An Adventure

My husband is leaving me this Friday morning. Well, just for two nights. There is a car thing in Reno called Hot August Nights, which is really rather clever. Reno, Nevada this time of year is a hot, dry furnace. How better to fill hotels in town during their worst season? Throw a huge car show and they will come. And they do! It is packed.

Two years ago, Michael's friend Mark and his family were vacationing in southern Oregon then it took a terrible turn. Mark was in a car accident with a business acquaintance, that man's Jeep flipped, Mark was thrown (yes, he had a seat belt on), most of his ribs were broken, two collapsed lungs, his cleft pallet fractured, road rash and a head injury. He is lucky to have survived. When he was ready to be released from the hospital, he couldn't fly home because of the recently collapsed lungs. So, Michael offered to rent an RV with a large bed, drive up, pick the whole family up and drive them home. They were stunned that he would offer to do that, Michael drove up, got them comfortable in the back and drove them home all in one day. A big deal.

Mark is a private dealer of Rolex watches. He is very connected with one of the major hotels in Reno. Because of what Michael did, he has invited Michael and all of his friends to Hot August Nights for free every year since the accident. He pays for the rooms, they have a private room in the restaurants and catered evening cocktail parties in Mark's suite. Also available to him is a VIP section outside the hotel to watch the parade of cars, which includes all the free ice cream one can eat. As he is addicted to ice cream, this is one of Michael's favorite perks!

What I love about it all is that Mark's kids are present, our friend Randy brings two of his kids and all are others are welcomed. No one gets drunk. No one uses bad language. Everyone engages in conversations with the kids. Last year, Mark's high school aged daughter and Randy's daughter became friends. Randy's daughter was invited to sit in Mark's car in the big parade with his daughter. Fast friends. Randy's teenage son is adorable and they were teasing him last year calling him McLovin from the movie "Superbad." Randy just told Michael that the son is wearing a McLovin tee shirt during the events this year!

So it is a nice break for Michael. His twin is joining him again this year along with our friends Wayne, Ricky and Shawn. He is going to buy some "Rat Fink" sweatshirts for Kimberly and William from the Ed Roth's heirs. William's Mustang has a small "Rat Fink" painted on the back panel.

Me? I have a full plate on Friday with a doctor's appointment in the city followed by food shopping for the week. So, I am going to make a pot of chili, watch some movies, do the yard work and probably not sleep too well for two nights. But Sunday afternoon, Michael will arrive home with stories to tell and an air of having had an adventure.