12/9/08 – 12/10/08

After the scenic drives and hikes around Death Valley, we headed east to Vegas.  Unfortunately we couldn’t help but notice the van was acting a little funny.  The idle in park and neutral literally had the engine screaming and when in drive the van would shoot forward and accelerate to 40 without pressing the gas at all.  While we were also excited to get to Vegas quickly, we found the van’s behavior troubling.   We thought the 2½ hour drive might work things out, but the van revved its way into town with Jessica barely in control of the vehicle, legs aching from having to constantly ride the brakes.  Since we had been experiencing some gear slippage on the mountain passes, we surmised the trouble might be the transmission and sought out the nearest tranny shop.  But it was 5:20 when we arrived….so it was closed, as were all the other transmission shops we called from the parking lot.  We really didn’t want to drive much further, and we certainly didn’t want to valet our little runaway van, so we were in a bit of a pickle.  But good fortune came our way as we pulled around and prepared to exit the lot on the opposite side of the corner gas station – an auto shop that was open!  We pulled in, described our engine situation and they agreed to park the van inside and look at it in the morning.  Though we had reservations at the Bellagio, we didn’t want to seem too high-fallutin’ so we just asked for general directions to the strip.  No problem, said the cashier, the bus was just outside.  We got our $2.50 each together and started waiting for the bus.  And kept on waiting.  Apparently the bus was late, and soon the auto shop was closing.  But that also worked in our favor as one of the mechanics drove by and said she would give us a ride.  Woohoo!  We crammed into the front bucket seat of her little Nissan pick-up and rode our carriage toward the action.

Our lady mechanic let us off in the middle of the strip and we sauntered off to the Bellagio.  As always, the lights and people and spectacle of Vegas were fantastic.  The  Bellagio is a bit more classy and refined, although their Christmas décor and display is pretty over the top.

Christmas Tree at the Bellagio

Christmas Decorations at the Bellagio

Part of the large Chihuly glass ceiling display in the lobby of the Bellagio

The rooms in the Bellagio are lovely with dark wood furniture and muted colors, and at a rate of $129, it’s a steal!  I have to say that the “recession” is really working in our favor.   The bathrooms are especially nice, with double vanities, glass showers and separate spacious tubs.  We dined on sushi, baby vegetables and edamame, enjoyed cucumber drinks and sake, and people-watched in the patio-like atmosphere of Yellowtail restaurant in the casino.  While I lost money at the blackjack table, Jessica won at roulette so we were pretty even for the night.

In the morning, we waited anxiously for a call about our ailing van.  Eventually we got the news, which was promising – the idle actuator was malfunctioning and needed replacing.  That, coupled with some cleaning out of the carbon build-up from the constantly revving engine, should solve our problem.  Since the van wouldn’t be ready until the afternoon, we decided to stay another night in Vegas, but try out a different hotel.  We opted for the digs at the classic Flamingo, but in their newly renovated Luxury Go Rooms.  The retro mod décor is awesome and fun, and while it lacks the refinement of the Bellagio, the entertainment system (complete with a TV embedded in the bathroom mirror), frosted glass doors and floor to ceiling windows make this room a definite winner.  Speaking of, Jessica and I decided to learn how to play craps, and with a little luck of the dice, we walked away with a fairly good haul.

We did end up taking the bus out to fetch the van.  All the downtown busses are double decker, clean and fairly regular – the public transportation system seems organized and certainly well-used by the locals.  However, we were very happy to be back in the van, and especially thrilled to hear the engine running normally.  If you are ever in Vegas with car trouble, give the folks at Purrfect Auto Service on South Jones Blvd a try for fast, reliable and reasonable auto repair.