2020 was supposed to include lots of new experiences and locations. Instead, the one routine trip that we take ended up being monumental.
We try to go to Las Vegas every year, and this year we went during the last weekend of February over Leap Day because I didn’t have a trip planned until April and needed somewhere to go before then, and that weekend the Golden Knights were playing the Buffalo Sabres so it was perfect.
It was a pretty typical trip: we stayed at our usual spot, Vdara…
We gambled and didn’t do too bad, we had great food at some favorite and some new spots…
We walked all over enjoying the Chinese New Year decorations…
We found a newly renovated funky section of MGM Grand full of video games, pool tables, ping pong tables and more…
And we went to the hockey game…with a little snafu. Tickets for the Vegas Golden Knights are pretty pricey so I managed to score some affordable tickets in the last row of one section. Well, they were literally standing room only…as in you stood up against a railing. That is correct, no actual seats. Oh well, it was still a great game and I learned a lesson–save up for Vegas hockey SEATS next time!
I do have to say that while it was a typical trip in terms of what we did and saw, there was a noticeable absence of Asian tourists and a smattering of people here and there wearing masks. But neither one of us felt unsafe or that we should be taking precautions.
Then, on Sunday morning, I began feeling ill, and it got worse as the day went along. I remember flying home at around 3pm and I was almost in tears because my whole body ached. I ended up having the weirdest illness for about a week and a half after that. I think it was the flu but I wasn’t nauseous; I was just really drained. I spent every day that following week working and every night wiped out on the couch watching TV, which you know I do NOT normally do.
Who would’ve thought that our simple, little trip to Vegas would be the travel highlight of our year?
The Start of the COVID Phase
I was fully healthy again on March 10th, the day before JC’s birthday and two days before Colorado shut down. At first, I was bummed beyond belief when all of my plans and events for March and April began getting cancelled like falling dominoes. But, opening up my schedule to a whole lot of free time got me very excited. Plus, work was very busy, so I enjoyed doing my hobbies as creative outlets from the stress of the situation and the nonstop work.
And so, in record time, I cranked out FIVE ALBUMS:
- An entire 12×12 album of our trip to Japan
- A 6×8 mini album of my trips to Poland and Czech Republic
- The rest of 2019 in two 12×12 albums
- A 6×6 chunky mini album of 4 years of assorted travels
I spent every Sunday as well as some weeknights scrapping away, and I had ALL OF THIS DONE by the END OF MAY.
Yes, I am ALL CAUGHT UP.
Click on the links to the albums if you’re super bored, or you can access them from the menu on the right!
Enjoy!