Awoke well before sunrise from a disturbing dream. Being onvacation doesn't mean you're also on vacation from yournightmares. A bowl of Chex for breakfast improves my spirits.
Later on-board the northbound SanJoaquin I found all the seat pairs occupied with at leastone passenger, most in a state of leisurely, sprawling slumber.With only a half-hour ride to Stockton I chose to standdownstairs. At StocktonI'm able to claim a pair of seats for myself. A few people werenot as fortunate. At SacramentoI'm lucky enough to snag the front seats across the aisle from thedriver; a good spot to see where we're going.
After a brief pit stop at Amtrak station in Rocklin,the driver pulls up to Steve's Liquor & Food nearby forsnacks. Feeling peckish I acquired beef sticks. After anotherbreak at a rest stop atop Donner Summitit's all downhill to Truckee, the last bastion of Californiabefore crossing into Nevada.
In TruckeeI met up with Yvonne, recently relocated to Reno from Des Moines.We had lunch at Moody'sBistro & Lounge where we split a pricey PizzaMargherita and truffled deviled eggs. The eggs weredivine, but the pizza is a mixed bag: good crust, weak flavors.
My first order of business back ay Yvonne's house, out in thesticks south of Reno: jail-keeper for her new rescue adoptee, afour-month old Border Collie mix named Bug while Yvonne goes outto retrieve Okie, her much older Border/Aussie mix.
It had been over a month since I had last seen Okie back in DesMoines. With his life in flux since, I was curious how Okie wouldreact to my visit. Okie caught sight of me from outside andstarted to yelp. Once inside he came over to the couch where I satbut paused, trying to figure out what's what. Finally Okie jumpedup on to his favorite perch, my thigh, stooping over to lick myface vigorously about every half-minute.
Yvonne had work to attend so I'm left home with Okie and Bug.Bug, having a propensity to run off, is kept on a leash or line atall times. Prior to receiving his chain leash, Bug had chewedthrough all other leashes in Yvonne's possession, leaving Okiefree to roam about the house and yard. However, a neighbor walkingtheir dog down the street garnered Okie's attention and I had torun off for him in my slippers. Not fun to trod with over a graveldriveway.
Yvonne returned with groceries and made migasfor supper, but the feast turned out more like breakfast nachos.No matter the meal was tasty.
Dealing with Okie's escapade left me with a pain around my righteye which progressed into a migraine over the night. I dozed off for a few hours on the air bed inthe living room but woke up for good, hours before sunrise, andresolved to do laundry.
I showered and took a quality dump before barging into Yvonne'sbedroom to rouse her and the dogs. Yvonne spent half the morningtending to work. I, feeling a little more keen on having morefreedom to roam and to appease some selfish comforts, opt to booka room downtown at Harrah's for the next two nights. I'm able tosnag a pretty decent deal and get a room for less than $70 forboth nights. I bade adieu to Okie and rode with Yvonne downtownfor breakfast at Peg's Glorified Ham n Eggs [seeblog post].
Sated, I briefly hung out with Yvonne in her confining yet roomyoffice space before checking into Harrah'sReno Casino & Hotel. For such a late reservation, I waspleased with the bargain my room was. The channels offered on theTV was woefully inadequate, but I figured the lulling banter ofESPN would coax me into the Land of Nod upon retiring for thenight.
After a much needed nap I ventured out for a stroll along the Truckee Riverwalk, settling inat Java Jungle foran double espresso con panna (with whipped cream). A commotionbroke out when some dude at the counter started throwing racialexpletives at the momentarily stunned barista, who then chased themiscreant out the door and down the street. A chair was flungaside with vigor!
At the end of the day I hooked up again with Yvonne for dinner atBlind Onion Pizza & Pub in the Sierra foothills of northwestReno [seeblog post].
| Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Labor Day Trip 2012 |
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder