TR May 6-10 Day 3....Montelago, GVR, the Rio

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TR May 6-10 Day 3....Montelago, GVR, the Rio

Day 3.....today was my 32nd birthday....woo hoo! I met my mom at 9 am, and we went to the GN buffet for breakfast. The coupon book we got at check in had a buy-one get one free coupon so we used that ($8.99 for breakfast). The buffet location upstairs is much bigger than it used to be downstairs. They had good breakfast food, and really good fruit. We went downstairs to play a machine before we left. I picked a quarter “Fox and Hound” machine, and when I slid my player’s card it wished me a happy birthday across the display screen! I pulled out $40 from my $20 investment after I got to play one bonus round. My philosophy with slots is that I’m just out to have fun...if I win great, if not I’m good as long as I have fun. I’m usually happy if I get to play the bonus round at least once.

We picked up the car, headed to the highway and drove out to Henderson. Got off on the Lake Mead Drive exit, and headed to the Montelago Casino (at the Ritz Carlton resort). I don’t know what it is about this area, but it always feels so relaxed. I enjoy going out there and getting away from the craziness of the city for a few hours. We stayed for a few nights at the Hyatt Regency before (it’s now Loews) and really enjoyed it. I stayed pretty even at the Montelago Casino, and my mom found another “Ducks in a Row” machine that paid off for her. We walked out to their shops and hit the Starbucks for some afternoon caffeine. You can use your starbucks cards at this location because it’s not in a casino itself. We walked down to the lake and sat on a bench and soaked up some sun for awhile.

After this it was off to Green Valley Ranch. This is another place I would like to try staying sometime. I love gambling here, and they have great cocktail service. We hit another penny Monopoly Big Event machine here, and we got numerous bonuses on this one!! Not only did I get the big event bonus, but I also had the bonus on my machine a few times as well (X-marks the spot). I cashed out $85 (happy birthday to me!!) and my mom pulled out $70. There were 5 people playing this one, and we all had smiles on our faces!!

We were going to swing by the Ethel M. Chocolate factory, but it was getting late and we decided to skip it. We drove back downtown, and had a few drinks at the International Beer Bar in the Golden Nugget. There were free cocktail coupons in our book which my mom used, but I decided to play video black jack so my drinks were free while I played. I occasionally play blackjack at the tables, but I like playing the machines too because I can think about what I’m supposed to do without worrying about taking too long and having another player get mad at me! I play pretty good basic strategy, but sometimes get confused with splitting, etc. so it’s nice to just kick back, drink a few beers and take as long as I want. After playing for about an hour, I had turned my $20 into $40 and was happy with that. I went to go find my mom, and we took a cab to the Rio (~$17...we hit a little traffic, but it wasn’t bad).

We had dinner at the All American Bar %26amp; Grill. We both had the 16 oz. New York Strip steak. Yummy!! It comes with baked potato and vegetables. It’s a really good piece of meat!! Had a few more beers (it was my birthday after all), and went to the Masquerade Village to play slots. We got there as a “show in the sky” was starting, so we watched that first. One of my favorite people watching places is during this show in the sky....you’ll see people who otherwise look very conservative dancing away without a care in the world! I love it!! We sat down to play at a bank of Penny machines. My mom was playing “Helen of Troy”, and I played something called “Penguin Pays”. I had never seen it before, but I have a thing for cute animal slots, so thought I’d give it a try. I was talking to my mom and wasn’t really paying attention, when I noticed I’d hit a bonus round but it looked like my machine was stuck. I hit the buttons and nothing happened. All of a sudden the little penguin started dancing on each symbol of all the reels, and the machine just went crazy!! By the time it had finished, I won $60 on the bonus round, and cashed out $80.....yeah!!!! I’ve never seen this machine anywhere else, but it certainly paid off for me.

We eventually caught a cab back with a really funny driver. He asked what our trip was for, and when we said it was my birthday he said he’d take off my age from the fare...in cents that is...so we saved a whopping 32 cents on the fare! Ha....he also said “I’d guess you’re either from the East Coast or Canada”....ummmmm....no, we’re from Colorado! We laughed that must develop funny accents when we drink..?? I like it when the cab drivers are talkative and funny....it adds to the whole experience. All in all, it was a great way to spend my birthday!!

Day 4 plans.....checking out of the Nugget, hitting the Venetian, Mirage, and then heading to check into Mandalay Bay for our last night.

TR May 6-10 Day 3....Montelago, GVR, the Rio

First off... Happy Birthday! Next tip....if anyone asks tell them you%26#39;re 95....good for cab drivers....lol

You seem to be having a great winning trip. Everything you touched payed off!

and it%26#39;s the first I%26#39;ve heard of Montelago...thank you for making me aware....

Happy Birthday!!

How come I always get the cab drivers that don%26#39;t speak English??

Low......definitely check out Montelago if you ever get the chance. We always do a ';Henderson'; day....if you have a car it%26#39;s so easy to hit Montelago, GVR, Fiesta Henderson, etc. LOL....we did do well, but we also had our losses....I didn%26#39;t write about those!

Juwel....it%26#39;s probably only every 3rd or 4th cab driver that we have in Vegas who speaks English, but it%26#39;s so much fun when you find them! We tip extra just for the added entertainment!