The above directions are ALMOST correct from Cali. When you get off at Tropicana, turn left (west). Once you make the left, go to the far right lane (#3) ). You have 2 left turn lanes at the top of the ramp, so it is no problem doing so. Go across 15 and when you come to the 1st light, make a right (In-N-Out Burger on the corner). You can make the turn without going into the middle lane to clear the corner. You'll see truck parking on the left, but with a fence. Keep going till you see a break in the fence, turn left in there and you can park anywhere on the perimeter of the lot backed in, but NOT the middle (reserved parking).
It is a lot less tight in there, less trash (people and garbage), and security patrols there a little more. You can go to Polaris or Prycon (sp?) but the turns aresharp, especially if a car is there waiting to turn.
Say hi to Bat, Debbie, or Mike at the Blackjack table and say Jeff said hi. They know me too well there from when I was doing vegas non-stop last year
They have a phone for a cab right in the casino, and it is only a couple bucks to the strip. Dont go walking west on Tropicana from the
WWW.... nothing but trouble, but walking to the strip is about 2 blocks to the heart of the strip if you want, and you walk past NY NY, which is a good spot to go into.
If the strip is packed on the weekend and you've had enough of sight seeing, you can cab it about 5 blocks west on Trop to The Orleans and have a great time there.
The rate you got is great, but it is usually 29.99 on teh weekdays now, and 47 or so on the weekends for the CDL rate. The check in is a pain in the butt sometimes, so if there is a line of 5 or more people go play a few games and wait for it to go down. Don't be shy to ask for comps when gambling there for cigs or food (Denny's is right in the casino).
If you park where I say, ask if they can change your room to somewhere around 616, 842, 836, etc and you can see your truck from your door/window and its less than 1000 ft walk to your truck or less.
Also, if you have aluminum wheels, they got an old vietnam vet on a bike that rolls around offering a hand polish. No matter what he says, you can get 6 done for 20 bucks. He does a great job and desn't require money up front, and he spends a little over an hour.
Enjoy!
Las Vegas??
