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“I never thought you were the Vegas type.” I agreed with him, but I’m going. As I’ve learned, Vegas is a lot more than gambling and conventions.

First, right in Vegas, most hotels on the Strip (the main drag for tourists) are themed and have attractions, many of which are free. From a fake volcano and a pirate battle to fountain shows and wildlife habitats, it’s all there. Just a short ride away is the Liberace Museum featuring "dazzling jewelry, rare antiques, unsurpassed wardrobe, unique and historical pianos and his custom car collection." Downtown, Fremont Street Experience is a nightly (several times per evening) sound and light show in a canopy above the street. As one person described Vegas, everything is over the top.

It isn’t my kind of place, but everyone has to see Vegas once. That’s what people have been telling me. It’ll be an experience.

And when I’m offered an all-expenses-paid trip if I work at a conference for a few hours a day, how could I turn that down? I didn’t, of course. The "work" will be greeting and talking to people in an exhibit hall lounge. I’ll be getting to know people in person I’ve already gotten to know online as well as meeting new people.

Within an hour of Vegas, there’s Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead (including cruises), and Valley of Fire State Park. If we extend the time to a couple of hours from Vegas, there’s even more to see.

I won’t have time to see everything, but I’m looking forward to seeing a lot. Gambling? Even if I were interested in gambling, there’s too much to see and do to waste time in a casino.