Just a short non-Cancun trip report, but I thought I thought I’d pass along a short report from our mini-vacation this week. Saturday we went over to the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino in Biloxi. I really wish this hotel was located somewhere fantastic like Cancun because it is without a doubt my favorite hotel in the world! They always make you feel welcome. The rooms are always perfectly kept, and the staff of the entire resort is wonderful. I just cannot say enough about how great the Beau Rivage is compared to so many other great resorts. This place has just about everything!

When we arrived we got our room – perfect as always – and quickly headed over to the Grand Casino where “The Sound of Music” was playing in the theatre. This cast was part of the Troika Entertainment Company (I think out of Maryland), and like most of their casts, this one was excellent. Having served as the music critic for our paper for a few years, having played in the orchestra for quite a few shows, and having spent 20+ years in music education, I think I have pretty strong credentials to say that this was an outstanding production performed by an outstanding cast!

When the show was over we went back to the Beau Rivage for dinner with my brother and sister at the buffet. We had a wonderful, but far too short, visit. We’ll also spend the day after Christmas with them. I love visiting with family, and I’m so very thankful for 21st century transportation allows us to do it so often.

After dinner we walked around the hotel looking the fantastic winter wonderland of decorations they have at the Beau Rivage. The lobby and atrium areas are always beautiful, but they go out of their way to spread the Christmas spirit through their decorations. I wish I had brought my camera, but for once I decided it was best to leave it at home.

After our visit Joni and Heather retired early for an evening of movies on TV, and I snuck down to the casino. It was a fun evening. This is the nicest casino I go to, the nicest I’ve ever been to, except the Bellagio in Vegas. I wish they had a sports book, but that is still illegal in Mississippi and Louisiana. I’m happy to report that I won enough to pay for our Biloxi part of our trip.

The next morning we got up early and headed down to New Orleans. Harrah’s booked our room and when we arrived we were told that we had a VIP note on our reservation. Our room was exceptional and the room was the best the Hilton had to offer. To the left was the city, overlooking the casino, and to the right was a full view of the river crescent. This was the nicest view I have ever had from any hotel room in New Orleans.

We had lunch at the Hard Rock (Heather’s request) followed by a stroll through the Riverwalk Shopping Plaza. If you have never been there, it is a collection of upscale stores in the location of the 1984 World Exposition. It is a super nice place to spend the afternoon, and if you don’t mind the inflated prices, it is a great place to pick up some cool stuff. We also made it through the Canal Place Shopping Center where I made a visit to the Williams-Sonoma Store. It is so easy to spend lots of money there, but they have such cool stuff! If you have never been there before you can visit via www.williams-sonoma.com.

We went back and chilled for a while before going off to the Celebration in the Oaks at New Orleans City Park. This cannot be described, but I’ll say that it has become a part of our family tradition each year, and as Heather grows up we seem to enjoy it better and better. The off to dinner at Mandina’s – WOW!!! What a great meal!!! If you are ever I New Orleans this is a “no brainer”!!! Just be ready to wait. On a big Monday night we waited about 40 minutes. It was almost as good as our breakfast at the Camellia Grill this morning!

After dinner I snuck over to the casino. I must say thanks to the nice dealers there! The were even more generous than the nice folks at the Beau Rivage. I won't tell how much, but let's just say it was a very good evening!

We made a few stops on the way home, but it was nice to get home. Tonight we made a Bundt cake in our new Christmas wreath shaped pan, and life has returned to normal.

Merry Christmas to you all!