Great Adventure Outpost

Industry => Trip Reports and Meeting Plans => Topic started by: Edwardo on January 05, 2013, 07:02:50 PM

Title: Viva Las Vegas! December 2012
Post by: Edwardo on January 05, 2013, 07:02:50 PM
So I went to Las Vegas too.  Here are some pictures.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8274201557_d951267e28.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8274201557/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8274201557/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Here is where the new Skyvue Ferris Wheel, which will anchor the area where Speed is being rebuilt (the coaster parts are already there) is going.  Down the strip where Imperial Palace (now The Quad) was will be The Linq and an even bigger ferris Wheel will be.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8275274946_57c27aa720.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275274946/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275274946/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The lobby at Luxor.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8275291954_aceb7ae0ce.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275291954/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275291954/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Las Vegas is like an adult Disneyland.  Complete with a Castle to anchor the 'Main Street'.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8274526755_8403b00d3f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8274526755/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8274526755/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

And there are highly themed coasters.  Too bad this one really sucks.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8275609138_35e98c4af3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275609138/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275609138/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

One of THE BEST buffets in Vegas.  And there was no line.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8275618934_74073dc09c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275618934/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8275618934/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

So many different themed sections.  Contemporary.  Europe (Italy, Paris, Etc.).  Futuristic.  Island.  Medieval.  Egypt.  And more!

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8277695121_91734a4311.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8277695121/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8277695121/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Waiting for the fountains to start.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8335075191_e9acb1cd0e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8335075191/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8335075191/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

After three trips, I finally hit the Hoover Dam.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8278739160_b72379c214.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8278739160/)
Hoover Dam 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8278739160/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I guess it's good I waited, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten this shot.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8326636764_0f26fe5e20.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326636764/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326636764/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

My hotel.  I started with a suite and ended with a Pyramid room.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8325624915_4810e3c706.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325624915/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325624915/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Planet Hollywood.  The buffet here was the top spot when we last went.  It's good, but not what it used to be now.  Needs some sprucing up.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8326754552_dd0a78003d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326754552/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326754552/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

That Gladiator was HUGE.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8326748774_6a2c9f787e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326748774/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326748774/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Traffic near Caesars.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8325705969_e3dd84d7e8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325705969/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325705969/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Caesars buffet, the Bacchanal, was the best.  Great food.  It was packed.  And cost $52.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8326866632_0693b075ea.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326866632/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326866632/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Fountains!

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8314601227_c79f6a3c15.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314601227/)
100_0117 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314601227/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

This trip was about eating and I'm sparing you most of the food pix.  But this was Sunday Breakfast.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8314610687_0eeda7eaf1.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314610687/)
100_0125 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314610687/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I really wanted to do the neon museum, but I couldn't find where it was so I got frustrated and left.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8314655179_5f1e683974.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314655179/)
100_0129 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314655179/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

My first visit to Fremont Street during the day.  I wanted to do the zipline, but I was 10lbs over the limit so I didn't bother trying to ask.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8314658707_9bdac8e858.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314658707/)
100_0132 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314658707/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I did go and ride the rides here though.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8314660977_c6aa244864.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314660977/)
100_0134 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314660977/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I kept meaning to go, but I never did.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8314673007_360055f7f6.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314673007/)
100_0136 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314673007/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Had I known they were going to deposit my yearly bonus whilst I was on vacation, I would have done this.  I didn't really want to spend so much of my budget, but if I'd known that I was getting the bonus, I would have jumped off the Stratosphere.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8314674229_53e954217d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314674229/)
100_0137 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314674229/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I rode XScream by myself in the front.  I rode Insanity with one other guy.  I'm terrified of heights.  I waited and did Big Shot at nite.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8315732614_874dc536f4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315732614/)
100_0142 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315732614/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Something else it took me three times to do, finally see and visit the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8315805600_fb7cec0473.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315805600/)
100_0153 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315805600/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Barely anyone was riding.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8315839554_9dee523333.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315839554/)
100_0165 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8315839554/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Airbar at Stratosphere had a nice vibe, great bartender, and strong drinks.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8314785819_348263e100.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314785819/)
100_0164 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314785819/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The strip at nite.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8314829497_b64eae9e2a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314829497/)
100_0175 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8314829497/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The Fremont Street Experience featuring The Doors.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8326996428_d4c0f9cfcb.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326996428/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326996428/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Vegas Vic.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8326987766_49cec08f70.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326987766/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326987766/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Vegas Vicki.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8278693418_8599abb2b3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8278693418/)
The Rodeo championships were in town this week. Lots of cowboys. Including Caesar. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8278693418/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The rodeo was in town, so Caesar wore a cowboy hat.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8326793065_87d70321a9.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326793065/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8326793065/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Finally tried Beverly.  At $7, the Coke sampler was a really good deal I thought.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8327204010_76d3e32d87.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8327204010/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8327204010/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

This is how bad the economy hit Vegas.  This very spot used to stock Vipers, Bentleys, and Lambos for rent for the 'high end care rental experience' at like $300 an hour.  Now they have a BMW and a Mustang.  Really?

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8336041314_9344d353d0.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8336041314/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8336041314/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Welcome to Sith City.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8327464343_2b8b3096d3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8327464343/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8327464343/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Somehow I still managed to forget to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  That and the Neon Museum are the only 2 things I still haven't done that I really want to do.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8307964415_363b0800cd.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8307964415/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8307964415/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

I love driving thru the desert to LA.  I think I could live out west and enjoy that so much.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8350540909_4143afb912.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350540909/)
100_3572 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350540909/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The view from my first room.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8350612089_a274d2d7e8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350612089/)
100_3589 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350612089/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The living room in my $29 three room suit.  Thanks Hotwire!

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8351654694_6cb4092ee9.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351654694/)
100_3584 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351654694/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The dining room and bar in my suite.  I felt like a high roller for a nite.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8351629700_abf580df8f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351629700/)
100_3578 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351629700/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The master bedroom in my suite.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8351612858_df8b09cdb8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351612858/)
100_3574 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351612858/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

The jacuzzi and shower.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8336117646_ca802ee10a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8336117646/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8336117646/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Panorama of the Hoover Dam area.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8338665632_3625a2ba6d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8338665632/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8338665632/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Big model of the Colorado river and various dams used to control it and power the populous.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8325755109_68923f4120.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325755109/)
Las Vegas 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8325755109/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

My Pyramid room was large enough and comfy.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8350697057_929fd8f374.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350697057/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350697057/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Leaving Las Vegas.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8351776250_3bbb9d4fe8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351776250/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8351776250/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Just a reminder...

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8350700757_f65db1ac3f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350700757/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/8350700757/) by Edward Beavers (http://www.flickr.com/people/thescorpionlair/), on Flickr

Flying over Lake Meade.

And thats that.  More pix are Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescorpionlair/collections/72157632363121537/).