With winter coming to the east coast in December 2000, it was off with Carol and Dick Fine to the sunny southwest--first to Las Vegas and then Los Angeles.

Staying at the Paris Hotel, we could look out at the half sized 'Arc d' Triomphe. Across the street with the glitzy Bellagio with its dancing waters. We also went shopping in the piazzas of the Venetian Hotel. We couldn't miss New York, New York and its casino. But gambling was a little more casual downtown , which used a street-covering light display to attract tourists. Of course, we hit the usual flea markets and antique shops with little success.

In Los Angeles, we also checked out some antique malls with a little more success (mostly snowdomes, mercury glass candle sticks and 50's martini glasses). But we did the typical tourist stuff. In the visit to Warner Brothers studios, there was the door for the 'ER' set and a western street. Carol's brother arranged for tickets for the Jay Leno show. Hokey but really pretty cool.

As New Year's rolled around, we celebrated with some accessories Judie picked up in Las Vegas.