Things I Ought to Have Known

Before I was Rebecca Cofiño, I was Rebecca Harmon.

You need to know that to understand this story.

Ten years ago I drove across the country by myself, from New Orleans to Spokane, Washington.  I made a few pit stops along the way: White Sands, the Grand Canyon and even Las Vegas.

When I arrived in Las Vegas, the sun was setting.  It’s a place I never had much interest in seeing, but it was on my way, so I decided to check it out.  I’m not a gambler, but I did try it out for the five hours I was there, turning $20 to $120 and ending at $95.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  This story is about sunset on the Las Vegas strip.

I was driving down the famous strip in my silver VW Beetle containing all my worldly possessions.  While I drove, the sky was burnt off its pink glow and the lights brightened in the falling darkness.  I had no idea where I was I was going.  Suddenly, I saw this:

How had no one ever told me that Harmon Avenue was a major intersection on the Las Vegas strip? 

Was I the first from my father’s side to visit the casinos in the desert?  Had no friend ever looked up on a wild weekend and seen an interesting bit of trivia?

I fumbled in my backpack to get my camera so I could snap this picture.  Remember, no smart phones ten years ago.  I accidentally sliced the middle of my thumbnail with my razor while fishing around for that camera while driving, so let me share another a useful bit of trivia with you.  There is a CVS at the very end of the strip.

Thank God.

What brought this memory to mind?

Well, Max just got a new dinosaur book and look what I found?

REBBACHISAURUS (re-BACK-eh-SORE-us)

Come on, people!  Tell me these things! 

I ought to have known that I was named after a giant, gambling, African dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period who, of course, was vegetarian.   

Now, what else am I missing?