Took a little midweek getaway to Arizona by way of Laughlin, Nevada this week. My wife loves to do three things, shop, play slot machines and look at houses (real estate). So all three were on the menu. Of course to do it we had to leave our mild 80 degree summer days for the 110 degree “furnace” of the Colorado Desert.
We left in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun. The heat though was inescapable. The car thermometer was at 109 degrees as we cruised through one of the more spectacular desert sunsets I have ever viewed near Amboy, CA. The volcanic mountains were bathed in a hot orange glow as a full moon began to rise. It gave me a chill, but we left the A/C on anyway. (Sorry no pix).
Soon we checked into our air-conditioned room and rolled our gear through the familiar sounds of slot machines and smell of cigarette smoke on the casino floor. Time for a hot shower, a cold beer, a midnight brunch and good night’s sleep. I would have gotten one too, if my wife did not insist on watching Casino TV. But you can learn even from the lesser lights of literacy. I learned one group of ambulance chasers is after Poligrip. Can you believe using Poligrip on your dentures can be hazardous to your health. Don’t neglect your dental care.
We spent an easy day looking at investment properties and then adjourned to the Casinos. I sat out on the “Riverwalk” deck with a microbrew watching a rare desert thunderstorm blow across the Colorado River. The lightning closed the swimming pools leaving a little additional gaming time for the wife. My weatherwatch activities extended to people watching. I noticed the Latino clientele was actually larger than the Latino staff.
The bartender, Leo, from Michoacan was talkative when I told him I was sort of from Michoacan as well, I just spell it differently (Michigan). Long ago in a Galaxy far away “The Tatooed Lady” was a circus freak. Today they all seem to be tattooed ladies, most especially the Cocktail Waitresses.
All too soon (as it seemed) it was time once again to pit the motor car against the crucible of the desert at “High Noon”. I eventually dragged my wife away from the slot machines. (She hates to leave when she’s “on a roll”). I try to prevent her from giving those winnings back. We were ahead- good time to quit, right?
On the way back (somewhere in the middle of the desert) I got a cell call from Ranger Doug’s Shootist’s Emporium. The WWII Japanese Assault Rifle I recovered in pieces at my Dad’s house on my trip East was reassembled and ready for pickup.The bonus was the extra midday desert thundershower on the return trip. It was coming down so hard it was like being in a car wash. We went from106 degrees to 70 degrees in about fifteen minutes.
As soon as I got home I checked the mail. My old pals the “Smog Nazi’s” were after my Cruiser. Took another hidden tax to fix that non problem. The nature of the bitch, I guess.
MLB
