2008 Arizona & Las Vegas Trip”

Sunday, November 2, 2008 – The trip begins

Daylight savings time ended last night, so, needless to say, I was up at 4 AM, wide awake.  We had a busy day getting ready for this trip and started traveling at 3:30 PM.  We dropped Duncan off with Bonnie and Frank and went down the road until we ended up here at the airport LaQuinta, room 300.  We went down the road for dinner at TGIF’s.  Excellent – back to 300 for some R&R.

TV and to bed – 5 AM wake-up call.

Monday, November 3, 2008 – Crossing the country

Up and at’em at 4 AM.  Still on DST I guess.  Neither of us had a good night’s sleep – but we are up and at’em.  Getting ready to catch a shuttle to start the air portion of our trip.

Well – everything has gone smoothly so far.  We caught the 5:30 AM LaQuinta shuttle to MCO, got through security OK and are at Gate #10 – waiting to board, scheduled for 7:35 am.

The flight to DFW was actually a little early.  We arrived at gate C27 and our departure gate was A16.  Figures.  We used the “SkyLink” to get over there and it worked out fine.  Got some lunches to go from a TGIF Express – got on the flight and off we went.  A full, cramped 757 but we made it on schedule.  Linda had a little mishap with a cup of tea, but she kept a stiff upper lip and got it all cleaned up OK.  We arrived at a little early, the luggage started coming in about 20 minutes and ours were among the first to pop out of the hole in the carousel.  Then we headed out to get a car. Here's some photos of the trip.

We, of course, expected to wait for a Dollar Auto Rental shuttle but instead saw several large busses that said McCarran Auto Rental.  After some hectic questioning, we discovered that everyone gettimg any kind of rental car gets on this bus and are taken to a “central” car rental place.  There was a counter for each rental agency in a large building.  I stood in line for quite a while only to find out that I didn’t have to – as an Express member I could have gone straight downstairs.  Oh well.  The only full size car they had available was a Hyundai Sonata.  We resisted for a bit until we looked it over.  It looked fine, is brand new (2200 miles) and was available.  We took it.  We found our way out and headed SE on Route 93.  A very interesting drive through and over the Hoover Dam – but a little maddening with a sightseer in front of us going very slow and even stopping on occasion.  But we were soon on the open road – a straight line for 60 miles.  Arrived at B&P’s with no problems.  The Hyundai is a great car so far.

Visited for a bit and then had an early Thanksgiving Day dinner Pat had prepared.  Great meal.  More conversation – mostly centered on tomorrow’s Presidential Election.  The key candidates are John McCain/Sarah Palin vs. Barak Obama/Joe Biden.  We are all routing for the McCain ticket.

Watched TV for a bit and to bed at 9 MST (11 EST).

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 – Election Day

I woke about four EST but hung in until 4:30 MST.  Up and at’em.  Linda came out at 5 and Bob at 5:30 with Pat soon after.  Watched the sunrise over Arizona and the day has started.

We all had breakfast and more coffee while a game plan for the day was formulated.  It was very chilly as the sun came up and warmed quickly.  Linda and Pat got ready and headed out. 

Bob and I prepared to go ATV riding – but we had to fix one of them first.  It was getting no electricity in the system at all.  We soon found the fuse box, the main fuse was blown, there was a spare in the fuse box cover. Installed that one an off we went. It was kind of cloudy and cool – a jacket was a necessity.  I followed Bob here and there through the desert.  My first time on one of these – we had a great time.

We had a lunch of turkey sandwiches – some hot and some cold.  Gathered up all our gear and headed out.  First to the polls where Pat and Bob could cast their ballots.  Next we headed off to Laughlin Nevada for the afternoon. We parked in a large lot at one end of the river walk and strolled along the Colorado River separating Nevada and Arizona.  Strolled a long way, with several stops along the way.  As we returned, we stopped in the Colorado Queen for dinner.  Back home about 7.  Watched the Election results for a bit and then to bed.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 – Boat trip up river

Everyone up and at’em by 6 AM.  Watching the far left wing gloat over their huge win over the republicans.  This country will now suffer a long period of turmoil.  Temp is 42 with wind chill at 36.  Brrr.

We all prepared for the day ahead – Linda and Pat to Bingo and lunch with the girls in Lake Havasu – Bob and me to Willow Beach to spend the day on the Colorado River in a rental boat.

Bob and I left about 9 and drove an hour up to Willow Beach.  We rented a 16 foot outboard and headed upstream.  We were looking for mountain sheep or goats as were cruised along from the Willow Beach up to mile marker 60.  Into the wind all the way – chilly.  Then we turned around and went with the current back down.  Nice and warm going with the wind and in the sun.  Total trip up and back took about 4 hours.  We checked out the boat and then had the last of our egg salad sandwiches and headed home.  R&R’d until the girls got home from Lake Havasu.  Off to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  We all had a good meal.  Cold out – Bob put the heat on.

TV and R&R and then to bed.

Thursday, November 6, 2008 – To the Grand Canyon.

Up and at’em at 5:30 after a restless night.  The whole bunch was up soon after.  Puttered around the house and then got ready for a day’s adventure in the Grand Canyon.

We left about 8:15 AM and arrived at Grand Canyon Village about 11:15.  Temperature is around 35 degrees.  We found the Bright Angel Lodge and then the tour desk.  Everything was in good shape and we were ready to go.  Spent the time on the back deck overlooking the Canyon.  It is very chilly.

The tour bus arrived right at 12:30 PM to start our tour.  It turned out to be the tour from Hell.  The driver/tour guide was surly right from the beginning and left us to fend for ourselves for some reason.  About 12 of us boarded this bus – not a cutting edge tour bus - and waited for her to return.  The bus was very cold but we hoped it was going to warm up soon.  She returned and informed us that this was a 4 hour tour and starts at 1 PM.  We had planned our whole day and evening around a tour was 3 3/4 hour tour starting at 12:30.  When we started to question this difference, she quickly and sarcastically said that anyone that can’t fit this in to their schedule was free to leave the bus and get a refund.  Very intimidating.  Well, no one left the bus and we started off and went to the next pick-up point and the driver continued her poor attitude.

I won’t detail the rest of the tour but it was very cold, both in and out of the bus.  We were glad to make stops where there was a building with heat.  We finally arrived back at Bright Angel at 5:20 PM – about 1 hour later than I had planned.  It took a long time to get warmed up.

We did have nice dinner at the Arizona Room and got back to Golden Valley. We had a 3 hour drive back to P&B’s, arriving shortly after nine.  A very long drive home after a rather disappointing day.  We did get to see the Grand Canyon from the south rim, but not as we would have with a bus that worked and a driver with some enthusiasm and personality.  She was obviously very knowledgeable about the Canyon and everything about it – but it was soon lost in that cold bus.  We did see several deer and elk during the day.

Got home, nice and warm, the car is heated.  Watched some TV and to bed.

Friday, November 7, 2008 – To Las Vegas and Sam’s Town.

Everyone up by 6.  We relaxed, had some coffee, visited and then packed the car.  We said our good-byes and were on the road.  We went up route 93 all the way.  Good trip – uneventful. 

Checked into Room 513 in Sam’s Town and this will be home for a couple of days.  We R&R’d for a while and then headed over to the strip.  We met Rita and Don who were headed over to get their Cirque tickets just like us – so we travelled together.

The shuttle bus dropped us at Harrah’s and we finally found our way to Bellagio and the Cirque ticket booth.  We then left our new friends and started wandering around the Bellagio.  The lobby is spectacular.  Had dinner in the Café and then sat in the lobby and watched people until 6:45.  Headed back to the Cirque Theater and were seated at our reserved seats in section O, seats O 5 and 6.  The show was wonderful.  Certainly lots of inventive technology.  We both agreed that it isn’t as good as the La Nouba, but it’s entirely different.

Caught a cab to Sam’s and these two very tired folks went right to bed.

Saturday, November 8, 2008 – To Aviation Nation and the Air Show.

Up at 6 and got ready for the day – quietly so Linda could sleep.  Sam’s is pretty sparse when it comes to room amenities – no coffee maker unless you rent one; the Wi-Fi has to be paid also.  Downstairs to Dunkin Donuts.  Lots of guys in flight suits are coming and going.  I even got to sit and chat with some of the Red Bull Team.

Took coffee up to Linda and we got the day started.  Soon it was time to head off to Nellis AFB Aviation Nation.”

Everything was fine for the first few miles and then I ran into I-515 to I-15 detour.  But – I dutifully followed the signs and got on track – I-15 northbound.  Soon I was in a huge speedway parking lot and just followed the crowd, parked the car and headed over to get in the long line.  45 minutes and I was on a shuttle bus to the AFB.

The show was outstanding again.  Huge with static displays or many military and civilian aircraft.  The air show started at 9 and didn’t end until the Thunderbirds completed their show at about 3:30. 

I then headed for the shuttle bus area. UGH!!  It was a sea of humanity – all trying to get on a bus – pandemonium reigned supreme.  After about an hour, I got on a bus hoping it was going where I wanted to be.  Fortunately it was.  I followed the crowd out and onto I-15 south and was soon in bumper to bumper traffic.

I got back to room 513 about 5:30.Linda was patiently waiting.  We soon went down to Billy Bob’s for a nice steak dinner.  Linda had the fillet mignon and I had a porterhouse.  Great meal.  We wandered around while we told stories about our day – Linda at BINGO and me at Nellis.

R&R, TV and to bed.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 – A Day of Rest

I woke about 5 after 8 ½ hours of uninterrupted sleep.  Got myself presentable and headed down to Dunkin Donuts.  And here I sit only to find out it is not a WiFi hot spot.  So, I went to TGIF and they are not also, but McDonald’s is.  So I’ve come here to McDonald’s and agreed to pay $9.99 for 24 hours use of the internet.  UGH….

Linda called me about 7:30, awake and ready to go.  I brought her some coffee and we started our last day at Sam’s Town.  Read the Sunday paper, watched political programs until 10 then headed for the theater.  We saw Appaloosa, a very good western.  Next, lunch at TGIF.

Spent the afternoon R&R’ing, watching TV and taking a nap.  Linda did the same with a brief period when she went to BINGO – no luck.  Back to Billy Bob’s for another steak dinner and then we retired to 513.

TV and to bed.

Monday, November 10, 2008 – Going Home

Up and at’em at 6. Got some coffee and started packing.  Looks like a long day ahead.  That turned out to be an understatement.

We got to the airport way before our scheduled 3:20 PM flight – 11 AM.  The American counter was a mob scene.  We finally got to talk to an agent and she set us up to stand-by on two flights (1:05 and 1:55 PM) and shipped our luggage on the 1:05 flight.  Well – that turned out to be a problem.  First, it flagged Linda as a security risk – baggage and passenger scheduled for different flights.  So, when we got to security, we were shuffled to a separate area where she was given a complete check – pat down and everything opened and examined.  UGH.  We didn’t get on either stand-by flight.  Linda had a window seat and I had an aisle several rows ahead.  We decided to swap seats, so we swapped tickets.  When I arrived at the entry to the jet way, the agent took issue with me having at ticket for Linda Tucker.  Gads – another roadblock that we had to clear.  We did.

The plane took off headed for Dallas Ft. Worth.  Phew.  About ½ way to DFW, the pilot came on and said we were in a little trouble – DFW was closed and we were being assigned a holding pattern – but don’t worry, we had plenty of fuel.  An hour went by and the pilot again came on and said we were going to be diverted to Tulsa to wait for DFW to open.  We landed, sat on the tarmac for a while and then pulled into a gate.  We all got off to stretch and wait.  Finally got back in the airplane and went over to DFW.  Time – 11:30 PM or so.  Needless to say, there were no flights out, all the airport hotels were full and we had to spend the night in the airport.  They had us booked on an 8:30 AM flight to Orlando.  It was a very long night.  They dragged out some cots and someone found some light, small blankets – but sleep was elusive.  It was a long night.

We did get off on the 8:30 AM and got into Orlando without further trouble, including our luggage that also arrived.  Called LaQuinta, they picked us up and dropped us at our van.  Home we went.  Picked up Duncan, the mail and headed home.

A great trip – with the exception of the Desert View bus tour at the Grand Canyon south rim and the American Airline flights home.