Well, I'm back. I spent the last two days at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. I attended a two-day seminar on business law, gambled, drank beer, and watched the Pistons lose.
Soaring Eagle is one of those Indian reservation casinos. I'm no expert on Native American law, but it's my understanding that the Indian reservations are nations unto themselves. Therefore, they can make their own rules, subject to treaties with the U.S. The treaties don't prohibit gambling, hence the advent of all these casinos around the United States.
I think Soaring Eagle was one of the first, at least in Michigan. I remember talking with friends a long time ago (1980s?), who said they were going to a pole barn outside of Mt. Pleasant (where Central Michigan University is located) to gamble. I remember thinking at the time, "Must be some clandestine operation." Nope. It was fully legal, and it's not a pole barn anymore.
I don't care much for casinos, but it was fun to get away from the seven and to spend time with my wife. She's a good Black Jack player, but I got a little annoyed when she six-pack coached from behind. The dealer gives me a two and a three; she says, "hit." I get two tens, she says, "stay." I finally told her to keep quiet. The dealer was getting a kick out of it.
Anyway, the Resort is highly recommended, if you like to do a little gambling. The place is spotless, and it has a nice pool, a spa, a good restaurant, and nice grounds to roam. And oh yeah: They have lots of ATMs and money-changing machines. They're so courteous!
