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NOLA in Eureka Springs In September, Don and I got to enjoy the flavor of New Orleans, in the Arkansas Ozarks.
The winding streets of Eureka Springs are a lot hillier than Nola's French Quarter. But the old buildings with iron balconies, have always reminded us of New Orleans.  Eureka Springs is a mountain town with no stoplights. Nola is a bustling city of nearly 400,00. But both attract lively tourists. Quiet on September 6 However, the streets in Eureka Springs were surprisingly quiet when we arrived on the Wednesday after Labor Day Weekend.  That's pretty much what Don and I needed. A comfy quiet hotel, without parades of crowds.  I was coming down with a cold and the ice cream shop on the first floor, looked inviting! In fact it seemed like it could be downright medicinal! Heading In We headed towards the hotel's entrance and I noticed the sign for The Voodoo Lounge.  There might be something helpful for my throat there, as well! Looking Down Before we stepped inside, Don and I noticed the grid of glass on the sidewalk.  We've recently gotten interested in the history of these curious sidewalk features, found in some older cities. Since 1892 Breanne greeted us at the desk when we entered. She seemed somewhat surprised that we mentioned the glass sidewalks.  She said the basement restaurant would be open the next the morning if we wanted to see the light coming through. Since 1892 The lobby looked clean and inviting, for a 131 year old hotel. I wondered how much was original, from when the hotel opened as the Wadsworth Hotel, in 1892.  There were 50 rooms, then. Each offered steam heat and electric lights. 50 cents a night... or a dollar, if you wanted a bath. Looking Around the Lobby While checking in I peeked around at some of the lobby antiques. I love old treasures, but I don't love spaces that are jam packed with antiques. This was just about right.  We've stayed at 3 other iconic Eureka Springs hotels. All have been curious and fun... but all were uncomfortably busy (and dusty) with doodads and decor.  Maybe it was the lack of people, that made the lobby space seem large and welcoming.  Usually I love a little people-watching in a lobby. But my cold made me more excited about hanging out in our room. Upstairs First things first. I was a bit worn out and cranky, but I had to check out the staircase.
I love old staircases! I took a hike to the second floor and looked down. Then up to the 4th... or was that the 6th? Confusing?  I took in the view of the lobby. I could see the ice cream parlor was open. Yay! Later... I peeked down some halls on the second floor and felt relieved that we'd booked a first floor room.  Maybe it was my mood. Maybe it was seeing a couple of men wandering around with their unlit cigarettes, that made the floor less appealing.  None of them seemed interested in the lonely pool table. Balconies I knew the balconies on the second and third floors, were available to all guests.  So I checked both out. I'm always in search of a nice place to relax with a view.  The views from both levels were nice and I did spot a rocker or two. But there were ashtrays and lingering smells of smoke. Wondering As I took in the view of Spring Street below, I wondered what it looked like when The Wadsworth opened over a century ago. Horses? Dirt instead of pavement?  What was the hotel like in 1915, when it became Hotel Allred. Who sat out on the balconies back then? I also began to wonder why they called this a 6-story hotel, when only 4 floors were in view from the front. Presidential Suite After my exploring, I was ready to relax in our Presidential Suite. Yep. Don and I booked the most expensive room in the hotel. We never do that. But most "Presidential Suites" can't be experienced for $229.99.  I had a cold and Don had an aching back, so we went for it. We didn't even have to climb stairs, since the entrance was lobby level, across from the Voodoo Lounge. Entrance to Our Suite The door to our suite looked nice. The transom had been decorated. It looked like some kid of sand art, or something made with finger-paints.
For just over 200 dollars, we had a suite that had its own hall! How very dramatic! Bathroom Suite I'm not sure about square footage, but it was a huge space, with lots of room dividers. At the end of the hall, we turned left to see the bathroom... which led to a sunroom porch.  I was totally amused but the very intriguing bathroom layout. The curtain, leading to the sunroom reminded me of something Carol Burnett wore in one of her hysterical TV skits. The photo was taken after I adjusted the curtain a bit. It looked funnier before. The toilet was black and had its own little closet.
The black theme continued, with the hexagonal sink.  The tub-for-two, was to the right of the curtains. I'm not sure if this was all part of the big renovation in the 1980's. I know there was one in 1984. Sleeping Quarters Website photos let us know to not expect Victorian furniture. We love our old and authentic, but Don was ready for the comfy couch he'd seen in photos. Victorian does not work for a tall men who have back issues.  The room was spacious and the king bed was comfortable. I liked having 2 luggage stands for a change. There was a ceiling fan and lamps and bedside tables. That's the good stuff. The Couch My photo does not reveal the closeup creepiness of that couch. The built in cupholders were dark and creepy. The sticky fake leather was creepy.  The plastic material was shredded from years of lounging. Where did this couch come from? Luckily the bath towels were large and Don rigged up "slipcovers". I told him, "Enjoy. I don't need to use the couch thank you." Modern Homey The place really does look pretty fine in my photos. We had a decent table with chairs, lots of books, coffee maker, ice maker and microwave! We could have played cards into the night. But the rips here and scratches there, looked weary.  The ice-maker was a nice thought, but it made a jolting crash, every time a few cubes dropped down. We thought of unplugging... then pictured things melting. Friends in the Room I wonder how many "Presidential Suites" have gnome collections? In our suite, we must have had about 20 gnomes sitting on books and windowsills.  I guess most would take gnomes over ghosts any day. I found myself just plain amused as I wandered the suite in search of little men with cone hats. The Sunroom! This was my favorite place!  My photo only shows half of the sunroom. I loved that we could open the windows and feel the fresh air.  I was happy to stay far away from that black couch and swivel back and forth and stare out at the spiral fire escape.  Don's back and my cold felt much better, after we had a glass of wine! Steps Away We were so comfy, we could have stayed put in our little sunroom. But we knew the Voodoo Lounge was just outside our door. We had to check it out.
I had a cold and hardly wanted a drink, but the bartender had no other customers and he seemed quite eager to make me some kind of purple cocktail, that I didn't attempt to finish.
Don ordered a Sazerac and reminded himself later... "Save Sazeracs for the real New Orleans." But we had a nice chat, decorated our drinks with some Mardi Gras beads and then headed to the car in search of food. Out Back Don and I don't usually wimp out on our overnight adventures. But we'd been on the road returning from a family reunion. We were pooped and not hungry after a late lunch. We opted for a dinner of travel nibbles. We headed out the front, then down the steps of the narrow passage between our hotel and another building.
As we headed to the small parking lot behind the hotel, I looked back and counted 6 stories. Oh yeah. That's Eureka Springs for you. 4 floors in front and 6 in back. Tricky job building hillside structures!  From the alley-street behind, we had a good view of our funny sunroom, built out over a balcony which held air-conditioner units. Curious! Nighttime After nibbling away on dinner of cheese and crackers, I headed out to see our hotel after dark. The front was festive with Mardi Gras colors.
The back was eerie and grand. The spiral staircases seemed to be daring me to give it a climb!
I headed back to the front and looked at the sign. The Quarter on Spring. We would have breakfast there in the morning! The glass sidewalk was glowing blue and green, when I stepped over it. Breakfast in the Basement In the morning we were starved. The hotel had recently begun serving breakfast in their basement lounge. We traveled down the stairs, covered in Fleur-de-lis carpet.
Kind of like the VooDoo Lounge, we were the only guests.  The gold sparkly walls and black linens could have seemed creepy, but it was actually a fun festive space. Surprises up High Instead of gnomes, we spotted other creatures, above the bar.  Two peacocks glowed on either side of the gator head.  Above the gator and peacocks, we could see the morning light coming down through the glass! What an ingenious idea, so many years ago! Basement lighting! Eggs Benedict We've had some memorable New Orleans' brunches. over the years. Our breakfast at New Orleans Hotel was memorable and tasty!  For $13. I had a fabulous feast... while wearing my Mardi Gras tee-shirt! Don ordered the chef's special Pancake Pasta for $13. Lemon Poppyseed Buttermilk pancakes, served in pasta-like strips... with fruit compote sauce! Yummy and fun!
I had to show Don how to properly eat his pasta breakfast! We were delighted when Chef JC came out of the kitchen and chatted for a bit. It was a nice way to end our stay at the curious New Orleans Hotel. What's Notable? We stayed in a 131-year-old, stone and brick hotel, in probably the most picturesque town in Arkansas. I'll remember the iron balconies and spiral fire escape. I'll remember how unusually quiet the town and hotel seemed. I'll remember the surprise of the delicious breakfast in the festive basement.
I'll remember a comfy bed and a good night's sleep, in the center of our very odd Presidential Suite with gnomes and black accents... and peeling couch and the pleasant sunroom with swivel chairs and alley view. Oh my! It was an unusual stay for sure!
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Lucky Lodge Stay Getting National Park Lodge reservations, is always a tricky thing. In the past we've booked a year in advance. But, last summer Don and I snagged a last-minute, cancelled room at Crater Lake Lodge.  We were also lucky just getting to the lodge. Snow closed one of the roads and we drove through rain on the other. But, the clouds began to lift when we arrived! Double Lucky We were double lucky when we returned a week later with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter!  This time we managed to get TWO last minute, lake-view rooms AND the sun was out! (Not all luck. I must admit, I spent an insane amount of time online and on my phone.) The Lake The manmade structure looked mighty impressive as we approached. But it was hard to compete with the natural beauty behind the lodge. Crater Lake is the deepest and bluest lake in the United States!  The hotel is perched on the rim of a caldera, made by a massive volcanic eruption over 7,000 years ago! The scenery is even more stunning, when you know how it was created. Glad It's Here Don and I have stayed in about 10 National Park Lodges. This one has had a more troubling history than any of the others. Evidently Crater Lodge was a total mess, when it was rescued from demolition, in 1989.  The lodge's initial opening in 1917, was more pitiful than grand. Construction wasn't even completed, when they opened their doors to guests. Serious construction flaws, along with money problems, meant the lodge never had its real heyday. It fumbled along for years. Arriving in 2023 Don and I arrived on a Friday in mid June. The stone and shingled exterior looked spotless.  Our visit was nearly 30 years after the reopening In 1995. It took 6 years of rehabilitation and reconstruction. The roof no longer sagged like it did in 1989. Lobby The lobby felt welcoming with the stone fireplace, Stickley (reproduction) chairs and the original bark-covered columns.
The floors were bright and clean, unlike 3 decades ago. During renovation, 22 different kinds of carpet were discovered. I'm trying to imagine all the smells during that removal. Ugh. The Great Hall All was peaceful in the Great Hall... in the early morning hours. When we arrived in the late afternoon, things were a little more hopping.  When I looked up at the 13-foot beamed ceilings and classic light fixtures, I tried to imagine how the interior looked when the weary lodge closed down before renovation. I read that there were bug zappers hanging and florescent lights.  With both visits, we were lucky to find seats near the grand fireplace. It helps to have a grand-toddler, who wakes very early! 1917 Over 100 years ago, the fireplace was also a favorite gathering area.  Although the interior looks massive and sturdy in this old photo, the hotel structure was doomed from the beginning. The light wood-frame construction of the lodge, never held up to the elements.  The stones of this fireplace were numbered for reconstruction, before they were taken apart. Charlie Explores It was nice that Don and I had our stay a week earlier. We knew what to expect when our energetic 2-year-old granddaughter was introduced.  It's a little nerve-wracking having a toddler near an enormous fireplace opening. There was no fire screen. And the 2 squirrel andirons seemed to be luring her closer. Luckily the crackling heat warned all of us, if we stepped too close. Smokey Bear and More Squirrels I told Charlie we should go on a hunt for some other squirrels and a Smokey Bear or two. We found Smokey next to another fireplace, which wasn't lit.
We found a couple lamps with carved squirrels! I now notice that Charlie and the squirrel are striking the same pose... only the squirrel is holding a nut, not a pacifier! Stairs! Unlike some historic lodges, we did have elevator options. But the stairs were curious and offered good exercise.  One set of stairs looked like something out of an old hospital. Very sterile!  The bark-covered stairs in the corner of the Great Hall were charming. As was the little game table with log-and-twig chairs. The stairs were actually quite a workout for some of us, not used to an elevation of over 7,000 feet.  I'm sure the plexiglass-glass was added in the last renovation. I appreciated the addition, when I took Charlie on Climbing Missions.  My mission was to tire Charlie out a bit, so she might sit a spell with us! She loved to explore and was not too interested in sitting in a chair for very long. And how could I resist, when for the 20th time Charlie asked, "Grandma, I wanna climb stairs please?" Sitting Options There were numerous little gathering areas in the Great Hall. The Mission style furniture fit the decor. Unlike some antique furniture, it happened to be comfortable.  After our stair-climbing, Charlie was happily lured into a comfy chair, with a fruit bar.  Our little group settled into a cozy area, while other families gathered nearby, with their kids and crayons and books. I didn't see anyone looking at a cellphone! Such a pleasant, homey atmosphere.  Charlie didn't stay seated too long, but she was thoroughly entertained with scarves... and her Baby Yoda...  And when Buster brought us some drinks from the bar, Charlie was quite delighted to have a new face in the mix.  Our cheery bar server told Charlie that he had a sister, with the same name as Charlie. Buster came back to check on us and was happy to snap our photo...  ...but he wasn't any more skilled than the rest of us, in convincing Charlie to remove her Paci. Rockers on the Veranda The Great Hall wasn't the only place with wonderful seating options.  The Veranda had a nice line up of rocking chairs, overlooking the lake.
On our first Friday visit, the rockers were all taken, until a large group headed in for dinner reservations. Then Don and I had a wonderful time rocking and taking in the view.  A week later, no one was fighting over the Veranda chairs. The weather had warmed to 69 degrees and there was a mosquito invasion. What a shame... but it was sort of comical watching from inside, as unknowing guests discovered the attacking pests! Veranda at Sunrise The Lodge Veranda offered impressive views at both sunrise and sunset, if you were willing to put up with bugs or chilly temps.  I got up around 5 am, to catch the sunrise on the first visit. I headed downstairs expecting to see no one, but there were a number of guests with cameras, in the wee morning hours.  No one was sitting in a rocking chairs, when the sun began to peek out. There were no voices, either. Just the sound of serious cameras clicking.  I stepped away with my cellphone camera. As soon as the sun hit the lodge, the photographers headed inside.
I could have had my pick of the rockers. I did for a moment... but it was cold! Dining at the Lodge The Lodge Dining Room has changed very little in a century.  Back in 1917, the tables were covered with linen, but that's about the only difference.  There were only a few tables with good lake views. Don and I didn't ask for one, when we made reservations the first time. The restaurant was packed. Don and His Fish We sat in the middle of the room and focussed on our food.  Don's expression looks skeptical, but he was actually very pleased with his steelhead filet.
I was sorry they no longer used the Crater Lake Lodge China, which I saw on display. But I did enjoy my salad and creamy broccoli-cheese soup. Not my usual choice for a summer dinner, but we were in a lodge, with snow outside! Dining With the Fam On our Friday evening with the "kids" we ended up with a great table next to the window.  It helped that we made reservations for 8:00. Most families were vacating tables. Sunset By about 9 pm, it was time to dash outside and take a quick photo.  Snow, lake, pines, pink sunset and not a single bite! Food? I actually don't remember what we ate. Sometimes that happens when I'm in good company.
I just remember that everyone was happy with their food and happy to be together. This was the first night on the road with our gang. Don and I were caravanning with Heidi, Jamie and Charlie, during their move to Texas. They were excited to experience Crater Lake, before moving away from the state. We were excited to get them back in Texas! Guest Rooms Making last minute reservations meant we took whatever we could get. On our first visit, Don and I stayed on the top floor, overlooking the lake.  Higher rooms usually have better views. But my exterior photo shows the shed roof dormers... which meant the higher windows were more restricted. Room 319 We headed down the hall wondering what our room would look like. National Park Lodges aren't known for luxury.  The hall looked a bit spiffier than many old lodges. No dark creepy lodge halls at Crater Lake. Cozy Room We really can't complain. The room was a decent size, with a comfy chair for Don's problem back. We had a queen bed instead of a double. There was a coffee maker and a bathtub. We've stayed in much tinier lodge quarters.  I was eager to get over to the window and take in the view! The scenery was indeed spectacular, but the height of the third floor window was tricky.  I felt like a kid, standing on my toes to look out. I opened the window and heard voices below, but couldn't see down. Finally I grabbed a chair and climbed up for a better view! 5:08 A.M. In the early morning, the window view was the most dramatic. A faint light woke me around 5 am.  I grabbed my phone and took this photo at 5:08! Then I tossed clothes and a jacket over my pajamas and ran downstairs to welcome the morning! Room 215 Our room was on the second floor, for our next stay. We have a little person in this picture to show the difference.  Charlie spent some time in Grandma and Pop Pop's room while her parents unloaded the car. Kids appreciate a good view as much as adults. No need for climbing chairs in Room 215!
The king bed was a welcome change, also. We had a regular tub, which was fine. Some have claw-footed tubs.
National Park Lodges don't do TVs. Who needs them, when you can stare out the window for your entertainment! Outside Time We didn't get any hikes in, on either visit. But we did some posing, with the lake...
... and with the snow!  Jamie and Heidi got in a quick selfie before we checked out.  Grandma managed a quick photo with Charlie, before we headed to the car! Good-Bye Crater Lake Both visits were way too quick, with not nearly enough lake time. I did absorb some facts though. Wizard Island is really a volcanic cinder cone! Crater Lake is 1,943 feet deep and holds 4.9 trillion gallons of water! The view across is 6 miles! I'll probably forget those fun facts, but I'll remember the notable stuff. What's Notable? We stayed in a lodge that was cleaner and fresher and sturdier than the day it opened in 1917. When we relaxed by the fireplace, it was hard to imagine the lodge in its decayed state, 30+ years ago.  I'll remember the feel of the lodge when it was empty and quiet, as well as when it was full of activity. It was fun to see families gathering, and solo guests reading and couples playing cards. It felt like the visitors were behaving like guests from 100 years ago!  So our memories will be a combination of cozy lodge & stunning lake. Both lake and lodge have amazing histories.
I'll remember that wonderful combo well. But honestly, I'll mostly remember that Don and I stayed twice... and enjoyed our time with family, twice as much! Near the California/Nevada Border Last June, Don and I visited the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. We stayed the night at the "Border House", in Crystal Bay.
The tidy sign could have belonged to a trendy modern resort, but our hotel opened nearly 90 years ago. It began as a more of a boarding house, but got its current name because of its location, next to the CA/NV border. Hotel and Casino Connection We arrived on a drizzly afternoon. The historic bungalow (once named Cal-Vada Hotel) sat just steps away from "Crystal Bay Club Casino"...with its retro sign.
The 2 are now connected by ownership. (We actually checked in for our room key, inside the casino.) The quaint historic hotel and shimmery-retro casino, share some pretty interesting history. Starting in the 1920's In 1927, Cal-Vada Lodge was built in Crystal Bay, (Nevada) next to the border. This was before gaming was legal in Nevada.  In 1935, the craftsman-style Cal-Vada Hotel was added. You can spot it, behind the other buildings. Cal-Vada Hotel The homey building with shingled walls, was originally used as a resort and casino.  Today, the brown bungalow with its porches and gabled roof, looks much the same. It holds 10 guest rooms. Bigger Changes The casino, however has gone through lots of facelifts. It began as Ta-Neva-Ho, in the 1930's. They seemed to like those tricky chopped-up names, back then!  In the 1950's the complex of buildings was renamed Crystal Bay Club. The North Shore resort area has suffered in recent decades, but Crystal Bay has hung in there. It was purchased and refurbished 20 years ago. And Now... a Cal-NEVA Resort Tangent! To complicate matters, there is another resort "next door" to the old Cal-Vada property. It has a similar combo-name and a similar history.  CAL-NEVA is honestly where I had hoped to book our stay. But the old resort closed down some years ago. I was able to pose with the old sign. On the Border, A Decade Ago! In 2012, Don and I were exploring the North Shore area. In Crystal Bay, we discovered a curious hotel & casino, straddling two states!  We stopped in and explored Cal-Neva Resort. I was very excited about the grand room with the dividing-lines, painted on the floor. In the photo, my left foot is in California, with my right in Nevada. From Grand Lodge to Weary Resort Both interior and exterior were odd and intriguing. With many quirky additions over the years, it was hard to imagine the original lodge, that once competed with Cal-Vada... in the 1930's. Like Cal-Vada, the Cal-Neva evolved into a somewhat swanky club resort, attracting the rich and famous, like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Kennedys.  Frank Sinatra eventually bought the resort in 1960. He entertained Marilyn Monroe here, shortly before her death. There's lots more on all this... Today The once lively Cal-Neva has been closed for many years. Don and I wandered over to see what the grand old resort looked like in 2023. A chain link fence kept us at a distance.  It didn't look so grand, with dumpster and port-a-potty. We should have stayed for a night in 2012. I did however read about plans for a renovation, but who knows? It will probably be out of our price range. Back at the Border House It would have been fun to stay in a kitschy casino, but it was actually pretty curious staying in one of the original resort buildings of Crystal Bay.  We didn't spot any other cars when we arrived. We wondered if we'd be the only guests.  A door on the porch opened to a curiously decorated sitting area. We took the stairs up to our room, #9.  The door opened to a spacious room, with some curious decor. I appreciated the space and having 2 useable. That was helpful, since the room was warm and stuffy, on a day that looked damp and cold.  The room seemed uncomfortably dim. (more than my photo) The comically lumpy bed and stone fireplace, looked like something from a storybook. Three Bears maybe? Don searched for a good chair. (back issues brewing) He gave the desk chair a look. Nope.
The velvety chair by the fireplace had potential, but Don's broad shoulders barely fit. Luxury Bathroom The bathroom was also spacious, with large shower and spa tub. There was a TV high on the wall, if I'd had time to soak.  I appreciated having 2 sinks and 2 mirrors. You can be sure the bathrooms didn't look like this in 1937. Odd... There were a few things that sort of amused me, with our spiffy bathroom set up. Like the oddly wrapped robes and the curtain that served as a door between the guest room and bath room.
The pink sparkle light above the toilet gave me a little chuckle. I must say the towels were very fluffy, though. Where to Sit? Before dinner, Don and I searched for a spot to relax with a glass of wine before dinner. That's part of every hotel adventure. But where? The room just felt too dark for lounging. We headed outside to check out the patio and porches.  The patio might have been nice if the rain hadn't left the area so soggy.  So we found 2 wicker chairs on the side of the porch. Finally, Don was able to rest his back and I got to swivel back and forth. (almost as good as a rocker. We wondered if we were the only guests. Off to the Casino! Dining at the casino was also part of our "When in Rome" kind of adventure.  We made dinner reservations for 7:30, but arrived early to explore. Besides the sounds of gaming machines and music, the place was fairly quiet.  We wandered into the "Crown Room" with its vaulted ceiling. Duwayne, who had checked me in earlier, spotted us and pointed out the display of old photos.
The large space once held Ta-Neva-Ho's bowling alley, with manual pin setters! I loved seeing the black and white images.  Today the large room has a stage, plus light & sound system. The old bowling alley is now a music venue, attracting locals and travelers. Crystal Bay Steak & Lobster House Initially I thought we might want to avoid dining at the casino. I imagined a dining room just off of the casino, with sounds and smokey smells. The menu prices I'd seen online weren't the cheapest.  But Duwayne mentioned that they had a new chef who was fantastic, He also clued us in on the chef's reasonably priced nightly special. He said it wasn't on the menu, so we'd need to ask. Oh I love tips. Nice When we stepped through the gates, I could see noise and smells would not be a problem. The small bar was comfy and inviting.  I love a bar with no TV! But we passed on through to the dining room. Dining Room We stepped down, into a formal room, with rounded booths and rock walls. Only 2 other tables were taken when we arrived. It was a Thursday night...  The ceiling revealed the same octagonal shape as the vintage exterior photos I'd studied. We were told this was the original dining room. Spotlighted Couple I was happy I'd packed my paisley dress for the retro occasion.  Despite a glass of wine earlier, I had to have a martini in this atmosphere. We kept wishing there was a dimmer switch for that spotlight! Our Feasts! The menu had a pretty fine looking "Surf and Turf" for $115, but I asked our very chipper server about the chef's special. How could I resist then Top Sirloin platter, for $27.00!
Don's Filet Mignon was a bit more at $54., but it was served on a "CBC" plate with a jazzy smear of mashed potatoes and heavenly helping of green beans with almonds. He was more than pleased.  I need to share one more photo of my embarrassing plate! Next to my monster sized meat, were 3 amazing sauces for my sirloin! Creamy-sweet corn and twice baked potato smothered in cheese and crispy bacon. Even the bread (which I should have skipped) was heavenly. I couldn't even eat a quarter of my meal, but it was wonderful! Frank's Table Before we left, I took a seat at the table where Frank Sinatra used to sit when he dined.  Why would Sinatra dine here, when his own resort was a short walk away? Evidently he liked to escape attention at Cal-Neva sometimes. Supposedly he sat at that very table with Marilyn... I'm not sure I believe that. Good-Night We headed back after dinner. In the dimmer light, I tried to imagine the historic hotel and casino, how they looked in the 1950's or 1930's.
Both buildings looked quiet and tidy. So very different than casino resorts of Reno and Vegas! What's Notable? We spent the night in a hotel that was once part of resort community, back when Nevada just started to attract gamblers... as well as couples seeking fast weddings and divorces.  Our overnight adventure was a mix of historic hotel and retro casino. I wasn't sure how this notable night was going to be, when I first booked. But Don and I both kind of fell for the odd combo. We had fun exploring. We ate well. We slept well, with open windows...  And the nearby scenery wasn't bad either!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
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