Middlegate is one of those experiences that's difficult to describe. It surrounds you. It's not easily pulled apart. The essence of the place is pure Nevada oasis. It's somewhere between Eureka and Fallon along Route 50, rising out of the dust like a mirage or a Brigadoon. The place is so remote that the state of Nevada has so far refused to run power lines out to it, so it's all run off a generator. There's a motel (the windows were mostly duct tape), a bar (more on that later), places to pitch tents, an unused above ground swimming pool, dogs roaming about, and a bartender who ended up there because he was trying to survive in the mountains, got hungry, stumbled down for a cheeseburger and just never left.
Two specific awesome things happened in Middlegate: one, we had "from", our fake prom where we all dressed in thrift store clothing and just danced and got drunk. Two, I ate a hamburger. That might not sound like much of an accomplishment but then, you haven't seen this hamburger. They called it "The Monster". 6 of us tried, but only Kip and I emerged successful. It was truly an Odyssean journey. 1 1/3 pounds of meat, a full plate of fries, 3 buns, two olives and a pepperonicini. So much hope on faces as we started, so much sadness as we stumbled near the finish line. Like Middlegate itself, the burger rose up out of the plate, promising heaven but delivering only Hell.
Anyway, yeah: Middlegate is amazing. If you ever find yourself on Route 50, plan to stay here and eat a burger. In fact, bring a whole car full of folks and just have yourself a damn good time.
Oh, and Griffin is still wearing a dress.
