Mom and I got off the train and walked to a room on the second floor a few doors down from the Harolds Club. We stayed there for one nite before going out to Mrs Mack's place; 555 Imperial Blvd.

Mom was a collector, too... everything you could think of that was free. We would walk down town just about every day, but first stopping in a park where there were swings and other kids my age to play with. Then down town to hit the clubs to pick up stuff. The only place I was allowed to play the slots was at the supermarket. There were three 1¢ machines just before exiting thru the automatic doors. I was allowed into Harolds Club a few times as well. Upon entering I would walk past a long wooden counter (bar?) and then stair at the three one arm bandits standing in the corner. Then, we would go over to a drugstore-type store and have some icecream at the counter... and then I would run outside to look at those two big dice... and then Mom would take me over to a big covered wagon, somewhere a few blocks away... I can remember every day, exactly; even the side trips to Carson City (stopping in a pancake house) and Virginia City. Got to play in Virginia City as well.

Since, I've been around the world a few times... but those short six weeks in Reno back in 1951 have been the best. One day at the post office Mom met up with Ava Gardner and exchanged a few words. I fell in love with that woman at first sight.

JB