The Heat Is On

Operation 'Let's get the most out of this Vegas Trip' was ready to go. I'd already learnt Vegas wasn't what I expected and with the folks going with us we had to make the most out of this trip as we probably wouldn't be going again in a long time…..

Step 1 : YouTube Videos - We'd already been watching Matt Bridger vlogs and thoroughly enjoyed them. The Vegas Message Board mentioned a few people, Brian Christopher and SDGuy. Got to say, two very contrasting characters and don't watch SDGuy if you're easily offended or easily annoyed. Away from slots we were watching All You Can Vegas, Living In Las Vegas and Yellow Productions amongst many other random videos.

Step 2 : My cousin Paul had heard from mom that we were going to Vegas and told us about MyVegas and how by playing slot games you earn chips to redeem for lots of things like a free drink, tickets to shows, slot play and free nights at any MLife casino. Not one to miss out on any opportunity to save money all four of us started playing.

Step 3 : Pack in as many memorable things to do as physically possible. This was very easy to do because Jane is brilliant at planning things like this and I'm not too bad with the Googling of things (other search engines are available).

All we had to do now was choose which casino to stay at. Cheap and cheerful has always been our motto, we'd rather spend the money on food or doing things than on a luxurious room as it's just for sleeping and even though Vegas has some amazing views, it's not a deal breaker for us. As well as cheap we didn't want a large casino like the maze that is MGM Grand and being just off the Strip would be preferable.

So where did we choose?

Hooters, I choose you!

Many of you will be wondering why the heck we chose Hooters. It met a lot of our criteria and the fact there's a Hooters restaurant in there meant we could continue our tradition of Monday night Football at a Hooters. Something we've tried to do every time we go to America.

The months went by, MyVegas was played and things we're planned. Lots of things. Once again here is a copy of our planner for you to look at and think…. crazy people.

As you can imagine, if I go into every single day and everything we did this would be more of a book than a blog and you'd probably fall asleep.

This trip was going to be a trip of firsts for all of us and so it's time for us to go back to Vegas…

The plane landed, we jumped into a taxi, we didn't get long hauled, so far so good. Upon arriving at Hooters it was my time to shine, to put on the British charm, flirt a little with reception, slip her $20 and get us the best rooms in the house with Jane and my parents looking in awe at what I had just achieved. Okay, what actually happened was I fumbled with the $20 and my words yet ended up with a slight upgrade to the newly refurbished rooms along a fridge in both rooms at no extra cost - probably out of pity.

A win's a win.

Highlight 1 - Another thing to thank Paul for was Peppermill who recommended it to us. The place was amazing, like nothing we'd seen before, especially the Fireside Lounge. Mom was already won over with the unlimited coffee and dad was happy having a cheeky tipple or two at 10:30 in the morning. So far so good.

Highlight 2 - The trip to the Grand Canyon. How do you make a trip to the Grand Canyon even more impressive? You add a helicopter and a boat ride inside the Canyon. Would the folks enjoy this? Let's ask mom…

"I'm not going in a helicopter"

Like the caring son I am, I went ahead and booked the helicopter and boat ride. Forgot to mention, mom isn't a big fan of boats either.

For some reason she thought the helicopter would have an open door or even no door at all like Anneka Rice on Treasure Hunt,

Or the one in Mash.

In the end peer pressure won and mom agreed to do it. At this point I'd like to thank the pilot for the exhilarating manoeuvres he took. As you can see, mom loved it.

After the whole Grand Canyon experience mom just would not shut up, we were prepared for the "I said I wouldn't like it" and "never do anything like that to me again". What we weren't prepared for was for her to say how great it was and how much she enjoyed it. She told anyone and everyone who would listen, especially on the Linq High Roller Happy Hour where she was a little bit tipsy….

"They always talk to me"

Yes mom, yes they do.

Highlight 3 - Here begins my love of Downtown Vegas.

The folks weren't sure of Fremont on their last trip, totally bottled it and went straight back to the Strip on the Deuce. We had spent a few hours there last time and quite enjoyed how different it was to the Strip. I wanted a Chicago pizza, I'd not had what I'd consider a proper Chicago Pizza since I'd been to Chicago so I was hoping this would be the next best thing so off we go to Chicago Brewing Company at Four Queens.

And then it happened. Disaster!

After eating in the Chicago Brewing Company we went onto the casino floor and at this point we realised mom's wheelchair had broken and we couldn't unfold it for her.

As we were struggling to see what had gone wrong a tall blonde lady walked past us and we explained our situation. She said she may have a screwdriver in her office so she went to find one. She came back with a screwdriver and helped patiently as we tried to fix the wheelchair. Throughout this she was extremely helpful and caring and managed to get a machine engineer to help us with more tools.

We eventually fixed the wheelchair and in the chaos even though I thanked her I never got her name.

So many things packed into one week so here's a highlight video of what we got up to.

The trip was a success, the folks realised there was a lot more to Vegas than what they had encountered before, mom now liked helicopter rides and dad liked everything. We had done every tourist thing we possibly could, Shark Reef, the Venetian Gondalas, the Eiffel Tower, Bellagio Conservatory, Linq High Roller, Stratosphere rides, Rio Voodoo Zipline, Grand Canyon, numerous Buffets, Downtown Vegas…. We gambled more, won some, lost some but ultimately we had fun.

So guys that's a wrap, we went to Vegas, all preconceptions had been blown out the water and we returned to the UK with great memories and maybe one day we'd go back.

But first I best send an email to Four Queens thanking them for being so kind and awesome helping us with mom's wheelchair.

**One week later**

Hi Mr. Bates,

I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to tell us about two members of our staff that helped you out during your visit with us.

After sending your message out to all our Directors we were able to identify the two persons that stopped to assist you with your Mother's wheelchair. Needless to say, they were thrilled.

Our entire staff works hard to make sure our guests enjoy their visit. I will personally thank both of them for taking to time to go above and beyond, as well as include your email in their employee files.

Please keep my email address and let me know when your next visit to Las Vegas is, I would love to offer you a special room rate and a complimentary upgrade into one of our newly remodeled rooms, if at all possible.

Once again, thank you for your message. It is very much appreciated.

Tim Lager

Sr. Executive Director of Operations

Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Four Queens Hotel and Casino

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Guess who's going back to Vegas!