Dateline Dayton – Final chapter of our visit out West: Prior to leaving the medical facility at the Grand Canyon, the doctor asked about our plans. We would be taking the train back to Williams, spending the night there before visiting other canyons, ending at Bryce and then returning to Las Vegas.

The medical staff, however, strongly suggested canceling the rest of our trip and returning directly to Las Vegas. They said Pauline was in no condition to visit canyons with even higher elevations. Although disappointed, we followed their advice. We broke the news to my sister Susan and my brother-in-law Willie. They had no problem because Willie really enjoys Vegas.

Supper Thursday night and breakfast Friday morning were part of the Grand Canyon tour package we purchased. After breakfast we were heading for Las Vegas when I came up with the idea of going to Reno first. Our reservations in Las Vegas were for Sunday and Monday nights. Since we left the GPS in the rental car, no real loss, we had no idea how long the drive would take.

My sister was sure she saw an Automobile Club location in Kingman, so I stopped there to check. When the closest AAA office turned out to be in Phoenix, we gave up on Reno and headed for Las Vegas. We managed a couple casino stops on our return to Las Vegas, enjoying lunch at one.

Arlene at the Four Queens obtained rooms for us, and this time my sister and her husband had a suite. We had a room on an upper floor with a good view.

Friday night we ate in the hotel and took the shuttle to Sam’s Town. Turned out, Sam’s was a good idea. I had luck on their Silver Strike machine. Later, we walked Fremont Street a couple times to study the sights, some more unsightly than others.

On Saturday, after breakfast in the hotel, we did our laundry before testing a few off-the-Strip casinos. I checked the phone book for a laundromat on a street I recognized. After breakfast, I wasn’t feeling great but was able to help with the laundry, visit four casinos, in addition to stops at Office Depot and Wal-Mart.

When we got back to hotel, I was feeling bad so I told Pauline I was going to lie down. In no time I was really sick, and I suggested Pauline go with Susan and Willie for supper. I was ill most of the night, taking only toast and 7-Up. My sister called early Sunday morning to say she, too, wasn’t feeling well. Breakfast was down to Pauline and Willie.

By afternoon, Susan and I were improved enough to visit casinos just outside of Las Vegas.

Returning to the Four Queen in late afternoon, all of us napped before deciding to try the Heart Attack Grill for supper. What a place!

Upon entering you are given a wrist ban and then you are handed a gown to wear. Once properly dressed, you are shown a table by a nurse. The waiters are doctors and the waitresses are nurses. Our nurse pleasantly explained the menu. Hamburgers are: Single Bypass, Double Bypass, Triple Bypass and Quadruple Bypass. The french fries are cooked in lard, the only soft drink is regular coke and their milkshakes are served with a pat of butter on top. They do serve water, beer and mixed drinks, in addition to Coke

The hamburgers were good, the fries terrible. You can weigh yourself before entering. If you weigh 350 or more, you eat free. You can also weigh yourself inside either before or after you eat. If you weigh more than 350, a bell rings. After finishing our meal, we walked Fremont Street and went to our rooms.

Next week: Monday and what happens at home

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net