optimisticThe last two times we've gone to get tickets, the queues haven't been that long (which is good because last time it was snowing), but with the prize growing so large, we weren't the only ones who wanted tickets.
I joined the queue (wearing a mask, like the folks in front of me, and we were about the only ones still masking) at about 2:45 PM. After inching forward for a while, I realized that there was another, shorter line for using the self-service quick-pick machines, while the longer, slower line in which I was standing was for the staffed lottery terminals. While I'd like to eventually get the $16 in accumulated winnings that I have, I reckon that can wait for a quieter day, and I jumped to the shorter queue.
The queue was mostly in Nevada, while the lottery machines are, of course, in California, as is made clear on the floor of the lottery sales building at the Gold Ranch.
My total wait time was 30 minutes from arrival at the queue until I had my tickets and was out the door heading back to the car. Lisa had stayed at the car, and I can't blame her one bit.
We then went back to Reno and did additional shopping at Cost Plus World Market, where we had some store credit and a gift card to use, and then to Raley's to get the things we forgot to get on our previous trip. We got home a bit after sunset, with just enough light left to unload the minivan.