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California and Reno – Silver Legacy - September 4-13, 2016

 
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SeahawkSiren



Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Posts: 135

PostPosted: Sep Wed 14, 2016 8:12 pm    Post subject: California and Reno – Silver Legacy - September 4-13, 2016 Reply with quote

Guess what, Reno fans? It's time for a trip report! This was my first trip to Reno that was beyond 3 days in length. This was a 5 night stay in Reno which was part of an overall 9 day trip that included visiting the absolutely beautiful Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. This trip was just my husband and I.

Our adventure started on Sunday, September 4. We had an early flight from Seattle to Reno on Alaska Airlines. Our flight left Seattle at 7:45 a.m. and arrived in Reno around 9:15. We then rented a car at the Reno airport and drove about 1.5 hours to Susanville, CA and stayed at the Red Lion Inn for 1 night. Sunday was just our main travel day, getting groceries for our trip, and would get us near Lassen.

On the way to Susanville we were told we have to stop at a roadside “attraction” called the Shoe Tree, and I use the word "attraction" loosely. It’s about 30 miles north of Reno on Highway 395. Okey dokey. I thought it was very strange, but whatever. So any of you who have old shoes to get rid of, don’t throw them in the garbage, you can add them to this shoe tree!





On Monday morning we got up bright and early and started our Lassen adventure! What a beautiful national park this is! Very remote and uncrowded.

We hiked around Manzanita Lake prior to checking into our cabin that day.



Then we drove to the tiny town of Viola, CA (population 97) and checked into a cabin we rented through VRBO which would be our home for the next 3 nights while we further explored Lassen.

On Tuesday we hiked the difficult and steep Cinder Cone hike. The views at the top were spectacular! This was the most awesome and unique hike I’ve ever done!

Cinder Cone with Lassen Peak in the background.



The Cinder Cone is about 200 feet deep.



Views from the top of the Cinder Cone: Painted Dunes, Lava Beds and Butte Lake.





On Wednesday we were very sore and tired after the Cinder Cone hike so we chose to do a short and easy hike to Cold Boiling Lake. Gotta love small, beautiful lakes in the mountains. Can I please build a cabin and live here forever?



On Thursday it was time to leave California and majestic Lassen and head back to Reno! We did one more hike (to Bumpass Hell) on our way out of the park.

Bumpass Hell





Onward back to Reno! A 5 night stay at Silver Legacy here I come! So we are going from one extreme to the other here! The peaceful, quiet mountains to the hustle and bustle, lights and sounds of a casino! Bring. It. On.

This stay in Reno was timed to coincide with the Great Reno Balloon Race at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. This was our first time ever experiencing this balloon festival or any other balloon festival for that matter. After arriving at SL, we headed to the VIP area to check into our room. We had a “Luxury” category room on the 31st floor with an east facing view. 3 of our 5 nights were comped.

Now that the Eldorado, SL and Circus Circus are all under the same ownership, they have now combined their offers and discounts into this booklet called the Resort Passport which you receive at check in.



Hello Reno, I’m baaackk! – View from Room 3159



My success at winning anything on slot machines the first few days of this trip can be summed up with this one photo.

You know you are kicking ass when you get a grand total of 8 cents, yes 8 CENTS, on your bonus round.



I couldn’t hit anything the first 3 days of this trip which was quite discouraging since I was going to be here 5 days instead of my usual 3 days. It’s a good thing we had other things going on during this trip as I couldn’t spend as much time gambling as I would have liked to since my funds were depleting quickly.

Friday we did a walk along the river and ate lunch at Wild River Grille.





I enjoyed a grilled tomato and cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries for lunch.



On the way back from Wild River I noticed something is in the works for the Virginian. They were removing the casino sign when I was there.



Something is also happening across the street from Circus Circus. There were several dump trucks clearing debris off this property.



On Saturday, we got up at 2:30 a.m. (yes, 2:30 a.m. - not a typo) to get ready for the pre-dawn arrival at the balloon festival. Why did I even bother going to bed in the first place!?! We were on the 4:00 complimentary shuttle to arrive at the festival in time for the Super Glow Show at 5:00 and the Dawn Patrol at 5:30.

In 3 words: It. Was. Awesome.

OK, more words now. We had comped tickets for the SL VIP tent! The VIP tent experience included complimentary hot breakfast and beverages, including mimosas and bloody marys. They even provided blankets as it was rather chilly that morning. It was very nice sitting there instead of out with the masses of thousands on the lawn.







Such a wide variety of balloons in all shapes, sizes and colors. My favorite was the Smokey the Bear balloon.



Silver Legacy representin'







Sunday it was time to enjoy the opening day of the Seahawks season in the new and improved SL sports book! The sports book had undergone a major renovation since my last visit in February. And what do you know, it’s grand opening was Thursday, September 8 (the day of our arrival) just in time for the NFL season opening weekend. The new sports book is now run by William Hill.

Say hello to the new and much improved SL sports book!







We were quite impressed with this new sports book. There is a rectangular bar in the middle and tv screens around the entire bar so no matter which direction you are sitting you can watch games right from the bar which is great if you happen to be seated where you are not facing the main wall with all the larger tv screens.

More seating, comfortable chairs. A definite improvement. And you can say goodbye to that old, uncomfortable bleacher seating. Gone!

This lady loves her football and loves watching the games in the SL sports book. Numerous games on simultaneously, gotta love that! Go Seahawks! Not their best game for sure but they did manage to come from behind to barely beat the Miami Dolphins, 12-10.

Sunday night the hubby had to fly back to Seattle and get back to work on Monday. Me? I have a little more time in Reno so what does that mean? Enjoy some time to myself to play more slots and drink more free wine of course! Woo hoo!

After the first 3 days of not winning anything, things started to improve on the slots over my final 2 days. It was nice to recoup at least a portion of what I had already put in.

Here are some of my wins.











Tuesday it was time to head home. But first, a strawberry waffle for breakfast at Café Central before checking out of the room.



I was on the 11:00 a.m. shuttle to the airport for my, what should have been, 1:50 direct flight back to reality which would have gotten me back to Seattle at 4:00ish. But my 1:50 flight ended up being cancelled and I had to rebook flights which included first stopping in Boise, Idaho and changing planes there. At 8:00 I finally made it back to Seattle. Alaska Airlines gave me $200.00 for the cancelled flight and the inconvenience. Gee, I wonder where I will fly to with that money!

The plane was near Mount Rainier at sunset so I got to enjoy these beautiful views! I don’t recall any previous flight I’ve ever been on where we were this close to the mountain. It was really spectacular viewing and a nice way to end my vacation.

Sunset over Mount Rainier.



Sunset over the Olympics - On the tarmac at SeaTac Airport.



This was an awesome trip and a much needed vacation! I loved visiting Lassen, and of course I loved being in Reno for 5 days. This trip combined 2 passions of mine: being in the mountains and casinos. Life is good! We loved this trip so much we are already planning to go back to Lassen and Reno during this same time frame next year.

Unfortunately no more Reno adventures for me in 2016. I did get to go to Reno twice this year and hopefully will get to go twice again next year (not a normal occurrence). Looking at February and September trips for 2017.

Until then, Reno! And as Billy Joel would say, I love you just the way you are!

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spdmrcht



Joined: 12 Oct 2012
Posts: 498

PostPosted: Sep Wed 14, 2016 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fantastic Post and Pic. Thank you. Please go back soon!
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Sep Thu 15, 2016 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

spdmrcht wrote:
Fantastic Post and Pic. Thank you. Please go back soon!


I second that remark. Thanks for a great report.
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Sep Thu 15, 2016 8:36 am    Post subject: thanks for the report Reply with quote

What a pleasant surprise to read your very nice report this morning. The Lassen pictures were great. Keep in mind that there are some nice mountain areas south of Reno also. Yosemite and the Mammoth Lakes area come to mind.
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JSR1968



Joined: 18 Jan 2011
Posts: 65

PostPosted: Sep Thu 15, 2016 10:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great TR and pictures. Thanks!
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spdmrcht



Joined: 12 Oct 2012
Posts: 498

PostPosted: Sep Thu 15, 2016 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are those Pics with your camera phone? Great Pics.

Last edited by spdmrcht on Sep Thu 15, 2016 4:16 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Slacker



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Sep Thu 15, 2016 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for taking the time to post, great pics also
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Sep Fri 16, 2016 2:10 pm    Post subject: Every trip's a winner... Reply with quote

Great stuff; thanks for sharing! I think I'd have to vote for the "Angry Birds"-themed balloon...

New sports book looks pretty attractive, too...


Job well done!
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Sep Sun 18, 2016 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a great trip report. Such great pictures as well. Looks like you guys had a great time! Thank you for posting the photos of the Sportsbook I was really wondering what that now looks like.
Thanks again!
Smile
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BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Sep Mon 19, 2016 11:04 am    Post subject: Great report Reply with quote

Thanks SeahawkSiren, for a great report. The pictures, from the shoe tree, the cinder cone at Lassen park, to good old Reno are a real treat for all of us pining for a Reno getaway. Glad your luck eventually turned around. That beautiful sunset over Mt. Rainer was great way to conclude your trip report.
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