Final day in Las Vegas, gambling was planned but none took place. I check 5 casinos for $10 blackjack tables and I found them, but those tables were very popular, so I gave up at 4 PM and went back to my room to recharge for tomorrow’s flights back home.
First, let me start with the view from my room this morning. I forgot to post my first night view, so you get the one from this morning.
I spent the morning checking out The Forum Shops at Caesars. If you have read my blog from June 2025, when I walked around a very similar style shopping area, Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort. I did check out Tommy Bahama for some shorts, and I did like the linen variety, but not for $138. Here are some views from The Forum.
I also ate lunch at the last Irish Pub I wanted to try while in Las Vegas, The Nine Fine Irishmen. I had their Seafood Chowder and was very happy with my meal. While the weather people kept mentioning that Vegas was hitting record high temperatures, if you are in the shade the breeze keeps you very comfortable, so just stay out of the direct sun.
As I started this blog, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the MGM, the Luxor and the Excalibur questing for a seat at a $10 table. I decided the 3:2 wasn’t worth my effort because I normally don’t play long enough to get that many blackjacks. Statistically, there is a blackjack every 21 hands, now I guess playing at a full table will increase the rate of seeing a blackjack, but for my $10 bets the difference between a 3:2 vs a 6:5 table is only $2. If I was betting larger amounts, things would be different.
And I have to end with The Sphere showing off Pi –
I forgot to talk about the start of March Madness. The sports betting areas were only lightly populated on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday they were full. Not sure there was any other place where you could watch that many games at the same time. There was even a huge screen setup outside The Linq.
I’m glad I got out on Friday.
Speaking of getting out.. here are some pictures of Burbank Airport and some pictures from the airplane heading back to Texas.
I’m thinking of trying Vegas in December crossing my fingers the airplane ticket prices go down by then.
Ok now officially until the next adventure… Williamsburg, Virginia.
Today is my first time flying with the new assigned seats via Southwest. One good thing, you can see how booked is the flight. 48 hours ago I had the option for a free seat upgrade, but only on the first leg of my flights today. At that time there were only 12 open seats; however, the 2nd plane was completely full, 😟 no free upgrade.
Getting through security was a breeze, but they had to pat my left ankle down again. I wonder if I should talk to my doctor about that? Also my crocs set off an issue so they had to be x-rayed. Some much for not having to take off my shoes. 🤷♂️
The guilty shoes. 😃
Now I just need to wait for my plane to arrive and then I’m off.
Not sure why the brim is turning up
I’m sitting here smelling the food from the cafe by my gate and trying to decide if I should get something or was the donut I had a few hours ago will get me through? My layover in Houston is pretty short, gambling I have time to grab a quick bite.
Speaking of gambling… That is the theme of this week’s trip. Viva Las Vegas! I had luck the one and only time I played blackjack and I’m hoping to have enough luck to pay for meals and shows. It would be great if I could roll the cost of this vacation over and use it for my summer trips. 😁🤑😇
Enough for now be back soon.
Is this a sign or just chance?
I am now going to be landing 2 minutes before my other flight starts boarding. Crossing my fingers I don’t have to run across the airport
OMG!!! I’ve never had my name called over the PA at an airport until today. Needless to say, my flight to Houston was delayed by over an hour. We even just sat on the runway for 30 minutes before being given clearance to takeoff because of the air traffic in Houston. I did make it to my connection, but when I looked at this flight to Vegas from Houston the other night it was fully booked. I think less than half the seats are filled. All those 5Ks I run came in handy today. I was only partial winded speed walking from gate 2 to gate 43. On to Vegas.
Well, first we had to stop in Lubbock, Tx. Almost moved here as a teenager when my dad almost got transferred for work.
Leg 2 of 3
I can say I was in Lubbock. 👍🤷
Finally, heading to Vegas 2 hours late.
Enjoy some pictures from the window of the plane.
The first thing you see when you get off the plane isn’t a “Welcome to Vegas” sign its the other welcome, slot machines. Large, multi-color and blinking machines where you just push a button and hope the programmers have a setting that lets you win.
Even with all the blinking lights and machines promising you money if you are lucky, navigating the airport wasn’t too bad. There is plenty signage directing you to the tram that takes you bag claim and travel options, rental cars, uber, shuttles, you’ve got the idea.
I decided to use Uber on this trip, for no particular reason. Wow, the app has change a bunch since the last time I used it. And to be honest with all the warnings about making sure your driver is your driver, I wonder why I even used it. There are even warning now for you to state your name for the drivers safety. Ignoring all that, my driver was friendly and efficiently got me to my resort.
After getting into my room, I was hungry. I’ve only eaten pretzels and pistachios so I tried the Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad.
Salads are not my normal go to meal, but I’m on week 8 of a fitness challenge with my gym and the weigh-in is when I get home. I’ve been showing moderate success and I’d like to keep the momentum.
With something in my tummy I set out to see if I could find a 3:2 payout Blackjack table at the Linq or the Flamingo. I was out of luck. The Linq didn’t have any tables open, just digital machines and the Flamingo had mostly 6:5 payout with $15 buy in. There was one 3:2 table but it was $25 buy in and I was only planning on risking $20 for each try. Tomorrow I will head to Treasure Island or Excalibur. Google shows that they have 3:2 tables with lower buy ins or I will have to take an Uber to the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas. It was recommend for the best Blackjack tables in Vegas.
Enjoy some of the scenes walking the strip and looking in the casinos.
Now that I’m back in my room, I was changing into my night clothes and realized I didn’t pack any shorts or pants. I only have 2 pair of workout shorts and the pants I wore today. So, I guess I have to go shopping for shorts tomorrow or make use of the resorts laundry room.
Ok, local time shows it to be 11 PM but my internal clock is starting to feel the 1 AM that it would be in Texas. So I’m going to wrap this up here. I’m meeting with the resort hostess tomorrow to get discount tickets to see the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. Oh speaking of the Sphere, I’m on the opposite side of the resort this time, so no wake with The Sphere this time.
Until tomorrow, which is St. Paddy’s Day… (FYI this is the only day I plan on drinking, after I buy shorts.)
It’s the next day, for real this time, and my body didn’t get the memo that I’m in a different time zone. I was awake again at 4:15 AM, at least I don’t hurt as much as I thought I would. I should have brought my new shoes instead of an older pair (I’m using them for hiking later, still need to replace my hiking boots after last summers issue.) And good news, Red Rock Canyon has a scenic drive loop with parking at the easy trails, so that’s today’s plan. I should even be back before Weather.com says hiking is bad.
Red Rock Canyon is beautiful and is designed to be driven with set parking locations and trails branching from them so you can get better views. I tried recording a video driving the route but my setup didn’t work. If I really want to record a drive I’m going to have to buy a dashboard camera. Here are some pictures. I only hiked one trail and it was short, 0.2 miles out and back.
Since I got back from Red Rock, I’ve just been relaxing. I baked a pizza while my laptop did some updates. I’m tempted to take a nap before heading out again.
Seriously, I think whoever designed Las Vegas and how the casinos connected worked for Elder Scrolls Online and learned the “you can’t get there from here” principle. The signage in the casinos is no help either. Now I do admit, once you figure out the system I think you can go from the north to south via casino lobbies and shopping areas. Now learning the pattern probably takes a life time 😆
Sherwood Bar
Well, I’m in The Excalibur drinking overpriced old fashion, but at least I’m not walking and in the sun anymore. My dinner and show starts in about 2 hours. I just signed up for the MGM Rewards and guess I’ll figure out how they work playing slots.
Gave slots a try.. didn’t go well. I saw people all around me with small wins, but I bust each spin. The odds are not in my favor.
I did watch a bit of black jack play and there was a lady killing it. Never changed her bet just kept winning and banking the win. Tempted me but the odds are not in my favor. So off to drown my sour in $6 draft beer. At least I have the show to look forward to. Before we chat about the show, I want to mention it’s worth looking for happy hours that are near the casinos. Was able to enjoy a few beers and even had a bartender originally from El Paso.
I’ve been seated for the king’s tournament.
The Tournament of the King was cool. Be prepared for indoor fireworks and the evil wizard has a flame staff. Wow you can feel the heat. But why did they only give me 4 baby potatoes? Seriously, half a chicken but only 4 baby potatoes?
The meal (I ate a potato)
After the show, I tried my chances at 2 for 1 blackjack table… OMG.. I only lost 1 hand. Risked $20 and walked away with $70.. $50 profit. I so wanted to go back and keep trying; however, the King’s Mule kicked in and I couldn’t math… So walked, no ran away… 😆
Looking north from the Skybridge by the MGM
Every wonder where the MGM live happens well here it is
And no, it isn’t one way glass. These people are doing their job with us, average Joe public, watching them. How I know, one of them smiled at me when I asked out load if it was one way glass.
Off to bed now, well maybe going to take a bit to come off the winning high.
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