Monday, January 23, 2012

a most memorable getaway...

The bags were packed...and we left for the airport. I knew only that where I was headed it was warm in the daytime and cool at night...and to bring along some nice clothes. 'Like what you would wear for a wedding.'  Hmmm. 

We had to be going south...since I live in one of the mildest spots in Canada...and it was anything but warm! We left home before the blizzard closed the roads.  Just before we checked in at the airport...Marg and I finally found out where we were off to.


Two Canadian girls...celebrating a milestone birthday...were on their way to Las Vegas to hear the Canadian Celine Dion in concert. 


We had a little too much time to spend at YVR before boarding...and found these jackets which seemed just perfect for the trip.  And they were! We could always be spotted in the sea of black jackets.


Before the 'jacket shopping' spree...we enjoyed a cup of Tim Horton's coffee at YVR compliments of our friend Betty.  Thanks, Betty...from all of us!

So how exactly would we spend a few days in Vegas...if we don't gamble?  Here's how...

We spent an entire day touring the city...doing the open top bus tour...and learning about the history, the architecture and all else Vegas. Who would have known that they have more than 300 days of sunshine...or that the construction of the Hoover Dam was what really put this city on the map...or that most of the 10 biggest hotels in the world are situated in Vegas? We checked out many of them. We spent a day driving about the countryside...visiting the Red Rock Canyon.  We rode to the top of the Eiffel Tower (Paris Las Vegas)...enjoyed the views...and sampled some fabulous French desserts in their restaurant. We had lunch at a sidewalk bistro and basked in the sunshine while watching the crowds of people passing by. We enjoyed Italian, Chinese and French cuisine...and American of course.

And on our final evening, we took in the concert that we came for. It was a great way to end our stay...most special!  There is a good reason she is the best-selling Canadian artist of all time. Since my camera was under safekeeping in 'guest relations' at the Coliseum at Caesar's Palace throughout the concert...I don't really have proof that we were actually there. They didn't seem to think Marg's camera needed confiscating...so she may have a few pictures that she is willing to share. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the 'No cameras allowed inside' sign. I rationalized that there was no way they could take my camera...since most all of the concert goers had cell phones cameras on their being. They searched bags...and allowed most ticket holders through with a warning not to photograph the concert. I was not so lucky!

We packed so much into our time there...and stayed up far too late every night. The games that we had brought along to play in our downtime were never unpacked...the books remained closed...and we never checked out the gym or the pool deck at our hotel. Oh...and we never went shopping!  And who knew one could visit LasVegas without leaving one cent in the casino?  That part was easy!  We saw the highlights of Vegas...and turned a blind eye to those things that give the city it's reputation.


We had a most memorable sixtieth birthday.  Thanks guys!  I'll take you on the city tour one of these days.

We arrived home on Saturday evening...quite curious as to what we would find.  After a week of blizzards, blowing snow, and then freezing rain...the temperature was a balmy 7°C in the Fraser Valley and the snow was rapidly turning to slush.  Thankfully, Jeremy had cleared a path into our yard...or we would have been stranded on the road. 


As for the sidewalks...they were under huge drifts.


The front and back doors to the house were inaccessible...so we entered through the garage.  Sunday was a day of rest...and today we will shovel.

And that is a synopsis of my comings and goings last week.  Thank-you so much...all my blogging friends...for the kind wishes and messages you sent my way.  Oh...and being sixty is just fine.  So far!

20 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a terrific birthday celebration! Now I'm curious to see what city you girls would pick to take the guys on a tour of...

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  2. Oh Judy, what fun you had! Lovely that you were both celebrating the same birthday!

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  3. Looks like you had a wonderful time! Welcome to the 60's club!!! Quite the snow storm you must have had there - great pictures.

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  4. What special guys to do something so unique and fun! It sounds like a great trip.

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  5. I love Vegas and never gamble - the people-show, the shopping, the sights - it's a great short-break destination. What a treat that must have been for you two.....I'll be following in your footsteps soon to that milestone birthday.

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  6. I could hardly sleep last night in anticipation of today's post. OK...that is stretching it a bit but your blog was my first stop...and I love how you tell the story.
    It looks like the most wonderful time!

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  7. Well at least now I know what it's like to celebrate a 60th and truly what a celebration of friendship over the past 40 years, which is not to be taken for granted.
    It was truly an honor to celebrate this coming year with the wonderful music of Celine Dion and wonderful friends.
    I'm still digging myself out from under my pile.

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  8. Sounds like your guys planned a fun surprise for you girls. Such fun! I went to a Celine Dion concert in Vancouver.....it was amazing!

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  9. What a fun trip! Tim lived in Las Vegas as a child and we've always wanted to go visit there, but didn't know if there would be anything to do, since we don't gamble. But this is inspiring me to look up tickets!

    What a great way to begin a new decade!

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  10. While you were having fun in Las Vegas, I was sitting in my comfy chair with my lap top, nursing a cold/flu thing. I found the BEST medicine...your blog. I have read pretty much all of it and I'm sure that's the reason I am finally feeling better. Thank you! Love your blog!

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  11. That's quite a contrast between huge snow drifts and Las Vegas! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. And what fun to celebrate with your best friend, the more the merrier, as they say.

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  12. Your hubbies sure surprised you with a fun getaway. Glad you had that time to shop at the airport - you look great in the new jackets! The Celine concert must have been the icing on the cake. I've heard it's fabulous! Welcome home and hope all that snow melts before too long!

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  13. What a bang up birthday ya'll had and I have to say I'm turnin' a ugly color green here.

    Celine...really!!!! Does it get any better than that!

    I enter the 60's club in September...woohoo!!!

    God bless ya'll and have a beautiful week!!!

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  14. ahh...you girls are beautiful with your jackets and your roses!
    Glad you had a wonderful memorable trip and proved that Las Vegas has a lot more to offer besides gambling!
    Your snow yard is still amazing me!

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  15. Such a great way to enjoy the big birthday! And to do it with (practically) a lifetime friend, even better! Too bad you could not take pictures at the concert.
    You've seen al kinds of weather within a few days. Kind of crazy!

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  16. So glad you had a wonderful trip. The doctor I work for took the office to LV a few years ago. We went to Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. We had a great time visiting the hotels and being amazed at their grandness! We were there for 3 days and we didn't leave any cash in the casinos either! :-)

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  17. WOW! I can't get over the large drift of snow at your front door, Judy!

    I'm so glad you and Marg and your husbands had a wonderful time in Las Vegas for your 60th birthdays!

    I've visited Las Vegas twice and also enjoyed it although we are not gamblers. The first time we went we drove with my husband's sister and her husband from Phoenix, Arizona and saw the most interesting topography along the way and also stopped at the Hoover Dam. One the drive home we took a wrong turn and ended driving through a portion of the amazing Mojave desert in California -- we will forget that trip! The next time my husband had a business conference in Vegas and we first flew to Colorado to visit our kids. While he worked I went to a few interesting exhibits, one of which was "The Body" exhibit. I'd love to go back again to see a concert...sorry you couldn't take your camera in.

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  18. Celebrate the big ones in style - and you sure know how. Sounds like a fab birthday in great company.

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  19. Woooo Hooooo! what a party! And what drifts! Aren't you glad you went somewhere warm instead?! The jackets are rockin' awesome...it's the Bobsey Twins!

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  20. Good to see you all enjoying your coffee..sharing is always fun!
    Great pics and good fun!

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson