Visitreno

[PEB]

Hi All,

Left on time this trip. Weather was perfect and traffic wasn't bad at all. We took our time, enjoying the scenery. At least until we got up Hwy 88 where we had found a nice little place to stop for our picnic. There was smoke in the air, not sure where the fire was but the closer we got to Reno, the thicker the smoke seemed to be (no one that I asked seemed to know where it was coming from).

Check-in was pretty quick and our room was ready, got a mini suite on lucky floor 13. I had a little time before the slot tourney registration, so my Mom decided to take a shower and rest a little while I headed down to the bar for a cold one (or two). The Fitz was really jumping, lots of people! Bells were ringing the whole time we were there!

Went and registered and drew for my tourney round, I got the third round which didn't begin until 6 pm. Went back up to the room to get my Mom and head off to supper. We ate at Molly's Garden (was too crowded in the buffet), dinner was pretty good but they sure needed another waitress or two, the one we had seemed to be by herself (poor thing), including taking care of people at the counter....I left her a good tip.

The slot tourney theme was Flash Back to the 50's, a few people came dressed for it, one looked like Elvis, another like the Fonz....and ladies in poodle skirts Good oldies music, lots of Elvis and the stage was decorated pretty cool too, huge fuzzy dice and hula hoops, James Dean, etc. My first round was just ok, it was a fight to get blue 7's but managed to break over 10,000 points.

After the round was over we went to the Keno lounge for awhile. Played Keno but no wins.....did get a few replays though. Played some slots, my Mom won a little on the $1 WOF and then again on a 25 cent WOF. We sat and listened to George sing for awhile and then she wanted to call it a night. I went with her to the room and told her I was going to go back and listen to George while I played one of my fav slots. I sat at my machine for a couple of hours and only had to feed it once, it kept giving me $$ to play on. Saw a guy hit a jackpot for $4,000 and a lady hit $400 on a VP machine at the bar.

Next morning, we had breakfast at the buffet, everything was good as usual, I really love their coffee there. My second tourney round wasn't until 10 am so back to the Keno lounge until it was time....only 2 small wins this time. Second round was tough....no big scores showing up, blue 7's were hard to come by. I knew that I'd need a higher score in the third round to get in the money.

After the round, we decided to take a walk down to the river, was hoping my Mom would be able to make it, this was the longest walk she'd taken since her surgery. We took it slow and then found a bench for her so she could rest awhile. Took some nice photos along the river and then walked back to the Fitz to get ready for my final round. She decided to rest while I played the final round and then I told her we'd go for supper after that.

We had supper again at Molly's, it was almost a full tourney and there was no way we'd get a table in the buffet. She really liked the fish & chips there, I had the hot roast beef sandwich and a chocolate shake....was really good! We played somemore on the slots, won small jackpots, then played more Keno, no wins there this time. George wasn't singing that night so we both decided to go back to the room early and watch tv. I did go back down at 8 pm for the awards party, didn't win this time (was short one set or blue 7's from being in the $25 win range), but I had fun trying

Wednesday morning, we packed before heading down for breakfast at the buffet. More great coffee and a light breakfast before heading for home. We said goodbye to our fav bartender, took some photos, and checked out. We both hated to leave as it seemed like we had just arrived, the time goes by way too fast when we're in Reno!

But, I will be going back soon, my yearly Oct. BD trip (also doing the slot tourney). Hubby will be with me this time He's my designated driver in the elevator and he also helps collect my winnings...lol
Can't wait to go back!

[jerry]

Thanks for the report, PEB. Always fun isn't it? It's been awhile for us. I do have a day and two nites booked for next week. First stay at Fitz this year. They never offer us food WITH the room offers.
We are highest level (barely) but will lose about $11 of that next week so I need to go and use it up.

I surely wish they would brighten it up a bit somehow. I would especially like to find a VP machine with a decent pay table. They no longer have a single machine that I want to pay. They have the short pays on Royal Flushes which really grinds on me.

Thanks again for writing.

[john]

[CaSwede]

I was at Lake Tahoe on the 13th, and noticed the heavy smoke also. I was curious about a nice picnic spot on hwy. 88. Where would that be? There just are not many places to even pull over.

Sorry to hear about the poor showing at the slot tournament, but it sounds like you had a good time.

[RenoLady]

It's funny you mention the coffee in the buffet, I just love it! I wrote the name down and googled it to make it at home, but haven't found it anywhere. I even "sneak" a cup out after eating (as if anyone cared to stop me!)

R and I haven't done a tournamet yet, and wondered how they work for the meals. Is it just the buffet that's comped, or do you sign off on Molly's? When we had free RFB during the brewfest (for our birthday/anniversary), we only did the buffet and one nice dinner at Limericks, and didn't go to Molly's. Just wondering...

[kevin]

peb, Just want to give you fair notice that I am playing in the oct tournament and will win it. Second place is yours though. kevin

[PEB]

Jerry,
Your welcome! Yes, it's always fun......just wish the time didn't fly by so fast when we're there. I wish you lots of luck at the Fitz during your stay there next week!

Thanks John....need all the luck I can get! I hadn't heard about a fire burning down south but man....the smoke was bad! Was glad that it had cleared out the next day so we could take a nice walk to the river. And,
hubby says hello

CaSwede,
There is a small rest area (on the right) before Caples Lake. It doesn't have a lot of parking area, at least not for big RV's (which tried to pull in when we were there) but they have restrooms, picnic tables and a hiking trail down to the creek where people can fish. It was a nice spot for a picnic. Yes, the slot tourneys are always a lot of fun

Renolady,
Yep....their coffee is the best! I looked it up online last year and found a few places that sold it (online sales) but was very expensive! As for the meals during the slot tourneys, you can eat at the Buffet or at Molly's Garden, all you do is sign the ticket and put your room number on it, all food and drinks are comped (Limerick's is not included though).

Kevin,
I'm glad to hear that you'll be there for the Oct. slot tourney! And, I don't mind taking second place at all. But....I have to at least give 1st place my best shot
The Oct. tourney is a fun one, has a Halloween theme and last year they had a costume contest, 1st place winner of that won a free entry to a future slot tourney. Hubby and I look forward to meeting you

PEB

[kevin]

PEB, you guys will love me, just ask jerry, after talking to him for a half hour he wanted to adopt me....

[alison]

PEB,
Enjoyed your trip report. Glad to hear you enjoyed yourselves. Especially your mother considering the surgery and all. Is she doing ok?

Alison

[hawk]

Correction, Kevin:
I wanted to temporarily adopt you--then keep Errin and the girls, and dump you.

[Barb]

Peb, Im glad you had a good time at the slot tournament with your Mom.
It sounded like a lot of fun and you can look forwatd to your Oct. trip.
We just got back today from my free Birthday food and room trip to the Fitz. We had a great dinner at Limericks(filet mignon and lobster) and they sang Happy Birthday to me and gave me a beautiful Gorham vase.
We ate at Mollys and at the buffet too all free. we played lots of slots and keno and had a little luck but nothing big. We also got free tickets to the Eldorado Show(fron Eldorado) to Dancing in the Streets(mama mia) and really liked it. Fitz is going to tear down that walkway over to Eldorado.
The new owners will take over Oct.31 they said and all the workers had just gotten forms to reapply for their jobs which they all hope to keep?
Weather was hot 97 but we did walk down to the river and saw kyakers.
A fun trip again. Barb

[PEB]

Alison,

Thanks! We had a good time and plan on going back for Mother's Day next year. My Mom is doing so much better, thank you for asking.

Barb,

Glad you had a nice Birthday trip to the Fitz (I know it's a little late but....Happy Birthday!). Yeah, the walkway was closed when I was there. I heard rumors that the City wanted that property in exchange for the Old Reno, not sure if thats true or not but that would be cool if the Fitz had the
Old Reno and the Golden Phoenix casino (right next door), they could sure expand their lower floor casino big time! I hope most of the current staff get to keep their jobs.....they have been so friendly and so nice, they make the guests feel welcome there. I also hope they won't change the Fitz players cards or do away with the slot tourneys.

Kevin,
You won't have a hard time finding us at the Fitz, we're usually at the stage bar, just look for a big guy (6'4") that looks like Kenny Rogers (thats my hubby)....lol
Just got the slot tourney invitation and already made reservations. They're having another costume contest, that should be fun! Can't wait to get there!

[john]