Finally, time for the big weekend trip arrived. I got off work at noon, DH was not able to get off until around 3. After getting the car packed, we were on our
way. I try to pack lightly, but it seems that I always take way too much stuff.
We had beautiful weather and the drive was so nice. We go Hwy. 441 from Tennessee to NC. The leaves were a little past their peak, but still beautiful. Most of the golden color leaves were still on the trees until we got pretty far up the mountain. Then, no more leaves, but snow on the side of the road! First snow we've seen this year and I really wasn't expecting it. There were also big icicles hanging off the mountain.
Arrived at the hotel around 6. Quality Inn was ok. It needs a little updating, but for the price (free!), we couldn't complain. Staff was very friendly. The room was clean. Breakfast was ok. No belgium waffle maker, but frozen waffles and a toaster. They also had boiled eggs, cereal, bagels, donuts, coffee, juice and some really good instant hot chocolate.
Met up with my sister and BIL and went to the casino - yeah!!! First we went to the Seiu Lu restaurant and had dinner. The food was good as usual. Next, off to the casino floor.
Well, how should I put this? I heard a rumor that you could put money in these machines and get money back. That didn't happen. We put money in, more money in and even more money in. We tried pennies, nickels, quarters and even dollars. Money went in. Nothing came out. DH and BIL gave up around eleven and went back to the hotel. Sister and I stayed for more punishment until around 2am. I guess it was Harrah's version of Trick or Treat since it was Halloween. We treated the machines and they tricked us into thinking we had a chance to win! With heads held down and much lighter pocket books, we gave up for the night.
Saturday we got up and left for Bryson City and the train ride. They were more crowded than we had ever seen them. The ride was very relaxing. Trees were beautiful and we all enjoyed it. It's about a 4 1/2 hour trip.
We got back just in time for the Georgia - Florida game, or as we call it - the massacre. Stopped and picked up some Bojangle's Chicken for our own "tail gate" party. After eating and watching the first quarter of the game, my sister and I decided we couldn't take anymore of it and headed back to the casino.
We started out the same as Friday night - money in, nothing out. Finally the tide started to turn a little. I wasn't winning, but at least I wasn't digging more out of my purse. There was a drawing for some cash and a car or $25,000. I think all but maybe two of the names called were there, so it went pretty quickly. The car winners took the cash instead. Wish that had been my name they called. Oh well, maybe next time.
Everyone was ready to go back to the room by 10 except for me because they were all still losing. I was the only one winning enough to keep playing with. DH didn't want me out in the parking lot alone, so he said he would come back for me. I didn't argue with him - if he wants to feel manly and protective, that's ok with me. He left, went and ate then decided to come back and try his luck again. By this time my luck finally started to change. I was playing the nickel machines that have 15 lines, 3 coins each. I actually started winning some. Cashed out $380 and put $300 away. By the time we left, I was up $20 or $30.
Sunday morning we ate and checked out and headed back to the casino for a couple of hours. I got my sister to play the same machines with me. The first time she hit the bonus round, she didn't get it because she did not have max coins in. I gave her a rough time about not "reading the machine" before playing and telling her how she was wasting her money on those machines if she didn't play max coins. She started playing max and hit a few good bonus rounds. We ended up with her winning over $100 and me winning about $60. So while we were both down for the trip, we did get some of it back.
Finally had to head back home. We made a stop in the mountains to do one of the quiet walks. Also stopped at a couple of stores in Pigeon Forge. Didn't make it to the Cat House this time. Maybe next time.
All in all, it was a great trip. We all had fun. Laughed a lot, enjoyed each other's company, enjoyed the beautiful landscape, loved the train ride and had fun in the casino. Life can't get much better than that - except if one of us had actually won more money than we lost. But it was worth every penny. I can't wait for the next trip.
Sorry this was so long. Hope you enjoyed it and that you will soon have a trip that is this much fun and that you can maybe win some of the money we left there.
Barbara
We had beautiful weather and the drive was so nice. We go Hwy. 441 from Tennessee to NC. The leaves were a little past their peak, but still beautiful. Most of the golden color leaves were still on the trees until we got pretty far up the mountain. Then, no more leaves, but snow on the side of the road! First snow we've seen this year and I really wasn't expecting it. There were also big icicles hanging off the mountain.
Arrived at the hotel around 6. Quality Inn was ok. It needs a little updating, but for the price (free!), we couldn't complain. Staff was very friendly. The room was clean. Breakfast was ok. No belgium waffle maker, but frozen waffles and a toaster. They also had boiled eggs, cereal, bagels, donuts, coffee, juice and some really good instant hot chocolate.
Met up with my sister and BIL and went to the casino - yeah!!! First we went to the Seiu Lu restaurant and had dinner. The food was good as usual. Next, off to the casino floor.
Well, how should I put this? I heard a rumor that you could put money in these machines and get money back. That didn't happen. We put money in, more money in and even more money in. We tried pennies, nickels, quarters and even dollars. Money went in. Nothing came out. DH and BIL gave up around eleven and went back to the hotel. Sister and I stayed for more punishment until around 2am. I guess it was Harrah's version of Trick or Treat since it was Halloween. We treated the machines and they tricked us into thinking we had a chance to win! With heads held down and much lighter pocket books, we gave up for the night.
Saturday we got up and left for Bryson City and the train ride. They were more crowded than we had ever seen them. The ride was very relaxing. Trees were beautiful and we all enjoyed it. It's about a 4 1/2 hour trip.
We got back just in time for the Georgia - Florida game, or as we call it - the massacre. Stopped and picked up some Bojangle's Chicken for our own "tail gate" party. After eating and watching the first quarter of the game, my sister and I decided we couldn't take anymore of it and headed back to the casino.
We started out the same as Friday night - money in, nothing out. Finally the tide started to turn a little. I wasn't winning, but at least I wasn't digging more out of my purse. There was a drawing for some cash and a car or $25,000. I think all but maybe two of the names called were there, so it went pretty quickly. The car winners took the cash instead. Wish that had been my name they called. Oh well, maybe next time.
Everyone was ready to go back to the room by 10 except for me because they were all still losing. I was the only one winning enough to keep playing with. DH didn't want me out in the parking lot alone, so he said he would come back for me. I didn't argue with him - if he wants to feel manly and protective, that's ok with me. He left, went and ate then decided to come back and try his luck again. By this time my luck finally started to change. I was playing the nickel machines that have 15 lines, 3 coins each. I actually started winning some. Cashed out $380 and put $300 away. By the time we left, I was up $20 or $30.
Sunday morning we ate and checked out and headed back to the casino for a couple of hours. I got my sister to play the same machines with me. The first time she hit the bonus round, she didn't get it because she did not have max coins in. I gave her a rough time about not "reading the machine" before playing and telling her how she was wasting her money on those machines if she didn't play max coins. She started playing max and hit a few good bonus rounds. We ended up with her winning over $100 and me winning about $60. So while we were both down for the trip, we did get some of it back.
Finally had to head back home. We made a stop in the mountains to do one of the quiet walks. Also stopped at a couple of stores in Pigeon Forge. Didn't make it to the Cat House this time. Maybe next time.
All in all, it was a great trip. We all had fun. Laughed a lot, enjoyed each other's company, enjoyed the beautiful landscape, loved the train ride and had fun in the casino. Life can't get much better than that - except if one of us had actually won more money than we lost. But it was worth every penny. I can't wait for the next trip.
Sorry this was so long. Hope you enjoyed it and that you will soon have a trip that is this much fun and that you can maybe win some of the money we left there.
Barbara
Too bad you didn't bring home lots of extra cash but sounds like you really
had a nice time spending time with your family and at the casino as well as your side trips. I have heard a lot about that train ride and it sounds really
nice. Hopefully your next casino trip will bring you some luck.
