This morning, Terry and Andy are driving to Primm, Nevada. It's the very first cluster of casinos on the Nevada state line on I - 15 on the road to Las Vegas.
Everybody refers to it as "Stateline," but Andy found that there is another place which is officially named "Stateline" far to the north, near Reno, so now he always refers to this place by its proper name, "Primm," or "Primm Valley." When he's searching for information on the internet, the search term "Primm" always gets him the results he needs.
On the border here are three casino resorts and a large indoor outlet mall. It appears that the "Terrible Herbst" Oil Company has bought up all three casinos, Whiskey Pete's, Buffalo Bill's, and the Primm Valley Resort (formerly, The Prima Donna).
It's about a 200 mile drive for Andy and Terry. On a Sunday, it should be an easy ride. The hotel prices in Primm are usually very reasonable. Today, a week before the Super Bowl, they are very, very reasonable, so why not take a drive to Primm? (That's what Andy was thinking when he booked this reservation. He used the "TravelWorm" website because he's had a lot of good luck there in the past.)
This place is not congested at all, compared to the way things are up in Las Vegas, and, if they need anything in Las Vegas, it's just an easy drive up the highway, maybe about 40 miles.
Their room at Buffalo Bill's is a nice place on the second floor, overlooking the buffalo shaped swimming pool. The roller coaster tracks are easy to see out the window. Andy and Terry inquire about roller coaster tickets. They are $8, but neither one of them has any intention of taking a ride. It looks a little wild.
Terry checks out the casino. It's all designed around a western theme that resembles Knott's Berry Farm. There are plenty of places to eat at Buffalo Bill's, so they choose Panda Express, in honor of the Chinese New Year.
Terry spends a lot of time on the slot machines, but she says she can't seem to win any money.
Andy has no intention of spending all of his time in a casino, so he has made plans for some day trips.
Terry says she can't recall ever being to Lake Meade, so that is the first place they visit on Monday morning. They drive up I - 15 and then head east toward Henderson. Lake Meade has an admission fee, so Terry shows her National Parks Senior Pass and they are admitted free.
After taking a lakeside drive, Andy takes Terry to the Ethel M. Chocolate factory, in south Las Vegas, for a visit. The free samples of pecan brittle are delicious, but the chocolate is very pricey, so they leave Ethel M. and continue on to their third destination, Red Rock Canyon, located over to the west of Las Vegas.
This park also has an admission fee, but Terry's National Parks Senior Pass should, again, get them in free.
Under normal conditions, people visit Red Rock Canyon to view the beautiful and colorful rock formations found there.
But today was going to be special.
Terry and Andy had no idea of the surprise that awaited them in the canyon west of town.
It was truly the highlight of the whole trip. As they approached the canyon a little rain began to fall...
Andy thinks there is something odd about this rain. It doesn't fall in the normal way. That's because it's turning into SNOW!
Within a short time the entire desert canyon is covered in a new light coat of fresh white snow. By the time they reach Red Rock, the place is dusted in a beautiful coat of snow. Andy was so impressed, he started taking pictures and he didn't know when to stop.
Every turn on the scenic drive was prettier than the next.
The volunteer ranger on duty says that snow is very rare here. Andy and Terry feel very lucky to have been here at just the right time.
After seeing as much snow as they can, they drive back to Primm, for a little more casino time and a nice buffet dinner. Tomorrow, they will drive home. Andy wanted to take a long detour on the way back home through Death Valley National Park, but he decides to wait until spring, when the weather will be warmer.
Good bye to Primm.
End of story.
