Sacramento, California: We find the exit to bypass downtown and get directly to Highway 80 to Reno. Also manage to find lots of 4pm traffic. We note (correctly) this is the last major traffic we'll see until we get back to California. Get into some curves and hills and discover that hand-held CB with rubber duckie antenna has "I can shout further" range...

Truckee, California: Get fuel, drinks and munchies. Road to Truckee has some serious winter damage in the right lane.

Reno, Nevada: Dinner at Great Basin Brewing in Sparks. Take the Victorian Ave or Pyramid Way exit to rennovated historic area. Resturant is at Pyramid Way and Victorian, so Pyramid exit from I-80 is more direct. Park in free multi-story garage 'round back second block in from highway.

Weissbier has some good character, but not enough. Others may be better. Food adequate. Still pretty good, but not as good as remembered. Did it change hands? It's a warm Autumn night and Sparks/Reno yuppies and office workers fill the outdoor plaza and inside too. Those darn yuppies are everywhere I go.... :-)

Pick up a current copy of Celebrator Beer News. Lots of ads for companies who will set you up with instant microbrewery, including training and equipment. Microbrew/brewpub market appears to be thriving, as we'd confirm.... Check distances and tour book for possible places to stay: Winnemucca, Elko look within striking distance. Those of us with smaller CD changers get a fresh magazine for the drive out.

Lovelock, Nevada: Fuel & pit stop. Roads great, air clean.

Winnemucca, Nevada: Arriving in town at the end of a night's drive we find Winnemucca broad, bright, clean and modern. Best Western Gold Country Inn next to Red Lion looks nice and new so we stay there. Reads well in the tour book too. Redeem breakfast coupons at the Red Lion Inn resturant.

There's a cool old hardware store with guns, ammo & auto parts across the street. We pick up a window mount CB antenna for at the small downtown Radio Shack. Town has the usual fast food chains & gas stations not far from the highway.