August 31 Sunday

The plan was to get off early to Sin City to make it to 9:30 mass at St. Francis of Assisi church in Vegas. Yes, I was delighted to find there were actually several churches in Vegas. However, at about three in the morning all of a sudden, the now appreciated hum and vibration of the generator suddenly stopped. I thought we might survive with my little battery driven fan, but an hour later still being 85° outside with no breeze, I convinced my weary bones that they would be happier once we put gas in the generator. The wretched winch strap mechanism, of course fought me every inch of the way finally loosening the gas can but then to get the blanket blank nozzle off, which needs the pincher strength of a gorilla. Had I only gotten my father to patten a gas can nozzle that was( safe and effective) I could be rich now! Struggling to get the can up on top of the generator and the nozzle pointed into the tank proved pointless as unless positioned absolutely vertical no gas would flow. So I took off the blasted nozzle and tried to pour a straight stream into the tank, which of course was impossible, and much was spilled, and there was no way to observe the gauge while doing so. When the tank overflowed, I knew it was full, but by then everything was gas soaked, including my shoes. Hopefully the fill line which was long since passed, was not essential. I waited a respectful length of time for all the gas to evaporate, which didn't take long in 85° weather. So after saying a little prayer, I pulled the starting cord and "Walla", she started up on the first pull. After washing up a bit, we returned to cool sheets. and a couple more hours of quality sleep before the generator quit again. I knew it couldn't be out of gas as it has previously run 10 hours on a full tank.

Well, it was time to get up and get moving anyway so we did finally make it to an 11;30 mass in Vegas and then set out to explore the crazy city. A Shang Artisan Noodle place caught my eye on the strip with lots of people standing out front. Tucking Sheba under my arm I went to the front door to ask how long the wait was she said "oh well if it's just you and I assume a service dog right, I do have one spot over here in the corner. So I got to go in in front of all those people sitting around the edge and lined up outside the door. We got to watch them make homemade noodles through the glass and the guys put on a show for us, tossing long ropes of noodle dough in the air and tying it in a braid it was really quite a show and the beef noodle soup for which they are famous was fantastic and fed me for two more meals.

"Wow",-Vegas most spectacular show" was being offered at 5 o'clock at the Rio, so I thought if I could get tickets and they would let me take a dog in I'd do that instead of trying to gamble back the cost of my trip but more likely squander my kids inheritance at the endless machines. I found a spot big enough for the camper to run in and find out if it would be possible. The Rio is like a city itself so by the time I found the ticket office and found that yes it was possible it probably was a half hour. As I returned to the camper, there were two very official looking guys one on a Phone and one on a bicycle looking at my camper as I approached "Is this yours"? " yes, I'm about to move it" at which point he said into the phone "cancel that" . Apparently "AhSheet" add gone before me and prevented the Casita from being towed away. Guy on the bicycle said follow me I'll show you where you can park this rig.After parking he then escorted us through a back gate into the Rio. We had about an hour to explore how the other half lives while waiting for the show to start. I have some question about the state of the carpet as Sheba found it a very intriguing at every corner but at least it wasn't green.

I ran into two middle-aged women who obviously knew their way around the machines and were also waiting for the show to begin as they had been given complementary tickets as well as complementary lodging at the Rio. Apparently they were high rollers. One told me she had won $13,000 on one of those machines and had just won $500 plus these freebies so maybe the house doesn't always win. I was sorely tempted, but the show was about to begin.

The show was more like a mini circus with many acrobatic acts, juggling, dance routines Sheba was rather bored until the the Pirates started to shoot their guns. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and said "please no video" which apparently I was not supposed to do.

We left Vegas with just enough time to get to a good truckstop before dark, well on our way to Phoenix.

Sept 1 - No Labor for me day

I had called Britta's in-laws. The Tabolts to see if they would be home as I passed through Phoenix, but they were in New York. I thought I remembered Jake telling me that he had gone to Phoenix to help his girlfriend Jess Johnson with her medical problems. So I finally got her contact information and sure enough. Yes, she was home and would be happy to have company. It was great that I had a place to stop for the night as I ran into horrendous rainstorm with high winds buffering my poor little portable potty all over the freeway. I did finally find her apartment complex and "Aw Sheet" as usual had provided me with a perfect but illegal parking spot for the night.

Jess had a delightful, meticulous apartment with two little dogs for playmates for Sheba.

It was a five star hotel with elegant shower, create food and drink and delightful gab session till midnight. I highly recommend it. Sheba and I luxuriated in a big, comfy, bed for a good night's sleep.