Des-Lab
06-15-2008, 03:28 PM
Well I'm glad to see that neither the board nor my inbox were filled with "where are you" messages. In case any of you hadn't noticed, I had taken a sabbatical from the site (and for that matter, all Internet activity) beginning around lunchtime Thursday afternoon till about lunchtime today.
Reason?
Mrs. Des and I decided to take a weekend getaway trip up to Laughlin, NV. It's a small casino town about an hour and a half south of Las Vegas. Basically, it's out in the middle of nowhere, the nearest freeway being about 25 miles away. It has most of what can be found in Vegas, but on a much, MUCH smaller scale. Everything you could want in a casino oriented getaway with about fifteen million fewer people. And fewer people around generally means less likelihood of running into any hooligans. Plus, Laughlin generally attracts an older crowd (although skimpy bikinis wrapped around some very tight bodies are still present) and a lot of it revolves around boating activity on the adjacent Colorado River, which separates Arizona and Nevada (Bullhead City is on the Arizona side).
Anyway, we had a good time. There was no special occasion to observe. It was just a summer getaway.
Here are a few shots of the trip. I actually came home with close to 300 to add to the several hundred we already have from previous trips.
1. Interstate 40 between Barstow (I-15) and Needles/Arizona State Line has got to be *THE* longest and most boring stretch of road I've ever been on. End to end (as per the points above) is about 140 miles, give or take. Except for the very tiny watering holes of Ludlow and Newbury Springs, there is absolutely NOTHING out there. Just the endless sand, rocks, and dirt of the Mojave Desert. That and plenty of California Highway Patrol officers (the CA State Police) just itching to nail you a ticket. Because the area is so desolate and traffic so light (save for weekends and holidays), the road is usually pretty open and the temptation to speed great. If you are going 80, chances are, the CHP won't bother you as that's what the flow of cars is. He knows he can sit under a bridge or behind a rock and pop someone doing 120+ before long.
Also there is a lot of big rig truck traffic on this road. So it's not unusual to encounter several 'convoys' in the span of one trip. And they always "shuffle the deck and get in your way. So one minute, you're doing 80. Next thing, you have to plummet down to 55 for a few miles while the truck doing 57 can complete his pass of the truck doing 55. I'm pretty sure they do it on purpose just to annoy us 'four-wheelers". After all, those truckers do spend a lot of time alone and they have to do something to amuse themselves. I respect truckers a lot and fully understand that without them, this country would collapse into chaos and anarchy in the span of three days, but still. Why can't they play games on the CB to pass the time?
2-5. Where we stayed at, the Tropicana Express. Used to be the Ramada Express, but they changed it last year. The place has a railroad motif to it complete with an actual running train that circles the property. Note the actual railroad crossing gates installed. There is also a lot of old classic American railroad memorabilia all over the inside such as herald signs, tons of pictures, railroad spikes, route maps, etc. If names like "Santa Fe", "Southern Pacific", "Erie Lackwanna", and "Chicago and Northwestern" mean anything to you, then this place is worth checking out. Picture #5 shows the building from across the street facing west in the early evening.
A few other minor changes have been made to the place since the new owners came in. I think I liked it better when it was the Ramada.
6. One view of the casino floor. Not only does the casino seem smaller than it did last year, but their slots are a joke. Seriously.
I mean I know that going into any casino and playing slots is a real long shot to begin with. But every other slot machine I've ever played at least gave a few small 'wins' here and there just to goad you into playing more. Not here. Not even a few onesy-twosy hits. Put in a twenty and bam! It was gone. Put in another and bam! Gone. I've heard of 'tight' slots, and slots being a 'suckers' game. We play just for fun (quarters only). And even by THOSE standards, I felt ripped off. That's how tight they were. So all told, between us, we lost about $250 over the span of those days. I would not recommend anyone playing here. Not even just for gun. There IS no fun in just watching your credits disappear without a single one being returned.
And I won't even touch blackjack, poker, etc.
7. The outdoor pool area. It's only here and places like it that you can be poolside, tanning oil on, smoke in one hand and a beer in the other by 9AM. And that's what we did. Except that Jen doesn't smoke and prefers Smirnoff to my Budweiser. And yes, the skies were deep blue. And the mercury up to about 110º. Even at 7AM, it was already pushing 80. And this isn't even the HOT time of the year. That comes from about mid August to October, when it stays 100+ even at 3AM. Really. That's how hot it gets. And then throw in the summer moonsoons and the humidity. At least now in June, it's a dry heat. WOuldn't recommend anyone coming during the "dog days".
8. All decent casinos have their selection of "dining" and this place is no exception. During our stay, we managed to try them all. This is the steak house simply called...."The Steakhouse". The "flagship" restaurant here. Very dim lit, cozy, and romantic embience. Excellent service as well. Reservations strongly recommended. Pants and collared/button up shirt would also be likely recommended. We brought outfits to wear JUST for that. It was shorts and tank-tops the rest of the time.
I had the New York steak and Jen had the lobster tail and filet mignon. We also had dessert and drinks as well. And still got out for under $125.
9. The "Mexican" restaurant "Del-Soul". Small but nice. Very upbeat. I had the sizzling fajitas and Jen had the cheese enchiladas. Jen also ordered a margarita. And that thing was HUGE...32 ounces. Biggest one I'd ever seen.
10. Mister and Misses Des in the afternoon sun, with the Colorado Belle Casino across the street in the background.
Reason?
Mrs. Des and I decided to take a weekend getaway trip up to Laughlin, NV. It's a small casino town about an hour and a half south of Las Vegas. Basically, it's out in the middle of nowhere, the nearest freeway being about 25 miles away. It has most of what can be found in Vegas, but on a much, MUCH smaller scale. Everything you could want in a casino oriented getaway with about fifteen million fewer people. And fewer people around generally means less likelihood of running into any hooligans. Plus, Laughlin generally attracts an older crowd (although skimpy bikinis wrapped around some very tight bodies are still present) and a lot of it revolves around boating activity on the adjacent Colorado River, which separates Arizona and Nevada (Bullhead City is on the Arizona side).
Anyway, we had a good time. There was no special occasion to observe. It was just a summer getaway.
Here are a few shots of the trip. I actually came home with close to 300 to add to the several hundred we already have from previous trips.
1. Interstate 40 between Barstow (I-15) and Needles/Arizona State Line has got to be *THE* longest and most boring stretch of road I've ever been on. End to end (as per the points above) is about 140 miles, give or take. Except for the very tiny watering holes of Ludlow and Newbury Springs, there is absolutely NOTHING out there. Just the endless sand, rocks, and dirt of the Mojave Desert. That and plenty of California Highway Patrol officers (the CA State Police) just itching to nail you a ticket. Because the area is so desolate and traffic so light (save for weekends and holidays), the road is usually pretty open and the temptation to speed great. If you are going 80, chances are, the CHP won't bother you as that's what the flow of cars is. He knows he can sit under a bridge or behind a rock and pop someone doing 120+ before long.
Also there is a lot of big rig truck traffic on this road. So it's not unusual to encounter several 'convoys' in the span of one trip. And they always "shuffle the deck and get in your way. So one minute, you're doing 80. Next thing, you have to plummet down to 55 for a few miles while the truck doing 57 can complete his pass of the truck doing 55. I'm pretty sure they do it on purpose just to annoy us 'four-wheelers". After all, those truckers do spend a lot of time alone and they have to do something to amuse themselves. I respect truckers a lot and fully understand that without them, this country would collapse into chaos and anarchy in the span of three days, but still. Why can't they play games on the CB to pass the time?
2-5. Where we stayed at, the Tropicana Express. Used to be the Ramada Express, but they changed it last year. The place has a railroad motif to it complete with an actual running train that circles the property. Note the actual railroad crossing gates installed. There is also a lot of old classic American railroad memorabilia all over the inside such as herald signs, tons of pictures, railroad spikes, route maps, etc. If names like "Santa Fe", "Southern Pacific", "Erie Lackwanna", and "Chicago and Northwestern" mean anything to you, then this place is worth checking out. Picture #5 shows the building from across the street facing west in the early evening.
A few other minor changes have been made to the place since the new owners came in. I think I liked it better when it was the Ramada.
6. One view of the casino floor. Not only does the casino seem smaller than it did last year, but their slots are a joke. Seriously.
I mean I know that going into any casino and playing slots is a real long shot to begin with. But every other slot machine I've ever played at least gave a few small 'wins' here and there just to goad you into playing more. Not here. Not even a few onesy-twosy hits. Put in a twenty and bam! It was gone. Put in another and bam! Gone. I've heard of 'tight' slots, and slots being a 'suckers' game. We play just for fun (quarters only). And even by THOSE standards, I felt ripped off. That's how tight they were. So all told, between us, we lost about $250 over the span of those days. I would not recommend anyone playing here. Not even just for gun. There IS no fun in just watching your credits disappear without a single one being returned.
And I won't even touch blackjack, poker, etc.
7. The outdoor pool area. It's only here and places like it that you can be poolside, tanning oil on, smoke in one hand and a beer in the other by 9AM. And that's what we did. Except that Jen doesn't smoke and prefers Smirnoff to my Budweiser. And yes, the skies were deep blue. And the mercury up to about 110º. Even at 7AM, it was already pushing 80. And this isn't even the HOT time of the year. That comes from about mid August to October, when it stays 100+ even at 3AM. Really. That's how hot it gets. And then throw in the summer moonsoons and the humidity. At least now in June, it's a dry heat. WOuldn't recommend anyone coming during the "dog days".
8. All decent casinos have their selection of "dining" and this place is no exception. During our stay, we managed to try them all. This is the steak house simply called...."The Steakhouse". The "flagship" restaurant here. Very dim lit, cozy, and romantic embience. Excellent service as well. Reservations strongly recommended. Pants and collared/button up shirt would also be likely recommended. We brought outfits to wear JUST for that. It was shorts and tank-tops the rest of the time.
I had the New York steak and Jen had the lobster tail and filet mignon. We also had dessert and drinks as well. And still got out for under $125.
9. The "Mexican" restaurant "Del-Soul". Small but nice. Very upbeat. I had the sizzling fajitas and Jen had the cheese enchiladas. Jen also ordered a margarita. And that thing was HUGE...32 ounces. Biggest one I'd ever seen.
10. Mister and Misses Des in the afternoon sun, with the Colorado Belle Casino across the street in the background.