This year has slipped by so fast that I found myself sitting on weeks of vacation come November. This has resulted in creative new outings to get me away from work. My most recent adventure involved a 2010 VW Jetta and a wide open rode for Laughlin.

The car was great, it's no wonder VW is number one in Europe. The new Jetta rides excellent, and is very ergonomic. I was surprised by the power from the 2.5 liter in-line 5 cylinder engine. It may only have 177hp, but thanks to the 6-speed transmission, this thing scoots. It also averaged a 28mpg loaded with 4 adults and luggage.

I have heard of this city by the Colorado river for years, but never had visited. I quickly learned the history of this town, and it all started with one man. This man is Don Laughlin, a self proclaimed workaholic and true entrepreneur at heart. He got into the slots business early on in life. This led him to what is known today as Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. The place where I found a hidden oasis in the dessert.

Here's a little nugget of history for you; Evidently the post master contacted Mr. Laughlin about the cities name for a local post office. Laughlin suggested Riverside Resort, the postmaster suggested "Laughlin". Evidently his suggestion was due to both being of Irish heritage. That's how this little steal away came to be named.

Long past are the days of chicken buffets for .98 cents and mobsters cruising down Route 66. The modern day Laughlin in simple words is a throwback to Las Vegas of yester-year. The people are friendly and down home, the traffic is minimal, and there aren't drunk college kids on every street corner!

Among the limited amenities of this town is a hidden jewel. One that can be appreciated by all, and is a must-see for gearheads. It's a great collection of cars from all era's and origins. It's known as the Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection. Just like the Murphy Museum of Oxnard, this museum is a collection of several owner's vehicles. Most are from Nevada, Arizona, or California.

I love this kind of collection,it makes for an eclectic gathering of iron from automotive past. You will find the usual suspects; late 50's Chevy sedans and early 30's Ford's, as well as a few pro-street cars and ground-up resto's. The cars that stood out to me were a few mid 60's Studebaker Avantis. In my opinion these cars were ahead of their time in design both esthetically and mechanically.

This collection also boasts a nice gathering of classics of the two-wheel variety. Everything from a gorgeous BSA, to a Honda Goldwing used on a ten-year, 50,000 mile road trip. There are also a few nice one-off rides that can't be found anywhere else.

If you find yourself needing a break from Las Vegas, turn to Laughlin. From the 11 casinos, to the river and museum, there is plenty to do in a weekend get away here. Take advantage of $10 rooms and $4.99 buffet specials...and a free tour of some beautiful autos!

Motor On,

Lance

Find out more about the museum at: Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection
Admission: FREE!
Hours: 10a-10p Mon-Sun