Yuku free message boards

Saturday, May 24

Left RDU heading to Dallas. Settled in our seats in Dallas and Gary notices an American Airlines mechanic in the cockpit with the panels open. Pilot announces they have to conduct a required procedural engine check. They rev the engines for 30 seconds. Pilot announces with a sigh they have to do further checks. They perform another rev of the engines. Forty-five minutes later in a much lighter voice the pilot says that we are on our way.

Arrive at the Pep and greet our friends, Dennis and Mary who traveled from Detroit. Greet our host and check into our rooms on the fourth floor. If this had been our first visit to the Peppermill we would not have returned. The room was pretty shabby, duct tape on the carpet, stained and threadbare. We picked a room that was close to the elevators near the slot machines. We realize they are working from highest to lower floors with the renovations in the tower. But we only sleep in the room. We unpack and head to the casino floor.

We head to the cube bar and park ourselves at the bar, order a cold one and proceed to play Bonus Deuces Poker at 5 coin quarters. Gary had bought Bob Dancer's video poker software. We have been practicing for the past five months. I saved Q, 10 of diamonds and hit a natural Royal for $1,000. Yes, we will be playing with the Pep's money. Small wins on slots and video poker rest of the night.

Head to the room, and received a nice anniversary gift basket from our host.

Sunday, May 25

Woke up at 7:00 a.m. to a steamroller rolling across our ceiling. They're renovating the floor above us. When they said renovations were being done almost 24 7's they aren't kidding. The casino was sold out due to Memorial weekend, cold, wet weather, and a huge group attending a Chinese music concert. There were not other rooms available in the Tower. Our host offered to move us to the new Tuscan tower. I had double knee replacement in Feb. and knew the trek was not a good idea. We would tough it out.

Down to the cube bar. Gary sat down where I played yesterday, plays Bonus Double Deuces Poker, 5 quarters. He is dealt AKJT hearts. Yup, another $1,000 Royal.

I won a random jackpot $170. on Coyote Moon slots.

We all ate at the Coffee Shop, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. prime rib $8.99 special. It was good.

Our friend Dennis drinks Old Grand Dad whiskey. Bartender laughs and says, "We have your bottle from last year. Let me dust it off. Be right back." Every time he ordered from the floor, the cocktail waitress would look lost and confused. Sometimes he got brandy and water. Became quite the joke. They all got the order down by the third day.

Monday, May 26

Woke up again at 7:00 a.m. to the rolling thunder upstairs. Moving whatever around the floor.

Gary heads to the cube bar and sits at "our machine". No one is around but the bartender. Gary held 2 deuces and is dealt 2 deuces. $250. Ten hands or so later he is dealt on the deal 4 deuces/ace. $500. He cashes an $800 ticket.

Lunch at Coffee shop.

Dinner at Romanza. Veal for 3 of us. Mary raves about the salmon. Very good meal.

Tuesday, May 27

Same thing this morning as the last two. Downstairs early. (Monday, Gary was comped one $199 slot tournament entry. I paid $99 for the other seat.) We didn't do very well. We each got $40. Played a lot of slots and video poker. Won and lost randomly on Larry the Lobster, Mermaid, Pelican, 50 Lions.

Ate dinner at the Sports Book Deli. I had the "New Yorker" stacked sandwich, had to eat it with a knife and fork. Gary ordered an "Italian Sub". Gary got a portabella sub. Not happy. I had enough meat for him to end up with a great sandwich.

Wednesday, May 28

Getting used to getting up at 7:00. Breakfast at the Coffee Shop. I ordered Eggs Benedict, Gary ordered a Mexican omelte. Twenty minutes later the waitress tries to give us a fruit plate. Nope, not us. Finally get our breakfast. Both meals were good. Wait forever for the check. She's holding the fruit bowl check in her hand. She leans over and say's "someone paid your check. Have a good day."

I played 50 Lions at 50 cents. Went into a bonus and hit all lions and a row of diamonds. Cashed out $375. ticket. Won and lost at slots the rest of the time.

Gary had won a $50 dollar web drawing in Dec. last year. His third one in 5 years. We also had the $50 dining coupon from the Pep Passport mailer. We spent it at Oceano. Gary had Lobster Bisque soup, NY Ribeye with lobster tail. I had Lobster Bisque soup, 1 ¼ Lobster. We shared a Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brule. Excellent meal.

Thursday, May 29

Our final morning, leaving at 1:00. Packed and left our bags at valet. We hadn't check out yet. We went up to the room to use the phone, and the whole 4^th floor had been taken apart in the short time we left the room. They work fast.

We had $212. Pep promo money. Played various $1 machines. (MG - the .50 cent five coin machine has been removed). Gary cashed out $140.

Checked out with our host. Balance of our bill was $35. As were leaving, celebrity sports people were checking into the hotel for the celebrity poker tournament. 7" 2' Artis Gilmore, retired basketball player was registering. Wish we could have stayed to see the rest of the celebrity players.

At the airport Gary played 3 coin Wheel of Fortune. Spin gives him 1,000 coin win. He cashes out $270 and a $70 ticket from Tiki Treasure.

Home in 6 ½ hours. Life is good! We can't wait to go back, and to stay in a renovated tower room.

Sharon and Gary