THE GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT, UTAH

July 29^th:   Salt Lake City is picturesque in the distance nestled at the base of the Unitas Mountains but like most big cities I was anxious to keep moving.  As we pasted the actual lake I spotted an orthodox looking temple called Salt Aire that was first built in the 1920's to entertain (Roaring Twenties I presume). It burned down twice and was rebuilt each time.  I understand they still have events today but nothing to rival the likes of the 1920's.  

Salt Aire

Salt Lake City area was also experiencing huge fires.

The Great Salt Lake

 Much to Molly’s distress I kept the windows down and a/c off until it reached 90 degrees.  With a look of disgust on her face she hopped into her back seat apartment to escape the wind and sun.  We have a big desert to across and several hundred miles of nothing until we arrive in Winnemucca, NV, which is still nothing.

I probably should be contemplating some philosophical discourse today, but that was not to be.  The hours pass slowly and I was content to just be in the moment whatever that was.  Okay, I got a little bored and decided to spit cherry pits out the window right between the side view mirror and the tow mirror.  I’m a pretty good shot.  Just one problem, I ate too many cherries and got a severe case of flatulence.  Now Molly likes the window down.

The telephone and electrical poles looked like little soldiers marching in single file out into the horizon less desert to meet certain death.  I did not even see a stone to stub your toe on or a bush for Molly to crouch behind.  Saw a sign for Bonneville Flats Speedway – a race car thing I think.  Good place for it, nothing to crash into.

It was now time to count, categorize and label things.   I counted tumble weeds that blew across the interstate, 35 were green, brown and grey; 150 truck cabs many of which were painted a fashion color, 40 were mauve and one turquoise, my favorite colors; cop cars, 1; motorcycles, 0.

It is official.  I am the slowest thing on the highway and railroad.  A train appeared out of nowhere going the same direction and passed me by.  The Union Pacific engine came first.  The engineer finally sees me after considerable horn tooting and hand waving and he blows the whistle.  That was so cool.  Next came the box cars, 1, 2, 3, 50 in all followed by another engine with an American flag painted on the side.  Imagine that, a push me pull me.  Bored yet?  Be careful I might actually tell you what the cargo was.

Now what?  Oh, billboards.  I must be getting near a town.  I usually hate billboards calling them a blight on Mother Nature’s carpet but they are all a welcomed sight now.  They reminded me of the old Brylcreem roadside signs in the 50’s.  Does anyone remember them?

We did it!  I am in Winnemucca, Nevada at the Hi Desert “Resort.”  I have unofficially renamed the town to “Winneyucca.”  There are mountains here but they are barren, rounded and molded, almost like they had been painted and placed carefully on the landscape.  The high desert is surprisingly beautiful in its own unique way but I’m a bit underwhelmed with all the dust.  We are in casino country.  Slot machines are everywhere including the bathroom.  How does that work?  If you get a jackpot how do you collect your winnings with your pants down – that’s a little awkward. 

The RV manager told me there was one casino in town that has a free shuttle to and from the park.  See you later Molly.  I’ll only spend $10.  That means $20 and probably will end up being $50.  Just like shopping.   I’ll let you know tomorrow – really!!  Where are my fashion consultants when I need them?  I need a casino outfit to wear.  Let’s see, how about 4” high heels, hot pink shorts and a tube top garnished with a feather boa and my Durango ball cap.  I looked at myself in the mirror, not bad.  No tube top though, it was down around my knees.  I’ll just wear a tee shirt with a name tag “Camper Chick” given to me as a gift before I left.  Maybe a cigarette, bright lipstick and lots of jewelry should top off the look.  Sounds like fun.

I spent $0.  The highlight of the evening was the shuttle van driver to and from the casino.  Had a snack in the coffee shop and proceeded to the cashier’s booth to cash a traveler’s check.  I waited a bit since the cashier was on her cigarette break.  As she approached her cage she sucked on and played with her false teeth putting them in and out and finally mumbled, “We don’t accept traveler’s checks.”  “You mean you don’t want my money?”  “Nope.”  “How about a personal check?”  “Nope.”  “A credit card, or IOU?”  “Nope.”  Well, I was so annoyed I left.  The casino was no bigger than a hotel lobby and the people kind of freaked me out anyway.  Most appeared drunk already and you could not breathe in the smoke filled room.  A movie and popcorn with Molly at the trailer sounded delightful.

As I mentioned, the shuttle driver was the highlight of my little adventure.  His Dad moved here after high blood pressure cost him his job as a truck driver in South Dakota.  He came to work in the gold mines driving truck.  When driving on private lands you do not need a CDL (commercial driver's license) in Nevada.  The gold mines are the main employer and the price of gold has raised so high, old gold mines are reopening.  There are more Hispanics than Indians and even fewer white men working the mines.

Most RV parks have permanent and seasonal residents to keep their parks financially solvent and this park was no exception.  There was a trailer a bit smaller than mine with a family of four or five.  The dad worked for the mines according to his truck but just as I decided to chat with him, he started drinking beer out of the back of his truck.  I tried using Molly as bait with the children but they had obviously been warned to stay away from the tourists.  I guess some situations are best left alone.