home stretch...

Harvey's Casino!

For all of you fans out there, nope we did not crash "Scooter" our ever trusty Volvo we are still here...  Scampi and the Nun hit gambling ville... and frankly I was informed that there would be no internet available at the Harvey's Casino (I am thinking that the lure of the slot machines was ever so powerful that there was no time for blogging.  Well in the meantime we have arrived safely in Orinda, California with a ride that none of us soon will forget.  I think Scampi should have been tied down to the roof in a box, at least she would have been unaware of the scary ride along Lake Tahoe... The Nun thought it was great and wanted to stop at every opportunity to take pictures only to have Scampi have "mild" panic attacks.----

Ok Scamps here - Jesus you think they would put guard rails along the sheer cliffs along the Highest points overlooking the lake!  Especially with the Nun and I being just slightly under the weather with all those free drinks they give you while you're gambling.  But we are getting ahead of ourselves.  Scampi woke with a quick step and so excited, she was going to be going back to a time and place that gave fabulous memories.... and so we came  around the bend on rt. 50 and there it was LAKE TAHOE!!! She started looking for her old boyfriend.

Second Floor Top Left - Can't believe it is still standing!

The Nun and Mollie could not help and be excited.  The casino came in sight and Scampi was over the moon seeing Harvey's in lights!  Then she was crushed to think that her love nest next door had been reduced to rubble.  Thank goodness Mollie is directional challenged because inadvertanly we ran into the love nest.  Scampi ran out of the car for a photo opportunity~!   From a furnished apartment that was then barely acceptable, you can now rent it by the hour!!!

Mollie and The Nun - Safely arrived at Lake Tahoe

So, it was like this, the Scamp and I went to wander through the casino, seeking employees that had been there longer than 30 years that might remember Scampi, aka Susan Boynton.  Mollie went for a walk earlier with us down main street and of course Scampi couldn't find anyone that remembered her on the street.  We were on our own for an hour or so while Mollie rested up for an exciting evening.  First stop was registration - we needed "casino cards" to earn points, etc.  Scampi was on record already so she got her updated card and after filling out the appropriate paperwork, I was issued mine, given my free gift and a book of coupons (always looking for something more!).  We got right to work acclimating ourselves and looking for the Wheel of Fortune slots.  Scampi didn't think we should start on the dollar slots, we should look for the quarter slots.  We started off helping the casino with their bottom line so we headed up to check on Mollie who was looking for us because she had forgotten the room number and was having no luck getting into our neighbor's room.  By the time we got up there, Mollie was happily watching TV.  After discussion, we decided that Scampi and The Nun would further explore their gambling acuity while Mollie napped.  We decided that Harvey's might not be so lucky (they had been bombed right after Scampi left) and took the tunnel to Harrah's.  First up were the slots and we found the quarter slots and got to work.  Scampi had her "casino card" attached to her belt loop by a long stretchy cord.  While she played it was attached to the slot machine and her belt at the same time (she wouldn't want to misplace it!).  Things were going along smoothly, each in our own vortex, when I hit the Free Spin and got 1000.  The Scamp was seated two or three seats away from me and I was very excited to let her know without wanting to call too much attention to myself for the win.  Well, no such thing for the Scamp - she couldn't get out of her chair fast enough.  "How much, how much", she started to shout. People started to gather around my chair as Scampi shouted that I should, "CASH OUT, CASH OUT" but she couldn't come any closer as she was still attached to her machine with her Casino Card and kept getting yanked back to her chair.  All the while, she was attempting to get her camera out of her bag to document the win  up while Scampi and I tried a little more and cashed in where we could. in. 

White Knuckle Photo Op

OK - Scampi here again - My main goal was to try and find someone I had worked with 30 years before.  Lots of over 30 year employees still left - but except for Rose the Transgender Dealer who freaked me out then and even more so now - I remembered no one and more importantly no one remembered me!  I did meet a pit supervisor who dated my old friend Rita - but he had no idea who I was.  Oh well - the good news is that I wasn't escorted off the property!  We had a great boozy dinner and turned in.  Our last night on the road...  Tomorrow we reveal our last days adventures!