Lucky Lucy and I have spent most of the winter in our motorhome away
from the cold and snow of the Midwest. We ended up in Tucson where we
have enjoyed warm weather and sunshine along with a couple casino
excursions. Here is a short trip report from one trip.
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We took a side trip (from our son's driveway in Tucson) to Casino Del
Sol for a couple nights parking lot camping. It was a pleasant
experience for the most part. Lots of RVs in the parking area, it
looked like a used camper lot but plenty of room to spread out.
The casino has revamped their slot club since we were there last year
and now use a tiered system like many other casinos. The net result
is fewer comps and lower cash back. When a casino comes up with "new
and improved" club systems, it is never a good deal for the player.
On the positive side, we did find a few full pay VP machines and it
was double point day. And they gave me $60 in cash for coupons lost
in the mail. That was enough to cover our dinner in their best
restaurant that evening so guess it was almost like getting comped.
Food and service was excellent by the way.
We had planned on spending the second night at the new Desert Diamond
casino on Nogales Rd. When we arrived a security dude on a bicycle
directed us to a parking place and told us it was OK to overnight. I
thought it odd there was only one other motorhome in the lot,
especially considering the 25-30 RVs at Del Sol. A stretch golf cart
picked us up and delivered us to the casino door. Very nice facility
which includes a hotel and conference center.
I headed to the slot club booth for a couple slot cards and found the
place closed with signs stating no service until further notice. Odd.
We could hear slot machines going off all over the place -- the
little ditties they play when requiring a hand pay jackpot. While I
scouted around Lucky Lucy slipped a Bennie in a quarter deuces wild
machine. I found out their computer system was down, kaput,
non-functional and not only could we not get or use slot cards, the
machines would not produce cash out tickets. Made no difference the
amount, 10 cents or a thousand bucks, hit the cash out button and the
machine locked up and required a hand pay.
What a goat rope! Half the machines in the casino were locked up and
waiting for hand pays. Some with small amounts where just simply
abandoned. It was taking hours to get people paid. One lady near us
had been waiting for 5 hours for her money -- about $20. We were told
the system would be down the rest of the day and probably all the next
day as well. But they continued to let people in and play the machines.
Fortunately, Lucky Lucy only had to wait about an hour for her cash
out. Let us get out of here!! Besides they didn't have a single full
pay VP machine that I could find.
We went back to Del Sol for the second night as well. Much better
environment for dry camping, a little farther from the interstate but
well worth it.
Rick & Lucky Lucy living the good life in warm and sunny Arizona