VEGAS WITH THE BARNSONS!!

Las Vegas is a city of sparkling expensive gambling delight, but many of my most memorable experiences in Sin City were had not withing the chiming money pits, but in (and above) the lighter side of Vegas.

Matt Barnson has acquired a reputation for being an thoughtful, responsible adult, a father, and nothing resembling the Matt who in my younger years liked to introduce me to mortal danger. No.. this time, it would be different.

We met at the Star Trek experience, but opted against Quarks bar because their menu was expensive and non Atkins-friendly. After a diner lunch, Kelly and Christy headed to the Venetian to do some shopping while Matt and I gleefully took his three kids to Circus Circus to ride the fun rides. We departed the Hilton going the wrong way on the Monorail, just to see the sites, but soon opted against that idea, as the other passengers started shooting Cyclops powered death looks toward JJ’s insistend dissatisfaction with the tour so far. Traveling back, we consulted a map, deciding on the final stop to walk across the street to the amusement park.

After a twenty minute trip through the smoke filled casinos, Matt pushing a stroller and Sara squeezing my hand with stars in her eyes, we made it to the front door, finally discovering that this was too far to walk, and being advised that the Monorail stop we wanted was the Las vegas hilton – where we had started out.

Impulsively, I grabbed a Taxi, we piled in, and were soon in the land of Circus Circus. I couldn’t wait to jump on a few rides and glefully be a kid again. After getting lost in the video arcade, we made our way through two broken escalators, And into ADVENTUREDOME. Matt decided to let me ride with the kids, but I soon had to illegally hand over my armband to matt, when JJ vehemently insisted that no ride would be acceptable far from the loving arms of his Father.

After a few hours, we headed back to the Hilton to enjoy the Buffet, which was filled with Pasta, pizza, Desserts, Chinese food, and for Matt and Christy, lots and lots of meat. After dinner, and a lesson in slot machine odds for Matt, it was time for me to face the most fearsome part of my trip… the STRATOSPHERE.

The stratosphere is the tallest building west of the mississippi.. a tower that rises high above the rest of the casinos. On top of this tower is another 10 story tower that holds a ride that pulls you up 90 feet, bounces you as you look over 1000 feet straight down, and then drops you, weightless, toward your doom, before saving you at the last minute when you have fallen 90 feet… it is also important to note that I’m scred of heights.

After an endless wait to go to the top of the tower, there I sat, waiting for the ride to fill.. Matt screaming like he always did at 18.. the responsible father.. “Look down there.. holy crap!” – Meantime, my heart is pounding in my head.. my breaths are shallow and quick. I hear the girl in th booth start a 10 count countdown, but she launches us at number 7.. and then.. she says “Thanks for riding!” and people start getting off the ride.

Matt is laughing, people are shaking and yelling. “Wasn’t that AWESOME?!” Matt yells. I’m just calm and confused.. not afraid at all.. but wondering – did I miss something? I looked at the computer captured photo.. and my face is dead and attentionless.

I had blacked out……

We rode again, of course.. and this time, I did indeed experience the ride.. and it was fun. And we got a great picture. But it was a familiar sensation, sitting next to Matt, fearing for my life, and being a little concerned that i had bitten off a bit more than I could chew.. almost a mile up.

When we parted company that night, the barnsons and the Timpanes agreed – this must become a tradition. I hugged Christy goodbye, marveling at her patience, her family, and her ability to put up with Matt and I bringing out the.. umm.. best/worst in each other. I promised Sarah, the sole remining awake child that I would see her again soon, and I just laughed as I slapped Matt on the back. Somehow, we had conquered yet another city, and completed our mission.. “Don’t Die”.