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That’s right, Wendover! As some of you know, the wind has kind of gone out of the sails for me over Las Vegas. That’s why I’m proposing that we hit a brand new hot spot... Wendover, Nevada/Utah! I know most of you think I’m insane, but just hear me out. We could RULE this town! And to make my case I’ve thrown together this little Wendover, Baby! webpage. |
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The History: I first discovered this little-known gambling haven on my big move to California in 1995. Just an hour west of Salt Lake City, beyond the Great Salt Lake lies a tiny town which is half in Utah and half in Nevada. Guess which half is the gambling side? Yes, it’s tiny, Yes, it’s remote, Yes, it’s got a funny name; But this mini city can be as hot and happening as you make it. I’m telling you, Vegas ain’t got nothin’ on this place. |
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Casinos: There are 3 major casino/resorts on the hoppin’ side of town. There’s the Rainbow Hotel & Casino (home to Wendover’s premiere steakhouse), the Peppermill Hotel Casino (in case I’m homesick for my favorite purple-neon-laden restaurant in Vegas), and Montego Bay Casino Resort (Mandalay Bay’s long-lost twin???). And who knows what other backward, hole-in-the-wall, mom & pop casinos are waiting to be conquered by the likes of our pack of seasoned gamblers? |
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Local Attractions: Wendover is a stone’s-throw from the Bonneville Salt Flats, shooting location for the movies “Independence Day,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” and “Plan 10 from Outer Space”! I mean, how cool would it be to drive on an endless plain of salt!! |
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Wendover is home to Historic Wendover Airfield & Museum. This place houses photos, dioramas, and items of memorabilia including a full-size replica of an atomic bomb signed by the crew of the B-29 “Enola Gay,” the plane used to drop the bomb that ended the war with Japan. Admission is FREE, and you are allowed to climb the tower and walk around the base on your own. Exhibits include the plane used in the movie “Con-Air” (Fairchild C-123K). |
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The weekend I propose we go (Fri, Nov. 13—Mon, Nov. 16) would make it possible for us to see none other than Bill Engvall of the Bill Engvall Show—can you believe that?—right there in the Peppermill Concert Hall! (For those of you who don’t know, Bill Engvall is the comic genius who made the phrase “Here’s Your Sign” famous, and is one fourth of the Blue Collar Comedy tour and television series.) |
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You want night life? Can you imagine how wild those rebellious Mormon girls are when they bust out of Salt Lake City for a night on the town? You think multiple wives is hot?—I’m sure they’d have no problem hooking up by the dozen with the single guys among us. And if you’re not careful, one of those notorious Wendover taxi drivers may whisk you away to the hottest strip joint in town: Southern X-posure! |
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Flights between Newark and Salt Lake City for the weekend I chose are around $358 right now (comparable to a Vegas flight), but most rooms at the aforementioned casinos start at $85 per night. That’s cheaper than the Imperial Palace! |
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So think about it! I don’t expect everyone to dive in on this immediately. This is a bit of a departure from the usual Las Vegas trip, but I think once all my points have sunk in you’ll start to get as excited about it as I am. |
We could OWN this place. WENDOVER, BABY!!! |