I could almost copy and paste our ten-year anniversary trip at this point because they were so similar. Again we stayed at a beautiful resort. This one was called Red Rock. Matt knew about it from a work stay earlier this year. He was correct that it was right up my alley with its unique furnishings and contemporary flair. Upon checking in we learned however that we would only be able to stay two of the nights there and that we would be transferred to JW Marriott for our last night. We were told that the owner of the resort had passed away unexpectedly and his memorial service would be held at this resort, which would house all the employees who would be flying in. They said they would cover the cost of the third night as well as give us a $50 credit for the resort so who were we to complain? Besides, the receptionist had the most beautiful accent that would make any plea-bargain seem appealing. I couldn’t stop imitating that accent on the elevator ride but it went very well with the swanky music.
The room held the snacks and waters that we have learned are not complimentary but we have never seen a system so high tech as to charge your room if the item is off the sensor for more than a matter of seconds. I read the card saying so while Matt had one in his hand- he promptly put it back! Our room was up high and held a far off view of the strip, which is the only way it appears attractive.
We had dinner that night at an Italian Restaurant in the resort that was DIVINE. I have always wished that Matt and I shared the same palette and opinion as to what is tasty (mental image of feeding each other oysters). He humored me however and at least tasted the unusual appetizer of marinated olives, Italian cheese, and roasted peppers but I was the one to polish it off. I love to take in the ambiance of a restaurant and this one did not disappoint. Above each table hung a light fixture comprising of a single lampshade but it was as oversized as it could be and made quite a statement. I appreciated that I could see the chef’s in their tall hats and half expected to see the shadow of Ratatouille. The table was comprised of simple white linens and a candle, but why do we ALWAYS get the tippy table no matter where we are???
We walked around the pool area afterwards till we were shoed away and told that it was CLOSED (as if having to go around the rope hadn’t told us that). We thanked the employee and I felt I was back at Thanksgiving point asking for forgiveness instead of permission.
Day two was spent at the OPEN pool. Matt took no offense that I was deeply engrossed in the final Harry Potter while he read the paper. A gender bending couple came and parked it next to us who wasn’t asking for permission OR forgiveness.
Once cleaned up we dined at Ruth’s Chris compliments of a gift card. Again I was amazed at how dark it was when we walked in but by the time we finished eating, our eyes had adjusted and then we could barely open our eyes back out in the bright sunlight.
During dinner Matt texted to see how things were at home. Mallerie had gone with a friend to back-to-school night and they were overjoyed to be in the same class. She had also signed me up to be Miss Fun for her classroom. Hmmm. Katrina said all was going well at home and we felt grateful to have capable kids. This was magnified in an email from Ashley when we got back. She was so sweet to praise the kids on their independence. She wrote that she and Cade came in from work to find the girls busily making dinner with cheerful attitudes and a Taylor Swift song blaring (perhaps it went so well because we had the boys in Provo at Lindsey’s). Anyway, when I got her email after the trip it just really made my day!
Later that night we saw Donny and Marie’s show at the Flamingo. It was very entertaining with all the ribbing you can imagine from Marie (tongue in cheek). Donny sure is a performer and he stole the show. He had us laughing quite hard at several parts. We were aware of the very MATURE crowd we were there with. I’m talking elastic wasted chambray pants mature. Marie has embarked on a new career path as an opera singer and the sample she shared was very beautiful. I was surprised how great she sounded live. I always like watching a live band play and though we weren’t sure if some of the songs were original or not, we acted like their biggest fans. Why not. We bought the picture that was taken of us and it turned out to be a good thing because like I said on FB our memory card never produced the rest of the pictures we took of our trip. Wa wa waaaaa.
One of us did not put on suscreen at the pool...
We must be getting older ourselves because even though the fountains are beautiful we wondered if it’s worth being in the filth of the strip to see it. Matt pointed out that the natural man is out of control in that city. Everyone is looking for immediate gratification of some kind dulling their spirit all the while. It was a good reminder that earth life is to learn control of any weakness we may have.
It seemed like we couldn’t get to the Las Vegas Temple fast enough the next day!
How great it is to be in a foreign city and have a place you can feel at home. I’ve felt it in Florida, California, New York, Hawaii, and now Nevada. For some reason I’ve never even driven out to that temple before. It looks like a big church. If our pictures had turned out I would post one here of us posing in front of the temple pretending not to be bothered by the 113-degree heat!
Before checking out of Red Rock we enjoyed Breakfast at the Café. I went for it and ordered the big breakfast; we’re talking the works. Matt doubted I could eat it all and was dumbfounded when I polished it off and still requested a Black and White. He couldn’t even finish his breakfast when I didn’t even feel that full afterwards. The lady ringing up our tab noted the Black and White, “You must be from the east.” I told her we weren’t but that we had been to NY enough times to fall in love with those Black and Whites. Side note: I looked them up online once to order and was discouraged to see that it was $50 for a dozen. Come on, it’s black and white, not gold and silver!
Our last nights dinner was provided by yet another gift card this time to the Cheesecake Factory. Mmmm. I love sitting outside and insisted we do so. Yet as we sat there on the patio in the dark night we were still so hot. That’s because it was still 94-degrees!
We saw Juie and Julia afterwards. I loved it. You can tell how much Matt caters to me on trips like these, but he seemed to enjoy it to. I think the relationship portrayed between Julia and her husband is so sweet. I have one of those guys in my own life and I hope I don’t take it for granted. The gal at the ticket booth had a strong Asian accent that was broken up through the tinny mic. Her words came out sounding much more like a clicking duck, “Bok, bok, déc, déc.” This time it was Matt who couldn’t stop imitating this unusual accent and would respond with such whenever I leaned over with a comment.
The drive to and from Vegas was pretty uneventful, except I do still laugh at one thing: We were listening to the radio when Matt started singing along, “I’m a little bit rusty…” I said, “You know, you really have a nice singing voice.” He kept singing the song, which actually didn’t sound so great. I reneged, “Actually it just sounded good when you were singing that one line.” The rest of our drive home resulted in sudden outbursts of, “I’m a little bit rusty!” sung in his prettiest voice. I could barely relate this incident to the kids when we got back for two reasons; 1) I was laughing and 2) I couldn’t remember the line he had sung. He was out doing yard work so I went on the porch and called, “What was that line you kept singing on the way back from Vegas?” I heard music from the bushes, “I’m a little bit rusty!!!”
Here’s to the next fifteen and beyond.
