Fabulous Forty Vegas- Day 4

The Deuce is Loose 

Saturday, May 12, 2018 

Morning

Of course, on the LAST day of the trip we get a better and more importantly a LONGER night sleep. Despite recovering from more Vegas fun and stomach issues, I was able to sleep until about 9AM. Once we both showered and packed our bags we went and did the express check-out at the kiosk, avoiding the line of about 30 people, and then turned in our luggage at the bag check station. It was an extremely easy process and very fast. 

We ran upstairs to the Food Court and grabbed breakfast but there was a HUGE crowd of elementary aged cheerleaders and their families. Most of the breakfast places were packed so we opted for Schlotzsky's! Another crazy food moment in Las Vegas! 

After breakfast, we made our way to the Excalibur pool area. We had planned to go to the pool while we were there and just never found the time. Again, I was expected budget "Motel 6" style pool and this was FAR from it. It had 4 pools overall, a HUGE hot tub, chairs (padded too... Carnival and Royal Caribbean should take notes), cabanas for rental and even an ADULTS only pool. TIP- If you stay here... GO HERE! We regret we missed it! 

Pool #1 

This hot tub was closed but it was HUGE! 

The adults only pool and cabana area! 

Cabanas for rental. 

Pool #3

The map for the Excalibur pool area! 

We walked over to MGM to catch a bus and decided to go in and see how it had changed. In 2006 we spent the majority of our time here so it was neat to see how it had changed, and even stayed the same! 

We grabbed a quick, or what we thought would be quick, ride on the deuce to the Cosmopolitan Casino. This casino was not even 1/3 of the way built when we last visited Las Vegas and I was very eager to see this modern strip hotel. But before we could even get to the next stop on the bus route we had an incident. I was busy texting back and forth to my sister and all of the sudden there is a HUGE THUD on the bus. We were riding on the 2nd deck and Chris saw the whole thing. A car was in the center lane also heading north when she "tried" to cut in front of the bus. This did not end well as the driver of the bus t-boned her as she tried to get in front of him. The crash was fairly hard and brutal but none of the bus passengers were hurt. We waited a few minutes before all of us passengers realized we would have to debark the bus. The driver of the bus was fine and oddly enough the car was a couple who was on their honeymoon. I asked them as we exited the bus if they were OK and they said yes! It was a morning we will never forget! 

The wreck scene as seen from the top of the Deuce bus! 

The wreck scene! 

  

About 20-30 minute later they were still cleaning up this wreck sight. 

We walked the rest of the way (about 3 hotels) to the Cosmopolitan. Immediately upon arrival in the hotel we noticed how modern and classy this place was. The chandelier at the very front entrance was spectacular and gaudy. I immediately thought of my sister and the HUGE high heel was a plus. I have already decided her bachelorette party/ trip will be hosted here! 

This is the definition of Allison Klingsick... Just needs to be PINK! 

The gorgeous chandelier in the Cosmo! 

Can you imagine how HEAVY this is! 

We loved it here! Yep, my 40th... HERE! 

Even though we were NOT hungry at all, we saw the Holstein's Burger Restaurant and knew we HAD to try it. Literally 10-12 different people suggested this place and I was determined to eat here. We sat at a modern table and ordered the Kobe Beef Burger. It had prime rib, Kobe beef and even asparagus on it. It was phenomenal. Easily the absolute BEST burger I have EVER had! However, it was HUGE! Good thing Chris and I opted to share it, there is NO WAY I could have eaten it all by myself! We were so full... so full, in fact, that Chris popped a button off his Hawaiian shirt! Haha... Oh the memories! 

WOW... This was huge and so good! 

It was cooked to perfection! 

Afternoon

We made our way back to the Excalibur via the Aria Express Tram. Once again, this is a FREE tram that travels between the Monte Carlo and the Bellagio. It is on the far WEST side of the hotels and is a bit of a walk from the actual strip but it is worth it. We made a quick pit stop in NYNY for a few more souvenirs and then back to Excalibur to get our bags and head to the airport. 

Goodbye Vegas! See you... ? 

Due to our original flight being changed about 6 weeks prior to our trip we had to take a 3:45PM flight out of Las Vegas, meaning we had to get to the airport by 1:30PM (HUGE BUMMER... barely any time). We arrived safely and on time and then killed 2 hours waiting for our flight. 

Our last look at Las Vegas! 

Evening

This flight was not delayed and a breeze, literally, compared to our first flight. We saw the strip, Grand Canyon and even the Hoover Dam as we flew back east. By the time we got to Houston it was dark but we did see a sunset to the west as we approached the city. 

The Las Vegas Strip as seen from the west side of the strip. 

The Las Vegas strip from the airport area.

More of the Las Vegas Strip 

Departing McCarran Airport May 12, 2018.

The Hoover Dam

Lake Meade and the Hoover Dam

The Grand Canyon... ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! 

The Grand Canyon 

The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

The only sunset I could catch. This was about 1 hour out of Houston. 

1-45 north near Beltway 8 as we approached IAH. 

We got our bags and quickly made our way to our car to get back to our babies! We made it home by 10:30 CST to see our babies hug us and immediately say "what did you bring us". Gotta love kids! But we did bring them plenty of goodies and gifts and they loved them all. 

We shared stories with Aunite Allie, and visa versa, for a few hours before finally getting to sleep in our own bed! 

This was an AMAZING and MEMORY FILLED trip to Las Vegas Celebrating Chris's 40th Birthday. I wanted to do something we wouldn't normally do (we are avid cruisers) and I also wanted to SPOIL him. I mean c'mon... You're only 40 ONCE! I know he had a GREAT time and I know I sure did! I'm thinking we may NEED to go back... AND SOON! 

Thank you, again, to Allison for keeping our kids! I know it was not an easy task and I know you also had a journey filled with memories but I can tell from my own kids stories that it was truly a special few days for Y'all! I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to take this trip with Chris! Love you sis! 

Well... That's a wrap for this trip! It was certainly a trip for the memory books! Next up... 3 more weeks of school and then cruise #14 on the Liberty of the Seas in June. 

Thank you for following along and I hope my tips and tricks, and crazy memories, have helped someone plan their own trip to Las Vegas! 

Stay tuned for our #LibertyTheRoyalTreatment blog about our Liberty of the Seas cruise coming in late June! 

Oh, and ONE MORE THING... I LOVE YOU CHRIS DAVIS! Happy 40th Birthday! 

God is good... ALL THE TIME!