A weekend getaway... to Vegas!

Happy almost-weekend, everyone! This past weekend, I drove four-and-a-half hours to Las Vegas to meet up with some Seattle friends, Brittany (a roommate from college) and Erin (who I met at Britt's wedding last year). They were in town to see a Garth Brooks concert and when Brittany told me about it a few weeks ago, I didn't want to pass up the chance to revisit Vegas or catch up with an old friend, even if it did mean driving almost 600-miles roundtrip, alone, in my beat-up car. (We both happily survived!)

It was a quick-but-completely-awesome trip, from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, and ever since getting home I've been recovering, working and battling a cold that I thought was getting better but struck back with a vengeance last night. Turns out Brittany and Erin have also had colds since Tuesday, which means we all must have caught the bug in Sin City. Even still, I'd say it was totally worth it!

These were the girls to go to Vegas with. We spent most of our time dancing, drinking, shopping and all-around being girly. Absolutely no gambling. In my book, that's the way to do Vegas up right! We even went to a "show." But more on that in a minute...

I'd like to share a few more pictures and stories, if you'd like to see and hear...

We stayed at the Trump International Hotel, which is located on the northern end of the Strip. We had a fabulous suite on the 57th floor with a kitchenette (not that we really used it; room service, on the other hand, we took full advantage of), a couch that pulled-out into a queen bed (which I slept on), and a view of the Strip! You have to imagine this view all lit up and glamorous at night time. Of course the only problem with being on one end of the Strip is you have to cab it everywhere! But at least we didn't have to hike all over Vegas in our heels, either.

And I can't forget to mention this. Our room was so fabulous and the bathroom so fancy that there was even a TV in the mirror! Hilarious. Even more so when I turned it on and it was tuned to the Disney Channel.

Friday night we got our groove on at Mix Lounge at THEhotel. The club is located at the top of THEhotel--which is part of the Mandalay Bay-- and this is us on the terrace overlooking all the sparkling casinos. My drink of choice, of course, was a vodka cranberry.

Now, that show I told you about? Well, Erin loves cowboys (and Britt and I really couldn't argue with her; who doesn't love a man in a Stetson?) so on Saturday we went to the Professional Bull Riding Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center! Can you believe it? That's not your typical Vegas activity, but it was actually a good time. (Minus the scarily-steep seating. I have an unnatural fear of bleachers. Don't ask me why, I just do. Practically had a panic attack climbing to our seats.)

The bulls got the best of most riders, throwing them off within a few seconds.

But some cowboys hung on for an impressively long time! Unfortunately, the dude who rode the best was injured when he was finally flung from the bull-- he landed on his back-- but we were told later that the injuries weren't serious. Thank goodness.

Though it wasn't initially my idea of a good time, I have to say I'm glad Erin made us go watch PBR. Like my bestie told me later, how many of my friends can say they've done that?

Later that night, the girls and I went out to LAX Nightclub at the Luxor, which had a much bigger dance floor than Mix and I believe a much younger crowd, too! (The Jabbawockeez and Criss Angel were there, as well.) It was a good time and we didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning... This picture is one I snapped of us still looking fresh faced, waiting at the bar for our first drink.

Sunday morning I took Britt and Erin to the airport and then got on the road. I took this shot while driving the 15, near Hesperia, I think. There was a huge cloud hugging the mountain in front of me, and I later drove literally straight through it. Once I got on the other side, the sky had turned from sunny to dark and gloomy.

When I got home, I literally passed out. There really is no other way to end a trip to Vegas.

There you have it, the recap of my exciting getaway to fabulous Las Vegas. Funny thing is, I have absolutely no plans for Halloween. No costume either. Hopefully I'll get over this cold and make some plans. Till then, tell me what you'll be up to this October 31. And you know what I really want to know: what are you dressing up as?