Rah, Rah, Rah....Vegas Boom Bah (7.27.17-8.1.17)

Last year, Maya's cheer squad (Greensboro Tigerz) earned a spot to compete in the 2017 national championship.  And since it was in Las Vegas, we were determined to go.

After making a pit stop to Ikea, Maya and I headed to the Charlotte airport.  I honestly felt like I parked my car in Martinsville to catch the shuttle.

Once we finally made it off the shuttle and into the airport, it was picture time.  I also saw one of my school classmates from Mavahi, Shemikka Stokes working there.  This was my second time in Las Vegas, and Maya's first.

The airport has a pet pee and poop station.  How neat!

Yes, these were the last smiles before my motion sickness kicked in.  UGH!!!!  We had a layover from Charlotte to Nashville, TN-which was a little over an hour flight.  After 30 minutes in the air, I was ready to kick the windows out of the plane and just jump out of it.  I felt terrible, and all the meds I had taken did absolutely nothing.  I just remember Maya patting me on the back as I sat in fetal position scrunched up against the window.  

The second leg of the flight from Nashville to Vegas wasn't as bad for me.  I guess it takes the meds three times as long to work on me as it says on the box.

We arrived at our hotel around 9:30p.  I was a little nervous about the rooms, but the Gold Coast resort wasn't too disappointing.

We passed out for the night as our bodies tried to adjust to the time difference.

Mid-morning Friday, we ventured to the strip with some of the other teammates.  It was great that the Gold Coast provided transportation between its sister resort, The Orleans, and the strip at The Linq.  After grabbing a bite to eat, we headed back  to our hotel to hit the pool.  The teammates wasted no time doing stunts in the pool.

Time to head back down to the strip.

I even got to see Chuckie.

The Linq...a very slow moving enclosed ferris wheel.  Of course, I didn't ride it.

Some of the team with Coach Kelly

Saturday, we went to The Orleans where my mother in law and her sister in laws were staying.  Both resorts have restaurants, bowling alleys, and casinos in them.  I even played my had and won a couple dollars.

 A few parents took the kids to the Circus Circus hotel which has an indoor amusement park inside of it called the AdventureDome.  It was like a marriage between Celebration Station and a local carnival/fair.

 After the long walk there and all the excitement, we were way too tired to walk back to the shuttle stop.  Plus, we would've missed it anyway since it was so late.  One of the parents that braved the 36 hour ride and drove a minivan came to pick us up.  Riddle me this:  How many tigers can fit into a minivan?  Give up....  The answer is 15.   We packed 10 Tigerz team members and 5 adults into a 2016 Chrysler Town & Country.  It was uncomfortable, but very hilarious.  Unfortunately, I was crammed too tight to get a good picture of it all.

Sunday, before the competition, Maya and I went with my mother in law to The Rainforest Cafe.  Being the nature lover that I am, I thought this place was amazing.  It had robotic animals and even replicated a jungle thunderstorm every 20 minutes.  The food was pretty good also.

Video of the Thunderstorm

COMPETITION TIME!!!!

The ladies and gent did an excellent job.  Zero deductions!!!  However, they didn't get the first place they wanted, so second place it is.  We are very proud of them.

Competition Video

Our last full day in Vegas was Monday.  The heat was almost unbearable the entire time we were there with high temps ranging from 102-108 degrees.  We didn't venture out until late that evening.  Time for us to invade Freemont St., aka Old Vegas.

This was a very unique restaurant.  Everyone wore hospital gowns.

The staircase for the tunnel zipline.

And they said Marilyn Monroe died...

We even rode the city's double decker bus.

Tuesday morning, extremely early, it's time to make our way to the airport.  As I'm standing in the TSA line, I get a tap on the shoulder.  When I turn around, I'm amazed to see another hometown (Martinsville) face.  It was DeRodney Hairston from Laurel Park.  I swear Martinsvillians spread like cockroaches.  We're every where.  He and his son were there for one of the many basketball tournaments that took place.

Mavahi & LP Reunite

It was a fun and exhausting trip.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the Mirage, Caesar's Palace, or to the Bellagio.  But there's always next time......

Other random pics...