April 18, 2013

Riverside Resort RV Park, Laughlin, NV

We had a very restless night—between the heavy winds and the tap tap tap of a branch hitting the aluminum frame of the bedroom slide. 

We opted to purchase WiFi for a weekly rate of $20.00  Normally we would use our own Mifi but we have almost used up our limit for the month and still have three days left until the billing period ends.  If we exceed our 5 gig limit we would be charged an additional $10 for another gig.  That would have been okay if we still had another week left to use it but once the billing period ends we would lose the balance of that extra gig.  So it made more sense to purchase a week of unlimited WiFi.

 Last night Monte followed the prompts, entered our credit card info, set up a password and NOTHING!  There was a telephone number to call for tech support BUT the hours were 7am to 5pm.  And of course when we needed the support it was after 5pm. 

Luckily, when Monte called IT support this morning the problem was easily corrected and we had our WiFi.

I spent the morning researching activities in the area.  We didn’t plan on doing too much today. 

We drove across the street to the casino because we wanted to check out where the buffet and pools were located. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was plenty of parking available and we found a spot near the casino entrance.  I had read on-line that the casino offered a smoke-free area but unfortunately we entered a smoking area and it literally took my breath away.  Both the restaurant where the buffet is located and the Player’s Card registration desk were located in the smoky part of the casino.  Luckily we didn’t have to wait too long in line to sign up for our player’s cards and as soon as we had them we quickly walked out of that area into the smoke-free area and I was able to take in deep breaths. 

We took an elevator (reeking of smoke) to the third floor and followed the signs for the pool.  There were several sunbathers lounging around but no one was in the pool.  We found out that rooftop pool allows smoking so I don’t think we will be using that pool.  While we were upstairs we also checked out the movie theater running newly released films at only $7.00 a ticket.  Seeing a show might be in our immediate future.

The second pool, located on the main floor in a non-smoking area, also has a hot tub. 

       Before returning to our car, we took a short walk along the riverfront to see where we had to go to board the U.S.S. Riverside Tour Boat we planned on sailing on tomorrow. 

      When we had registered for our player’s card we were given discount coupons for the cruise.

Our next destination was Walmart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then Sam’s Club for a few grocery items. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Back home I took items out of their packaging and placed them in marked see-through containers.  I also took a load of clothes across the street to the laundry room, got it going, and then returned to our rig to start dinner.  I set a timer and walked into the laundry room just as the machine stopped.  I had enough change for one drying session and hoped it would be enough to dry the clothes.   When I went back 40 minutes later, the dryer had already stopped and the clothes were still damp.  We checked everywhere we could think to look in the rig, Monte’s truck and my car and managed to scrounge up enough for another dryer session.

After dinner, we took a walk down the long hill and used the enclosed bridge from the parking garage to cross the street into the casino. 

 

Monte bought me a margarita while I found an empty penny slot machine.  I don’t know why it is called a penny machine because most of the machines have a 25 cent or more minimum bet.

 

After bringing me my drink, Monte checked out the gift shop and

 Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Collection.  There are more than 80 rare, antique and historic cars, trucks and motorcycles. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started with $20.00 and went up and down several times ranging from winning $50 to being down to $8.00.  After two hours, I called it quits and collected my voucher for $20.20.  In the meantime, Monte had returned and started playing the machine next to me with $5.00.  When he reached $27.00 he checked out.  I gave him $1.00 and he grew that to $10.00 and cashed out.  Now we have won enough to treat ourselves to the Friday seafood buffet.  I do not like seafood with the exception of crab legs and the star of the buffet is crab legs so I am looking forward to that.

We walked to the bus stop and called the courtesy shuttle to let them know we needed a ride.  A short time later the shuttle arrived and dropped us off at our site.  Sweet!