Just back from Reno, and there is clear evidence of the economy there, especially downtown in what was once a vibrant strip of casinos.
Fitzgeralds is gone, the Virginian also. Lots of empty storefronts, places boarded up. etc. Many restaurants are closed. The whole downtown has a "Yuba City" look and feel.
It seems all the action was at The Atlantis and The Peppermill, both remodeled to be a lot more fancy.
We stayed at The Peppermill (free!) and they gave us a suite that was almost the square footage of our house! It had a jacuzzi, sauna, wet bar, separate living room...it was terrific!
The Atlantis has a seafood bar that is all glass above Virginia Street (and smoke free) with delicious fish, including sushi. We had a colossal Mazatlan cocktail, which was a gazillion shrimp and about 7 scallops, with avocado, tomato, cilantro, onion. A total meal in a huge margarita glass.
Also saw "Menopause the Musical," which was a riot!! The singing, acting and song selection was awesome and you will laugh your head off. (It wasn't so funny when I was going through it, however.)
Made a side trip for shopping (hubby wanted to go to Scheels -- huge, but no bargain.) We also went to Virginia City. Who can resist a bar called Bucket of Blood?
I'm not much of a gambler...$20 was my limit for 3 days, but I played some video poker and won...nothing! Oh well.
Reno is about as different as can be from Nevada City, which is why it was a fun getaway. Nice to visit, wouldn't wanna live there!
Of course there are NO coins now. You can't even put coins in a machine. It's all dollar bills and bigger. But Grandma Thomas was a smart one. The house usually always wins!
Posted by: Dixie Redfearn | June 25, 2009 at 11:03 AM
My Grandmother Thomas was not a gambler, but she love to play the slot machines in Reno. She collected nickels in a sugar bowl and when it was full she asked her one of her three daughters to take her to Reno. She played until the nickels were gone, or it was time to go home. She set the time to go home. When the time came winning or losing she went home to Nevada City. Any winnings went into the sugar bowl. If she lost it all, the collection started over again, until the sugar bowl was full again.
Posted by: Russ Steele | June 24, 2009 at 06:35 PM