I am planning my next trip to LAS VEGAS, Nevada! Ok, in all honesty, I am always thinking about planning my next trip. Last year was my most visits ever in a year with 8 separate trips to LV including a one day (no night) trip and a 4 night trip… and many in between. What do I have planned for 2020? I usually do a spring and a fall trip for 3 nights with my awesome and supportive wife. Maybe do a summer trip with the guys and also planning an NCAA basketball (and catch a Knight’s game) weekend with the guys. What else? What am I working on now? I am working on yet another 24 hours in Vegas trip. Let me explain my process….
Like anything it’s the five W’s – WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and sometimes HOW!?
WHO
Ok, well we know I am going and like always I’ll invite my beautiful and awesome wife. However, she already declined the next trip. What I heard was “I am agreeable to our two trips a year and you can go whenever you want that makes you happy.” I am sure she said other words but I am focusing on “you can go whenever you want.” So here I am planning…. My boy Danny, aka: Mr. Roper, can get off work as long as Mrs. Roper is ok with it as his job is managing some rental units they own. Heck, can always postpone stuff for 24 hours right!? So I’ll ask Danny to go.
WHAT
I am not sure the answer to the WHAT but I wanted to post about the 5 W’s so here I am talking about WHAT. I guess the what is A TRIP TO VEGAS! Or maybe it’s A TRIP TO FANTASYLAND!? Or maybe it’s A TRIP TO A PLACE FAR FAR AWAY!? Heck, I don’t know.
WHERE
Oh crap, this 5 W’s thing is not really working. We already said we are going to Vegas. I suppose the WHERE could be WHERE SPECIFICALLY!? So for example this will be a trip to the strip in Las Vegas. Which part of the strip though!? Also which hotel!? Going to a Knights game is center to the trip and I want to get some Mlife credit so am thinking either Park MGM or NYNY. My thinking is this is a trip with a college buddy so cheap room, centrally located, with a casino is the key. Both Park and NYNY check all the boxes. I have actually never stayed at NYNY but the location is great and they have lots of good restaurants in and near it such as Gonzalez y Gonzalez (is that a law firm or a Mexican restaurant?) which has great table-side guacamole!
WHEN
I am looking at February as I already have a trip planned for March and for April. So this is the February jaunt. I am eye-balling a couple different dates based on how much Southwest wants, how much the hotels want, and how much my Vegas Knights ticket source wants for the duckets. Narrowing it down to Feb. 20 or 26th. A Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightening or a Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. A couple observations and considerations:
- Generally Thursdays are more party nights than Wednesday but in Vegas it really doesn’t matter. It’s a night so it’s a party!
- Playing a Canadian team feels more like real hockey.
- Playing a Canadian team means Mr. Golden Pipes will sing two national anthems and that guy can belt it out!
- Oilers are in our conference so the game is worth more.
- Hmmmmmmm….
WHY
Why because we like you! Heck, I don’t know why!? WHY NOT? Isn’t that really the answer anybody says “why are you going to Vegas?” You really should never have to ask WHY! Let’s highlight what 24 hours in Vegas will likely include:
- One hour flight each way so no big deal.
- Tropical Passion iced tea at Coffee Bean in the airport.
- Gourmet dinner – maybe at a crazy buffet.
- Gambling in world’s best casinos.
- Energy and vibe waiting outside to go into the hockey game is off the charts!
- Las Vegas Knights hockey game which is truly EPIC.
- After (win) vibe is even better than the before game vibe!
- More gambling in world’s best casinos.
- “Free” drinks while gambling.
- Late night snack at some fun place like Shake Shack!?
- Stay at world class hotel for under $100 (mid-week).
- Wake up and get Lox Eggs and Onions or incredible gluten free french toast.
- Drop a few more bucks in the video poker machine.
- 5 minute cab ride to airport.
- Another Tropical Passion iced tea at the airport (oh that crushed ice).
- Hour’ish flight and I am back in the great state of NorCal.
So again I say WHY NOT!?
HOW
I never fully got the HOW. It’s called the “5 W’s” not the “5 W’s plus an H.” Hmmmmmmm…..
So, it’s time to purchase a plane ticket and book a hotel room.
Let’s goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!