Making Our Way In The USA

[case]

Funny you mention Mark Twain as we are going to his museum in Hannibal Mo.

[olds442jetaway]

Great. If you think of it, ask them if they have a copy of his “ Library of Humor “. I have a first edition. I think it is pretty rare. It is a great book with a collection of his short stories. Fantastic illustrations by artist EW Kemple in pen and ink. I bought it at a country auction back in 1975. Kind of wish the wife and I were on the same trip with you guys Trailing behind in my Elantra.

[case]

Friday August 18. Left Waterloo Iowa and first stop was Iowa City and the Old Capital Museum which is located on the university of Iowa campus.

Fascinating building if you are into history and architecture.

Next stop was Rhythm Casino in Davenport Iowa. A no smoking casino with about 1000 machines. Poor video poker pay tables but a nice bright casino.

Did not stay long as we were spending the next two nights free at Isle of Capri Casino Bettendorf. These casinos are just minutes apart. A smoking casino that was very smoky. Typical Caesar pay tables: DDB 7-5 and DB 8-5.

Hard to win on these paybacks.

Tomorrow we will explore Davenport as these two cities are beside one another.

[case]

Saturday August 19. We went down to the Davenport skybridge to get a view of the Mississippi and Davenport.

Large farmers market by the river front in Davenport

Sunday August 20. The heat has caught up with us and will be 100 and higher for awhile. Left Bettendorf Iowa and stopped at Hannibal Missouri where Mark Twain grew up so we visited a museum dedicated to his life and writings.

Big area and you can visit Twains home as well as other people from the Tom Sawyer book. If you have enjoyed any of his books you would like this museum.

Cheapest gas of the trip in Hannibal at 3.32 a gallon

Spending the next two nights at an Eldorado property in Boonville Missouri at a cost of about 73 dollars per night. They are connected with Caesar but had to pay a reduced fee,

[Come Back Kid]

Great pictures!

[case]

Monday August 21. Visited Warm Springs Ranch just outside Boonville. This the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Beautiful place an an excellent tour. A must stop if in this area.
Back to the casino. Very disappointing as this was the dirtiest casino we have ever been in. Machines covered in cigarette ash and same with floor. Never saw anyone cleaning anywhere. Just totally disgusting and we have been in maybe 100 casinos over the years. I talked with people about it and they said when Eldorado bought out Caesars the cut staff to get the debt under control and this is the end result. Terrible pay tables DDB 8-5 and no DB. I saw JOB T 7-5.

Tuesday we head east.

[olds442jetaway]

Great thread. Just keep heading East and you will be at Mohegan Sun. The cleanest casino I have ever played in. Enjoy.

[onemoretry]

Monday August 21. Visited Warm Springs Ranch just outside Boonville. This the official breeding
Beautiful place an an excellent tour. A must stop if in this area.
Back to the casino. Very disappointing as this was the dirtiest casino we have ever been in. Machines covered in cigarette ash and same with floor. Never saw anyone cleaning anywhere. Just totally disgusting and we have been in maybe 100 casinos over the years. I talked with people about it and they said when Eldorado bought out Caesars the cut staff to get the debt under control and this is the end result.

Unfortunately, this type of casino "management" seems to be a lot more prevalent these days. Granted, the casinos have experienced a tough ride in recent years, but making them less pleasurable to their customers hardly seems to me to be the road back to success. OK - end of rant!

Believe it or not, we played full pay All American Poker for a couple of hours at that same casino some 19 years ago. Of course, it wasn't a Caesars or Eldorado property back then.

Just like others, I am enjoying your posts and pictures - keep 'em coming.

[case]

Tuesday August 22. Almost caught up on posting. Today did not go as planned. We were heading for Springfield Illinois to do all things Lincoln as this is the place to learn about this great president. We made it fine but the problem we had was road construction in the city. Every time “Siri” told us what road we needed we ran into detours. We got so confused and lost we just said screw it and headed for our next casino. We were really looking forward to this but it will have to be another time.

The next two nights are free as we will be staying in Peoria Illinois at Para-Dice casino a Boyd (b-connected card) property.

Nice lake beside hotel and casino.

This one of the old riverboat casinos with three levels of gaming.
DDB 9-5 and DB 9-6. I have not seen any bonus poker at 8-5 anywhere on this trip and I have played a lot of keno and have had much success on it.

Next stop Michigan City as we swing north.

[olds442jetaway]

. I hear you on the construction. Dealing with a ton of it here in Ct. Unfortunately, the overweight trucks eat up the highway in no time. Then they groove the highways, but wait sometimes a month or more before paving. Stay safe and well. I think I may try Keno as a diversion once in awhile. I have to remember to try for no more than 7.