Friends and Family – Dayton, Nevada 7/4/2013

JULY 4, 2013 (Thursday)

 

Today was a day of friends, family, fun, food, and fireworks. 

Started off around 11 AM by going to Safeway to get some wine and a pie to take to my sister and brother-in-law’s house. They had invited us over for a BBQ. We also picked up some lunch because we knew we weren’t going to be eating until at least 5 PM. (We got two bottles of Moscato and a banana cream pie.)

Coming into Carson City from Reno.  Nice metal Eagle art.
Coming into Carson City from Reno. Nice metal Eagle art.
The old route of the Pony Express, only ran for one year.
The old route of the Pony Express, only ran for one year.

 

Volkswagen beetle turned into a spider.
Volkswagen beetle turned into a spider.

While driving towards my sister’s, there was a horrible accident and traffic was backed up. As we went by, it looked like no one could possibly survive the wreck. One car was totally demolished, and the other one was half missing. So sad.

On the road from Carson City to Dayton, traffic back up.
On the road from Carson City to Dayton, traffic back up.
T boned.
T boned.
T-boner.  God bless them all, and this serves as a reminder that probably the most dangerous thing we do is drive.
T-boner. God bless them all, and this serves as a reminder that probably the most dangerous thing we do is drive.

After that we saw a sign for “The Bunny Ranch,” and decided what the heck, let’s go see. The sign said sex was not required and the signs leading to the “ranch” were quite funny. We didn’t go in (too chicken at the bunny ranch) but it was fun to see it.

Turning into the Bunny Ranch.
Turning into the Bunny Ranch.
We were reassured when we read the bottom of the sign, "No sex required"
We were reassured when we read the bottom of the sign, “No sex required”
The sex theme continues.
The sex theme continues.
Bunny caution sign.  (We didn't see any bunnies at play)
Bunny caution sign. (We didn’t see any bunnies at play)
Warnings everywhere.
Warnings everywhere.
The building, maybe next time we'll make it to the gift shop.
The building, maybe next time we’ll make it to the gift shop.
Close up of the sign as we are leaving.
Close up of the sign as we are leaving.

After that we went to look at some new homes in my sister’s area, on the golf course. Lovely homes and very affordable – sign says around $100,000.00.  Zillow says around $200,000.

Golf course feature, on way to sister's house.
Golf course feature, on way to sister’s house.
4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2200 square feet, $209,500 according to Zillow.
4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2200 square feet, $209,500 according to Zillow.

We got to Pat and Sharon’s (brother-in-law and sister) house around 2 PM and had a lovely visit with them. They had invited some other friends over for the BBQ and they got there around 5 PM. Great time and really good food. Pat had BBQ’d some pork, Sharon had a really good salad, some vegetables, bread, and fruit salad and dip. (Sharon had asked me to go out into her herb garden and get some thyme. She said it was on the left. I have never seen thyme except in a spice jar. She said they were the smallest leaves. I found the smallest leaves and gathered a good hand full. We got a good laugh when she saw them and told me I had picked some azalea leaves.) Everything was too good because we way over-ate again. Our diet hasn’t been going very well lately. We’ll need to walk more tomorrow.

BBQ'd pork, fruit with delicious dips.
BBQ’d pork, fruit with delicious dips.
Garlic bread, salad, vegetables.
Garlic bread, salad, vegetables.

 

Sister Sharon, friend Carol, friend and Carol's son, Ed.
Sister Sharon, friend Carol, friend and Carol’s son, Ed.
Ed's wife Debbie with grumpy old man.
Ed’s wife Debbie with grumpy old man.

 

Carol's husband Gary.
Carol’s husband Gary.

 

Master chef and brother in law Pat on one of many trips in and out.
Master chef and brother in law Pat on one of many trips in and out.

After dinner we played a game that I had never heard of or seen before. It was pretty complicated but a lot of fun. It had something to do with coyotes and cactus, and cards. The girls played against the guys and, of course, the girls won.

This is a totally stupid game and I HATE IT!  And I am not a sore loser!
This is a totally stupid game and I HATE IT! And I am not a sore loser!

We had dessert then it was time to leave for the fireworks in Virginia City. It’s only about a twenty minute drive up to Virginia City. We were able to find a great parking spot and just hung out (it wasn’t too cold) and waited a few minutes for the fireworks to start. It was a great show and lasted about half an hour. The whole time the fireworks were going, music was playing. Nice touch.

Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks, Virginia City, Nv
Fireworks, Virginia City, Nv

After the fireworks, we said our goodbyes and headed through Virginia City to go over the hill into Reno. Could not believe how crowded it was in that little town.

The town was really full of people and cars.
The town was really full of people and cars.

The drive over the hill was spectacular once the lights of Reno came into view. We’re wanting to take that same route when we go visit some friends of Michael’s next week. We want to see what it looks like during the day and from the other way around.

We got back to our “home” around 11 PM. A couple we had met at the wine and cheese get together last Sunday were just coming home from their choreographed ballroom dance. We were glad to see them because we want to go see this and weren’t sure how long the convention was going to be going. They told us it was until Saturday, so we’re hoping to get to see it tomorrow afternoon after our tubing adventure.

Hope you had a fantastic 4th of July!