Running Away to Vegas, A Trip Report

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-01-2009

(EDIT: the guessing's already been done so I changed the thread title.)

Like many people, I was one of those who couldn't be happier to put 2008 behind me. In fact, I was so anxious to escape it, that I took up an offer from a friend to hunker down safely there while it passed. I mean, if I ran all the way to another country, 2008 wouldn't go that far to find me, would it?

I have some photos but they're not all up yet. I'll post a few and see if anyone can guess where I went. (And no hints from those of you who know!)

I am so wiped out I can't even hold my eyes open any longer today, but I'll get some more of these up tomorrow.

xqqzme · 01-01-2009

Looks like some hick desert town.

Andiline · 01-02-2009

Somewhere close to Las Vegas? Or not so close but still Colorado/Utah... ?

EDIT: having had another look: Death Valley?

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

Andrea, your first guess was right! And Eileen... at times yours was too.

My buddy, Skip, from Ohio, after two years of searching for work, finally found a great job for the city of North Las Vegas. Since he couldn’t be with his family for the holidays, his wife (still in Ohio) suggested I join him so he wouldn’t be alone for the whole season. So, I got a $333 flight, took off the day after Christmas, and headed to Vegas, Baby! However, when I stepped off the plane in my connecting city of Salt Lake, I had to ask myself WTF was I thinking!? It was way friggin’ freezin’ and Vegas itself wasn’t a lot warmer. And of course all my cold weather clothes are in Ohio, so I had to just make do.

Not only that, but the weather had delayed the SLC flights, so we didn’t get to Skip’s place until like 1am (3am my time!

)

First day there, we putzed around and went shopping, since the poor man has been living on frozen dinners.

Not while I’m here! I also had to catch up on my rest and de-stress a bit.

So Sunday we headed out to the Red Rocks Conservation Area. On my only other trip to Vegas, I had been here and remembered it as my favorite part of Vegas, since it’s right outside of the city. I still love it! In order to see the gorgeous scenery, you take a 13 mile drive that has lots of stop-offs where you can get out for hikes and photo ops.

(okay, so live stereotypes make me giggle)

We had stopped in the info center/gift shop at the beginning and my ears were so cold that I bought the only warm hat they had - and it was even on sale. I was soooo happy I had it.

This baby's mama had plopped her down for a picture and I couldn't help but ask if I could have one too. How adorable is she!?

Can you see the turtle in the rocks? At least that's what it looked like to me.

Those little spots on that wall out there are climbers... yikes!

More to come...

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

More climbers...

It was an invigorating and beautiful day out there!

Andiline · 01-02-2009

You went to a place I was thinking about going to last year with Seakony and go to a couple of parks around Las Vegas... so I am glad YOU went and at least I can enjoy your pics!

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andiline

You went to a place I was thinking about going to last year with Seakony and go to a couple of parks around Las Vegas... so I am glad YOU went and at least I can enjoy your pics!

Oh, I hope you DO enjoy them. I'd love to see the pictures YOU could take with your equipment and skill though! I could have stayed there for hours taking pictures, myself. (But I would have needed some gloves!)

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

So Monday was pretty quiet, though I was thrilled to have the use of the gym at Skip's place.

Skip, having never been to Vegas before interviewing there, was excited about spending NYE on the strip. I'm game, but... I have absolutely NOTHING to wear, except a couple strappy little dresses. But it's gonna be cold. REALLY cold. So I spent a lot of this day (and the next ones...

) trying to find something. No pictures of that fun time.

However... on Tuesday, there were big plans after shopping time. Here's a hint:

Jacko · 01-02-2009

This all looks way better than staying at home crying in your mojito(s)!

**SunKneeMarie** · 01-02-2009

I think the title gives it all away and makes guessing unnecessary

glad you got to get away... get that boy some good food! can't wait to see NYE in vegas pics

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

I think the title gives it all away and makes guessing unnecessary

glad you got to get away... get that boy some good food! can't wait to see NYE in vegas pics

Well, I updated the title once I posted the answer. Guess I should clarify that, eh?

EDIT: But you can still guess about that last picture, can't ya?

Rissask · 01-02-2009

You got to meet Eileen!!

Am I right?

She never showed up when I tried to meet her in Zihua.

(or was that me who had the wrong date/time

....)

More, please. Love that desert scenery! Very pretty.

xqqzme · 01-02-2009

Some Rat Bastard took my plate of XQQZME so I had to change it up a little bit when I moved to Utah

And of course the Green Bay Packer sticker is a pretty good hint too.

Tommygurl · 01-02-2009

Love it Love it Love it! Vegas is my fave get away from it all place....okay 2nd fave! Anytime you wanna trek to Vegas you let me know-----just make it at a little warmer time alrighty??? Hope to see you soon...I will take you out on the town...I'm a good date! Hugs, love, wishes for a 2009 that knocks yer socks off coming to you!

**Susie Q Roo** · 01-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

You got to meet Eileen!!

Am I right?

She never showed up when I tried to meet her in Zihua.

(or was that me who had the wrong date/time

....)

More, please. Love that desert scenery! Very pretty.

Ding Ding Ding!!!

(And I'm sorry, but there won't be any more desert scenery, pretty though it is. I stayed in the burbs or in town the rest of the trip.)

And one of the most fun "in-town" experiences was when Eileen drove all the way up to North Vegas (where I was) to take me down to the part of town she hangs in during the week while she's working - Fremont Street - the "old" Vegas. We parked at "her place," and headed to her favorite bar/restaurant for some dinner - 3 Georges. But... and I thought this was so ironic, seeing as how we were in crazy Vegas... there was a bomb threat and all the streets were roped off with emergency vehicles everywhere. So we walked where we could and took a detour or two and found Hennessey's Tavern, where Skip eventually caught up with us and we had some dinner. Thankfully, Eileen had her camera and made up for my failing battery. Here's the evidence.

So after dinner (oh, and we heard them blow up the "bomb" which just happened to be a forgotten briefcase...

), we were able to make it to 3 George's for some drinks (okay, Eileen had an espresso martini, I had peppermint tea to warm me up, and Skip had a water

), but we got to meet her favorite bartender, Todd. Only one picture from the bar, and here are that and some others on the way and back.

(Um... not today, thanks.

)

01-01-2009	#1 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo Just a Random Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 14,069	Running Away to Vegas, A Trip Report (EDIT: the guessing's already been done so I changed the thread title.) Like many people, I was one of those who couldn't be happier to put 2008 behind me. In fact, I was so anxious to escape it, that I took up an offer from a friend to hunker down safely there while it passed. I mean, if I ran all the way to another country, 2008 wouldn't go that far to find me, would it? I have some photos but they're not all up yet. I'll post a few and see if anyone can guess where I went. (And no hints from those of you who know!) I am so wiped out I can't even hold my eyes open any longer today, but I'll get some more of these up tomorrow. Last edited by Susie Q Roo; 01-02-2009 at 05:23 PM..

01-02-2009	#4 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo Just a Random Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 14,069	Andrea, your first guess was right! And Eileen... at times yours was too. My buddy, Skip, from Ohio, after two years of searching for work, finally found a great job for the city of North Las Vegas. Since he couldn’t be with his family for the holidays, his wife (still in Ohio) suggested I join him so he wouldn’t be alone for the whole season. So, I got a $333 flight, took off the day after Christmas, and headed to Vegas, Baby! However, when I stepped off the plane in my connecting city of Salt Lake, I had to ask myself WTF was I thinking!? It was *way* friggin’ freezin’ and Vegas itself wasn’t a lot warmer. And of course all my cold weather clothes are in Ohio, so I had to just make do. Not only that, but the weather had delayed the SLC flights, so we didn’t get to Skip’s place until like 1am (3am my time! ) First day there, we putzed around and went shopping, since the poor man has been living on frozen dinners. Not while I’m here! I also had to catch up on my rest and de-stress a bit. So Sunday we headed out to the Red Rocks Conservation Area. On my only other trip to Vegas, I had been here and remembered it as my favorite part of Vegas, since it’s right outside of the city. I still love it! In order to see the gorgeous scenery, you take a 13 mile drive that has lots of stop-offs where you can get out for hikes and photo ops. (okay, so live stereotypes make me giggle) We had stopped in the info center/gift shop at the beginning and my ears were so cold that I bought the only warm hat they had - and it was even on sale. I was soooo happy I had it. This baby's mama had plopped her down for a picture and I couldn't help but ask if I could have one too. How adorable is she!? Can you see the turtle in the rocks? At least that's what it looked like to me. Those little spots on that wall out there are climbers... yikes! More to come... __________________ Susie OMG I really live here... STILL! (permanently!)

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01-01-2009	#2 (permalink)
xqqzme Bi-Coastal Beacher Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas and St George Posts: 5,031	Looks like some hick desert town.

01-02-2009	#3 (permalink)
Andiline añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 8,433	Somewhere close to Las Vegas? Or not so close but still Colorado/Utah... ? EDIT: having had another look: Death Valley?

01-02-2009	#5 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo Just a Random Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 14,069	More climbers... It was an invigorating and beautiful day out there!

01-02-2009	#6 (permalink)
Andiline añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 8,433	You went to a place I was thinking about going to last year with Seakony and go to a couple of parks around Las Vegas... so I am glad YOU went and at least I can enjoy your pics!

01-02-2009	#8 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo Just a Random Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 14,069	So Monday was pretty quiet, though I was thrilled to have the use of the gym at Skip's place. Skip, having never been to Vegas before interviewing there, was excited about spending NYE on the strip. I'm game, but... I have absolutely NOTHING to wear, except a couple strappy little dresses. But it's gonna be cold. REALLY cold. So I spent a lot of this day (and the next ones... ) trying to find something. No pictures of that fun time. However... on Tuesday, there were big plans after shopping time. Here's a hint:

01-02-2009	#9 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 21,713	This all looks way better than staying at home crying in your mojito(s)!

01-02-2009	#10 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 30,090	I think the title gives it all away and makes guessing unnecessary glad you got to get away... get that boy some good food! can't wait to see NYE in vegas pics

01-02-2009	#12 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 27,151	You got to meet Eileen!! Am I right? She never showed up when I tried to meet her in Zihua. (or was that me who had the wrong date/time ....) More, please. Love that desert scenery! Very pretty.

01-02-2009	#13 (permalink)
xqqzme Bi-Coastal Beacher Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas and St George Posts: 5,031	Some Rat Bastard took my plate of XQQZME so I had to change it up a little bit when I moved to Utah And of course the Green Bay Packer sticker is a pretty good hint too.

01-02-2009	#14 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,923	Love it Love it Love it! Vegas is my fave get away from it all place....okay 2nd fave! Anytime you wanna trek to Vegas you let me know-----just make it at a little warmer time alrighty??? Hope to see you soon...I will take you out on the town...I'm a good date! Hugs, love, wishes for a 2009 that knocks yer socks off coming to you!