Las Vegas
Girls Trip
Elizabeth and I, long-time friends were filled with excitement for a much-anticipated girls' trip to Las Vegas. From lively casinos to world-renowned shows, we were looking forward to indulging in all the entertainment that Las Vegas has to offer. Oddly we started our journey out of the regional airport in Grand Island Nebraska since there were numerous flight cancellations. This was the closest airport that Allegiant could get us to our destination. We were just happy that we didn’t have to skip the trip entirely.
Emerald Cave, AZ
On our first day of the trip, we decided to do something a little different than your typical Vegas trip. Elizabeth had signed us up for a 4-mile kayaking tour to Emerald Cave with Evolution Expeditions that included some beach time, lunch, and kayaking into the emerald cave. It was a warm day but the water was shockingly cold and refreshing. We had a really great time getting to see the beautiful desert along with the rock formations along the sides of the Colorado River. When I thought I would be kayaking in a cave I thought it might be going somewhere - but really this was us backing up into the cave to say we went in. I think what made this day trip so much fun was the guides gave each of us super soakers. On the way back down the river I got to be in front and shoot other kayakers. If you see there is a picture below of an overturned kayak, that is because we were in a war with them and they accidentally flipped trying to shoot at us. I can’t imagine how hard it was for that couple to get back in the middle of the river. As a little treat afterward we stopped at a park and saw some Big Horn Sheep grazing on the lawn.
After our day of kayaking, we had dinner at Buddy V’s. As you can see there are no pictures of dinner I promise we ate it but we really enjoyed the drinks and dessert. I totally had to include the picture on the bottom right of me pointing at the High Roller - there was just something so silly. I think half of the time in pictures I am not cooperating with Elizabeth and this is what she ends up with.
On our second day we ended up going to the pool. Unfortunately, the Excalibur is not a super great casino and could use a little help. The pool had quite a few people which inherently isn’t the problem. It really came down to cleanliness - the pool seemed to have a film on the top which I hoped was sunscreen that made bubbles on the edges. I was not a fan. On the upside it was affordable!
Lunch we had reservations at Hell’s Kitchen. It was everything you would have expected - amazing service, food, and atmosphere. Next up we went on the High Roller and paid extra for the Happy Half Hour. For a little more money, you can get bottomless drinks for the full half hour on the high roller. I think we all got 5 or 6 each. Was a very affordable & fun way to get drunk on the strip they just loaded up a small bar and rolled it in with you. Looking back at these photos I thought that Elizabeth was trying to hold my head up in the photo. She had reminded me that at this time we had quite a few drinks already and I was worried about a double chin since the angle was not flattering.
On our last full day, we ended up walking over 7 miles on the strip checking out casinos and shopping. Our first stop was the New York-New York to ride the roller coaster. I was shocked that there were no lines to ride. We ended up right behind a couple who were super high - it was comical listening to the panic and sheer terror. In our wandering came upon the Beerhaus and ended up playing Jenga out on their patio area. It was nice to get out of the sun and my feet appreciated the break.
We ended our evening at the Tropicana Hotel to see a comedy show. I wouldn’t be surprised if this hotel closed sooner rather than later. It was eerily empty and in poor condition. Dinner was a huge disappointment at Robert Irvine’s I would not recommend going. They tried to separate the dining area from the entryway with curtains and every time the door would open the curtains would blow into your food.
Before our flight home, I begged Elizabeth to go to RuPaul’s Drag Brunch at Señor Frogs. The food was not good but who goes here for the food? We went for the drag show and bottomless mimosas. The show was amazing! I couldn’t dream of doing half of what those Queens did. Was totally worth the experience.
If there would be any lesson I learned is to not waste my time with the tram. We thought that it would save us from all the walking but I think it added to our walking and confusion. I swear they hide the entrances in the casinos so that you get lost and buy things. All in all, we got to enjoy kayaking, amazing food, drinks, comedy, and drag queens. I couldn’t ask for a better trip with my best friend.
