I was fortunate enough to get invited to come speak at a newly formed Trino User Group meeting in Charlotte, NC. I realized it was only a 4.5 hour drive so decided to drive up for this one. I invited my son to come along on a little “guys trip” with the lure of a casino nearby! He took the bait!
Casino
We made it to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Thursday night and Connor headed straight to the poker room. I watched him cash in $100 for some chips and find his table. As for me… I’m not much of a gambler so I found myself a one-armed bandit (aka slot machine) and settled in for a bit.
My BIG bets ranged from 25 - 75 cents on my chosen vice. I ALMOST hit two decent wins; $250 and $37.50 as shown below.
$40 lighter, I wandered around the casino a bit and the posted up outside the poker room where we agreed to meet for dinner after 90 minutes. I figured Connor would have done about like me (i.e. lose money), but I was so happy for him when he came back with $230. He made a 130% return in 90 minutes. I suggested he stopped playing poker right then and there and enjoy the win!
After dinner, we wandered around the GIGANTIC casino a bit more and then settled up on both gambling another $40 on some silly electronic thingy that I had no idea (I still have no idea) what identified a win, much less how much, but had some fun nonetheless before heading back to the hotel.
If YOU know what any of this means, let me know! I just know that my CREDIT amount kept going down and I rarely saw anything in the WIN bucket.
Waterfall
We visited Mingo Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains NP and this 120 footer was just amazing.
Even more amazing than seeing it was seeing it with my son. He hasn’t been on one of my waterfall hikes in years and I cherish any time alone with him – that much better when enjoying nature that I love so much.
I was lucky to visit Singapore first back in 2018 (see Singapore - The Lion City) and then again in 2022 (see Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay) and so happy to visit again. Each trip has been a bit longer than the last and I did repeat some of the key sites again. Just thought I’d share some photos from this trip.
Rain Vortex
The Singapore airport has clearly one of the coolest #airportceilings EVER!
Cable Car
Finally rode the cable car and LOVED the Pokemon decorations!
And then you are on Sentosa Island.
Madame Tussauds
Can’t pass up on a wax museum to visit some great friends…
Even got to visit my celebrity CRUSH again!
2024 in Singapore
2018 in London
DUCKtour
All aboard!!
And the money shot…
And here’s some foreshadowing to the next location…
Gardens by the Bay
This place is simply incredible. A must-see when you visit Singapore. This was my second time to visit and would go again without hesitation.
Supertrees
The most iconic image is of the Supertree Grove and it is worthy of sharing a few pics.
On to the DOMES!
Flower Dome
I recommend visiting the Flower Dome first. Lots of beautiful things to see, but you probably will be burning up and the AC is a welcomed relief. First of all, it’s a giant dome.
But, most beautiful of all, it is a giant dome filled with so many gorgeous flowers!!
Cloud Forest
The other dome’s scale was even more magnificent. You start at the base of a waterfall.
Speaking of magnificent. 
You wander around the bottom for a bit.
Then you ride an elevator up to the top and start walking down those paths up in the air and you can see the Supertrees and the casino!
This place is BIG!
And, of course, lots of pretty flowers, too!!
On the grounds
Took these two cool pics wandering on the grounds on the way to the subway when wrapping up my visit.
Museums
I visited the National Museum of Singapore and the Asian Civilizations Museum. Here are are few pics from these museums.
Around town
Doodles
