Circus in Reno, jealousy in Sacramento – Faina’s report.
Nov 18th, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Circus in Reno, jealousy in Sacramento – Faina’s report.
We used Amtrak for our round-trip from San Francisco to Reno with a stop in Sacramento. No delays this time, clean train cars and buses, some delays at bus stops between Reno and Sacramento due to switching to winter schedule – not every passenger was there on time, the driver waited. But he made up, and we were everywhere on time, at some stops even early.
Arrived Reno on Friday, Amtrak bus stops 3-4 blocks from hotel, checked in Silver Legacy. They ask everybody if they want a room lower or higher. They also charge $3 per night per room “resort fee” in addition to the Internet price. May be that hotel is a resort, what do I know! The hotel is fine, the only thing we didn’t like were the pillows – like keeping your head on a rock.
Tickets to Eldorado shows are sold all over both hotels. We made it on time to see the last performance of “Aphelion”. Although not circus fans, we both really enjoyed it. I went to only one Cirque du Soleil “Varekai” and didn’t like that if you see a part of it, you miss another, the stage was too huge to see everything, too much activity in different parts of the stage. With Aphelion it’s different, designed for a small stage, and you don’t miss anything.
By the way, in Eldorado showroom all seats are convenient. As we didn’t make advance reservations, our seats were the first 2 on the side, but we saw everything! The are all… collated? moved so you sit “between” those in front of you. The first five rows are flat, after that they go up on stairs.
Food in Silver Legacy is for every taste, every wallet. From dirt cheap food court to expensive steakhouse, and everything in between. Very fast service at the coffee shop. Of course, no coffeemakers in room.
The next day I had lunch with Holly_Uncasdewar and Creefloors. We had a lot to talk about! And pay attention, people, we want to have another GTG at South Tahoe some time in the summer, Amtrak train/bus goes there as well! Stay tuned, in the meantime submit your date, we’ll try to set a date convenient for most.
Didn’t do much more, played a little, I went to all gift shops in Silver Legacy, slept and ate. Walked out for short time on Saturday afternoon – mostly pawn and liquor shops in the area, shady types wandering around outnumbering the tourists. We didn’t feel threatened, no asking for money, nobody bothered us, just didn’t feel right. Also very visible the penny slots occupy most of the casino, before they were tucked in the back somewhere. And on Friday and Saturday nights we saw empty tables. Business is down.
And then Sacramento. Our friend who lives there picked us up, she went to the GTG with us, I think Kal posted the photo link, if not, you’ll have to wait till I finish my manual film and develop it. As always, it was great to see “the oldies” and meet the new ones. Somehow we started to discuss our ages, and Mr. Again said Janis looks 40-45. She said she loves him, and I had to watch them hug and kiss! Hey, where does this leave me? Bring a husband to a GTG, get jealous? Next time I’ll think twice…
We live in the city, don’t see any nature. So this trip was all aaahs and ooohs for us, we saw the trees of all colors, all shades of red, yellow, gold, rust, dark green. Fall colors. The weather was different. On Sunday morning in Reno 30F, freezing!! Came to Sacramento, stripped down to t-shirts. What fun
Arrived Reno on Friday, Amtrak bus stops 3-4 blocks from hotel, checked in Silver Legacy. They ask everybody if they want a room lower or higher. They also charge $3 per night per room “resort fee” in addition to the Internet price. May be that hotel is a resort, what do I know! The hotel is fine, the only thing we didn’t like were the pillows – like keeping your head on a rock.
Tickets to Eldorado shows are sold all over both hotels. We made it on time to see the last performance of “Aphelion”. Although not circus fans, we both really enjoyed it. I went to only one Cirque du Soleil “Varekai” and didn’t like that if you see a part of it, you miss another, the stage was too huge to see everything, too much activity in different parts of the stage. With Aphelion it’s different, designed for a small stage, and you don’t miss anything.
By the way, in Eldorado showroom all seats are convenient. As we didn’t make advance reservations, our seats were the first 2 on the side, but we saw everything! The are all… collated? moved so you sit “between” those in front of you. The first five rows are flat, after that they go up on stairs.
Food in Silver Legacy is for every taste, every wallet. From dirt cheap food court to expensive steakhouse, and everything in between. Very fast service at the coffee shop. Of course, no coffeemakers in room.
The next day I had lunch with Holly_Uncasdewar and Creefloors. We had a lot to talk about! And pay attention, people, we want to have another GTG at South Tahoe some time in the summer, Amtrak train/bus goes there as well! Stay tuned, in the meantime submit your date, we’ll try to set a date convenient for most.
Didn’t do much more, played a little, I went to all gift shops in Silver Legacy, slept and ate. Walked out for short time on Saturday afternoon – mostly pawn and liquor shops in the area, shady types wandering around outnumbering the tourists. We didn’t feel threatened, no asking for money, nobody bothered us, just didn’t feel right. Also very visible the penny slots occupy most of the casino, before they were tucked in the back somewhere. And on Friday and Saturday nights we saw empty tables. Business is down.
And then Sacramento. Our friend who lives there picked us up, she went to the GTG with us, I think Kal posted the photo link, if not, you’ll have to wait till I finish my manual film and develop it. As always, it was great to see “the oldies” and meet the new ones. Somehow we started to discuss our ages, and Mr. Again said Janis looks 40-45. She said she loves him, and I had to watch them hug and kiss! Hey, where does this leave me? Bring a husband to a GTG, get jealous? Next time I’ll think twice…
We live in the city, don’t see any nature. So this trip was all aaahs and ooohs for us, we saw the trees of all colors, all shades of red, yellow, gold, rust, dark green. Fall colors. The weather was different. On Sunday morning in Reno 30F, freezing!! Came to Sacramento, stripped down to t-shirts. What fun
Nov 18th, 2008, 03:11 PM
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Hi Faina, please excuse me but I am a bit confused. I knew you took Amtrak to Reno and home again but my confusion is due to your referance to buses. Doesn't the Amtrak train still go from Emeryville to Reno and of course onward east bound with a stop in Sacramento without the need to have to use a bus? And the same coming west bound, Reno, stop in Sacramento etc. Sorry if I am being dense, lol.
JanisJ does look wonderful..Mr Again has good taste!!! And Hi MichelleY, it was lovely to see you looking so good and you have a handsome husband! Imagine you are enjoying our beautiful autumn.
JanisJ does look wonderful..Mr Again has good taste!!! And Hi MichelleY, it was lovely to see you looking so good and you have a handsome husband! Imagine you are enjoying our beautiful autumn.
Nov 18th, 2008, 03:27 PM
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Doesn't the Amtrak train still go from Emeryville to Reno and of course onward east bound with a stop in Sacramento without the need to have to use a bus?
L'Italy, there are 2 trains. One goes from Emy to Sac and a connecting bus takes you to Reno (or South Tahoe). The trains runs often, the bus 3 times a day on winter schedule.
The one you mentioned goes from Emy to Reno and on to Chicago - but this one is more expensive, never on time, runs only once a day versus bus 3 times a day.
For us the train-bus combo was more convenient.
L'Italy, there are 2 trains. One goes from Emy to Sac and a connecting bus takes you to Reno (or South Tahoe). The trains runs often, the bus 3 times a day on winter schedule.
The one you mentioned goes from Emy to Reno and on to Chicago - but this one is more expensive, never on time, runs only once a day versus bus 3 times a day.
For us the train-bus combo was more convenient.
Nov 18th, 2008, 06:30 PM
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Got it Faina, I think you took the Capitol Corrider or whatever it is called versus the train that goes to the eastcoast. I didn't realize the CC trains had buses that went to SouthShore and Reno. That is great! Thanks for the info!
Nov 18th, 2008, 07:19 PM
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Faina-Glad to hear you and Mr. Again had a good time in Reno and Sacramento. You didn't mention how Mr. Again did with the penney slots (or should I say sluts)?
I saw Kal's pictures and looked like you all had a wonderful time. And Kal was behaving since Mrs. Kal was there!!
I would love to go to Lake Tahoe in the summer. It's been years and years since I've been there.
And yes Janis looks wonderful!!
I saw Kal's pictures and looked like you all had a wonderful time. And Kal was behaving since Mrs. Kal was there!!
I would love to go to Lake Tahoe in the summer. It's been years and years since I've been there.
And yes Janis looks wonderful!!
Nov 18th, 2008, 08:01 PM
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Hi FainaA. Great report! Mr Again is such a sweetie (and a big fibber too! 
)
Ronda: You can take the train (or train and Amtrak bus) from San Jose to Truckee. You'd have to change in Scaramento.
)Ronda: You can take the train (or train and Amtrak bus) from San Jose to Truckee. You'd have to change in Scaramento.
Nov 19th, 2008, 10:08 AM
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Author: Ronda
Date: 11/18/2008, 11:07 pm
Wouldn't it be lovely if Amtrak ran from San Jose to Truckee and Reno where one could depart and take a bus directly to the ski areas? When will they get smart!
Ronda, if it's not the Capitol Corridor, then there is an Amtrak train from San Jose to Sacramento, connecting Amtrak bus to Truckee (the one we took to Reno stops in Truckee) and a local bus to ski areas.
I don't remember the name of the bus line to ski areas, but sure Google will bring it up.
Also there are buses from Sacramento to South Tahoe, and local shuttles to ski areas, I think the name is "BlueGo".
Patrick, 15% off Amtrak is too little to compensate all that comes with aging
Paula, we should coordinate the trip to Tahoe! At least for the GTG, so all of us (4 so far?) will be at the same place at the same time.
Date: 11/18/2008, 11:07 pm
Wouldn't it be lovely if Amtrak ran from San Jose to Truckee and Reno where one could depart and take a bus directly to the ski areas? When will they get smart!
Ronda, if it's not the Capitol Corridor, then there is an Amtrak train from San Jose to Sacramento, connecting Amtrak bus to Truckee (the one we took to Reno stops in Truckee) and a local bus to ski areas.
I don't remember the name of the bus line to ski areas, but sure Google will bring it up.
Also there are buses from Sacramento to South Tahoe, and local shuttles to ski areas, I think the name is "BlueGo".
Patrick, 15% off Amtrak is too little to compensate all that comes with aging
Paula, we should coordinate the trip to Tahoe! At least for the GTG, so all of us (4 so far?) will be at the same place at the same time.
Nov 19th, 2008, 11:16 AM
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For now, I have no idea! Doesn't make sence to go before Memorial Day - may be too cold to be by an outdoor pool.
June, July, Aug, let's try to narrow it down.
The weekend of July 4 will be too expensive.
I have an idea: Aug 15-16 or 22-23 weekends to celebrate our birthdays
The week 16-21 Mon-Fri probably won't attract anyone, too long, and nobody wants to take time off work?
Should we set up one weekend for a GTG, and work around it? Like it was in San Francisco? Some people came for longer, some just for the GTG.
June, July, Aug, let's try to narrow it down.
The weekend of July 4 will be too expensive.
I have an idea: Aug 15-16 or 22-23 weekends to celebrate our birthdays
The week 16-21 Mon-Fri probably won't attract anyone, too long, and nobody wants to take time off work?
Should we set up one weekend for a GTG, and work around it? Like it was in San Francisco? Some people came for longer, some just for the GTG.
Nov 19th, 2008, 11:23 AM
#13
Don't automatically discount May. I'm up at north shore/Incline most May's and it is usually warm enough to swim at least some of the time. I've had 80ºF+ and snow showers - during the same week 
Nov 19th, 2008, 01:19 PM
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Wow-Faina-I can't even think that far ahead!! Right now I am happy to get through Christmas and Thanksgiving.
We would do it around our birthdays. But it might be good to start a post and see if you get responses from others. It really doesn't matter to me. After my DD's wedding, I will be broke so won't be taking any big trips!!
We would do it around our birthdays. But it might be good to start a post and see if you get responses from others. It really doesn't matter to me. After my DD's wedding, I will be broke so won't be taking any big trips!!
Mar 10th, 2009, 10:23 AM
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Hi, Faina. Next time you decide to take a short walk, keep going south on Virginia. It's just a few blocks to the Truckee River and they've really done a nice job with it. I don't walk there in the winter, but in the summer there are people everywhere along and in the river. Nice walk and wide paths on either side of it.
Mar 10th, 2009, 12:20 PM
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Glad you had a good time with Mr. Again and saw a few nice people.
I wish I could get back to Lake Tahoe this summer, but I can't.
If you do it again after next Feb.- I WILL.
I can always get the skiier to go there if there's snow, but in summer I always head to MI.
This sounds like something that would be right up my alley though.
DID YOU WIN? Did Mr. Again?
I wish I could get back to Lake Tahoe this summer, but I can't.
If you do it again after next Feb.- I WILL.
I can always get the skiier to go there if there's snow, but in summer I always head to MI.
This sounds like something that would be right up my alley though.
DID YOU WIN? Did Mr. Again?
