Wow! Who knew how much nothingness was between Vegas and Reno? I sure did not. I have for the first time seen a mirage — the likes of which would entice me into a thirst-induced stumble towards the ‘lake’. It was quite amazing, very different than the ’shimmers’ I saw in West Texas (that I thought were mirages).
This — however, is NOT a mirage–it is Lake Walker:

So…we made it all the way through the desert, passed the lakes, and then pulled into Reno — around 6PM here! I was so glad to be here, and I’m sure dad was even more happy to be out of the truck.
I’m getting carpet put in my room Monday morning (at 9) so I can’t put anything in my room — luckily, there’s a garage, and I just put everything there — we returned the Penske 3 days early (too bad we don’t get money back:)
The house is cool, I’m excited to meet my new housemates! (I’m living with two girls — so we’ll see how they like it…Melissa said she was going to call and warn them — but I doubt they have any idea).
There will be a toy yorkie and a ‘mutt’. The mutt appears to be rather large by the size of dog crate in the garage and the bed on the back porch.
Speaking of the back porch — I’ve got a pretty neat view! I’m up high looking down over lots of houses with mountains in the background!

I’m off to meet the carpet guy — I’ll try to be a little more disciplined about posting as I’m sure this’ll be an exciting adventure!

Well, as the sign indicates — we’re now in Nevada..home sweet home for the next chapter of my life! I’m getting more and more amped!
We should arrive this evening — and then we’re going to watch The Simpson’s Movie…I know — kind of weird seeing how we’re just getting into Reno, and you’d think I’d want to explore, but Dad was too tired last night to see it (he has probably driven 80% of the time to allow for your reading pleasure! My dad’s the best there is — everyone that has met him can’t stop talking about how nice and generous he is. Even Melissa (who is probably the queen of nice) can’t stop talking about him. He is, by far, my hero. I’ve often said that I’ll be happy when I’m half the man he is. He puts up with a lot of nonsense on my part (as does anyone who tolerates me
Back to the subject though…we’re pulling through Las Vegas, and now are on a large expanse of desert.

Ok….so the website was correct! We were able to get across the Hoover dam after our truck was inspected to make certain no explosives or other contraband were aboard.
We were driving down the road when all of a sudden, we came across a road block. The odd thing–the road was suddenly blocked with cones and make-shift signs and we were redirected into a very suspicious looking area (reminiscent of a movie portrayed gypsie camp!)…
I thought it’d be a great con to setup a pretend road block where people were expecting to get their cargo inspected, and then asking them to open up the back of their truck, and then remain in the cab — all the while unloading their cargo into your tent/van. I suppose I have an over-active imagination!

This picture is myself with Lake Mead in the background — I’m facing the dam which can be seen here:

I had no idea that the dam was such a tourist attraction, but upon some further research, its the 5th busiest national park area!
Now, there is a helicopter flying about 300 feet above us, with a blinking light…I’m not sure what they’re doing…
anyways, back to the trip across the dam…
There were a lot of people parked and walking through they even have a tourist center and everything!!
We crossed without incident and I was simply amazed at the architecture of the bypass they’re building, and all the electrical towers/wires crossing everywhere. It was a great sight to behold!
Thank goodness Dad was driving, there were hairpin turns going downhill, I’m sure we’d have been dead (or lost the car we’re towing) had I been behind the wheel.
up next…Nevada!

so I’m going to try to catch everyone up on the goings-on of Josh!
I’m currently on US 93 about to head over the hoover dam into Las Vegas!
We’re driving a rental truck, and about 20 miles back we saw a single sign that mentioned something about rental trucks need to take detour. We voted against the detour (since I looked up a website that said rental trucks that allow the police to inspect them can get through). We’re hoping the website was up to date
I’m going to try to get pictures of the Hoover dam and post them…
This is beautiful country, you can see for miles, and we’re surrounded by mountains. It reminds me of growing up and vacationing in new mexico…but better!

Well, we began our trip from Tennessee to Reno. We’re leaving at 5AM to get there tonight to see my sister and brother-in-law. We made it out by 7. I woke up at 2AM to pack my computer stuff and didn’t realize how much I’d underestimated the amount of computer equipment I owned.
I did end up leaving Melissa with a nice TV, dvd player and a set of Cutco knives…hopefully she takes good care of the knives. I snuck off with the Cooper book (2007) — but have placed an order to have her a new copy delivered soon.
The trip to Texas was pretty uneventful, we drove and drove, and pulled in around 9PM.
Shana and Karl’s kids Jacob and Abigail are my niece and nephew (in case you weren’t up on how families are structured
I’ve only seen them a handful of times, but Jacob’s become quite friendly — Abigail’s still not sure of me, and was a bit hesitant when hugging I don’t blame her, I don’t think I’d want to hug me.
The Roses (my sister and brother-in-law) have an amazing house! As you walk up to the front, you see a towering arched entryway. I got the grand tour of the house, and am very impressed by the decor (Shana loves to do that) as well as the structure! They’ve got some really cool rooms for the kids and I think Shana mentioned doing something even cooler. Shana’s prized possession is a red phone booth in her ‘dance floor’. They’re going to put a phone into it — that’ll be really cool!
They were flying to the Rose family reunion in Lake Tahoe (isn’t that ironic?) and left around 8:30 — so that got us on the road at a good time.
We drove on into Girlstown that evening, and enjoyed not being in a truck.