Seriously Salt Lake City

Temple square closes at night. Its gated. And that's where I took my guests after a long day, a long dinner (at a brewery....none of them drink beer) and a long walk.
I cannot win. And I really like these people too!
Besides all that Salt Lake City is so amazing! Restaurants everywhere and hotels and nightclubs of all things.
I didn't leave Reno early enough this morning, this city deserves a longer evening to stroll around. Oh and forgot the time change was coming.

We did stop and walk around the Salt Flats at least. That was nice.

Our lunch consisted of a seriously windy picnic at a little city park in Battle Mountain Nevada. Totally random. Huge dust storm blowing here and there.


Its got to get better soon! The trip has been good so far but all these little goofs are costly and not exactly creating memories. 

Sink or Swim Coast to Coast Tour Begins...

Blog 7-19-12

Lets recap. I started a new tour job. I show up at the office and they say “how do you feel about a coast to coast tour to New York City?” I said “sign me up!!”

Its day 2 OH MY GOODNESS. Am I getting my butt kicked  J

Luckily I have the nicest people in the world. They are great! Thank goodness.

First day, we’re headed to tahoe. I can’t find the safeway in Sacramento. Super J Then I buy propane and one of the containers doesn’t work…no biggie, I have another that does (we’ll eat a hot meal, yes!!)

Then after testing and practicing using ALL the equipment I just packed I turn around and get schooled by my guests because I can’t get the lanterns to work. I mean COME ON! I just used them a day ago! I couldn’t believe it.

Today I had been told about this great hike to these little lakes etc so off I go. With my passengers, my van and my trailer. As the road goes on it gets worse and worse, more narrow, bumpier, more narrow, busy with oncoming traffic, and narrow.

So about an hour in I’m panicking because I’ll be stuck forever with that trailer if I can’t find a space big enough to back it up in even a little bit.

Finally I’ve had enough and we come to Fallen Leaf Lake boat ramp. Phew! I wasted no time backing my trailer down the boat ramp and promptly turning around and getting the heck out of there!

So I had to apologize  to my guests, no hike today. I think they could see I was frazzled but at least they know I can back up a trailer and drive a narrow road. Yeah…not winning points I know!

We found a nice spot to picnic on Lake Tahoe (with easy parking J and there was an ice cream shop there, my favorite!

As I walked up to the counter I saw the sign that said “credit card machine is down, cash only” NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I had no cash. So no ice cream.

Later on in Carson City I walked into the fantastic coffee shop called CommaCoffee (really cool place, will go back again) and ordered coffee. I was tired and ready to sit for a minute while my passengers were wandering around. And she says (after she made coffee) that its cash only! So this time I get out all the change I’m carrying in my wallet. About 2.25. Not enough! I’m getting a little sad by then because I just wanted to sit down with a cup of coffee and wake up and relax. She suggests the ATM. I go check it out and there is an error message on it.

I’m about to lose it by this point. Not mad but sad. The lady must have seen it on my face because just then the owner walked in and got caught up on the story and says “on the house!” oh my gosh! That was so nice!!

So there I sat, calmed down and gather myself up a bit. Sheesh!

I did finally do a smart thing and call ahead to the hotel in Reno. Questions like “where do I pull up to unload? Do you have a dinner buffet?” so I rolled up prepared. This place is SO much easier to manage than Laughlin. Bigger parking lots and nicer staff too.

Though I will say the casino is full of totally random people. Strange bunch that hang out in Reno I guess!