A ton of rest in Yerington

Another day of recuperation. Today’s chores: Eat, and wash.

As I was toweling off from the shower, I heard a bunch of yelling and honking horns outside in the street. Was this something related to the nationwide protests? Did the chaos reach all the way out here to Yerington? I hastily pulled clothes on to investigate.

Turns out it was the local high school, celebrating graduation. The high-achieving students were in cars decorated with ribbons and paint and slowly rolling down the street, to the delight of onlookers. Printed tapestries with their names and faces hung from the street lamps. Wow, what was I thinking? Of course there were no demonstrations or protests here. This was god-fearing Republican territory.

Since I was out and about, I decided to explore a bit. I passed a laundromat with a big sign planted in front of it: “PRAYER WORKS”. Some kind of local slogan? I passed a McDonald’s doing steady business, with a line at the drive-through 10 cars deep. I had a hankering for some chocolate so I rode over to the local bakery and discovered it was closed for remodeling. There was another one across town – only about half a mile away – so I made for that. It was closed due to COVID-19. Only candy bars for me. I stopped at a gas station and bought two for later.

I looked over my maps, and decided that the next day I should try riding all the way past Walker Lake to Hawthorne. It was a big chunk – about 60 miles and over 1000 feet of climb – but I was counting on the tailwind I’d had out of Carson City to keep going and push me over the highest parts. I’d better pack plenty of water and food.

I did something I haven’t done since I was in college: I ordered a pizza and had it delivered. I also walked to the grocery store and bought plastic freezer bags and tinfoil, and wrapped up almost all of the pizza for eating on the road:

Feeling more-or-less prepared, I spent the remainder of the day writing and poking at code for work.