So, we’re home. We’ve actually been home about 24 hours, though. The flights were fine and getting to fly first class from Las Vegas to Texas was really nice. I was reminded of this on the flight from Texas to Cheesecake City, which I spent in the middle seat between Gene and some twentysomething guy who spent the entire flight asleep, wearing sunglasses.
Here are some final thoughts (ha ha, final thoughts!) on Las Vegas:
First, your baby does not want to go to Las Vegas. Yeah, yeah, shark reef at Mandalay. Yeah, yeah, M&M store. Your. baby. does. not. want. to. hang. out. in. casinos. Las Vegas is the anti-Disney. It is the Unhappiest Place on Earth. (Seriously, what the fuck is your infant going to get out of a trip to Las Vegas? Get that baby home!)**
Second, if you – as adults, minus the kiddoes – go to Las Vegas, I strongly recommend staying in a non-gaming hotel. When Gene told me we were staying at the Renaissance, I kind of felt like we’d miss a part of the Las Vegas Experience. Instead, I feel it was totally worth it. Any time I got near the main entrance of any of the big hotels (MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, etc) and saw that traffic was 6 cars deep, I was instantly glad that I didn’t have to get into that.
Third, the fountain show at Bellagio was totally worth it. I saw it three times – the last time was with Gene and the song was Frank Sinatra’s version of “Luck Be a Lady” from Guys & Dolls. Totally, completely, unequivocally awesome. (And free. And I love free stuff). I regret not seeing it after dark.
Fourth, In-N-Out Burger was delicious and so good. Every meal I ate, I was sure it was the best meal of the trip and then I’d eat another meal and think that that was the best meal. In-N-Out was good, definitely not the best (thank you Red Square…and the Bellagio buffet…and the turkey sandwich I ate poolside), but I will eat there again when I return in 12 more years.