Austin, NV....

So the drive North was an epic fourth gear wonder. Just slap it in 4th and go. Plenty of power for the hills and not enough speed to actually warrant paying any sort of attention. I was fortunate to avoid both Reno and Vegas, though I could have gone for a nice park and play at the Reno whitewater park, but that issue is mute now. I headed NE on some of the loneliest highways and actually ended up on the "Loneliest Highway" taking me right into Austin where I was in need of refueling and the Apocalypse was thirsty. I found this cafe/bar on the corner boasting something about "Serbian", and me not knowing whether this is good or bad just barreled in with my $20 in hand.

First thing, I had to fight. I really had to argue with the cafe cook for some food not labeled pizza. I wanted a burger. He didnt want to make it. After him asking me "Pizza?" and me telling him "cheeseburger" about 6 times, he folded. I then headed to the bar for something to wash the Nevada dust away. Not that it was remotely dusty.

I first noticed the big back bar thing that hold the giant mirror and liquor. Attempting to get a glimpse of the towns history I start asking questions that should naturally lead me toward the monstrosity of wood behind the bartender. "So what do people around here do?" is the vagueity (a new word) that exits my brain and mouth. In less than 42 milliseconds the Serbian bartender answers: "We eat, drink, and fuck". My bud light almost comes out of my nose, as he points to this 40 something lady who winks at me as the bartender mentions in a very loud tone: "shes ready!" Something tells me that if the food were to arrive now the awkward situation might focus itself elsewhere. It doesnt. I never did get the answer.

Way back in the day people came and made Austin bc of a silver boom. Now, that ore mining is quite dead due to the price of silver being so low and the cost of production being quite high. When this little bar was packed with miners (not talking about major politics of the last four presidential administrations) it acquired the awesome bar back it has today. Apparently from the UK in origin, it was shipped over in '27 and trained from the East coast to 'Frisco and then wagoned up to where it is today. Over the years I bet this thing has seen many a thrown beer bottle.

I highly recommend getting in a political debate here. The bartender is some political oddity of knowledge and secrets.

(I failed to mention why this story starts out in 4th gear. 2 days before my actual departure from LA I was going up a hill and 5th gear just stopped being there. Fortunately theres a 4th. That means I can cruise and gawk at a stunning 56 mph)