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Flagstaff and Two Thoughts on Casinos
Oct. 5th, 2009 11:06 amI'm back in the Windy City. As promised, a few thoughts about the drive from Flagstaff AZ to Las Vegas, and two thoughts about casinos.
Flagstaff to Las Vegas
So the principle if not only way to get between those two locations involves a hundred-mile run down Interstate 40. Now, I discussed previously the "naked" exits on I-40 getting to Flagstaff. Well, for reasons known only to the Arizona Department of Transportation, west of Flagstaff they post signs telling you how many miles to the next service area. The longest run was 50 miles. Pretty country, but exceptionally few people.
Casinos, Thought the First
The Hard Rock Casino caters to a young, hip, with-it crowd. The problem with said crowd (especially the "young" part) is that they think little of filling a hotel room with 4, 6 or 8 people who have only a nodding acquaintance with each other. This can lead to interesting discussions about room charges at checkout time, so the Hard Rock requires a photo ID and a room key to make charges. It's rather a pain, especially at the pool.
Casinos, Thought the Second
I mentioned that New Mexico had a lot of casinos on Indian reservations. Now the 3 or 4 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe I understand. That's a reasonably populated area, and has some tourist activity. What I don't understand are the 4 or 5 casinos, with hotels, on I-40 west of Albuquerque. I mean, several of these casinos are so far out in the boondocks that the only paved road in sight other then the Interstate is the access road to the casino. They are so far in the sticks that they all have their own truck stops. Is running a casino really that profitable?
Flagstaff to Las Vegas
So the principle if not only way to get between those two locations involves a hundred-mile run down Interstate 40. Now, I discussed previously the "naked" exits on I-40 getting to Flagstaff. Well, for reasons known only to the Arizona Department of Transportation, west of Flagstaff they post signs telling you how many miles to the next service area. The longest run was 50 miles. Pretty country, but exceptionally few people.
Casinos, Thought the First
The Hard Rock Casino caters to a young, hip, with-it crowd. The problem with said crowd (especially the "young" part) is that they think little of filling a hotel room with 4, 6 or 8 people who have only a nodding acquaintance with each other. This can lead to interesting discussions about room charges at checkout time, so the Hard Rock requires a photo ID and a room key to make charges. It's rather a pain, especially at the pool.
Casinos, Thought the Second
I mentioned that New Mexico had a lot of casinos on Indian reservations. Now the 3 or 4 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe I understand. That's a reasonably populated area, and has some tourist activity. What I don't understand are the 4 or 5 casinos, with hotels, on I-40 west of Albuquerque. I mean, several of these casinos are so far out in the boondocks that the only paved road in sight other then the Interstate is the access road to the casino. They are so far in the sticks that they all have their own truck stops. Is running a casino really that profitable?
