NEWSLETTER NUMBER TWO

With summer just around the corner, it seems to me that we should begin planning for:

December

But then, that’s just me.

There are not many room deals in Vegas just yet. But there are some ways you might want to begin planning if you think you still might like going to the Moveable Feast Birthday Bash.

Some of you have already decided on an area where you’d like to stay, but others might like looking at various areas and making that decision.

It may also be a time to decide when you are going. I am there from about December 4th until December 27th. For some of that time I will want to wander over to the Colorado River to Laughlin, but I’ll want to decide that late in the planning and go when you are not in Vegas. Otherwise I will be at the Orleans or probably staying downtown simply because that will be where I get the best room deals. I expect that by the time all the five boys arrive, closer to Christmas, we will all be at the Orleans, a comfortable midsized casino just off the strip.

Wherever I stay, I can easily meet you anywhere, so you can stay anywhere. If you are new to Vegas, staying somewhere near the strip is probably the best choice.

What I’d like to do is start a calendar of the dates people plan on coming and post that on the Blog so those of you who would like to meet up with other people can see what they are thinking. I only use first names on the Blog, so if you don't know who someone is, e-mail me and I'll tell you.

The only real event in December is the National Rodeo Finals. The NRF is to rodeo what the World Series is to baseball. It runs in from late November and ends December 9th. During this time, cowboys from all over the country take over Vegas. There is country music everywhere and the lounges are filled with what looks like a Western costume party, but is the authentic thing. On big screens you can go and watch bull riding, packed in with the cowboys and hear all the whooping and the comments on techniques and details. Some places are starting to advertise some rodeo specials where you get rooms and rodeo tickets for a set price. If you are interested in seeing that, let me know.

Otherwise the town gets quiet. That may discourage some people, but most folks our age enjoy less traffic and fewer people and no lines at the best buffets. Some shows go dark, but others have more tickets available, so it is a tradeoff.

One thing not to plan is pool time. Vegas is not a winter escape into warmth. It is cool enough that the outdoor pools, even if heated, are a bit uncomfortable and while the pansies will still be blooming, you will need a light jacket in the evening. There are a few hotels with heated pools, so if that is crucial I can steer you in that direction, but generally it is not time to sunbathe with lots of bikinis.

I think it is a bit too early yet to lock in airfare. Southwest has not yet begun to book for December and when I did a search, I thought fares a bit high.

But I have included a good airfare search engine in the links section of the birthday blog. It is the ITA software engine used by Expedia and has more options, listing everything flying except the small carriers like Southwest and Jetblue.

Deciding which dates you would like to travel will prepare you for grabbing some of those fine Southwest direct flights as soon as they become available. The advantage of that direct route is not just that it is shorter and less of a hassle, but it has no layovers in wintersnow cities, so as long as you can get out of Albany and back in again, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck or delayed in places like Chicago.

I once went out on time in a January snowstorm, when almost everyone else was stranded (even Washington airport was closed. Southwest was crippled ; it is their hub) but not the flight directly to Vegas. I also like it because it gives me time to pack the day I leave and the time change still gives me a full evening in Las Vegas. It then leaves in the afternoon in Vegas and arrives near midnight here, making the time transition a bit easier for work the next day. I also like to pick my seat and pack my bags once and know my luggage is riding with me. I have never had lost luggage on this flight, only on those where I had to change aircraft at the layover.

It is never too early to lock in a rental car. Sometimes I lock in three or four until the last week and then cancel the ones I do not need to use. Most do not take a credit card, so making a reservation really means locking in a price for yourself. Whether or not to have a car in Vegas is a decision to make also. It is a huge place, so hopping from one spot to another is advantageous. It will not be difficult to drive there in December, and parking is a dream. You can Free Valet park at most casinos for a dollar tip.

On the other hand rental cars may not be what you want. Click here to see just why.

So buses are pretty good if a bit slow at times. A 24 hour (from time of purchase) day pass can be bought right from the driver. It lets you get on and off the double decker “Deuce” bus along the strip and is good on any Vegas bus too, so if you wanted to ride off the strip, you could. Buses along the strip come about every 20 minutes.

A number of you have let me know you are serious about coming. If you have a set time, or know you are definitely coming, let me know. And, serious or not, I’ll be glad to plan any part of even an imaginary trip or answer any questions you have. Each of these newsletters, as well as going by e-mail is also posted in the Blog along with some pretty good permanent links there to explore.

Hope to hear from you soon. Enjoy this summer weather.

Dew