Despite the fact that Brad and I neither one enjoy long plane rides, we decided to accept Harrah’s offer to fly us free to a June Seven Star event in Atlantic City, a place we haven’t visited for many years. We can check out the new Revel, take walks on the Boardwalk and beach, as well as enjoy the many activities Harrah’s has planned during this event.
But most of all we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new frugalites! Although our paths may cross at the various activities and at the video poker machines, we thought we would set up a couple of meetings where kindred gambling souls could gather and talk shop. The first one is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, right after the Seven Stars Welcome Party is over at the pool at Harrah’s. We will meet in the second floor area overlooking the pool from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Since the 7* party is over at 8:30, there should be no problem in entering for our get-together even if you aren’t Seven Stars.
The second meeting will be Saturday, June 16, at 1 p.m. in Bally’s Diamond Lounge. If you are not Diamond or 7*, just wait at the entrance and there will be plenty of us who will be able to get you in as our guests. As usual, I will be happy to sign your books, the more dog-eared the better! 🙂
These plans are just tentative at the moment, but once they are finalized, I will put the details on my Web site, http://queenofcomps.com/. Definitely check there for more information or any last-minute changes.
On the contrary, we find that AC has its own unique identity and quirky charm. Who can’t just LOVE walking on the boardwalk and taking in all of the senses: people-watching at its best, kids pulling pranks under the boardwalk at some unsuspecting passerbys, smelling and indulging in pizza as only the boardwalk stands know how to make, watching the fudge and salt water taffy being pulled and kneaded to perfection, sticky cotton candy doused with good ole AC humidity & sand, taking in the artisan architecture of the grand “old ladies” still lining the south end of the boardwalk. BUT . . . the absolute GEM in AC is White House Subs!! It is one block directly behind the TRUMP (the corner of Artic & Mississippi). It has been in business since the end of WWII and is still owned/operated by the same family (all of the kids/grandkids/etc) — You haven’t tasted a great sub until you’ve had White House Subs! Our friends even bring them back to Las Vegas on the plane after a quick visit to AC. When we lived in Pawleys Island SC, we even drove straight through to AC due to us having a White House Sub attack. Nothing like sitting on the boardwalk, eating a sub, with an audience of seagulls hoping for a dropped morsel.
(It was nice bumping into you and Brad at the Palms Food Court last Friday — have a great trip back east and family time)
As always we plan to look for the positives everywhere we go.
I haven’t been there in many years. The things I’ve noticed about the place are: 1. Go inland two blocks, anywhere from the boardwalk, and you are suddenly in Beirut, or maybe Calcutta. 2. The people there are New York-rude and nasty. You are in for a shock if you expect even minimal politeness and courtesy. 3. Just about every visitor is a day-tripper, so the place gets strangely deserted at night. 4. The beach is OK, but it’s trash-strewn and filthy (like the entire East Coast, for that matter). 5. The VP (like the rest of the gambling) is mediocre-to-lousy. Interestingly, Vegas used to be MUCH better in this regard; now, it’s about the same as AC hasn’t gotten much worse in the past decade, while Vegas has gone completely down the VP drain. 6. Expect to pay for things you are used to getting for free, like driving to get there (turnpikes, toll roads), parking (NEVER free in AC), etc. Again, more characteristic of the East Coast in general than AC in particular.
I would imagine getting away from the Vegas furnace to someplace where the weather is less unpleasant would be worth the trip in itself–just so long as you don’t actually venture away from the casino boardwalk and experience the (ick) city.