat intrigued by the thought of a weekend in Vegas. I couldn't make the CL trip either, so I would consider it. Also, I've never been to Vegas, so it would be interesting. I could come either with my DH, or without; it doesn't matter to me. Although he's never been there either so he kind of wants to see it too.

-Susan

[Jewel]

I've been doing a little surfin', just trying to see what's out there. Here's a link to the 50 Vegas Hotels that are available during the weekend of 9/21-9/23. They range from 'hookers optional' to 'silk pantyhose required'.
http://www.nrbhotels.com/bin/webcgi.exe?agentid=1056

Whoops! Just noticed that the URL doesn't come through with the hotel list! Put the dates Sept 21 and Sept 23 in there and select "available/with price" and the hotels will come up. Sorry!

So far, I'm leaning towards Harrah's or Bally's because they're centrally located. All rooms are based on double occupancy so the ones that want to room together can save cash for the really fun stuff! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 06-15-2001).]

[Wendy w]

Silk pantyhose? In my opinion, pantyhose were invented by the devil and can't remember the last time I donned a pair.

I am game either way for SO's or not, so whatever everyone decides is fine. BF would have fun and he is a pirate (lives on a boat)that happens to have a very nice hiney. I'm not completely biased as I have a couple of friends who think so too! Harrah's or Bally's sounds great!

[Julia1Pin]

It your SO's are into sports, September has football, among tons of college sports so it should be fun for all.

I'm getting excited http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[KValley]

So, I talked with DH and I have the feeling that he'd rather not, thanks. He's all for girl power, but he'll settle for me regaling him with tales of crimes and misdemeanors upon my return. But if other spouses opt in, he may decide otherwise.

Oh, we really should ban pantyhose. I risk the likelihood of a pair ending up on my head.

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-15-2001).]

[Jewel]

My DH has no intentions of what he calls 'spoiling the women's fun', so I'm on my own! He thinks it's wonderful, just wants me to be careful...personally I think he's looking forward to the solitude a bit too!

As for pantyhose?? I want to see them on someone's head. I'm bringing my digital camera, if someone else brings a laptop we can post photos on the BB as they happen!! Yeehaw! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SandyM]

DH is gladly staying home with the pooches. We occasionaly have weekends apart. No harm, no foul. Nothing dangerous, just good clean fun. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

<gasp> He doesn't even like Vegas.....even though he was the big winner last time!!!

hehehe - even more for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[barbse]

Hi Jewel & you other travellers,
I'm a long-time lurker & a sometime contributer to this bb, & you can count me in because I live in Vegas! We don't go to the strip too often, but if there's anything I can do to help you with the plans, just let me know. Looking forward to meeting you all.
Barbara

[Jewel]

OK, Folks, we've played with the idea of getting together somewhere without it being a CL-sponsored event. Since CL is a family magazine aimed at health, fitness, healthy living and ways to make your life less stressful, they would probably never think about sending us to a Heathen's Paradise like Las Vegas, so it's up to us! Sherrif Jewel and Deputy SandyM are working together, trying to come up with a good weekend that we can all get together, go shopping, drink watered-down drinks, feed nickels into thieving slot machines, and do our own 'taste-testing' up and down the Las Vegas Strip at the various buffets. We will not be satisfied until we are all sitting around a huge table at Treasure Island staring at the passing Pirate's hineys and slurping tropical drinks with little paper umbrellas in them...

We're thinking September or October, so we miss the major Vegas heat, as well as the crazy, busy summer traffic. We'd like to have everyone fly in on their own either Friday night or Saturday morning, and we'd designate a time and place to all meet up. Most of us would have to leave on Sunday afternoon, so we're really looking at 24 hours or so of play time. It would be much easier if we were all in the same hotel, we may be able to get a 'group rate' of some kind. A couple of Christmases ago DH and I stayed at the Tropicana Hotel/Casino and it was nice! Middle to low pricing, clean, centrally located. We can shuttle into the hotel from the Airport, then walk or cab wherever we want to go!

Each person would obviously be responsible for airfare and one or two nights of hotel, depending on when they came in. Rooming together would be great if anyone could arrange it beforehand, and it would be cheaper too!

So who's interested?? Come on, this group can't meet anywhere BUT Vegas...who's in? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Jewel (edited 06-15-2001).]

[Julia1Pin]

Jewel-

My DH and I go to Vegas ALOT! In fact, we're going in July (20-22), September (21-23) and December (7-9).

So, if you need any help in planning, or suggestions on pretty much anything Vegas related, let me know. BTW, Harrah's is centrally located, newly re-modeled (last couple of years) and pretty inexpensive (and we're also platinum player card holders).

[ebobbitt]

Oh Jewel, I would love to participate but I'm already going to Las Vegas in December for the National Finals Rodeo. (Talk about butts -- just look at those Wranglers! Sorry I got a bit carried away!) I promise I'll try real hard to go the next time you organize something.
Elizabeth

[aggie94]

If I'm available, I'd definitely be up for a weekend in Vegas!

Keep us updated on the details as you have them!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by Julia1Pin:
Jewel-

My DH and I go to Vegas ALOT! In fact, we're going in July (20-22), September (21-23) and December (7-9).

So, if you need any help in planning, or suggestions on pretty much anything Vegas related, let me know. BTW, Harrah's is centrally located, newly re-modeled (last couple of years) and pretty inexpensive (and we're also platinum player card holders).

Julia, you have a point about Harrah's, I'd forgotten they remodeled. They're also more central. I was thinking late September, so how 'bout the weekend you're already there? It was supposed to be without spouses, but if you think your DH could handle a Female Frenzy would that Sept 21-23 work?

How 'bout everyone else? Sept 21-23 or another date? Aggie, check your calendar for that one. Julia, would you be up for adding a NON spouse weekend to that itinerary or would you want to make it one of the weekends you're already going? We're on our way!

[aggie94]

Unfortunately, work doesn't let me plan for an event quite that far ahead of time. My calendar is free right now for that weekend in September, but I can't guarantee that something won't come up between now and then. You guys should go ahead and pick a weekend, and I'll do my best to make it. September and later, though, increases the odds that I'll be able to make it (I have a case going to trial in August that will keep my weekends pretty tied up between now and then).

[Jewel]

Thanks Barbara! We'll be glad to meet you! We'd have a built in tour guide as well, although I'm sure a few people in this group know Vegas as well as a native (Julia???).

I've been told that most people who live in Vegas go nowhere near the strip unless they're wanting to catch a show or cash their paycheck quickly. A salesman that used to work for me lived in Vegas and told me that he'd lived there for 22 years, and he hadn't been on the strip in 20 years. If a new casino went up or there was some bold new attraction, he read about it in the paper like everyone else in the world! I guess it could get old if you lived there, huh?

I grew up an hour away from the Sequoia National Park in California. For 30 years I watched people come from all over the world to see the giant Redwood trees. I couldn't understand the big deal! I grew up with them, so I couldn't understand the attraction! When I looked at the giant redwoods I didn't see any wonder of nature, I saw a lot of unfinished patio furniture! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the offer of help with our weekend! We'll be taking you up on it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[aggie94]

DH & I also spend the occasional weekend apart, and it's no big deal, but when I mentioned me going to Vegas to meet up with a bunch of girls from the BB, his face dropped. Neither of us have ever been to Vegas and he had to pass up a weekend there with two of his high school buddies not long ago because MY friends were coming to visit.

Bottom line: if I'm in, he's in! So does that mean, Julie, that Brendan might reconsider? DH has no intentions of hanging out with us and spoiling our fun time -- he just wants to see all the glamour and lights (from the inside of the casinos, mind you).

I'll pencil in this trip for September 21-23 and keep my fingers crossed that work doesn't get in the way.

[heatherfeather]

We just went to Vegas for the first time last week. We really enjoyed it. I don't know where all of of you are looking for the prices for room rates - we went to expedia.com and travelocity.com and I can't remember which site we booked our room on but we got greeat prices(under $100 -including iover a weekend) Weekday rates can be half price too. Also, consider that the rates should drop in the fall when it is off-peak season. There are plenty of places to eat that are gourmet as well as healthy eating options. there is an awesome Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand and the buffets at Alladdin and Paris are excellent. The buffet at Excalibur was not good, however - we also didn't care for the hotel. I definitely recommend a hotel mid strip so you can walk only halfway up the strip and back each day without passing out. We were at one end of the strip and tried walking up and down - with temps at 110 and many blisters on our feet, we were wishing we were at Bellagio, Ceasar's, or Alladdin, which are all mid strip.

[Jewel]

Thanks Heather! Right now I think Harrah's is winning the race, and their online pricing shows us about $125 per night for that weekend of Sept 21-23. It's mid-strip also, so we shouldn't be in too bad a shape. I know what you mean about staying on one end. DH and I stayed at the Tropicana which was right across from the Excalibur, and we had decided not to rent a car. When in Reno (our usual) everything is so close together you can walk with ease! The hotel/casinos in Vegas are so huge that walking from one to the other was major effort, and after the first day we ended up renting a car just so we could get to Fremont Street and the Stratosphere without it taking all day and using up a pair of Dr. Scholl's insoles! Mid-strip is the only way to go.

And for all who are saying that DH's are going too, that's fine! I think SandyM and I are for sure leaving the boys at home to babysit the dogs and have some burping and grunting time of their own without the little women, but if some boys want to come along I don't see a problem with it! Personally, I think that we'll have a great time whether it's all girls or not!

I still say the more the merrier, so let's here from anyone else who's thinking about it! Who knows, maybe we'll shoot a really good photo of the CL BB crowd off the the editors and let them know what they've created!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[Vanessa]

jewel
In Sunday's paper - travel section www.americawestvacations.com (http://www.americawestvacations.com) had
some deals for air and hotel (2 nights hotel and air in case you want to check it out...

[Beth H]

Treasure Island (right in the center of the strip) often has great room deals, even on the weekends. I'd recommend looking into that. And -- Vegas is an eater's paradise now. Although not necessarily light eating. . . http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif There is a great Mexican restaurant at Mandalay Bay with super margaritas and yummy food.