Question for Reno Veterans

[Jay Honeck]

Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at flying
to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.

I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like there
really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
International.

With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable than
flying our own plane.

Anyone got any ideas here? Is there a nearby airport that's easier and
cheaper to get into? Can anyone recommend decent lodging? (Preferably a
locally owned, non-chain hotel.)

How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
Shuttle bus? Taxis?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Peter Duniho]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:32rWc.45865$Fg5.14271@attbi_s53...
> [...]
> With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
> gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable
than
> flying our own plane.

It's air racing. What's "affordable" got to do with it? :) Heck, most of
the time I wind up flying myself somewhere, "affordable" doesn't really
figure into things. Every now and then, a coincidental side-effect was that
it was cheaper, but I sure don't count on that.

Anyway, the year I went, I stayed in Truckee and drove each day up to
Reno/Stead. It wasn't that bad, actually...all on interstates with high
speed limits. Of course, I had the use of my brother's car...you'd have to
rent one or find someone to carpool with. I don't know what they're
charging for overnight at Truckee now, but it was $5/night last time I
parked there and fuel's a lot cheaper than at Reno.

Sorry...I don't have any information to offer of stuff that's actually in
Reno, not having ever done more than stopped at the airport for fuel.
Speaking of which, if it's hot when you land and you land on the big runway,
don't bother trying to brake while you're on the rubber marks from the
airliners. For that matter, no point in even trying to touch down on
them...they get as slick as wet ice when the rubber heats up.

If you do find yourself in the Truckee/Tahoe City area and want to take in
some of the outdoor sights, be sure to drop by Factory Bike at Squaw Valley
Road and Highway 89 for bike rentals. It's my brother's shop...he rents
"cruisers", which are great for low key, fun rides along the river trail
that goes right by his shop (and into Tahoe City, on the north shore of Lake
Tahoe). http://www.factorybike.net Sorry, as far as I know he doesn't
offer Usenet discounts. Maybe if you tell him I sent you, he'll give you a
deal anyway. :)

Pete

[Javier Henderson]

"Jay Honeck" > writes:

> Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at flying
> to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
> we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.

Ah, the weather, that fickle friend of us pilots.

> I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
> bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
> airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like there
> really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
> International.

That's where a friend who goes there every year flies to, and parks
at Sierra Air Center. Advanced reservations are a must according to
him.

-jav

[Maule Driver]

I used to fly sailplane races at Minden (a little south). Regarding the
weather, just plan your flights early. Finishing your flying before say
2:00 pm or so should avoid the good soaring weather and the rough cruising
weather as well as any afternoon storms.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:32rWc.45865$Fg5.14271@attbi_s53...
> Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at
flying
> to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
> we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.
>
> I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
> bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
> airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like
there
> really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
> International.
>
> With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
> gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable
than
> flying our own plane.
>
> Anyone got any ideas here? Is there a nearby airport that's easier and
> cheaper to get into? Can anyone recommend decent lodging? (Preferably a
> locally owned, non-chain hotel.)
>
> How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
> Shuttle bus? Taxis?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jim Weir]

If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden, if you've
never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the best soaring
conditions in the world.

I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That way
you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks) once and
then it is a short commute.

Jim





->How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
->Shuttle bus? Taxis?
->
->Thanks!

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[BTIZ]

Jay,... the year I went.. I flew into Reno on a Commercial Airline.. "Reno
air".. took the FREE shuttle to the Hilton Hotel.. paid the $5 Bus service
to get to Stead each day.. and took the FREE shuttle back to the airport
when it was time to leave.. I understand the daily bus fee is higher now..

Plus you'll love the North Bar at the Reno Hilton Hotel.. right in line with
Alexis Park themes

BT

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:32rWc.45865$Fg5.14271@attbi_s53...
> Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at
flying
> to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
> we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.
>
> I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
> bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
> airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like
there
> really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
> International.
>
> With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
> gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable
than
> flying our own plane.
>
> Anyone got any ideas here? Is there a nearby airport that's easier and
> cheaper to get into? Can anyone recommend decent lodging? (Preferably a
> locally owned, non-chain hotel.)
>
> How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
> Shuttle bus? Taxis?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[The Weiss Family]

> I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
> rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That
way
> you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks)
once and
> then it is a short commute.
>

I'm in Minden, and I wouldn't mind either giving you a lift to Reno, or
perhaps borrowng my chevy malibu.

Adam

[Mike Adams]

Jim Weir > wrote:

> If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden,
> if you've never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the
> best soaring conditions in the world.
>
> I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very
> nice rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the
> airport. That way you only have to find out how to get a long
> distance (Minden to Sparks) once and then it is a short commute.
>
> Jim
>

I overnighted at Minden in June. It's a nice GA airport with a small
airport feel to it. Very easy in and out, and shouldn't be too bad a drive
up to Reno.

Mike

[Maule Driver]

I would suggest Minden too - I just don't know relative distances and such
to Reno Stead.

Minden does have arguably the best conditions around. Thermal soaring up to
18,000 (practical limit due to Class A). World record altitude soaring
beyond that in mountain wave. Most importantly, the equipment and FBOs to
support some serious flying by visitors - 2 place or single. Great place

"Jim Weir" > wrote in message
...
> If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden, if
you've
> never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the best soaring
> conditions in the world.
>
> I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
> rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That
way
> you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks)
once and
> then it is a short commute.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
>
> ->How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
> ->Shuttle bus? Taxis?
> ->
> ->Thanks!
>
> Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
> VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
> http://www.rst-engr.com

[Jack Allison]

As others have suggested Jay, Minden is a nice spot. Not sure about
mogas but whenever I've been there, 100ll was cheaper than my home
airport.

Be sure to post and/or e-mail if the trip is a go. Just might give me
enough reason to head up there for the day. It's not a bad drive for
me...though I'd much rather fly. Ah, but there is that nasty problem of
ground transportation.

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL, IA Student

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Tahoe Joe]

Jim Weir > wrote in message >...
> If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden, if you've
> never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the best soaring
> conditions in the world.
>
> I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
> rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That way
> you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks) once and
> then it is a short commute.
>
> Jim

Jay,

If the Drano..ahem...Reno hotels are full there are also a couple in
Minden/Gardnerville. The Historian Inn in Gardnerville is walking
distance to two Basque restaurants. They are a newer hotel and all
non-smoking. We've stayed at both their locations and can vouch for
their cleanliness. There is also a locally owned casino/hotel in
Minden (Carson Valley Inn, or CVI) with a very nice restaurant
(Fionas). The main floor is smoky (this is Nevada) but some of the
rooms are non-smoking.

http://www.historianinn.com (775-783-1175)
http://www.carsonvalleyinn.com (775-782-9711)

Hertz has something with Hutt Aviation at KMEV and there is Enterprise
in Carson City and Gardnerville.

Things to see include Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, and Genoa. Heck,
come a week early and catch the camel races!

http://www.allcamels.com/sf/vccr/

I live at 7,600 feet above KMEV and in addition to seeing lots of
glider tows overhead, the paragliders climb from their launch point
around 6,000 feet to disappear into the clouds overhead.

-Joe

(20 years in Tahoe and still haven't been to the races)

[Jay Honeck]

> I would suggest Minden too - I just don't know relative distances and such
> to Reno Stead.

Just curious: Why is everyone recommending Minden, which (on the map,
anyway) appears to be much farther from Reno than Carson City?

Something wrong with Carson City? Terrain? Runways? Ugly FBO clerks?

On paper, anyway, it looks like the airport of choice for driving up to
Reno...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[The Weiss Family]

> Just curious: Why is everyone recommending Minden, which (on the map,
> anyway) appears to be much farther from Reno than Carson City?
>
> Something wrong with Carson City? Terrain? Runways? Ugly FBO clerks?
>
> On paper, anyway, it looks like the airport of choice for driving up to
> Reno...

Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!
Minden is only about 10-15 minutes from Carson City, and is MUCH more
beautiful.
Jobs Peak and the Sierras are breath-taking.
Minden is still very rural.
Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
Minden.
It is the Mecca for all glider pilots world-wide.

As mentioned, if you stay in Minden, there are some good basque restaurants
and a couple of hotels.
Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.

[Jay Honeck]

> Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!

Well, that about sums it up. Thanks!

> Minden is only about 10-15 minutes from Carson City, and is MUCH more
> beautiful.

Is that 10 - 15 minutes by air, or by car? If it's by car (which is the
important measurement for me, at the moment), I am so THERE.

> Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
> Minden.

Doubtful. I suspect we'll be up at Stead most of the time.

> Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.

Hee hee! No kids! Grandma's coming -- long live Grandma!

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[The Weiss Family]

> Is that 10 - 15 minutes by air, or by car? If it's by car (which is the
> important measurement for me, at the moment), I am so THERE.

By car.

> > Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
> > Minden.
>
> Doubtful. I suspect we'll be up at Stead most of the time.
>

Too bad.

> > Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.
>
> Hee hee! No kids! Grandma's coming -- long live Grandma!
>

If you're not bringing the kids, then just about any hotel you can get would
work fine.

The offer on my car still stands, too ;-)

[Jay Honeck]

> If you're not bringing the kids, then just about any hotel you can get
would
> work fine.

Can anyone recommend any particular hotel?

> The offer on my car still stands, too ;-)

Thanks, man! I just might take you up on that!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[David Johnson]

I'm no fan of Reno, but attended a conference there a few months
ago - which happened to be held at the Eldorado Hotel/Casino.
I found it to be clean, well run and conveniently located - with
a big parking garage (free) next door. You can get good rates
by booking online (www.eldoradoreno.com). Good and reasonably
priced food in the numerous restaurants. If I were doing it I'd
fly into Minden (been there, but years ago), get a car from
Enterprise, and stay at the Eldo - but only because I know what
to expect there. No doubt you can get equally good deals at many
other places.

As for the air races, I went for a day a couple of years ago -
because I happened to be working temporarily in that neck of
the woods at the time. I found it more interesting to look over
all the exotic machinery in the pits and display area than to
watch the races themselves. I wouldn't make a special trip to
see it again, but would probably drop in for a day if I'm nearby.
YMMV. Hope you like it if you go.

David Johnson

[Tahoe Joe]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<kuNWc.37315$9d6.6637@attbi_s54>...
> > Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!
>
> Well, that about sums it up. Thanks!

Well, Carson has some features. The Capitol is cool looking, there
are nice Victorians on the west side, and more than a couple of nice
restaurants and bars. Plus an amazing number of Grumman Albatrosses
at the airport. They have several nice parks (we walk our dog off of
Deer Run in the Spring when we're still snowbound). But, the city
government are idiots. The town looks like crap approaching from the
south or east and only slightly better from the north or west. They
lost a Kmart and a Walmart, so they try to attract new retail leaving
tens of thousands of square feet of retail empty. Car and RV dealers
are scattered everywhere and only a couple of dealers threatening to
go to Douglas County (where the Weiss family and I live) got them to
consider an auto mall (a decade late). The only resort hotel has been
closed for over three years and is in a ****ing match with the city
over permits. And, aesthetically, a recent wildfire did decimate a
lot of their forest views and there are way too many trashy
neighborhoods for such a small city.

Armpit? Well, we do have Beatty and Vegas in the competition.

> Hee hee! No kids! Grandma's coming -- long live Grandma!

Hey, no kids! Stay in a B&B in Genoa. The Weiss's have offered
transportation twice. Have them pick you up at KMEV and drive you to
Red's Old 395 in Carson. There is an Enterprise location sharing the
parking lot there, and they have close to 100 beers in bottle or on
tap. Eat some onion strings, drink some beer, and have dinner in
Genoa.

Douglas County is a beautiful part of Nevada. And, no income tax,
fairly mild business/corporate fees, stunning views - you may
reconsider your life as a flatlander!

-Joe

[john smith]

Tahoe Joe wrote:
> They lost a Kmart and a Walmart, so they try to attract new
> retail leaving tens of thousands of square feet of retail empty.

How do you lose a WalMart!!!

[Jay Honeck]

Thanks for the tips, Joe.

Any recommended B&Bs in Genoa?

Where is Genoa in relation to Minden? Between there and Stead, hopefully!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Mike Rapoport]

Genoa is due west of the Minden airport (I used to live there). You are
looking at an hour+ to drive from the Minden area to the Stead airport.

Mike
MU-2

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:Tj1Xc.231128$eM2.77617@attbi_s51...
> Thanks for the tips, Joe.
>
> Any recommended B&Bs in Genoa?
>
> Where is Genoa in relation to Minden? Between there and Stead, hopefully!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[[email protected]]

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 14:13:50 GMT, john smith > wrote:


>How do you lose a WalMart!!!


With diligence and determination!

[cj]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:Tj1Xc.231128$eM2.77617@attbi_s51...
> Thanks for the tips, Joe.
>
> Any recommended B&Bs in Genoa?
>
> Where is Genoa in relation to Minden? Between there and Stead, hopefully!
> --
> Jay Honeck

Hello,

As Mike noted, it is west of KMEV and something over an hour to Stead.
Genoa has about the same travel time as the CVI in Minden which, as the
Weiss family noted, is about 15 minutes from Carson. Reno is a bit over 30
miles from Carson but most of it is 65 mph (there is a section of 50 mph
just south of Reno - they mean it - two head-ons killed three people in less
than 24 hours a few weeks ago so lots of patrols). Stead is north of Reno
and the big bottleneck en route is the intersection of Interstate 80 and US
395 which is in year 10 or so of a 400 year construction plan (or so it
seems).

Regarding lodging, I have friends who make the short drive to the Wild Rose
Inn in Genoa a couple times a year for a kid break - they like it. It is a
newer Queen Anne replica.

http://www.wildrose-inn.com/

There is also an authentic Victorian that I know nothing about called the
Genoa House Inn.

http://www.genoahouseinn.com/

And there is a new Inn above a new retail center built to look like an 1800s
storefront called Legends Country Inn. No web site. (775) 783-0906.

My main B&B criteria is a real breakfast. I need ground up animal parts,
not muffins. If you need breakfast en route, either the Cracker Box (home
made corned beef hash on weekends) or Villa Basque (home made chorizo and
Spanish, Mexican and American breakfast) in Carson are good choices. I seem
to recall that you prefer non-smoking. Villa Basque is non-smoking and the
Cracker Box may still allow smoking at the counter but we've never been
bothered at a table there.

And, once again, don't forget to see Lake Tahoe, whether from the air or by
taking the long way to Reno.

- cj (Joe when using Google)

[Peter Duniho]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:Tj1Xc.231128$eM2.77617@attbi_s51...
> Where is Genoa in relation to Minden? Between there and Stead, hopefully!

Just FYI, from Streets & Trips (any map planning software, including
Mappoint or Mapquest will get you something similar):

Time to Reno/Stead from:
Truckee -- 52 minutes
Carson City -- 56 minutes
Minden -- 75 minutes
Genoa -- 77 minutes

The times are approximate, of course. From Truckee, most of the driving is
on I-80 and is very easy (and may be quicker than calculated). From the
other places, the driving is almost entirely on 395.

Personally, if convenience was the priority, I'd go ahead and pay the bucks
to stay in Reno. If you're more interested in saving money, I'd take a look
at the other options and decide what had the most interesting stuff (to me)
nearby so that I could do some sightseeing while I was there. If you want
to minimize your drive time and costs at the same time, Truckee clearly wins
out.

For that matter, you could probably land and park at Truckee, and then stay
overnight in Verdi. Lodging will probably cost about the same, and you'd be
only about a half hour from Reno/Stead.

Of course, when comparing costs, you have to take into account the expense
of renting a car. Whether you stay in Reno and take the "free" shuttle, or
you stay somewhere else and rent a car, you're paying for transportation.
If cost is the highest priority, maybe going where a free car has been
offered to you is the right choice. :)

I like the old buildings right in downtown Carson City, but it's true you
could just drive there from the Minden/Genoa area to look at them...you
don't actually need to stay there. The rest of the city does sort of seem
like one big strip mall.

Pete

[Tahoe Joe]

john smith > wrote in message >...
> Tahoe Joe wrote:
> > They lost a Kmart and a Walmart, so they try to attract new
> > retail leaving tens of thousands of square feet of retail empty.
>
> How do you lose a WalMart!!!

Well, Walmart said they needed a Super Walmart and Douglas County
government and developers said, "what can we do to get your tax
dollars over here?". Meanwhile, Carson City government tried to offer
up a community park as a possible site, and a save the park movement
actually won. Now, Carson is trying to get another Super Walmart.
There is a huge empty Super Kmart at the north end of town, and empty
Walmart at the south end of town, and a number of empty light
industrial on the east side of town. So naturally, they are talking
about building somewhere else, leaving the blight.

And now, Max Baer from the Beverly Hillbillies wants to build a casino
complete with a flaming oil derrick at the old Walmart site. Of
course, only after he bought it did he learn that the CC&Rs won't
allow a casino.

More Carson stupidity. For a number of years the City has pushed the
state for a freeway bypass that the state really did not want to spend
the money on. It's being built now. So the existing downtown, which
already has vacanct casinos and vacant lots - but is right on U.S. 395
- will be bypassed.

We use a lot of services in Carson, but I sure would never invest
there.

[Jay Honeck]

> Of course, when comparing costs, you have to take into account the expense
> of renting a car. Whether you stay in Reno and take the "free" shuttle,
or
> you stay somewhere else and rent a car, you're paying for transportation.
> If cost is the highest priority, maybe going where a free car has been
> offered to you is the right choice. :)

Well, our expenses for this trip have doubled, as the couple we were
planning to go with just backed out.

Suddenly, that free transportation is sounding even better!

:-)

Thanks for all the time/travel comparisons. I'm still surprised that there
is so little lodging near Stead itself, given the stature of the Reno air
races. I suppose they want to hold the race as far from civilization as
possible, but it sure makes travel plans a pain.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Mike Rapoport]

There is not a lot of reason to go to Stead besides the air races.

If I were you, I would consider staying in Reno for the time that you are
going to go to the air races and then stay up at Tahoe for the balance of
your trip. If you want to keep costs down, use the shuttle for the air race
portion and rent a car for the balance. Last time I stayed in Reno, I
stayed at the Nugget and it was about $60/night. The prices vary a lot
depending on occupancy almost like airfares

Mike
MU-2


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:2D7Xc.61245$Fg5.3014@attbi_s53...
> > Of course, when comparing costs, you have to take into account the
expense
> > of renting a car. Whether you stay in Reno and take the "free" shuttle,
> or
> > you stay somewhere else and rent a car, you're paying for
transportation.
> > If cost is the highest priority, maybe going where a free car has been
> > offered to you is the right choice. :)
>
> Well, our expenses for this trip have doubled, as the couple we were
> planning to go with just backed out.
>
> Suddenly, that free transportation is sounding even better!
>
> :-)
>
> Thanks for all the time/travel comparisons. I'm still surprised that
there
> is so little lodging near Stead itself, given the stature of the Reno air
> races. I suppose they want to hold the race as far from civilization as
> possible, but it sure makes travel plans a pain.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[The Weiss Family]

> And now, Max Baer from the Beverly Hillbillies wants to build a casino
> complete with a flaming oil derrick at the old Walmart site. Of
> course, only after he bought it did he learn that the CC&Rs won't
> allow a casino.

....And that's only after Reno told him to get lost when he tried to build at
Park Lane Mall.

[The Weiss Family]

> I'm no fan of Reno, but attended a conference there a few months
> ago - which happened to be held at the Eldorado Hotel/Casino.
> I found it to be clean, well run and conveniently located - with
> a big parking garage (free) next door. You can get good rates
> by booking online (www.eldoradoreno.com). Good and reasonably
> priced food in the numerous restaurants. If I were doing it I'd
> fly into Minden (been there, but years ago), get a car from
> Enterprise, and stay at the Eldo - but only because I know what
> to expect there. No doubt you can get equally good deals at many
> other places.
>
> As for the air races, I went for a day a couple of years ago -
> because I happened to be working temporarily in that neck of
> the woods at the time. I found it more interesting to look over
> all the exotic machinery in the pits and display area than to
> watch the races themselves. I wouldn't make a special trip to
> see it again, but would probably drop in for a day if I'm nearby.
> YMMV. Hope you like it if you go.
>
> David Johnson

I agree with David.
I'm not a gambler, but the casinos are kinda fun, especially if you've never
been before.
The El Dorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus are all adjoined, which is
kinda cool.
Circus Circus is a bit cheesy, but they have a live circus act and a midway.
Don't eat at the buffet there, though!
I'd stick to El Dorado or Silver Legacy. La Strada is a great restaurant
(mushroom ravioli).
If you book soon, you can probably get good rates, and as mentioned, the
parking is free when validated.
From downtown Reno, it's probably 15 minutes to the Stead Airport.

Also, as mentioned, there is nothing in Stead!
My Dad lives there. That's the only reason (besides the air races) I'd ever
go there!

Adam

[Jay Honeck]

> If you book soon, you can probably get good rates, and as mentioned, the
> parking is free when validated.
> From downtown Reno, it's probably 15 minutes to the Stead Airport.

Eldorado still has availability, as of this morning.

Their rooms are just $75 per night -- but jump to TWO HUNDRED TEN DOLLARS
per night on race weekend, Saturday and Sunday!

Jesus -- and I felt guilty for jumping our rates 20% for Big Ten Football,
and demanding a 2-night minimum stay!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim Weir]

So, you've now gotten it down to two people...

You've got decent Reno accomodations for Thursday and Friday...

Saturday and Sunday are the outrageous lodgings prices ...

Bring the airplane to Grass Valley early Thursday and rent a cheap car in Grass
Valley on Thursday...stay in Reno Thursday and Friday nights...

Come back and stay on the airbed Saturday and Sunday at Jim & Gail's in Grass
Valley ... you are an hour and change from Minden and Carson, you are an hour
and change from Grass Valley. Whassa difference?

Problem solved.


Jim


Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com