10-05-23 4th Day, 5th State
I was awake pretty early this morning having slept well but my neck is pretty sore. That is typical of whiplash, that it has a delayed type of reaction. I got myself organized, ran a payroll and ROE for one of my clients who fired someone and then grabbed coffee and hit the road. It is another glorious day out and I am heading towards Reno as a first stop and meal break. I aimed for the Peppermill as I remember being there when Chris and I went back in 2004/5. I walked in, dropped a $100 bill in a machine, won a few bucks and then tried one other before popping what I had left in a machine, spinning down to less than 36 dollars and as I always bet max, I ended up with over $200 so I cashed out, treated myself to a nice lunch and then headed out.
I can’t say today was full of interesting scenery but there were moments and once I was past all the paving and construction stretches, it was great to stop and smell. It was if honeysuckle or lilac was on the air but i have no idea what it actually was. All I know is that Austen, Nevada smells amazing! I drove up to Stokes Castle and it was fascinating and sad, in the same breath. The view was stunning from there so I can only imagine that was why the placement, just not sure why at all, considering they didn’t stay for long. Shame it wasn’t maintained.
Austin is a pretty little town on Hwy 5, the Loneliest Road in America and I love their slogan, ‘Social Distancing Since 1862’
I finally made it to Tonopah, another quaint town full of history, home of the world famous Clown Motel, where I had a reservation. I was given room 216 and the ‘old’ smell instantly hit me. I would best describe the place as seedy, but kitschy. It is an experience, albeit, not one to be repeated. I feel like I paid too much for it, but, hey… it’s an experience, right? The facilities are sketchy and there were buggy things missed behind the bathroom door, but I was willing to stay and enjoy it. I asked the owner where to eat and he gave me several good suggestions. I of course took myself to the Tonopah Brewery. They had soooo many on tap! I had the half rack of ribs, baked beans and cornbread muffin and a flight of beer. The staff were amazing and I decided to ‘tip’ them with my two Crowlers from Encore. They promise to share with the Brewmaster when they return on Monday. I received in return a growler and the coolest slap koozie. I just paid to fill the growler. Craft beer community is so cool.
Once I got back, I started to get settled in with intention to watch a little TV before my ghost tour at 9. Turns out the TV in room 216 would only play the horror movie channel! I got the guy to come up and try to fix it and they finally offered to move me to a different room. I took him up on it and am now in 104 which is mostly renovated and at least cleaner than the last one. It is an interesting phenomenon to do a lipstick renovation on a hotel, It helps to not be smelly but is not totally up to date.
I met up with the group for the Ghost Tour and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple, Mike and Laura who are actual Ghost Hunters. I laughed when the first room we went to was my old room, 216! Apparently I was not supposed to stay there, all right! We went to the super creepy room and I just wouldn’t want to stay there, for sure. Our guide was… touristy and couldn’t answer questions. I had a strong experience at one point where I had a hard time breathing and got chills and massive goose bumps. Once we were back at the office, Mike, Laura and I headed back on our own and actually had what seemed to be a real experience connecting with Clarence David, the man whose daughters built the hotel in his honour after he died in 1942 in the Belmont Mine Fire. I know it seems hokey, but I felt all kinds of things and then the damn clown would go off again. Finally it was time to say goodnight, although I would have liked to have spent more time with Mike and Laura, we had so much in common!
Minutes 9:10 on are where it is really interesting argh the video won’t upload. I will try tomorrow as i need to sleep
I am going to try to get enough sleep and get out of here by 8:30 so I can gas up and then head to Vegas to pick up Sonia from her flight from Reno and kick off our weekend in Vegas, Baby! I seem to have bought a VIP ticket tomorrow night for AGT Allstars… lol.
triumphgal 