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Really, really late trip report from BC Dave

 
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Nov Mon 30, 2009 9:15 pm    Post subject: Really, really late trip report from BC Dave Reply with quote

Reno trip report Thursday, Jan 17th to Sunday, Jan 20th 1985

I was going to post this report as soon as I got home but alas, no computer, no internet, no VisitReno!!

Seriously, I recently found a box of 35mm slides from my first trip to the Biggest Little City and I thought some of you might enjoy them along with some of my recollections of that fateful trip.

First I’ll say that I’m not sure I have the dates exactly right. I know we were there for the Super bowl and a couple of the guys had bets on the game. San Fran beat Miami 38 to 16.

You might be surprised to hear I was some what reluctant to go. I thought gambling was dumb. An afternoon at the Comstock changed all that.

Myself and five workmates flew directly from Vancouver via Canadian Airlines. After checking in to the Eldorado we were given a tour of the town by the only member of our group who had been to Reno before. I was impressed…the town was busy, I saw things I’d never seen before (like slot machines and pretty girls giving away drinks), and there were so many Casinos!!

We toured a little out of downtown via some free double deck buses that ran from outside the Cal Neva. We went to the MGM and maybe the Sparks Nugget on them. When you arrived back at the Cal Neva the bus driver tipped you with 2 free drink tokens for the Cal Neva. We walked to the Peppermill. (A tradition I still practice when staying downtown.)

During the course of our stay we took in two shows; “Hello Hollywood Hello” at the MGM which was the world’s largest Hotel-Casino at the time. Anybody remember the Airliner they drove out onto that massive stage? The other show was at the Hilton downtown and I remember the stage was an ice rink. Both shows featured lots of skin.

I didn’t gamble much this trip but I tried a slot at the Comstock that had lots of melons and the little miner with the pick. I’d put in $3 and quite often get $10 or $20 back. I quit when I was up about $60. “Was there something wrong with this machine?” I wondered. I don’t think I had grasped that you could actually win. The next day I went back there with one of my friends and we each won about the same amount again! I WAS HOOKED! For the icing on the cake, I won $50 at the Eldorado on nickel machine (three nickels at a time not sixty or a hundred!) this just before our bus came to take us back to the Airport.

We arrive.... (I took the picture.)


Me and Barry (my Chief Officer) on the double decker bus.



Looking north on Virginia, outside the Nevada Club and Harolds.



And looking south towards the Mapes, Riverside and Onslow. The Mapes, sadly, was already closed.



Reno Hilton, El Cortez and the Colonial Inn.




And there's the Sands! The Kings in was closed. Was it ever actually open? (Yeah it was, my Mom, bless her soul, played there.)




The Horsehoe and Nugget




Reno Ramada. Yup, it really was a Casino!



Circus Circus and the Mayfair Market. Silver Legacy? Perhaps a gleam in Topsy's eye.




And at night..



The Eldorado..




And needing no introduction..



Cal Neva! No, I didn't take this three weeks ago!



And the Comstock...The place that got me hooked!



I don't wanna go home!!!



Hope this wasn't as boring as watching my home movies. I'll probably find more as I go through my old slides and photos. Anybody want to see more?


Last edited by BC Dave on Mar Mon 18, 2019 1:25 pm; edited 6 times in total
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Nov Mon 30, 2009 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

BC Dave,

Thanks so much for sharing, that's classic, totally dig the pics! Funny you should mention the machines with the melons, miners and pick - they still have a couple in the Cal Neva believe it or not. Crazy, I actually also practiced the art of walking from downtown to the Pep just over this Thanksgiving (who needs cabs anyway?)

Those machines in the last pic are classic. Thanks again for sharing. Looks like downtown has changed a bit since the mid 80's!

Mammothgambler
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Nov Mon 30, 2009 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting. Man I love that place! Just made me even more homesick. Such a fun town!
Thanks again for taking the time to share with us all.
I actually hit the miners at the comstock on my first trip with my Dad standing next to me. I was in shock!
I'll never forget that! Smile
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john
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Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 1:06 pm    Post subject: Ahem Reply with quote

BCD, I must remind you of the visitreno.com message board rules about posting trip reports in a timely manner. But, since you're such a cool guy, screw the stinking rules. That's about the way Reno looked when I moved up here in the winter of '82, back when people actually visited Reno.

Thanks for the blast from the past and all the great, historic photos.

John
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bummer! I want to see these pics! They are broken links on my computer here at work.
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 1:40 pm    Post subject: pics Reply with quote

Alison,
They should work at your home, but if not I'm sure we can find a way to send them to you.
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow- Those pictures are great, and bring back a flood of memories. Yes, I remember seeing Hello, Hollywood, Hello and the full size plane they brought out. That was on the worlds largest stage at the time (still is?) in the largest Hotel- at the time.... My how times change. I remember getting seated at the show, and my Dad pulling out a $20 bill to get us all better seats. That was a shock Shocked to see my Dad blow $20 like that!!

I remember eating that 99 cent breakfast as advertised in your picture at the Horseshoe. 25 cent roulette there too.

If you find anymore of those pictures- would love to see them.
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wow, 1985, i was 12....lol
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Shooty



Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 182

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holy crap, what a great TR!

Not that anyone asked, but I remember that weekend well. I'd arranged for my dorm floor at UC Davis to have a big ski weekend at South Lake Tahoe. I arranged the trip oblivious to the fact that it was Super Bowl weekend, and that most everyone was a 49ers fan. Ah well, we still had fun.

It would still be a year before I started gambling, but that's the Reno I remember from that time. I too was a Comstock guy, had a lot of fun there, especially in the bar at the top of the escalators. Probably TOO much fun.

Thanks for the GREAT photos!
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Dec Tue 01, 2009 8:35 pm    Post subject: Thanks Gang! Reply with quote

Alison was 12 and I had hair! OK, so Alison is still a spring chicken and I still actually have some hair. Just above my ears and on the upper part of my back (etc). Delete, Delete, Delete!!!

I really enjoyed putting this T.R. together. I'm so glad it's been so well received. I've been to Reno more than 50 times since then. (Yeah, I've got a serious problem.). Thanks to all of you for your compliments!

BC Dave
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Dec Wed 02, 2009 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

BC Dave -

"I've been to Reno more than 50 times since then."

Don't worry! I just completed my 42nd gambling trip (between Reno and Las Vegas and Tahoe and the local casino) since LAST JANUARY when I moved to Mammoth! Does anyone think that's a problem? Seriously I need some input!

Thanks again for the TR!

Mammothgambler
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