Reality versus What I Thought
I’ve decided that my famous last words are “I think things are settling down.” I really need to find something else to say. I really thought the week of October 1st would be an uneventful week, until about 8 p.m. when KG asked for a ‘huge” favor. She was having a blast in Las Vegas, but needed a little more money for a ticket home. I have since learned, that I could have bought her a ticket with my credit card. I thought we had to show the credit card used to buy the ticket at check-in, like at a hotel. I don’t fly very often. Lesson learned…
Anyway, about 10 p.m., I was on my way to Vegas. Exploring Vegas a second time was fun. KG and I made it into a girl’s mini vacation. KG, CG, and I were there two years ago and explored a lot, but there was still so much more that we missed. First, we went to the Hoover Dam. That was neat and got some pretty pictures. The dam tour was closed, but we got to see part of the power plant. I loved the question about how many people died in the building of the dam. I guess it’s the morbid curiosity of humans.
Next, we went to Freemont Street. That was really cool. I just held on to KG so she could guide me, while I was in awe of the lights. I took some pictures, but mostly was just lost in the moment. Gosh all the people, even on a Tuesday in October. I chickened out of going zip lining. They had a “dancing DJ.” I liked her, she danced tastefully and was very good. KG wanted to record her, so we waited until she got back from a break. KG and I danced a little and I think someone took a video of us. I didn’t want to assume, because it could have been of the young boys behind us, too. We left after KG got her video and headed for the Strip.
I wanted to park close and avoid the long walk back to the hotel this time. I learned from the trip two years ago that you want to stay where it’s fairly occupied. Of course, my contacts chose that time to make it known they were done helping me see clearly and KG had to help with reading street signs. My GPS thought we should drive around in circles, because the construction wasn’t enough of a challenge. We finally found parking at the New York New York, after I was turning right to get in and missed someone turning left. It seems people like to use their horn in Vegas as if it was New York. KG wanted to ride the roller coaster at the New York New York. I learned I can’t operate a locker to save my life. The first time was my fault, operator error. The second time KG locked the ride tickets in the locker and the third time was the charm. KG didn’t want to lock her purse up, after the ride and going upside down twice, she was glad I made her do it.
I don’t know how many hotels and gift shops we checked out. We were trying to see what we didn’t see two years ago and find a couple of souvenirs. My sweet Auntie M, tried to steer me away from collecting shot glasses and stick with spoons. Shot glasses have won. They are neat and useful. We also found key chains for CG and LG. They both liked them, so that was a score. Did I mention how the lights mesmerize me? I’m like a moth to a light bulb with Vegas lights. However, all good things must come to an end and by 1:30 a.m., I just couldn’t go any further. Of course, we were at one end and the car was at the other. Poor Kimberly had to let me take some little breaks, because my feet and hip were refusing to cooperate. Sometimes, I forget that I’m not in my twenties anymore and KG doesn’t realize I’m not a spring chicken. Thankfully, she takes pity on me. I did discover muscles that I had forgotten existed. I was thankful that I have been doing Just Dance for exercise, though.
We drove to the top of the parking garage to take some pictures of the strip, KG’s idea. For being bleary eyed, I think I got some pretty good pictures. On the way out of the parking garage, I couldn’t seem to work the card reader to pay (three hours of sleep won.) The attendant had to do it. Another car yells, “Hey Altima! You have a bag stuck to the bottom of your car.” Sure enough the large trash bag from when I was driving in, was melted to my car. KG had the pleasure of removing it. Getting to the hotel was easy, but of course, I missed the entrance. KG decided she hadn’t seen enough and called a friend, that she met two days before, to walk around the rest of the strip. She said I missed a lot and I’m okay with that. I thought she’d be out a few hours, not make it back in time to check out. Ugh, “Adult” children.
Being the smart person that I am, I agreed to getting a late start and checking out the Mob Museum and Stratosphere. Both of those were really neat and worth the late start. I’m not sure I’ll ever make it back to Vegas, but I’m satisfied with all the exploring we did. If you can make it to Vegas, spend several days if you can. There is just so much to see. I’m not a gambler and I felt a bit sad for the people gambling and hope they checked out the sites, too.
We were finally on our way home around 4:30 p.m. The first hour or so was nice, then it decided to rain for the next 800 miles or so. KG hadn’t slept in several days, so there was no way she was driving. She slept most of the way. When I pulled over, she didn’t argue that we were both sleeping. She was asleep, before I got a blanket to cover her with. Thankfully, I had two in the trunk, just for the unexpected. When we woke up, she said she could drive. She was asleep about 30 minutes, after we were back on the road. She got maybe four hours of sleep in four days. I knew better than to have her drive, although she was just trying to help.
Once it stopped raining, after we had lunch, it was a nice drive. The trees that were still green two weeks ago were now wearing their beautiful fall colors. I love the drive between my house an the girls. It’s a curvy state highway through the mountains. Of course, I know where every rest stop is along the way and plan accordingly. I am proud of myself when I only stop once, but usually it’s twice. LG says I have the bladder the size of a walnut. This comment started when I was pregnant with CG. At least it’s become a joke and my family just deals with it. It’s a good thing we taught the girls to have a sense of humor sprinkled with sarcasm. They will go far in life.
Recent Comments