It is all over...

We have completed The Great Midwest Casino Tour of 2011. I know all of you would have liked more posts, but due to some computer\camera complications we were unable to upload some of the videos that we did so I will attempt to recap the past 24 hours of our tour.

After we left Rhythm City we headed to Isle of Capri Casino in Bettendorf. We did not do so well at that casino. The cards were not falling in our direction at all. We were not there but 45 minuets but still had a fun time.

When we left that casino we headed to Marshals department store, as we needed to buy a shirt for dinner that night. We were going to Steventons in Le Claire, Iowa which is a very nice restaurant overlooking the Mississippi River. Greg and I did not pack for fancy places to eat but we adjusted! It was very very good!

After dinner we headed back out to Rhythm City, which was a big mistake. We played some video poker which was pretty fun, and lasted awhile!

Thursday was a new day, and our final day on the tour.

Day 3 Stop 1 Complete

Leaving Rhythm City in Davenport. I am up $1 Bryce is even. Got $10 cash, a coffee mug, and a lunch box for signing up for a players card. Bryce got a tshirt for his birthday. Just arrived at Isle of Capri Casino in Bettendorf.

Day 3 Has Begun!

Day 3 has begun in a delicious fashion. Started out with breakfast across the river at Brothers Family Restaurant, a hole in the wall place but still very yummy. Restrooms were small and cramped. We stopped to see Antique Archeology, the shop featured in the show American Pickers. Depending on how we do at the casinos today, we may make a trip back to purchase a few things.

VIDEOS!

OUCH!!

Oh How The Tables Have Turned...

Well, we just left Prairie Meadows and oh what a trip it was.

After lunch, we sauntered over to the table games to find a seat at the Blackjack table. Unfortunately for us though, all the tables were full. So we wandered a little more, playing some slots along the way. I came out $1 ahead after I left the slots to go check on Bryce and see how he was doing at the Blackjack table. He was doing quite well.

"Things got off to a slow start. A lot of mediocre hands I fared decently in. There were some high dollar players there which was a little intimidating. I walked away from the first table with $65, so I was up $15. We then went to a new table and met a few new friends. The pit boss and the dealer were very helpful in giving us advice on basic strategy. They also seemed very interested in our Casino Tour. Cashed out with $85 after $10 in tips."

We filled up with gas at the truck stop across the road from Adventureland. Station had a fairly high level of cleanliness and the scenery was pretty good ;-)

On our way to Le Claire right now. Going to try and study/practice a little Blackjack tonight so we can fare a little better in Davenport and Bettendorf tomorrow.

Lunch Time

Eating lunch at Prairie Meadows right now. We aren't exactly doing so well with the slots so we're taking a break and gonna hit up the blackjack tables soon.

We each got bacon cheeseburgers. Bryce got onion rings and a taco salad as well. I just got fries.

9 Hours of Sleep Later...

It is now 11:29AM an d we are FINALLY on the road. First stop of the day is Bryce's Grandmother's house for lunch. We are a little behind schedule due to the fact that I had some trouble awakening from my deep slumber. To my credit though, Bryce was awake and didn't even bother coming and telling me to get up. So I feel as if we are both at fault here.


After Grandma Joyce's, we will be heading to Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa to try our luck there. Hopefully we can do a little better than yesterday and win some gas money.

A special shout out to Eric and Alison Swanson (Bryce's Uncle and Aunt) for their exceptional hospitality. The food was delicious and we thank them very much for welcoming us into home. Their house was amazing and the scenery was lovely. Even got to see a few packs of deer in the backyard.

One thing we have noticed in our travels is that there is a lot of trash on the side of the roads. A LOT more than in Illinois. Probably because we have a lot of former governors cleaning it up.

That is all for this hour. Stay tuned for more updates.

Day 2

Woke up around 9:12. Going to have some monkey bread and cereal for breakfast. Greg has yet to awaken. Slept on the pull out couch in the play room, pretty comfortable for a pull out.

Again we are very grateful for Eric and Alison who have let us invade their home for a night, and made us wonderful food!

THANK YOU.

Today's stops include:

Grandma Joyce's House

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino

Riverside Casino(Time Dependent)

Le Claire, Iowa.

Thanks for following!

A few things..

Due to some people complaining about the lack of information in our blog, here is some updates that we missed:

1) We had taco bell at the World's Largest Truck Stop in Walcott Iowa

2) The Kum and Go gas station in Colfax has nice bathrooms

3) Greg's favorite part of Iowa is the Kum and Go gas stations

4)Did not see any cows

5) Since we joined the free club at Terrible Casino and got a free hat\tshirt, a deck of playing cards, and discount at gas. I got a 22.50 worth of gas and a lottery ticket for 20.72. That's a steal!

6) My biggest win was of the $1 ticket I bought at the gas station and won $8

Day 1 Recap

After several stops (Bryce had to pee) we finally made it to our first stop of the trip: Terrible's Riverside Casino in Osceola, Iowa. At first glance, the place looks a lot like Par-a-dise in Peoria but the inside is A LOT nicer. Bigger expanses of aisle space lend this "boat" to a lot of roaming room.

We started our journey at Terrible's with valet parking (a nice thing to a couple country boys like ourselves) and then entered the facility.Our first stop was at the service desk to get our player cards. 500 free points for each of us (the equivalent of $5), a t-shirt for myself and a hat for Bryce and we were off to the races. Not literally of course, we were really just off to the penny slots. We played those for a while and actually did fairly well. Both of us came out ahead after leaving the slots to head to the Blackjack table. This is where things got frustrating.

We started at the table with $40 each. It was fairly quick, however, that we were both down to half-stacks of our chips. The cards were just not falling, especially for Bryce. If he had a 16, the deal had a 5 showing, if he had an 18, the dealer had a 7 showing. It was just that kinda day for him. I fared a little better and broke even before leaving and found that a good place to quit.

In total, we spent an hour and a half at Terrible's. Didn't really win a whole lot but didn't lose either. Bryce did win $8 on a scratch off lottery ticket at the gas station after we left the casino though. So, we consider that a win.

After we left the casino we came to Waukee, Iowa and we had a WONDERFUL meal at Bryce's aunt and uncle's house. We greatly appreciate their hospitality for letting us stay with them.

Tomorrow, it is off to Bryce's grandmother's for a quick visit, then we take our tour to Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa and (MAYBE) Riverside Casino in Iowa City, Iowa.

**BONUS**
Enjoy this video of us "singing" along to the radio during the drive:

And We're Off!!

After minor technical difficulties (thank you Langston Hall Dryers) we are well on our way. We just left the I-80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa for lunch. About 3 hours until our first stop of the tour: Terrible's Lakeside Casino in Osceola, Iowa. Will update you all after we leave there. Until then, enjoy the pics of our trip so far!

The Night before...

Twas the night before the trip, and all was supposed to be packed and loaded into the car. Well as many of you know college students tend to procrastinate and here we are. it is 11:13 and not even the suitcase has come out yet. It will get done, somehow always does. We have been practice the table games so we can win a lot of money.

We are grateful for my family that has so graciously let us stay with them so we can save some money on hotel rooms. They will also be cooking us some wonderful food! The plan of action is below and we will have updated blog entries every day. If you are near feel free to hit us up, and we will get together. If you are in a city that we will be headed through let us know, as we will be looking for lunch stops!

For right now that is all, again the plan of attack is below. Thanks for reading!

Monday March 15
Depart Eureka @ approx. 9:00 AM
Arrive in Osceola (Terrible's Lakeside Casino) @ approx 2:00 PM
Stay Night in Des Moines

Tuesday March 16
Altoona (Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino)
Depart Des Moines @ approx 3 PM
Arrive in Le Claire @ approx 6 PM
Stay Night in Le Claire

Wednesday March 17
Bettendorf (Isle of Capri)
Davenport (Rhythm City Casino)
Stay Night in Le Claire

Thursday March 18
Clinton (Wild Rose Casino)
Clinton (Mississippi Belle Riverboat)
Depart Clinton @ approx 2 PM
Milan, IL (Jumer's Casino and Hotel) (?)
Arrive in Peoria @ approx 7 PM
Peoria, IL (Paradise Hotel and Casino)

Arrive in Eureka @ approx 10 PM

Trip

Hey guys check back here for daily updates from our trip!