A New Mexico trip......

Fast Eddie · A New Mexico trip......

I received a mail offer through Harrahs for the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It included 3 nights at $39.99 (rack rate $200) per night, $75 per day in free slot play; free breakfast buffet for two and a 25% discount at the Sandia golf course for two. I talked about it with my friend, Charlie, who loves playing golf in NM and he said if I’d book it, he would go. So, I did. Thursday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 19.

I left here (Shawnee, OK) at about 4 Wednesday afternoon. Got to his house in Norman, OK (home of the OU Sooners, for those who don’t know) at almost 5 p.m. Filled the gas tank - $2.39 per gallon. And, away we went.

We drove as far as Amarillo, Texas and arrived around 9:00 p.m. We stopped at The Big Texan steakhouse for dinner. http://www.bigtexan.com/ For those who don’t know, the Big Texan is the one that advertises nationwide about their 72 oz steak dinner that is free if you can eat it all in an hour. It includes the HUGE steak, shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato and bread. I didn’t bring my camera in to start with ( I ran out to the car and got it after they started) and did not get a picture of the entire meal. But, while we were there, two guys tried it. The one on the right (the big guy) gave up. The smaller one actually finished it and won his free meal. We asked the waitress and learned that, if you try and lose, the meal costs a dollar a pound. That’s $72 for those (like me) who are slow at arithmetic.

Our server at the restaurant. I invited her to go with me for the rest of the weekend, but she politely declined....something about a husband:

Next morning, we were on the road early and drove to Paa-ko Ridge golf course in the Sandia Mountains. For those among us who enjoy golf, it is a destination in and of itself. It is rated in the top 100 public courses in America (Golf Magazine). The views are simply awesome. And, the course is beautiful, intimidating and difficult. But, the beer cart girls were cute. Don’t ask my score.

After golf, we drove on to the north side of Albuquerque to our home for the next three nights - Sandia Resort and Casino. This property is owned by the Sandia Pueblo (tribe), but is somehow connected to Harrahs. Our room was quite nice - two queen beds, large TV, spacious bathroom with a separate shower, small refrigerator, iron, ironing board and a safe.

We had a view to the south toward Albuquerque.

View back toward the east over the golf course clubhouse:

If you look VERY, VERY closely, you can see a couple of hot air balloons in flight. There were none close enough for a good picture.

After checking in, we went to the casino and got players cards (not Harrahs) and I went off to try the free play. Since I don’t play slot machines, I used it in a video poker machine. The free play was good for a 24 hour period from noon of that day. First, I had to insert the card and play at least one hand using my own money. Then, I could download the free play. It could not be cashed in and could not be transferred to another machine. I had to play through it and, then, I could cash out any profit. That first night, I played it through a $1 8/5 Jacks or Better machine and made a profit of $190. Following that, we wandered the casino a bit and looked around. The best VP I found was $.25 8/5 JOB progressive. The royal was a bit over $1500. The blackjack tables were either $5 or $25 minimum. Most tables were using CSMs. There was one $25 and one $5 table with six deck shoes. But, those did NOT allow mid-shoe entry. That’s pretty strange for a shoe game.

For you slot players, I have no information. I don’t play them and didn’t pay any attention to what there are.

The craps was real craps with 5 times odds.

For a light dinner, we ate at the snack bar, the Kowira Grill. It was okay. Off to bed.

Friday, we were up early. I went downstairs for coffee and a bit of VP. Lost about $30, I think. We had breakfast at the buffet at the hotel. It was pretty standard - decent breakfast fare with an omelette station. No complaints. Then, we were on the road. We drove up north to Santa Fe, NM and beyond to Black Mesa golf course. This is another highly rated course and lives up to its ratings. It was, to a flatlander like me, just breathtaking. On the downside, there were areas marked “Rattlesnake Habitat.” I usually hit my ball into those. Just in case, I took a sand wedge with me when I went to retrieve my ball. We had a really good time and loved the golf course. Again, don’t ask my score.

After the long drive (70 miles) back to the hotel, we took in the Friday night seafood buffet. It was, I think, $26.00 and included snow crab, mussels, various types of fish, etc. It was good, but not outstanding. After that, I played a bit of craps and eked out a small loss. I bought in for $300 and cashed out with $254. Actually, I bought in for $200, lost that and bought another $100 and managed to come back to only $46 down. I considered that a victory and quit. I went to my $1 VP machine and played my free play for a $90 profit. So, I was still up a bit. Bedtime.

Saturday morning - more coffee and VP. Lost $20 while drinking coffee. We ate breakfast at the buffet again and just killed time for a while. This day, we were playing at the hotel, using the 25% discount, so no driving was involved. After the discount, it was $66.00, I think. Sandia is a course in the foothills carved out of the desert. It is nice and well maintained, but doesn’t have the dramatic scenery and elevation changes that were so prevalent with the other two courses. Although we were not as impressed, we did enjoy playing there. I wouldn’t go back just to play that course, but it was fun to do once.

While playing Saturday, we listened to the OU-Kansas football game on the radio. Charlie had brought his satellite radio for that purpose. When we finished golf, we went to the sports bar in the hotel and watched the remainder of the game on TV while drinking a couple of brews.

After the game, I went up and took a nap for a couple of hours. Early on a Saturday night!! I guess I’m getting old. Actually, I know I am. But, I digress. I finished the nap and went downstairs to play for a while. This is where the bloodbath began. I couldn’t win at anything. I played the $25 blackjack table and dropped $400 in what seemed like no time. The dealer was just crushing us. So, I tried craps. Lost $200 there. Went to the $1 VP machines. Lost $100 in a heartbeat. Downloaded my free play and made a whopping $40 profit. Decided I didn’t have enough Preparation H to play anymore, so I went up to bed.

Sunday morning, I got up early again (usually between 5 and 6 for those who are curious), showered, dressed and went down for coffee. First, I went to the $.25 VP progressive machines and saw that some goober had won my royal. So, I decided to play some Deuces Wild. Put in $20 and hit max bet. First hand I got three deuces with a 7 and 4 of hearts which is straight flush paying (on that machine) 50 coins. But, Bob Dancer’s WinPoker says throw away the off cards and draw for the fourth deuce. I held my breath, closed my eyes and did what good ole Bob said. And, up popped the 4th deuce. $250.00 on the first hand. I played off the $20 I had put in and cashed out. Then, it was off to the blackjack table. I found the lone $5 shoe game and waited for the end of the shoe. Bought in for $100 and, in about 30 minutes, cashed out $245. Colored up and left.

Went upstairs, threw my stuff in the bag and we were off. We left Albuquerque at 9:10 a.m. and got back to Charlie’s house at 5:30 that afternoon. A tad over 500 miles in 8 hours and 20 minutes. While I won’t admit to breaking the speed limit, there might have been a time or two when I bent it just a bit.

Observations - for any who care.

1. Sandia (and, I think every New Mexico casino) does NOT allow alcoholic beverages on the casino floor. They serve coffee, tea, water and soft drinks (complimentary), but you cannot drink in the casino. Weird, huh?

2. Sandia does NOT allow you to bring your own alcoholic beverages from outside into the hotel. You must purchase from them in the hotel. And, FYI, a six-pack of beer through room service is $35.00. Friday night, before returning to the hotel, Charlie and I stopped at a convenience store and bought a six pack of beer. We put three each in our golf bags and, upon parking, carried our bags up to our room. After all, we were playing there on Saturday.

3. This was a golfing weekend and I enjoyed it as such. Very much. But, New Mexico is definitely NOT a gaming destination. I don’t know about y’all, but I want a freakin’ beer or something while I’m gambling.

4. The casino did not have regular VP bars as we know them. Not even coffee/soft drink bars. The only bars were outside the gaming area. And, the only VP was in rows of machines along with the slot machines.

5. On the downside, I didn’t find even one hooker while there. I guess I’m losing my touch.

Final observation:

I really need to learn just a bit about photography.[/url]

LunaToon

First of all Ed, you take fantastic pictures, so don't sell yourself short. (Ever think about doing travel brochures?)

It sounds like a really nice trip for golfing but as you pointed out the gambling and drinking left a lot to be desired, LOL. Thouhgt it was funny sneaking beer into the hotel like a couple of frat boys! At $35 a six pack for room service the least they could do is serve the beer in crystal goblets and dab your upper lip! Geeez.

It was a good getaway anyway. Looks like some rough golfing through some of those places, kinda reminded me of the scenery they used to film the old "Lost in space" series. Glad you had a good time and shared it with us.

Cheers
LunaToon

Stew

Sounds and looks like a great getaway, Ed. Pix are great! The only downside I could mention was the gambling, but what the Hey, you're on a getaway! Looks like an enjoyable one.
Thanks for sharing.

Jean

Ed,
What a great trip, the steak house looks like a fun place. I've had some good times in those Texas roadhouses (just a few years ago). The steaks weren't that big though...lol

I can't believe you two juvenile's would sneek contraband into a hotel!!! ROFL

The pictures of that golf course were awesome. All I can say, is that course had to be a challenge even for a pro. Rough.....is the word for it.

Thanks for a fun report, Ed. I really enjoyed it.

GaPam

Ed,
I really enjoyed reading your report and all the pictures. Sounds like a fun getaway. I can't imagine even attempting to eat a steak that big. That small guy must have hollow legs like my husband. lol
The pictures were awesome. The scenery at the golf course is beautiful. It gives you something to look at while you search for your golf ball right? lol
Thanks for the report Ed.

LA

Enjoyed the report Ed. Sounds like a good time with some nice scenery to go along with it. Got a kick out that big steak thing. I kid you not, there was a time when I probably could've porked down one of those suckers and never looked back. If I tried it now I'd end up in the ER.

Your pictures were very good too! Thanks for sharing.

(Where you going next????)

WILynn

Ed, thanks for the report. Sounds as if the gambling would have been ok if you'd skipped Saturday night! Your pics are great. It sounds like a great time, but, I won't ask your scores. LOL.

That 72 oz steak is HUGE! The price would be too, if you couldn't eat it all. Have a feeling having to eat all the sides too hurts a lot of people. (Not that I could eat even just the steak in an hour). I think my step-son might be able to do it, though.

I remember staying at a casino in the Minneapolis area. NO alcohol allowed anywhere on premises including the hotel. I brought a cooler in with Diet Coke, which they searched. My husband walked in with a 48 oz Big Gulp container full of Whiskey, which they didn't even think about. LOL.

Thanks for sharing, Ed. Can't wait to hear about your next adventure.