at the occasion of my first trip to Tahoe in February of '95, i had picked up
on a ticket offered on Lost-Chords at the last minute. though i had nothing
going for me at the time but good credit, i flew up and back in less than 24
hours. air fare (and motel) on the plastic, and the Casino Express driver
winked at my fare. i got off the bus at Harvey's Casino. Doc's Cottages are
right next door to the bus terminal: built in the 1940's, the "rustic" bungalows
are on the Nevada side of Stateline.
it was Sunday, the Moodies' closing night in Tahoe. i had little time to find some dinner and freshen up for the show. at Taco Bell just down the street i was counting out my pennies. the clerk told me kindly that if i came 'round to the back he'd slip me some food.
our seats were at the back side of the first tier on Ray's side. i thought it was a great view, but the speakers were deafening. at end of the dino shuffle the Moodies were 10 feet away. Justin made eye contact with the gal right in front of me, and it was just as if lightning had struck nearby. i was overwhelmed.
however, the magnitude of glow sticks during "The Other Side of Life" made me think uncomfortably of watching a midnight screening of "Rocky Horror Picture Show". somebody handed Justin a card as the band exited the stage, and he ditched it in full view of the entire audience.
i had just enough cash to get my car out of long-term parking at PDX, and pulled into my driveway minutes before Mom called out the State Police.
at Tahoe six months later i was a bit better fixed, and Mom knew i was going. i got off the Casino Express in mid-afternoon and schlepped my bags across the road to the appropriately named Blue Jay Lodge. after settling in i walked a couple blocks back to Caesar's and waded through the gaming room.
Margie, Dr. Wendy, and Barb B hosted a pre-show function in their room, at the
Casino, attended by as many Lost Chords as could fit in at one time. there
were food and drinks and Moody pictures to pour over, plus meeting so many
folks whom i'd only known by their screen name, before. already there had
been Moody Sightings and Close Encounters around the hotel!
Saturday morning the shuttle picked me up for the ride out to Coldwater Cove and a day trip on the sternwheeler "MSDixieII". i picnicked on deck and enjoyed the sun and scenery.