May 27, 2021 - Day Eight
Wendover, Nevada/Utah
Parked on the ramp at Wendover Airport in front of the FBO building.  Notice the chain tie-downs.  And yes, that is the airplane from the movie Con-Air at far right!  It's a Fairchild C-123.
   
This is my second time at Wendover.  I landed here in the Citabria back on the Oregon Trail flight in 2006.  It hasn't changed a whole lot.
 
The FBO building contains a little museum.  The FBO office was manned; the attendant was very helpful.  I had reservations at the nearest casino -- the Nugget -- and I had planned to either get a shuttle or walk, but the attendant said, no, take the courtesy car.
   
As I mentioned, Wendover was a big bomber training base during World War II.  The crew and airplane that dropped the first atomic bomb -- the Enola Gay -- also trained here.
   
Many of the World War II barracks are still standing.
 
 
   
One thing I noticed is that Wendover has really tried to make the airport something people will want to visit, with the museum and placards around the buildings.  Link
 
For example, the Enola Gay had its own hangar, and this is it.  they are in the process of restoring it.
   
More barracks, but some have simply collapsed.
   
The Bonneville Salt Flats are a short distance away so I drove out there.  I did not go out onto the salt, however.  I saw a car that had just gotten off the salt and its wheel wells were splattered with it.  Figured that wouldn't be too good for the courtesy car.
   
Some information posted at the flats.
 
I stayed at the Wendover Nugget.  The rate was very good and the room was fine.  But I was shocked at everything else.  The place was deserted.  I walked around the casino floor and none of the tables were open -- blackjack, roulette, craps, etc.  There were a few people on the slots.  They gave me two free drink tickets but I could not find an open bar.  Even the sports book was closed.  Finally I found an open bar.  Me and some degenerate gambler were the only ones at the bar.  15 years ago I stayed at the Montego Bay Resort across the street and remember the huge buffet with prime rib for only $15 -- the Nugget buffet was closed.  The only food available was at the coffee shop.  It was also practically empty but the food was good.  The pool was closed.  The whole thing was depressing.  I asked someone what the deal was and said the Nugget had a good crowd on the weekends but not during the week.  I guess the aftermath of the Chinese Flu also had something to do with the lack of people.
   
 
   
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