So B and I loaded up the Toyota, Tico jumped in the backseat, and off we went at 7am. We got in town by noon, and we both scarfed a double-double @ the In-N-Out burger off Tropicana. We originally planned to check out the Neon sign museum, but they require reservations and appointment only, and they were sold out for the day. I did manage to shoot a picture of the Lady Luck Casino sign, which is the first buffet I've been to in Vegas, some 14 years ago. For $7.99, I had plates after plates of crab legs to my heart's content.
We proceeded to walk around downtown LV, one of my favorite hangout in town, and walked around the Fremont Street Experience area. B and I grabbed a few outdoor seats and drank coffee at the Starbucks in front of Golden Nugget, and let Tico enjoy, or not enjoy the attention from the passers-by. This is the Rodeo Finals Week in Vegas, held for 10 days during the first week of December, and there are cowboy hats everywhere. I've never seen so many denim jeans and cowboy boots in one place. It was really cool.
We got tired, and proceeded to check in early for our reservation at the Westin Casuarina off of Flamingo, a block from the Strip. I booked this hotel for free with my American Airlines miles, and I just had to pay about $15 of taxes and services fees. We did, however, pay a one-time $35 cleaning fee for Tico, which is more than reasonable. The hotel itself is pretty decent, but in no way a premier resort in Las Vegas' standards. But between this or Best Western, or the pricey Mandalay Bay/Four Seasons, the pet-friendly hotel choices in LV is minimal, especially those who take large dogs. They make exceptions to the size, 40 being their normal cap. So it is always a good thing to call ahead and double-check on how strict their rules are, when it comes to dogs.
There is a dog area downstairs, with a little patch of 'green', and pet waste bags/trash area. They provided us a handicap room, which means roomy. And they are normally fairly new rooms in comparison to the others. Westin is a good hotel, but it definitely is showing age in the floor and wing that we were in. Would I stay here even without Tico, absolutely. If the price is right. Their website shows $159\ Saturday night, which puts them in the price range of Mandalay and MGM, which I would likely pick better because they are a bigger resort with better amenities. Westin does have a nice size pool, as well as a decent size gym, as well as spa. Their casino floor is lacking, which makes this the first time I've been to Vegas where I've never dropped a dime into the slot machines. No gambling in Vegas for me this weekend.
Turns out the plan is to eat and drink all night, so we scrambled to get Tico boarded for the night, since we can't leave him in the hotel room on his own. We were recommended Craig Road Animal Hospital in North Las Vegas, which is around 15-20 miles from the strip. They are open from 7am to 10pm every day, and their rates are very decent, Tico's suite being $35. The suite is very roomy, I would say it's about 7x7 feet.
We met up with Kathy for dinner at the M resort for their popular Studio B buffet. It's an all you can eat, all you can drink buffet. For Cal, Kathy's husband, this is a great deal, since he can down some beers. And B said they have 4 sets of red wine, so he gave me two glasses of Merlot for the dinner. Their buffet selections are one of the best I've seen in Vegas, and for $34 - it's a great price. Turns out Kathy's entire family is in town, all 10 of them - and they treated B and I for the night's dinner.
We were originally going to meet up with the couple after at the karaoke bar inside Imperial Palace, where they were staying, but B and I made a mistake of lying down and woke up an hour later, so there goes our plan.
I woke up at 7am and hit the gym, while B picked up Tico so we can spend some QT for the few hours we have left in town. So while B is on the phone making some phone calls, Tico and I snuck out and went for a walk/run around the block towards the strip. There were three Elvises in front of Flamingo Hotel, and they loved Tico. I wanted to have Tico take a photo with them, but my camera's battery was depleted. Back to the hotel, and B made me some shakes to drink afterwards, and we promplty checked out at 11am and started our way back to LA. Lunch was in Baker, at our favorite Mad Greek Cafe.
It was a sweet 24 hours in Vegas, and I wish we had time to check out the Red Rock area, but we will need to save it for the next time we come to town.
Tico had a rough, albeit fun weekend in Vegas, having to be boarded against his wishes for the night. But all in all, we had a great time, and I look forward to another Vegas trip with the boys soon.
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