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Spent 6 days in Vegas -- 4 at MGM and 2 at Riviera. Typical Vegas, but want to add:
-- see the Atomic Research Museum a couple miles east of the strip near the UNLV campus -- pretty neat
-- Near the museum, consider eating at the Hofbrau House -- honest german food in a festhaus type restaurant
-- Check out the 'Pioneer Trail', a 15 stop self-tour of Vegas history. Stumbled onto it on a run. Pretty neat -- takes you by original springs that led to the establishing of a population center in that valley, boarding houses for black entertainers before the Sands opened up to Sammy Davis Jr, Binion's old ranch (for sale by the way -- ATTN museum committee!!), what is left of the Moulin Rouge, the still active New Town Tavern, an old fort, etc.
Headed N/NE from Vegas yesterday towards Caliente and Pioche. In transit stopped at the Valley of Fire (neat red rock formations) and Cathedral Canyon (think miniature badlands). Spent last night in the historical mining town of Pioche. The old Overland Hotel & Casino is still active, but only as a slot joint. Didn't stay there because the rooms are above the Casino. There are 2 other 'Casinos' on the old Main Street, but they, too, are small slot joints. Town looks like it is struggling a bit Stayed at the Motherload Motel. Decent clean room for $55.
Arrived Ely today after a 2.5 hour drive through wide basins surrounded by 10000 ft snow-capped mountains. 4 Casinos in town. 3 are slot joints, only the Nevada Hotel has live games. They are downstairs below the lobby slots. Downstairs opens up at 5pm, and poker supposedly begins at 7. Got a decent room at the Nevada Hotel for $35, including a $1 match play coupon and a free margarita (usually $.99). When built in 1929, the Nevada Hotel (6 stories) was the tallest building in Nevada.
Tomorrow is Elko, then on to Winnemucca. Will try to give you update after Winnemucca.
All for now -- Mark
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