RV PARK REVIEW - Gold Ranch Verdi Casino & RV Resort

MAY 2013
DISCLAIMER: We are not paid to endorse or slam any RV park we review, the owners/operators are unaware of any position or personal opinion we make and/or post until after the fact. 

We headed to the Reno, NV area to visit old friends and found Gold Ranch Casino Verdi & RV Resort was just what we were looking for in a RV Resort. We wanted to be near our friends Jimmy and Sue, Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Virginia City ... you know a site that's convenient for playing tourist. It's situated in a beautiful setting nestled up against the Sierra Nevada Mountains with paved level sites. Gold Ranch features a fun casino with sit down restaurant, fast food for dine-in or drive-thru, gas station, pool & spa, clubhouse, laundry and bath house. The RV Resort is located just 2 miles from the California/Nevada state line with easy access off I-80W, exit 2.

Amenities at this Good Sam campground include:

• 105 fully paved sites, including 68 wide pull-throughs      
• Comfortably spaced lush green sites with 24-hour security
• Full hook-ups - 20/30/50 amps
• Wireless Internet at every site (fee applies)
• Clean showers and laundry facilities
• Clubhouse with fireplace, television, and free Wi-Fi
• Heated pool and Jacuzzi
• Two restaurants to choose from: the Sierra Café and Jack-In-The-Box
• Pets welcome
• Mail/Fax service available
• 24-hour convenience store and Chevron gas station

Our very peaceful and serene campsite.

All rates based on one RV and one tow per site include: Tax, electric, water, sewer, cable TV, 50 amp, pets, extra person (max 4 per site), clubhouse, pool and spa, gleaming showers and restroom facilities.  A 10% discount on daily rates for Good Sam and AARP members, and they offer weekly and extended stay discount rates too.  Our nightly 2013 May rates for for a pull through was about $35.00 less our Good Sam discount. Keep in mind rates tend to change or may have seasonal rates that fluctuate.

In our check-in welcome package, we found free drinks coupons to be used in the Casino and a buy one get one free dinner at their Sierra Cafe.

After driving in from Elko, I chose the dine out option ... no cooking or clean up. We both decided on the 8 oz. Prime Rib special for $8.99 served with a choice of Potato, Seasonal Vegetable and Choice of Soup or Salad; and using the buy one get one was a savings bonus.  For the price, it was actually very good ... and the no cooking or cleaning was even better.


So, I bet you can't guess the rating we give this campground? You're right! It's an A!  I was curious, so I just checked Good Sam's ratings and they agree with me ... 10.0 Facility / 9.5 Restrooms / 9.5 Appeal. Therefore Jim and I recommend you stop in when you're in the area and try it for yourself.  

Gold Ranch Casino Verdi & RV Resort

350 Gold Ranch Rd. (I-80 W, Exit 2)

Verdi, NV 89439

Call or Click Below 

RV Reservations  877.914.6789

As the sun sets at our campsite, we thank you for following McTraveler's RV Adventures.  We anticipate you'll be back soon to join us at our next destination and for more adventures.


Until then, wishing you safe travels!
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

DESTINATION - RENO, NV - A grand reunion of a 50+ year friendship

MAY 2013

Over the years, Jim introduced Pam to a long list of junior high and high school buddies he has stayed in contact with; and I and along with their spouses were inducted into this tight knit group ... amazing friendships have grown even stronger over the years.

Last winter when we started planning our 2013 Spring RV Trip 6,000+ mile route; we had to include a visit to Reno, NV where Jim's junior high school friend Jimmy and his wife Sue reside.

McTraveler made the drive from Elko, NV to Reno, NV which unveiled greener scenery and climbing altitude as we approached the Sierra Nevadas traveling along the Humboldt River and then over the Truckee River. We settled into the Gold Ranch Casino and RV Resort* on 350 Gold Ranch Rd., Verdi, NV 89439.  We really liked this campground that's nestled into the foothills of the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  It's located on the western outskirts of Reno which was a short drive to see Jimmy and Sue.

Jimmy is also retired and graciously played the grand tour guide as Sue had to work the first couple of days of our visit.  Day one tour starts with Incline Village and Lake Tahoe where there is so much to see and do. Jim, growing up as a California boy, had been here several times; but it was my first and found the area just breath taking with it's alpine mountain views and was amazed at the size and depth of the pristine lake. For lunch, we drove down to South Lake Tahoe where you can stand on the street corner with one foot in Nevada and the other in California; but California claims this city.

I so enjoyed listening to Jim and Jimmy laugh and reminiscence about the good old days and catch up on where and what their classmates are doing now.  At times the conversation was deep as the lake, so I chose Duke Ellington and John Coltrane playing In a Sentimental Mood for day one video tour.

  

Day 2, with Jimmy still in tour guide mode, put us on a paddle boat cruise of Lake Tahoe. He took us to Zephyr Cove along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe to board the MS Dixie II.  We left the Zephyr Cove dock and meandered across the lake to Emerald Bay on the California side. Emerald Bay provided the setting for one of the first summer homes at Lake Tahoe in 1863. Vikingsholm is a magnificent castle built at Emerald Bay in 1929 and can be toured. We so enjoyed the day on the water ... a little cool, but still a perfect day to take in the picturesque scenery and enjoy an old friend's company.

After the cruise we stopped at a famous local landmark in the state capital of Carson City, Red's Old 395 Grill, reknown for their BBQ.  You walk into this fine establishment and you're immediately slapped in the face with sensory overload ... you don't know where to look first! It's a fun, quirky BBQ hangout with 101 beers on tap ... I had a smile plastered to my face and lickin' my lips with this stop.

 

Finally we got to spend time with Sue too; so we all take off for Virginia City, NV which is about 30 miles south of Reno.  Virginia City was a stopover for eastern emigrants traveling onto California. It developed into an overnight boomtown when the first major silver deposit, the Comstock Lode, discovery was made public in 1859. President Lincoln pushed through statehood for Nevada (even though the population was legally too low to do so) to help fund the Civil War. There's a history lesson on every corner in this town ... even Mark Twain wrote from here.  After a morning of touring the town, we HAD to stop in the old ice cream parlor for a cold treat. Those who know Jim, knows he's an ice cream addict. What a fun day we had together in the old pioneer mining town.  

Sue and Jimmy

Jim and I both have been blessed with long term friendships, and we cherish this one too.  So we thank Jimmy and Sue for taking time to make this reunion so special. Having a personal tour guide sure spoiled us!  We loved our time with you and hope you will join us for a ride along in McTraveler very soon.

And we thank you, our readers, for following our adventures.  Stay tuned for the next destination; and until then we wish you safe travels!

Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie



*Note: Our campground has since changed their name to Gold Ranch Verdi Casino which we recommend if you're in the area.

July-September 2013: WE ARE FAMILY - Part 2

               The family adventures continues ...                      

Bob and Donna take time out of their busy schedule
helping  fellow campers to have lunch at our campsite

Well McTraveler left Pam's Kentucky family to make a beeline to Jim's side in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. 

Jim's brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Donna, own the KOA there which makes it so easy to visit family. We so love coming here for family and the shear beauty of the Ozarks...so much to see and do.

Our niece and grand niece

While in Eureka Springs, Donna's daughter and grand baby from California came to visit which made our trip even more special.

But FAMILY isn't always about the people in you life who are blood relations. It's about the people in your life who want you to be in theirs. It's about the people in your life who accept you for who you are, support you in the things you choose to do and no matter what are there for you. It's the people in your life who love you, respect you and who you can depend on. Now That's FAMILY too. 

Ernie and family

With that said, we also had the pleasure to meet some of our RV family in Eureka Springs.  Ernie left Montana, his daughter, son-in-law and the grand kids came up from Texas; and all met in Eureka Springs.  

Yet another RV family, Kim and Don, came over from Harrison for the day to visit too. These fine folks went way out of their way to spend time with us and we so appreciate them and our time together.  The RV community is really a tight knit group who love and support each other just like kin-folk do.






So what do you do to entertain 12 people of all different ages? Well you go to Starkey Marina on Beaver Lake and rent a pontoon for the day for more family fun in the Ozarks!  Watch the video of our day on the lake here.

PerfectFamily Fun Perfection!

Family togetherness continues around the table; there's always lots of good food involved with get our togethers.  We had a scrumptious cookout, some swimming for the kids, and then S'MORES around the campfire...another perfect day.

Everyone else departed, so Jim and Bob went on a golf outing and Donna and I had our girls day too.  We toured the Eureka Springs Historical Museum which is housed in the 1889 Calif Building in the heart of the downtown Historic District. The museum tells the wonderful story of Eureka Springs start as a place of wondrous healing spring waters  ... Donna and I just love these history lessons. 

So we only had a couple of days alone with Bob and Donna before meeting up with Ernie on his Texas ranch; that will be addressed in a different blog post.  This hectic visit wasn't nearly enough quality time so as promised we were back by Labor Day. 

So we put on the KOA yellow shirts once again as workcampers for the long Labor Day holiday weekend.  The campground was a very busy sell-out!  Bob and Donna provided their campers with a watermelon cutting ... boy do campers love their watermelon! We had perfect weather and all the campers so enjoyed their stay.  

The above photos are from our countryside day trip drive to Fayettesville; our destination was the Northwest Arkansas Mall to shop for new glasses.  It was a very enjoyable, beautiful drive and had we a bite to eat while out.  Jim and I so cherish our time together.

The guys had another round of golf and the girls drove to Golden, Missouri to see the Golden Pioneer Museum.  In 1993, the Prier family of Golden, took over the Trail of Tears Museum Collection and combined it with their collection of Carnival Glass and American Pioneer artifacts to create the museum of today. They continue to add to their collections and don't see how they can cram anything else into the building. As you can see below, Donna and I had the perfect drive from Eureka Springs, across the one lane bridge in Beaver, AR to Golden, MO.

The museum collection was amazing and would take days to see it all.  We were stunned at the black light displays of Carnival glass and a gem/mineral rock collections that glowed in the dark.  It was a shame that my camera battery died right when I was going to take a photo of the glowing rocks.  We sistahs always have a great time together no matter what's on the agenda; and we thoroughly enjoyed our day at this museum ...

Maxx and Mollie get one last treat from Aunt Donna as we say our family farewells until next time.

We are so glad we made the trip back to Eureka Springs to spend extra time with family; and that the brothers got to share many meals together.

So we thank for you for making this family journey with us and hope to see you back soon for more McTraveler Adventures.

Until then, we wish you safe travels!
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

July - September 2013: WE ARE FAMILY - Part 1

¹fam·i·ly

 noun \ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə-\

: a group of people who are related to each other

: a person's children

: a group of related people including people who lived in the past

In human context, a family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity (by recognized birth), affinity (by marriage), or co-residence (household).

As the basic unit for raising children, Anthropologists most generally classify family organization as matrifocal (a mother and her children); conjugal (a husband, his wife, and children; also called nuclear family); avuncular (a brother, his sister, and her children); or extended family in which parents and children co-reside with other members of one parent's family.

Genealogy is a field which aims to trace family lineages through history.

To me, Family is so much more than the unemotional definitions. Webster's makes no mention of the love, bonding, support and encouragement, one's foundation to life and living, nurturing, the laughter, the tears, teasing and joking, the respect, knowing you can depend on each other, celebrating milestones or just for each day of being together ... all the essential components that bring bloodlines together as one whole family.

We're so blessed to have wonderful families on both sides.  This summer we were able to spend quality times with those we love ... OUR FAMILY. 

McTraveler ended our 2013 Spring RV trip by arriving in Pam's hometown of Louisville, KY just in time for the 4th of July and some family celebrating.  Jim and I had decided at the beginning of Spring that we had to buy water soaker guns for the little (and big) kids so we could have some major family Summer fun ... so let the fun begin ...

Besides celebrating the fact that we are together ... we love celebrating milestones and events. We start out with our grand daughter's 4th birthday party who came from Vermont with our daughter and son-in-law. What a fun time for all ... the birthday girl, parents, grand and great grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

Our little princess is growing up too fast!

The next day, taking advantage of the kids being out of school, we head out to the Louisville Zoo. What a fun filled day for the kids and the grown ups too!

The Louisville Zoo was more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Sisters together again over the 
BIG CELEBRATION weekend

Spooning since 1954 ... we cherish the hearts that love us.

Even though we are now scattered, we make it home to share the love and catch up with each other.

We were so pleased and proud to celebrate Pam's parents 60th Anniversary.

Family arrived from all over the country to be part of this testimony of love and marriage. Mom and Dad are our shining examples of Love, Honor, Hope, Faith, and Encouragement.  Just couldn't ask for a better childhood or adulthood. Mom and Dad's 60 year legacy of love and hard work produced a wonderfully loving family.

Their legacy continues to grow.

My maternal grandfather started a family tradition back in 1974: The Collier Family Reunion. This gathering of family has been held the first Saturday every August since then. McTraveler picked up Mom and Dad from our Kentucky home and set our course for Sweet Home Alabama.

Mom became a pro at RV travel last summer when she went on adventures with us through out the northeast.  This was Dad's first trip; and even though he felt a little claustrophobic, I think he enjoyed the overall trip to my grandparents farm.  It's strange, this was my first trip back since they both passed late in their 90's; and just won't be the same but glad family tradition carries on.


As McTraveler pulled in to boondock next to the cornfield above the barn; and as the oldest grandchild of this clan, decades of good times of family, fun, and food memories flooded in and overwhelmed me.  I miss my grandparents.  Cousin Larry and his wife Phyllis purchased the Collier farm; and I'm so pleased it stayed in the family and they are lovingly bringing it back to life.  Many thanks to Larry and Phyllis for being gracious hosts and the hard work they put out to feed us and take us on Jim's first wagon mule team ride throughout the beautiful countryside. 




The family reunion was bitter sweet. I so enjoyed being with everyone; but with only a few great aunts remaining of grandpa's immediate family, I  left sad knowing I won't see some of the oldest generation again.  Mom is the oldest of her generation left. But seeing toddlers starting their first steps at the reunion, I know the circle of life continues.  

Collier Family Reunion August 2013

Circa 1894
Great Grandfather Collier as a child

Talking with and hearing the stories from the older generations, I found reunions are the perfect place to trace genealogy and had several fun days scanning hundreds of old photographs.

Early 1900's
Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother Collier

1944
Grandparents

My Grandparents attending the
1985 Collier Reunion

In mid-August we leave Kentucky to see Jim's family in Arkansas; see our WE ARE FAMILY - Part 2 blog. 

After Labor Day we head back to Kentucky; but stop in St. Louis, Missouri see see my sis and brother-in-law.  We were camped overnight at Wal-ee World and they drove up from DeSoto.  Mona and Paul introduced us to one of their favorite hang outs for good food and music ... Helen Fitzgerald's Irish Grill and Pub. We had a blast catching up, good food, music and dancing the night away.

Wish we could have spent more time with Mona and Paul; but Mona had to go back to work and we were headed to Louisville to see Mom and Dad one more time before reporting to Amazon in Campbellsville, KY. The Amazon CamperForce experience will be yet another blog post.



Mom is a fantastic cook and she put on the Southern spread for us; what a treat after a day on the road. Besides cooking, Mom is renown for her quilting ... an unbelievable fabric artist. I always try to do a project whenever I have her expertise at hand. This time I made McTraveler some new placemats and coasters. Earlier this summer, Mom made a cover for our printer out of the same fabric.




Dad is brilliant patent holder engineer; and we always have very deep discussions. The latest topic was the applications of nano technology. We live in such a fascinating world and times.

As we prepare to leave Mom and Dad's on our last night in Louisville; we are bade so long with a magnificent night sky beaming down on us.

We eagerly anticipate that you'll be back soon to read more of McTravelers RV Adventures ... and be sure to check out Part 2 of WE ARE FAMILY ... where Jim's side of our family are the shining stars!

Until then, wishing you safe travels,

Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

40 years? Seriously?

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2012

Senior Class Photo

This isn't one of my typical RV travels blogs but it's part of last years RV experiences.  Plus, I just has to sneak this one in because the memories are heavy on my mind.  McTraveler is currently (August 1, 2013) parked in my hometown of Louisville, KY.  Today we're camped at the same RV park, Louisville South KOA, as last year when we attended my 40th high school reunion.

Note to new readers: McTraveler is the name of our class A 40' diesel pusher motor home ... we're full-time RVers who travel coast to coast ... we've been struck with wanderlust.

While following my high school alumni FB page, which is all abuzz with this years upcoming reunion which is less than a month away; I start getting sentimental.

The Class of '72 is the proud recipient of a special designation ... we were the first graduating class in the brand the new high school. Construction didn't finish to open in time to start the new school year; so our high school borrowed another schools facilities and went to night school after they finished the day shift.  That was a strange semester; getting home late in the dark and so wound up that I'd watch Johnny Carson, Star Trek, and The Twilight Zone with Dad while doing homework. Then more homework while eating breakfast.  Sure didn't leave much time just to have fun ... girls just wanna have fun. I also remember dodging bats as I walked from portable to portable in the dark ... still creeps me out thinking about it.  Finally OUR new school was finished; we claimed it and put OUR stamp on it.

Last night, Steve H. ('72) came to visit us at our campsite; and boy did we take a walk down memory lane.  What a fun, funny, wonderful evening of reliving stories.  Steve was like a brother I never had.

I'm sorry to say that due to other commitments, I won't be able to attend the 2013 Reunion, and that has me pretty bummed.  So feeling nostalgic, I take a look at my videos of last year's Class of 1972's 40th High School Reunion.  They were "glorious good old days" and watching them put a smile on my heart from seeing each of my classmates again.  But even as good as our school days were; retirement is even better ... everyday is Saturday.  We have the freedom to explore, discover, stand in awe in the middle of wild, raw nature, plus I'm still learning something new everyday.

I digress, so back to the reunion. Our class hosted the weekend long event and included all our friends from classes '73-'75.  I was sorry I didn't get to attend all the planned activities; but I'm sharing videos of the School Tour, the evening cruise on the Belle of Louisville, and the main event Dinner/Dance Reunion.

40 Years Later

What fun we had at the reunion events.  I found it so fantastic to reconnect with classmates who were (and still are) important to me; especially during the critical growing teenage years.  

Now that we're all approaching 60 ... I don't want to be grown-up anymore and having a blast by living a life on the road 

with child-like abandonment. 

Over our weekend together, we shared so many laughs reminiscing; and some tears too as we remembered those who are no longer with us.  I included those precious souls names as a tribute on the closing credits of the Dinner/Dance Reunion video. Take a moment and pause to reflect on each of their bright and promising lives; and I hope it brings a smile as you remember the best about them.

I must confess, I couldn't remember all of my classmates ... a bad case of CRS as I age.  The name tags helped, but with baby boomer eyes it was still difficult.  Just didn't seem appropriate to get a foot away and at chest level to try to read the small print on the name tags. So this year, I hope 

they hang a billboard around the attendees necks so the names can be read 

without getting so close they can smell the garlic you had for lunch.

I will miss not being in Louisville for this year's reunion hosted by the Class of '73; but I'll be thinking of you. Warning, the videos are long because I didn't want to leave any of you out.  So grab a glass of wine, get comfy, and sit back, watch at full screen with the volume up and enjoy our 40th reunion all over again.  Cheers! I'll have a glass with you.

Sorry, technical difficulties ... I couldn't upload the videos directly to 

McTraveler's RV Adventures blog. So here's the YouTube links:

The School Tour

The Belle of Louisville Cruise

The Main Event - Dinner / Dance

So, I thank you for driving down memory lane with us, and hope you'll be back soon for the next post of McTraveler's RV Adventures.

Until then, wishing you safe travels and GO MUSTANGS!!!
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

P.S.
Doug B.('72) and I who have a 50 year friendship will be holding our own mini reunion when McTraveler heads to Dallas, Texas in early September.  Jim and I look forward to spending time with Doug and Cindy.  McTraveler will be camped at The Vineyards RV Resort located between Dallas and Fort Worth.  We will also be visiting with Jim's junior high buddies Ken W. and Jenna K. in Fort Worth. Jim, Kenny and Jenna's friendship goes back 55 years!  Aren't enduring high school friendships the best?