Last Day In Las Vegas

Above, the MGM Grand Hotel during our drive to the Wynn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My last day in Las Vegas was spent just doing stuff on whims.

First, we had breakfast at a Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant. For good food at reasonable prices, this is the place to go to.

Above, inside the Wynn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, we decided to go over to the Wynn hotel. It is one of the more exclusive hotels in Las Vegas and it is rather opulent in decor and casino (in regard to minimum bets). We wandered around for a while and then decided to head to downtown again to the Fremont Experience.

Above, the Wynn's casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things were a little more mellow at Fremont Experience during the day. There wasn't as many wacky or scantily clad people there.

Above, Max and Mitch at the Wynn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We walked around a bit and then sat at the outdoor tables at Starbucks and just people-watched. While there, I decided to get my boots shined inside the next-door Golden Nugget.

Above, Christmas decorations at the Wynn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The shoe-shine guy told me he has worked there since 1961. He did a good job and while I was sitting there, a couple of people heading to the men's room gave me "Nice boots!" compliments.

Above, the Wynn's waterfall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a while, I had to get over to the airport to catch my flight to Albuquerque (via Los Angeles). The days went by fast, but I had a good time.

Above, my boots after the shine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did manage to lose $70 gambling (roulette). But I am not complaining. I sat at the table for about an hour and had fun (minimum bets were $5). I started with $100 and left with $30. I even got a complimentary cocktail while there. One thing I learned ages ago: Don't gamble more than what one can afford to lose.

Above, Mitch clowning at Starbucks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Reunion In Las Vegas

Above, a shot of us before heading out to dinner. 

My plane arrived in Las Vegas on Monday around 3:30 PM.

My friends Mitchell Geriminsky and Max Bettman picked me up from there and we headed to our hotel, The Excalibur. Nice hotel, but (as we found out later) they tack on charges on top of charges such as amenities fees and taxes on those fees, an upgrade fee (upgrade from what, we wondered) and a tax on that. That's modern-day Las Vegas for you!

This was a reunion of college frat brothers. I hadn't seen Max since the late 1970s.

Above, Max, Mitch and I on board the S.S. Catalina 44 years ago.

We headed to Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. The street is now enclosed with a roof (that's actually a video screen) and has been spruced up a bit. There's an odd assortment of characters there (I guess they are supposed to be performers/entertainers) with very revealing garb. It is now called the "Fremont Experience".

Above, the roof is a video screen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We managed to get dinner at Binion's (formerly Binion's Horseshoe Club) at a barbecue restaurant called Benny's Smokin' BBQ and Brews.

Above, many of the oldtime casinos are still at Fremont Street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dinner, we wandered around the Fremont Experience for a while and then settled down at a table at Starbucks and just people-watched.

The Pioneer Club has long been closed down and replaced by souvenir shops, but its old "Vegas Vic" cowboy sign (a Vegas landmark, if there ever was one) is still there. "Vegas Vic" made an appearance in the old 1957 science-fiction movie, The Amazing Colossal Man.

Some of the sights at the Fremont Experience:

Above, the old "Vegas Vic" cowboy sign is still there. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Max getting some attention at Starbucks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a live rock band performs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the street entertainers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way back to the Excalibur hotel:

Above, Chef Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.