Year 2000

Elko, Nevada Here We Come!

Recap:

Our stay at the Covered Wagon Motel in Jackpot. My first attempt at gambling, where we lost $100 in about 20 minutes!

Next day we ate a nice breakfast and climbed back into our van and took off on Highway 93 to Wells, Nevada and onto Highway 80 to Elko where Bob’s son, Mugs and family and his daughter Daphene and family resided.

We stayed with Mugs, Nicole and their three small kiddos for two days. We had much fun getting acquainted with Nicole and playing with the grandkids. We all jabbered and talked and visited with Daphene and Jeff. We ate great tacos that Nicole fixed using mashed potatoes with the hamburger and deep frying. I loved this different way of preparing tacos. She also made excellent chili. They gave up their bed for us and they slept on the floor. We rested very well, but I am not so sure about Mugs and Nicole on the floor! We did appreciate it though! The grandkids were very young and holding and playing with them were one of the highlights of our stay.

We switched to Daphene and Jeff’s house after two days and got acquainted with grandkids Astin and Trey. Jeff was raised in Alaska and his parents, Jim and Rita Goff are our neighbors. Catching up on the Alaskan gossip took up part of the day. Astin and Trey both played soccer, a game we were not to familiar with. After watching several games, the intensity of the game gave us a great admiration for Astin and Trey and how they played. Astin played for a few years doing very well in the game. Daphene was a great player too. Now we have added watching soccer on TV along with foot ball.

After the heat in the day completely depleted all of this old Alaskan gals’ energy, we gathered around Daphie and Jeff’s table with Mugs and Nicole and played “Pit” and “Stock Market” into the wee hours of the morning. One thing about Bobs’ kids, they love to win! We learned new games and enjoyed the banter back and forth between brother Mugs, sister Daphene, brother-in-law Jeff and sister-in-law Nicole. Kids got in on the games and were just as combative. What fun we had!

Bob helped put in a door and carpet in a camper. I upholstered the camper cushions. Daphene made Clam Linguine. Yumm! She also made Indian Fry Bread. We ate at a Basque restaurant, family style. Different type of good food. First time I had eaten a salad with chopped pickled eggs on lettuce with a vinegar, mayo dressing. We enjoyed the meal.

I had lost my camera AGAIN, so I bought another! My second on this trip! I had no idea where this one went! The other one, I was sure the man who repaired our van door in Roy,
Washington, took it!

Our days were fun and went fast – especially with loved ones. It was extra hard for Bob to say goodbye to his kids. He is a good Dad and quietly loves his kids and grandkids very much! With big lumps in our throat, big tears rolling down our cheeks, after a 7 day stay, we headed for Reno to see our wonderful friends we had met in Alaska, Dick Lott’s brother, Ron and wife June.

We arrived in Reno, October 2 at Ron and June’s beautiful house. We had been on the road for 27 days! And a long way to go before we headed home. We had Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana to get through and then Canada and into Alaska to get back home.

Next Week At Ron And Junes In Reno-Gambling and big shows to see

The Grannie Annie series is written by a 47 year resident of Alaska, Ann Berg of Nikiski.Ann shares her collections of recipes from family and friends. She has gathered recipes for more that 50 years. Some are her own creation. Her love of recipes and food came from her Mother, a self taught wonderful cook. She hopes you enjoy the recipes and that the stories will bring a smile to your day.

Grannie Annie can be reached at anninalaska@gci. net

Cookbooks make great gifts!

The “Grannie Annie” Cook Book Series includes: “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ on the Woodstove”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ at the Homestead”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ Fish from Cold Alaskan Waters”; and “Grannie Annie’s Eat Dessert First.” They are available at M & M Market in Nikiski.