Buffer Days - Monday - July 7

As the interface between trail and town began to present itself over a week ago I knew the transition would be a challenge. To make sure I was present for my flight I gave myself a few buffer days in case some unforeseen event delayed my arrival at Lake Tahoe and threatened to keep me from my flight. Thankfully, nothing slowed my arrival and I am left with a day and a half in Reno before my flight whisks me home Tuesday afternoon. Today was my day to be in Reno and to make the best of it.

The contrast between the people on the trail and the hunched forms leaning over their gambling machines could not be more dynamic. Energetic, healthy, full of life and ambition, happy, and glowing, are descriptors I would apply to the people I met on the trail. Downtrodden, despairing, hopeless, sickly, and moribund fit the denizens of the streets and casinos of the district of Reno I am at. Of course, I was staying in a casino where the room rates were $27.50 a night, so a certain cliental are attracted, and although the price would attract PCT thru hikers these are not the people who populate the rooms and gaming areas of this area of town.

Late last night I had a craving for an ice cream. From my 11th floor window I could see a quickie mart kitty corner across the street. No big deal, just run across the road and buy a cone. On the way across the street I was propositioned by two prostitutes (flattering, I guess, but I think they found my wallet's content more attractive than the old guy carrying it). Up the street a deranged man yelled loudly at no one in particular. I did not want to become the focus of his anger and attention, so I crossed the street to avoid him. Once in the safety of the store (I really wanted a cone!) a very drunk man and his inebriated friend loudly argued over what liquor to buy, casting glances around the store to see if anyone would challenge his choices. I purchased my Nutty Buddy and began the 100 yard trek back through the mine field to the hotel. Other than other overt displays of aggressive behavior by a few men on the street and come on looks from the ladies sitting on the power transformer box it was an uneventful return trip. They say the greater the effort expended in gaining the prize the more valued the reward. That was the best ice cream cone I can remember.

Earlier in the day, when it was still light I rode the bus across town to Sierra Trading Post in hopes of replacing my worn boots. Although new when I started, the Shoe Goo on the soles is all that kept me from walking barefoot the last 100 miles. I found that T.J. Maxx had purchased the Post. The great bargains of yesteryear are no more. It looked like just another clothing store with some camping gear scattered about. I visited the adjacent mall in search of an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad mini so I would not have to type with my thumbs anymore. I found a good one and purchased it (I am using it right now to write this blog-you may have noticed the more recent blogs have grown in length-blame the keyboard for my verbosity). In the daylight Reno seemed like just another town, especially in the shopping district I was prowling during the day. I returned to my room and began catching up on lagging blogs.

While approaching Muir Pass back on Sunday, June 22nd I met two young ladies in their early 20s, Fun Fact and Good Time. They were having the time of their lives, enjoying every moment on the trail. We talked for a while, having to shout over the sound of the waterfall cascading violently next to us. I headed down the trail before them, but I had a feeling I would see them again when they passed me later in the day. We leapfrogged each other until early the next morning when they were part of the gathering at Muir Pass - Dogger, Billy, Silvia, Tie Dye, Vessel, myself and Good Time and Fun Fact (see "Party at the Pass" blog entry). While there we discovered that we were leaving Reno just a day apart and would be in town together. Fun Fact gave me her phone number and we set a date for dinner Monday night, July 7th.

I texted Fun Fact early this morning to see if they were still interested. The reply came later in the day. The two girls were in Mammoth, trying to hitch a ride to Reno and hoped to be here in time for dinner. They got a ride the entire 3 hour drive, including a stop at Sierra Trading Post for a little post trail shopping. I knew they were on their way, but it was getting late and I was getting hungry. I slipped out of my room and took the elevator to the lobby, intent on getting a sandwich at the deli to hold me over until our dinner. As I exited the elevator I saw the two girls standing in the registration line, grubby backpacks on their backs, waiting to register for a room. The $27.50 is a strong attractor.

After they secured their room and had a shower we met in the lobby and walked to the bus stop to get to a pizza place. The bus was late, so we walked a block to a reputedly great Mexican restaurant and had a good meal peppered with lively trail talk.

Back in the casino lobby we said our final goodbyes and best wishes for a good life knowing we would not see one another again, just like on the trail. But, if goodbyes hold in town as well as they do on the trail I think there is a good chance our paths will cross again. The hiking community is smaller and more close knit than one would expect.

And so my last full day away from home came to an end. Can I sum up this entire adventure? Perhaps it is best described to be like Bill and Ted's - Excellent. Am I game to try again? In a heartbeat!

If you have read through these postings over the months, I thank you. They have been fun to write, knowing friends and family are reading. They have served as a vicarious connection to home, for as I wrote each one I imagined friends and family back home reading them and it somehow made me feel not so far away. They will also serve as a reminder to me of the day-to-day anatomy of a grand adventure.