1. Mike, Ed, Terry and I sat down in the Traditional Buffet area at the Wildhorse Casino for plates of breakfast and a rundown on how things were going for us and what we had planned for the day.
2. One plan emerged: Terry, Mike, and I piled into the Sube and I jetted us into Pendleton and we made ourselves comfortable in the spacious interior of the Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery. The distillery was all decked out in honor of WWII and the home front in the 1940s. One room was devoted to an exhibit of pictures and memorabilia from the war and the 1940s. The women serving drinks and food were wore their hair in a 1940s style (I think) and some wore clothes from the era -- a delight.
Terry, Mike, and I sampled the distillery's two whiskeys and I also tried their gin. We each ordered a Umatilla Gold Whiskey, neat, and each ordered Porky's Revenge, three huge pork spare ribs served with a honey glaze over a bed of sushi rice. We finished lunch with a cocktail: Terry and Mike each enjoyed a whiskey sour and I tried my very first gin rickey, a fun and delicious drink -- as an homage to Weird Al Yankovic, the drink was called a Hey Rickey, You're so Fine. Remember that video on MTV? If you'd like a blast from the free wheelin' 1980s past, click right here.
3. Back at the Wildhorse Casino, I played a little bit and then joined Ed and Mike for a drink in Ed's and my room. I got very comfortable and after our lunch, a cocktail, and a splash of toasted caramel whiskey, I took a nap.
The four of us had reservations for our annual dinner at the casino's steakhouse, The Plateau. I ordered New York strip steak, served with a whiskey sauce poured over it and some broccoli and pilaf. Our table shared a couple of bottles of Malbec wine and we topped off our fine dinner with a complimentary chocolate truffle.
I don't think there is any key to success, any sure fire approach to playing machines in a casino. It's all pretty much dumb luck, good or bad. I do know that I play in short spurts and try to have fun for shorter periods of time and am always looking for other things to do: go to Pendleton, read in my room, enjoy food, or nap. I used to enjoy going to one of the casino bars and watch football games, but I don't do that any longer. Well, luck was on my side this weekend. Winnings paid for my two dinners today, will pay for my share of our room, and for breakfast on Sunday. This never happens and I don't count on it ever happening again, but it was fun to have some good fortune this time around.
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