2010 Holidays: Noriko and I head to Henderson, NV

This year, we threw all of our traveling needs into a bag the morning of the drive and hit I-5 at Noon. I drove all the way down the Interstate into California by Sacramento before turning East towards Nevada. I made the I made the trip in 17 hours this year, beating my last year's drive by 3 hours. By the time we reached the Lundell residence at 4:30 a.m., Jeff Sr. was up for the day- barely.
I tapped on the window on the side of the house for the room that he was in. I didn't get around to the front door when Jeff opened it and saw Noriko standing on his front steps, bags hanging from shoulder straps and an apologetic expression on her face. Jeff had his own expression, I'd heard later; one of sleepy and bleary eyed shock. You see, we originally planned on showing up there a day later.

Although Noriko was able to catch a cat nap or two on the drive down, I'd been awake for about 24 straight hours, driving for 17. We had to have a nap for a few hours.

When we got up, Jeff and Yuichi took us out to see "Buffalo Bills" casino on the border of Nevada and California.

The casino had a Wild Western theme, combining images of settlers running from brown bears or rattle snakes and the bright lights from the food franchises and slot machines.

There was a canal with water that went through it through the "Mining" area indoors. Patrons were able to take rides for $6 in what looked like little log boats.