RENO'S PEPPERMILL

Good friend, Randy Vining arrived. Jim has known him for years, another full time RVer. Randy has an interesting past that led him to his more recent roll in life, poet/philosopher. For a look at his philosphy, you can check out his blog at: mobilecodgers.blogspot.com
He has given life and its consequences a lot of thought and many years ago, gave up the unnecessary trappings of  life and took to the road, a modern hobo.
We enjoyed visiting for a couple hours. In the afternoon, we took a walk around the area in which we are staying.

We stopped by the Peppermill Hotel and Casino, one of my favorite casinos. Nostalgia, mostly, since we patronized The Peppermill when it was just a simple restaurant, a good one, too. That was many years ago. The place keeps expanding until its barely recognizable between visits.

 

 The inside is still a dazzling swirl of neon lights without the old noise of clinking coins from the slot machines.  People don't seem to miss the noise, but I do.

Casino signs are an amazing kind of artwork. The neon tubing and flashing lighting provide glitz that says Fun Is Here. I'm hoping to drive the strip one night this week and take pictures of signs. It feels like a New Years celebration just to drive the strip at night. 

The draw is to think bigger than life, more money than you've ever seen. Temptation. Maybe I'll hustle up to the crap tables for an hour or so.

YUMA LIBRARY, AND FRIENDS

Each day finds us at Yuma Public Library to check email and post a blog. That is, all days except Sunday. Upon arrival I look with envy at this beautiful library and fervently wish it were located in Calaveras County. The inside is a marvel as well and yet, we have yet to spend a day lolling around the place, perusing and losing oneself in a book or two. But the temptation is strong and I'm determined to have one complete library day before I leave Yuma. Hmmmm. Strangely enough, on the road, the relaxed lifestyle, the hours fill up and I never get done what I would wish to each day.
Currently, I'm working on Bob Gambol's rambles in South America. At one point, he was returning to his hotel at dusk and he saw a guy walking towards him. It was a rough and tumble town so he crossed the street. The guy crossed as well, his intent clear. Bob waited until the guy was 50 feet from him, reached in his pocket and brought out his hand in the shape of a pistol and said as loud as he could, "BANG!" The guy took off running. Altercation averted. Rather amazing.
Jim and I talked about characters we've known. (Bob his one of his rambling friends who backpacked the world from 1991 to 1997.) As we talked I realized, I've known many characters in my life and I'm so grateful to have crossed paths with them. As a writer, I hope to get them all down on paper. (Some of them are my own family members.)
Adios