Visitreno

[mustangmike]

Well here is my attempt at writing my first published “Trip Report.” I say “first” because I have written several others, but never posted them because I felt they were on the boring side. You see I have a technical writing background, so my writing style tends to be of the “Adam 12” style, being more “just the fact” rather than humorous, like a lot of the other posters here. But after lurking on the site for the last 5 or so years, with only the occasional post, I figured I owed the site a trip report, so here it is.

First a little background. I am thrifty with my money, my wife calls me cheap, but I prefer thrifty, so a lot of my remarks are monitory related. And second, I am writing this on a lap top computer, and my “fat” fingers tend to write something other than what I am trying to say, so I hope spell check works.

Here it goes!

We planned this trip for my wife’s birthday (2/1), for several months. It has become an annual trek to Reno during this time for the last 5 or so years. We celebrate her birthday with a trip to Reno, and attending a “Super Bowl” or should I say “Big Game” (NFL naming rights) party. We used to attend the party at the J.A. Nugget, but the past 2 years have attended the Peppermill party, because the Nugget will no longer sell tickets to theirs, and we are not big enough gamblers to receive free tickets.

We left Fresno, CA at 8:00am and made it to Reno in 4 ½ hours. That is very nice compared to the 6 hours it took last year at this time. NO CHAINS was a great thing, but the limited snow pack over Donner Summit was hard to bare. There was probably no more that 3 feet of snow at the top of the hill. Looks like another “dry” year for CA.

We got to Reno, and made our first stop at Rail City Casino. We started going there several years ago, and for some reason have began to make it a “must stop.” We stayed there for a couple hours, and both left $s ahead. I am too cheap/thrifty to win or lose big, but Renee is my opposite, and this time won big on a “Pharaoh’s Fortune” penny machine near the “Ale House” restaurant.

We then drove to Allison’s castle (Peppermill) to check in. We could have stayed at the Nugget for free, but decided to stay at the Pep instead. They sent me a email for a Tuscany room for $100 Sat and $75 for Sun and Mon. Soon after arriving and getting into the hotel registration line, I regretted my decision. The line was 30 people deep, with only 3 reps. attending to the “non-preferred players” If there is one thing I hate more than spending money, it is waiting in lines. This is the main reason we prefer Reno over Las Vegas. I got my hopes up when a forth rep. arrived, only to see another go on break. Oh well, at least when we finally got to the desk, the guy apologized for the wait. We received a room in the Tuscany Tower on the forth floor. We almost had to leave a bread crumb trail from the elevator, to our room, being at the opposite end of the tower, but at least we were only steps from the ice machine.

The room was very impressively decorated, with nice dark wood accents and marble floors. The bathroom was huge, and included a flat screen TV. The lighting switches were a little confusing, but we some got the hang of it. The shower had two heads, but one just dribbled out or when adjusted, sprayed you in the eyes. There was a large jetted tub, but the jets blew cold air, and were not that pleasant. The bed was firm, but had incredible linens that made getting up tough. The flat screen TV was large, but did not seem to receive HD channels, mainly ESPN. The far end of the room had floor to ceiling windows, but no much of a view besides the nearby apartment/condos and sunset. I thought I had read that the had a refrigerator, but only had a mini bar with numerous warnings that “you touch it, you bought it” So I had to ice the beer I brought in the ice bucket.

After checking in and relaxing, we went to the Grand Sierra for a concert in the main showroom. The band was Tesla, a 80’ hair band that has been one of our favorites. The put on a excellent show, but as like most concerts, played too much new stuff, and not enough of the songs we know. The Grand Sierra seemed a lot more busy that I expected after reading some of the post here. After the concert, we did not gamble there, but returned to the Pep, and retired for the night.

The next day we awoke and ate breakfast at the Pep’s Biscotti’s restaurant. The Pep is offering a coupon book that gives you free slot play for patronizing the new offerings in the Tuscany Tower area along with 2 for 1 coupons. We receive $25 for booking a Tuscany Tower room, and another $20 for eating at Biscotti’s. Renee had there corn beef breakfast, which was not like any corned beef I’ve seen. It was more diced potatoes covered in a pulled beef concoction. It had a strong after taste of some herb Renee and I could not place or like. I had a Mexican style frittata omelet that was good but not great. It seemed to me that they prefer plate presentation over great tasting food. The bill came to just under $20 with the 2 for 1 coupon, which wasn’t bad for this upscale restaurant.

After Breakfast, we went back to Rail City. They had sent some free play, a free T-shirt, and drawing tickets for the “Big Game” pool. They threw in a $20 dining credit when they saw it was Renee’s birthday. I played some 50 hand poker and Renee went back to her new favorite ‘Pharaoh’s Fortune” machine, and again hitting it for $300. We then drove back to the Pep and got ready for the “Big Game” party. I got a bad feeling about the party when we were told to get there early because they had over sold tickets. The tickets were $45 pp, and included a stadium food buffet, and all the beer you could drink served in a Budweiser party ball on each table. They also included 2 mixed drink ticket and a ticket for 20 or so drawing prizes. The food was mediocre a best, comprising of salads, hot dogs, hot wings, chicken tenders. They had a good assortments of desserts, but was depleted faster than they were could arrive. The game was good, except for Arizona giving up the lead late, costing me my straight up bet. Half way threw the game, the TV’s began to have jumbled pictures for 20 minutes. They said it was a Reno wide problem, and solved it by switching to the non-HD feed, which left the projection TVs with a poor picture quality. They switched back to HD a half hour later, and all was fine. All in all, we enjoyed the party, but I think $45 was a little steep for what you got, but it did sell out, so I guess the priced it right. After the party, Renee gambled while I went to the room and napped.

Monday we awoke and drove to the JA Nugget to get some Free play and $20 birthday cash. We gambled there for about 1 ½ hr, but left due to non-winning and lack of cocktail service. Nothing worse than losing money, and being ignored by the cocktail server. We returned to Rail City and won back the money we lost at the Nugget. Renee again won another $250 on the same Pharaoh’s Fortune” machine like it was her own personal ATM. We used the $20 dining birthday comp at their “Ale House” restaurant. I had a burger, and Renee had a BLT sandwich. Both were filling, but not memerable.

After lunch, we drove to Cabala’s. I needed to flannel lined jeans for camping, but they were pretty well cleaned out. We did not buy any thing, but it was a nice escape from the casinos. I wish Cabala’s would more clearly tag their discounted items. It is hard to find the bargains, unless you take the item to the price scanner. And who decided to put the entrance facing the opposite way of the freeway? It is kind of sad to see how that was designed and placed compared to the Bass Pro Shop in Vegas.

Later that night we got hungry, and decided to use some of our comps at the Nugget. we ate in Rosie’s Cafe. I had the fried chicken, and Renee had the spaghetti. The dinner salad was good, but neither main dish was good. My chicken was very greasy, and Renee’s spaghetti had no flavor. It was the first “bad” meal I have had there, and left me wondering what happened.

Tuesday we checked out and played the $45 free slot play I earned, converting it to cash in the pocket.. We went back to Rail City so Renee could withdraw another $400 from her “Pharaoh’s Fortune” machine before heading back to Fresno.

All in all we enjoyed the trip very much. We probably will stay at the Pep again, if they decide to send us some room comps from our tracked play. If not, we will probably go back to the Nugget. My only real complaint of the Pep, was having to get in the car and drive everywhere. We have to do that we stay at the Nugget, but the distances seem much shorter.

Well thank you lasting to the end. Maybe someone can add a witty or comical post to spice this “plain-Jane” trip report up. At least I finally contributed to the trip report section. Its late, and I don’t feel like rereading this to proof read it, so pardon any mis-spellings or grammar errors.

I will try and answer any questions asked

Mike

[BC Dave]

Hey Mike;

That's some great trip reportin'. Nothing wrong with "just the facts". I've always wanted to check out Rail City but never quite made it there. Glad to hear your wife did so well there. Now that I know that there's a Pharaoh's Fortune machine in town that John hasn't worn out l'll make a point of going there next time I'm in town.

Sorry to hear that so many of your meals were hum-drum.

[RenoLady]

Nice detailed trip report, and from another "frugal" player (I don't like the cheap word either!)

I think you may have done more for Rail City, with your trip report, than all their marketing genius's for this year. We're there on our next trip!

That Pharoh game drives me nuts. Picking all those squares in the bonus round, multiplier, more spins, or ending it. It's stressful! I've gotten to where I just place my whole hand on the screen and let the game decide, and no, it doesn't work. Anyway, I WILL be trying it when we visit Rail City on our next trip. Couple of questions, were you playing max to get those nice jackpots? and are they offering any new member sign ups?

[remano]

Good TR. I enjoyed it very much.

I can attest that the Super Bowl video glitches were not just at the Peppermill. Our HD cable feed suffered from the same malady.

For those staying at the Peppermill, there's a new Mediterranean restaurant opening 2/14 right across the street. Maybe somebody could try it and report back. I would volunteer but I won't be here that week. Besides, their sign says something like "Your healthy diet begins here," which doesn't sound too appetizing to me. "Healthy" and "delicious" just don't seem to go together.

If you're going to Rail City and you're starting from downtown, just take East 4th Street. You come into Sparks about a block from the casino and you avoid the freeway traffic.

Next time instead of going to Cabela's visit the Scheel's store at the Sparks Marina. Kind of the same style but larger and more impressive. Ride the full sized Ferris wheel in the middle of the store and see the whole operation from the topside.

[CaSwede]

Good timing on your report, as I am packing my bags right now for a Reno trip. I am also staying at the Pepp. I also like to make a few stops when getting into town before I settle in at the Peppermill. I usually stop at the Gold Dust West (dump alert), and also sometimes at Rail City. I have now decided to stop at Rail City....but I need a road map in the casino for that hot machine!

4.5 hours from Fresno? That seems like you were really moving, and hit no traffic in Sacramento. I don't think my timing will be as good, as my drive should be through some snow.

[Zydeco]

Great TR! Thanks for the notes about the 'Mill. Considering it for an April trip.....

[alison]

Thaks for posting. I enjoyed it. Not boring at all~!

I have a love/hate relationship with Pharoahs Fortune. I usually play the nickel version. Were you playing pennies?

[hawk]

enjoyed the TR. Keep em comin. That being said:

You stated:
"I have written several others, but never posted them because I felt they were on the boring side."
I comment: That has never stopped JD, Jerry, Stan, BCDave, and even John from posting TRs.

[hawk]

"had two heads, but one just dribbled out or when adjusted, sprayed you in the eyes. "

That right there is pretty funny. Need I say more?

[hawk]

"There was a large jetted tub, but the jets blew cold air, and were not that pleasant."

i'VE found that putting water in the tub works wonders in resolving that situation.

[alison]

Yeah i used the jetted tub, and had no issues what so ever...

[stan_allen]

MustangMike, thank you for the contribution - there's no need to hold back here, and Just-the-facts works very well. No gratuitous "Wit" is necessary, and those of us who inject large doses of it - well, me anyway - are usually just starved for attention, so consider yourself lucky to have no such inclination.

A very solid trip, and we thank you for leaving in all the details!

[mustangmike]

Thank you for all your nice comments to my TR posting. I apologize for not answering your questions sooner, but as always, reality comes at you hard after taking a vacation. I spent all that time looking forwardto and planning the trip, then after 2 or 3 days home, it is like you never went.
As for the questions. The Pharoahs Fortune machine Renee did so good on was a penny machine on the end of the row, near the southwest entrance, and by the satalite "keno" cashier. She was playing Max bet of $1.50 per spin. Like Alison, we dreaed making the picks during the bonus round. There was ony 3 "start bonus" picks out of the 40 or so choices, but we seemed to pick one on the 3 or fourth selection.

As for the 4.5 hour drive up, that is about average for us in good weather. The traffic is usually pretty light, except for around the Sacramnto area. The CHP like to hang out on 80, so we tend to just do the speed limit and enjoy the drive.

And lastly, I want to thank Hawk to the jetted bath tub tip. Water, who would of thought! But seriously, the water in the tub was very hot, but the air blowing from the jets was ice cold, not very pleasant. Maybe we had a bum tub.

This was the first time we went to Reno and did not go downtown, even for "Aweful Aweful" With all the casino closings, there just seems to be less and less to see and do there. I've never been a fan of the big 3, dispise Harrah's for their part in destroying Harrolds and the Nevada Club, and Cal Neva seems to get tighter and tighter with their comps and perks to the point of not being worth even a short visit. With the loss of the Fitz and the other smaller casinos, the personality of the strip has changed.