VEGAS - Day 4

VEGAS - Day 4

Hi Everyone,
We started today lying by the pool again. We spent just enough time there for me to read five magazines and the East Providence Post. After the pool we got changed and headed to lunch.

It seems that every year we manage to do something wild, crazy and dangerous on vacation. Well, this year was no exception! I had this great idea to eat lunch at the famous IN AND OUT BURGER. I loaded the address into my GPS and we were on our way. It was only ½ mile from our hotel, but it was off the strip. We had to cross 3 major highways and pass several homeless people sleeping under the bridges. We should have worn neon signs across our chests reading “we our tourists from out of town and are carrying lots of money and electronics – please rob us!!!!” I have to admit that I was a tad nervous, but we did survive and one bite of the burger made me realize that it was TOTALLY worth risking our lives for it.

We went to MGM Grand hotel and looked around before heading back for a really nice dinner at the Camelot Steak House at the Excalibur hotel. Now, we are going to our room to rest before our California trip tomorrow.

Sleep well everyone. To Hailee and all our adopted grandchildren, have a great day at school tomorrow. Talk to you again, soon.

Gramma and Pappa

PS: Answers to comments:
1. We got the free Nathan’s hotdogs because I printed out coupons on Vegas.com
2. I definitely recommend ZOOMANITY show – not sure of any other Cirque shows.
3. Our Southwest flight was long and boring. No TV’s, radio or electrical plugs.
4. We miss all of you, too

VIVA LAS VEGAS - DAYS 2 AND 3

Hi Everyone
Saturday was a very busy day. We started with lunch poolside for a few hours. It was so beautiful and the water was sooooooo warm. Just the way we like it! We went to Mass at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer. Some of our best masses have been on vacation. Although this one was not two-hours long like last year, it was so moving and personal. We had to stand up and introduce ourselves and tell where we were from. The pews were like sofas, so cozy and comfortable. The priest told jokes and was so funny.

After mass we went to Hawaiian Tropic Zone for dinner (Carl couldn’t take his eyes off the waitresses long enough to eat his food). Our waitress was so cute and a great waitress! We took a trolley ride of the strip with an impersonator of Sammy Davis, Jr. We saw so much of the strip and the impersonator was fantastic. I would recommend this tour to anyone coming to Vegas. After the tour, as it was very late, we decided to head back to the hotel and play with our chips!

Sunday we headed to the Grand Canyon. It was a very long bus ride and a very long day, but certainly worth it. You can hear about the canyon, see it in pictures and watch it on TV; but, until you really see it in person, you can’t understand the glory of this Wonder of the World. It is so breath-taking it gives you Goosebumps and brings tears to your eyes!

We have been in Vegas for 72 hours and I still have not put in 1 cent in a casino. Carl, on the other hand, yea, well we won’t talk about that, again!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone laughed at me when I told them about the cornstarch and ice for your feet. I have been doing that every day and have not gotten one blister or problem with my feet. However, I worn a new pair of shoes to the show Friday night and got two really bad blisters on top of my baby toes. I have not been able to wear my sneakers or sandals because of the blisters. I had to go out and buy flip-flops. It is the first time in 51 years that I have worn a pair of flip-flops. I used to hate them and now for the last two days I have lived in them. I am a changed woman!!!!! Amy, thanks for the tip on the “special” Band-Aids. I have used them on my toes and they work great.

Well, it’s now off to breakfast and the pool again. Hope everyone is doing fine and we’ll talk to you soon

Gramma and Pappa

Viva Las Vegas - Day 1

Hi Everyone;
Well we arrived safe and sound in Vegas at 9:15 am to a welcoming 98 degrees. It really is the city that never sleeps. At midnight it seems as if it was only 8 pm with sooooooo many people on the streets. We went to bed at 12:30 Vegas time (which would have been 3:30 am RI time). We walked ALL day. I logged 18,674 steps and drank 72 ounces of water (that's a record for me). We saw the Cirque show ZOOMANITY last night. The only way I can explain it was "unbelievably amazing!!" When I booked the show, I knew it was for Mature Audiences Only, but I knew Carl would love it. Anyone who knows me, knows that's not my cup of tea. Little did I know, I would LOVE it. I sat on the edge of my seat for almost the entire show. It was tastefully done and amazing!!! I would recommend it to anyone an would see it again in a heartbeat.

Well, I now know that gambling is NOT in my blood. We have been in Vegas over 24 hours and I have not gambled 1 cent! Carl, on the other hand, well, we won't talk about that!!!!!!!!

We are now getting ready to sit by the pool for a few hours. Then, it will be the strip again, church, dinner and a Double-Decker trolley ride of the city at 9 pm. We miss all of you and think of you all often. So glad we are able to vacation together again this year. Have a great day and we will talk to you soon.

Love, Gramma and Pappa

T-31 Hours

Hi Everyone:
Are your bags packed and ready to go? We have 31 hours until takeoff!! I must admit that I am getting a little nervous. We are so glad that all of you (we added a few more friends to our trip this year) will be coming with us again. It is so much more fun when you go away with family and friends!

We found a Krispy Kreme shop that is open 24 hours and has free Wi-Fi. It is at the Excalibur Hotel next to our Luxor Hotel. We will try to go there to update our blogs. Since I will HAVE to have a donut each time I use their Wi-Fi, I will probably come home 10lbs heavier and in a diabetic coma!

Take care, and we will see you in VEGAS!!!!!

Pappa and Grandma