--Chris Falco

Now that Pluto is no longer a planet.

--Chris Falco

We passed through Reno and Sparks, stopping to stock up on Sparks and a few other things at the Albertsons. They even had big signs and a staging area with well-stocked items essential for burners. Now we're ruising down I80 on a gorgeous day with the sun starting to dip down behind the mountains. Only a matter of miles before we're at Black Rock City!

Arrived safely in Roanoke, so this is the last hotel Sug has to get used to. I had to practically drag her out of the La Quinta, and, had I known what the Wyndham would be like, I would have needed dragging, too. By way of comparison, the La Quinta's rooms were cleaner, newer, and easier to get to from the parking lot, plus their in-room cable selection was top-notch. The Wyndham has prettier grounds, but, really, if my dust ruffle has stains on it and the guest services directory (dogeared), television channel, and room services brochure discuss a half a dozen different restaurant names and hours to characterize the single restaurant downstairs that's open today, I don't care if there are nice grounds. Anyhow, I can't access the nice grounds because every door near them is alarmed as a fire exit. I paid $50 to keep Sug here, and she didn't even get a "hello." I paid nothing to put her up at the La Quinta, and they commented that they should add kitty treats to their complimentary milkbones so that they'd have a special way to welcome guests such as herself.

La Quinta: Spanish for "We kick Wyndham's Butt."

All day yesterday was spent running around town gathering the last necessities for Burning Man. A $35 bike score for me, 30 gallons of water, various camping bits and pieces, and a selection of easy food items. Chu just headed out to get the Falcon, then its load up time and on the road for us. Hopefully we'll hit Black Rock City around sundown.

First pic is of a weird brain-like fungus ball in my backyard. Next is Sara and Nikki who came over to do a glamour photo shoot. Today we're at Brickfest 2006 in Tyson's Corner, VA.

- mike lee

Went by Bruster's on the way out of town on the recommendation of Gretchen and Doug. Good idea. Got the chocolate almond coconut (eh) and the cake batter (to die for).

Had to drive around the alma mater this morning. The street signs are where Phil Fulmer Way crosses Peyton Manning Pass. The final picture is why I picked Tennessee. Couldn't get it from the exact same angle as I saw it back 16 years ago, cause the street's closed for pedestrian traffic now, but still the library's a gorgeous piece of architecture and imposing. Why there's a bear with wings attached to it, I'm not entirely sure.

Caught up with the college roommate, Gretchen, husband Doug, and son Mason today for dinner and a rousing rendition of Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Missed out on Mason's big sister Madison, but I got to see lots of pictures. They grow up so fast.