Visitreno

VAPA · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 583

I flew SW from Norfolk -Reno on an award ticket and stayed at Harrahs ( $35 Th), Nugget ( $40 & 50 Fr & Sa), Harrahs ( $35 Su), Eldo ( $112 Mo, Tu, We & 2 show tickets) Nugget ($43 Th). These arrangements were made by me. All hotels were booked directly thru the hotels except the Nugget Priceline (Th -Fr) and Easy Click (Th). I ran into someone who had the whole stay at CC for $35 pn and another who had CC for $49 Th, Fr, Sa these were booked directly with CC.

After arriving on Thursday- Sunday I visited the other properties and made donations to their bottom lines. Most meals were at the Cal Neva good food at good prices. Sunday PM was volunteering at HAN unloading 3 containers at GSR and Monday volunteering at check in. That night I watched the national news first time while in Reno and found out about the Navy Seals (30) and they were from my hometown that was a tough hit. If, you live their long enough you have some military friends. More later as I have to check out.

LilyJDragonfly · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 425

I think this is VAPA's first TR - woo-hoo!

Glad you enjoyed the Cal-Neva's culinary offerings.... did you get a chance to enjoy my new guilty pleasure at the Casino Grill there? That would be the Phat Philly.... delish and fresh cooked!

BC Dave · Site Admin Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1599

Thanks Vapa,

It's all our loss that those brave and bright men had their lives cut short but I know it hits even harder when they have walked the same turf as you.

I'm no military expert but I think our troops over there are fighting way too much of a politically correct war. I have a book to recommend. It's called, "Nothing less than Victory" by John David Lewis. http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Less-than-Victory-Decisive/dp/0691135185/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313450176&sr=8-1. In particular the chapter on the defeat of the Japanese in WW II. I was blown away by the sharply focused frame of mind that the Americans displayed both in leading up to the conclusion of that war and the subsequent occupation.

On the other hand we are all looking forward to your trip report.

LilyJDragonfly · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 425

One more thing, Vapa - how did you get to be a HAN volunteer? I'm sure we have a few lurkers on the board here who would love to do something like that!!

VAPA · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 583

Since, I grew up in the area it was easy to have military friends. Yes it was a tough hit for us but we'll come back. Regarding volunteering for Hot August Nights my first visit was in '04 but I didn't come back until '09 -11. After visiting in '09 it was time to volunteer. Though I have no vehicle there it's fun to do and there are great people. You are pretty much on your own as far as hotel ressies but I've been luckly the last 3 years. You can contact Hot August Nights and they have information about volunteering which anybody can do. There is a fee of $40 which is used by HAN to support their projects through the year scholarships, coat and scarf drives and etc. One thing I found out was some paint jobs go for $75 K.

LilyJDragonfly · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 425

75K?? Ouch!

Matter o' fact, I painted one of my cars with chalkboard paint - that cost me just shy of nine dollars....

VAPA · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 583

The reason for bringing back this trip report is the incudent regarding the Navy Seals.There will be a biker run in VA Beach, Saturday, August 3 with about 1,000 bikers. The healing continues.