pdegnan Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 One and all: My apologies to all of you for being silent for a while - I have been preoccupied with moving over the Mtns to Temecula (this weekend) and selling our house (closing next week) and work, so have not been paying much attention to anything else lately. One of our number, however, has suggested I 'fess up and tell everyone what's going on, so here it is: In a word (or two) not much. Jamie and I have kind of let the situation in Beatty play out (the seeming intent of the Stagecoach Casino owners to buy out the town), but I guess now is the time to decide once and for all what we are going to do since the motel we have reservations at has been bought, and the Exchange Club shut down. To that end, I am planning to ride up there the weekend of Oct 21, stay over night and figger out what options we have and then present them to you. Anyone who wishes to come along (departing o'dark thirty Sat morning, the 22nd) is more than welcome. Our issues revolve primarily around where we can gather as a group, since the Exchange is now closed: we want a place, I think, close by to walk with decent food and room enough for us to BE a group, and not just part of a larger crowd. If I am mistaken in this, I am sure one of you will set me to rights! If this Oct date is too late for some or many of you to confirm plans for January then by all means let me know. I think we all enjoy what the area has to offer in riding roads, and Beatty is certainly more affordable than DV proper, but I do recognize many of you have to plan your time in advance and might want to take advantage of one of the other DV options during January. So, out with your opinions, all of you (as if any of you needed encouragement in that regard...)! Link to comment
flyingreg Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 I so totally enjoyed DVD last January, that I couldn't think of a better way to spend a winter weekend. MLK weekend really worked well. A real bummer closing the Exchange Club, we had it to ourselves. I haven't been into every little joint there, but did not see allot of "cozy" places that had room for a group. I would hate to be stuck in a banquet room or something else clostraphobic (No, I don't suffer from this dreadful abnormality). I hope there is something there that will do the trick. If I can get away, I would like to join you and Jaime in Oct for a recon of the area. I need another ride anyway. Link to comment
GS_George Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Tonopah is 93 miles north of Beatty. A nice town but puts us out of the Death Valley area. Joan and I frequent a local pub whose name I just can't remember right now. There are several motels in the area. Pity about the Exchange Club. Link to comment
FreightGuy Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD trip last year and think it would be a shame if we could not find a suitable location to bunk up this year. Although I am new to this group they seem like a resourceful bunch and I suspect they will deal with a slightly less ideal lodging situation just for the chance to get together and do some great riding. Its really the area and the freinships that atract people to this winter event. I doubt the closing of the Exchange will scare off this bunch. I wish I could ride out with you but time won't permit in October. Thanks for your efforts in planning this and hopefully it will all work out. Link to comment
pdegnan Posted September 23, 2005 Author Share Posted September 23, 2005 Just to clarify, the Exchange Motel is still open, and still honoring our reservations. It's the Casino/Restaurant that has closed, taking away the gathering spot. Greg, I am not sure whether Jaime will be able to make it or not, but would love to meet you somewhere along the way. Link to comment
Bob Palin Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 That sucks, I had a great time in the Exchange Club last year. I hope we can find somewhere else than corporate Beatty to enjoy our weekend. Link to comment
steve404 Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 We might just need to appreciate last year's Beatty experience as a nice change and consider a return to Furnace Creek. OR try to get a banquet room up the road at the Shady Lady or whichever one was out of the evil empire’s domain. Link to comment
pdegnan Posted September 24, 2005 Author Share Posted September 24, 2005 Steve, exactly what I am going to try and do on the trip up there in Oct. I'll let everyone know as soon as I return. Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 I'm going to try to make it! We should also check out the new management at the Longstreet Inn and Casino in Amargosa Valley. It's closer than Pahrump for trips into the valley now that the 190 is open. Link to comment
flyingreg Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 It's the Casino/Restaurant that has closed, taking away the gathering spot. Greg, I am not sure whether Jaime will be able to make it or not, but would love to meet you somewhere along the way. I'm glad you clarified things on the motel, I thought both had shut down. I see Jaime is going to try and make it as am I. We can work the details out on a rendezvous spot when we get closer to the date. Beatty may be the rendezvous spot considering the differing directions of travel. Where are you riding from? Link to comment
Chiconurse Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 Looking forward to DVD in January. Glad I did not make a reservation at the Exchange Club. My opinion is that whatever you guys decide would be best, is fine by me. Thanks for riding up and making arrangements for us. Look forward to hearing what you find out. Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted September 24, 2005 Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hey Jonathan and all: Right now the default plan is still to stay at the Exchange Club on the MLK weekend (see the planning thread here. ) If any of you want to join us on a recon ride the 21-23 feel free to come along! Link to comment
JohnK Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 Phil Well as you know I never have an opinion, but once in a while I have a thought or two. Let’s make sure we do not give any money to the new owner of Beatty it was the best town before he showed up. !stShirt has family in Pahrump and maybe they can put us all up. If that does not work then maybe a local could point us at a good list of places to stay in that area to eliminate some of your search time in the area Furnace Creek is nice but it does change the budget buy a significant factor $. Jamie did mention some of the smart folks went to Pahrump and had a great dinning experience. I was the fool that went and eats at the Stagecoach Casino and still remembers that as the worst food so far this year! Here is a hotel in Pahrump that may be a possibility, if not owned by the Stagecoach Casino owner. http://www.saddlewest.com/hotel.htm This one sounds interesting also, Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Gambling Hall Just curious what are the possibilities on the California side around Big Pine? George big LT any insight? I am considering the recon ride and may meet you in Baker at the Chevron station if you plan on passing that way. I just have a feeling you may not take the direct route on 15 to get to DV, why that might be I do not know! I’ll post on the other thread later. Link to comment
GS_George Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 I am going call some people around the Death Valley area and see what has changed. I used to be the Probation Officer in Southern Inyo County which included Death Valley, Tecopa, Shoshone, Panamint Springs. Let me make some calls to differenct folks and I will pm results to Jaime. Link to comment
steve404 Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 George, Please be selective. I'd prefer to avoid staying in Trona. Link to comment
MikesToy Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 Longstreet has my vote. The owner is a great guy. He is a Las Vegas Car dealer who owns small casinos and bars thru out Nevada. He does this because he loves the Old Nevada. All have their own personality and feel. I just got back from Torrey and would love to join you folks in DV. Link to comment
GS_George Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 Longstreet Casino, have stayed there many times. Lots of modern rooms, nice open bar, casino, small cafe and I believe a Steak House upstairs. Huge patio area where you can scoot tables together, pool, 9 hole golf course, and an RV park. Longstreet is about 7 miles north of Amargosa Junction (Amargosa Opera House). It is also very close to Pahrump. Have not been there in several years, but I remember it was pretty nice. Trona - is on the bottom of my list along with Tecopa. I have never stayed in Shoshone. Whenever I had business in Shoshone I stayed in Pahrump. Pahrump - Saddlewest is a bit older than Longstreet. Plumbing in the rooms was atrocious, got scalded many a time. BUT, across the street from Saddlewest is a couple of nice motels. Unless Longstreet has really been run down, I think it would be acceptable. Link to comment
1st Shirt Posted October 3, 2005 Share Posted October 3, 2005 I vote Pahrump! (but don't count on staying at my sisters house) Besides being the town my sister lives in, it has more to offer. But I will defer to those doing the "pre-ride." Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 I vote Pahrump! (but don't count on staying at my sisters house) Besides being the town my sister lives in, it has more to offer. As I recall, Pahrump was a bit less accessible to the Valley-proper. The biggest thing for me is a place where a group our size can hang out comfortably and have the basic necessities for an awesome gathering. For me those are: comfy yet preferrably cheap lodging, good food and drink preferably withing walking/stumbling distance, a good size for the size of the group (if we could come close to filling it without disappearing in--or being scattered all over--a huge complex, that would be best), awesome roads close at hand and convenience to other non-riding attractions for folks who want to bring non-riding SO's to meet their riding family and yet give them something interesting to check out while we're all out riding! But I will defer to those doing the "pre-ride." Well . . . you could always come with us!! We all miss you two! It's been too long!! And if you guys have to miss another UnRally, I'm going to have to see about getting you a different job!! Link to comment
1st Shirt Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 And if you guys have to miss another UnRally, I'm going to have to see about getting you a different job!! One UnRally in the fall, One UnRally for Bob & Sun-joo. I've been voting to alternate the time of year for the UnRally, ie. Spring then fall then spring then fall, etc. But my vote of one has fallen pretty flat. So until I get a new job, we'll keep missing the spring UnRally's. If I was paranoid, I'd think this was a conspiracy. Wait, maybe the group is trying to keep Sun-joo and me from attending the UnRally. Yeah, that's it. I changed the conference from July to June and they changed the UnRally to June. Unbelievable. Why is everyone out to get me??? Link to comment
JerryMather Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 And if you guys have to miss another UnRally, I'm going to have to see about getting you a different job!! Jamie- So...... If you don't show up at the Spring Torrey, that'll mean your looking for a different job? Link to comment
GS_George Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 As I recall, Pahrump was a bit less accessible to the Valley-proper. Not so. Bell Canyon Road on the northern edge of Pahrump takes you straight to Death Valley Junction (Amargosa Opera House), about 35 miles. It is a well paved unpatroled two lane highway. Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 As I recall, Pahrump was a bit less accessible to the Valley-proper. Not so. Bell Canyon Road on the northern edge of Pahrump takes you straight to Death Valley Junction (Amargosa Opera House), about 35 miles. It is a well paved unpatroled two lane highway. Aha!! I never saw that road on any of my (cheap-o!) maps! That will put Pahrump in good running with the Longstreet Casino in Amargosa Valley. That is also a nice way into DV over the new 190 right by Zabriske Point and Dante's View for the dawn patrol! We'll check out the lodging and food options and welcome suggestions as well as company if any of you'd like to tag along! The recon ride planning thread is here. Link to comment
1st Shirt Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Bell Canyon Road on the northern edge of Pahrump takes you straight to Death Valley Junction (Amargosa Opera House), about 35 miles. It is a well paved unpatroled two lane highway. This is the road that Sun-joo and I used two years ago when we made the Death Valley trip. It's a nice road with very little traffic. ps - It was on my el-cheapo MS Streets and Maps Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Bell Canyon Road on the northern edge of Pahrump takes you straight to Death Valley Junction (Amargosa Opera House), about 35 miles. It is a well paved unpatroled two lane highway. This is the road that Sun-joo and I used two years ago when we made the Death Valley trip. It's a nice road with very little traffic. Well I can't wait to try it out this next weekend! In case anyone is still following this thread and would like to join us on the scouting expedition, it's not too late, but the lodging opportunities are drying up quickly so don't delay if you want to come along! Link to comment
GS_George Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Bell Canyon Road is actually Bell Vista Road. Thanks to Jaime for clearing this up on the tele the other night...my bad Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 Just in case others still have this thread bookmarked, the recon ride is over and the Death Valley Ride has been moved in location (Longstreet Inn and Casino in Amargosa Valley) but not in time (still Martin Luther King weekend January 13th-16th, 2006)!! See the new planning thread here. And make your reservations soon to join us there! Link to comment
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