Reno, Nevada: Where the Neon Glows and the Wind Bites (Seriously)
okay, so. reno. i didn’t plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in portland, the next…boom. 5511077. that’s the area code, apparently. felt like a sign. a slightly unsettling sign, but a sign nonetheless.
and 1840020121… i’m not even sure what that is. maybe a serial number for a slot machine? honestly, i’m not questioning it. i’m just trying to stay warm. i just checked and it’s…a brisk 9.14 degrees celsius, feels like 6.09. the wind is absolutely relentless. like, it’s trying to steal my beanie. pack layers. seriously.
my drum kit’s still in transit, so i’ve been wandering around, trying to soak up the vibe. it’s…different. not what i expected. i thought it’d be all casinos and desperation, and yeah, there’s some of that. but there’s also this weird, almost hopeful energy. like a city trying to reinvent itself.
I stumbled across this little diner, “Mom’s Kitchen,” and overheard some serious gossip. apparently, the new owner of the Golden Nugget is trying to bring in a Cirque du Soleil show. Someone told me it’s going to be a disaster, that Reno isn’t ready for that kind of spectacle. but another guy, a grizzled old-timer nursing a coffee, said it’s exactly what the city needs. “Something to distract ‘em from the losses,” he mumbled.
Speaking of losses, the casinos are…well, they’re casinos. bright lights, loud noises, the smell of stale cigarettes and regret. i didn’t gamble much. i’m more of a rhythm kind of guy, you know?
*Midtown is where it’s at, though. tons of cool murals, little shops, and decent coffee. i found this vintage store, “Retro Revival,” and almost blew my entire budget on a sequined jumpsuit. almost. i’m trying to be responsible, you know? (ish.) check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/retro-revival-reno.
The Riverwalk District is pretty too, if you can brave the wind. it’s got a nice boardwalk along the Truckee River. I heard that the river used to be really polluted, but they cleaned it up. progress, i guess.
Artemis Music was a highlight. A local music store with a surprisingly good selection of vintage drumsticks. https://artemisreno.com/
if you get bored, sparks and carson city are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of checking out virginia city tomorrow. apparently, it’s a ghost town with a lot of history. i’m always up for a little spooky exploration.
Pro-Tips for Reno (as a sleep-deprived drummer):
Pack a hat. Seriously. The wind is no joke.
Bring cash. Some of the smaller places don’t take cards.
Talk to the locals. They’ve got stories.
Don’t expect vegas. This is a different kind of vibe.
Check out TripAdvisor for restaurant recommendations: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g39334-Reno_Nevada-Restaurants.html
and one last thing: someone, probably drunk, told me that the best view of the city is from Mount Rose. i’m adding it to the list.
pressure is 1021, humidity is 40. ground level is 834. who even needs to know that? i do, apparently. because i’m writing a blog post about it.
okay, gotta go. my bandmates are probably wondering where i am. and i need to find a place that sells decent coffee. this place is…adequate. but adequate isn’t cutting it when you’re running on fumes and caffeine.
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