Kidnapped? Memories Remain a Year Later

More than a year has passed since RaeRay’s Great Adventure, but memories never fade. We’ll keep passing along stories of the more intriguing moments from time to time. Here’s one that came to mind while looking over photos of places we stayed.

RaeRay’s return trip from the Pacific took a frenzied pace as we realized time would not allow us a visit to the Grand Canyon. In fact, getting home on the appointed date was looking doubtful. So, after putting toes in the ocean at Coronado Island, RaeRay raced toward Las Vegas, expecting to spend the night among its bright lights. We visited Hoover Dam before entering the city that never sleeps.

The first few slots were unkind as we walked the strip from the dancing fountains of the Bellagio to the rollercoaster atop New York New York. We took an exciting ride on the coaster, before being disappointed by a Nathan’s Famous hot dog. We’d seen enough by then. The road was calling again.

RaeRay  left Vegas intent on crossing Nevada; however, the next state line would be draped in darkness. We’d have to wait before the border for morning to arrive. We made it to the town of Mesquite, home of the Casa Blanca Hotel & Casino. We always looked ahead on the iPhone to find lodging and other interesting information, so we knew that Casa Blanca was full. But it also handled one wing of the closed-down Oasis Casino across the street for runover rooms. That’s where they booked RaeRay.

Lights were dim around the tattered hotel, and RaeRay was housed on the second level at the rear of the building. It seemed safe enough, though, so father and daughter settled in to recover from the day’s 417-mile drive.

Upon awakening about 8 a.m., Dad couldn’t find daughter anywhere. Every dastardly thought flashed through his imagination. He saw in his mind the headline: “Young Woman Disappears From Mesquite Hotel.” Fear gripped him. He went to the door and looked over the balcony. There she was smoking a cigarette next to the car.

RaeRay  hit the road again about an hour later with only a short drive to the Utah state line. The blood pressure was subsiding slowly. Today’s drive would cover 669 miles. RaeRay needed to be relaxed. Denver was waiting.