Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
Times are a-changin. In this new COVID world, we can either stay safe at home, or take appropriate precautions and live life while we still have it. When the Zombies planned to return to Las Vegas for our 10-12th time (I'm writing this in Vegas, so don't have the exact number with me) COVID popped up and shut everything down. As things reopened, this was a chance to venture out and see what the new world was like. So here we are, in Vegas letting you all know what the world outside is like, and more importantly, if it is even worth it.
We flew Southwest. They bounced our flight times around like a keno ball. I don't even need to play keno to know that it misses more than it hits, and our nonstop mid-day flight becomes an early morning trip changing planes in Denver. The only good thing about a 2 hour layover in Denver at 8 am, is the bartender makes a good breakfast martini.
Everyone on the flight was required to wear a mask. I'm good with this. @Mrs Poker Zombie made us some extremely comfortable masks that you can wear all day. Even better, Southwest is socially distancing their flights, so the middle seat is always left open. I know Delta and some other flights are not doing that, so Southwest for the win.
Unfortunately, Southwest has temporarily moved away from serving on the flights. You can get ice water or nothing, so the cupholders on the inflight table wound up holding water. Now that breakfast martini doesn't sound so crazy, right?
Landing in Las Vegas, it quickly becomes apparent that they take mask wearing more seriously. The governor has mandated wearing them. Back home, I've heard someone say "They cant make me wear a mask, this isn't communist China". I told him they "Then they can't make me wear pants either!" and I unbuttoned my fly. He was uncomfortable with that, the same way I'm uncomfortable around a non-mask wearing public. In Vegas, it looks like I will be quite comfortable, as the airport has close to 99.5% mask wearing compliance.
The shuttle to the car rental facility is also socially distanced. An employee counts off the people in line making sure each bus is only about 50% full. They appear to be running twice an many busses as usual to make up the difference. The wait time is about the same as usual, but I have to admit that the number of people in the airport, while still busy, was not nearly as busy as I've seen it on other 4th of July weeks.
This trip was originally planned to see some parts of Vegas we have not often experienced, including some far off strip properties and restaurants. Our first stop, Chicago Joe's. Unfortunately, this old school italian eatery has been hit hard by COIVD and is closed. There is a sign saying they will be back, so we will only hope it's here on our next trip, but the grounds look largely uncared for.
I have a fall-back plan. A gastropub that helped inspire the Martini Lounge chip set, The Martini. Deep leather chairs, warm wood tones, well spaced tables, and perfect drinks.
A sign on the door said masks were required for entry. It felt weird as I'm taking it off to eat, but I get it. Tennessee doesn't mandate it, and mask wearing compliance is closer to 15% there. I'm actually safer in Las Vegas than I am in a Tennessee grocery store.
For our foodies like @detroitdad , @FordPickup92 ,@toothpic , and @RocAFella1 (among others) I'll post these here and tag you, rather than reposting (which is bad) in the dinner thread.
After lunch, we checked into out hotel. We originally planned to stay at the Red Rock, but since they haven't reopened their poker room, we changed our plans to go to the South Point. South Point also made a drastic slash to their resort fee ($14/night), so that made the decision easier.
The South Point has bowling. I'm a bad bowler, but I'll lose less money here than on poker. (Pics may be added later). Even though the closest people to us were 6 lanes away, masks were still required. They also sanitize their balls after each use. If @WedgeRock doesn't figure out another use for that line, call 9-1-1.
We also get in a little video poker. Very little, but enough that we both finished up. $2.50, combined. Look we're not high rollers, we're scientists doing a sociological study and trip report.
Dinner takes us into Vegas' little known Chinatown. I love this place. So many options, and unlike "regular" Asian restaurants. We went to Kung-Fu Thai Restaurant. Very few non-asian people here. I almost expect to see people heading into the backroom to a secret gambling parlor. Unfortunately, I am too interested in my food to notice the secret nod/handshake.
We did walk by the Craps tables. I was tempted to play, because the chips appeared very, very clean (but worn). I will try to save my craps money until I get to the Paris. I hope to see some racks of Paris $1s in my future.
Day 1 analysis: Nearly everyone here takes the mask wearing seriously. The governor's order is only a week or so old, so it's too soon to determine if it will lower the number of COVID cases, and I won't be here in a month to determine if lazy human behavior makes masks less common. But for now, measures are being taken, and followed, even in the friggin' Walgreens, where we stopped for some bottled waters.
We flew Southwest. They bounced our flight times around like a keno ball. I don't even need to play keno to know that it misses more than it hits, and our nonstop mid-day flight becomes an early morning trip changing planes in Denver. The only good thing about a 2 hour layover in Denver at 8 am, is the bartender makes a good breakfast martini.
Everyone on the flight was required to wear a mask. I'm good with this. @Mrs Poker Zombie made us some extremely comfortable masks that you can wear all day. Even better, Southwest is socially distancing their flights, so the middle seat is always left open. I know Delta and some other flights are not doing that, so Southwest for the win.
Unfortunately, Southwest has temporarily moved away from serving on the flights. You can get ice water or nothing, so the cupholders on the inflight table wound up holding water. Now that breakfast martini doesn't sound so crazy, right?
Landing in Las Vegas, it quickly becomes apparent that they take mask wearing more seriously. The governor has mandated wearing them. Back home, I've heard someone say "They cant make me wear a mask, this isn't communist China". I told him they "Then they can't make me wear pants either!" and I unbuttoned my fly. He was uncomfortable with that, the same way I'm uncomfortable around a non-mask wearing public. In Vegas, it looks like I will be quite comfortable, as the airport has close to 99.5% mask wearing compliance.
The shuttle to the car rental facility is also socially distanced. An employee counts off the people in line making sure each bus is only about 50% full. They appear to be running twice an many busses as usual to make up the difference. The wait time is about the same as usual, but I have to admit that the number of people in the airport, while still busy, was not nearly as busy as I've seen it on other 4th of July weeks.
This trip was originally planned to see some parts of Vegas we have not often experienced, including some far off strip properties and restaurants. Our first stop, Chicago Joe's. Unfortunately, this old school italian eatery has been hit hard by COIVD and is closed. There is a sign saying they will be back, so we will only hope it's here on our next trip, but the grounds look largely uncared for.
I have a fall-back plan. A gastropub that helped inspire the Martini Lounge chip set, The Martini. Deep leather chairs, warm wood tones, well spaced tables, and perfect drinks.
A sign on the door said masks were required for entry. It felt weird as I'm taking it off to eat, but I get it. Tennessee doesn't mandate it, and mask wearing compliance is closer to 15% there. I'm actually safer in Las Vegas than I am in a Tennessee grocery store.
For our foodies like @detroitdad , @FordPickup92 ,@toothpic , and @RocAFella1 (among others) I'll post these here and tag you, rather than reposting (which is bad) in the dinner thread.
After lunch, we checked into out hotel. We originally planned to stay at the Red Rock, but since they haven't reopened their poker room, we changed our plans to go to the South Point. South Point also made a drastic slash to their resort fee ($14/night), so that made the decision easier.
The South Point has bowling. I'm a bad bowler, but I'll lose less money here than on poker. (Pics may be added later). Even though the closest people to us were 6 lanes away, masks were still required. They also sanitize their balls after each use. If @WedgeRock doesn't figure out another use for that line, call 9-1-1.
We also get in a little video poker. Very little, but enough that we both finished up. $2.50, combined. Look we're not high rollers, we're scientists doing a sociological study and trip report.
Dinner takes us into Vegas' little known Chinatown. I love this place. So many options, and unlike "regular" Asian restaurants. We went to Kung-Fu Thai Restaurant. Very few non-asian people here. I almost expect to see people heading into the backroom to a secret gambling parlor. Unfortunately, I am too interested in my food to notice the secret nod/handshake.
We did walk by the Craps tables. I was tempted to play, because the chips appeared very, very clean (but worn). I will try to save my craps money until I get to the Paris. I hope to see some racks of Paris $1s in my future.
Day 1 analysis: Nearly everyone here takes the mask wearing seriously. The governor's order is only a week or so old, so it's too soon to determine if it will lower the number of COVID cases, and I won't be here in a month to determine if lazy human behavior makes masks less common. But for now, measures are being taken, and followed, even in the friggin' Walgreens, where we stopped for some bottled waters.
Attachments
Last edited:
it really is beautiful
