SIN CITY, STILL A THRILL

Driving from Lovelock to Reno was uneventful except to say, it is a boring drive. With only 100 miles to go, we skimmed into town early in the day.
 
 The freeway sound barrier replicates the surrounding hills in a very artistic way. Married here in 1960, I've visited Sin City many times since over the years. It may have lost its reputation for being Sin City, but that is how it was known for many years because you could get married in a day, without a blood test. And you could get divorced in 6 weeks without a problem. Plus, they had legal prostitution here at the Mustang Ranch. I've always been spoiled by high class entertainment, great food and fun so close to home. Now, of course, there are Indian Casinos in everyone's neighborhood, but nothing quite compares to the thrill of visiting Reno.

We set up at "The Bunker", an old VFW here in Reno. It feels strange, somehow, to park next to a building and look over the roof. The motor home is taller than the building because the original plan was for a two story building. They ran out of money and roofed over the in-ground lower floor.

Located five minutes walk from the Virginia Street Casinos, we enjoyed the best buffet in Reno at Atlantis. Voted best by the local patrons according to a sign in the restaurant. Quality food. I like eating great tasting entrees that I do not cook in the motor home. Good fish choices, shrimp cocktail, tamales like home made, pot stickers,egg rolls, marinated mushrooms, that buffet jumble like a pot luck. Even tried dessert, key lime tart and wonderful bread pudding among a dozen choices.
 We were set to meet Jim's friend, Randy Vining, who got delayed but we enjoyed the cool breeze, relaxing, reading and doing small computer chores until dark.

For being in the middle of a big city, it was very quiet and cozy at our little spot as guests of the VFW.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY, LOVELOCK, NEVADA

 The powers that be located two prisons and a correctional center along this stretch of Utah and Nevada desert  next to the interstate.  Out in the middle of nowhere, away from towns, inclement weather in summer and winter. Designed to thwart escapes. Thus the signs.


We saw interesting rock formations here and there.

It was that kind of day. Steep climbs and downhills. Driving the first shift, we crossed over the biggest summit of the day at 6,784 feet. Two smaller ones followed, just over 5,000 feet. Again, managed about 300 miles distance today. I learned to pull up to a gas pump for the first time in the Motor Home.

A tunnel directly through the mountains. Though the drive is straight arrow boring, the names close to home, Salt Lake, Winnemucca, Reno, give me an excited sense of expectation, of returning home after 7 months on the road.

We landed in Lovelock;  had a great local beer made in Elkhart, Angel Pale Ale. The name Lovelock certainly conjures up romance. Its an unromantic looking place, though, small, about 2,000 people. Yet the names on the side of the road riffle through my mind like a song. They make me wonder why, and who would name a place Pumpernickel Valley for instance?

 I began reciting names like the words of a poem as I drove so I could remember to mark them down when we stopped.
Pilots Peak---Battle Mountain---Silverzone---Devils Gate---Oasis---Independence Valley---Angel Lake---Starr Valley---Ruby Valley---Midas---Button Point---Dun Glen---Rose Creek---Cave Byway. 

It makes you want to see Angel Lake. What does it look like? Is it shaped like and Angel? And Ruby Valley, the name of a person? Or is it named for colorful plants? Or rocks?  Midas. Signs suggested there was gold in this area at one time. Midas, that hopeful expectation of wealth beyond dreams. Ah, the stories they conjure.