Well it was our last run to Mohegan Sun Casino in CT by Coach USA bus lines (as of tomorrow they won't be in Western and CNY anymore).

It was a typical trip going down, it was raining (rained from Utica NY all the way to the CT border). As we were going along the water on the sides of the thruway were running really good. Went by afew streams and they were over flowing, went by a building and a parking lot (the water was up to the bottome of the windows of the truck that was parked by the building).

Got to Canajoharie and we are seeing more water on both sides of the thruway now. The Mohawk River runs along the NYS Thruway in this section of the state. We continue east and see that the river is over flowing its banks. I saw a State Highway Truck off too the side of the road (maybe 20 feet in 3-4 feet of water already). At one point during our trip on the Thruway I saw water on the west bound lane coming onto the road already.

We we exited the thruway on exit 24 to the MA turnpike I never thought about the trip home at night. Like I said it was still raining, even the streams in MA were up and flowing really good. We stopped at a rest stop for 20 minutes (our usual), got afew lottery tickets (won $10, wow a big winner), not bad though for buying 4 - $2 tickets and 2 OPs for Mega Millions for $1. each (got them for $6)

So on with the trip, got to the Mohegan Sun about noon (usual 5 hours going down). Our Greeter got on the bus, told us what time to be back at the bus, what slip the bus would be in and good luck. Then he cut us lose, got the comps (3 $10 coupons) to play on the Wheel of Fortune or Sic Bo (maybe Po, don't know didn't find this game to play) and $10 for food (best buy in my opinion going their is the Buffet).

Well I usually go with my Mom to these Casino's, I took my Cousin with me this time (he's never been to this casino), I gave him the tour of the place. I tryed looking for Chris S but I couldn't find him (sorry Chris) I kept seeing too many good looking women to look at instead.

After the short tour the fun began, yes the slots. My last trip here they didn't have TITO tickets (at least I never noticed), they have TITO's and also the regular machines you can put coins into (didn't notice if tokens were still being used or not), damn women (got distracted too many times)

Well the time flew, the Buffet was great as usual, played alittle Keno (won nothing but won $60 on the nickel machine). Played up till about 6:30 and then cashed out. Got on the Bus by 6:45 and by 7:00 we were on our way.

I know so far it is typical of going to any Casino you've been too but I promise I'll have you on the edge of your seats soon.

While we were on the bus some of the people were talking about flooding and that NYS Thruway was closed, how will we get home, does the bus driver know other routes, alot of questions, alot of cell phones ringing on the bus. Oh god we are about to die and float away!

Well we got out of CT (the sun was shining, the birds were singing), got into MA and stopped at a rest stop (about 9:00). Thats when you saw the ring leaders of the bus gather (I could see a riot coming), I heard one say that the bus driver and the escort went to buy maps (don't they know how to get home on other routes). Well a half hour later we got on the bus and headed home, the cell phones were ringing pretty good now. Come to find out NYS Thruway was CLOSED (both lanes from exit 24 Albany to exit 34A in Syracuse).

Well some of the people gave suggestions and the bus driver was in contact with his wife and she was calling to tell which roads were closed and which weren't and etc...

We exited the NY Thruway at 24 and caught Route 20, this wasn't bad (20 runs parallel with the thruway), wasn't bad until we caught up to all the other cars, truck, buses and 18 wheelers.

We got as far as Sharon Springs on 20 (going west) before it started to get tied up (bumper to bumper with traffic), then it we stopped. Cars and trucks were coming from the other way (slow) and I could see up ahead that nothing was moving.

finally after 20 minutes or so the line started up again (we didn't go far, maybe not even a mile), well this wait turned into the longest wait (about an hour or more). Traffic was coming the other way but out west bound lane wasn't going anywhere. Hey what could it be? A. Accident. B. Accident or C. Accident (it turned out to be two 18 wheelers broke down side by side in the west bound lanes of route 20), D could have been Broken Down. So we couldn't get thru and all east bound traffic kept coming. Well finely the convoy was moving again. As we proceeded to Richfield Springs more and more 18 wheelers were on the sides of route 20. Thats when the know it all women started the 20 questions. Why are they all stopped? Are they broke down? Did they run out of gas? Why??????

Correct me if I'm wrong on this but I told them that a Truck Driver/Bus Driver can only log in 10-12 hours aday driving in NY and then they have to stop for a certain amount of hours and then they start along there way again. Don't you know it, 5 minutes later I heard one of them say that there has to be another reason why they stopped it must be tough to get old.

Ok, are you sleeping yet with the story It probably won't get as many views as Stu's last day in the club but at least I'm here telling it and not floating down the Mohawk river somewhere

We got thru Richfield Springs (clock at a school said 1:45am), then got rerouted again (couldn't take route 20 any longer) to Route 28 (this takes you to Herkimer NY). Well alot of the traffic spead away (alot of the traffic was in the parking l;ot of a conviennce store too), as my cousin said "I bet thats the most business they had at 2:00 in the morning ever". As we proceeded on route 28 we caught up to the convoy and it was all down hill for about 3-4 miles. Route 28 takes you right to the NYS Thruway, they were letting them on but you could only go West.

We stopped off at Wal-Marts to let people off the bus, then also got on the Thruway and got off in Utica. When I got home it was 3:30am.

Yes the Last run to the Mohegan Sun on Coach USA was memorable one for me. My story maybe boring but remember I have to read about all the other trips alot of members take here too.

One good thing came out of this trip, I may be going back there soon (hopefully for the big party in October). Seems my Cousin liked the place and wouldn't mind going back (he said he'll drive) and the way he drives we'll be there in 3-4 hours

The End!

BTW...if you got the chip below, I need one for my collection. Please email me, I don't bite you know