"Las Vegas...Land of Lost Wages" a Las Vegas Travel Page by keida84

April 10, 2006 a day which will be remembered as an historical event here on VT. Berni and Carl Shand renewed their wedding vows in the "Shalimar Wedding Chapel" Las Vegas, Neveda. Many of Berni and Carl's family, friends and regulars on VT watched the ceremony via the chapel's web cam. Those in attendance were: Best Man: Rex Vaughan (along with his wife, Sacra), Matron of Honor: keida84 (Kat) with her husband, Paul and "sis" Kris, CatherineCG and her husband, Jay, VT member Kymbanm and her friend, Missy. A wonderful reception was held at the "Center Stage" restaurant in the Plaza Hotel downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

In September of 2005 I visited the Las Vegas area, namely the "Strip" in honor of my favorite Aunt and Uncle's 60th wedding anniversary. Those two are the most active pair of 82 year olds you'd ever want to meet. We stayed at the "Treasure Island Hotel", which impressed me a great deal with their facilities for people with diabillities and handicaps, as well as one of the nicest Spas on the strip. We had Room Service the first night as my husband is a fan of good Room Service, and a fabulous meal at The "Steak House" on Sunday night in honor of Mary and Don's wedding anniversary.

I have a love-hate relationship with Las Vegas. I love to go in the summer when it is hot, but the crowds make walking unbearable, even at night when the temp is 104 degrees. I have stayed at many hotels on the strip...Ceasar's Palace, The Luxor (my husband's favorite), Treasure Island, The Excalibur, The Aladdin, & Bally's are just a few.

Speaking of Bally's, there was a week end in the not so distant past that my sorority took a trip to Las Vegas for our dear sista "Flo". She was turning 21. Legal! So we rented a suite at Bally's, on the concierge floor, went to the spa, rented a cabana at the pool and for all intensive purpose was virtual eye candy for everyone who gawked at us!

LtoR: the woman and man I cannot remember their names (oops) Shugah, Wanda, Edna, Shirl, Concha
back row: Babs, Toots, Trixie, Flo

My "sistas" are all chorally gifted and everytime we would see a bride, we would break into a spontaneous acapella song, "Goin' To The Chapel".

In the New York, New York Hotel, We even serenaded a bride as she was actually going to the chapel, she was so stunned she thought her husband to be set it all up for her. When she found out we just happened by she invited the lot of us to her reception! How's that for singing for your supper?

We closed the place down with a conga line all through New York New York to the tune of, "We Are Family, I Got All My Sisters With Me!"

The Alexis Park Resort is a good accomodation off the strip as is the Crowne Plaza Hotel (both non-gaming facilities).

The shows are terrific, I love Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" at Treasure Island that is my favorite but "O" at the Bellagio is a stupendous undertaking and not to be missed!

Gone is the "old" Vegas with it's cheap breakfast, free shrimp cocktails, Rat Pack shows and cheap buffets. Too bad, that when Vegas was great.

Despite my many visits I have yet to find my voice about this town. I have a lot of pictures to scan yet, mybe that's it. Somehow I can't find the words for this place.

Check back maybe I will get it together soon. (LOL)