Travel Blogging VIII

Reno, Nevada: This is the last stop on our westward migration before reaching our spring and fall quarters in NorCal. From here it is a winding and very scenic drive of less than 200 miles to our CA place.

The farther west we go, the warmer it becomes, as the altitude drops. We left cool days and freezing nights in WY, saw high 80s yesterday, and will see 90s in CA.

Reno is windy, most of the time. Today was no exception. Patios probably aren’t a big deal here. Much of the time it is either too hot or too cold and in either case too windy to enjoy the outdoors.

It is true, however, that Californians are moving here in non-trivial numbers. No state income tax is a major reason, jobs are another.

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The Reno area once had several RV parks at which we could stay, now there is basically one left. All the rest still exist, but are filled with what we call “perms,” people who’ve parked an RV there, and are using it as their long-term dwelling.

The park owner collects rent year-round and the tenants have to maintain their own dwelling-on-wheels, with no landlord help. We know of several parks which never have a vacancy, or have a waiting list to get a spot on which to squat.

The one remaining park that doesn’t permit permanent residents or perms now charges an arm and leg for a night’s parking. They can do this because they have an effective monopoly, are part of a large casino property, and want as customers people who’ve come to gamble, drink and dine, not local wage slaves who go home tired, throw together a meal, and flop in front of the TV.