Las Vegas

Hot and I ventured out west to Sin City for Thanksgiving. Most people's responses to our telling them our Thanksgiving plans was a dash of shock, sprinkled wth awe. Las Vegas isn't exactly your traditional Thanksgiving getaway. But those same people would swing towards approval once we informed them that Vegas becomes my annual familial round-up locale. I guess it's not as a sinful if you're there with the fam.

There is plenty to do in Las Vegas. Especially if your girlfriend is an olympic medalist speed walker. One day we walked over 11 miles. I complained and she just kept on walking. But thanks to her we did get to experience classic Vegas.

Casinos: With stops at Ceasars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Mirage, Bellagio, Paris, the glitz can be a bit overwhelming. It's all so ornate and over the top. From the gondolas on the canals at the Venetian to the moving statues in the Forum at Caesars, it's all very intense.

Stratosphere: This is one of the highlights of the trip. Go through one of the lamest casinos on the strip to get to one of the coolest spots on the strip, the top of the Stratosphere. We strapped ourselves into a seat and this thing shot us straight up in the air a couple of times. You go weightless for a couple of seconds and the ride is well worth the $15 we spent on it. The view from the top is incredible.

Cirque: Now when my parents got me tickets to see Cirque de Soleil's Love, I was less than thrilled. However, those Cirque people are incredible. It was a blast, dare I even say balst? I was thoroughly entertained the entire show. If you have never seen Cirque, click on this link to buy tickets now. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

Gambling: There are 7 million different ways to lose money in Las Vegas. I think next time I'll just go up to my hotel room, pull out my cash and light it on fire a split second before I drop it in the toilet and flush it.

Family: Not usually a part of the Vegas experience but it was wonderful getting to see some family I don't see very often and spend a few days with Hot.