Chandler, Lone Butte Casino February 23-March 1

Monday morning we all packed up in the rain and headed for Chandler for a week long stay at the Lone Butte Casino.  I was really looking forward to leaving the mud at the Casa Grande Fairgrounds.  The rain really created a muddy mess.  In fact, it was de je vous because it rained heavily last year at the Fairgrounds when I attended the Gypsy Journey Rally and the Dance Rally.  Anyway the asphalt of the Lone Butte Casino was welcome.

Originally we were to stay at Wild Pass Casino but the casino has downsized and our gathering was moved to Lone Butte.  At first the security officer patrolling the area told us we could only stay for two days, but that soon was rectified and we were told we could stay as planned but we had to be more "organized" and move our rigs so we were more cohesive..whatever that means.  We were told we had to "register" which meant getting a casino card to play the machines with a complimentary $5.00.  I lost mine the second night. We all enjoyed the nightly happy hour from 4-7 with drinks and appitizers at 1/2 off along with live music. We all got to practice our dance steps learned at Casa Grande.

We had lots of activities to chose from including a tour of downtown Mesa viewing sculptures, Arizona Opry, Heard Museum, Lost Dutchman Days, Graham Central Station, the Arizona Sportsmens Expos the Organ Stop pizza ...the list goes on.  There was a lot to see and do in the Pheonix area.

 One afternoon we were invited to Berties house in Mesa.  Bertie is a long time WIN and still travels in her motor home but is enjoying her stick home.

                                  Happy Hour at Bertie's

During my stay at the Casino, I had a surprise visit from my son Conlan.  He was on his way to Sierra Vista.  He is a Forest Service employee and has been offered a temporary detail in Sierra Vista which he hopes will turn into a permanent position, so he was on his way to check out the area before moving down to the area.   His fiancee is a student at the univeristy in Tucson so Conlan is really looking forward to being closer to Lacey.

We had several days of heavy rain so I was happy to be on the asphalt.  I had planned to leave early and had up to our next stop at Cave Creek but raining weather delayed my departure until Monday.