Moving to Cali: Reno (Biggest Little City)

Like I said last Monday, Reno deserves it's own post. Erik and I are not big gamblers so we weren't looking to go to any casinos in Reno.  We picked it mostly because it was a convenient stopping point before the final haul to Santa Clara. Plus, I was curious about Reno. Well, Reno delivered. We definitely got quite the experience.  Turns out we were there for the "Street Vibrations" fall rally. For bikers. It shut down the entire main drag, which made for some cool photos.  Needless to say, we stuck out like sore thumbs! We were seriously the only yuppies there.  I found myself wishing I was wearing more leather.

Also, we found out that the day we left (the night of) there was a gang fight involving the Hell's Angels and someone was shot! And THEN the drama followed us to San Jose and there was another gang shooting in retaliation for the shooting in Sparks, NV. Fast forward to a week after that: Erik and I got stuck at a traffic light when hundreds of bikers in a funeral procession for their gang member blocked traffic for minutes. My thought? Where the hell did we move to?! I thought we were moving to Silicon Valley not gangland+graffiti-covered underpasses. Obviously, I'm feeling less afraid of where I live, but initially I was seriously concerned. I do feel less safe here than I did in NY, but that's mostly because there aren't as many people around and I've watched one too many episodes of Criminal Minds.

At any rate, the photos:

Reno was much smaller than expected.

If only we weren't married...

Look how abandoned the street is! It reminds me of one of the final scenes from The Stand in Las Vegas. That may be because it came out when I was 11 and may be one of my favorite movies. I know that's weird. Also among the top, The Ten Commandments...

Posted without comment.

Too bad this place is closed. A climbing wall up the side of a building? Coolness.

One of the only photos we felt comfortable taking at the bike show. We didn't want to seem like we were being disrespectful/ cause a confrontation.

"Welcome Street Vibrations"

Photo with a bike.

I'm not sure what the connection is between a storm trooper, Wall St. and Reno or why is was on a trash can.

We gambled 15 minutes with $4. We (okay, Erik. I lost my $2 within 30 seconds) were up $16 for a few minutes and then lost it all. We also got approached by creepy guys asking for money. I just told them I didn't have any cash. It was so awkward and further solidified our opinions about casinos. I just find them depressing. Maybe I'll change my mind when I eventually make it to Vegas.

Looks like a normal town.

Major General Jesse Lee Reno
Reno was named for him in 1868 when "Lake's Crossing, a growing community along the Truckee River in Northern Nevada, was parceled into a proper town site by the Central Pacific Railroad." (from the plaque at the site) He was a civil war hero for the Union and defended the nation's capitol against Confederates.

Requisite courthouse photo.

Sweatshirt for a Rib Cook Off with a Pig... so wrong yet so hilarious.
I'm still sad I left it in the rental car when I returned it! I kept forgetting to call. :( At least it was only $10 because it was from a previous year and at least I have a photo.