October 2004

This trip turned out to be the unexpected.

We had been told that Fairfield would the best. The room was nice, but not as nice as Sundance Desert Paradise or Wetagate Flamingo Bay. The bedroom ant bathrooms were average. The kitchen was really a kitchenette. The living area was tiny. And the laundry was tiny. The public areas were a little nicer than the other 2. The restraint was really a fair at best deli, that took our money then told us they didn't have what we order and ask if we would accept an equally priced substitution. We had to call maintenance when we first arrived toe put the bathroom back together. And again later to fix the dish washer.

We turned on the news and found out the opening speakers for the AARP Conference we were there to attend has changed. Laura Bush was opening the opening session and John Kerry was closing the session.

The next monring, we attended the AARP opening session and heard Laura Bush, The Capital Steps, Mia Angelou and John Kerry. We saw Jerry Lewis' presentation, but left after a couple minutes of listening to him complain about his health. Hey Jerry, it's the AARP Confernce. We're all old. The conference was OK. The picture is Doug in a space suit (yeah, you knew I was spacy). Friday night we attended the Smother's Brothers and Smokie Robinson concert. It was great. The Smothers Brothers were good and brought back some good memories. Smokie was definitely smokin.

Saturday's concert was James Taylor. I felt James came out flat. After the first song, he said something like you know all the stuff they said about no pictures, forget it. I expect to see lots of flashes. People rushed to the stage. The flashes started and james got going. Another great show.

We planned to head out of town on Sunday and travel Afton and Mule Canyons. Friday nights weather forecast called for rain. You don't want to be in a canyon when there is rain within a 100 miles. So, we postponed the side trip until Monday. We got to see rain in Vegas again.

Then the weather forecast said to watch out for the next storm because it was going to be a big one. We canceled the side trip. It was a good thing. In the Mule Canyon area, at least one person was killed, and at least one 14 foot high bridge was filled in with debris We drove through waterfalls flowing from parking lots. Traffic was a nightmare. The locals don't know how to drive on wet roads, not to drive through standing water and realize that it is so long between rains that the oil and grease dropped from cars is heavy and turns very slick when you add some water.

	The Bellagio water shows were cancelled when we were there because of the weather.
	We visited Red Rock and took a trail.
	We took a drive to Mt. Charelston to see the fire damage. It was raining of an on, so we didn't take a trail.

Ellis Island, Main Street Station Buffet, Fat Burger, Schoop's, Sonic, Grand Lux, Harley Davidson Cafe were as great as always.

We tried the remodeled and higher price Grand Carnival Buffet. I was surprised that the quality seemed to be back to about what it was before Harrah's took over.

We made out first stop at the HofbrauHaus. It was noisy and fun. The food and beer were great.

We tried Maggiano's Little Italy. We have fallen in love with this chain. The food and service are great. One word of caution. Come hungry and expect to take home what's left.

Of the above that are chain's, we don't have one within 50 miles of home.

Gambling; I had fun, even though I lost much of what I budgeted.