A suggestion on how to briefly get away from the winter blahs

Are you tired of all the dense, icy fog? Are you tired of all the deep snow? Are you tired of all the ice on everything? Are you tired of all the never-ending cold weather?

Well, if you're not a cold weather enthusiast (AKA cold weather nut) like me, you have probably begun to climb the walls from being cooped all this winter. If you are one of those poor souls who have been climbing those walls, relax.

Here is a Don Q suggestion on how to briefly get away from the winter blahs.

Pick a period of time on Feb. 10-13 to travel to Reno to have some fun and to enjoy yourself.

Show Dates

Feb. 10-13 are the dates of the 33rd Reno Boat, Sport and RV Show.

That big outdoor show will be held at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center on South Virginia Street, and it has a little bit of something for everyone.

Boats

For starters, there will be boats, boats and more boats: Big ones, medium ones and little ones.

If you have been dreaming of summer fun on the water, there will be lots of competition ski boats, speed boats, fishing boats and jet skis, plus marine products and services offered to boat enthusiasts.

I've been told many times that a boat is a hole in the water that it's owner pours money into. And, sad to say, all of the boat owners, who I know, fit that description to a "T."

I've also been told that a boat owner is always looking for a bigger and more expensive boat to buy.

Well, if you also fall into that category, here's your chance to see and touch (and even buy!) that next boat of your dreams.

Whether you're a casual family boater or a seasoned fisherman, you will be sure to find what you're looking for at this show.

RV's

The show will also feature all kinds of RV's such as motor homes, travel trailers, toy haulers and tent campers.

Here again, if you want to go camping in anything from a small camper pickup all the way up to one of those, mind-boggling, "block-long" luxury motor homes or buses, you will find it at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center on those four days in February.

I guarantee that any one of them will beat sleeping on the ground this coming summer.

When I finally hit my California Lotto ticket, one of my new toys will be one of those gigantic motor homes. Heck, I want one so long, that it will have to have a hinge in the middle! When I do win that Lotto, you can bet that there will be all kinds of my "friends" coming out of the woodwork to travel around with me.

Exhibitors/Vendors

In addition, the four-day Reno Show will offer many exhibitor/vendor booths with plenty of information for great travel destinations, fun-filled fishing excursions, hunting trips and much more.

If you would like to vacation, fish or hunt at a special location, later this year, I would be willing to bet that you will find it there, also.

Hours and Admission

The 2005 show hours are:

2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

And, here's a special hint: Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening are when you can expect to encounter the largest crowds.

Admission is:

$8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62+), $4 for children above the age of 12 and free for kids 12 and under.

Note: Discount coupons are available by going to www.bigshows.com.

Miscellaneous

As in previous years, "Best In The West" seminars will feature a number of well-known fishing guides with information on a variety of fishing destinations in the west. The speakers and their subjects were not known at the time this column was written.

The Reno show will also host the annual Nevada Duck Calling Contest, which is sponsored by Ducks Unlimited (DU). The winner of the contest will represent Nevada at the national DU competition in Stuttgart, Ark. later in the year.

So, there you have it, a suggestion on how to spend some quality time, while waiting for the warm weather to return this area. Give it a try!

For information, call Lockett & Sullivan, Inc. at 852-SHOW or go to website www.bigshows.com.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon he can't tell you where I will be on Feb. 10-13.

Well, if everything goes according to plan, Elaine and I will be helping to staff the Nevada Operation Game Thief booth at the Reno show.

Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.