Viva Las Vegas - A Vegas Mini-Trip Report

[brewzoo5]

Can't wait for more!

Ok, so the story continues. Wes and I head into Nash Vegas to visit a friend and catch some ZZZZs before the approaching morning hits us and we have to be off to the airport. We got to her house around 11:30 and visited for a bit before we retreated to our guest room to slumber. However, we were a bit distracted from sleep with the anticipation of tomorrow's events.

So with little sleep we awoke and showered quickly to make it to the airport 2 hours early. As soon as we were checked in and passed inspection with no delays, we sat waiting impatiently at gate 33b with Dad and Sierra for our plane to load. Dad began calling the Heli place at 6:15 Vegas Time to try to add Wes to the trip. And .... somehow our luck had already started to bless us with a "yes sir, we can add a 6th person to the Heli adventure". A collective sigh was expelled at Gate 33b and we all boarded the plane ready to ride for a 3 and a half hour ride, which was long and boring and uneventful - just what you want in a plane ride.

Shweeeew!!!! We were all so glad that our Heli ride would be enjoyed and shared by us all!!!!! The adrenalin was running full throttle now!!!

Now... our next task is to meet Susan and Chris at the gate in Las Vegas and collect our luggage as planned. We meet and greeted each other and ventured off to the luggage claim to find our bags. But quickly we see that Dad is on a mission (which happens often when he is adrenalin charged) and he has left us in the smoke of his wake while he plows through the crowds of travelers toward baggage claim. We all step up our pace to keep up and figure out what in God's name is he so eager about getting to. Once we caught up, we were greeting by Johnny, an older man in a black suit and tie, who looked and spoke like someone straight from the Sopranos. He introduced himself to us all and directed us as to where to stand. Johnny said he was there to "take care of us" and that is just what he did.

 

[swwake]

Why on earth were you up posting on the DIS at 5:30am?

 

[NewCrew42]

Hurry up! Write some more! I am leaving for Vegas soon! This is just what I need. A Trippie!

 

[swwake]

We will do our best. I am working on a deadline today so I may have a late night at work. Jo had some very big life events happen today, so she may not have time to post for the next couple days. When do you leave?

 

[brewzoo5]

ok, I will continue...

Johnny was "the man". As I said before he could have been casted straight from the Sopranos and he played his part well. However, I do not feel that he was 'acting' at all. In his deep italian accent, he instructed us to just point out our luggage and he will 'take care of them'. He would not let any of us touch our bags. Once they were all collected he mumbled something like, "walk this way" and we obeyed following him to his limo parked outside.

Johnny strategically packed, more like shoved, luggage for 6 adult travelers and 2 golf club travel bags into the trunk of the limo insuring us that 'it'll be alllrriiiiiite', and escorted us to enter the limo. Again, we obeyed (probably because we were afraid not to). We learned quickly that we all needed a quick lesson on how to enter and exit a limo properly as well all stumbled all over each other trying to load the darn thing with our butts up in the air half way out the door and knees by our heads or legs spread eagle in an attempt to crawl into a seat. Not a pretty sight for a bunch of 40+ people.

Our ride to the hotel was mostly filled with anticipation, excitement, fiddling with knobs and buttons, and trying to pop our ears from the plane ride.

 

[brewzoo5]

Well, it didn't take long to make it to our casino. Ceasar's Palace! Johnny pulled us up to the door at the VIP entrance and we were greeted by Lisa, Dad's host. She stood right outside the limo door wearing all black except her white gloves holding a tray with chilled bottled water and his room key. She greeted Dad and introduced herself to the rest of us. She offered us all water and escorted Dad to the VIP lounge and checkin center to check on his reservations for events, restaurants, and shows.

It was interesting to see how she just followed him (and us) around like a puppy while he was downstairs.

We again, were instructed not to tough our bags and assured that they would reach the room soon. So, we didn't.

We rode the elevator to the 24th floor where we traveled to the end of the hallways to finally discover the suite waiting for Dad and Si. It was as nice as the one he had in December, but it wasn't high enough get a great view of the Belaggio's fountains. However, you could still see them if you were patient enough to stare out the window every 20 minutes.

 

[brewzoo5]

Once settled into the suite, we all collectively decided we were hungry and ready for a drink. So dad ordered room service with wine and cheese and shrimp with some added bourbon and cokes for the mixed drinks.
It arrived pretty soon, looking spectacular, of course, and the room steward opened the wine for us. As sweet ( and i mean sweet) as this guy was trying to be, he ended up being just annoying. I can't remember his name, but we just referred to him as Andy due to the uncanny resemblance to Andy Dick and Woody Allen if they could be morphed into each other. He was about 55 years old and annoying as hell. He flew around the room asking us what we wanted to know from him. When we didn't offer any questions, he started telling us about all the best restaurants, bars, sights, etc that he liked. He raved about some pastry shop that was french oriented, yet he could not say the name of it, nor the name of the chef for the life of him. He would just shlerr sh and ch words together and drag them out as if he was giving them a french twist, but none of us was buying it. All we wanted was for the little guy to leave so that we could begin laughing at him.

imagine annoying little guy who wants a big tip

Anyway, we partook in the snacks and drank a bit of drinks and it wasn't long before Dad realized our limo for the heli ride should be waiting on it. So, he began barking out orders to go and he meant now. Does he not recall that there are 3 ladies with him and we need more notice that the full 45 seconds he has given us? I guess that's the military in him, or maybe it's the ADHD in him. Whatever it was, I was ready to put something else in him if I heard him say, "c'mon,..... we gotta go... thier waiting on us... hurry up.... let's go.... what are you doing..... aren't you ready.... gotta go..... let's go....."

can i just finish a pee please? ugg!!!!

 

[brewzoo5]

Ok..... Finally.... We are at the most anticipated Heli ride

The limo driver met us at the casino VIP entrance and we did a much better job loading it this time. Oh, if we had been wearing skirts, there might have been a "Britney" shot, but we all had on shorts and we tried a little harder to be less obnoxious when entering.

Panic sat in when the limo driver said he didn't expect 6 of us and that he would have to call that in. And he said he was picking up another passenger from another casino on the way. We all kinda freaked out as we heard him call the headquarters and tell them that we had added a 6th person. Now we are all freaking out, because we feel sure that Wes' ride wasn't added like it should have been. So when we get to the other casino a cute little Irish girl (I think Irish) got in the limo and started introducing herself. I was halfway listening to her due to the fact that when she said, "Oh I am just here for a convention and I thought I would treat myself to a helicopter ride. I just called like an hour ago." Although she was cute and nice and had a really cool accent, I was just sure that the place had double booked our heli.

When we got to the Heli place (which is called Sundance Helicopter Tours), we immediately inquired about our 6th person to relieve the fears that little Irish girl was going to be taking Wes' spot on our trip. Quickly, we realized we were on two different tours. SHWWEEEEEWWW!!!!

When we registered, they wanted our drivers license and we had to get weighed on a scale. They offered us cold bottled water and we sat in the waiting area where we could see all the other helis land and take off. We were told that the tour would be 90 minutes long and there would be no restrooms, so we better go now. We viewed a safety movie (over and over again) and learned that we really are not to do ANYTHING unless the pilot tells us to. That means don't push buttons, don't pull rip cord on our inflation packs, don't open the door, don't eject anyone, don't sneeze.......

As you can imagine, we were not amused by all this and we were bored waiting... see picture

We watched other groups get off helis as they finished their tours and we watched other groups meet their pilots and load their helis. Then, it happened. He entered the building and approached us. (It was easy for him to find us, as we all had name tags on that said #313) He strutted toward us with confidence all debonaire. The only think missing was the background music to accompany his stride. He was around 30something, probably about 6'3, well built and handsome. He introduced himself with handshakes calling us all by name. (again, we had on name tags) His name..... TONY FERRARI. Perfect!!! It all fit so snugly together, like a Harlequin. The perfect man with the perfect look, with the perfect name, with the perfect job. And we are supposed to believe this. But, we are all so excited we quickly dismissed the obvious type casting and scripting of this scene in our romance movie so that we could just get on with this thing.

Tony escorted us to our red heli and we joyously trotted behind him waving goodbye to our cute little Irish girl. Tony showed us how to put on our inflation packages (which prompted us to start making jokes with each other about who had the best package etc.) and told us were to sit in the heli. He says it has to do with our height. So he asked Wes and I to sit up front and Chris, Susan, Sierra and Dad in back. Dad should sit directly behind him because he has the longest legs and would need more room. That was perfectly ok with me... who ws I to argue? So, I would have to sit up front? Happy birthday to Me!!

Once we were all our heli, we giggled like school girls with excitement as we traded looks to determine if this was really happening. I sat directly next to Tony in the middle front with Wes on the other side. I had a perfect view of everything outside as well as all the buttons, knobs, lights, gages, etc in front of Tony. I watched Tony as he pulled out a laminated sheet with what looked like stereo assembly directions and referred to it step by step as he twisted knobs, pushed buttons, talked into his headgear, nodded at lights and gages on the console to start the blades and engine. Um, this concerned me a little, but again.... the thrill of excitement let that go. We all put on our head phones and tested our microphones by telling each other how cool this was. Tony quoted some lines from Top Gun and the next thing we knew..... we were beginning to hover. This feeling was so emotional and exhilarating very similar to the feeling of a million butterflies in your stomach when you are performing. It was all I could do to keep the tears of emotion from starting as we hovered over the airport and could see the surrounding Las Vegas area. Intoxicating!!!

 

[swwake]

So when we get to the other casino a cute little Irish girl (I think Irish) got in the limo and started introducing herself.

She was Scottish. And Wes mistook her for Irish, I think. Or something. She made it very clear that she was not "Scotch".

By the way, that was the last I remember either of us receiving any attention whatsoever from our hubbies, until she went and got into her own helicopter and we got into our (separate) heli. Somehow, Miss Scotch was dominating the attention of the men in our limo. Go figure.

I was halfway listening to her due to the fact that when she said, "Oh I am just here for a convention and I thought I would treat myself to a helicopter ride. I just called like an hour ago."

She called "5 minutes ago".

Although she was cute and nice and had a really cool accent, I was just sure that the place had double booked our heli.

Me too.

When we got to the Heli place (which is called Sundance Helicopter Tours), we immediately inquired about our 6th person to relieve the fears that little Irish girl was going to be taking Wes' spot on our trip. Quickly, we realized we were on two different tours. SHWWEEEEEWWW!!!!

You didn't mention that we were also conveniently NOT on the flight with Osama Bin Laden.

When we registered, they wanted our drivers license and we had to get weighed on a scale. They offered us cold bottled water and we sat in the waiting area where we could see all the other helis land and take off.

I was alarmed that we had to hold our bottled water, purses, cameras, cell phones, and anything else we were taking with us on the heli, when we weighed. I mean, how much can the bottled water throw off the balance? And, what happens when the water has been drunk? Now we are under our original weight, and I fear a classic movie out-of-control heli spiraling into the bottom of the grand canyon....

We were told that the tour would be 90 minutes long and there would be no restrooms, so we better go now. We viewed a safety movie (over and over again) and learned that we really are not to do ANYTHING unless the pilot tells us to. That means don't push buttons, don't pull rip cord on our inflation packs, don't open the door, don't eject anyone, don't sneeze.......

And while Sierra was in the restroom, the tour guide girlie told us "there are no restrooms in the grand canyon". So Sierra missed that and must have missed emptying every last drop in her bladder, because she had to "go" before we made it to Lake Mead!

Also, Hayden never would have been able to deal with the "don't touch the buttons" rule. I can only imagine. Why don't they just put a panel of placebo buttons in there for us to play with? Maybe let us think we're really controlling the thing?

(It was easy for him to find us, as we all had name tags on that said #306)

That's 313, Sis, as seen on Dad's nametag in the pic.

He strutted toward us with confidence all debonaire. The only think missing was the background music to accompany his stride. He was around 30something, probably about 6'3, well built and handsome. He introduced himself with handshakes calling us all by name. (again, we had on name tags)

And all this time I thought he was telepathic. Who knew?

Tony escorted us to our red heli and we joyously trotted behind him waving goodbye to our cute little Irish girl.

scotch

I sat directly next to Tony in the middle front with Wes on the other side.

Weren't you the meat in the middle of a hot boy sandwich!!

I had a perfect view of everything outside as well as all the buttons, knobs, lights, gages, etc in front of Tony.

You don't say? hmmmm

And remember the soundtrack in our headphones was the dramatic score to Top Gun. I think maybe these were the lines:
Goose: No. No, Mav, this is not a good idea.
Maverick: Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz a tower.

Or maybe:
"Tower, this is Ghost rider requesting a flyby."

All I know is that it was surreal....

 

[NewCrew42]

We will do our best. I am working on a deadline today so I may have a late night at work. Jo had some very big life events happen today, so she may not have time to post for the next couple days. When do you leave?

The 20th of July! No kids! I am so excited. I love my kids but an adult vacation is so wonderful!


Now I need to read your updates!

Can't wait!

 

[NewCrew42]

Love the report. I could hear the Top Gun music playin'.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lovin' the report!!! The whole stereotypical heli pilot was cracking me up!!! Can't wait to read more and I hope there are some cool pics of the Grand Canyon!!!

 

[swwake]

The 20th of July! No kids! I am so excited. I love my kids but an adult vacation is so wonderful!


Now I need to read your updates!

Can't wait!

Kid-less is the only way to go to Vegas. Every time I see someone pushing a stroller in Vegas, I wonder: Did they book this trip BEFORE they got pregnant? I won't take my DD until she's 21. You will have such a great time! We will try to finish our TR before then. After the heli trip, we don't have too many more pics.

Love the report. I could hear the Top Gun music playin'.

Oh, so can I! I want to go watch the movie now. It was really cool to hear that music as we lifted off. Then, as we flew away from the strip and toward Lake Mead, they played "Leaving Las Vegas" by Sheryl Crow. The rest of the trip was good background music, but I don't remember the songs, other than some U2 and I think "Under the Bridge" by the Chili Peppers (relevance there?) and then Elvis's "Viva Las Vegas" as we flew back over the strip. (Oops, that was a spoiler)

Lovin' the report!!! The whole stereotypical heli pilot was cracking me up!!! Can't wait to read more and I hope there are some cool pics of the Grand Canyon!!!

Oh, you won't be disappointed!

 

[thinkerbell]

I am loving your report!!! We leave to go on the 20th also. We go every year but it never gets old. I can't wait!!

 

[brewzoo5]

I am so glad to see our dear friends back. I thought maybe we had bored you. How exciting for newcrew and tink to be visiting vegas in just a few weeks. It will be here before you know it. You are gonna love it just as much as we did. I am trying to get the trip report down for you so you can choose to do some or the same stuff we did, or decide it may not be for you. Either way, it's fun to relive it. And it's fun for Susan to help me keep my story/memories straight. lol

So we have lift off!!! and we can see vegas from the back of the heli. We can hear the Top Gun music mixed with our own heartbeats.... it's just insanely awesome!!

Wes puts in a quick request to buzz the Hooter's pool, but Tony replies with "That's a negative" without hesitation. Sorry Wes! (Tony is really playing his part well, staying in character)

Soon our mood music transitions into the sheryl crow "leaving las vegas" song and it just enhances our emotional thrill ride. No, roller coaster can compare to this...

Pilot Ferrari points out to us that Tiger Woods lives on the outskirts of vegas. But when asked, he really doesn't know where to direct us to look. He just knows he lives on the golf course.

Soon, we begin to see blue water. This is Lake Las Vegas. (and here is where I need Susan to fill in the details, I forgot what all he said about it. Something about largest man made.... bla bla bla.. )

We get a view of the desert terrain and some information about the wildlife that actually lives there. I can't believe anything can live in that dryness, heat and just plain..... nothingness. But, it is still amazing to see the desert so close, yet so far away. I just kept thinking about the settlers who dredged across all of this on foot or with donkeys and such. I am not a history buff by any means, so I don't remember names and stories, but I do find it a bit captivating while I am in the moment.

I hope I have these events in the right order. I am sure I will be corrected by Sweet Sister Susan if I don't. So, I guess, just bear with me....
We soon were flying over Boulder City. It is a no gambling, no drinking town. According to Tony, the town was a working town established to construct the Hoover Dam. And the gambling and drinking was distracting, so it was not allowed. And according to Tony, it is still that way..... Can you say, "Boring"? Hummm... now that I think about it.... he never said anything about prostitution.... maybe those worker guys weren't so bored after all.

Next: HOOVER and his Dam

 

[NewCrew42]

Awsome pics! Keep on posting!

 

[thinkerbell]

Your pictures are awesome. Makes me want to take a helicopter tour. We have never done that. I think I'll go search for that now. Keep it coming.

 

[suzimar57]

great photos! - we'll be in vegas in 4 weeks (but no helicopter trip for us!) - so we're enjoying your aerials - thanks!

 

[brewzoo5]

Wow! Thanks for the compliments on the photos. But, let me tell you.... as most photos are, they pale drastically from the experience. It was truly spectacular.


Moving on to Hoover Dam

Approaching the dam from Las Vegas, we could see the steep descents and climbs through the desert mountains. We learned so much from our pilot and tour guide as we began to approach Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. He gave us mini history lessons about the building of the Dam and how came to be. It was awesome to see the area view of how it is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona and creates Lake Mead.

Tony reminded us of the story of how the Six Companies was originated and the many years of laborious work from the men in Boulder City that went into such an expensive and controversial project. However, the rewards have been tremendous, as this structure has paid for itself over and over again in so many different ways. In these pictures you can also see how low the water is in the river. The white edges along the sides show the impact of the 10 year drought.

Traffic crossing the Hoover Dam has caused lengthy backups as there is only one way to cross the river and it is a two lane road. So, a Hoover Dam Bypass has was needed and construction is still taking place. It was really neat to see this being built from above. In these pictures you can see the work that has been done so far.

Tony flew us around the Dam so that we could all see it from both sides of the Heli. One of my favorite views was when we were practically directly over it, because it's an angle you just don't see that often.

And this coming from a girl who took a trip about 11 years ago by car over the Hoover Dam and was COMPLETELY bored with the whole long and drawn out escapade, I was impressed and found that gazing at it from this perspective PHENOMENAL!!!


Next - Meandering Toward Lake Mead

 

[brewzoo5]

I hope that this is not boring many of you, but I wanted to share some of the pics that we took as we rode to the canyon. I have tried to keep the chat short and sweet so that it can quickly be scanned, yet give you an idea of how the ride went.

To tell you the truth, during this part of the tour, there was not much chatter going on between all of us. We were all gasping and in total awe just from the sights. It's a wonder there was any air in the heli for us to breathe, as all of us were constantly sucking it all in with each gasp when we would be introduced to a new magnificent wondrous vision. Good thing they keep oxygen tanks on board and, at this point, I am glad they kept showing us that safety video before the trip.

"Hold on to your packages, we are approaching Lake Mead" -- (that's inflation pack from the previous post)

And Susan used her keen 'eye spy eyes' to detect the 'hidden Mickey' island in this part of the lake.

In this next picture you can see the impact of the drought along the edges. Again, I remind you that these pictures simply do not give the vision justice. The colors in the picture are quite impressive, but when viewing it in real life they were even more dynamic. As pretty as it is, this whole global warming thing is quite devastating to our entire nation.

Here you can see where the Colorado river empties into the lake. Notice how brown and dirty the water is at the inlet. That is also a result of the drought, as the water is flowing so low that it dredges up the dirt and mud from the bottom and edges. But was was incredible to me, is how the color of the water changes to such a beautiful blue and green where the lake gets wider and deeper. Nature is dazzling isn't it. Just proof of how God is an artist and uses his paint pallet all over the world.

Soon .... we are to fly over the hills..... crest the mountains.... above the peeks....
Oh.... who knew that a bunch of dirt could be so remarkable?