Final Four of the 4x,

 GOLD COAST, Day 1

There was only a short line at the front desk when they entered the Gold Coast.  Kodi approached the clerk and handing her a confirmation, said " I hope you will be able to help me. I made this reservation in December, but I've developed mobility problems since then and they've become worse this past week.  Would there be any way you could possibly give me a handicapped room instead? " 

The gal, who Kodi noticed was the Front Desk Supervisor replied " I appreciate you asking first, before being assigned another room. I do have a two bed handicapped room available that is ready."

"Great! I assume since it's designated as handicapped that it is close to the elevators."

" Um, no actually. It's right at the end of the hall."

Kodi knew from past stays when she was spry, that Gold Coast corridors are verrry long. That would not work with her current problems. She supposed that room would work fine if someone had a scooter, but not Kodi.

The clerk said she DID have another handicapped room close to the elevator, but it had a King bed, rather than two queens as requested. Kodi agreed to take it, since it was ready. She also had $150 resort credit for food and beverage.  She got two keys to room 733 and they headed towards the hallway to the elevators.

As they approached TGIF on the corner, they saw about 100 people in a long double line.  Looking at a sign above the crowd, further down the hall, they could read Boyd Employment Centre.  They were impressed  but a little sad,  that so many people were looking for work. It did seem bad planning though, to have everyone in line blocking the route to the elevators.

As they got around the corner, Tom started cutting between people pushing the suitcases in front of him , saying excuse me, and almost pushing some out of the way  impatiently , when they didn't respond.  Kodi trailed behind , the best she could, moving awkwardly between the gaps.  One woman finally said " What the HELL do you think you are doing?"

Tom looked at her in surprise.  " We're just trying to get to the elevators."

She glared at him and responded..."So are we."

Well, it turned out that the Kodis were cutting into the MIDDLE of a huge line of people heading to their rooms after spending all day at a Bingo tournament that had just ended.  Kodi started apologizing profusely to everyone within earshot, explaining about the sign they'd seen at the ceiling level. Heads shot up. Chuckles were heard and as Kodi  pointed her cane to the back of the line....waaay back there, so Tom could see where he needed to steer the bags, one jolly soul said "Never mind.  Just stay here in front of me."  Nervously,  Kodi looked at a couple of people adjacent, and asked if they were okay with them doing that, and got nods and smiles.  Bingo players are the best!!  The elevator line moved surprisingly quickly, and they were in their room within 15 minutes.

The handicapped room worked really well!  They had to make a few adjustments, because there was no vanity, just a china sink, so the coffee maker, and toiletries had to be kept in the room. Note to self: remember to take your toothbrush into the bathroom when you go..., so you don't have to walk back each time!  The hand shower  had to be aimed carefully, or there was spillover, but the handrails for the toilet were a lifesaver, and no screams were heard in the middle of the night. There was a regular door on the bathroom rather than the usual sliding pocket door.

After they got settled, Kodi messaged Kiddo, and she replied giving her current location in the casino. They found her and chatted, with Kodi playing nickel VP next to her. Tom wandered off to find video keno, and Kiddo and Kodi finally agreed to meet at 8 p.m. outside TGIF to go in for cocktails and appies.  Kiddo had those Emerald reward points that were looking for a target, apparently, and they were it.  Kiddo had her big scooter (from the hotel), and Kodi heard her horn before seeing her most times while they were in the casino. There were a few slot chairs that didn't move out of the way quickly enough, but pretty sure there weren't any human casualties. LOL.  Play went up and down, and they headed for the restaurant at 8.  

They were seated on the patio area, which is essentially a space  divided from the casino by a half wall. They all had wings which were on special, and a tropical cocktail. Of course the photo Kiddo took made it look like Kodi was incredibly thirsty.

Tom and Kodi had noticed, when unpacking, that the giant orange they'd brought for the next morning had a very thick smooth skin, which human hands would not be able to conquer and divide. Coincidentally, one of the sharp serrated knives on the patio table fell into Kodi's bag, and umm, left the restaurant temporarily. (It did a fine job, peeling and cutting the fruit into sections and they were able to enjoy it without frustration and squabbling about the inadvisability of the purchase.)

They all went their separate ways afterwards, Kiddo up to her comped suite, and the Kodis to bed early,  after what seemed like a very long, tiring day.  Kodi was missing the machines at Horseshoe!

GOLD COAST, Day 2

There was actually a coffee maker in the room, so Kodi did not have to unpack the Starfrit. Had it been worth carrying around?She figured it had ( unless it was the black coffee that was tearing her gut apart, lol).  They both enjoyed that navel orange, and Kodi her coffee, in the room while dressing.  She put her earrings on, and retrieved the coins that were next to them  on the nightstand.  She had enough to eat but Tom said he'd get something from Java Coast in a while. They planned to treat Kiddo at Cornerstone's Happy Hour later that day, so Kodi wasn't eating anything more until then.

They went downstairs and Kodi got an extra players card in her name for Tom to use...again in aid of getting more points towards future room offers,  perhaps.  It was Young at Heart Day, and that meant double points for qualified players.    They both played on various Dragon Link machines with little success.  They played 50 cent spins while all around them gamblers played $5.00 or more.  Yes, those people won larger amounts sometimes, but the Kodis would have gone through the whole day's budget in an hour playing at that level, and they were being entertained to some degree this way, so that's just the way it was.

Tom left her for a while and came back saying how tasty his breakfast had been, He'd had a croissant with a frankfurter baked inside it ( only $4.00!) and a hot chocolate. Kodi did not envy him nor anyone else eating one of those, to tell you the truth.

No matter how often Kodi discreetly rubbed her chest that day, quarter by quarter, her daily stake dropped.  What a sad state of affairs. They met Kiddo at 4:00 p.m. when the Happy Hour at the steakhouse began in the adjacent lounge.   Kiddo had to leave her scooter next to a wall around the corner from where they were sitting, and walk with her cane to the table.  Within an hour there were a dozen scooters in a line in front and behind hers!  It was very busy but the service was quick and efficient. Kiddo and Tom had fancy Martini(s) and Kodi enjoyed a dirty cherry Mule...something she had tried in the past.  It arrived without the cherry garnish , ( Kiddo noticed that first) so she was awarded two cherries when the server returned.  

They all had French onion soup, Kiddo meatballs, Kodi Brisket sliders with fries,  and Tom a caesar salad.  They caught up with each other's days and life in general for over an hour. The bill came to over $121, and Kodi used cash for the tip as usual, and  Kiddo offered to split that,  but they declined. She has been very generous to them whenever they've spent time together in Vegas.

There was a little left on the resort credit, but from that point on, any meals they had would be on the credit card and need to be paid out of their U.S. winnings once they got home.

They all headed off into the casino to find their dream machines, but no one went to bed wearing soda jerk hats fashioned out of hundred dollar bills.  The games weren't loving any of them.

Kiddo was moving to the Palms Hotel the next day, so invited them up to tour her suite before she left it.  It looked great and had everything one would want for a very comfy stay, so they wondered why she would give it up for a regular room over there, when she could just motor across the street in her snazzy scooter to gamble if she chose.   Her choice, and she had her reasons they supposed. They did know she liked to gamble well into the wee hours, and it's always nice to be close to your bed when you are ready to doze at your machine.   She warned Kodi not to sit on the low couch in the suite, at peril of never being able to lift herself off of it....lol.

When Kodi flashed her room key at the security guard earlier that evening,  going to the room to put something away, she got into the elevator with one of the Bingo tournament players that she recognized..he had not had much luck either, but had lots of fun and would be back for the next one for sure, he said.  

Everyone she encountered personally was especially friendly and pleasant, both guests and employees. She was surprised however how many times she saw Security escorting people out the door or heard them being called for altercations between bar staff and customers or saw screaming matches between inebriated patrons while she was there for the 4 nights.  Perhaps this is a result of it being a locals place? She did notice a few sketchy looking people come in the side doors when she was playing next to them, and they often just hung around, sitting at the nearby machines.

After the visit to Kiddo's nest, the headed for their own for the night.  Kodi went into the bathroom and while there,  she changed into her nightwear. Tom heard her curse and went to the doorway  in case she was in trouble.  He just shook his head, when she crossly said "Damn it, anyway.  No wonder I had no luck today. The penny got turned over and was tails up!"

GOLD COAST, Day 3

Tom slipped downstairs the next morning to grab 2 bran muffins ( with extra butter!)  and a danish, as well as a hot chocolate for himself.  He knew Kodi had been wanting a bran muffin the entire trip, but the couldn't find one previously, so he made sure she had two room breakfasts lined up this way.  Kodi phoned housekeeping, because there had been no coffee left in the room the day before, and soon some arrived at the door ( enough for her and 6 friends, lol) so it was brewed by the time her muffin was buttered.

After showering, she dressed and very carefully nestled her lucky coins 'heads up' where they needed to be.  They headed downstairs and found Kiddo enjoying a Tequilla Sunrise at a VP machine. She wasn't going to check out for a while yet, and was deciding if she should go to one of a few other possible locations in town, to fill the time before her check in at Palms.  She still was chasing quads at Gold Coast, and they were evading her.   They once again bid her farewell, and wished her better luck ( which she did end up having) at the Palms, when she played.

Kodi went to  the bar and with Tom's assistance, got up onto a stool.  He took off for another area.  She put $100 into the VP machine and ordered a soda water, and later a coffee/ Baileys. It was interesting sitting at the end of the bar.. and listening to the servers chat as they picked up their floor drink orders.  They discussed both their jobs and their personal lives ( one was giving 401K advice to a younger colleague).

When her money was nearly gone , Kodi discreetly patted her chest, and she immediately got quad Sevens.  Time to cash  out , slide down off the stool, drop her cane, ( and gingerly pick it up, since it was leaning,  propped up, on the foot rail. ) She headed for the flashy, exciting penny machines.

There were a few machines that day that played nicely with her, and others that started out fun and then got nasty and greedy.  It was a shame that once Kodi got comfortable in a seat, and nothing was hurting, she tended to stay too long at a game that had a money vacuum attached, rather than move once she realized she was wasting her time and cash there.  Of course if there was someone interesting and friendly next to her, that pretty well guaranteed a losing machine in front of her!  

She found Tom lamenting his bad luck too, and made arrangements to meet him at TGIF at 5 p.m. and then headed to the room, to rest, take a bit of Pepto,  and read for a while, oh and to wrap up a borrowed steak knife and put it in her bag.  She had brought one book with her, and wanted to finish it before they left, so she could leave it behind.  It was The Cherry Harvest, by Lucy Sanna..and she was really enjoying it.

When she returned downstairs, she played various dragon link machines, staying pretty well even, until she went to meet Tom for an early dinner.  They both ordered lemonade and sipped it while looking at the extensive menu.  Kodi had asked if they had PINK lemonade, and the server said they didn't but he could put some grenadine in it for her, LOL.  She pretended...and it worked just fine.  The mind is a wonderful thing.  Tom ordered a bacon cheeseburger plate, and a Kodi had the 'special' sirloin/ lobster dinner, offered for $19.99. It came with broccoli....what else? 😜

Afterwards, they shared a cinnamon cheesecake, and Tom got tea, Kodi coffee.  

This went onto the credit card, as they were saving their few players points and the rest of their resort credit towards their last dinner in Vegas, the following evening.  They weren't still in the room when the busboy collected the cutlery, and somehow retrieved one more steak knife than had originally been on the table.

They each returned to the quest for dollars, and Tom joined Kodi at a favourite .88 machine of hers.  Usually 50 cents was his limit, but Kodi wanted company, so she put $20 into the machine next to hers for him.  Of course her machine was pretty quiet, while he got bonus after bonus, LOL.  He played for an hour or so, and when his credit meter was over $150 and he was not winning often,  he cashed out, giving Kodi back her original $20.  He was determined to take $100 to the room that night, so told her he would play somewhere until the $30 was gone, and perhaps use the $25 he had left in his wallet, and then would head upstairs, seeing her later.  

Kodi remained at the same bank of machines, but moved to the  other side, discreetly bumping her chest against Tom's arm as he helped her up out of her slot chair.

She had a fun gal next to her, and they cheered and watched each other's bonuses.  The Major on Kodi's machine was over $1000.00 and she was wishing and hoping....

Kodi played until 11:00, after the other lady left to meet some friends. 

She was getting tired then, and after getting a decent bonus, she decided to head upstairs ....with $200 more  for the 'Take Home Envelope.'  As she removed her lucky coins that night, she realized she'd have to shift them for the last day, since they  seemed to have left a lasting impression where she was placing them every morning.  But on the other hand, could that possibly mean she had the power of FOUR  coins working for her? 🙀😌

GOLD COAST, Day 4

It was hard to believe that this was the Kodis' last full day in Vegas. They had turtled around, 4 X 4 times. In spite of how poorly she'd felt many days, this was still her 'Happy Place'.  Kodi hadn't found her Lucky power coins until they'd been in town 12 days, so had been just donating to the Casino upkeep until then, but she wished they had more time to get the benefit of the energy from them before she left.  

By the way...it IS critical to find coins randomly, on the ground facing heads up. ..And to wear them 'face up'...  Believe me, other methods have been tried...dropping a coin yourself and then 'finding it', picking a coin up off a machine, counter or table. or just taking one out of your wallet and popping it into your bra.  Research is ongoing about whether someone else can find it and put it into YOUR bra, and is one avenue that is being explored.  Kodi has found her method has worked 87% of the time.  And now a paper can be published about washing coins found in unsanitary places, and how it does not seem to affect the power.

Kodi had her room coffee and the second bran muffin that Tom had purchased the day before...with extra butter, now nice and soft.  He was going to use a little of the cash he'd been left with the previous night, to get himself some breakfast at Java Coast. He was finding that little coffee stand very handy during their stay.

They played, up and down all day. There was a Mother's Day Promotion on, and after getting a certain number of points one could print out a coupon, and take it to a location at the back of the casino to get a 'gift' and Kodi retrieved hers, a set of 4 lovely lotions in a pretty box.  It was very heavy , and she wondered how the heck she'd would get them home, because they were pretty close to the allowed weight with their suitcase  on the way down. Her sherpa was waiting to take the box up to the room for her, so he could get back to his machine. Of course he WOULD be on a friendly one when she interrupted him.

They planned to meet at Cornerstone Steakhouse at 5 p.m.  Kiddo had raved about the food there, and went often when in town, for meals with special friends.  Kodi had made a reservation that morning. The lounge was full, as people enjoyed the Happy Hour offerings.  The dining room was different though.  They were actually the only ones in there for the first 45 minutes!  

Talk about excellent service...the server greeted them like long lost friends, and assisted them with the menu.  Of course,  this dinner was still celebrating their 53rd Anniversary ....I believe I mentioned that, right? 😜  They both ordered the Prime Rib Special.  They chose the salad starter.  Kodi had the most delectable baked sweet potato with hers and Tom got garlic mashed.  There was a pickle tray and warm rolls that were served with a brown sugar butter that was delicious ( and Kodi added some of it to her sweet potato.) 

They were  really stuffed after the meal, but couldn't turn down the surprise slice of cheesecake with a celebratory candle on top.  That, naturally,  necessitated ordering coffee and tea, to complete the dessert course.

There was a family of 3 across  the dining room with another server by the time their entree arrived and as they were getting ready to enjoy the cheesecake two gentlemen were seated next to them.  They were speaking, Kodi guessed, Japanese.  Just as the server arrived to take their order,  the older man answered his phone, and she needed to come back 2 times more.  Once he hung up, and they ordered, splitting the prime rib special, the other man began to talk non-stop. You've probably all encountered the scenario at some time. "Talk, talk, talk, talk",..."Uhhuh"...."talk, talk, talk, talk", ..."Hmmm".  The young man chattered noisily and the older one tried to be polite.  

They actually were glad to be leaving the dining room that had been so serene and restful up til then, and the dinner lasted 3 hours.  They were  SO glad those particular diners hadn't arrived earlier.   Kodi used the rest of the resort credit, by charging the meal to the room, and added the  reward points that were on her card.  They left a 30% tip in cash.

Well, the evening was vanishing quickly, and Kodi wanted to have just a little more time with the Dragon Link machines. Tom headed for the room, to begin packing.

One more time, Kodi patted, and rubbed her coins discreetly. One last time, they came through for her! The Major on this particular machine had been recently won, as had most of them in the circle when she checked,  before sitting down.  There was a man playing all the machines, one by one, and betting $10/spin.  She didn't mind though. She cashed out and headed for the Cashier and then the elevator hallway. Her time here was done...

Kodi is usually very cognizant of her surroundings.  For instance, at night, she prefers to ride an elevator by herself, or with a mature couple. She has often waited for another, if there is a only a single man standing in the elevator lobby.   No offence meant to all the fine, harmless single gentlemen out there!  This night though, her head was full of scattered thoughts. Packing, leaving, winning that jackpot...blah, blah, blah..  She scanned her room key at security and smiled, saying "Well, this is the last time I'll be doing this!" He smiled back and said "I hope you enjoyed your stay. Come back real soon."

As she entered the lobby, a young man, perhaps 15 or thereabouts,  dashed past her, saying to his companion " Hurry, swipe the card."  The first guy got into an elevator that was arriving and his companion, who looked about 13 ,  swiped a room key, quickly passed her and got in as well.  The first fellow held the door open and the other one leaned out making a beckoning gesture, and saying  "Come on".  Kodi thought he was talking to her and thought "How nice for them to hold it for me."

She stepped in thanking them,  and he was STILL leaning out and gesturing.  He yelled "Hurry!". Then a man about 18-20,  dressed in black and white patterned cool 'gear' head to toe, quickly walked  into the lobby.  

The Security Guard stepped out from behind his podium and said " Hey...Stop please.  What room number are you going to?"  The new 'cool' guy didn't answer, but looked at the fellow holding the elevator door open.  That boy shrugged his shoulders.    

The guard, by now in the elevator lobby said... " You two...get out of the elevator."  The first guy ( who had shrugged his shoulders) stepped out right away, the youngest one hesitated, looked directly into Kodi's eyes, and then complied.

She quickly pushed the button to her floor and hit the 'door closing symbol'.  She was still shaking when she opened the door to their room, and muttering "How could I be so Stupid!"

She told Tom all the details..so many possible scenarios crossed their minds.  Was she specifically targeted because of her age and cane, or having cashed her large ticket ?  Were they just looking to get onto ANY floor for some purpose?  She asked a guard the next morning when leaving, if the 'key swipe' showed a room number or only that the key was active.  Only that it was an active key... was the reply.  They had one, so that begs another question...where did they get it?

It was truly the only time in her life that Kodi felt so vulnerable and endangered.  She slept very little that night, and still finds her heart racing as she's telling this story.  Be careful out there!

GOING HOME!

Friday May 12th was traveling day again, not to another hotel,  but back to Canada.  They checked out at 9:30 and were on their way.  They followed the signs to the Uber/Lyft area and Kodi turned her phone roaming on for the last time.  Each time Kodi tried to call up the Lyft app, her location showed as Denny's across the street. She eventually chose Uber and they got another great driver , for their final ride.  He dropped them off at the entry doors to Westjet, at terminal 3.  

They checked in and arranged for Kodi's wheelchair assistance to the gates ( which were at the farthest end of the treminal).   They hadn't eaten breakfast, so they decided on splitting a Turkey wrap,(and two bottles of o.j  ) that they saw on Chilis menu,  near the gate.  They would buy lunch later on the plane.  Tom left Kodi in her chair and went to get their meal.. They also  had carried water bottles from the hotel, which they emptied, and refilled after going thru security.

Tom ended up in a very long, slow moving  line, and  got back just before boarding, so they wouldn't have time to eat beforehand.  Kodi barely had time for a quick pit stop before they called her group.. 

Oh, and the fellow who made the wraps ( among his other duties) at Chilis, hadn't shown up that day....and they were also out of turkey.  The Kodis ended up messily eating cold mushroom swiss burgers and fries an hour after departure.  That wasn't such a bad deal though, because there was no food or alcoholic beverages on the flight...making for  a lot of unhappy passengers. Their 'breakfast' cost them $48 instead of the $20 they were planning, but at least they did eat.

 

The flight wasn't bad...Kodi just huddled into her window seat, covered in her wrap, and thought about the previous couple of weeks..the 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 hotel stays or more simply 4X4 nights of good times as usual, ( even if she could only move around like a turtle) in her Favourite city.  Yes, she still had her health issues, but she'd rather be dealing with them at Bellagio, than in her living room, LOL  Her back may never get better, (severe arthritis in her hip, spine and pelvis ++) and she still deals with Sjogren's symptoms daily, but Vegas is a really nice place to deal with it all,  if you ask her.

Wheelchair service was fairly efficient in Toronto, and they texted their son the post they were waiting at, and were surprised when   he pulled up in their sedan instead of his big comfy van. While they were eating cheesecake and playing casino games,  he was dealing with a sudden and complete, unexplained  engine failure in his 2O16 Kia Soul. It was a known problem but there isn't a recall associated with it, and a class action is forming in the U.S but not Canada yet.  His van was at home delivering his teens to their jobs at Lowes, and he was  starting online car shopping.  

They made good time heading to his house to drop him off, and then along the highway to their place. Their house sitter had pushed the heat up for them, so after a nice hot cup of tea, they retired to their own cosy bed, to dream not of Jackpots and Happy Hours, but of grocery shopping, garden clean up and garbage day. 

Welcome to the real world, Mr and Mrs Kodi.  Until next time.....Maybe.