Viva Las Vegas

In great need of a warm vacation far away from my winter blues and overwhelming job stress, yesterday I booked a plane ticket to Vegas to visit my parents over Easter weekend. I fly out of Madison very early on Wednesday, March 19, and arrive in Las Vegas shortly after 11 a.m. On the way back, it's a red eye, which I'm sure I'll later regret, leaving Vegas around midnight and landing in Madison around 7 a.m. on Monday, March 24.

I can't wait for my trip. Luckily, I don't have to wait long, since I leave in about a week and a half. My parents also seem very excited. I've visited them in Nevada for the past four years, and I was beginning to think my schedule would not allow for a return trip this year. Luckily it worked out at the last minute.

My parents have spent the last several winters in Henderson, Nevada, which is located 7-miles southeast of the strip. Fun facts: Henderson is the second biggest city in Nevada, was named the 20th best place to live by Money magazine in 2006, and was also named the sixth best walking city in America in 2007 by Prevention magazine. It's a beautiful area and if you're familiar with it, they live across the street from the Green Valley Ranch district, which is a vibrant area of retail and restaurants.

I very much look forward to the annual trip. Despite the reputation of Vegas, I find life off the strip (coupled with brief stints on the strip) with my parents for a week to be very enjoyable. I'm most excited for catching up with my parents, soaking up lots of sun, running in the mountains with my dad, shopping and coffee breaks with my mom, winning big money (came back $300 richer last year), touring the strip, and of course, lots of good eating. Let the destress begin.