Tag Archives: Slots

What’s the Deal with Reno?

Posted in Travel, Vacations by

Why do we keep going back to Reno for long weekends?  Well, for one, it’s not Las Vegas.  We pretty much just stay at the Peppermill Resort and hang out there.  This last time around, we got a regular room because the spa suite that we first had was plagued by the ice machine just outside our door and a guy who tried to drunkenly break into our room at 3 in the morning the first night I was there.  So, we changed rooms – yes, there was no hot tub in the suite, but at least it was quiet.  And it was pretty!  It reminded me of my Uncle Danny’s condo, which used to be all decked out with fancy-pants French antiques. 

Anyway, our stay was fun, and we actually came out ahead this time.  I had pretty good luck on the slot machines, but not as good as Chris, who hit a $300 jackpot on “Giant’s Gold”.  My new favorite game is “Great Owl”, but I still managed to win a little on “Siberian Storm” as well.  Dang, I kind of like slots.  I guess I’m one of those people now (and by those people, I mean suckers).

And I didn’t take a single picture!

Posted in Entertainment, Hobbies, Travel, Vacations by

Oh, Reno, how you love to take our money away.  It’s ok though, because we enjoy your biggest-little-city can-do attitude, complete with sprawling casinos and “European” gymnasiums (whatever that means).  Also, your lack of homeless people hired to shove little pictures of naked ladies at passers-by is non-Las-Vegasly refreshing, so Thank You, Reno, for that.

This year, it just happened that my birthday, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day (yes, President’s Day) fell reasonably close together to have a four-day weekend out of town.  Chris and I have stayed at the Peppermill Casino three times now, and it’s rather lovely – it’s all Italian-themed (except for their Chinese restaurant, Chi, which is Chinese-themed) and they have a fantastic spa, casino and restaurants (including Chi).  We arrived Thursday night and spent much of the weekend losing money, enjoying drinks (perhaps a little too much on Sunday night), and luxuriating in our ridiculously over-sized suite.  Well, the suite itself wasn’t over-sized, just the furniture.  But it was awesome!  Also, someone might have eaten the Famous Amos chocolate-chip cookies from the honor bar.  I’m not pointing any fingers, but that someone might have been me, or as Chris identified as the culprit, Snacky McSnackerton.

Anyway, here is a picture of the slot machine that ate all my money.  If you see it, I suggest walking in the opposite direction.  The tigers are tricksy and false…their fancy jewels flash and you hear them roar, but they just take without giving.  Damn you and your scatter bonuses, Siberian Storm!!!

Additional Reno places of interest that took our monies:  the spa (hello, facial and pedicure…I’m pleased to meet you!  Why yes, I’d also like to have one of those luxurious robes as well, thanks!), Romanza the Italian restaurant (so happy that we got in on Valentine’s night, although the lobster and shrimp and sea bass that we enjoyed might not have been so pleased), Atlantis casino (just a quick jaunt down the street and…why, I’m so happy to meet you, Sumo Kitty slot machine!  Here, take some more of my money!), and the Peppermill Poker Room (Chris can fill you in there, although I will say that the craps table was most uncraptacular.  Chris scored pretty well with the dice!).

We were having such a good time that I insisted upon staying another night in our suite instead of heading home late in the evening.  And it all worked out…the cats were even happy to see us home.  Happy birthday / Valentine’s Day / President’s Day to us all!