Along the Way

The tracks of Highway 95 are laid down along the Mojave and run north and south between Las Vegas and Laughlin.  About mid-way the highway comes to the tiny desert town of Searchlight, Nevada.  I end up in Searchlight when my GPS goes awry.   It’s almost noon Saturday late Spring.  Pulling into Terrible’s Casino with its combo gas station, I’m ready for a break and decide to explore this unintended stop.  Searchlight serves pretty much as a pit sop for those on their way to party at Las Vergas or those on their way to jet-ski the river at Laughlin.  Searchlight’s lone gas station is busy.  Inside small sacks of gold nugget bubble gum, toy cap guns and salt and pepper shakers in the design of cactus are all part of the mounds of kitschy stuff overflowing from the crowded shelves.  I am tempted to look around but resist. …