Reno

Well, we made it back from Reno safe and sound...Don't really know what there is to say about it. Reno was never on my "Places to See Before I Die List" and now I know why. They will definitely not win an award for the most beautiful city. There were so many oddities on our trip that I can't remember them all, but two things stuck out in my memory the most. One, when you look at the brochure for the Grand Sierra Casino and Resort, you expect luxury. Well that is only to be found in the rooms that they have renovated...not the ones we were staying in. We were treated to a full size, Murphy Bed, that I am pretty sure had not been replaced since the early 80's. Only a slight case of bait and switch. Most of the casino itself had been renovated and looked nice...maybe one day they will finish and all of the rooms will look like the brochure. The other strange thing that stood out was the "free gift" I received when I signed up for the casinos players club. Anyone who has been to a casino before probably knows about the free gifts you get...well most places give you something with their name on it, like a coffee cup, key chain or something else on that level. But, No, not the Grand Sierra Casino. I received a paper towel holder...yes, you heard it right. And just to drive the point home, the man who gave it to me also provided verbal instruction on its use...just in case I was confused on its use:) Weird to say the least.
I would have to say the highlight of the trip was our drive around Lake Tahoe...I definitely know why people visit there. It is beautiful, and if you can get there without going through Reno, do it. We also were treated to a small amount of snow in the mountains. So needless to say, it was an odd trip.

Reno...Check...don't have to go back