Dateline Dayton — A week ago Wednesday we left on our Las Vegas vacation. I was not sure what to expect. Pauline had told me she didn’t want to travel anymore after our last Florida trip.
We flew out of Cincinnati. Leaving home early, we had time for brunch before the airport. I had made arrangements to park off- site. I lost the information. So we cruised around and found a handy off-site location. Good that we came early. Our luggage was overweight. I kept telling Pauline she didn’t need all the clothes she was packing, but to no avail. I was able to remove her shoes and put them into a plastic bag. That resolved the problem.
Somehow I got through security, not normally the case on since I carry 30 Silver Strikes, each time I go to Vegas. They usually require a check of my carry-on.
We were early, the plane was late. Arriving in Vegas, we proceeded to the rental car complex. Since I started using Enterprise, car rental is like cake. They offered me an upgrade at no additional cost, but I couldn’t see myself tooling around in a Mustang or a big SUV. I stayed with my choice of a small car. A mistake. It was terrible. Should have taken the SUV.
Hooters was our first stop. Pauline likes their wings. After a late lunch or early supper, we played slot machines and then left for our hotel.
After Thursday morning breakfast and walking around the grounds, we went to the pool. It was record-breaking hot last week so I thought the water would be warm. Wrong. Freezing cold. Needless to say, only my feet got in water.
On Friday, prior to leaving the hotel, I was able to break a tooth and lose my sunglasses
Right Time to Strike
We returned the car that I shouldn’t have rented. All we did was drive down The Strip. Onto the Four Queens so we could participate in the Silver Strike Slot Tournament. Because we had to wait to get into our room, we went to the Silver Strike machines. Pauline won 18 strikes, better than I ever have done at one time.
After dinner we walked to another casino with a Silver Strike machine. Again I had Pauline do the playing. She won two strikes, which I already had. We cashed out $12 ahead.
We walled to the park to see the large Praying Mantis. We returned to our hotel walking down Fremont Street and then to our room, as both of us were tired.
Friday wasn’t a good day for me, as in addition to the tooth problem and losing my sunglasses, I left all my players cards at the casino downtown. We went back early Saturday morning to see if anyone might have turned them in. No such luck.
After returning to our hotel, we had breakfast and went upstairs to watch tournament play. I wanted Pauline to see how it was done. She was a quick learner, as she did very well the first round. I did poorly. The same was true for the afternoon round.
Saturday evening the Silver Strikers Club had a party, which we attended, followed by a walk down Fremont Street, which Pauline questioned because we had done the same the previous evening.
Sunday morning was the third round of the tournament. The awards ceremony was in the afternoon. Didn’t take long for my name to be called. I was 125th among 152 entrants. Pauline finished in the upper third, at No. 49. She had a good time, especially since she could brag that she beat me.
Monday we were on our way home, again arriving at the airport early. This time we were three pounds overweight. I was stopped again because of the Silver Strikes in my carry-on.
We arrived two hours late in Cincinnati. It was almost 3 in the morning when we walked through our front door. Pardon my yawn.
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net