Northern Lights Casino Shuttle - Walker MN

Don't trust this casino's shuttle service.  We were in Walker, MN for the annual Eel Pout Festival and stayed at the Country Inn.  We were told that Northern Lights Casino had a shuttle service.

When I called - the phone rang about a dozen times.  The woman said the shuttle would be there in 8-10 minutes.  We waited in the lobby - and I just happened to look out a window viewing the end of the parking lot and I saw a large white van.  I wondered if it was ours - by the time I went out to check it was gone.

So I called back again about 20 minutes from the first time - phone rang another dozen times.  I explained that the van I saw didn't come to the lobby door - so I don't know if that was the shuttle.  The guy I was talking to thought it probably was - said he'd send the shuttle back.

After about another 10 minutes of waiting - the hotel staff asked if we wanted her to call the casino to see when they were coming.  She was told it would be about 10 minutes.

After a total of 60 minutes wait time we finally decided to forget going to the casino.  Don't rely on them for a ride!

Advantage Car Rental

We booked an Advantage car rental in Las Vegas in Febrary 2013 through CarRentals.com.  The initial booked price was really reasonable - but of course we upgraded and paid for a tank of gas up front (dumb).  The girl talked me into the gas because we had planned to go to Hoover Dam and she thought we'd go through the tank with the Malibu.  We didn't - we used only about 1/2 tank of gas. So don't get the prepaid unless you're planning to drive a full tank full - and don't trust the counter agent's opinion.

The biggest thing I wanted to blog about is the fact that my husband left his pullover windbreaker in the car with his cellphone in his pocket.  We checked back twice with the return facility within an hour of dropping it off - once I even walked back to the car with the manager - and the windbreaker and phone were long gone.

It could only have been stolen - there is no other explanation.  My husband knows he left it in the car.

I don't recommend using this car rental company.  However CarRentals.com does broker some good prices - so I'd still use them.

Where To Eat In Walker Minnesota

Jimmy's Restaurant on 371 - had breakfast there on 2/17/13 and the service was extremely fast, food was good and the price was more than reasonable!

Benson's - we've eaten here several times and it's always good.  The staff is great, the pizza is homemade and very tasty.

Country Inn, Walker MN

Eel Pout Festival in Walker, MN this pas weekend and we stayed at the Country Inn, Walker.  It was reasonably priced, and best of all since we have a new puppy - they take animals.  Cost $30 extra to have a pet - but it was worth it.

If you stay here with a pet - I'd just verify that the size of your dog doesn't cause a problem.  When I checked in, the pet agreement said there were weight and height maximums.  But the hotel clerk said they never turn anyone away.  I'd just hate to get up there and find they changed the policy - as nothing was mentioned when I made the reservation.

They have the same typical hot breakfast that a lot of the chain restuarants do......sausage gravy over biscuits one day, eggs and sausage the next.  Along with cold cereal, oatmeal, etc. every day.

Staff was great too!

The only downside was parking - during Eel Pout Festival there are many trailers - some people have to park on the street.

I'd recommend this as a place to stay.  Note - this is NOT part of the regular Comfort Inn & Suites or Country Inn & Suites - it seems to be totally separate.  Google sometimes has it mixed up and had old information.  http://www.walkercountryinn.com/

Crown Plaza Ravinia Hotel

I'm staying at Crown Royal Ravinia Hotel in Atlanta and am very disappointed with a number of small nusances that add up to a big irritation.  Here's what's happened:

• Went to the bar/grill called "Mix".  No place to sit inside - so I go the lobby seating area.  Waitress comes out - I ask if I can order food.  She says yes but their computers are down and it makes the food come out slower.  What???  That doesn't even make sesne but ok.  She says she'll bring me a menu.
• I wait about 10 minutes.  Note - in the Mix - while it's full - there are less than 20 people in there.  Where is the waitress with a menu??
• While waiting for a menu, I grab another waitress and ask if the TV channel can be changed to the election coverage (it' election night!).  She tells me the remote control is at the bar (Mix) - and she walks away.
• I go to the front desk...I'm getting irritated.  The front desk gal is polite and concerned - she hands me a remote, and says she'll get someone to bring a menu.
• The TV remote doesn't work.  Channel won't change.  Front desk gal brings me a menu and I hand her back the remote.
• Quite some time later the waitress comes and takes my order.
• The hotel manager comes over to change the channel.  He's very friendly and polite, and I'm grateful I can now watch the election results.
• My food comes about 30 minutes (at least) later.  It's good - thankfully.  But I'm nervous that someone spit in it.
• I have to go find the waitress to get my check so I can leave.  She's chatting with 2 guys/patrons in the Mix.  As politely as I can I ask if I can get my check.  She says "sure" in a friendly way.  But stands there talking to these guys for another couple minutes.  I am starting to steam.
• After I leave the Mix, I go to the hotel store for botteld water.  There's a sign on the door that says "Come In - We're Open".  But the door is locked.  Two other people walk up and say "Yeah - door's locked - the front desk think she's on break."  How hard would it be to have an "I'll be back in XX minutes" sign?
• Back in my room.  Free wi-fi.  But slower than molasses.

I think that's all I need to say to help others decide whether it's worth staying here or not!

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Kennedy Blue - The Wedding Shoppe, Inc. St. Paul, MN

Kennedy Blue - Last Saturday, 9/8/12, my cousin (the Bride), the MOB, and we three bridesmaids had an appointment at The Wedding Shoppe, Inc. on Grand Ave. in St. Paul, MN.  I had been there previously when bridesmaid dress shopping for my wedding, and now we ventured on a gorgeous Fall day (yes, I say Fall because I refuse to give up Summer just yet).  Parking is always an issue in that part of town, and the narrow parking across the street from the Wedding Shoppe, Inc. tests your driving maneuver skills.  Upon our arrival, we were directed to head downstairs to begin our fitting/dress hunting session.  This is where there are more bridesmaid dresses than you can imagine in any one place!  We were greeted by a very friendly and knowledgeable consultant who assisted us with finding just the right bridesmaid dress.  In large fitting rooms, the three of us tried on a few rounds of bridesmaid dresses and ultimately found a Kennedy Blue dress that suited everyone just right - with approval from the Bride, of course.  Now, while I can't tell you which one (have to wait until the wedding!), I can tell you the quality of the dress seemed a bit better than some of the lower priced dresses we had tried on in similar styles.  The crinkle textured chiffon looked beautiful and added a bit of uniqueness to the dress.  Looking forward to a wearing a beautiful dress while standing up with my cousin!  Can't wait until it arrives!