Travel Blog

There are a huge number of diet fads available in the market. They all have one thing in common and that is they are all trying to make money off people who really want to lose weight and need to lose weight for health reasons. Most of these diet fads do not work at all and if consumers follow them they risk harmful health side effects due to lack of vitamins, minerals and good quality foods. For me this is a situation were business is really trying to take advantage of people who have real problems and are willing to spend a lot of money. Unfortunately these same people either do not follow the instructions or they get disappointed and give up early. Losing weight is all about changing habits, eating right and exercise. The fad diets just care about making money by selling you something.

You just have to watch the biggest loser on TV to begin to understand what these people are going through and how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. They work for months, and I mean work hard to burn calories to lose weight. They combine exercise with starting to eat properly and watching their food and calorie intake.  This is hard work and takes conviction and perseverance to be successful. The companies that sell all of these diet plans and diet products are there to sell you something and not to support you over the long term. All they want to do is to sell product.

So what are you supposed to do if you want to lose weight. With all of these fad diet plans, advertising of miraculous weight loss with no work, how do you avoid being taken in and spending a lot of money to try and lose weight?

Well the answer is pretty simple, however most people will not like the answer. It is really simple.  If the energy you take in, in terms of food is greater than the energy you burn in daily living and exercise, then you are going to gain weight. Burning more calories and energy than you take in will ensure that you lose weight. Taking in the same amount of energy that you are burning every day will ensure that you maintain the same weight.

If you are not one to exercise very much other than daily activity, then you must limit the calories that you intake every day. Read labels and assess the number of calories in each serving. Stay under 1500 calories a day if you want to lose weight. Don’t forget to count sauces and other things you add as condiments. They contain a lot of fat and calories which you do not need. Even mustard, catchup and deep frying anything is not a good idea. Take some general vitamins to ensure that you are maintaining your proper level of vitamins in your body as well.

This seems pretty simple and it is really simple, however it takes a lot of control to say no to some of the things that you enjoy eating. Deserts, fried foods, sauces, overeating and snacking are all things that you have to get under control and reduce. If you do not then you will just become frustrated and stay at the same weight.

Diet Fads – Financial

The financial side of weight loss is staggering. If you apply self control, you are going to reduce the money you spend on food. You avoid spending money on fad diets, when you lose weight. Also you need less medicine and less doctor visits and you have less health issues. These things all save you a great deal of money. Use these factors as motivators to help you stick with your own plan to lose weight. Avoid all of these fad diets that are out there.

Feel free to leave us comments about your experience with fad diets and losing weight. Spam comments will be deleted.

There are often great vacation deals in Las Vegas, however the summer time is one of the best times to snag inexpensive hotel rooms or even get comp’d for your rooms while staying in Las Vegas.  The convention traffic is down in the summer time while everyone is on vacation. Admittedly it is very hot in Vegas so a lot of people stay away and there are lots of other things to do besides going to Las Vegas.

However if you are looking for a little excitement, a bit of gambling, an excellent meal,  excellent entertainment, and great pool weather, then Las Vegas is the place to be. We have slot cards at all of the major hotels. We have talked about the value of slot cards in past posts, so if you have not read this post, it is time you do. They can be invaluable and save you a great deal of money. We often go to Vegas in the spring a few times a year, however our schedule just does not permit a visit during the summertime.

The major casinos must have us on a watch list, because starting about the end of June we receive offers at least once a week during the summer. The offers vary, however they usually include free rooms, maybe some free slot play, or free meals. Sometimes they will even throw in tickets to a show. These are good deals and if you can take advantage of these offers, you can have a pretty reasonable mini-vacation in Las Vegas!

Vacation Deals  – Best Time of the Week to Visit Las Vegas

The best deals of course are during the week , from Sunday through Thursday, although sometimes you can also even get inexpensive deals on the weekend as well. Las Vegas is a very opportunistic place. When there are lots of people in town, the hotels charge top rate for their rooms. When occupancy rates are down, the next best thing is to fill the rooms even if they must do so by providing the rooms on a complimentary basis. They want you in their hotel, enjoying the casino and eating at the restaurants.  This is the basis of all the vacation deals.

Summer time, the few weeks just before Christmas and any time a hotel is not hosting a conference are good times to check and see what vacation deals are available. Even if you are a slot club member and have not received an email or flier in the mail, always call the hotel and ask to speak to the slot host. Depending on how busy the hotel is, your slot play and their general desire to fill the hotel, they may offer you a great deal. Always give them a call before you confirm your reservation through an agent or over the internet. Also check with a number of the hotels. One may be quite busy while another may be in bit of a drought.

Summer Time is Pool Weather

If you go in the summer time, it will be very hot. A great time to be at the pool and a great time to enjoy the air condition environment of the casinos. Always make sure you have a lots of water with you and never allow yourself to become de-hydrated.  It is very easy to do in the hot dry desert air of Las Vegas.

During the first two weeks of January, there are lots of large conferences taking place in Vegas. Hotels will charge as much as $599 for a room during those conferences and the next week they may be down to $79 because the number of visitors are down. Choose your time to visit wisely and pay as little as possible.

We would love to hear about the great vacation deals in Las Vegas. Please leave comments on our blog. Note that spam comments will be deleted.

Have you ever gone rafting or boating for the day or overnight and everything, I mean everything, gets soaking wet? Even your expensive camera and that cell phone that would not have worked anyway in the wilds, gets soaked and shorts out!  Some river water is very cold and there is nothing better than getting out of your wet clothing into some nice dry sweats, pants and shirts. Dry Bags for Rafting can protect all of your things.

If it gets wet, the only thing you can do is build a fire, but, oh, the matches got wet too and you lost your lighter when you got dumped in the water. Wow could conditions get any worse out in the wilderness far from a warm camp site with the sun setting and the night getting cold! That’s where dry bags for rafting come in handy.

Dry Bags for Rafting

One of the basics of rafting is to have something you can stow your clothes and camping gear, where they are going to stay dry, just in case you flip over in the rapids or there is a heavy down poor. Dry bags come in all sizes and shapes. There is something for campers, for hikers and of course white water rafting enthusiasts. You may want to select a bag that you can use for multiple purposes to save some money. Take your time and chose the right water proof bag for your sporting needs.

There are small dry bags that you can place things like matches, cameras, cell phones and other small items that you do not want to get wet. There are large dry bags that you can use for tents. Also your food and even stow your clothes in for long camping trips.

Once you have a dry bag, you will wonder why you never had one before! Even if you are going on an organized white water rafting trip were the rafting company transports all your stuff to the next place you are going to camp or meet your car, they cannot always guarantee that it will not rain or your stuff will not get wet. Placing your camping gear and clothes in a dry bag, makes it easier on the rafting company as well as yourself!

Dry Bags for Rafting or Dry Cases

There are situations were a soft dry bag will not do the trick for you. Although they will keep your things dry they may not protect them from being bounced around or from getting crushed. A dry case is the answer. These cases are water proof and shock proof. They will withstand a great deal of bouncing and physical shock while protecting your things inside.

You might have a first aid kit that needs to come along. But you do not want everything to be a jumbled mess when you need it in an emergency. Cases are also good for protecting electronics, providing that the interior is properly padded. Also that your camera is packed tightly and snugly so that it does not bounce around inside.

Dry cases are also great for travellers, who are going by plane. I once saw a load of suitcases sit in the rain for over an hour. You can imagine how everyone’s clothes were soaked! This was on the way to a vacation destination too!

We are going to have more posts about gear that many people will find useful for camping and rafting, so check back often. Feel free to leave comments about any gear that you find useful as well. Spam comments will automatically be deleted.

A dieting web site would not be complete with out having a post on Weight Watchers. We do not claim to be experts about weight watchers, nor do we offer any advice about this form of dieting, however it does work for many people and if it works why not try it. With weight watchers discipline seems to the the key to success.

Our reason for writing about Weight Watchers on this post is based on a conversation I had with a friend who has joined weight watchers and to date has lost 12 pounds. He has not changed his exercise routine, has a regular job behind a desk, yet he has managed to lose 12 ponds and wants to lose another 5 pounds to get to what he considers to be his optimum weight.

He mentioned that he follows the plan and counts his points everyday to make sure that he does nto exceed his daily allowance of food intake. Vegetables are free points, while many of the meats and starchy foods are from one to several points per serving. He is allowed 13 points per day and 35 points extra for the week. If he can stay at this level of points each day, he will lose weight and reach his goal.

Weight Watchers – Alcohol

We were at a party having a martini and I commented that his drink was probably around 9 points in that one drink. His look was of astonishment. He could not believe that there were so many points in one drink. My rational for this number of points was as follows.

He had mentioned that a regular beer ( Canadian) was 3 points. There were 3 ounces of liquor in his martini and so we figured that one ounce of liquor is equal to a beer, hence 3 points per ounce time 3 ounces is 9 points. He was almost at his daily limit with one drink!

He finished the drink and then switched to beer, taking full advantage of his 35 weekly points that he is allowed to go over each week. This guy can also pack away the beer and in the past at our parties would easily drink 10 beers in an evening. Note: that his wife always drives home, so there is never a drink and drive issue for my friend.

This was the really interesting part. After his martini, he limited himself to 4 beers to stay within the 35 point limit extra for the week. This is when I really realized that he was committed to losing weight, because this man really loves his beer!

Weight Watchers and Alcohol

I do not know what weight watchers opinion is regarding alcohol, other than you probably should limit the amount of beer and liquor you drink to avoid gaining weight from your drinking.

If anyone knows or has comments feel free to weigh in and provide your comments. We welcome anyone’s comments that are valid and real. Comments that are of a spam variety, will be deleted.

Alcohol has lots of sugar in it and the body will convert it to fat quickly. Counting the number of beers or hard liquor you take in is a great way to manage your weight loss. Or avoid gaining more weight. Weight watchers will I am sure, want you to limit the amount you drink for health and weight issues. However there are lots of other reasons to manage the amount you drink every week as well.

Aside from issues of drinking and driving, gaining weight, you can actually also damage your liver. Also other parts of your body if you drink too much as well. If you fall into this category, you really need to deal with your drinking level first. Then start managing  your weight loss as well, whether it is through weight watchers of some other diet plan.

My friend is committed although he does fall of the wagon from time to time. He is committed to losing weight and avoiding other health issues that over weight conditions can cause.

Bottom line

You need to make your own decision and commitment to lose weight. Weight watchers is only a tool that you can use to help you lose weight and manage your weight in a structured somewhat scientific method.

We hope that you can make the decision and follow the plan. After all it is not free. It does cost money to join which is part of being committed to losing weight. Think of it this way. The money you save on reduced food intake as well as reduced alcohol consumption will easily pay for your Weight Watchers member ship.

Good luck and we hope you found this post interesting. As we said comments are very welcome. As long as they contribute to the general theme of this post and are positive and helpful comments. Anything else will be deleted. Thanks to Weight Watchers for helping my friend lose weight. We hope that he continues to be successful in losing weight!

The Palm Springs Spa Casino and Hotel is located in downtown Palm Springs within walking distance of many hotels and motels, as well as restaurants and the main shopping area in Palm Springs. There is lots of street parking as well as surface parking in casino parking lots.

Whether you want to play the slots, play the tables or play a little poker, the Spa Casino has it all. It is actually a very nice size as compared to the many gigantic casinos in Las Vegas and other areas. It is a nice way to spend an evening having a drink, gambling a little, having dinner or taking in one of the live shows that are offered from time to time.

For those of you who may have visited the former SPA Casino, which was under a tent attached to the hotel, you will notice a huge improvement when you visit the new casino. It is now a separate modern building with multiple restaurants, several bar areas and many slot machines. It is decorated in desert tones on the outside with lots of shrubs and colorful flowers that are well maintained.

Palm Springs Spa Casino

This casino is now a high quality site for playing the slots. There are 860 slots and 22 table games with 3 lounges, buffet, deli and 1 restaurant at the SPA Casino. There are several areas were you can enjoy a drink and relax or play the slots away from the main casino. In addition there is also a great nightclub as well. Their cafe is reasonably priced as is their buffet dinner and the buffet will feature different foods throughout the week at reasonable prices.

Slot Machines

There are over 860 slot machines of various types from penny machines to dollar machines and above for the high rollers. Their slot machines built into the center bar were you can sit, watch the action, enjoy a drink and play one of your favorite games. The sports bar is one of the quieter places in the casino with approximately 20 machines also built into the bar. YOu can have something to eat here, watch the sports on a variety of televisions and play a little on one of the machines.

While they do not advertise this, you can ask the bar tender for free tortilla chips with salsa sauce. The service is friendly and the place is clean. The only negative is that sometimes you have to sit beside someone who is smoking!

There is also a high roller slot area which we have not been into. It is behind closed doors so we cannot even describe it.

Table Games

There are approximately 22 table games in the center of the casino with all of the popular games to play.

Restaurants

There is a deli beside the poker room were you can get a quick bite, there is a buffet which offers a great venue at reasonable prices with a combination of seafood, Mexican and standard American fare.  There is a steak house restaurant, a noodle bar and a small bar for drinks and munchies available for patrons.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Very nice casino, very clean and a nice place to spend an evening
• Free entertainment at the sports bar area on some evenings
• Great Buffet at reasonable prices
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests.
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Lots of nearby surface parking
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

Other things to do in the area include:

• Pool area
• Surrounding Golf Courses
• Palm Spring Shops and restaurants
• Near by outlet shops
• Desert Museum
• Desert Zoo
• Indian Canyons
• Tramway
• City Tours and history of Palm Springs

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Spa hotel & casino, however you should be aware that  drinks are not free while gambling

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs, however the casino is much more recent and is a first class casino, although smaller when compared to Vegas style casinos.

The only thing we do not care for is the smoking which many of the Indian casinos all over the US allow. Sometimes it can get pretty bad, so if this bothers you , it is best to stay away from the casino all together.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Agua Caliente slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at several Palm Springs area hotels.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Spa hotel & casino in a large  surface parking lot across from the hotel as well as across from the main casino entrance. You can access the hotel from the parking area as well as a street entrance on the south west side. The surface parking is also patrolled on a regular basis with officers on bike patrols on a regular basis.

Directions:

The Spa casino is located at 301 East Amado road in down town Palm Springs. It is easy to get to and in most cases just follow the signs, however if you have trouble finding it, just ask someone along the street. This is a safe town, very friendly and easy to park in. They cater to the tourists which is their main business.

Since it is the summer time, we thought it would be a good time to do a post on boating safety. Whether it is a kayak, a row boat, or a high speed power house of a boat, there are basic boating rules that all boaters should keep in mind. We thought we would cover a few of them here and invite our readers to add their comments and suggestions regarding how to really enjoy the water and be safe at the same time. Bottom line, if you are in a boat you should be wearing a life jacket or at the very least know where they are stored and know how to put them on quickly.

Every year you hear about people who have accidents while boating, some drown and others survive but have severe injuries. Yet it is so simple to avoid these situations and still have a fantastic time on the water with your family and friends. Many boats have more powerful engines than a lot of cars. Yet when we get in a boat it seems that all the rules of the road are forgotten. We speed, we do careless things and some even drink alcohol while on the water, endangering the lives of our friends and families and other boaters.

Small boats, canoes and kayaks are very susceptible to waves from larger boats as well. Some operators do not consider the consequences of boating without taking the proper safety precautions before the get on the water.  Even if you are a great swimmer, you may be in no condition to swim after an accident.

Boating Safety – Safety Precautions

Here is a list of the common safety precautions that everyone should consider and in some cases they are quite similar to hiking or to white water rafting.

• Always have enough safety jackets in the boat for every person. Children should be wearing them at all times.  If someone accidentally falls in and is wearing a jacket, they will float and you can always toss them one as well. In addition in an accident, were you are knocked into the water, perhaps lose conscientious  or cannot swim, your life jacket will keep your head above water so you can breathe.
• Never drink and drive when operating a boat. It is difficult enough to operate a boat safely, with craft coming from all directions and have your concentration impaired as well. Some locations such as the Province of Ontario, in Canada, do not allow alcohol on a boat at any time. In fact if you are stopped, you can be charged.
• Never overload a boat. This includes the number of people as well as gear and luggage that you might be carrying. A boat that is low in the water due to weight, can easily be swamped.
• Check the weather conditions and water conditions prior to heading out. Storms can come up quickly and cause large waves to hit your boat especially in small shallow lakes. If in doubt, you may want to re-consider your boating trip.
• Plan your boating excursion. Make sure you have sufficient fuel on board for your trip, stored properly, and let someone who is not with you know were you are headed and when you are expected to return. Same rules for hiking! You want people to come looking for you if you do not return on time.

Fuel – one of the most Important Safety Issues

• Fuel on boats is always a dangerous issue. Fumes tend to build up, especially with in board engines. Follow all of the standard starting procedures prior to starting your engines. Make sure you clear the air with the exhaust fans first. Never smoke or use a lighter around the engine compartment.
• Whether you are water skiing or tubing, always operate your boat safely. Take into account other boaters and potential immersed logs and other possible obstacles. Many people are run over or the lines are snagged causing significant injuries.
• Wear lots of sun screen. Although this is not really a safety issue, it definitely is a comfort issue. The sun is hot and can burn exposed skin quickly.  Re-apply several times throughout the day.

I am sure there are lots of other safety related issues to consider. However we think these are the main ones to consider when you are out boating. Above all use your common sense whether you are boating on a small lake, or going white water rafting. If you have not boated before or it is the first time on a lake, get a map. Take someone along who knows the area and can help to guide you.

Boating Safety – Keep Your Equipment Maintained

Maintain your equipment in top notch condition. It may save your life sometime. Being lazy or trying to save a few dollars is just nor worth it when you life or your family’s life could be at stake.

While we have only covered a few of the safety issues associated with boating, we invite our readers to let us know about other safety conditions that should be followed. Please feel free to make your comments. All will be considered, spam will be deleted. Enjoy your summer and your boating excursions.

You might be wondering what the subject of “Nebulisers? would have to do with diets or diet information. Well it turns out they can have a lot to do with diet, especially if you are not following one. I had the privilege of needing to use one in the past 6 months and yes it was a life saver, but if I had been a little more careful I would not have needed it at all. This is why I decided to write about this subject so that I could help other people avoid not being able to breath properly.

Why Did I need Nebulisers?

First of all for those of you who may not know what a Nebulisers is, it is a machine that pumps air through a tube to a mask that you place over your mouth and nose. When you add medicine to the reservoir in the mask the blowing air picks up some of the medicine as you breath in and out through the mask. This is on one of  the best ways for someone who has shallow breathing to get some of the medicine into their lungs and into their bronchial tubes for relief.

I was having a severe bronchitis attack, and could not breathe sufficient air into my lungs and also could not use an inhaler since I could not get enough of the medicine into my lungs to obtain some relief. With nebulizers, I was able to obtain some relief and breathe much easier as a result. In fact my oxygen level in my blood was down to 95% which is not very good. Once I finished several of these treatments with  nebulisers, I felt much better and also was able to breathe much easier. A neubliser should only be used under a doctor’s advice and also when your inhaler is not providing the relief you need.

How does Diet and the need for a Neubliser go hand in hand?

As you gain weight, there is more pressure on your lungs in terms of the amount of oxygen you need to live as well as the fact that the excess weight compresses your lungs and you are unable to take deep breaths or clear your lungs of pollutants or moisture. Many heavy people will also become susceptible to pollution and pollen causing chronic bronchitis attacks.

Your doctor may prescribe an inhaler since you are wheezing or perhaps are experiencing difficulty breathing. While you might get some relief , it is really time to take stock and make a decision about your weight and your overall health. Many people have seen the show “The Biggest Loser” and also seen how many of these overweight people are on various medicines including inhalers. Once they begin to exercise and eat healthy food, the pounds begin to fall off and also the amount of medication they need also decreases or in some cases is eliminated. This includes anyone who needed a nebuliser because their inhaler was not working for them!

What you can do for your diet?

Let’s admit that not everyone can take 5 months off their jobs to go to the biggest loser ranch and they cannot afford to just spend their entire day exercising. What you can do is cut down on your food intake and start exercising, creating an energy deficit and losing weight as a result. Take stock of the amount of food you are eating and make a decision that  you are going to eat less and exercise more.

Make a decision and start dieting, exercising and take control of your life! Although I am not significantly over weight, even the extra weight I am carrying around impacts my breathing. Hence the need for a nebulizer when I was having a severe bronchitis attack. Once you make a decision, sticking to it is the hard part. You may be motivated by a health scare. Which is actually a good thing. You survived the health scare. Now you have to get serious about losing weight if you want to live.

You may be also motivated by wanting to feel better, to look better and to be better accepted by society. Unfortunately we are an image based society and if you do not fit the mold, many people will reject you, make fun of you and not accept you into their idea of what a person should look like.

Nebulisers – A Rigid Plan?

Some people need a rigid plan to keep them on the diet program. While others just need a bit of motivation and they can lose pounds easily. Basically you need to create an energy deficiency. i.e. the energy you take in minus the energy you burn is negative. If it is you will lose weight. The speed of losing weight will depend on how big your energy deficit is.

Go for walks, park the car further away from the door. Always use a small plate, avoid sauces of all kinds, avoid deserts, avoid foods with lots of calories. Walk up a flight of stairs whenever you get the chance. Add these sorts of guidelines to your daily life and you will see the pounds disappear.

Try not to fool yourself. If you are now using a smaller plate, which means you cannot pile as much food on to it. But fill up your plate 3 times, you are just kidding yourself. You need to get serious and really focus on losing weight and that means eating less.

If writing things down in a diary or log book helps, do that. Record how far you walk each day, how much you eat. Also whatever else you are doing that contributes to losing weight. Include also the number of pounds you are losing. If you do not lose weight one week, don’t get discouraged. Just redouble your efforts to lose weight. Focus on more exercise as well as cutting down on the quantity you eat every day.

Good luck and if this blog post helped you, please let us know your feedback!

There are so many casinos across America and also in Canada, that we know we will not finish our reviews for some time. However we like to break it up a bit and inject a post about places we really like and also have Casinos nearby or even in these areas. One of our favorite places to stay is Palm Springs, California. If you have not spent  some time there you really should. Palm Springs has a little bit of everything for almost everyone.

From many fine restaurants, to over 115 golf courses, some of the best shopping ever, to many farmers markets throughout the area to some of the best hiking available in California. All of this with scenery that encompasses snow covered mountains, desert vistas and a hot temperate climate. They get over 340 days of sun! With so much to offer we could not resist on doing a post about Palm Springs California and also talk a little bit about the 5 or 6 casinos in the area as well.

Palm Springs California – Farmers Market

Every thursday night, they close the main street in Palm Springs for about 6 or 7 blocks and folks from all over the valley come to sell their products. You purchase of course just about every kind of vegetable and fruit, all fresh and often just picked that day. There are also preserved foods available and many of the vendors will offer samples to try before you buy.

Purchase corn on the cob, hamburgs from the barbecue, and many more varieties of foods virtually from all over the world. Forget supper at home, come and try some of the fresh foods at the Palm Springs Thursday night farmers market. There are also many artisans selling their products.  You can purchase paintings of the desert, sunsets and the native flours and plants of the desert. Others will carve carvings from the trunks of trees. You can purchase colored stones in singles or part of a necklace. There are so many different products at this market, many people make this a part of their weekly schedule because there is always something new!

Shopping in Palm Springs

If you stay downtown or a few blocks away in one of the many motels or condo properties you can walk easily to the downtown area and take advantage of the many small shops. We particularly like going to either Starbucks or across the street at the Coffee Bean for a coffee, sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and watch people as they stroll along. The shops in the downtown area of Palm Springs have suffered from high taxes over the past few years and many of the old shops that have been there for many years have closed.

Many people now go out to the outlets to shop with over 200 stores to chose from and excellent prices and quality. You can also go the high end stores at El Paseo further south in one of the other desert cities.

There are so many restaurants to chose from, you will never be bored or run out of places to try. Many will offer happy hour deals from 4pm to 6pm or some as late as 7pm. These usually include half price on drinks and appetizers.  During the summer months, happy hour is really a good deal , while during peak season, some locations will not offer happy hour at all. If you like champagne, try all you can drink brunch deals on Sundays. Some places will charge an additional $2 over your breakfast and you can drink all you want. One couple we know has a record of 5 bottles during brunch on Sunday!

Hiking and Biking around Palm Springs

There are bike routes around Palm Springs with well marked signs for you to follow which will take you around some of the main areas of the city and sites that you may want to stop to look at.

Hiking is also a great pass time in the mountains around Palm Springs. There are many well marked trails for beginners and also for hikers who like more of a challenge. You can even link up with the Pacific Coast Trail which runs from the Mexican Border all of the way to the Canadian Border. Go out to the White Water conservation area and speak to the ranger on duty. You can obtain a map which shows the trails you need to take t hike in the general area as well as join up with the pacific coast trail.

You can also take the gondola up to one of the local mountains and hike around the mountains at the 8000 foot level. With the elevation, the temperature drops so make sure you go prepared for snow even in June and tougher trails. Take a compass with you since you are now really out in the wild and far from easily accessible rescue sites.

Gambling around Palm Springs

The Spa Casino is right down town in Palm Springs. If you live or rent a motel or condo in the area, it is an easy walk to the casino. They offer all of the standard slots and table games, a great buffet and also entertainment every weekend. This is a very attractive casino to visit, however like many Indian run casinos it can be very smoky at times so if this bothers you, at least you know what you are getting into.

There are at least 5 other casinos in the area that we are aware of all within easy driving distance of Palm Springs. The Agua Caliente casino at the intersection Ramon road and Interstate 10 is a really nice spot to spend some time. Lots of parking, large casino, nice rooms in the hotel and an excellent pool area with a tropical environment. If you are looking for a nice spot to spend the weekend this one should definitely be on the list.

Feel free to leave comments about your experiences in Palm Springs.

White water rafting can be a great deal of fun, exciting and thrilling! Following  a few safety guidelines will help to ensure that you, your friends and family will always find rafting an enjoyable experience, ready to go back for more. It is so easy to make a mistake. Or get into a situation you are not prepared for or trained to handle. The rivers conditions change with the seasons, even from week to week. Being aware of all of the safety guidelines, river conditions and keeping your safety gear up to date can be a daunting task. Rely on the experts to provide you with a safe enjoyable experience.

White Water Rafting Safety – Why Use the Experts

The single most important reason to use experts who are trained in whitewater rafting is the safety they provide with equipment, with knowledge of the river and of course the training they received prior to ever going on the river. This includes not only navigating white water rapids, it also includes first aid training and providing support in case their actually is an accident. Pay attention to what they say and follow their instructions. It could save your life.

The equipment is expensive and this is often quoted as a reason to use a rafting company. While it is expensive, they also use the best equipment available, at least the good ones do. From the rafts themselves to the life jackets they provide it all means that you have a better chance of making it alive through the rapids in one piece than you would going rafting yourself. Of course it depends what skill level you consider the rapids to be. A class 1 or 2 river is something you can go canoeing quite safely, hover most experts will not even consider a class 5 set of rapids. If you really want to go rafting with your buddies on the weekend, go with one of the companies in your area that have a good reputation for safety as well as providing value for the money you will spend.

White Water Rafting Safety – Safety Gear

White water rafting safety gear is so important.  All companies should provide you with a minimum of a life jacket that fits you snugly and will not ride up, while keeping you afloat if you end up outside the raft. It should also at all times keep your head upright and for the most part out of the water, in case your head should strike a rock and knock you out. You want to be able to breathe and your head must be above the water line!

Having excellent equipment is of course another important element. Rafts that are worn or dirty are not attractive and probably not safe. If you are planning to rafting early in the spring or even sometimes early summer you may want to wear a wet suit to avoid getting hypothermia. Mountain streams from melting snow can be very cold even in the summer months. So you want to make sure you are dressed properly to avoid any problems in this way.

Finally a means to contact emergency resources if there is an accident. They may not have cell phones with them, however they should have a method worked out that allows them to track rafting excursions and avoid any problems that might arise should no one know that they need help.

Matching Your Skill Level with the River Conditions

This topic is so important. Many people go rafting every year, have a great time and would go back again. As long as you are on a set of rapids that are suitable for your strength and skill level, you will be fine. The higher class of rapids have a higher probability of tossing you into the river. With these types of rapids, before you even go for a trip you may need to prove that you can swim out of a whirlpool or whitewater and get to safety on your own. You will need the strength and the swimming ability to get out of the situation you find yourself in. These are for the expert level white water rapids which most of us will never see.

Most people will go on gentler rapids with a few standing waves, get wet. They enjoy the great out doors , the scenery and the fresh air.  If you feel it necessary to try something more challenging, make sure that you are ready for them. Which is the subject of the next section.

Practicing, Staying in Shape,  and Other Issues to Consider

If you are going to go on increasingly more challenging rapids, you should really be in top physical shape. Be able to swim out of what ever situation you find yourself in. Stay in shape and practice with the companies that provide white rafting services. Most will also entertain applications to train as a raft guide. However you will need to demonstrate that your physical fitness is sufficient to deal with the rigors of rafting.

We would enjoy anyone who wants to leave their comments about this subject or other comments related to white water rafting. Spam comments and blatant advertising is not accepted.

We decided to write a blog that covers everything you need to know about Las Vegas, Laughlin and Tunica. These are the main gambling centers from the Mississippi to the west. There is so much to cover that we already know this will be a long blog. However we will sprinkle it with lots of information to help with the reading. Also to generate interest in this important subject. We will cover the following areas in our post. However if you are looking for one particular area of interest just skip ahead to the one that interests you. If we missed something, just leave us a comment and we will be glad to cover it if we can.

Las Vegas Nevada

• The Strip
• Downtown Las Vegas
• Surrounding Las Vegas
• Shopping in Las Vegas
• Other activities around Las Vegas

Laughlin Nevada

• The Casino Strip
• Bullhead , AZ

Tunica Mississippi

• Casinos around Tunica
• Memphis

Slot Cards

• Cash Back
• Free Play
• Comp’s
• Free Rooms

Obtaining Comp’s
Restaurants
Entertainment
Conferences and Trade Shows

Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada started as buggy stop in the middle of the Nevada desert. It has grown to the metropolis it is today with well over a million people. There are many casinos and hotels in Las Vegas. There are well over 110,000 hotel rooms in the city and more being added every year.

During the later part of 2008 and all of 2009, the number of visitors to Las Vegas was down a lot. Hotels found themselves having to lay off lots of people. They curtailed or stopped some of the remodeling and new building construction that they had planned. As a result visitors to Las Vegas could find some of the best hotel deals in the country. Service levels are fantastic, since everyone in Las Vegas really understands how valuable a customer is to the hotel and the casino. This is the time for great comp’s, deals on rooms and special arrangements. since then, fast forward to 2019. The economy is doing well and there are lots of jobs. Las Vegas is booming.

Homes to Purchase

If you are looking for a home to buy there are a lot of homes that have been foreclosed. Unfortunate for some, but an opportunity for others. You can find really fantastic deals for new homes in the Las Vegas area at this time, Not sure how long this will last, although so fat in 2010, Las Vegas real estate still seems to be a bargain.

Many investors have been scared away, however MGM Grand has been making a huge investment in their City Center project with multiple hotels, casinos and condo dwelling areas. They are hoping to time their release of their properties just as the economy rebounds. We hope they are right since this is a several billion dollar bet. since we wrote this original post, the Aria casino and the city center are now open. This is a mega center and you will need a lot of time even to just walk through the place.

We have been visiting Las Vegas since 1976 and have not missed a year. We have seen change occur every year with new hotels and casinos being built, others remodeled and some of the old land marks torn down to be replaced by mega hotels and casinos. A hotel built today will have at least 3000 rooms with some sporting multiple towers and up to 5000 rooms. We do have our favorites and we will talk about them later in this post.

Vegas offers Everything

Las Vegas offers just about anything that you would like to see in terms of meals, entertainment and accommodations as well as high stakes gambling. Since we are average gamblers and not involved in the high stakes area, we really cannot discuss this area from experience. Instead we will focus on what the average person can expect when they go to Las Vegas for a weekend vacation.

There are three main areas of Las Vegas from the tourists perspective. The strip is the most famous and were most of the hotels today are concentrated. Downtown Las Vegas is where the gambling mecca first got its start and still has something to offer to tourists from all around the world. Lately there have been casinos springing up in various areas of the city. They are a little more local in nature, not as large as the strip casinos, but never the less have something to offer their customers.

The Strip

The following hotels can be found along the strip in no particular order and we have done reviews of many of them and will be adding the rest over the next year:

Aladdin | Ballys |Bellagio |Caesars |CircusCircus Excalibur | Flamingo |FourSeasons |Harrahs |

Imperial |Luxor |MandalayBay |Mirage |MGMGrand |Montecarlo

NewYork |Paris| Planet Holywood | Riviera

Sahara |Stardust | Stratosphere |TreasureIsland | Tropicana Venetian | Wynn

Downtown Las Vegas includes several other hotels, however the notable one os in fact the Golden Nugget. It is one of the originals and has had a recent upgrade, so it is one of the better hotels to stay in if you are planning to stay downtown. We think that the strip is were the action is and you should visit Fremont street while you are there.

Golden Nugget

Surrounding Las Vegas there are many hotels and casinos, some are quite large and popular with the party set such as the The Palms and also the Rio. The Hilton is were many large conferences are given with its proximity to the Las Vegas Convention center. The hotels we have listed are hotels we have written reviews for in the past. There are many other small hotels and casinos outside of the strip and the downtown area.

Hilton |TheOrleans |ThePalms | Rio | SanRemo |Tuscany

Shopping

Shopping in Las Vegas is fantastic and there really is something for everyone from the high roller, to the lucky winner to every day stuff. The Fashion Show Mall is on the strip and is often visited by tourists and residents for its unique venues, high end stores and as well unique stores for someone looking for something special. Apple even has a store in this mall.

In addition , pretty much all of the hotels have high end stores were you can purchase a rolex, a purse for a few thousand and clothes that need an unlimited Amex Card. These are great places to visit and browse, however unless you are well heeled, you should be careful to make sure that you do not break anything. All of the high end popular chain stores are represented in the bigger classier casinos such as Bellagio, Wynn and others.

Other activities around Las Vegas

There are loads of activities around Vegas if you want to get away from the casino for a while. There is everything from swimming at a water park to golfing at premiere courses, to site seeing in Grand Canyon to hiking in the mountains.

Most people will come to Las Vegas for a few days, do some gambling, see a show, have a nice meal and then head home. Some will fly in to Las Vegas, and spend a few days, then heading off on a tour in a rental car for the remainder of their vacation. The Grand Canyon is only 4 hours away by car, the Hoover Dam is about 2 hours, Red Rock canyon is 1 hour and Mount Charleston is probably about 2 hours north were there is lots of hiking.

For those people who are more ambitious, Las Angeles is only 5 hours by car were there is much to see and do. Visit the various movie and TV production sites, go to the ocean along Venice beach or what ever fancies you. Zion canyon and Bryce canyon are both breathtaking and there is lots of great hiking trails for all levels of hikers.

Laughlin

Laughlin is about 90 miles south of Las Vegas on the Nevada / Arizona border. There are approximately 11 casinos located on the Nevada side of the Colorado river. Laughlin is a small town and really could be best described as a throw back to the Las Vegas of the 1960’s or 70’s.  The hotels are older and they are smaller, however they offer excellent value for the money in terms of room rates, meals and entertainment. They are not as crowded as the Las Vegas venues are and they have another major advantage. Patrons can stroll along the banks of the Colorado river while they walk from one casino to the other.

The Town of Bullhead Arizona is across the river and this is were many of the people who work in the casinos live. There is a large commercial area with all of the attributes that are needed by any community. Large stores such as Walmart and Home Depot are located in Bullhead. Bullhead also supports an international airport which many casino patrons utilize to get to this part of Nevada. There are also numerous housing developments that have been built on this side of the river for casino employees as well as for snow birds looking for a place to rent for the winter and spring.

The Casino Strip

The Casino strip in Laughlin is actually quite short compared to Las Vegas. There are about 10 or 11 hotels, with all but 3 along the Colorado River. You can walk along the boardwalk from hotel to hotel while overlooking the water. Dine in one of the many restaurants as well while gazing out at this fast moving river in the middle of the desert.

Generally speaking there are an older level of clientele that go to Laughlin. They like the more peaceful environment and the lower prices. Many hotels will offer rooms in the $30 to $70 range, while there are times when it is busy and you may pay more. If you gamble at all you will probably get the rooms for free.

Either more people go to these hotels that smoke or they do not have a very good air exchange system. We noticed a much heavier concentration of cigarette smoke in the air in these hotels so if you are an asthmatic or suffer from bronchitis, you may want to stay away from these hotels. We liked the Aquarius with a tower for adults and a tower for families with kids. Also there is free WiFi at Starbucks and the buffet prices include free beer and wine with your meal. The wine is ok, you do not get a choice and there is half a dozen name brand beers available for as many as you can drink if you are so inclined.

Bullhead , AZ

Bullhead is across the Colorado river from Laughlin. There is a bridge to the casinos and you can also take a water taxi from Bullhead to any of the Casinos that are along the river. Bullhead has lots of stores and even a Walmart and Home Depot. The local airport is actually an international airport and travelers can fly direct from many locations into Bullhead and then head over to one of the casino hotels.

If you are staying for some time, you will likely need a place to wash your clothes. There is a laundromat very close to were you turn after coming over the bridge and it has free WiFi as well. In fact many places have WiFi and many are free.

There is not much to tell about Bullhead. There are restaurants and a few hotels. Lots of places to park your RV as well as on the Nevada side. One thing to note is that when you cross the river you are actually in mountain time zone instead of pacific time zone, so you lose an hour each time you cross the river from Nevada to Arizona.

Visit Oatmen

One interesting place to visit outside of Bullhead is a place called Oatmen. Oatmen is on route 66 which crosses the mountains from Kingman to Bullhead. Oatmen was a gold mining site, with over 10,000 people living there. Now there is maybe 50 with lots ot touristy things to see in terms of an old mining town. The really interesting thing is the donkeys that roam the street.

When the mines closed and the people left, they turned the donkeys out into the desert. They managed to survive and today they roan the desert as well as come into the town to roam the streets. Tourists can purchase carrots to feed the donkeys and they definitely have learned that there are now lots of carrots. Many locals worry that the donkeys will lose the ability to forage in the desert and if the tourist traffic changes, many of these donkeys might die. From what I could see they definitely were not suffering and were in fact quite fat.

One Bar in Town

There is also a restaurant and bar in town. It has been around since mining days and looks it. They sell basic bar food and it is not too bad. You might ask why would you go there? Well it has something unique as well. When the minors got paid they would come to the bar to drink and eat and carouse. Since they could not count they would put their mark on their money and pin it to the wall. When the money was used up from drinks, food or whatever, it would be removed by the bartender from the wall. The tradition has continued with visitors sticking dollar bills to the walls and of course writing their names on the bills.

The waitress told us that she estimates that there are over $65,000 in dollar bills pinned to the walls. They cover every square inch of the walls, some are even on the ceiling. It is actually an amazing sight to see all of these dollar bills in one place. The thought did cross my mind regarding why no one steals the bills and I suppose some have over the years but a dollar bill is not worth much these days and they are all signed so who wants a signed dollar bill. Anyway I hope that this place stays there for a long time. It is definitely a must see while on your trip and it is only about 45 minutes from the casinos in Laughlin!

Tunica

Tunica is another mini gambling site were the hotels are relatively close together. There are about 9 or 10 casinos in groups of 3’s and 4’s, so you definitely need a car to get around to the hotels and casinos. Tunica is on the Mississippi river just south of Memphis about 30 or 40 minutes by car. We usually stay at the Gold Strike which is part of the MGM Grand Chain or at the Horseshoe which is part of the Harrahs chain of casino hotels. Both of these chains have casinos in all of the major markets across the US as well as other locations around the world. The Gold Strike and the Horseshoe are located beside each other and offer first class rooms and service.

The other hotels are several miles away in both directions located on the Mississippi.  Each have their own niche and each have their own character.  Fitzgeralds is designed to look like a castle, Hollywood is of course designed with Hollywood in mind, while Sams Town is the cowboy place. The Horseshoe and the Gold Strike are the modern hotels on the outside and portray opulence.

Prices vary by time of year and whats going on, however generally they are less expensive than Vegas due to the smaller traffic they receive and the lack of conference space for the larger conferences. Again cigarette smoke is an issue in these hotels, not sure why, because it could be the number of smokers or the lack of air circulation.

Casinos around Tunica

As we mentioned there are casinos around Tunica, about 9 or 10 of them and there are deals to be had. A casino in Mississippi across the river from Helena, Arkansas really offered great deals to us one night. Most of the casinos do, however we really had a special reward in our minds. Unfortunately I cannot remember the hotels name, however it is at the bridge that goes over the Mississippi to Helena.

Our car broke down and needed repairs and we ended up staying at this hotel. They offered us a room, a nice room, for $29 a night provided that we also signed up for a slot card, which we did of course.

Free buffets

Next we found out that new members automatically received a free buffet for signing up for a slot card, which was another great deal for us. In addition the night we stayed there, they had a deal for seniors, which we have to admit that we are. The deal was that seniors ate for free. So in effect we had 4 free buffets. We used two in the evening and 2 in the morning for breakfast! How great a deal is that? The only way to top that is to win at the slots, which unfortunately we did not do, bit oh well, you cannot always have everything!

We told this story really to illustrate just how good the deals can be around Tunica and how important it is to have a slot card.  The food was excellent and the rooms are great. They do not measure up to the 5 star hotels in Las Vegas, however they are more than acceptable and are very enjoyable.

Memphis

There are lots to do in Memphis which is only about 30 minutes north of the Tunica Casino hotels. We have summarized a few of the famous places to see if you are staying in the area.

Beal Street

Know as the home of the blues and the birth place of rock and roll, no other Memphis landmark has held such mystique, intrigue, fame and infamy over the years. Today you will find countless Blues joints, barbecue restaurants, live music and dance clubs to keep you up all night.

Graceland

Everything’s gone Elvis at this theme park dedicated to the life and legacy of the king of rock and roll. Get a little closer to the king with a tour through his Graceland Mansion. Explore Elvis after dark, check out the Kings wheels at the Elvis automobile museum and then jump on his private jet for a look at all of the luxury he enjoyed.

Sun Studio

If Memphis is the birthplace of rock and roll, then Sun Studio is the delivery room. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and many more cut their first record at Sun Studio and then blazed a trail to Stardom. Visitors can visit all year round.

Peabody Place

Smack dab in the heart of Memphis on Peabody and 3^rd street, Peabody Place is a massive entertainment and retail hub featuring 22 theaters, 17 shops and 14 restaurants.

Orpheum Theater

The Orpheum theater may be more than 100 years old, but that does not stop it from hosting 10 to 12 Broadway productions a year. Many celebrities can be found in the audience as well as in some of the shows.

Fedex Forum

The Memphis Grizzlies tear up the court all year round in the middle of downtown Memphis.  Besides basketball, the Fedex forum also hosts circus events and music concerts of all tastes and conventions.

Slot Cards

If you do  not have a slot card or the equivalent when you play the tables, you should. Slot cards are free and are a source of lucrative comp’s for most casino patrons. They consist of cash back, free play, free meals, and reduced room rates as well as free rooms. Casino players who play a great deal will sometimes even have their trips to a casino paid for.
Cash Back

Most casinos no longer offer cash back. At one time they would offer a small percentage of your gambling back to you in cash with the hope that you would turn around and play it at the slots before you left their casino. Some players relied on this cash back to fund the price of the taxi to the airport or perhaps a final meal before they left Las Vegas. Now a days, they have changed this to  what is now known as Point Play.

Point Play

Instead of cash back, patrons are awarded an equivalent amount of cash in what is now known as point play. You are able to play your point play the same way you would play your own cash. The difference is that you enter a code on the slot machine and indicate the amount of point play that you wish to play. Insert one dollar into the machine and play. You will be credited your wager plus any winnings you might gain from the play. Once you point play is exhausted, the machine reverts to regular play and you can either play the winnings you have accumulated or withdraw the cash to use as you please.

Free Play

Free play is another type of comp that can be used on a slot machine in the same manner as point play. The main difference is that the casino will send you an offer via email or snail mail that may include free or reduced room rates, free or reduced meals and a specific amount of free play in dollar terms. We have received amounts in denominations of $10, $25, $100, and $1000. Many other players receive free play as well and some receive huge amounts, since they are high limit slot players.

Your free play can be accessed from the slot machine with the use of a pin number. As you play the slots the value of your free play will decline and any winnings you win as a result will be added to your credit shown on the slot machine. Once your free play has been exhausted you are free to with draw your credit which are real dollars or continuing to play on the same machine.

Free play gifts such as this are designed as enticements to get you to spend time in their casinos, along with the free rooms and meals.  Take advantage of all of these comp’s. Sometimes they can make the difference between a losing and winning trip.

Some casinos will also reward local players by giving them $25 in free play every week if they show that they come to the casino every week. This can be a great reward. You get free play, maybe win some money and receive free drinks while you play in those casinos that offer free drinks. Most offer free drinks in Las Vegas, Laughlin and Tunica. However casinos on Indian properties and in Canada do not offer free drinks as a rule.

Comp’s

Comp’s are another way to increase your pleasure and also gain your loyalty as a player at a casino.  Some comp’s will be mailed to you and offer free rooms or /and free meals.  These are often great offers and can save you a great deal of money if you are already planning to go to one of the casinos for a gambling trip or a vacation.

Remember you must use your slot card whenever you are playing the slots in order to qualify for these comp’s.  If you have any questions consult your slot host to find out exactly what the guidelines are and how you should take advantage of these offers.

Most slot hosts will indicate that you should see them prior to checking out and they will see what they can do for you.  They will tell you to charge all of your meals to your room including tickets for shows etc. Prior to checking out, the host will review your account, your gambling record and will make a decision regarding how much you should have removed from your bill e.g. your comp. They consider how many hours you gambled, how much you gambled and the rate at which you gambled. Based on this review and guidelines they have, they will reward you with comp’s . For some people this can be several hundred or several thousand dollars, depending on your level of gambling.

Free Rooms

Free rooms are the same as comp’s and can be offered prior to you arriving or can be comp’d by the host. Casinos will mail you offers of free rooms to entice you to come to their casino. Of course this depends on your past gambling record and their obvious expectation that you will spend some time gambling in their casino while you stay there.

At other times you may make a reservation at the hotel casino, fully expecting to pay for your room. Based on your play during that visit, your host may decide to comp you for your room! This can be a really nice surprise at the end of your trip to find out that your stay has been comp’d. Remember you must use your slot card when playing the slots to receive any comp’s at all.

Tax Statements

For those of us that win a jackpot, a tax statement can come in quite handy. In the US, any amount won at a slot machine over $1199.99 is taxable, while in Canada all winnings are considered tax free.

Tax statements come in handy when doing your income taxes. Basically it is a record of your wins and losses. Some casinos refer to it as a win/ loss statement. If you win a jackpot of $50,000 , it will be added to your income and you will  pay tax on it at your marginal tax rate. On the other hand if you had losses over the year of $50,000 , and it is documented on a win/loss statement, you can negate any tax payable as a result.

Again you can only receive a win/loss statement if you use your slot card all of the time while playing the slots.

Other Advantages

The casino hosts will also reserve a few seats for their guests. Some will be comp’d, while others patrons will need to pay for. The point is if you are looking for seats at a major show, try talking to your casino host first to see if they have great seats available. Sometimes it can really help to cultivate a good relationship with your casino host!

Another advantage is line passes. Ask your host for a line pass which you can use to go to the front of the line when it comes to busy nights when there are long lines at the buffet or some of the other restaurants. Your casino host can also help you get reservations at some of the best restaurants in the hotel as well as at other hotels.  Always use your slot card and if you are a significant player, get to know your slot host.

When you need to book rooms, call your slot host as well to get the room you want on the date you want and at the best price you can find!

Obtaining Comp’s

Comp’s are either sent to you in advance via email or via the regular mail, or you can be comp’d by your host at the end of your stay.  Some people are uncomfortable about approaching their host for comp’s. This is a standard business transaction as far as the casinos are concerned and if you do not take advantage of this potential comp, you are just leaving your money on the table.

Prior to checking out, visit the host desk and let them know your stay has ended and that you will be checking out. That is all you need to say. They know exactly what you are looking for and will ask to see your slot card and also the number of room. At this point they will review your play for this trip and the expenses charged to your room including your room rate as well. Depending on your play they are going to say, sorry they cannot do anything for you, or they can write a specific amount off, or perhaps even write the entire amount off and you owe nothing.

What a nice surprise when this happens. At this point you thank them and that is it. Proceed to the checkout counter and check out of your hotel room paying the balance of your charges if any.

Restaurants

There are literally thousands of restaurants in Las Vegas from all of the standard fast food restaurants that we are all familiar with to some of the best 5 star double diamond restaurants you can find anywhere in the world.

No matter whether you are in Las Vegas, Tunica or Laughlin, all of the hotels will have their version of fast food restaurants, coffee shops, buffet, steak  and seafood restaurants. However the restaurants in Las Vegas Strip hotels are definitely a cut above any restaurants in these other locations.

Over the years we have eaten at many restaurants and definitely have our favorites that we like to go to. Our favorite hotels are the Bellagio, the Mirage, the Venetian, the Wynn and the Palazzo. Obviously these are the hotels that for us have the best restaurants to try out. Other hotels such as Caesars hotel and the MGM have equally great restaurants, we just have not had the opportunity to enjoy these establishments.

Buffet At the Mirage

The buffet at the Mirage is the best buffet for us. This is no ordinary buffet were you pile scoops of food from trays onto your plate. Instead everything is prepared at stations with the food elegantly displayed. It is high quality and definitely takes you away from the trough experience that so many other buffets display!

The coffee shop overlooking the pool at the Bellagio always has a line up for fresh coffee, muffins , deserts and fresh fruit. Coffee refills are free and the food is great!

The Bellagio

Also at the Bellagio, Sensi is another fine restaurant with a unique decor and excellent food cooked to perfection.

Olives is one of those restaurants with great food, steaks and much more with a view. When the weather is warm and not too windy, sit on the balcony and watch the famous fountain light show in the lake in front of the Bellagio.

The Wynn

At the Wynn, there is a restaurant called Switch. The food is excellent, you can have steak of sea food cooked to perfection. The unique attribute about this restaurant is that the walls and the ceiling will change every 20 or 30 minutes providing you with a different setting and view. It truly is amazing and catches everyone by surprise the first time it happens.

Daniel Boulud at the Wynn is another fine restaurant. Get a seat at the rail beside the lake overlooking the mountain and the waterfalls. How is that for a setting ! The food is also excellent, the service is impeccable and there is a small bar for you to enjoy while you wait for your table to be prepared. At night there is a sound and light show in the lake and on the waterfall to entertain you while you enjoy your meal.

We have eaten at all of these restaurants recently ( 2010) and can highly recommend them all. Some are more expensive than what you might want to spend, however everyone should treat themselves once and enjoy a fantastic meal, celebrate a birthday or an anniversary in style.

Entertainment

We really have not taken in any of the top venues in the past two years, although we have been to Las Vegas at least 6 times in that time period. It is not that we did not like any of the entertainers, we just had too many other things to do.  In past years we have gone to the shows and found all of them to be extremely professional and entertaining.  You will not be disappointed and we challenge you to come up with any other shows that are as good in any other part of the USA or Canada.

At one time you had to tip the matre-d to get the seat that you wanted. This was stressful and many guests were not happy with this approach. They felt that the ushers were just out to grab as much money as they could through tips.

Now a days at all of the major shows, you book your tickets, pay for them and select your seat based on availability and the price. You have guaranteed seats for the show you will attend. If you book your tickets late, then you will have less to chose from and just will have to take the best seats that you can find.

The casino hosts will also reserve a few seats for their guests. Some will be comp’d, while others patrons will need to pay for. The point is if you are not satisfied with the seats that you select for yourself, try talking to your casino host first to see if they have better located seats available. Sometimes it can really help to cultivate a good relationship with your casino host!

Conferences and Trade Shows

With all of the hotel rooms that are in Las Vegas, there are also millions of square feet of trade show capacity that many trade shows take advantage of every year. Some of the largest trade shows will book their show in Las Vegas because the city has the capacity for the trade show, the services to support the show, the conference rooms for all of the people who will be attending the show and the restaurants and entertainment for conference attendees.

Each hotel will have conference facilities for hosting large numbers of people to attend a conference, complete with all of the services and electronic systems that you might need. Their conference rooms can be opened up to handle over 2000 people at once or broken up with movable walls so that smaller groups can be accommodated.  Many conferences will have various streams of talks and presentations and these are easily accommodated with these sorts of venues. Many of the hotels will offer discounts and special arrangements to those people attending the conference if they are staying at the hotel were the conference is being handled. If you are an organizer, don’t forget to discuss these potential discounts for your attendees. They will appreciate the extras and the hotels will be competitive in order to get your business.

Trade Show Facilities

The largest trade show facility in Vegas is the Sands convention center and the Hilton Las Vegas convention center. The largest conventions and trade shows in the world will usually book these facilities to show their trades and products. The NAB ( Nations Association of Broadcasters) is one of the largest shows every year with some where in the range of 100,000 people attending the show every year.

If you are attending this show or just arranging your vacation while the NAB is on, you will want to book early to make sure that you can get a room at a reasonable rate. With so many people attending the show, rooms are at a premium and the hotels will tend to increase the rates as well. You may find that you need to book a room some distance away from the trade show in order to even get a room in Las Vegas. This adds extra cost and time you may not have. You may need to take taxis every day and pay for parking that you did not plan on.

Capitalism

Hotels are entrepreneurial and will react to these conditions very quickly. We once were staying at one of the popular hotels that was also hosting a large conference. All or most of the rooms were reserved and booked. I was checking in and over heard a conversation with another guest beside me. They were complaining that they were being asked to pay $700 for one nights stay in the hotel. This person did not have a reservation. They had just walked in expecting to be able to get a room at a reasonable rate.

The hotel, which was close to being sold out, had decided to raise the rates and take advantage of the situation. Many people were upset and frustrated. However if they had planned ahead and made reservations they could have had the same room for $100 a night. Fortunately for us, we had done just that and our room cost $95 for the night. Which is a pretty good rate for a hotel room anywhere in a 5 star hotel.

Of course we were there on vacation and were not planning to attend the conference at that hotel. We used our slot card and checked with our slot host prior to checking out. We found out that the room plus some of our meals was actually being comp’d. Our room was free. Imagine what the poor guy who paid $700 would have thought if he found out that we had the same room for free. What a deal?

Be Comfortable

Always bring good walking shoes when you come to Vegas. Especially if you are attending a conference or a trade show. These buildings are so large and the distance between hotels is quite far as a result. Taking a taxi is really not an option so you are left to walk to these locations.  It one time took me 30 minutes to walk from my room in one hotel to the front of the hotel, across the street and into the hotel across the street, then to the back of this hotel were the conference rooms were. No way could I take a taxi, yet the walk took 30 minutes!

We have talked a lot about Vegas.  This is really were the big facilities and the best hotels are. They can accommodate truly large shows and meetings.

Tunica and Laughlin also have trade and conference show capabilities. However they are smaller and will attract less strategic and large conferences.  The shows and conferences that go to these places will be more regional in nature. This is to mainly minimize traveling for attendees and manage costs for the organizers.

Attending Trade Shows

Attending a large convention and trade show is really a treat. There has been some cost cutting in the past few years. They still offer great value for the money spent. Not only can you meet colleagues, set up meetings with many vendors and complete multiple deals from one location. You also get to review new products and concepts from many other vendors that you may not normally do business with. In addition, they often will include several meals in with your registration and in the evening. They may also include an entertainment package of some kind. At the large venues, they will sometimes include a significant entertainer for a show that is included in your registration.

Take advantage of all of this to get the full value out of your registration. Talk to the vendors, attend the seminars, visit the booths set up by companies. Take advantage of the many hospitality suites that your vendors will set up and extend invitations to you.

There are literally thousands of studies available about dieting. No one knows  which one is best. Low fat diets, low carb, low this and low that. With so many diet plans available and most of them if not all of them waiting to take your money how is the average person to know which one is best for them? Most of these diet plans are looking to make money from you and it will cost you whether you buy a book, join a club, join a web site. It does not matter.

This post you can read for free and it is probably the only thing you can do for free so enjoy it while you can. First we will start off with an excerpt from WEBMD which follows, then after that we will add some comments of our own. At the end of the day you need to make your own decision regarding what you want to do about your weight. After all it is your body and your life, you need to decide how much you are going to spend and how it will be spent to lose weight. Low fat diets are not always the answer.

Low Fat Diets

Here are the study results for one study that looked at Low Fat Diets!

Study Shows People on Low-Fat Diet More Likely to Keep Weight Off

By Jennifer Warner, WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

March 1, 2010 — A low-carb diet may offer quick results. But a new study suggests that a low-fat diet may be best for long-term weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.

Researchers found obese people who followed a low-fat diet may be more likely to keep the weight off three years later after starting the diet than those who followed a low-carbohydrate diet.

“Although participants in the low-carbohydrate group lost more weight at 12 months, they regained more weight during the next 24 months,” write researcher Marion L. Vetter, MD, RD of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues in the Annals of Internal Medicine. “In contrast, participants in the low-fat group maintained their weight loss.”

In the study, researchers started with a group of 132 obese people. They weighed an average of 289 pounds before starting either a low-fat diet. A calorie restricted diet with less than 30% of daily calories from fat, or a low-carb diet with fewer than 30 grams of fat per day for 12 months.

After six months on the diets, the group on the low-carb diet experienced the greatest weight loss. But by 12 months there was no significant difference in weight loss between the two groups.

Longer Term Results

Three years after the study began and two years after the diets ended, researchers followed up with 40 people in the low-carb diet group and 48 in the low-fat diet group.

They found people in the low-carb diet group weighed an average of 4.9 pounds less than before they started dieting. While those in the low-fat diet group weighed an average of 9.5 pounds less than they did at the start of the study.

Researchers say while both diets appear to offer weight loss benefits, the pattern of weight change was different between the low-carb and low-fat diet groups.

“The differences in weight regain between the two groups probably reflects initial weight loss,” write the researchers. “Participants who lost more weight during the first 12 months tended to regain more weight by month 36.”

End of article from WEBMD

So what do we think about this particular study. All they are saying is that one diet was slightly better than another diet! That’s it and these people appeared to not lose very much weight either.

So what should you do? Should you chose one diet over another? Should you buy the book on low fat diets or low carb diets?

The sad result in our opinion is neither! Get hold of your life and seriously limit your portion size, decrease your salt intake, eat well balanced meals  and start exercising!  There is no easy way to lose weight, it takes hard work and it takes discipline.  Forget the deserts, the second helpings, the buffets and whatever else you indulge in. Go for walks, go to the gym, reduce your intake and lose weight!

The equation is simple. Energy into your body less energy burned for the day = plus or minus weight gain. Nothing else. Forget all of these fancy weight loss programs. Eat sensibly and eat carefully, in restaurants share meals – it will cost you less, dring water instead of soft drinks and forget the deserts.

As you can see we are not fans of these diet plans.  If you have comments or would like to add to the comments please feel free to do so.

Anyone who suffers from asthma, bronchitis or COPD knows how scary it is  to suffer from any of these diseases. To struggle to be able to breath is frightening. When you are gasping for breath you are truly petrified. Sometimes when you suffer from chronic bronchitis you are susceptible to coughing fits. You are coughing so much that you cannot get a breath. When these events are occurring, sometimes panic can set in. This can make the situation even worse. Only people who have had this experience really know what they are talking about. Can Vitamin D Levels make a difference?

It takes a lot of self control to focus on breathing and controlling your coughing. it is necessary to get that breath of air into your lungs so you do not pass out. If you can do this and get it under control with your self control mechanisms and emergency puffers, this scary situation will pass.

This is one of the reasons that many doctors and researchers continue to look for solutions. Now some think there may be a link between vitamin D and asthma.

May we suggest you read the following excerpt from WEBMD. Then we will follow up with some more comments about our opinion about this study and asthma.

Vitamin D Levels & Asthma

Study Shows Asthmatic Kids With Vitamin D Insufficiency Have Poorer Lung Function

By Charlene Laino, WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

March 3, 2010 (New Orleans) — Many children with asthma have low blood levels of vitamin D. The insufficiency seems to place them at risk for more severe disease.

In a study of 99 kids with asthma, 47% had vitamin D insufficiency. Compared with children with normal levels of vitamin D levels, those with vitamin D insufficiency:

• Had poorer lung function
• Had higher levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an immune system protein the body makes in response to allergens that tells you the likelihood that you’re allergic
• Were more likely to need inhaled and oral steroid medications to reduce airway inflammation and mucus production
• Were more likely to need long-acting beta-agonist drugs that relax muscles in the lung’s airways, improving a patient’s ability to breathe freely and reducing asthma symptoms.

Further studies in the lab showed that vitamin D has an anti-inflammatory effect on cells. It also enhances the activity of inhaled steroids.

About 21 million Americans suffer from asthma. Which is caused by inflammation and swelling of the airways. The inflammation, in turn, can cause excessive mucus production and narrowing of the airways. This results in asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

Findings Presented

The findings were presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting.

The study doesn’t prove cause and effect. And it’s not clear whether low vitamin D causes more severe asthma that requires treatment or whether more severe asthma lowers vitamin D levels, says study researcher Daniel A. Searing, MD, of National Jewish Health in Denver.

Also still unknown is whether vitamin D supplements would improve asthma control and lower the need for medication, he tells WebMD.

Still, a number of studies now suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with allergies and asthma, says James Gern, MD, vice chair of the committee that chose which studies to highlight at the meeting and professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

If a person has vitamin D insufficiency, “we need to correct it anyway. So it will be interesting to see if the supplements help improve asthma symptoms,” he tells WebMD. Gern was not involved with the work.

In the study, vitamin D insufficiency was defined as levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

End of Article

Our personal interpretation about the results of this study is that they still really do not know if this is the link. They conclude that whether it is or is not a link, it is always a good idea to achieve the right balance of Vitamin D in your blood

So I guess the conclusion is  that you should have your blood tested for vitamin D and then if it needs correction, start taking vitamin D or get outdoors in the sun to help the body generate natural vitamin D. Makes sense and just maybe your asthma will improve!

Unfortunately this is the way it is for many studies and testing. The average person is left wondering what to do. If you are an asthma sufferer, you are willing to do pretty much anything to reduce or eliminate the effects of asthma.

Some people think that multi vitamins are the best approach to ensure that you have a good mix of vitamins and maintain the proper levels.  Eating a well balanced diet is another excellent approach with 3 meals a day and following the Food Guide which helps you make sure that you have a balanced diet.

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We cannot say enough positive things about the Wynn Resort Hotel and Casino. Every aspect has been well thought out with the customer in mind and everything smacks of elegance and quality. From the tree lined indoor walkways to the elegant casino, the hotel, the golf course and the exotic pool. Everything about this resort is wonderful and enjoyable.  Some may find it a bit expensive, but then you cannot get something for nothing as the saying goes.

The picture on the left was taken from across the street at the Fashion Show Mall. The hotel is over 60 stories high and provides a stunning vista from the upper floors.

We have stayed at the Wynn hotel once and also at the sister hotel, Encore and found both to be excellent. However this review is about the Wynn hotel and we will stick with it for this post. We were on the 55th floor over looking the strip with floor to ceiling windows and a view to kill for. The room was large and very well designed as well as having all of the toys you need. Several flat screen TV’s, one even in the bathroom to enjoy while preparing for a night out on the town.

Guests will be interested to know that in addition to not having a 13th floor, which most hotels do not have, the Wynn has not provided floors from 40 to 49 apparently  to give the sensation of being much higher than it is.

Wynn Resort Hotel & Casino – Slot Machines

There are over 1900 slots at the Wynn Casino with machines that you can play for one penny all the way up to $5000. There are all of the usual popular slot machines at the Wynn and with one of the largest casinos in Las Vegas,  we are sure there is something for everyone.

Table Games

There are also many table games for everyone’s enjoyment. Blackjack, poker roulette and many more are available.

When you are gambling whether it is the tables or the slots, make sure you use a slot card in the slot machines or get to know the pit boss so that you receive the comp’s that you deserve. Whether it is a free room or a free buffet or a romantic dinner, these all can be possible comp’s.

Restaurants

Alex- – with a 5 star award from Forbes, AAA five Diamond, and more this is an excellent high class restaurant.

Wing Lei – A decadent twist to an early French influenced Shanghai flavor, this is an unique restaurant sumptuous Chinese Cuisine

SW Steakhouse – from charred prime rib age steaks to chops , poultry and seafood you will not be disappointed with this AAA four diamond rated restaurant.

Daniel Boulud Brassiere – provides the quintessential French brassiere

Bartolotta – an Italian restaurant with fresh seafood and homemade pasta as well as classic Italian specialties

Okada – Japanese dining at is it’s best with authentic teppanyaki and robata Japanese creations.  AAA four diamond award in 2008 and 2009

The Country Club a new American Steakhouse in a clubby and inviting setting with gorgeous views of the fairways and the 18th hole waterfall.

Stratta – comes with an open fire hearth convivial bar and lounge scene is a popular spot for casual and stylish dining.

Tableau – Dine in a bright and airy atrium surrounded by beautiful pools and garden views. Breakfast  and lunch served daily.

The Buffet – one of the best in Las Vegas, with live action cooking stations provide a truly gourmet experience in a buffet setting.

Red 8 – Casual bistrol serving Southeast Asian cuisine, Cantonese noodle dishes and dim sum to Hong King style barbecue.

Terrace Pointe Cafe – offers coast to coast American Favorites

Zoozacrakers – a New York style deli

Cabanna Bar & Casino – enjoy a quick bite or a cool drink

The Cafe at the Drugstore, the Pizza Place and the Lobby Bar at Encore are 3 more that you can enjoy while staying at the Wynn

What We Liked

• Elegance in every sense of the word at restaurants, the hotel, the casino and the bars. This is an excellent hotel to stay at.
• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Buffet
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests on the main level  and is absolutely beautiful
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways and Route I15
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Wynn Resort hotel & casino

It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Wynn Casino Red Card slot players card system. Slot members can also take advantage of benefits at Encore another  Las Vegas hotels situated beside the Wynn.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. For example free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals. Also access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Wynn Resort hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel. There is no surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions:

Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada

Wynn is situated on one corner across the street from the Fashion Show Mall, the Palazzo and Treasure Island Casino. There above the street walkways for visitors to get to any of these properties from the Wynn Casino.

A sister hotel of the Venation Resort Hotel and Casino the Palazzo resort hotel and casino is another one of the elegant hotels that occupy the area around the Venation and the Wynn hotels. If you are looking for a place to stay in the center of the action in very nice surroundings you cannot go wrong with the Palazzo.

You just have to look at the picture on the left to see what a great place this is and how much attention to detail they put into decorating the shopping concourse that runs between the Palazzo and the Venation hotels. The developers of this hotel have really sparred no expense and routinely change the decor to fit the time of year. You really need to take time out to visit the mall even if you are not shopping.

Palazzo Resort Casino – Themes

As the second picture on the left shows, they take the time to recognize the beliefs of their guests with  a giant tiger representing the “Year of the Tiger”.

This tiger is as big as it looks, towering over the strollers in the mall and making an impression on every one. A great place to have your picture taken.

The casino and the hotel are equally splendid. We enjoyed our stay there and found it almost as good as the Wynn.

Slot Machines

There are over 1500 slot machines of all kinds from penny machines to multi-denomination slot machines up to $100 values. You can find pretty much all of the slot machines that are popular these days with many slot players.

Palazzo Resort Casino -Table Games

The same applies to the table games. The Palazzo offers all of the standard table games for their patrons including blackjack, roulette, and craps along with many others that are becoming popular with the international set.

Restaurants

Fine Dining

• Carnevino –  Steakhouse
• CUT-  Steakhouse
• LAVO – Italian
• Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro – French Steakhouse
• Table 10  – New American
• SUSHISAMBA – Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian
• Woo – Pan-Asian
• Zine Noodles – Dim Sum Pan-Asian

Casual Dining

• Canyon Ranch –  Grill Healthy Spa
• Dal Toro Ristorante – Italian
• Dos Caminos – Mexican
• Espressamente Illy –  Italian Café
• First Food & Bar – American
• Grand Lux Global Cusine – The Cheesecake Factory
• Solaro American  – Wolfgang Puck
• Lagasse’s Stadium – American

Palazzo Resort Casino- What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Buffet
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests on the 3rd level
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways including Route I15
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Proximity to the Fashion Show Mall, Wynn and Treasure Island, now called TI

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Palazzo resort hotel and casino

It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Grazie slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at two Las Vegas hotels, including the Venation and the Palazzo.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Palazzo resort hotel and casino in a large parking garage under the hotel. There is no surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions:

The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino
3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

There are lots of locations for tourists to consider for Virginia White Water Rafting

Gauley White Water Rafting

Thousands of adventure thrill seekers of all ages will go down the spectacular New River Gorge, and the world class Gauley River Canyon, every year. The New & Gauley River Adventures are some of the best in the wild wonderful mountain areas of West Virginia.

New River or Gauley River offers a variety of river rafting trips for paddlers of all skill levels, beginner to expert, young or old, mild or wild. Gauley rafting river whitewater adventures range from a 2 hour rafting express trip, to full day lower New River rafting , Gauley River rafting or a multi day extended vacation. There are several companies that provide whitewater rafting tours and excursions along the Gauley river in West Virginia. They offer a variety of vacation packages ranging from half day trips to multi day camping and whitewater adventure tours.

The fun doesn’t stop at river’s edge, either. Year-round, complete vacation packages for individuals, groups or families can include, guided fishing trips, horseback riding / sleigh rides in winter, kayaking, hiking, biking , rock climbing instruction, 4 x 4 back road tours, snow shoeing, all along the Gauley river. After your adventure settle in for a relaxing evening at a campground or one of the many cozy cabins or cottages in the area.

World class staff , guides, shuttle drivers and adventure consultants, are friendly, highly skilled outdoor professionals, committed to safety, service and hospitality. Small wonder so many returning guests come back every year for White Water Rafting and outdoor adventure in the mountains of Mountains of Wild Wonderful West Virginia

Virginia White Water Rafting – Rivers

Some of these rivers run through several different states, so you may see some of the same rivers in different posts

West Virginia’s rivers offer the widest range of whitewater experiences available anywhere, from gently rippling streams for the new rafting enthusiast to explosive rapids for the more adventuresome outdoor expert. Each set of rapids  has its own unique beauty and poses its own unique challenges for the rafting enthusiasts.

The New River

The New River is one of  the longest commercially raftable river in the East, offering everything from gentle float trips for the entire family to thunderous whitewater for those that want more of a thrill and challenge. The Upper New is scenic and relaxing, with just enough whitewater action to keep you hopping. The Lower New is powerful and intense, with a tremendous succession of Class IV and V rapids that have earned it consistent rankings as one of the ten best in the world.

The Gauley River

The Gauley River is another  one of the most challenging rivers in the world. The Upper Gauley is highly technical. Hence it requires a great deal of skill  from skilled guides as well as rafters to negotiate its narrow chutes and machine-gun rapids. As a result it ranks in the top five in the world for whitewater adventure. The Lower Gauley is a complete, all-in-one white water rafting experience. It features numerous big Class IV and V rapids interspersed by broad pools and tremendous scenery.

The Cheat River

The Cheat River, in northern West Virginia, is powered by the largest unrestricted watershed in the East. It offers a full range of rafting including numerous highly technical Class IV and V rapids in a wilderness canyon.  Enjoy the scenery and the outdoor majestic views. The Narrows is a spectacular natural feature along the Cheat.

The Tygart River

The Tygart River is a tributary of the Cheat that offers adventurous rafting in the spring, when water levels are highest. A full range of river sports in the summer and fall. It is often combined with the Cheat into package trips.

The Potomac River

The Potomac River offers exciting rafting in eastern West Virginia during April, May and September. When large controlled releases are made from the Jennings Randolph Dam upstream. Year-round, the Potomac also is one of the best fishing rivers in the East.

The Shenandoah River

The Shenandoah River joins the Potomac at historic Harper’s Ferry, W.Va. It provides rafting and other river-sports opportunities to residents of nearby East Coast metropolitan area.

Other Virginia White Water Rivers

Several other West Virginia streams are favorites for specialized activities. Including the Meadow River, Big Sandy Creek and the Bluestone River. The Lower Meadow, with its succession of big drops and narrow chutes, is a particular favorite of kayakers. They are looking for the ultimate in action and excitement. Big Sandy Creek is another favorite of kayakers. Especially when spring rainfall creates a series of falls that challenge the world’s best. The Bluestone is known for canoeing, float trips and great fishing.

Many people suffer from High Blood Pressure and take medication to control their pressure. Yet they still have episodes where their blood pressure goes through the roof.  The question is occasional high pressure risky. You may not even realize that you have high blood pressure. So have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

The following is an excerpt from WEBMD sheds some light on the issue. But does not conclude with solid advice for someone suffering from this condition.  The message the reader got from this article was that you should be aggressive about treating occasional high blood pressure. Even if it is under control at all other times. Talk to your doctor about this issue if you are one of these people who suffers from occasional high  pressure.

The article follows:

Is Occasional High Pressure Risky

Study Finds Episodes of High Blood Pressure, Often Ignored, Boost Stroke Risk

By Kathleen Doheny, WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

March 11, 2010 — Occasional high blood pressure readings are often dismissed as nothing to worry about, but a new study suggests this episodic high pressure is a strong predictor of strokes.

”We have shown that it is variations in people’s blood pressure rather than the average level that predicts stroke most powerfully,” says study lead author Peter Rothwell, MD, professor of clinical neurology at the Stroke Prevention Research Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England.

The study, published in The Lancet, followed more than 2,000 patients who had a transient ischemic attack or TIA, a ”mini-stroke” predictive of a larger stroke. They validated the results with results from three other studies, in finding the link between occasional high blood pressure and stroke risk.

The researchers focused on the systolic blood pressure reading, the top number in the measurement, reflecting the pressure when the heart contracts while pumping blood. Normal blood pressure readings are below 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.

How much variability predicts stroke risk? ”One certainly sees an increased risk of stroke when the systolic blood pressure fluctuates 40 mmHg or more (say between 120 mmHg and 160 mmHg) even when mean [or average] blood pressure is very well controlled,” Rothwell tells WebMD in an email interview.

Occasional High Pressure and Stroke Risk: Study Details

Rothwell and his colleagues evaluated data from 2,435 patients who had been enrolled in the UK-TIA aspirin trial. Which assigned patients with a recent TIA or ischemic stroke to take aspirin or a placebo. Rothwell’s team evaluated only the 2,006 patients from this study who had TIAs but no strokes, to avoid compromising the results due to the effect of a recent stroke on blood pressure.

Blood pressure in these patients was measured once at every four-month follow-up visit during the study, which ran from 1979 to 1985.

The results from this study were validated by Rothwell’s team with results from three other large studies, each involving more than 2,000 patients.

Occasional High Pressure Predicts Stroke

Patients with the most variation in their systolic pressure over seven clinic visits were found six times more likely to have a stroke, Rothwell found.

The highest pressure readings were also associated with higher stroke risk. Those with the highest readings over the seven visits were 15 times more likely to have a stroke during the follow-up period.

Not all the patients were being treated for hypertension, Rothwell tells WebMD. “Variability was predictive of stroke in both groups,” he says, treated and untreated. “Some had stable hypertension, some had episodic hypertension and some had stable normal pressure. The episodic hypertension group had the highest risk of stroke.”

In one of the studies, variability in blood pressure also predicted the risk of heart attacks.

Blood Pressure Study Findings: Implications

The new research isn’t the first to evaluate the risks of episodic high blood pressure, Rothwell notes. Although some variability in pressure is normal, the new research, he says, should inspire a change in thinking.

“I think that the risk associations, and other evidence, are sufficiently strong for us to stop reassuring patients with variable pressure that they don’t have hypertension and don’t need treatment,. Which is what current guidelines argue if their [average] blood pressure is OK,” Rothwell says. ” We should be concerned about episodic hypertension in patients. Especially those who are not on treatment and about residual variability in patients who are already on treatment.”

Some variability is normal, he tells WebMD. How much depends on age (typically increasing with age) and gender, with women more likely to have more variability. African-American people, too, tend to have more variability, he says. And other factors, such as the stiffness of the arteries, can affect the amount of variability, he says.

For patients who have high pressure and take their pressure at home to monitor it, Rothwell offers this advice based on his findings. “I think that they should consult their doctor if the systolic pressure is variable. Particularly if they find that it is sometimes 150 mmHg or higher.

Blood Pressure Study: Second Opinion

The suspected link between episodes of high pressure and stroke risk is not new, says Patrick Lyden, MD. He is chair of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and a 30-year stroke researcher who reviewed the new research for WebMD.

But the new findings, he says, are ”the most important demonstration … that the attacks of high pressure really are bad for you.” So yes occasional high pressure is risky.

Lyden says he is aggressive about treating high pressure in his patients. Whether the pressure is up some time or all the time. But not all physicians are as aggressive, he suspects. “I would say there is a widespread practice on both continents (UK and here) that occasional high pressure is ignored.”

“This data teaches us how foolish that is,” he says.

“This is still a hypothesis,” Lyden tells WebMD. But “I think he’s showing us it’s critically important to pay attention to this.”

Can belly fat cause strokes? The answer is yes,  a higher number of people with belly fat or the rubber tire around the waist will experience a stroke prematurely. This situation affects both women and men, which is a surprising data point, since previously it was thought that women did not succumb to strokes at the same level as men do. That tell-tale sign of a large belly is a quite reminder that you have increased the odds that you could have a stroke in the near future.

The following are excerpts from an article written by Charlene Laino and reviewed by Louise Chang, MD at WebMD Health News. We will continue our portion of this post after the article from Charlene Laino.

Belly Fat Cause Strokes

Quote ” Feb. 25, 2010 (San Antonio) — The midlife gender gap in stroke rates continues to widen, with women aged 45 to 54 now three times more likely than men in that age group to report having had a stroke.

Several years ago, the same researchers reported that between 1999 and 2004, women aged 45 to 54 were more than twice as likely as their male counterparts to have had a stroke.

The findings created a stir in the medical community as middle-aged women before menopause have long been thought to be protected against heart disease.

So what’s driving this disturbing trend? Then, like now, tummy fat appears to be to blame, says Amytis Towfighi, MD, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

In the current analysis, stroke risk factors were worse in men than in women — all, that is, except weight gain around the waist, she says.

“Our hypothesis is abdominal obesity increases the risk of other risk factors — diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Together, they drive up the risk of stroke,” Towfighi tells WebMD.

The study was presented at the American Stroke Association’s (ASA) International Stroke Conference.

Middle-Aged Stroke Gap Real

The new analysis was conducted to determine if the gender gap observed in the earlier study was a real phenomenon or a fluke, Towfighi says. So she and colleagues analyzed data on 2,136 men and women aged 35 to 64 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey done from 2005 to 2006.

It was real, Towfighi says. Nearly 3% of women in that age group reported having suffered a stroke, compared with only 1% of men.

The disparity appeared to be driven mainly by differences in the 45 to 54 age group, where women had 3.12 times the odds of having a stroke compared to men, she says.

Seeking to find out why, the researchers then looked at a host of factors that can affect risk, including smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

“We found that in general, men were more likely to have conventional cardiovascular risk factors,” Towfighi says.

But 62% of women suffered from abdominal obesity vs. 50% of men. In women, abdominal obesity is defined as a waist circumference of 35 inches or more; in men, it’s 40 inches or more.

Towfighi notes that the absolute risk of a middle-aged woman having had a stroke is still quite low. Only about a three-in-100 risk. ” End of Quote.

Can Belly Fat Cause Strokes

So armed with this information, we now know that both men and women are susceptible to strokes. Especially if they are carrying extra weight around their middle. This may not be a surprise to some people who look at the world from a common sense perspective. Many people who feel they are mildly overweight, they may feel that this is new information. They may be a little scared. Since no one wants to have a stroke and suffer some of the side effects from a stroke.

Side effects of strokes can include, partial  paralysis, lack of coordination, loss of speech, total paralysis and of course death. Sounds pretty scary because it is scary.

Another article we recently read suggested that if you walk at a brisk rate of speed a minimum of 2 hours a week you can cut the risk of a stroke by over 30%.  Brisk walking a couple of times a week also will strengthen your heart, your lungs and your overall health. You might even lose weight if you also manage your calorie intake. All you need to do is go for a brisk walk a couple of times a week.

It cannot be that hard to do. Get out there after supper and walk around the block a few time. Or walk down to the mall, walk up the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator etc. You can do it. And by the way that belly fat that we told you about that could cause a stroke, will start to melt away which is another excellent benefit.

We hope that this post helps a few people. If you would like to add your comments please do. We appreciate your thoughts and support.

The AVI casino and hotel is a rather nice place to visit as well as stay at. Although it is a bit far from the other Laughlin Casinos, it is definitely worth the 30 minute trip. The casino is lively , the restaurants offer good value at the right prices and there is always some form of entertainment at the AVI.

Patrons who book a room at the hotel will find then very reasonable both on the weekend and during the week. You can also enjoy the pool area, which is fabulous or actually swim or boat in the Colorado river. There is actually a nice sandy beach to take advantage of. Take in a movie at the movie theater or some of the live entertainment that is booked there on a regular basis.

RV Owners

RV owners can find lots of room to park their RV’s while enjoying the Casino , the restaurants or just taking in a movie in the middle of the desert along the Colorado River. We had dinner at the buffet one night and found the food and the service to be excellent. We also had the 99 cent breakfast which is available to all slot card members and found that to be excellent as well. The restaurant also offers free coffee to any veteran that comes into the restaurant for breakfast, which we thought was a nice patriotic thing to do.

AVI Casino & Resort Hotel – Slot Machines

There are over 1,100 slot machines of all types in the Avi Casino, with more than 530 penny and 2¢ slots, including over 80 penny GameKing multigame machines, plus we have all of your favorites in reel slots such as Double Diamonds, Red White & Blue, Five Time Pay and Blazing 7’s.

Video Poker is one of the most popular forms of machines, with all the most entertaining versions of poker available; Bonus Poker, Double Double, Triple Double, No Aces Pay the Faces, White Hot Aces, and hundred play machines that let you play one hundred hands at once.

Table Games

There are 27 table games at the Avi Casino,  including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, Hold’Em Fold’Em and Pai Gow. Avi has some of the most liberal table odds offered in Laughlin, triple odds on craps and double down on first two original cards in Blackjack.

Restaurants

Feathers cafe, Moonshadow Grille, Restoriante  Avianos, Native harvest buffet, a fast food area and several bars including the poolside bar.

What We Liked

Variety of slot machines

Free drinks while gambling

Buffet

$.99 breakfast with your AVI slot card

Pool area and spa free to hotel guests on the Colorado River

Take your pick, swim in the cool waters of the Colorado or lounge by the adult pool or spend time with the kids at the pool dedicated to the children

Fabulous pool as well as swimming and boating on the Colorado River

Multiple pools with palm trees and lots of lounge chairs to relax on.

Drinks and food can be obtained at the poolside bar

Hotel rates are very reasonable

Covered garage parking and surface parking

Easy access from all highways

Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

Movie theater showing current movies

Fast food area for a quick meal

Huge RV parking area

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the AVI Resort hotel & casino.

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

As usual with Nevada casinos, the quality of the air can be pretty bad at times due to the heavy number of smokers that seem to enjoy this casino as well as other Nevada casinos.

AVI Casino – Slot Player Card

They are part of the AVI Resort  casino slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits offered by the AVI Resort hotel & casino.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the AVI Resort hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel. There is also surface parking that we observed for cars and there is also a large RV parking area as well with full hookups. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

AVI Casino – Directions:

Kingman :

Take Hwy 68 South 35 miles to Hwy 95 South, BullHead City. Continue South approximately 11 miles to Aztec Rd. and turn right. Continue on Aztec Rd. 2.5 miles to the Avi.

Laughlin & Las Vegas:

Take Needles Hwy South 11 miles to Aha Macav Pkwy. Look for the AVI sign. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the AVI.

Needles :

Take I-40 to River Road Cutoff , which becomes Needles Hwy, North 14 miles to Aha Macav Pkwy. Look for the AVI sign. Turn right and continue 2 miles to the AVI.

There are many whitewater rafting trips in virtually every state and province in North America. Many are not far from most major urban centers. There are also a number in Central America and south America, although we do not have much information about these as of yet. On some trips physical fitness is very important. Many others that are more family oriented. They can accommodate people who may not be as physically fit as others.

Whitewater trips have become very popular for families, seniors as well as the extreme adventure tourist. Of course the more challenging the whitewater rapids are, the more equipment and skills you need to make sure that you will have a successful and safe trip. Regardless of which type of trip you take, always make sure you have an experienced guide with you. Also make sure that the equipment you are using is well maintained.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Lower Classes of Rapids

Class one and two trips are for beginners, children and seniors. A class one set of whitewater rapids are relatively easy to navigate, although you still need to be wearing a life jacket and you need to follow the instructions of the guides. These can be very nice relaxing whitewater trips were you can enjoy the scenery. And also the wildlife that may exist along the river.Most of these trips do not require any level of physical fitness or swimming ability since there is little likely hood of you ending up in the water.

However always were a life jacket since someone can make a wrong move and end up in the water. After all you are on a raft in the water and common sense demands that you wear a life jacket. Even if you can swim always wear a life jacket while in the raft.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Classes of Rapids

If you are planning to take on higher class rapids, make sure you read the requirements and the safety issues before you sign up. This will make sure you receive what you expect in terms of whitewater thrills.  Verify the condition of the equipment and the experience level of the guides. After all if something goes wrong you want to know that you are in good hands.

Class 3, class 4 and class 5 rapids are progressively more difficult and thrilling. You may need to pass a number of tests before going on some of these whitewater trips. Guides need to make sure that you can handle any of the potential upsets that could occur.Although in Class 3 and 4 rapids you probably will not flip out of the raft, you should be able to swim. You need to know how to swim out of a rapid as well as some of the circular spins that are set up around some rocks. This demands a certain level of common sense, experience and physical fitness to be able to do this.

Rafting Physical Fitness – Class 5

Particularly in class 5 whitewater rapids trips, participants could be thrown out of the raft or the raft could even tip over. If this happens you need to be able to swim out of the rapids and get to shore were someone can pick you up.

Being tossed about in the water in the middle of a set of rapids is not for the faint of heart, nor the non swimmer even if you have a life jacket. Make sure you have your helmet on and focus on what you need to do. The worst thing you can do is panic. Focus on staying calm, recall the guidelines your guide gave you about swimming out and avoiding rocks.

If you are not up to the task of swimming out of the whitewater rapids, then this level of rafting trip may not be for you. You can still have great thrills if you go on lower class rafting trips down whitewater rapids.

Time of Year for White Water Rafting

Remember too that rapids classification are also dependent on the amount of water that is cascading down the river. Spring runoff will usually bring higher cascades than summer or late fall. Unless there are heavy rains in the headlands of these whitewater rapids. If you cannot go on a particular rapid in the spring or early summer due to the amount of water churning down the river,  check back in the late summer. There may be less water at that time and you will be able to enjoy the scenery. Also the thrill on that particular set of rapids at that time.

As you gain experience, perhaps train and get into shape, learn to swim or improve your swimming, you will be able to take on even greater rafting challenges. It is all about having fun, having a few thrills and being safe in an environment that is potentially quite dangerous.

You constructive comments are welcome.

The final stretches of the Shenandoah River tumbles into the Potomac, carving a spectacular 6.5-mile watercourse through the Blue Ridge Mountains offering great Maryland whitewater rafting. Rafting the Shenandoah and travel on these two rivers through three states (Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia) on unforgettable 2 to 4.5 hour guided rafting whitewater trips. Rafting the Shenandoah.

During periods of low water the trip is exclusively on the Potomac, coursing through a majestic water gap, with a view Thomas Jefferson wrote was worth a voyage across the Atlantic. Both trips offer Class I-III whitewater, made up of some mellow water, permitting splashing and floating, multiple riffles and ledges, and challenging rapids such as “Bull Falls” and “White Horse.”

Experienced guides lead your trip, showing you the best route through the rapids while entertaining you with tales from the river. As you float by Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, learn about events that lead up to the Civil War.

Whitewater Rafting the North Branch and Rafting the Shenandoah

A step up from the Shenandoah / Potomac River raft trip is the Potomac’s North Branch guided tour. Spring and Fall releases from Jennings Randolph Dam near Keyser, West Virginia and Bloomington, Maryland provide for optimum levels of whitewater rafting.

This trip, only three hours from the Washington DC area, is nestled in the heart of the Potomac Highlands, making for a fantastic day, overnight, or weekend getaway. Rapids are continuous Class II-III+ , and the high water volumes and steeper gradient of the North Branch create waves and rollers up to six feet high. Sections of calm water permit cliff-jumping, relaxation, and swimming.

Wet suits are suggested due to the coldness of the water and air temperatures. These suits are provided by many rafting companies, while others will charge a nominal fee. Some companies will also offer deals if you book for more than one trip at a time or have larger groups that are booking at the same time. Inquire with the white water company you are booking with.

If you enjoy outdoor cook outs then you will also enjoy these rafting trips. Depending on the trip, your guide will prepare a wonderful outdoor meal which tastes spectacular in the fresh air after rafting down the river.

Other Things to do in the Area

For those who want to make a getaway or mini vacation of the trip…Mineral County and the surrounding Potomac Highlands provide many outdoor and indoor activities that would interest visitors of all ages.

Do you have interests in caving, photography, nature walks, hiking, country music, biking, or festivals? How about fairs, antiques, old time train rides? Or just sitting on a mountain side and marveling at the majesty of it all? If so you will have come to the right place.

There are many out doors activities that will appeal to all ages and activity levels. If some of your party really do not want to take in the white water rafting experience, they can enjoy the scenery from the shore. They can go hiking or enjoy a few cool beers in one of the local  pubs. There is lots to do in the area. Anyone who really enjoys the outdoors will enjoy a weekend or two in the Shenandoah and Potomac river areas.

Limestone Caves

The US has a lot of limestone and limestone is great for allowing running water to build caves throughout it. Caving may not be for everyone, especially if you do not like wet tight places. Most caves are wet, meaning that there is water either dripping or running in the cave. With the running water the cave is actually still being built and changing, all be it very slowly. Dry caves on the other hand are not changing and do not have water running through them. They are more pleasant to hike in, but you may not see some of the grander sites in these caves that you would see in a wet cave.

Enjoy the outdoors and everything that this area has to offer. Leave your comments to help readers appreciate this area of the US.

Are you feeling stressed out these days? There are a hundred things to do every day and you just cannot seem to keep up with them or even complete some before other items are added. The need to lower your stress is real. Some stress is good to keep us motivated, however when we go over the top, a lot of things suffer leading to even more issues to deal with. One area that suffers is diet, we go for fast food, we eat poorly and we probably gain weight and before we know it we are on the weight gain spiral and cannot seem to get away from it. Once you gain weight there are other health issues that come into play.

There are many other health issues that start to play a factor. High blood pressure, diabetes , high cholesterol and on and on. Do you think that simplifying your life would lead to an overall better life experience and allow you to focus on the things that count? We think so and have prepared an initial  list that you can draw on to begin simplifying your life.

Lower Your Stress to Live Longer

Simplicity. How can we make things simpler, more streamlined, or more efficient?

Reducing complexity in my life has reduced stress, increased free time, and top priorities are actually top priorities. When we simplify as much as we can we are better able to slow down and enjoy each moment as opposed to rushing through it. We can focus on the items that are important such as eating properly and managing our diet. This leads to even more control over our other health issues. Believe me if you do not have health issues now, you will have soon if you do not take control of your life and manage your stress.

Here are a few ways you can simplify the various aspects of your life:

1. Turn off your cell phone at least part of the day, if you cannot do it the entire day.

2. Process email only twice a day and do not do this before you go to bed, since you will lie awake thinking about some of the email.

3. Go to bed early, at least at a reasonable time and try to get sufficient sleep.

4. Get rid of (or at least reduce) commitments that you do out of obligation.

5. Create a weekly meal plan, including preparing meals that you can heat up during the week. Not only is there less work, you will eat much better as well.

6. Automate your finances. Have bills paid automatically. Have your employer deposit your pay check.

7. Purge as much unneeded clutter as possible. Throw out anything that you have not used in 12 months.

8. Keep your paper shredder on top of your recycling bin. Shred anything that has your name and address on it to avoid identity theft

9. Add items you want to a wish list as you think of them. Later you can prioritize these items.

10. Get a label maker or write labels out by hand.

Organize Everything

11. Set your clothes out for the next day the night before.

12. Make your lunch for the next day the night before.

13. Make time to catch up with an old friend and set a time in your schedule.

14. Just say no to things that are not important or things that cause you stress.

15. Ask for experiences not things for your birthday and Christmas this year.

16. Tell the truth. It is so liberating, even if you sugar coat it a bit

17. Keep your list of addresses and phone numbers up to date and in one place. If you must update your cell phone or computer once a month. Set a time to do this.

18. Get a handle on your debt and consolidate debt so that you have fewer payments to make.

19.Be organized and use a system that works for you.

20. Place a bag for garbage in your car. Clean your car once a week.

Keep Track of Things

21. Carry a notebook, recorder or use your smart phone to keep notes where ever you go.

22. Unsubscribe from emails, newsletters or RSS feeds that don’t provide value anymore.

23.Apologize as soon as you can, preferably immediately  when you realize you’ve done wrong.

24. We never know what is going to happen to us in the next day let alone the next hour, enjoy the present moment as much as you can.

25. Take time to really enjoy the little things in life.

26.If you must watch TV, watch things that make you happy or are enjoyable. Avoid the news late at night, it is too depressing.

27. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air, go for walks, bike.

28. Routines are good for many people, while for others the lack of routine is good. Create morning, daytime, and evening routines that meet your needs. Low stress.

29. When you need help, ask for help around the house, the yard or even the office.

30. Spend time at home as much as possible (eat, date nights, entertain etc.).

Avoid Perfectionism

31. Avoid other people’s issues, don’t get caught up in other people’s problems.

32. For the perfectionists among us, relax your need to be perfect and if you cannot do this, select items that need to perfect and let the others go.

33. Develop an eating plan with an exercise plan that creates an energy deficit if you want to lose weight. Eat healthy foods.

34.  Share responsibilities with your spouse , family  members or friends.

35. Reduce your wardrobe to a few versatile items.

36. Try to be positive and look at the up side of things.

37. Compliment yourself and focus on the positive things you have accomplished.

38. Completely finish old tasks before taking on new ones.

39. Every new item you purchase get rid of at least one or if you can set two free.

40. Enjoy the life you have and the things you have.

41. Reduce what you carry with you in your purse or wallet.

42. If you are a multi-tasker and this is causing you stress, try to focus on one thing at a time.

43. Each time you start something new, ask yourself if you really need to do this? does it cause stress? does it add value to your life.

If you have other ideas about how to lower your stress, we would love to have your comments.

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Many people use casino slot cards all of the time, while others are afraid of them and have misinformed ideas about these cards.  For starters it is a good idea to understand exactly what they are so that there is no misconception.

The cards that casinos encourage their customers to use are plastic cards similar to a credit card that you place in a slot machine while you are playing  the slots or playing the tables. The casinos use this card to identify you while you are gambling and keep track of how much you gamble, how long you gamble and what kinds of games you like to play. They are not a credit card!

What do they do with all of this information, you ask?

Like any good marketing company they use this info, plus the personal info you give them when you sign up in a number of ways , basically to increase customer loyalty, to ensure they have the right games for their customers and to reward their customers for the time they spend in their casinos. This is a very competitive tool with some casinos using this feature more than others. Many casinos in a competitive market will provide better rewards to their customers based on their play than those in non-competitive markets. Las Vegas and Atlantic city casinos probably have the best rewards comp’s , while a small casino at a racetrack without another one for miles around will not provide very much in the way of comp’s.

The Canadian casinos are notoriously poor at providing good comp’s for their patrons. The Canadian provincial governments have a strangle hold on casinos, will not allow any more to be built and will not allow any competition to their government sponsored casinos.

How Do Casino Slot Cards Work?

Signing up for a slot card is easy and it is free. All you need to do is go to your casinos reward desk, fill in an application, provide photo id and the casinos will provide you with a personalized slot card.  Some will even reward you for signing up with a free gift , free slot play or a free diner buffet.

Before you begin to gamble , place your slot card in the slot machine card reader. The system will search for your name and when it finds your name will provide you with a welcoming message.

Next just start playing the slot machine as you normally would. The casino will now record how much you are betting, how frequently you bet and how long you play at that machine. Move to another machine and repeat the same procedure.

After awhile the casino will build up a profile on you about the type of machine you like to play, how often and how much, etc. They will design a customized rewards plan for you to attract you to their casino.  You will receive these rewards in the mail or by email depending on what choice you made when you signed up.

What Kinds of Comp’s Can I Expect?

The answer to this question really depends on how much you play however in general you should expect the following from time to time.

• Free meals
• Free play
• Point play
• Meal and merchandise discounts
• Complimentary rooms
• Free airport pickup ( High Rollers)
• Complementary airline tickets ( High Rollers )
• Free gifts
• Invitations to slot tournaments or table games tournaments
• Free tax report( more on this later)

Frequent players can expect more while less frequent , or low denomination players will take longer to build up their comp’s.

How do I Actually Collect the Comp’s

Every casino is a bit different and the best approach is to ask the rewards desk how and when you should expect to receive comp’s. Having said that there are two very important things to know about getting your comp’s and taking full advantage of your casino players card.

First, if you played sufficiently, the casinos want you back and they will send you various promotions in the mail or by email if you gave them your email address. Sometimes you need to check your junk mail file if you have this feature set up on your email system since new senders usually end up in the junk mail file. These promotions will consist of offers for discounted rooms or free rooms, free meals, free play and either discounts or free tickets to various shows. There will be a telephone number to call to book your next stay and all you need to do is give them your slot card number and your promotion number off the mailing that you received.

Ask for Comp’s

The second way to receive comp’s is to ask for them. Generally what we do is we will book our hotel stay through the casino host ( the number can be found on the back of the slot card or players card) and they will give you a room reservation at a rate that is consistent with your players status. Sometimes they will be at casino rates while other times you will receive a number of rooms nights free.

While you are at the hotel and playing at the casino with your slot card inserted in the slot machine, charge all of your meals etc to your room. Before you check out, go and see the players rewards desk, tell them you are checking out and give them your slot card. They will review your play and decide on the spot if they will comp you for anything. On good stays I have had my rooms and meals all comp’d. This is like winning a jackpot! Don’t try to negotiate, since they have their rules and formulas to follow, just be thankful for having a slot card. After you have been comp’d just check out as you normally would!

Casino Slot Cards – Free Tax Report

One other advantage of  of slot cards is that the casinos can provide you with a tax report. This report summarizes your losses. This is important and perhaps a bit scary at the same time. If you should win a jackpot over $1200, you are supposed to declare this as income and pay the appropriate tax. Some casinos will deduct the tax immediately and provide you with the appropriate IRS form to use in filing your taxes. Your tax loss statement from the casino can be used to reduce the amount of tax you pay on your slot machine jackpot!

Note: In Canada, casino and lottery winnings are not considered taxable!

If you found this helpful, please leave your comments,

The Hollywood Casino and hotel is located close to Sams Town and Fitzgeralds casinos. However you will need a car to travel from one hotel to another. Or you can also wait for one of the shuttle buses to take you to the next hotel. In addition the Hollywood hotel is also located several miles from the other cluster of casinos near Tunica.

The Hollywood casino offers a 14,000-square-foot ballroom just off the main casino. Consequently it seats up to 1,200 guests. In addition it includes a catering service. Hollywood Casino offers a variety of meeting packages. Luxury accommodations and action-packed entertainment are provided In addition these packages offer special bonuses that are perfect for social organizations, corporations and charitable groups of 20 or more.

Hollywood Casino – RV Park

The property also offers an RV park for travelers looking for a spot to park their rigs and relax.  There are also nearby golf courses near by. You can make arrangements for golf by contacting the hotel. The hotel offers priority tee times at their River Bend Links golf course, just steps away from the casino.

The casino definitely has a Hollywood theme with movie memorabilia which is one of the largest authentic collections in the Mid-South. From the DeLorean car that traveled through time in Back to the Future to Elvis Presley’s race car from Spinout, the collection of authentic movie and television props is enough to thrill any Hollywood fan. Explore the  extensive collection of authentic costumes and props.

Slot Machines

There are over 1,300 slot machines for your gaming fun, whether you play pennies, nickels, quarters or dollars, Hollywood Casino Tunica has your favorite games with over . Mr. Cashman, Hot Hot Penny, and Progressive 25¢ and $1 Wheel of Fortune slots are just some of the games you can choose from.

Table Games

There are over 30 gaming tables offering Blackjack, 20X Odds Craps, Roulette, Poker and many more. New table games just added… Crapless Craps and Let It Ride Bonus!

Hollywood Casino Restaurants

Fairbanks Steakhouse – you’ll enjoy award-winning cuisine served with style and attention to detail fit for a star. Voted “Best Steakhouse” in Tunica by Casino Player magazine, Fairbanks fulfills dining expectations for those who simply want the best.

Epic Buffet – Designed to look like a movie studio backlot, this generous buffet features something to satisfy your every craving. International, continental and local fare are on the menu at this 220-seat eatery. Enjoy Filet Mignon and Crab Legs Friday and Saturday nights for only $19.99 plus enjoy Filet Mignon and Crab Legs all day on Sundays for only $19.99.

Enjoy a Buffet breakfast on Saturdays for only .77 Star Comp Dollars! Plus If you’re 55 years or older, join The Breakfast Club and enjoy a .55 Epic breakfast offer on Thursdays for only .55 Star Comp Dollars!

Hollywood Diner – is a ’50s flashback offering breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day. From waitresses in poodle skirts to bebop oldies playing on the jukebox, Hollywood Diner offers a taste of classic Americana along with delicious food. Star-themed booths with movie greats like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean await you.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the
• Buffet was very clean, with lots of choice at lunch time. Good Prices
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Hollywood casino

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs. The level of smoke odor was not too bad at this hotel, however we were there on a slow day.

Hollywood Casino Slot Player Card

They are part of the Hollywood Screen Test® or Marquee® Card and patrons should always use this card when playing to earn complimentary meals and hotel accommodations and more! Slot members can take advantage of benefits at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Hollywood casino & hotel in a  surface parking lot in front of the hotel.

Directions: Hollywood Casino is an easy drive, just 35 miles south of Memphis, in the heart of Tunica’s Casino Strip.  The address is Hollywood Casino Tunica, 1150 Casino Strip Resort Blvd, Robinsonville, MS 38664

White Water Rafting in Oregon provide spectacular rivers and are an outdoor treasure waiting to be discovered by experts and people new to whitewater rafting . Everyone should find a way to make your Oregon white water rafting dreams come true this season. The scenery is beautiful, the rivers challenging and the air is fresh.

There are whitewater rafting trips in Oregon for every range of interest and every level of ability. There are half-day thrillers to five-day adventures through the heart of wild Oregon. Camp out under the stars and enjoy the wilderness, or take one of the more challenging rapids with lots of high waves and deep troughs.

White Water Rafting in Oregon

The Umpqua, north of Crater Lake, is a fast flowing whitewater rafting gem from the Cascades and is a whitewater dream. In addition to exceptional Class III and IV whitewater, it is also one of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Its continuous pool and drop rapids keep constant action rolling. The Umpqua has more rapids per mile than any other Oregon river. This river truly deserves the Wild and Scenic protection it acquired. Volcanic columns tower over the canyon, the river is breathtaking in both beauty and excitement.

The McKenzie, with its crystal clear water banked by lush forests, is ideal both for an introduction to river running, or an exhilarating trip for the experienced. Consider this trip if you are a first time rafter and want to try out rafting, without being over the top with waves.

Grande Ronde River

The Grande Ronde River is one of Oregon’s treasures waiting to be discovered. Cutting its way through the ancient lava flows of northeast Oregon, this swift river winds through steep canyon lands of 2,400 feet elevation. It runs past impressive basalt formations before joining the Columbia. Forests of fir, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine provide habitat for an amazing array of bird and wildlife along the way. Sightings of Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep await the lucky rafter.

Oregon’s most dramatic whitewater river cuts an isolated course through the sagebrush tablelands in southeast Oregon. This remote high desert wilderness is the setting for an unforgettable four or five day trip. A National Wild and Scenic River since 1984, the Owyhee offers scenery reminiscent of Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah. If you have been to either of these parks, you will know that you are in for a treat for sites that you have never seen and can only imagine.

John Day

The John Day takes you into one of Oregon’s finest river canyons. It is a charming and exciting river with incredible scenery and unspoiled beauty. Its 280 miles is the longest undammed river in the Pacific Northwest, and is federally protected as a Wild and Scenic River. The basalt formations and bluffs are truly impressive, cliffs and palisades tower more than 3,000 feet high above the river. Truly impressive and something to behold.

Exhilarating whitewater, spectacular rocky mountain vistas, and sunny warm desert canyons combine to make the Deschutes the best known river in Oregon. The Deschutes offers hot sun tanning days and cool swimming under clear blue skies. This section is a designated Wild and Scenic River offering exciting Class III and IV rapids including Oak Springs, Elevator, Buckskin Mary, and Boxcar.

With so many rapids to choose from it is difficult to know were to start. If you are a first time rafter, start with the lower class of rapids, perhaps a half day trip to get used to it. Then move up to a full day trip and perhaps a higher rated set of rapids to increase the challenge. Remember that most trips will include at least one higher rated set of rapids. So be sure to discuss this with your rafting company to ensure that you fully understand what you are getting into.

No Turning Back

Once you are in the raft and heading down the river there is no turning back. In fact as you enter the rapids you may not even realize just how challenging they are. You are actually in the middle of some giant wave and getting soaked. Your raft bends and buckles with the water. Hang on, because in many cases that is all you can do and hope your guide knows what he is doing.

This is one of the most exciting things you will do in your lifetime, so make sure that someone you know comes with you. The memories are wonderful, but they get even better if you share them with someone. You can talk about your river trips for years to come. River rafting with someone you know is actually the most important part of the entire trip!

If you have comments about your trips or some of the Oregon rivers that you have been on , feel free to leave your comments as well.

Have you ever gone to one of the buffets offered by many of the casinos around the country? They are really great deals for the price and the food is usually excellent. The problem with buffets and your diet, well not really the casino buffet, it is more with the people who go to them, myself included, is that we all tend to over eat. It is human nature and of course we want to get our money’s worth , don’t we? Casino buffets and your diet really do not mix.

If you are on a diet and you go to one of these buffets with a group it can be very difficult to maintain your diet while everyone around you is filling up on the foods available at the buffet. Some of the larger buffets will have over 100 items on display for you to chose from and let’s face it , all of the food is excellent. The selection is so great that even if you only took one table spoon of each item, your plate would be over flowing by the time you got to the end.

Inexpensive Compared to Other Choices

Some buffets at some of the smaller casinos cost around $10.00, while the buffets at the larger casinos in Vegas can go as high as $25 per person. The food is all good, no, great and the selection is fantastic. The difference between a $10 and a $25 buffet will be a combination of  decor, presentation and at the higher end buffets, sometimes there will be more exotic foods. Either way you can fill up your plate very quickly and blow your diet plan without any trouble at all. Casino buffets and your diet really do not mix. So what is a person supposed to do when asked to go to one of these casino buffets?

Alternatives to Buffets and Your Diet

You could of course refuse to go to the buffet with the group or family, however for most people this is a non starter. Everyone wants to fit in and besides the family or group you are with want to enjoy the buffet as well as your company.

You already know that once you get in there, chances are you will probably over eat. Casino buffets and your diet just do not mix.  But there are a few things you can do to control your over eating at a buffet and minimize the damage to your diet plan.

Discipline is one thing. You need this every day of your life while on a diet, so it is no different here, just a little more difficult to stick to it. Before you walk in, you need to tell yourself that you need to be extra strong to avoid all of the temptations.

Next, avoid looking at the desert area. This is a major source of calories, so just do not look at it. If you cannot see it and don’t know what they are offering then you will not be tempted.

We all know that it takes a while for the stomach to tell us that it is full and that is why we often feel so uncomfortable. We have over eaten and did not stop when we knew that we would be full.

Eat Slowly

So, eat slowly. Enjoy every bite and let your stomach tell you when you are full. By eating slowly your stomach will have the time to realize that it is full and communicate to your brain that it does not need any more food.

Next, the casino buffets often provide small plates and very large plates. These large plates really do hold a lot of food, more than most people can eat at one sitting. When I am trying to control how much I eat, I grab one of the small plates and use this as a natural way to limit the amount of food I put on my plate. Combined with eating slowly and having to get up for another plate naturally limits the amount of food I eat.

Lastly watch what you drink. At a casino buffet, you can have just about anything you want to drink and as many drinks as you want. Some casinos will even offer free beer and wine with their meals. You can drink chocolate milk, soft drinks or coffee or juice and as much of it as you want. If you are trying to manage your diet, stick to water. It is better for your digestion  and there are no calories when you drink water.

Buffets and Your Diet – To summarize:

• Avoid the desert area
• Eat slowly
• Use a small plate
• Drink water with your meal
• Enjoy your time with your family and friends

Casino buffets can be very tempting. However if you follow these few simple rules, you can still manage to stay within your diet plan and enjoy your time as well.

The buffets offered by the casinos have a full selection of salads and low calorie foods as well as all of the high calorie foods. Stick to the salads and low calorie foods while at the buffet. All of the food with the gravies and sauces, while they taste good, are high calorie and also are full of salt which is another health issue for many people.

Following these few simple rules and guidelines can help us all to maintain our diets and also avoid gaining weight while we are on vacation.

If you have other tips or ideas, please leave a comment on our blog.

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This post is about smoke filled casinos,  the amount of smoke, second hand smoke and chemicals from deodorizer being sprayed in US casinos. It may seem like a funny post to a diet information blog, however I am really on a roll here against situations that cause a lot of hardship and expense to otherwise healthy people. Most people do moot even give it a seconds thought, but if these chemicals bother you, then you really are much more aware.

I recently experienced a severe case of bronchitis brought on by a combination of a short cold, being in a smoked filled casino and deodorizer used heavily to combat the smell of second hand smoke. Some people may ask, why didn’t you just leave. The answer is I did , but not before this combination had done its number on my body and I was able to figure out the connection.

Once we left this contaminated environment, I immediately began to improve, but why should I have to deal with this. I have the same rights as everyone else?

The Situation In Casinos – Smoke Filled Casinos

I am sure this is not true but it seems that 80% of people who go to a casino smoke. Whenever they hit a small jackpot, they light up in celebration , take a drink and away they go again. Some ignorant folks even smoke cigars in these confined spaces. The result is a filthy ( ashes everywhere), smoky air filled environment that would turn anyone off.

The casinos compensate by increasing the air flow in some and adding deodorizer of various kinds in the  casino main area. The problem is that this bad air finds its way through and into just about everything. Your clothes, the slot machines you touch, the hallways, and yes even that non smoking room that you ordered.

The result is the casinos spray deodorizer everywhere to try to compensate for the over powering smell. When you walk into some of the really bad ones, it is like a foul smell of a corpse that has been decomposing for months.

Why Don’t the Casinos Do Something?

The answer is a combination of fear and money. Obviously the smoking patrons bring in a lot of money to the casino, they are good customers and the casinos do not want to risk losing them to other casinos. This is the fear part. Losing a casino patron means they are not spending money in their slot machines or at their tables, they are not eating in their restaurants and they are not staying in their rooms.

Although there is a big revenue income from smoking patrons, there is a downside to this situation as well for the casinos. Everything smells, there is nicotine on everything and there are all of those ashes which end up on the floor or on the machines. It all has to be cleaned and at a huge cost. In addition electronics do not like bad air and they do not like sticky nicotine building up on components. Slot machines in smoking casinos require a lot more maintenance than in non smoking casinos.

So far the casinos have been unwilling to take the risk of losing their smoking customers and saving millions of dollars in cleaning fee’s by banning smoking in casinos. This is a huge fear they have in a very competitive business!

What Will it Take to Get them To Change

First of all one casino or one casino chain is not going to make this change on their own. The world is just too competitive and they are unwilling to take the risk of losing so much business by banning smoking.

A state like Nevada might be willing to legislate the change, however the state is very dependent on revenues from gambling and probably is unwilling to do anything to rock the boat. After all almost every state has casinos running now and all of these other states would be more than happy to take some of the business from Las Vegas.

I really think that if the federal government mandated all casinos to eliminate smoking in the casinos, the casino owners would quietly embrace the notion and support such a bill. The reason would be that there still is a level playing field and everyone must play by the same rules.

Canada Did It – Got Rid of Smoke Filled Casinos

The casinos in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are all non smoking casinos AND they are packed. Sure there might have been a temporary drop in business. However the gamblers could not stay away. Once they found out that the smokers were still welcome under certain conditions they flocked back. Maintenance costs are way down and the air is clean and breathable in these casinos.

The Canadian casinos made 3 fundamental changes which allowed a compromise and yet meet more customer needs. First they banned smoking in the casinos which made the non smokers happy. Now more of them come to the casino for their evenings entertainment.

Secondly , the Canadian casinos created smoking rooms for the smokers to go to to grab a quick puff or two. This means taking a break from the slot machine. But at least they are in the building and spending money as usual.

Third and I think this was the most important part. The casinos support the reservation of a slot machine. Or a seat at a table for a short amount of time. If you are a smoker and need a brake for a quick smoke, you can reserve your slot machine. Off you go to grab that quick smoke. Most people are only gone for a minute or two. Then they are right back to their slot machine gambling once more.

Everyone is happy. Sure the casino might experience a slightly lower throughput of money per machine, due to the seat reservation system, however with more players in the casino their over all throughput is actually up! Maybe it will happen in the US some day!

Comments are welcome.

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Jackson Hole White water rafting. Jackson Hole is home to one of the most exiting activities in the world.  Many people come every year to experience the thrill of rafting in these rapids and the thrill of camping outdoors under the stars. White Water Rafting has quickly become a summer activity favorite. Rafting trips vary a great deal from the calm, scenic upper Snake River which offers a unique perspective of Grand Teton National Park.  The  Lower Snake River offers more challenging rafting with wild rapids and lots of frothy waves along this portion of the river.

Regardless of your age and abilities, there is a rafting trip suitable for your requirements along the Snake river. Customers who are perhaps a bit older or cannot swim can take some of the more sedate rafting trips with waves less than 2 feet high. These rapids offer great views and some thrills, however they are not sufficiently high enough that there is danger of capsizing or being ejected from the raft. Always make sure you wear your life-preserver and follow the instructions of the guides.

Jackson Hole White water rafting – Lower Snake River

The lower Snake River route runs the whitewater of the Snake River Canyon. Experience Big Kahuna and other fun rapids around the area. It’s Jackson’s most popular trip for good reason! Jackson Hole lies just west of the Continental Divide and occupies about 400 square miles. The waters of the Snake River take up part of the valley, making for an impressive view and fantastic whitewater rafting opportunities.

The Jackson Hole Whitewater offers Whitewater and Scenic Rafting Trips on the Snake River. It provides 8 miles of wildest adventurous whitewater trip in Jackson Hole. Float for 13 miles past some of the most beautiful scenery in Jackson Hole, the entire trip takes about 7 hours and many outfitters will include lunch on the river.

Snake River in Jackson Hole Whitewater Rafting

Take Water River Trips through 8 miles of whitewater in the Grand Canyon of the Snake River. Combining spectacular scenery with the excitement of rolling rapids, this trip has all the ingredients for the perfect river adventure. The small 8-man paddle rafts are available on the whitewater section starting in June.

Overnight Trips-Scenic/Whitewater Combo

There are many whitewater rafting outfitters in the Jackson Hole area. You can find many on the internet, however we suggest that really word of mouth and referrals is always the best way to go. Going on a class 1 or 2 set of rapids, is not dangerous with only 2 foot waves, however higher class rapids require more skilled guides that are experienced in handling groups in more aggressive whitewater rapids.

An overnight trip along some of these rapids can be an unforgettable experience. And with the right company who provides all of the things you need to make your trip enjoyable, you will not only have fun, you will experience the camaraderie of  camping under the stars around a camp fire and enjoying meals cooked in the outdoors.

Check with your local rafting company to determine exactly what they offer to their customers. Select the trip that makes the most sense to you based on services offered and the overall safety of the trip vs. your abilities for paddling and swimming. They will explain in detail what you will receive and if you are unsure, just ask more questions.

Key questions to consider are:

• How many people will there be in the raft?
• What class of rapids will we be going through?
• Do we need to paddle a lot or just when the guide needs us to paddle?
• Will we get wet, will we capsize?
• Do we wear life preservers?
• If we are getting lunch, what is included?
• What clothes should we wear and how do we get dry clothes at the end?
• Should we leave valuables behind such as jewelry, watches, wallets, glasses?
• How experienced are the guides?
• What are the physical requirements for the trip you are going on?
• How do we get back to our starting point?
• Can kids or elderly people go on this trip?
• What equipment do we need to bring?

Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel

This is another one of the casinos that is located in the Tunica area. You will need a car to get to this casino from any of the other casinos or take one of the shuttle buses that run. The hotels are spread out and do not facilitate walking from one to another. The picture on the left was taken on a cloudy day in the winter. Normally the hotel and casino look much brighter and the grass would be green, making it a much more picturesque looking place. Fitzgeralds Casino is shown on the picture on the left.

We have not visited this particular casino, so all of our comments are based on an internet search about the property. If anyone who has stayed there and has comments, please feel free to leave comments on our blog.

Fitzgeralds Casino – Unique Decor

The Fitxgerald casino has a unique outdoor decor as can be seen in the photo above.  With over 500 renovated rooms with views of the Mississippi river this is one of the hotels you should consider for a visit while gambling in Tunica. Although we have not personally seen these rooms they look great and will more than meet any ones expectations and requirements. Newly renovated rooms are always great and when you check in ask for a non smoking room. Of course if you smoke in the room you could be subject to a hefty bill to clean the room properly.

The pool at this hotel is also very nice and can be used by patrons staying at the hotel. With lots of light it looks like a great place to relax and enjoy while taking a break from the casino slot machines or the tables. Overall this casino has everything that one needs while taking a short vacation in Tunica.

In terms of entertainment, there is the Stage Bar which is open Tuesday through Sunday and dark on Mondays. The hours vary and of course the entertainment also.

There are 3 restaurants – Don’s B Steakhouse, the Buffet, and the Players Snack Bar.

Fitzgeralds Casino – Slot Machines

There are over 1300 slot machines at this casino in all denominations from penny to $100. The newly redesigned High Limit Area offers $5, $10, $25 and $100 slots…along with many stand alone progressives.

Fitz offers penny, nickel, quarter, fifty-cent and dollar slots throughout the casino extending across two floors. Look for the new Deal or No Deal, Monopoly, Gilligan’s Island and more of the latest hot-playing machines.

Video Poker machines in 5 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $5 denominations can be found at both the Stage Bar and Poker Bar…and throughout the casino.

Be sure to use the Club Fitz card whenever playing slots at Fitz. By using your card you earn points towards downloadable promo cash, complimentary meals, complimentary rooms, and discounts.

Table Games

There are

Restaurants

There are 3 restaurants –

Don’s B Steakhouse – Enjoy casual dining in an elegant atmosphere. Menu choices include steak, seafood and specialties prepared daily for you. Reservations are recommended.

the Buffet – Breakfast & Brunch;Monday-Saturday: 7am – 11am – $6.95;Sunday: 7am – 10am – $6.95;Sunday Brunch: 10am – 3pm – $13.95

Lunch – Monday-Saturday: 11am – 4pm – $8.95; Sunday: 3pm – 4pm – $8.95

Dinner – Sunday-Thursday: 4pm – 10:30pm – $14.95; Friday Seafood Buffet: 4pm – 2am – $18.95; Saturday Steak & Crab Buffet: 4pm – 2am – $16.95

the Players Snack Bar.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines with over 1350 machines in total
• Free drinks while gambling
• Pool area and spa for hotel guests
• Hotel rates are very reasonable with some specials at $35/ night including breakfast
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about Fitzgeralds hotel & casino

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs. Similar to most hotels and casinos, patrons are allowed to smoke in the casino and this can become over powering at times.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Fitz Club slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits such as cash back, dining comp’s as well as room comp’s and much more.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at Fitxgeralds hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel as well as  surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions: The address of the Fitzgerald Casino is 711 Lucky Ln, Robinsonville, MS 38664-9141. Patrons can get to this hotel and casino easily from Memphis and other points north by following Route 55 south to route 69 and then just follow the signs to the casino.

The Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel was formally called the Sheraton Casino & Hotel. The casino was redesigned and redecorated in the last quarter of 2009 into a roadhouse format. This is a huge improvement over the previous casino which was in great need of cleaning and updating.  The roadhouse concept is reminiscent of a Texas roadhouse with lots of barn board and decorations that are reminiscent of many roadhouses across the United States.

The Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel is right next door to the Horseshoe casino  and shares the parking lot and garage with the Horseshoe Hotel and casino. The Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel is also part of the Harrah’s chain of casinos which means your Total Rewards card is accepted in all of their slot machines and your comp’s can be used at this hotel as well. We have stayed at this hotel before when it was still called the Sheraton hotel and casino and found the rooms to be large and quite acceptable. At the time we did not like the casino, however with the recent update, the casino is well worth the visit.

Roadhouse Casino and Hotel – Slot Machines

At the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, they are working at having the newest and hottest slots in town! From pennies to high dollar machines, there’s something for every slot enthusiast. They have more than 1,000 slots, in every denomination!

Table Games

There are the usual table games for customers to enjoy, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker. AS we mentioned the entire casino has been recently redesigned and decorated into a roadhouse theme. The carpets are new and the casino actually smells new. All of the tables have a roadhouse look to them that matches with the décor throughout the casino and the hotel reception area.

Restaurants

The Roadhouse Casino and Hotel has two restaurants. The Range Steakhouse features a warm, inviting decor in a fine dining setting – with friendly service and great food.

The Roadhouse Casino and Hotel is also home to Tunica’s most expansive buffet, the Big Kitchen Buffet, where chefs spin pizzas and decorate desserts right in front of your eyes! You’ll feast on home-style Southern cooking, all-American favorites — and the best seafood spread in Tunica.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Lots of room between slot machine banks, so that you do not get that over crowed feeling.
• Free drinks while gambling and friendly service
• Buffet
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, although it is older and the rooms have not been remodeled in some time.

Although we have stayed at the Roadhouse Casino and Hotel and found the room to be quite acceptable, we did notice that there are quite a few reviews on various web sites that are negative about the cleanliness of the rooms.

The Casino has been recently been updated and looks great. We hope the rooms are next , which will return this hotel to a 1^st class location to stay at.

It is a 2 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for most tourist needs.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Total Rewards slot players card system run by Harrah’s. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many Las Vegas hotels, as well as sister hotels in Tunica, Biloxi, Laughlin and Reno as well as across the United States in various locales..

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes. Harrah’s has over 30 properties across the US and also one or two in Canada.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel in a large surface parking lot in front of the casino. There is also a parking garage located by the Horseshoe casino which is immediately beside the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels and then walk across the road to the casino. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions:

Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, 1107 Casino Center Drive, Tunica Resorts, MS 38664

From Atlanta, GA

Take I-20 West to Birmingham, AL. Follow US 78 West to Hwy 302. Go west on Hwy 302 (Goodman Rd ) to Hwy 61 South. Take 61 South to Casino Center Dr. Then, turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Biloxi, MS

Take I-10 West to US Hwy 49 North. Follow Hwy 49N to I-55 North. Next, follow I-55 North to exit I-69 South. Take I-69 Sto Hwy 61 South. Turn left on Hwy 61 South to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Birmingham, AL

Take US-78 west towards Tupelo, MS/Memphis , TN. Follow US 78 for approx. 210 miles. Take Hwy 302 (Goodman Rd ) west towards Southaven, MS. Follow Hwy 302 west for approx. 14 miles. Hwy 302 will run into US-61 South. Turn left onto US-61 to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Central or Eastern TN

Take I-40 West to Memphis. Follow I-240 to I-55 south. Continue to follow I-55 South to the I-69 Exit. Follow I-69 to Hwy 61 S. Turn left on Hwy 61 S. Take Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Little Rock, AR

Take I-40 east to Memphis (follow signs to I-55 South). Next, take I-55 South to Hwy 61S. Follow Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Memphis International Airport

Exit the airport heading west on Winchester. Go west on Winchester to 3rd St. (Hwy 61). Turn left on Hwy 61. Take Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

What is the effect of weight loss on your breathing? Many posts talk about various diets and the amount of weight that you can lose if you go on one diet or another. Some diet plans will discuss the benefits of losing weight on other related illnesses. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Most people find that when they lose weight, that these various problems will become less of an issue or disappear all together. In fact on the show the “Biggest loser”, many of the contestants who lose significant amounts of weight will talk about how much better they feel. They mention how they have stopped taking medicine for various health issues that they may have had. What they do not talk about is Weight Loss and Breathing issues.

Another major benefit is the ability to take a deep breath without wheezing and to walk without becoming short of breath. There is a major difference between exercising and being short of breath vs. taking a short walk up and down your driveway and being short of breath.  Add to this the complications of bronchitis or asthma and you have the conditions for a major illness and possibly death due to lack of oxygen. If you have ever been short of breath and know the fear of not being able to breathe then you will know what I mean! That is why there is such a connection between weight loss and breathing capabilities.

Weight Loss and Breathing

I am slightly over weight and in relatively good shape having exercised regularly, doing many miles on my bicycle and going to the gym about 4 times a week. Recently I had a case of severe bronchitis, needed treatments at the hospital and was very short of breath. Even though I was in good shape, nothing prepared me for the shortness of breath and gasping for air. This is a frightfully scary thing to have happen. I have discovered the connection between weight loss and breathing.

What If You are Also Over Weight

I am slightly over weight, however what if you are significantly over weight? If you are, chances are that your lungs are already compressed. You may also have bronchitis or asthma and you have a truly scary situation. Your lungs are already compressed and now your air ways are swollen due to a virus, a cold or environmental contaminants in the air such as smoke, deodorizer or other things that are naturally occurring. This is why weight loss and breathing issues can be so important.

You are in big trouble and need to see a doctor quickly because your body will shut down on you if you do not get enough oxygen to it!  Some symptoms besides being shortness of breath are:

• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Chest pains
• Swelling in the ankles

If you have any of these symptoms do not wait, get checked out immediately.

Basically the extra weight you are carrying around compresses your lungs and makes it more difficult for your diaphragm to push air out of your lungs and to also draw deep breaths of air into your lungs. All of this extra weight is hard on your heart and of course your joints as well, but we will stay focused on just taking a breath. If you cannot get air into your lungs then you are not getting enough oxygen into your blood stream and now you are in serious trouble because your heart cannot do it’s job. This is bad news.

Fix the Initial Problem , then Lose Weight

Obviously you need to get over the asthma or bronchitis or whatever is causing you to be short of breath. This is the most important near term issue. However as soon as your bronchitis attack etc is under control, start the process of losing weight and getting into shape. You just have to look at the people on the “Biggest Loser” to see the dramatic effects it has on their overall well being. As well as their ability to get a full breath of air and not be short of breath or gasping for air all of the time.

Most of us need that one big scare to get our acts together. For some people it is a heart attack, for others it is getting sick from too much alcohol, still for others it is gasping for breath because we are too heavy and our bodies just cannot deal with the extra weight. We cannot get enough air into our lungs and cannot move around the way we used to. Make the commitment now to get into shape and lose weight.

Weight Loss and Breathing – Environmental Triggers

With the exception of environmental triggers, your bronchitis and asthma will occur less often and you will be stronger and more able to deal with these sudden onsets of bronchitis.

If your bronchitis is triggered by environmental issues, find out what they are and avoid them like the plague. There is no sense in exposing yourself to these triggers. Just stay away from them. Avoid people with colds and fevers, avoid people that smoke, avoid dusty situations or places with lots of contaminants in the air. In my personal situation, in addition to all of the above, I am also going to avoid hotels that do not have smoke free environments and also hotels that use deodorizer to hide the smells of cigarette smoke or other odors in the rooms. These are the worst for me and will set me off with  bronchitis attack for sure.

We would be happy to hear your comments and any other suggestions for dealing with shortness of breath. Please post a comment to our blog.

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