We did enjoy our day yesterday here in Payson though...and it ended with a bang!
We've been enjoying the free internet here at the casino, so we got caught up on a bunch of things, as well as Skype calls with our parents, children, and grandkids.
Payson (pop 15,000) has a lot of hiking and trails around the town itself. We had picked up a trail map when we were at the visitors center the other day, so we knew that there was one trail leading pretty much across the street from where we've been parked at the casino.
Kevin, on the trail. We headed out after lunch at about 1:30pm.
Scenery south of Payson.
Ruth!
Lots of juniper berries.
Ruth on the trail.
Some interesting plants. This one was about two feet wide.
Overlooking the town of Payson.
The trail then came back through part of the town itself. Past a relatively new park, and then down part of old Main St.
I like Payson. Probably my favorite part of Arizona so far. The weather is a little more fresh, and it can even snow here. But from talking to people, the snow melts within two days. They've only had one snowstorm so far this season and it dumped about a foot, and even then they said it was all gone within two days. And even though it gets down to around freezing at night, it's nice during the day.
And there are a lot of hiking and outdoors activities within a half hour drive. I can see us coming back to this area.
Green Valley Park in Payson.
The old Ox Bow Saloon. Currently not operating, and for sale.
Hmm, seems like it might have been a bit of a rough place.
The oldest business building in town, dating back to 1882.
We made it back to the casino at around 4:30pm, so almost a 3 hour hike. I checked it out online and we had done just over 8 miles (13 kms).
Before supper, we decided to hit the casino. We're not big gamblers, but many casinos give you free money to sign up for their "Player's Club". We always take advantage of this when it's available, because, well, it would be kinda stupid not to. I mean, it's free money!
Anyhow, the Mazatzal Casino here in Payson gives you $10 to sign up, and another $10 if you're doing so during the month of your birthday. So Ruth got $10 to play with, and I got $20. Sweet! Off too the penny slot machines...
Ruth's $10 disappeared within about 45 seconds. Okay, maybe two minutes, but it felt like less. Of course, she was placing maximum bets, hoping for a maximum payoff...but it never happened.
I played for quite a while on mine, and was down to my last couple of dollars or so when I had a win.
A big win!
I won 10,000 pennies! Hey, when you're only betting 20 or 30 pennies at a time, that's a big win!
I cashed out, having turned my $20 worth of free play money into $102.65 in cold hard cash!
Thanks to Mazatzal Casino for the free parking, free wifi, and free money!
Also, did you know that the best online slot machines for real money are paying out well now?
We both laughed at your 10,000 .... pennies! But hey, with no money leaving your hands to go in there, you did good! We don't gamble, or rarely have ever. I think three times since we have been married. And when we did win, we left.... cash in hand.
ReplyDeleteKareninthewoods and Steveio
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10,000 pennies equals $100, and that is a good enough win for us. We don't gamble with our own money but if they are going to give us money to gamble with then we will take them up on their offer. The smart thing is knowing when to walk away either with a win or when you have spent their money. Not everyone is good at that part. ;-)
DeleteI didn't work out the percentage gain on that one, but 'ya done good'.
ReplyDeleteI find that I can go through cash just as quickly at the penny slots as at the dollar slots.
Actually, I think the nickel slots was as risky as I was willing to go. Them dollar slots is too scary. Can you guess that I don't gamble?
Nice going.
I would say the percentage gain would have been a 100% gain because we didn't lose a single penny of our own money. We stick to the penny machines too, although the way they set up the penny machines they really aren't penny machines anymore. We played on one yesterday that was a "penny" machine and the minimum bet was 50 cents! We aren't gamblers either, unless it is with someone else's money.
DeleteThat's fun! We do the same thing when the opportunity arises, but haven't yet hit the "big" one like you did!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun thing to do, I don't like it when the casinos are too smokey though! We don't go and search out the casinos but if we happen to pass one by then we might stop in especially if they allow overnight parking. Hopefully your turn will come one of these days.
DeleteThe joy of having wheels under your house! :c)
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure is nice when the house can move!
DeleteThat doesn't happen very often! Way to go! Grace (in Tucson)
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing was, Kevin hit the wrong bet on that particular turn. He actually bet more than he had intended to do. Glad that it worked out in our favour. :-)
DeleteMy money disappears like Ruth's. So I don't spend much time in a casino. Jim usually does a little better. If you're in Mesa would love a chance to see you. Really windy down here in the valley today so drive careful.
ReplyDeleteWe will only spend the casino's money. If we had to spend our own we probably wouldn't be in there gambling.
DeleteYes, we need to try and get together. Either you send us an email or we will send you one to try and set something up.
Gotta love RVing - weather turns bad, you just hit the road to somewhere it's better. This does look like a nice area to hang around in. You've got the lucky touch Kevin. That's quite a bit of free money you won congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's one of the many things we like about RVing. There have been times though when we haven't been able to do that because of certain commitments, luckily this wasn't one of those times.
DeleteWhen you are in Cottonwood, make sure you head up to Jerome and catch some live music at the Spirit Room. They have bands on the weekends in the afternoon. In Sedona, one of our favorite hikes was the hangover trail. It is a good workout, but has some incredible views and scenery. Here is the link from our blog. http://metamorphosisroad.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-best-hangover-ever.html
ReplyDeleteHa...Hangover Trail. Doesn't sound very enjoyable based on the name, but the scenery looks our style...thanks!
DeleteJerome is definitely worth visiting---but it is very challenging to maneuver an RV on its tight streets.
DeleteWe will keep that in mind about Jerome! If we don't get to that area this time around then perhaps the next time.
DeleteReally hoping to get some hiking in around the Sedona area as we make our way up to the Grand Canyon but that will depend on how long this cold, wet weather sticks around.
WOW....you really hit it big! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul and Marsha!
DeleteGreat win and you can't beat when they pay you to play! Payson does look like a pretty place. I love the no knives, no guns and no spurs sign on that old saloon.
ReplyDeleteWe love it too Cheapchick!
DeleteI think that saloon looked like it was a pretty rough spot in it's day.
I see Ruth was modeling again. She should make a living out of it! Good on ya!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too sweet Chris, thank you! ;-)
DeleteWe have done well too at the casinos with their "free" money, never spent any of our own and have wond a few hundred dollars over the years, bonus. And free parking too, love it!
ReplyDeleteYep, it's hard to beat! Don't forget the free wifi too, at least at some of the casinos.
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