Visitreno Forum Index Visitreno
Visitreno.com's message board
There's a lot of information on the
MAIN SITE
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

BC Dave returns

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Visitreno Forum Index -> Trip Reports
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Mon 05, 2012 8:44 pm    Post subject: BC Dave returns Reply with quote

I finally made it back to Reno on Monday, Feb 27th and stayed through to Friday, March 2nd. It had been about 15 months since my wife and I had last visited. My friends from work are planning a trip to Vegas again but I couldn't betray Reno again so soon.

I got a great deal through Southwest Airlines for both flight and hotel from Seattle. The total with taxes was $267. Not much more than I paid back in 1985.

I stayed at the Silver Legacy. It was business as usual there and I talked to a few employees about the S.L.'s debt problems but they all seemed cautiously optimistic. Hope they're right - this is a gem of a hotel casino and really is the heart of downtown Reno now. I don't want to even imagine the worst case scenario.

Luck was with me on the first day but just small wins around $50 to $60. Just enough to keep me interested. The following two days were dismal as the casinos recouped their money with interest. Finally on Thursday evening Lady Luck returned with a couple of nice hands dealt to me on a video poker machine in Brew Brothers. After that my luck was mixed with some better than usual luck at Da Vinci Diamonds. (Even at the Airport!)

John and I met twice and both times we visited the new Siena for dinner. They've got a great promotion running right now - Just show your upgraded card from another casino and they'll match it. And give you a nice bunch of comp points to boot. Somehow my Eldorado gold card was still valid so they gave me an upgraded card with 5000 points on it. That translated to $50 in comps. Not a bad deal at all. We played and lost at the Siena but the dining at Da Vinci's and the River View Cafe made up for it. Both meals were great and the staff were attentive and courteous.

I made to John's Thursday afternoon to say hi to Charlie and Higgins. They were in their usual good spirits and, of course, tried to eat my coat, watch, shoes etc.

Here's some animated gifs of some of downtown's best neon signs. I guess I should have used a tripod - some of them dance around a little bit. Hope you enjoy them.











Last edited by BC Dave on Jan Fri 05, 2018 2:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Shooty



Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 182

PostPosted: Mar Tue 06, 2012 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Love the gifs, thanks a bunch.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Mar Tue 06, 2012 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great pics and report Dave. You sure found a heck of a deal there pricewise. Wow! Good for you. Did you step into the Sands, Siena or Cal Neva? Sure would like to hear what you thought of any other places you may have gambled.
Glad you guys had fun and thanks again for taking the time to write a report.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 12:07 am    Post subject: About dem other places... Reply with quote

Glad you asked Dave. Most days I was there I walked around a fair bit. The first place I usually go when I stay downtown is Walgreen's for supplies. On my way I took this..



There was snow on the ground or hints of it in the air each day I was there except for Friday. I didn't mind. There's nothing so inviting on a winter's evening as a nice warm casino!

The Sands seemed to be humming along pretty well. Same old place. I lost at blackjack there. (I lost at blackjack everywhere!)



The Siena was slow on Monday and Tuesday but seemed to pickup up through the week. It's a nice sized casino. As I mentioned, the food was very good. I played Video Poker and John introduced me to the wild new "Ghostbusters slot." Lots of sound effects, your chair shakes and there's quite a few different bonus rounds. High tech entertainment that's great fun especially if you win. (But I had to wait until I was back at the Airport to have even a small win on this crazy game.)

The CalNeva was a disappointment for me - basically because it's just a shell of it's former self. It used to be such a busy, noisy place with those big metal dollars banging away all over the casino. I used to spend just about all my time in there, getting the great deals they offered to Canadians. There's a lot of barely used spaces like the Beer Pong, Karaoke, and Slot Tournament areas. When the CalNeva was in it's heyday these places were jammed with slots. I ate at the Top Deck restaurant on the first night. $5.95 for Prime Rib with fries and a cup of soup - and it was pretty good. I guess it's still a pretty cool place, but man, I sure miss the old CalNeva! Oh and I didn't find any full pay V.P. at the Cal Neva at least at the quarter level. They used to have pretty much the best pay-tables to be found downtown.

The Eldorado was doing pretty good and I ate breakfast in the buffet for around 5 bucks each day (I'm over 55 with a gold card). On a couple of evenings I treated myself to a couple of those fancy desserts from the counter just outside Tivoli Gardens. Mmmmmm!



Circus Circus was quiet. I didn't do much there except pass through.

The Silver Legacy was doing a moderate business. I had their buffet for dinner on Wednesday. It was very good. I hope they get through their current financial difficulties.


There's still some signs up in front of the old Golden Phoenix that advertise for the Fitz.



Comm Row never seemed to open while I was there. I left Friday afternoon - maybe they were going to open up for the weekend. Here's a pic showing Comm Row and the Arch. I can't help feeling that a shrine has been desecrated!


On Wednesday I took the bus to the Peppermill and then walked to the Atlantis and down past the convention center to some of my favorite stores (Big 5 sports and Ross). The Peppermill blows me away every time I step into it. Sensory overload - in a good way. Both the Atlantis and the Peppermill were pretty busy.

Oh yeah, the downtown Nugget was doing it's usual quiet business. I played some Video Poker, Pharaoh's Fortune and Da Vinci Diamonds there. I contributed to the cause.


Last edited by BC Dave on Jan Fri 05, 2018 3:38 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mjames1229



Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Posts: 406

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 6:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome picture from the outside of Silver Legacy showing the snow on the trees. I've never been to Reno during the snowy period, but that view is part of why I have a soft spot for Reno.

You've got the little roadside motels across the street, you have big casinos butting the street, and right across from each other.

Other than downtown Las Vegas (which is sullied by the Fremont St canopy) you can't casino hop in Vegas. You can do that in Reno.

Now throw in the cobblestone-looky sidewalk and the fact that the streets do have trees, and it looks really cool.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 7:22 am    Post subject: Sorry Higgins ate your shirt and bent your wedding ring Reply with quote

Thanks for the fun report and typically amazing animated gifs, Dave. Lucky you were there during the earthquake. Thanks also for the enjoyable visit. I hope to see you again soon.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 2:45 pm    Post subject: Thanks gang! Reply with quote

Thanks gang for the favorable comments. And thank you John for the entertaining company and the DVD. Hope it's not too long 'til I get back.

Here's a curious find. While walking around downtown on my last day there, I came across a dollar store just east of the old Comstock and on the other side of the street. It's a small store with not too much that would interest me -except this...



99 cents for a classic! It's brand new and there were a few more. (All with the same goofy color scheme.) So hurry on down!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 4:05 pm    Post subject: One more for ya MJames Reply with quote

One more for ya MJames

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 5:29 pm    Post subject: Me, too! Reply with quote

You know what I really like about that batch of animated gifs? The fact that it's possible to look at them and have no idea that Reno is in any condition other than its heyday. Looks just like the golden era!

I'm disappointed that you found Cal-Neva so underwhelming, but I'm forced to agree that it's felt less like its old cheap-but-fun self the last few times I've been there. Of course, that probably has more to do with the general lack of a crowd than anything else, for which the casino can hardly be blamed - it's just a sign of the times, and I pray that Cal-Neva, Silver Legacy, and everyone else can get through this dust bowl.

Finally, I'm shamed and disappointed to realize that I was in Reno on THE SAME Monday and Tuesday that you were, but I failed to take a glance at the page where us members are supposed to log their arrival and departure dates, 'cuz we could have at least met up for a drink at the 'Leg, or whatnot!

Yes, I was there too; my own trip report, which has been severely delayed due to a nasty cold I picked up later that week, offers spine-tingling images of my frightful drive over I-80, with its dreaded chain controls, and the painfully unresponsive rental car I drove.
It was meant to be a nice Nevada break after my previously-discussed actual vacation to the Far East, and it turned out to be more of a trial than a ride.

And what had I to add? lackluster downtown as usual, tiny and spotty play action (seven dollars' profit at Blackjack), and mediocre meals. The foray into Tahoe City and Truckee for the work portion of the trip was primarily another exercise in irritating and sometimes hair-rising snow driving, again with the limitations of a thoroughly crappy and inappropriate car (me, at Hertz: "Any four-wheel drives?" Hertz: "No." Me: "Thanks, anyway.")

so my trip report will simply have to be glommed onto BC Dave's, since it's so much more pedestrian; but I will be happy to share with you the road conditions I put up with on *both* the drive there *and* back!!!









Note the sign in the background on that last one, indicating "Sacramento, a hundred-something miles" - adds a dramatic touch that I rather like.

Sorry to barge in on your trip report, Dave - I swear next time I will not miss an opportunity to hoist one with you!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Wed 07, 2012 9:10 pm    Post subject: I think I saw you!! Reply with quote

Stan,

If you look at all like your avatar then perhaps I saw you.



Seriously, I never post anything online as to the dates I'm going to be away. I'm afraid to cause excitement in the criminal classes. Not that I have anything worth stealing. But Mrs. BC stayed home this time. I always let John know a week or two before I head down. I could email you too.

I am sorry I missed you. We could have had a drink with John and maybe even talked about Ayn Rand. Leonard Peikoff, who is now the official spokesman for her philosophy, once spent an entire night playing Blackjack at the CalNeva. I knew I liked him when I heard that.

You did have some wild weather for your drive. My drive to Seattle on Monday (Feb. 27th) was the stuff dreams are made of - Not too much traffic and sunny conditions.



Unfortunately the drive back home on Friday evening was slow and wet. And although there's some amazing freeways there, there's an even more amazing number of cars. Landed at 5:15 and got home at 11:00pm.

Please feel free to add more pics and comments to our report. Promoting Reno is best done collaboratively!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Mar Thu 08, 2012 3:57 pm    Post subject: Never again! (miss an opportunity to hoist one) Reply with quote

You're too kind, and I promise never again to let my eye off the ball whenever it may be possible for the great minds of the visitreno.com message board to meet up.

I could certainly spend a couple of hours on alcohol-fueled discussion of the concept of objectivism, since the ideas don't strike me with terror, the way they seem to in so many of my countrymen.

But really, anyone who can spend an entire night playing Blackjack is okay in my book!

I appreciate your allowing me to share your trip-report space, even though my photos, as hosted by photobucket, seem to be annoyingly larger than the ones you put up; we'll have to work on that.

Oh, one other detail that struck me: On my last two trips to the area, I noticed, as you did, that "CommRow" was closed the whole time. Since I'm always there on a Monday-'n-Tuesday, I just assumed it was a "later in the week" type of place - now that you've confirmed my suspicions that it just plain *hardly ever opens*, I'm even more flummoxed by what the investors were thinking - although it's possible that they are in fact trying to ask themselves that question now!

That's what you get for defiling shrines, folks...tsk!


Last edited by stan_allen on Mar Fri 09, 2012 11:01 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Mar Thu 08, 2012 11:14 pm    Post subject: Your photos are great. Reply with quote

One tends to do their best driving under conditions like those in your pictures. I find it's a good therapy for those attention deficit problem days. I remember heading home, way back in the early nineties, and I'd just gone through Susanville and was headed for Mt. Shasta. It was January and was early evening and already dark when it started to snow. It made me quite nervous and a sensible driver would have turned around and gone back to Susanville but I "white knuckled" it and pressed on. (Hey we're gamblers!) Fortunately the snow tapered off and chains etc. were not required. I was driving my '81 Corolla at the time. So I can relate to the underpowered thing. On the positive side, you're less likely to spin out when you give 'er the gas.
I still have an really old Corolla and the chains I bought in Redding are still in the trunk.
Stan your photo's are a great size (at least on my monitor). I've a good mind to go back and resize all mine up to your High Definition standards. I just arbitrarily picked 750 pixels wide.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Visitreno Forum Index -> Trip Reports All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group