Day 4 - Reno, some Sparks, and Elko

It was overnite and a wake up in Sacramento, then off for a day of stops in Nevada.  First up ...

 

Reno ... The biggest little city in the world -- with a  heart to match.  

 

It was so hot, that you could … well, fill in the blank.  We have a few ideas.  (Stillllll sweating! lol) 

 

It was well after lunch that they were finally able to sit down and have a meal.  They’d been pretty busy.  And you know, among some of the most important things that we've learned, one is never get between hungry firefighters and their food.  So we sat in the kitchen, chatted up the program,  and joined them for some pasta salad. 

 

By the time our meals were done, they were formulating some pretty crazy ideas for photo ops.  Worst part of it was, we would of love to done any of them, but couldn’t fit it into our schedules. 

 

One of the ideas that we thought was just plain crazy talk was to close traffic down the main drag, right under the Reno sign, in the middle of the day so they could put Sharen atop their ladder rig for a classic photo op.  But you know what?  They did it, and we have the pictures to prove it!  Way to rep for Reno!

 

It was pretty cool following them, hearing music blaring, seeing the casino lights inviting people off the street for that once in a life time chance.  And here out in the middle of it all we got to feel like real winners.  If you could have seen that fire rig going almost side ways down the road while in complete control, you would have been mighty impressed.  I know we were. 

 

We asked the driver is it was scary driving in that back bucket, he replied he wouldn’t do anything else. 

 

Even the cops got in on the action and joined for the photo op.  But we didn’t see LT Dangle anywhere.  If anyone knows of his whereabouts, please let him know that we have issued an APB for the shirt off of his back too.  

 

Back at the house, we finished the photo op as they added their messages to our banner and dug through the goodie bag to find the perfect weapon.  You know … you don’t normally think of a stress ball as a weapon. But in their able hands, there was no doubt there would be some good use put to these lil USAF stress balls. 

 

As they walked in a group together from a picture we'd just taken at their memorial, we heard a loud "thwack!" followed by  ornery laughter.  We realized one of the boys and just served the first volley.  Seemed like a good time to hit the road because it most certainly wasn’t the last shot fired. 

 

Hope they had as much fun as we did.  And yes -- definitely -- We would like to come and visit you again! 

 

Before we left, it was suggested we stop by Sparks.  It was just up the road a piece.  And was a great stop. 

We lucked out, because there happened to be a BC promotion about the begin.  So the fire house was filled with firefighters, officers, family, and good spirits.  You can’t lose with that combination.  

The visit was brief, as they didn’t expect us.  But the greetings were warm and the invites to return were well heard.   Hope to see lots of shirts from Sparks.  And congrats to the new BC’s

 

Good thing Elko was so understanding because after a late start from sac., extra play time in reno, the additional stop into sparks.  Lets just say we were behind in the power curve.  But that didn’t stop them from greeting us warmly  Even though it was pitch black outside they still pulled the van out and gave it a nice wash job so we would be shiny and new in the morning. 

 

Meanwhile inside, a few of the guys were getting to know Sharen.  She made some new friends and added some cool firefighter gear to her uniform.  She got lots of pins, even one from someone in Afghanistan.  

 

Oh, and after all of her pleading we agreed she could have a pet.  Lucky for us her new Dalmatian puppy is completely housebroken and we haven’t heard him bark once. Sharen says she’s named him Elko so she’ll always remember her new friends.  Elko is being trained to guard our boot.  You’ll read more about the boot in tomorrow’s journal.  Like we said, this visit is far from over.  

 

These guys really “get it”.  Maybe it’s because one of their own has just left the station in preparation for his upcoming desert deployment.  They are all very support of him and it makes you feel good listening to them talk about him.  

 

This admiration is obviously mutual, as he presented them with a most heartfelt message and pin.  We were not only honored but shocked when this pin was placed on Sharen the next morning.  We promise it will be kept safely and she wears it with pride. 

 

This was a hard station to leave, we didn’t get to our hotel till 11:00p.m.  Oh, for the record, there is little cooler than being taken to the hotel in a ladder truck making sure you are safe and sound for the night. 

 

We thanked the gentlemen as they dropped us off at the front desk.   We went up to our two adjoining rooms anticipating a nice long comfy sleep.  But noooooooo…

 

Some how in the dark of the room, I got tangled with a TV ... and the TV won.  Please don't make me tell you about it.  Sigh.

 

It was kind of embarrassing having to call out the med crew to whom we'd just bid a fond farewell.  But they came out and assured us, and the hotel, that all was well. 

 

Ice packs and Ibuprofen can be a girl's best friend on a long, long drive.  So far the only traces remaining are some whining, some bruising, and ahitch in my giddy up.  

 

It was pretty late when all of this ended and there was no way a journal of the days events would of come out in any inteligible way.   And besides, the Elko visit was far from over as it turns out. 

 

Elko, the next morning ...

 

Overnight in Elko, back to fire station to meet the morning shift. Talk about a great group of guys! 

 

In no time, our A Shifters had it wired.  Silver Sharpies flew in their hands, making indelible marks in our memories, and on shirts.

 

This was a fun crew.  And the "team” attitude was very apparent.  They touched our hearts when Rescue Randy lost his boot ... and it magically appeared next to Sharen with their names and messages of support for HeroToHero on it. 

 

And even more impressive ... going waaaay above and beyond ... They not only put us up for the evening in a hotel, but delivered us safely there and back, and kept our van locked safely in their bay. 

 

You'd think that would be enough, huh?  But not for these guys.  Wallets opened wider than their hearts and they sent us off with that boot partially filled.  There were several tanks of gas in there ... Especially at 2.85 a gallon.  (Oh, and one of them was extreeeeemely generous ... Don't think I don't know who you are!  And, thank you!!!)

 

We want to thank Elko fire department for their hospitality and generosity and support.  This is a department that we would clone.  Salute!

 

lj