Jennifer Plesko

In a few short days, I’m turning thirty. I always dreamed of doing something really big for that birthday – maybe going to New York City or going on a cruise. But it wasn’t in the cards this year, so I did what I do – I decided not to make a decision. I don’t like having to plan my own birthday festivities. I never have. It feels narcissistic and there’s a lot of pressure – especially with a milestone birthday. Therefore, I just thought I’d do what I’ve done every year. I’ll have dinner with hubby and my parents and then go out afterward with friends.

Last week, I realized I had one more weekend before my birthday, and suddenly, the idea of doing the same old thing kind of depressed me. Hubby and I had been seeing all these billboards for Winstar World Casino and their month of Halloween festivities, and he kept commenting that we should go there. The more I thought about it, the better it sounded. It’s only an hour away!

So after lunch on Saturday, we loaded up hubby’s convertible and took off for Thackerville, Oklahoma. Yeah, I’d never heard of it either. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and the music was blaring. Neither of us had been to Oklahoma, seen the Red River, or visited an Indian casino; it felt like an adventure.

It wasn’t long before we crossed that river (which is, in fact, red) and the Winstar World Casino appeared before us.

We walked in, got our player’s cards, and started walking through the casino. But soon we noticed that this was not what we were used to. It was basically all slots and a couple of blackjack tables. We walked from one end to the other and realized there wasn’t a single craps table to be found. Disappointed, hubby offhandedly commented “Guess we should’ve gone to Shreveport. They have craps. And the food is better, too.” I agreed saying, “I wish we would’ve thought of that.”

A few moments passed. Then he spoke up, “I wonder how far it is.” He pulled out his trusty iPhone and mapped it. It was about four hours away. “So we would get there about 7:00?” I asked. He stopped, turned to me and said, “I’m game if you are.” I paused, then smiled. “Let’s do it.”

Minutes later, we were blazing back over the Red River, filled with excitement. Google kept insisting that we go back through Dallas to get there, but that route would take us right back to where we started. Instead, we opted to take a tour of East Texas, even if it took a little longer.

It was Sonic Happy Hour, so we made a quick stop in Gainesville to fuel up on Dr. Pepper and grilled cheese.

A couple of hours into our trip, we passed through Paris, Texas. Me being the encyclopedia of useless knowledge that I am said, “You know, they have an Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on it here?” “Really?” said hubby. “We should find it!” We weren’t sure where it was, but Paris isn’t big. We would be passing through downtown, and we figured that must be where it is. Come to find out that downtown was closed off for the Festival of Pumpkins. We parked and walked to the town square. Like most small-town festivals, it was full of music, games, crafts, and the smell of kettle corn.

But there was no Eiffel Tower. Hubby pulled out the trusty iPhone again. “Ohhh. It’s on the east side of town. By the civic center.” So we got back into the car. Sure enough, past the local junior college, on the edge of town was the civic center. And next to it, there was the Eiffel Tower.

From there, we continued on through Mt. Pleasant, Daingerfield, Marshall, and just past Waskom, there it was – The Louisiana State Line. Three states in a day. Another 22 miles and we were basking the bright lights of Shreveport.

Since we’d only been there once before, and it was six years ago, we weren’t sure where we should stay and play. After we visited several casinos, and made sure each of them had a craps table, we finally settled on Horseshoe, but they were booked. So we decided on El Dorado, but they were booked. So we settled for Sam’s Town, but they were booked. I guess that’s a hazard of spontaneity. So hubby called Boomtown before we hopped in the car. They had one room left! And craps tables!

Minutes later, we were checked in and scoping out the tables. Unfortunately, that night was not our night, and after some bad rolls, hubby decided we should retire and try again at Horseshoe on Sunday.

The next day, after an extended check out time and a plate of the BEST red beans and rice on the planet (The Blind Tiger. Seriously. Go there.), we headed back to Horseshoe. Once again, hubby had bad luck at the craps tables, but I managed to come out almost even. We decided to stop gambling, grab our free promotional gifts ($20 at Bass Pro Shops! Woo!), and head back to Texas.

We didn’t win big, but I broke out of my routine and did something I’d never done before and had a great time doing it. It felt like we were in a Robert Earl Keen song. Now I can feel like I’m starting this decade on the right foot.

P.S. I’m still going to see my family and friends this weekend. And looking forward to it!