Well, I made it up and back. The big rain storm stalled over Catalina Island (sorry, Torey!). The casino was packed, Highway Patrol officers were blocking the parking lot entrance and I was obliged to park on the bean field north of the casino and walk a half mile back in a fierce windstorm. No sign of any grand opening chips - took quite a bit of looking to even find the snappers (at one table only). I was able to buy some $1, $2.50 and $5 chips which show various guitars on one side and the "Hard Rock black ball" logo on the other. Believe me when I tell you, there were no seats open, either at slot machines or the card tables. Games were being slowed down because gamblers had no idea how to play casino games. (Bakersfield never had an Indian casino before Hard Rock.) Then had to walk back in the sandstorm to find my truck. Still spittin' the sand outta my lungs.

$1 chip, $3; $2.50 is $4.00; and $5 is $7.00. Plus postage/handling of $3.00