My Operation Tally Ho Vegas Adventure

I joined Operation Tally Ho with a mixture of excitement and a bit of nervousness.  Being a loyal online follower of Bratt’s Big Adventure I was super excited to join their life on the road, and I was thrilled to spend 11 days with BFF Bree.  On the other hand, I sometimes have a small space issue that I never remember being too severe until I am in a tiny space and need out immediately.  I figured all would be just fine and worst case I would be surrounded by hotels I could retreat to if need be.  Bree also helped to ease all my worries.  Although I couldn’t quite sit up in the Presidential Suite like she had said, it was pretty spacious (in 24′ RV terms) and I was quite comfortable for the majority of my stay.

There was one very minor claustrophobic freak out in the midst of the Vegas Heat Lock Down of 2011, but I retreated to the squelching heat and fresh hot air outside for a brief period and then was more then happy to jump back in luxurious, refreshing, cool Dolly.  There is nothing like +100* heat to put everything in perspective.  Although there were many classic fun Vegas moments on this trip, let’s start with the once in a lifetime June Circus Circus RV living experience. Yes, you heard right, once in a lifetime!

Vegas in June is hot!  I have been in Vegas in the summer but didn’t ever truly experience how hot it was wandering through the uuber air conditioned casinos, venturing out for a dip in the pool, or into an air conditioned cab to get to the next artificially cooled location.  Living in the RV park you get a much better feel for what desert heat is truly like and the constant hum of the air conditioner trying to keep up with the sun pelting down on Dolly won’t let you forget.  Although the heat provided for a few grumpy moments, it also provided for many classic memories.

Our first adventure was a short walk to grab some caffeine and a bite to eat.  First stop, Starbucks.  My Around Me Ap informed me of all the Starbucks within yards of spot 590 in the RV Park.  Seems close right?  No!  We were so close, blocks away and it was so miserable that I nixed the ice coffee run, and we headed straight for the sandwich shop. The whole time I was eating the most delicious pastrami sandwich, I was thinking how we could shorten the walk home.  Surely there was a more direct path.  Dolly was a stone’s throw away and I was determined to shorten the walk back.  Where there is a will there is a way!  First, I vetoed the back tracking to the crosswalk. We were perfectly capable of crossing the crazy busy Las Vegas road without the aid of traffic lights.  Standing on the median half way across what now appeared more like a highway than a road I was doubting my decision, but with a little patience and luck we crossed with all limbs intact.  Next obstacle, the Circus Circus RV Wall, poorly designed to make sure all who entered had to pass security on the way in.  By stacking a cinder block and stones, we were able to get enough height to “jump” the Circus Circus RV wall. Because of my lack of wall jumping skills, it turned out to maybe be just as time consuming as the long walk around the wall would have been, but it was far more entertaining and the laughs got our minds off of the intense heat.

An added luxery of RV living in Vegas, the walk from the community showers to Dolly.  Because of my space issues and the enjoyment of long showers, I decided to stick to the community showers for bathing.  They were cleaned daily and quite spacious.  The very best part was the walk back to the RV.  Now one might think walking through public wrapped in a towel with an old tee shirt on your head (it’s a curly girl thing) would be a bit embarrassing, and it might have been for about 5 seconds, and then I felt the slight breeze.  It was so refreshing!  It can be compared to getting out of the swimming pool, but the significant difference is you are clean, well moisturized, and smell good. The breeze blowing against your damp skin feels amazing! I loved it and learned to soak up every second on my slow stroll back to the RV. This is just something you would never experience staying in a hotel and without the heat; I would have never stopped to enjoy my damp trek back to the RV.

The City of Lights once again provided a trip full of exciting moments and classic memories.  We squeezed in all of my Vegas favorites including MGM lazy river (complete with Jello shots and squishees), Bellagio fountains, and the Freemont light show.  We also found some new favorites including Caesar’s Palace and the Caudalie Spa at The Plaza.

Our favorite spot this trip was definitely Caesar’s Palace!  There are numerous reasons to love Caesar’s. The first is the perfect video blackjack bar and Tony The Bartender.  If you decide to put this on your Vegas to do list, may I recommend ordering a cocktail or two and then moving on to a duck fart otherwise know as a quack-quack plbbbbb.  Loving everything about Caesar’s we decided to give the pool a try.  It did not disappoint!  On the 108* day it provided a refreshing place to spend an afternoon, and the cocktails are absolutely delicious!  We enjoyed a low-key pool hang out with beautiful fountains and met several wonderful new friends.  I <3 Caesar’s!

Another fabulous Vegas experience that was new to me was spa day.  Bree loves, loves, loves spa day and although drinking tea, eating green apples, and lounging sounds fun, I wasn’t sure I would be able to enjoy the wonderful experience for an entire day like Bree.  Boy was I ever wrong!  With the exception of the torture devise they make you wear on your feet they refer to as zendals, I loved bouncing from one relaxing spa experience to another with my favorite being the salt room.  The salt room is set at a warm cozy temperature with seats at the perfect lounging angle for a nice afternoon nap.  You may be chuckling at me right now.  I notice the irony, spa heat=cozy, relaxing and cleansing, Vegas heat=misery, discomfort, and a genuine feeling of melting. I know, I know!  I can’t explain what the difference is; maybe it is the total control.  When I couldn’t take anymore of the steam room and the air felt so think I couldn’t breath, I walked out of the steam room into the Caribbean rainstorm shower.  I loved it!

After 11 days of RV living in fabulously fun Vegas, I am not ready to ditch my numerous possessions and head for a life on the road, but I am excited to join Operation Tally Ho on future destinations.  Vacationing in an RV is an experience, and the company made every moment memorable.  Thank you Bree and Matt for letting me jump into your lives and your adventure.  It was truly an experience I will never forget, and I can’t wait to see you again sometime soon!

Until then Tally ho!

L. Lindsey