Yup. Married there in ’95. That place was gorgeous. Now it’s whitewashed bullshit.

Las Vegas is practically empty right now. Here’s what that really means. It means that phenomenally cheap rooms are available right up to arrival date. Catastrophically conspicuous by their absence are visitors from Europe, Asia and middle America. Okay, so what? I’ll toss out a couple of hints: huge amounts windfall-like dollars are being spent there in what vaguely appears to be multiples of $600, and the new trend on the strip is perfectly able-bodied groups people carousing the strip and properties in mobility carts without a lot of regard for the people around them. Plus the view on the strip sidewalks is a ripply fleshfest that will put your gag reflex to its toughest test ever. Put two and two together and make of that what you will.

I’m booked in October for Beatty and Las Vegas. The Las Vegas leg is booked for Boulder Highway, but I may stay closer to Hoover Dam. Last week staying mid-Strip seemed like a terrific deal at $60 but, ultimately, I got what I paid for and, more accurately, probably overpaid.

Great questions, thank you. It has been confusing. Penn apparently went in a different direction. Agree, Trop has been a missed opportunity, but it’s unclear if anyone else could turn it around. The rumor was interested party (third party, not REIT) was making a play for the land. Appreciate your thoughts.

So, given I have no head for real estate or business, I assume that the sale of Penn National Gaming to Penn’s real estate investment trust happened after July 8, allowing the casino to set a reopening date. If not, then I’m confused, which happens quickly when I delve into the world of high finance.

So what’s the explanation for the open windows?

As for the Trop, it should be a cool, old school place to visit, with a much better location than the departed Riviera, yet Trop can’t seem to capitalize on it. Poor Tropicana.

If I ever make it back to Vegas, I’m more inclined to visit Excalibur. Haven’t been in that place in years. I did pop in the Trop a few years ago. Boring. Devoid of personality, atmosphere and anything else that would appeal to me as a gambler.

Your thinking about Anthony Bourdain. Robert Irvine is alive and well.

Robert Irvine isn’t dead.