Flying back from Vegas to Nashville after another great NCAA trip. We figured out that thi is the 17th year since we started. Does that make 1999 the first trip? Seems like it's been happening a lot longer than that. Thought I made a number of trips from LA prior to being with Amy, but maybe not...

In that time (including Ben and Andy) we've had 9 kids, 6 weddings, 3 divorces, 3 b'nai mitzvot, one move from LA to Indiana, I lost my dad,...wondering if Andy had the bagel store at that time (?). This time around we stayed at Caesar's Palace (oh, and at least six different Vegas hotels) and it worked out great.

I got in just in time for the first games on Thursday - watched Notre Dame handle Wichita State and Wisconsin beat UNC. The Kentucky embarrassed West Virginia and Arizona skirted by Xavier. The sportsbook was okay, but crowded with not great seating. Games ended late and we were tired, so we just went up to the room. I used the room's jacuzzi tub to try and prep an aching knee for Friday basketball at UNLV.

I'm surprised we made the trip to Faiman Court, because Mark's been dealing with health issues and my knee was really bothering me, but we rallied and had a "skills competition" instead of the traditional pounding each other through games of hustle/21.

The weather was perfect, so after the crazy winter everyone's had, we were thrilled to be outside. We got back with thoughts of buffet and pool, but the buffet was lunch only, so we got sandwiches by the pool. For the games we decided to sit at the bar off the sportsbook, near the food court to watch Louisville beat NC State, Michigan St beat Oklahoma, Gonzaga over UCLA and Duke handle Utah (although, the Duke game ended poorly where an inconsequential foul as time expired pushed Duke to a six point victory - they were giving 5). I think we played a little it of blackjack and headed off to bed.

Saturday we started with the UConn girls blasting Texas by 51 points. We had a small bet on them giving 29. We spent some time in the fitness center then "earned" the buffet. It was good, but gluttony just ain't what it used to be. It just makes me feel gross.

We had more time at the pool and then back to the sportsbook for a fun and profitable Wisconsin win over Arizona and a classic with Notre Dame leading Kentucky all game until the last six seconds.

There was crowd of Kentucky fans in front of us that, despite politely moving when we told them they were blocking our view, we assumed were obnoxious and deserved to suffer the end of their perfect season just so we could rub their Kentucky bluegrass noses in it.

We followe that with a steak dinner at a very expensive place in the hotel. Not worth it by my estimation since I don't really appreciate "a good steak," it was a great chance to re-analyze the UK-ND game and just chat.

We found a blackjack table with a dour, unlucky dealer and sat losing for a while longer than we should have. (Oh, forgot to mention that Ezra received great news about the girls getting into a school in Costa Rica for next year. Hoping there's a way for us to swing a family trip down there next summer...One other thing about this trip that's frustrating is realizing the limited opportunities we've had to take family vacations. Hope to make that happen more soon.)

Sunday was a new high in the annals of this trip. Ezra and I started with a great talk by the pool - just about the girls, life, etc. (crave more of that), and then...we hit the spa.

We agreed to get massages, but didn't realize that meant full ay use of the spa facilities - herbal steam, sauna, jacuzzis, and a lounge room with nice TV, so we ended up camping out there for two games - Michigan St over Louisville and Duke over the 'Zags. We've come a long way from hoarding "free" Heinekens at The Mirage!

We regrouped to do some gift shopping and head over to Niketown and Cheesecake Factory (our yearly pilgrimage - easier this year since we're staying at Caesar's). Another great dinner and conversation ended too soon as Mark had to catch a plane.

Ezra and I ventured over to the Cosmopolitan (our only walk out on the Strip and only second time off the Caesar's property!) to see if we could rekindle the luck we had there last year. Not only did we find the same table, but the same dealer, Violetta, was there. I recognized her immediately and claimed to remember us - but not Ezra's spilled drink. We had a lot of fun with her and had a nice run that kept us playing for a while. The guy next to us was betting big - had $350 down, drew double sevens against the dealer's two or three, split them, got a seventeen and a nine. He doubled again on the nine and won - $1,050 on one hand (but I got the sense that he was still working to break even. We took a picture with Violetta and left slightly up (although coming home with $250 in my wallet feels like a big win to me!)

Got out early this morning and here I sit. Eager to see Amy and the girls, but no desire to re-enter the real world!