Archive for the ‘Pala Casino Spa Resort’ Tag

A Pala Valley October Visit   Leave a comment

Pala Casino, Spa and Resort Pool Area — Images by kenne

Since moving to Tucson ten years ago, we have annually spent Thanksgiving
with Joy’s family in southern California. However, because of COVID, this year,
we will be staying in Tucson. 

Instead of the usual big family get together (as many as 25 people), we decided
to meet two of Joy’s sisters (Jody and Jeri) at a neutral location, and of course, for them,
it would have to be a casino.

So, last Wednesday, we drove to Pala Casino, Spa, and Resort, which is located in
the mountains northeast of San Diego. Since I’m not into gambling, I spent time
around the pool, took photos of oranges, and listen to live music in the casino.
During past visits, I usually spent time walking the 1.5-mile Pala Band of Indians
Cultural and Nature Trail behind Pala Spa. This time it was closed.

We returned to Tucson last Friday.

(During this time of COVID, we have found casino resorts to be relatively safe, keeping everything clean, requiring social-distancing and masks, except when eating and drinking.)

— kenne

Posted October 29, 2020 by kenneturner in Information, Photography, Poolside

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Ode To The Gambling House of Worship   1 comment

We just got back from Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula wine country and Pala Casino in southern California where we were spending time with Joy’s family. Pala Casino Spa Resort is a nice place in the Temecula wine country near San Diego. Being the non-gambler in the family, I spent most of my time outside near the pool area reading, and writing. 


Pala Casino Spa Resort Pool Area

Pool Bar Cafe

 Ode To The Gambling House of Worship

Buttons pushed
Touching the screen
Smoke in my eyes —

I play.

Grabbing a drink
Easing the loses
The game goes on —

Lights flashing.

Smoke getting worse
Eyes watering
Load ringing noise —

I cry, others yell.

A gaming cathedral
Worshiping the machine
Matching the slots —

Lacking virtue.

Seeking intellectual guidance
To know the details
Of their religious addition —

Old or new.

A life structured around decline
Dazzling down
Totality of existence —

Seeking more stimulation.

Dare I avoid the slot?
In a race against time
Slowed by the machine —

Mysteriously slanted.

The machine’s hunger
Has a taste against the odds
Ignoring the probability —

Credits dissolve.

Indistinguishable from reality
A creature of habit
Occupying all space —

Dependence avoided.

Not sharing the obsession
I cash out
Walking away —

Posture-perfect.

Others entering
Stumped over walkers
Old and shabby —

Pitted and scarred.

This house of worship
At best, a place
For people watching —

What the hell!

I prefer to watch the sunset
From the mountain high
Dreaming of tomorrow —

Cleared for action.

With every act
A reminder of
Thought put into deed —

Orthodox acceptance.

Seeking relationships
I enter the cathedral
Not for the gaming —

“. . . we need the eggs!” *

* A reference to a Woody Allen quote in Annie Hall.

kenne

Posted September 26, 2012 by kenneturner in Family, Information, Life, Photography, Poetry

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