The boys and I both think that yesterday was quite possibly the best EVER day of vacation. I remember starting my day with hopes that the perfect weather would stay as long as possible during the hike. The weather lasted the whole day.
The boys and I loved our Billy Goat Trail hike. The hike was one of the more difficult that we have ever done, and it certainly had incredible views. We climbed up steep rock cliffs to be rewarded with breath taking views when we sat at the top of the rocks to rest for a moment. Hiking is an activity that all three of us truly enjoy.
During our hike Little Chirp was quite endearing. He led the way, and dutifully looked back at me as he went along to make sure that I was doing okay. He offered me a hand on the difficult parts of the climb. He declared multiple times through out our hike that he was having an amazing time. He made my heart smile.
The higher we climbed, the cooler and crisper the breeze became, thus keeping us cool when we were tired. We passed folks that got to a point and realized that they could not make the climb and had to turn back. At no point did the three of us consider going in any direction other than forward. For me the hike was a significant challenge. For Little Chirp, who is sure footed and in incredible shape, the hike was a moderate challenge. For Brainy Bird’s incredibly long legs the hike was also a moderate challenge. There were times that Little Chirp and I climbed only to watch Brainy Bird take single step to move the same distance.
After our hike, we ate lunch at a local Italian restaurant. The place can best be described as awkward, but the food, especially the pizza, was delicious. We then headed back to the hotel to grab showers before we got the second half of our day started.
The day was the day of Little Chirp, and he wanted “brother time”. The two booked another escape game room and followed that up with some time at Dave and Busters. I headed to the casino for some “me time”.
I did not think about the fact that it was Saturday. The casino was busy, and the table minimums were $25. I am not a big gambler. I like the noises of the machines, the atmosphere and the people watching. I grabbed a sparkling wine from the bar, and I walked around for a bit taking everything in.
Even when the casino was basically empty earlier in the week, I could not seem to get a seat at the 3 card poker table. I knew this would be the case again, so I sat down at the 4 card poker table. In a nutshell, “the game for people who cannot calculate odds”. Still I like games that require a little more thought than black jack.
The $25 minimum meant that each bet was a minimum of $25, not each hand. The bonus bets were $5 each. To play the progressive jackpot, the six card bonus, the aces or better, the ante and then play the hand was a total of $85. This meant that I basically had enough for about four hands.
I lost the first three hands, I looked in the direction of the bar, expecting to be there shortly, killing time while the boys had their brother time. Then I picked the cards on my fourth hand. Diamonds, I saw a lot of diamonds, five of them to be exact. My brain said, “That’s a flush.”
As I set the cards down, and placed my bet, I glanced at the cards one more time, and my brain said, “Um, are these cards in sequence, as in a straight flush?” I then asked all of the players to refrain from getting up from the table or using their phones because I believed I had a hand.
I looked up and saw the minor payout on the jackpot was over $3,000. The guy next to me confirmed, he hand glanced at my hand, and I indeed had a straight flush 9 through King of diamonds. I cheered! Folks from other tables came over to look on. I began thinking about what an incredible dinner Little Chirp was going to have on the day of Little Chirp with my winnings.
The guy next to me started to talk to onlookers. He said I did not win the $3,000+ jackpot. What? Ugh, I never get how these things work. However, I can do basic math, and the bet, without the progressive jackpot, pays 60 to 1, so I just won whatever 60 times $25 is. Did I not win any part of the jackpot? That is when the pit boss informed me with a kind smile on his face, “Dear, you won the major jackpot!” I looked at the board, and the word “Pending” appeared where the value of the jackpot had previously been. He then answered my next question without me asking it, “You won $82,685.”
To my own amusements, I said, “Plus whatever 60 times $25 is.” The pit boss and dealer chuckled at this. He then told me he needed my driver’s license and credit card. The whole place erupted in laughter when I grabbed my license and credit card and gladly handed it over. He does not actually need the credit card.
The four players at the table that played the progressive jackpot bet, won $1500 each. They call it the envy payout. This made for an all around festive mood.
We waited for about an hour, and then they came with a tray of $1,000 chips totally my $82,685. The gentleman escorted me to the cashier, and we got to skip the long line. I was then presented with a check for my winnings, after federal and state taxes. I also got a reserved seat at the three card poker table, where I returned with my original $300, and left with close to a $1,000.
Of course, I had to ask the pit boss for a dinner recommendation. He recommended the steak house and gave me a $150 voucher. I walked over to the steak house, and the hostess already had a table ready for us.
I told the boys how I thought that I had won the $3,000 jackpot and shouted with excitement to find out that I was mistaken. Little Chirp smiled and laughed, “So, that is why they gave you a $150 to eat here because they felt bad for you?”
I shook my head.
The boys could hardly believe it when I told them the whole story. Needless to say, we REALLY enjoyed our dinner last night. Little Chirp is always frugal. He wants his money spent on protein and dessert. I have to talk him into appetizer and drinks. Yesterday, he ordered for the table, and even splurged on a bottle of sparkling water for himself.
The drive home was festive. The conclusion of our day was that it was perhaps the best vacation day ever.