Current Venue:  Las Vegas, NV
Campground: Riviera RV Park

This last week I’ve been laying pretty low.  I’m attempting to find some direction with my vast array of projects and business ideas.  I’m trying to figure out which ones I should put the most energy into this summer while I’m working.  I even went so far as to put each idea (there are 12) on separate note cards and then “rate” each one with an elaborate point system I devised.  I’d rate 5 different criteria:

1.  Timeline.  How long it should take to generate an income from the idea.
2.  Potential.  An estimate on what kind of income I could earn.
3.  Travel Freedom.  How many “gigs” and destinations would limit my ability to go where I want, when I want.
4.  Workload.  How many hours per week would I be tied down?
5.  Certainty.  On a percentage guess, how certain am I the idea would generate an income?

I then assigned a 3-2-1 rating to each category and tallied the results.  I’m afraid it didn’t clear matters up much.  My winner was a 12.  I then had a 7-way tie for second place earning 11 points each, followed by three 10′s.  I’m going to have delve deeper into this complex puzzle…

I’ve won only a few hundred playing poker in Vegas thus far and am in the middle of another break — this time 4 days.  Despite devising a list of things to do during my off-time, I find myself rather lethargic at the moment.

I recently purchased a large laminated U.S. wall map and slapped in on the ceiling above my bed.  I really, really love it.  I wake up to it every morning and brainstorm.  I quickly discovered a major flaw in my interim plan to deal summers in Vegas and January/February in Mississippi.  It simply won’t work!  It would limit me only to the central portion of the country and not permit me to stray too far east or north.  This revelation inspires me even more to get my business(es) off the ground.  Another option is to deal 2-3 smaller events (instead of the WSOP in Vegas) in areas that give me more travel flexibility — perhaps in New Orleans, Oklahoma, and Florida all in the spring.

Studying the map even further, I realized that the western 1/3 is mountains.  I’m not quite out of the woods yet!  Would I have another challenge like Baker Grade on the way to Vegas?  If so, that could spell disaster with my current tow vehicle.  Would I really have to figure out a way to buy a new truck with more power and torque?  (‘Torque is a new concept I just learned.  It’s the ability to generate more power in the lower gears, giving you more momentum after having to slow down.  I need more torque).

But then I got out my Mountain Directory West and did some studying.  Baker Grade was 6% for over 10 miles uphill.  I barely made it, but if logic serves me right, I can sort of multiply the 6 times the 10 and come up with a score of 60.  I then exercised the same logic on the grades that I’d encounter in Southern Nevada and Arizona (once into New Mexico it appears to be smooth sailing).  None of them came even close to that score — I think I’ll be just fine.  And that’s a huge relief.

I don’t have cable here at the campground.  I picked up 8 channels on the antenna, FIVE were Spanish!  (Give me a break).  That left 3, but one was CW-Las Vegas, which seemed to only have only shopping-network type shows in the morning and garbage television the rest of the day — ie Judge Judy and your basic angry trash talk-type shows.  I deleted that as well.  That leaves two:  Country Music Television an “THIS” ( a movie channel of the mostly old and mostly forgotten flicks).

I get stir-crazy at times.  I do enjoy the pool in the evenings when I get tired of my spinning wheels.  Perhaps after I make some sort of mental breakthrough, I can even go out there and put together a nice poker run  before I begin the grind in 12 days…

Current Venue:  Las Vegas, NV
Campground: The Hitchin’ Post

Sea Beans?!  It never ceases to amaze me how consistently I run into foods I’ve never heard of before.  Last night, I took myself out for dinner (a rare treat these days, and not without my 50% off coupon) at The Flame Steakhouse in the El Cortez Casino.   I enjoyed a nice flaky salmon filet on a bed of crunchy green vegetables sauteed in butter.  Although the flavor was quite salty, it really agreed with me, so I had to ask what it was I was eating.

Sea Beans.  My waitress explained it grows in the ocean much like seaweed and is very, very nutritious.  But opinions vary on this matter.  After doing a little research, it more resembles a cactus in it’s natural habitat.  I also discovered TGIFridays offers the appetizer version, something I’m very interested in.

The El Cortez has been around since the 1940′s, when Bugsy Siegal was one of the primary owners.  I stayed in one of the original rooms a few years ago and got quite a kick out of it’s nostalgic feel.  The rooms were tiny and, well…old.  I suspect much of the furniture is original.  I remember the barber shop just down the hall from me, and that the staircase landed right smack-dab in the middle of the casino floor — perhaps the last of it’s kind in today’s modern age of super-resorts.

It’s sort of a Downtown “outsider” in that it’s not part of The Fremont Experience under the big canopy (the tourists don’t stray far from the big canopy).  But in another way, it’s sort of fitting, too.  I like the idea that this historic casino thrives on it’s own, without the benefit of a prime location nor any of the unique attractions that the other resorts offer.

I did have to wander over to the “real” downtown to be amongst tourists for a few moments…

Current Venue:  Las Vegas, NV
Campground: The Hitchin’ Post

“Don’t Overheat.  Turn off A/C next 15 miles.”

That was the sign I observed Sunday in the middle of a brutal desert just outside Baker, California — not a very likely place for me to turn off the air conditioner.  But what does it mean?  There doesn’t appear to be any big mountains, anywhere.  I’d soon find out.    I noticed my temperature gauge was heating up — off with the air conditioner.  Before long I’d see several big rigs and a few cars on the shoulder…

And yet, still I’m only looking at a straightaway that simply doesn’t look that steep!  But here’s the thing.  It’s miles and miles of a steady 3000-foot ascent with no break (nowhere to gain momentum and speed) — in a hot, hot desert.  Before long I’m at a crawl.  I watched my engine try to overheat again.  I tried to downshift, thereby making my tranny very, very angry this time.  Nothing was working. I watched the engine tried to overheat again at 35 mph but was afraid of pulling over because I didn’t think I could get enough momentum again to get over this hill.  I was very much at this thing’s mercy.  Over 15 miles of this.

Long story short, I barely made it — but not before having a nervous breakdown.  I’d find out later Baker Grade is so notorious for breakdowns that it’s actually a major testing ground for new prototypes.

I pulled into the campground just as Las Vegas was setting new record highs for the month of April.  The heat must have been getting to me as I made my turn into the parking lot rather “quick” (I spotted it last second).  Tires squealing I didn’t dare slam on the breaks for fear I’d lose control of the trailer.  I slammed into the elevated parking lot, instead.  I did a quick survey and found only the spare tire had been jarred loose.

But I was determined to do some damage.  While setting up, I didn’t notice the latch on the hitch wasn’t completely opened up (by now heat exhaustion was definitely setting in) while I was jacking the trailer.  When I got it all the way up, the ball hitch hung tight and the entire weight of the trailer came crashing back down on the van!  That couldn’t have been good.  Since then, I’ve noticed the a little “wobble” when I pull out of a stop (even though it works itself out after acceleration).  I’ll just keep observation on this one for a bit and make sure it’s ok before switching parks.

And the park.  It’s fabulous.  Terrific guest service, awesome monthly rates, and wonderful rustic (and clean) facilities.  I really, really like this place.  So why move?  If I get the WSOP job, it’s likely to be over 40 minutes away by scooter, it’s not close to my gyms, and it’s right next to an air force base.  That’s right, from about 8 am until late afternoon, there are earth-rattling fly-byes about every 90 minutes.  And you know what — the resort is so nice, nobody minds it — this place is packed!

Swimming pool, a restaurant/bar on premises, 2 dog parks, golf facilities, a spacious air-conditioned laundrymat with complimentary computer services, and satellite TV with four HBO channels.  Along with the laundrymat, the restrooms and showers are the best I’ve ever seen.  The pictures of these facilities don’t do them justice.  These are sturdy, log-cabin-type buildings with well thought-out benches and “cubbies”.  It’s very rustic, intimate, and clean.

I can certainly stay here in the interim, until I land my job and find the appropriate monthly.  I couldn’t have landed in a more suitable  campground as I prepare for my audition.  It’s easy to stay out of trouble here with my movie channels and distant proximity to The Strip.

I need to land some work before I can put much money at risk, again.  That’s the crazy thing about this game of poker.  Despite earning nearly $60/hr this year, I still can’t justify the risk after this disastrous April of repairs and expensive lodging.  I estimate I burned through about $7000 while not making any money — largely due to having to “rush” down here.  In fact, I can’t even look at my accounts — at least not until I land work.  At that point I’ll sit down and figure out how to stretch my money one more month and hopefully have a little bit that I can re-invest.

Until then, I’m laying low. I’m going to spend a good majority next couple days studying.

Current Venue:  Bakersfield, CA
Campground: A Country RV Park

Here’s a summary of my Journey so far…

Feb 28 – March.  I was pressed into action one month early after getting fired from “The Asylum.”  This spelled disaster, as I didn’t have nearly enough money in my savings, nor was I finished making improvements to the rig.  Additionally, I would be inconvenienced with having to come back to set up my exhibit at a trade show.  There were many risks and financial challenges, including postponing fixing the 3 slow leaks in the transmission…

But I got over the mountains into California and put together a great month playing poker in Redding — more than covering my lost wages.  Everything was going smoothly except my ongoing battle with the leaky trailer.

April.  Financial Disaster.  Here it is, in itemized form:

Reno trade show:  My experimental exhibit did not go over well.  After 2 months of preparation, I only got one class off the ground the entire weekend (my participants thoroughly loved it).  Between direct costs, wages, lodging, gas, and the additional expenses of being delayed on the way back to Redding, this was about a $2500 hit.

WSOP Fiasco:  Dealing the World Series of Poker this summer had been the plan.  I’d be a returning dealer hired base on previous experience — and have 2 months to drive down the coast of California.  But despite having dealt nearly ALL their nationwide circuit events for 3 years, I’m being told I still have to be in Vegas to audition (oral testing) in April.  With Jeepers in tow, that means I’d have to RV my way down after my trade show, thereby “rushing” by full-time RV standards.  What’s this mean?  With no time to stay at weeklies, my costs at campgrounds skyrocket in an already expensive region.  Additionally, it’s difficult to settle in somewhere to “work” (analyzing my best plan of attack in the poker rooms at each venue).  I don’t mind saying I really, really resent this.  I’m worried I’ll somehow sabotage the audition as a result.

Breakdown in Sacramento:  The recently-added leaf spring helpers punctures hoses on the van, costing an extra night’s lodging and out-of-pocket.

Tire Trouble and Smashing Trees in Petaluma:  I have to backtrack to over-inflate the rear tires on the van as it handles dangerously leaving Redding.  This would cost me a couple hours.  I then sideswiped a tree at the campground.  This would mark the beginning of a string of outrageously expensive campgrounds.

Breakdown in Lodi:  Pulling into the campground, the hoses burst again!  The leaf-spring helpers would have to come off.  I’d have to pay the difference on a new set of leaf springs AND repairs on the hoses AND get the troublesome electrical switch on the trailer replaced (this one was an easy job-gone-bad as a lot of wiring was fried and had to be re-routed).

And I was stranded for a week.  Neither of these pricey campgrounds offered weekly rates and I couldn’t get the leaf spring helper off in time to tow the camper down the road.  Additionally, I found myself in an area where I had no work available to me!  (It turns out all the no-limit poker action had dried up over the last two years and the nearest suitable cardroom was 45 minutes away).  I was quite simply stuck in a HUGE MONEY PIT.  This one would conservatively cost me another two grand (it’s difficult to know how much I would have earned).

Ever since returning to Reno at the end of March, my luck has bottomed out.  Acing the audition in a week would sure simplify things and allow me to regroup.  But first I have to get there.  With 3 incidents in as many trips, I could only wonder what next as I prepared to depart yesterday.  Only 2 minor incidents.  Here’s the first one.

See the problem?  Now with more height on the rear end, the ball hitch is too tall.  To lower it would require tracking down a maintenance guy with the sufficient tools.  Minor delay.

The second minor incident.  A bee.  I’m slightly allergic to stinging insects.  They make me very nervous.  So, yes…while towing a trailer I found myself swatting away.  When I first spotted it, I grabbed my sunglasses — quite possibly the worst bug-swatter ever.  I reevaluated and reached dangerously across the passenger seat for a ballcap.  And I whacked him good.  A real hard WHAP!  But that only gave him a concussion.  He landed on the dashboard and eventually rose again, a bit groggy.  I hit him again.  This time he fluttered down the dash out of reach.  I took off my seat belt and delivered my final “death blow.”  This time he would lay on his back, submerged in his own “goo.”  Gross.  But effective — right?!

Why were his legs still moving?  Oh, it’s just that post-mortem exercise, right?  A few minutes later I decided that, incredibly, this poor creature was still fighting to stay alive despite his severed abdomen!  I couldn’t watch any longer.  I nearly stood up to get one last whack at him.  Again, it was gruesome.  I don’t know if I’ll bother washing that ballcap — I may just throw it away.

Taking recent history into consideration, this was a fantastic travel day!  In fact, with sturdier 6-ply tires and the leaf springs, the drive was quite smooth.

A Country RV Park is very much in town.  It’s in a poor Latino neighborhood.  It feels very clean and safe, however, and I’d definitely stay here again.  I’m particularly fond of the clubhouse.  Not only does it have a gym and a full kitchen; but also a sitting room loaded with books and movies.

And as soon as I settle in, I’m off again tomorrow.  Destination:  Barstow.  If all goes well, I’ll get to Vegas 2-3 days before my audition.

Current Venue:  Lodi, CA
Campground: Flag City RV Resort

Tuesday morning I had to switch parks.  You can see the sag in the rear end of the van without the lift of the leaf springs.  But it was only 5 miles to Flag City and I made it without a hitch.  In fact, I even managed to level the trailer with no problem!  A new RiverCat Milestone.

When I mentioned moving to this park in a previous post, I wasn’t terribly enthusiastic about moving to a “concrete slab.”  I may have exaggerated a little.  The landscaping is actually not bad at all if you’re into flowers (I just prefer trees).  And, while the park is a little “bright” in the daytime for my taste, it’s actually quite nice!

For one thing, the showers and restrooms are exceptional.  The showers offer complete privacy with floor-to-ceiling doors, are very spacious, and laid out like actual dressing rooms.  The hot tub agreed with me, as well.  But perhaps my favorite feature is my location and the nice little scooter runway straight to the restroom and laundry facilities.  I’ve really enjoyed opening the throttle a little bit on this bit of stretch.

Today I tried my luck at “Bolo.”  Similar to horseshoes, the object of the game is to toss these little rubber-ball-rope contraptions onto different point tiers, 3-2-1 from top to bottom.  First team to 11 (exactly 11) wins.  The team in the lead begins each round by tossing 3 of these ropes.  However, if they score, the other team has an opportunity to scratch their points if they land on the same tier.  It’s an interesting game!

My team did not fare well.  Our opponents promptly trounced us just as I was just getting the hang of it (I almost scored once).  What a neat group.  It seems they’re sort of a club of 60-plusses who take turns planning a week at a nearby resort.  Pretty cool.

I spent the next 5 hours getting the van worked on.  The new leaf springs and tires are installed to give the rear end more lift.

And then there’s my contribution.  I christened the trailer.  If I manage to pull it off, I’ll get this old rig to 48 states.  It hasn’t been a pretty start (Since Redding).  I imagine there’ll be plenty of other times I’ll wonder what the heck I’m doing.  It’s not always going to be easy, downright “ugly” at times.  That’s why I chose…

Current Venue:  Lodi, CA
Campground: Stockton KOA

Monday would be my last evening at the KOA.  The park will be filling up with military vehicle collectors and I have to move down the road as I wait on the part for my van.  I’m trading in the amenities and the weeping willows for a concrete slab.  At the same price — a depressing thought.

Despite wine country being a huge money pit for me (between this week and the week going back to Reno, it’s been pretty devastating), I wish I would have made more of an attempt to really take advantage of this campground.  I could have spent a lot more time riding my scooter around the park (I repaired it again with fix-a-flat) and enjoying more dusks at the marina, for instance.

I should be fair to myself — I have been extremely busy.  Sunday was half a day with Mark working on the moisture short-circuit situation.  (More on that another post).  Yesterday was half a day in Lodi getting the old leaf spring kit removed so I can hitch up the trailer and move 5 miles down the road today.  It’s truly been like that since I’ve arrived.  Maybe I did the best I could…

Here are some of the early arrivals for this week’s festivities.  I’d like to tell you what some of these vehicles are, but the one time I attempted conversation, this fellow tried to hard-sell me a few items.  Army vehicles.  To a guy in blue Nike shorts on a little red Chinese scooter.  After that, I just kept my mouth shut and snapped photos.

Current Venue:  Lodi, CA
Campground: Stockton KOA
Day Trip:   Isleton, CA

First, let me introduce you to base camp.  Directly across from my site are some wonderful weeping willows and the dog park.  Jeepers had a terrific time here Wednesday and I finally, FINALLY got a decent picture of him!

The pool comes complete with water guns, a slide, and a hot tub you could swim in.

This KOA is wrapped around a large marina with an ice cream shop, a general store, and a restaurant.

There’s even a modern-day dishwasher…

I wound my way around a narrow highway to a small town called Isleton last night to find out poker at the small clubs there had been discontinued on weeknights.  So, I had a nice stroll, instead.

Next to one of the poker clubs, I was surprised that, at 6 in the evening, I’d find a small leather shop still open.  I wandered in, only half-hoping they’d be able to repair my watch band.  Not only did they make me a new band, but at a very reasonable rate, I might add.  Jim and Janelle invited me in for conversation and a beverage while I watched — small town hospitality at it’s finest.  If you’re ever in Isleton, California, be sure to drop by Awl Leathered Up for your custom leather needs.  Tell ‘em The Ramblin RiverCat sent ya!

Here are a few other little gems from my evening stroll…

Last but not least, some classic road sign confusion…