From Denny:

For the past 10 years or so, Dad and I have been able to enjoy private get-togethers in Las Vegas. I always seem to have 1-2 trips there per year and it generally is not too hard to talk Dad into coming. In the beginning he weaseled me into paying for airfare to bring him down. Now he's usually willing to drive; uses the excuse that he's visiting clients along the way.

We have always had a fun time in Vegas. During our first trip we golfed and rode the "Big Shot" on the top of Stratosphere. During one trip he joined me for dinner with a group of Nextel employees. It was an upscale Asian restaurant. He wasn't sure what the calamari and tuna tartar was but he liked it. At least until I told him he was eating squid and raw tuna. During our last trip Dad tried my tofu for the first time and did not run out screaming.

Our favorite places to eat in Vegas are In 'N Out Burger and the carnival buffet at the Rio. Remarkably, we can fill out plates 3 or 4 times during dinner and he and I will never eat the same thing.

Dad likes to gamble. He approaches it differently than I do. For me it is a mathematical exercise and so I don't mind playing games where I have a reasonable chance of winning. The fun is playing the game and not the money. I cannot get myself to risk more than $40 at a casino. Dad, on the other hand, is looking to change his life. He dreams of the big win. So I will head to the blackjack table and Dad to the slots. He believes that there are ways to figure out which slots are going to payoff. Looks for location. Looks for poor old women that have put a fortune into a machine and have walked away. He believes the machine is ready to burst.

We've enjoyed company on these Vegas trips. Ramie joined us once for a NASCAR race. We got to stay in a new wing at Mandalay Bay that trip. What a great room. (BTW...Ramie is just a crazy gambler...doesn't really care if he wins or loses...just enjoys playing different games). Bryan and Britni have joined us as well. I remember Bryan spending a lot of time with Dad at the slot machines. Bryan didn't play; he just wanted to spend time with his grandfather.

The last time Dad and I were in Vegas I decided to forgo blackjack and hang out with Dad at his slot machines. Unlike Bryan, Dad shooed me away. Seems he had hit a nice jackpot while I was gone and noticed that his luck ran out the minute I showed up. So I was forbidden to sit with him while he played. Of course, he hit another decent jackpot the moment I left.

Dad seems to enjoy Vegas. Something about the bright lights, hustle and energy. But he has decided that the slot don't pay the way they do in Wendover.

A few years back Dad mentioned that he's always dreamed of sitting down at the poker tables. He remembers playing poker as a youngster and being quite good at it. During our last trip I convinced him to try a little Texas Hold'em tournament at the Sahara. The best thing is that it is only a $40 buy-in and you likely get to play for at least 2+ hours. Dad sat down and instantly made friends. And he held on for a couple of hours before he was knocked out. I followed a few minutes later. During break one of the players from his table came over and told me that Dad was getting dealt great hands (high pairs...he eventually was knocked out with Queens) but that he was misplaying them. He would let too many other players see the flop and then bet his strong hand after someone else had already made their hand.

One of the reasons why Dad has always joined me at Vegas is because Dionne has had little interest in going. Well, that seems to have changed a little. Since Dionne and I have been to Vegas twice this summer (and all I hear from my youngest daughter is that she wants to move to Vegas), there may be some competition to share my room in the future.