Las Vegas Trip Report - September 4 - 11, 2017

I've missed Sin City so much and I'm always happy when I get a chance to vacation with my son.  He's 27 and I'm 52.  I did try to get him to go to San Francisco this time, but he wanted Vegas instead.  So, we chose the Bellagio.  Luxury when I go with him, and downtown when I go by myself.  That's the great thing about Vegas - each trip is a new/different experience.  We chose between Bellagio, Aria, Wynn or Cosmopolitan and I got the best rates for Bellagio.  It was $1600 USD all in, after taxes and inclusive of the $39 per day resort fee for 7 days.  That was for two beds in a "Resort Queen Room".  Staying here also let us use some "MyVegas" rewards too, so we each got $50 & $25 free plays at the Bellagio, and a dinner buffet.  Any little bit helps.  My favorite part of Vegas is always planning where to dine.  This was no exception and I thought I could do it all with 7 days this time, but alas, there were many restaurants on my list that didn't get any love - always a reason to come back.  There are also many I would have liked to repeat from past trips but didn't do because there's too much new to seek out...

Westbound Panama Canal Cruise - April 30 - May 17, 2017

I wanted to go somewhere I have never been for this trip.  I got really lost in planning and couldn't choose anything - I was going in circles.  I don't even remember how I ended up stumbling across this cruise, but it really fell into place for me.  After a couple of months of looking, I finally decided that this was it.

Orlando Trip Report - November 5 - 12, 2016

The last time we were in Orlando was when my son was 8.  He's 26 now.  We decided it was time to return.  This sojourn wasn't for Disney though (gasp!).  We had missed International Drive and Universal Studios last visit so this is what we chose to do this trip.  My son was a huge fan of the "Harry Potter" books when he was young(er).  I read him the first one and when we got to the second, he asked me to read more each night, meaning more than one chapter...  I told him that he knew he how to read himself and it was now that time for him to start reading on his own.  He read all the books from that point on and saw all the movies too...I'll admit that he nudged me at one movie while we were on vacation because he said I was snoring.  :)  I admit I am not a "die hard" Harry Potter fan.  My youth was spent reading C.S. Lewis books like "The Magician's Nephew" (I read this to him),  "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" & the series of Narnia...

Cancun, Mexico Trip Report - August 26 - September 2, 2016

It's been three years since I've seen my friends from Nashville.   This would be our 3rd time together.  We met in 2012 on an Alaskan cruise.  They are married and 48 years old, I'm single and 51.  The stars finally aligned and they were able to vacation with me again!  I was so excited and so happy.  I truly have some of the best traveling memories with them.

Seattle Getaway and GNR Concert - August 12 - 14, 2016

Pre-Trip Thoughts - Thursday, August 11th:

My oldest friend from elementary school and I grew up bonded with "Bay City Rollers" memories and things like first crushes and first kisses with boys.  I have been waiting for her to be able to travel with me and it would finally happen.  Just a short trip to see Guns N' Roses, but it would be us getting away together.  I was really happy!  Tickets after fees and exchange were about $170 CAD each for really shitty seats.

Downtown Las Vegas Trip - May 15 - 20, 2016

I told everyone I know that there would be no trips to the U.S.A. this year with our bad Canadian dollar.  I came home from work one day in February and had a large flyer in my mail from the "D" hotel.  My offer was 3 days free with no resort fee in April or May.  That also included a $25 Food & Beverage credit and $25 Free play on Slots and $25 Match Play on tables.  I had some vacation booked off for May with no plans so called the hotel.  The offer was valid for those days and my 2 extra nights were $28 USD (Wed) and $35 USD (Thurs) with a $20 resort fee for each of those two nights for $116 USD total for 5 days.  So, I booked it.  I could cancel up to 48 hours before.

Harrison Hot Springs Getaway - April 6 & 7, 2016

I like Harrison.  When my son was little, I took him here to get away.  He also camped with Scouts here when he was young.  It's a beautiful spot about a two hour drive away from my home in Vancouver.  Since it had been so long (14 years?), we decided it was time for a return visit.  We decided to splurge and get the best room and stay at the nicest hotel in Harrison.  I sure couldn't afford to take my son here when I was a single mom, raising him.  So, now we could do that!

Palm Springs Trip Report - Nov. 16 - 24, 2015

Three of us rented a house in Palm Springs to get away and relax.  Shortly before leaving, one cancelled leaving me and my usual travel friend on our own.  The place we rented was called "The Largo Ranch".  It had its own backyard pool and hot tub which was our selling point.  We paid extra to have the pool heated to 85 F/ 29 C daily.

Las Vegas Trip Report - Nov. 8 - 14, 2015

I was very excited for this trip.  Two reasons.  First one being that I got to go with my favorite person in this world, my son (25).  He hasn't been able to vacation for two years now, and I was happy it was me that was going to have the pleasure of going with him.  He chose Vegas and I, of course, had no complaints.

Downtown Las Vegas Trip Report - Aug. 30 - Sept. 4, 2015

I wasn't planning to go to Vegas now as I'm going in November this year.  The travel plans I was hoping for with friends didn't turn out so I ended up booking solo and decided on downtown.  This week was just meant to be pure R&R away from work.  I decided staying at the Downtown Grand.  With air, hotel, taxes including 5 nights my total came to $550 CAD which I thought was pretty good.  Our dollar is really sucking right now in the U.S.A. One of my dollars at the time of this writing is worth about 70 cents US so saving pennies helps...