Kathy and I debated about what to do for New Years. Kathy had just gotten back from a 7 day trip to Disneyland with Max (son), Emily (daughter) and Ruben (grandson). A great time, but she felt those horrible, "I got the responsible adult blues", sung to the tune of "Crazy Mama". For the past 2 years we had spent the New Years in the Reno area and it was getting to be a tradition.
After careful deliberation, prayer and quiet reflection, we came to a WTF conclusion - we be gone.
We had some business to attend to in Portland on Wednesday so we decided to take a new route down the Columbia Gorge. So after a stop for the night at Hood River, we headed South on 97 at The Dalles. What a wonderful trip. The scenery was excellent and neither of us had ever seen it so, it was moments of mutual discovery. We cruised down the Highway ensconced in the luxurious ride of Kathy's truck, listening to music, singing, stopping often for photo ops, snacks, lunch at local diners, quiet conversation and just enjoying the moments.
We arrived Western Village Hotel and Casino in Sparks around 7:00. Got our room which was clean and comfortable and then headed over to the Casino to see what kinds of trouble we could get into. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and enjoyed the fact that the Casino caters to locals and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly rather than the impersonal, pushy lack of ambiance found in Reno.
We gambled, drank large amounts of coffee and at times laughed so hard, my cheekbones hurt. Lady luck was not watching me as she had taken up permanent residence on Kathy's shoulder.
On Friday, the 30th we got a late, lazy start but finally made it out of the resort around 12:00 for a road trip to Virginia City. We took the long way to V.C. and were using Vera (my cell phone GPS guru) to get us there. Vera routed us down a road that few men, or women would be brave enough to traverse a road that was truly amazing in it's rugged beauty. The wind was howling down the canyons, but we enjoyed the moments for the beauty of Nevada, the quaintness of Virginia City, and just the feeling of freedom that surrounded us.
We got back to our room and had another fun evening of gambling, music and more then our share of guffaws.
Saturday was spent watching football and being amazed about how I was getting creamed in a Bowl pool I am involved in. (Reading the rules would have been a major help). We found a local pub where we played pool and schmoozed with the locals. We went out to Pietro's Familia Restaurante in downtown Sparks. Delicious Italian food served by polite elderly Italian men while being entertained by a 75 year old vocalist who did a mean rendition of Mack the Knife. We then went over to the Nugget where I sat down at a video slot machine that was broken, as it kept paying off in prodigious amounts. We hit Midnight standing outside and listening to the fireworks and being grateful for what 2011 offered and looking forward to the adventures that '12 will give us. We got to bed around 2:00 after taking a chunk out of the local economy.
Sunday we were up at 6:30 and on the road by 8:30. We traded naps and driving. It was reminiscent of our trip across the country. Another long ride home but very enjoyable. It's just how you want to look at things.
Happiest New Year wishes to all of our friends and family. May '12 offer health, laughter and plenty of opportunities to break bread together.
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| Mt Hood from the East side |
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| Eagle Lake on the way to Susanville, CA |
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| The road to nowhere....actually ended up in Virginia City |
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| Coming down from Virginia City....the dust blowing down the canyons |
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