Just got back from a quicky 2 night trip to Vegas. The original thought was to spend it getting free stuff at Harrah's "Great Gift Wrap Up" (using my points) and hitting the local mall......that all went out the window when we found out that it was Nascar's Champion Week. I had heard that this event was happening the morning we were leaving, so I tossed Darrell's Nascar jackets and gear into the car.
For those that do not follow Nascar, the presentation of the Sprint Championship Cup was moved from New York City to Las Vegas this year. There was a parade of the race cars down the Strip (we arrived too late to see this), burnouts (we missed this too), lots of charity events and parties with the big presentation awards dinner held at the Wynn (yes, we got an invite months ago for this, but I couldn't justify the $1000 per person price tag to attend..yikes).

Darrell was in seventh-heaven when he found out that driver Tony Stewart would be broadcasting from the Rio, to do his annual "Stewie Awards" for his Sirius radio program soon after we arrived. Off to the Rio we went and Darrell jammed himself against a barrier to await his beloved Nascar drivers to arrive (me, I caught the shuttle back to the strip and got my free Cuisinart ice cream maker plus several other goodies from Harrah's, then plunked myself away from the crowd and down at a Keno machine back at the Rio...I walked away at the end with my original bankroll and 60 extra dollars ).

Darrell awaiting the "Stewie Awards" at the Rio

Several Nascar drivers showed up, along with Carrot Top and Robin Leach..

Jimmy Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus with show girls..

Jeff Gordon...

As I was playing CaveMan Keno, the gal next to me told me that she and her husband were going to do a "Pit Stop Tour" to earn a free commemorative chip the next day....watch my eyes light up!!
The Stewie Awards radio show didn't end until 9 pm, so by the time we ate dinner it was bed time (wusses!)

Up early the next day and at the first check point on Fremont street for the "Pit Stop Tour" chip hunt...

Darrell and I decided to "time" our trip, as the super nice young man at the start point made the unintended comment that he hoped I could "finish" the challenge in one day ( do I really look that old and fat?). I quickly whipped out my CCGTCC membership card and said "If I finish in record time, do I get TWO chips, since I'm a card-carrying member?" The young man was surprised, but agreed

There were 9 check points. You got an official "Pit Stop Tour" sheet and had to get a stamp at each check point.
From the Fremont we went like a bat-outta-hell and made the check points at the Sahara, Fashion Show Mall (what a nightmare - a shopping mall at Christmas...no parking spots, so Darrell had to circle the underground parking lot while I wove my way through the massive crowd to the race car and checkpoint).
I quickly learned that the casino security guard were lifesavers during this hunt, as they knew where the race cars were located at, saving us ALOT of time.
From the insanity of Fashion Show Mall, we parked the car at Bally's and hoofed it to other check points located at the Palazzo (wonderful security guard here walked me all the way to the race car, nice), Planet Hollywood, the Coca-Cola Store, Monte Carlo and New York, New York.

A quick stop out front of the M&M store (armed with my check sheet) for a picture:

At all check points, if anyone showed genuine interest in chips, I passed on the CCGTCC website, 2010 convention and message board info. Hopefully, we'll be seeing some new friends soon.

The final check point was at the south strip "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign.

Darrell with the "Sprint Cup" at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign

Oh, and you KNOW Elvis is a Nascar fan!

We each received a commemorative chip at the last check point and then we headed back to Fremont Street. The young man (at the first check point) was genuinely shocked that we had completed the tour in just over 2 hours (thanks again to the security guards) and happily handed over 2 more chips. This was ALOT of fun!

Breakfast the next morning was a "must do" - a final farewell to the coffee shop at Binion's.....I'm so mad that they're closing the coffee shop.....been eating here since I was knee-high to Benny, Grrrrr!

Sorry, the pictures are dark, I didn't want to disturb anyone's breakfast with an annoying flash...

My last chicken fried steak and eggs ... sniff, sniff.....Darrell's having eggs and sausage patties.

And yes, Pam and Barry - I snuck out one last menu!

We had to head home after breakfast (Darrell had to go to work), but we laughed all the way home that the
surprising amount of highway patrol cars we kept seeing were actually the "menu police" looking for ME!

Now I know you're wondering about the chip....well here it is:

How do you get one?....simple - I am putting this chip up for auction at the January 12, 2010 Southern Nevada Casino Chip Club meeting....I will be at the meeting and the proceeds of this auction go to benefit the SNCCC (I keep nothing).....it's a great club and I am happy to contribute whenever possible!

You can meet me at the SNCCC meeting, bid and take home the chip....or place your bid with club president Sheldon Smith (sheldon655@hotmail.com) or myself (Utah2Vegas@aol.com) before Jan 12....highest bid gets it!!

Till then, happy chippin!
Tammy Lynch R-6834