Lucky Me!

The thing is, I don't win contests. Ever. Not even if the prize is a pair of Styx tickets and there are only 5 other people spinning the wheel of prizes (each of whom won since almost every slot was "free Styx tickets"). I am the queen of the bumper-sticker consolation prize. So you can imagine my shock at winning a contest on the radio last month for a trip for two to Las Vegas. Prize package included: $100 to Rodizio grill, $100 to Mt. Olympus Spa, airfare to Las Vegas, 2 nights stay at the Wynn, dinner at Corsa Cucina (we ran up $145 tab), and tickets to see Monty Python's Spamalot.
Winning a trip is an interesting experience. Apparently, there are all sorts of things that aren't "included." Here are a few lessons I learned about prize vacations: double check the hotel booking, double check the spelling of your name on the plane ticket, double check the meaning of comped "dinner for two" as well as "reservation," double check true origin of the maitre d's questionable New York accent as he not-so-politely asks you to leave his fancy restaurant (aka "walk of shame") when he finds no record of said comped dinner for two and then, after realizing he was wrong, greasily maneuvers to Mr. Disgusting Flattery.
The trip was lovely - 70 degree weather, buffets as far as the eye could see, pineapple in abundance, and there may or may not have been a spiked Diet Coke incident.

Photos from the trip:

The room:

The bathroom - so luxuriousThe flatscreen in the bathroom

The view

Lori vs. the waterfall. Lori won.The pool cabanas - very south of France
Lori at the pool - also looking very south of France. Ou est la piscine? My feet at the pool. They had a lovely time.