18 October 2019, Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Hurry up and wait. Isn’t that typical of travel? Glenn and I were up at 3 am and out the door of my apartment at 4 to drive to the Pittsburgh airport, meet his daughter Michelle and her family plus two others, get to the first leg of our flight to Reno. It’s national rabbit show time!
Aside: Glenn’s older daughter raised show rabbits as a 4-H’er, had to give it up for college but returned to her avocation when her daughter Sara was small. Sara, now 7, seems to really enjoy the hobby, increasing her knowledge of breeds, animal husbandry etc. The selection of show royalty is based on knowledge and presentation skills, and Sara took first in Pennsylvania in her age group earlier this year. She has thoroughly enjoyed the tiara, sash and role that come with being the PaSRBA lady!
At PIT, all went relatively smoothly. We checked bags as a group, something new we learned is possible. That allowed Michelle to check a bag for free since Glenn and I have Delta credit cards. TSA Pre security line wasn’t bad; Glenn and I went through fairly quickly. But the regular security line was well outside the sizable maze when Michelle et al. arrived. Unknown to us, they and a group of others were pulled from the long line and taken to another site for security check, finishing faster than expected. We all hopped onto the tram that carried us from the landside terminal to the gates, found our gate and waited to board … again pretty smoothly. Although boarding was a bit slow, we took off promptly and landed on time in Salt Lake City, an almost three-hour journey and a two-hour time difference. I wasn’t really sure what time it was — and I had only had one cup of coffee so far.
We traipsed from Concourse C to B, a straggling group led by two first-time flyers who seemed to have the most energy: Sara and her friend Krista. Because we had an almost two-hour layover in SLC, most of the seats at our departure gate were taken by the flight leaving before ours, but we found seven seats near each other, took turns going to restrooms and food shops and waited. The outgoing flight was nearly loaded when I heard my name being called to the desk. Hmm.
Well, Delta had decided to take Glenn and me up on our pre-agreement to give up our seats for $500 and a seat on the next flight. Michelle’s husband Seth joined us. And now we three sit in the Delta Sky Club noshing on tidbits and waiting until we can check in to the next flight. Michelle, Sara, Krista and her dad are en route to Reno.
Later
Here at last, the Atlantis Resort and Casino next to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Our flight was on a small plane, two seats on each side of the aisle and filled to the brim, but we’d gotten more leg room with the Delta Comfort seats the SLC gate agent got for us. About an hour of air time so we landed at about the same time we left. We are now in the Pacific time zone, but I still don’t know what time it is. My Fitbit-watch hasn’t synced nor have I.
Michelle and family are in a room connecting to ours. That way we can keep an eye on Sara when Michelle and Seth want a night out. We’re on the 12th floor with an awesome view of the mountains. But right now, the only view I am interested in is my side of the queen bed. I’m pooped.
19 October, Reno, Nevada, USA
Ah, time zone travel. Glenn awoke at 3:15, technically he’d slept in since it was 6:15 in PA and he’s usually up at 5 or so. He returned to bed and slept a few more hours, and I slept a few more than that.
We decided to skip using the free-coffee-at-Starbuck’s coupon; I needed real food after yesterday’s mishmash of mostly pre-packaged airport snacks. We did have a lovely dinner last night with my brother Dan and his wife Ann; they live in Reno. They had sushi, Glenn had jambolaya, I had a seafood cocktail big enough for all of us, and we shared a lovely bottle of white wine. Dan and Ann are fascinated by the idea of a rabbit show and want to come again to see what it’s all about.
We set off to find breakfast amidst the gambling machines — many with players already in their seats … and smoking. That’s the worst part of trying to get anywhere here. Smoking is allowed in most places on the gaming floor, location of most restaurants. We found Michelle and family breakfasting at the Purple Parrot and joined them for a real breakfast with lots of coffee refills.
The walk from the hotel to the convention center took us on a skyway that would make Minneapolis envious — at least two blocks long with a couple of turns but lots of glass for great views of parking lots, nearby shopping plazas and even the mountains. Rabbits were arriving with their owners, cages were set up in designated breed areas, and the floors of the convention center were already littered with cage straw. In the youth area, we found Sara’s Princess Celestia, a cute Netherland Dwarf that she’ll show and use in her competitions today and tomorrow.
Not much for us to do while Sara was competing so Glenn kibitzed with other rabbit folks and I returned to our room to attempt yet again to get my Mac laptop to connect with the wifi. I opened the laptop and it had mysteriously turned itself off, not just gone to sleep as it usually does. i re-entered my password; loading slowly completed to reveal my desktop, and the sign up page for the hotel’s wifi. I’m on. Go figure.
Midday Dan picked up Glenn, Seth and me for our distillery tour and whiskey tasting at Forsaken River Distillery, Michelle’s birthday present to Glenn. I promised not to giggle this year like I did in Connecticut last year. Maybe this can become an annual thing …?
Gene, one half of the owners of the tiny distillery, was our guide. He showed us around the distillery, including a smoker made from an old hot water heater. It’s used to smoke the grains used in the vodka. We learned that all vodka is “distilled” four times to remove harmful impurities. Gene told us about the four parts of vodka as it is distilled: poison, head, heart, and tail. That’s the order of distilling. Seth recalled several deaths in Puerto Rico from drinking homemade vodka, and Gene said they had not waited until the first 15% (I think) had distilled and tossed this segment, the poison, out. It contains the most harmful impurities, thus its name.
We learned that many commercial vodka makers add a bit of head and tail to the heart, thus making their product less expensive … and, according to our guide, more likely to cause a headache. Forsaken River is all heart, a bit pricey but very tasty. We all noted Gene’s passion for what he’s doing … and our concern for their lack of a marketing strategy … and we bought a few bottles to take with us.
20 October
The annual convention and show of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) is in full swing — about 17,000 rabbits, 49 breeds, consuming a goodly portion of the convention center’s 381,000 square feet of space. What more can I say … at least rabbits aren’t noisy or smelly and they sure are cute. I’ve had fun showing Dan and Ann around. They had no idea what to expect and were overwhelmed to see how extensive the show is. I think Ann would take home a rabbit in a heartbeat if it weren’t for their “only child” cat who doesn’t play well with others.
Dinner tonight was at “the best happy hour in Reno,” according to my brother who loves happy hours. And he was right. He, Ann, Glenn and I enjoyed interesting flat breads and several other “small plates” with our wine selections — and we had plenty to eat, all at half price! Glenn and I did decide to return here for cioppino, which Dan said is a must-try for those who like this Italian seafood stew/soup which we both do.
21 October
Krista’s rabbit hopped today … and took second, but unfortunately we missed it. I had been telling Dan and Ann about Krista’s great hopper, and they were anxious to see what hopping was all about. Actually kind of like a miniature steeple chase for miniature animals. Because the hopping competitions’ time was changed, Krista’s rabbit hopped earlier in order for her to attend her individual royalty competition. But I’m glad she did well though disappointed we didn’t get to see her hopper perform.
Later in the morning, while last-minute volunteers Glenn and Seth helped with royalty interviews, I went to the spa for a massage and a bit of pampering. Aaaaaahhhhh.
Dinner tonight was at Toucan Charlie’s, one of the most extensive buffets I’ve ever seen … and with really good food. But then, as Dan told us, Reno casinos generally have good food and prices, and in his experience the Atlantis has the best. We’ve certainly seen that.
Aside: Michelle said several rabbit friends had gone to a nearby iHop for breakfast, thinking it would be less expense than the Purple Parrot. NOT. I guess the casino wants to keep you indoors and available to play, hence they don’t gouge on the food prices.
Second aside: Glenn and I got Atlantis Casino cards which not only allow us to gamble and accrue points for discounts, but also automatically get us some restaurant discounts cuz we’re old! That was the case at the buffet — our meals were about the cost of the kids’.
A friend from my overseas working days and and his family joined Glenn, Sara, her friend Abigail, Dan and me at Toucan Charlie’s. I met Bob originally when he was a consultant on my projects in the Balkans. I’d met his son and family on a previous trip to see Dan and Ann, and was just introduced to his foster daughter who also joined us. Our group of 11 enjoyed an alcove table and hardly made a dent on the 20 or so islands of food despite some big appetites.
22 October
“Somewhere west of Laramie” was the headline in a 1923 Saturday Evening Post (anyone remember that iconic mag?). It was run by the Jordan auto company and aimed at women, a revolutionary idea at the time. (That’s the car below.) Now women buy more than 50% of new cars and influence the purchase of up to 80%. Those pieces of interesting trivia are care of Glenn’s trip to the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno. Today Glenn, Michelle, Seth and Sara visited the museum whose displays are largely from the Harrah Collection.
William F. Harrah, owner of Harrah’s casino-hotel empire, collected and stored in area warehouses more than 1400 automobiles. The collection was open to the public. When Harrah died, the company and collection were acquired by Holiday Inn which later announced the sale of the collection. Locals were distinctly not happy. A nonprofit was eventually set up to keep at least part of Harrah’s collection in Reno. Holiday Inn donated 175 of the cars, local collectors bought and donated about 60 more, and the museum opened in 1968.
As is his wont, Glenn took scores of photos, all in focus and each preceded by the explanation sign: “1928 Mary Pickford Ford, It created a roar in the 1920s.” And of course, he had to take a pic of John Wayne’s car with a cardboard “Duke” standing behind.
While Glenn et al. toured the museum and Reno, Bob and I caught up over coffee and a viewing of the rabbit show, a new experience for him. One of Glenn’s bids in one of the many breed association auctions won, and I picked up his prize, heavy wool socks and a leather tool.
Later: Sara won! She is the American Rabbit Breeders Association lady, the royal designation for a girl in her age group. (Her “boyfriend” Austin won lord.) Sara got several other awards, individually and as part of a Pennsylvania “rabbit bowl” team. And as a whole, PA took quite a few awards and spots in ARBA royalty. Our hands were sore from clapping and our voices hoarse by evening’s end.
23 October
We checked out of the hotel, packed up our rental car and drove to Dan and Ann’s for a night. Tomorrow, Lake Tahoe. I found what looks like a cute AirBnB atop one of the mountains. Fresh air, walking, time alone with Glenn: my 74th birthday will be great.
25 October, 74 years and counting on more! A mountain near Stateline, Nevada, (Lake Tahoe)
The drive down here was wonderful — gorgeous weather, peaceful, relaxing. Of course we stopped for numerous photo opportunities and to stretch our legs as we drove along the east side of Lake Tahoe. I really can’t complain about Glenn taking so many photos since he generally populates this blog with pix for me. And there was a gorgeous array of photo opps.
The studio-sized condo I’d rented through AirBnB is disappointing — ill equipped and very tight quarters but great location atop a wooded mountain.
Last night we dined at an Italian restaurant in Zephyr, a town we’d passed driving in. Delicious food — I had zughetti, spiralized green and yellow zucchini, with Bolognese sauce. Tonight we’re going to a BBQ place that’s the closest eatery to the condo (half a mile). My choice because right now Glenn and I are going to veg out on the deck with a bottle of wine, a hunk of cheese, apples and crackers. Heaven.
That’s me pre-wine. My sister-in-law Ann made the gorgeous necklace. And being an “equal time” gal, below is Glenn on the night of his birthday dinner.
Aside: Just before we left, we celebrated middle granddaughter Emma’s 5th birthday, which is the day before Glenn’s and we celebrated Glenn’s. I’m not used to so many October birthdays — My family’s birthdays are clustered in July and August. That’s Emma and Callie below with their Halloween pumpkins.
27 October, Pittsburgh PA USA
A good time was had by all — I think that’s safe to say about our annual ARBA trip; never a dull moment (see above for examples, plus I’ve told many of you that one of Glenn’s virtues is that he makes me laugh).
We drove back to Dan and Ann’s for one night, supped on a variety of small plates and an excellent red wine at a lovely wine bar near their house and flew home without “passing go” and collecting $500 for giving up our seats (and given that we were both ready to be home, that wasn’t even disappointing.
Thus concludes this edition of “Hello All.” Stay tuned for my semi-annual trip to Poland, coming soon!
Hello All from Suzi 