Arrived here from Jackpot on Sunday. No internet in Jackpot and it’s too slow here to post a large blog so I’ll post it when I get better internet. Leaving today for Soap Lake, Washington. Weather beautiful and sunny so a good day so far!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Alamo, Nevada to Jackpot, Nevada and then Meridian, Idaho
533 miles total. On day one from Alamo to Jackpot it was a long one at 353 miles. We left Alamo at about 8:30 am and we guessed we’d get into Jackpot around 4:30pm and that’s what happened. We had a brisk head wind the whole way so it was a tiring day. Lots of traffic including RV’s heading north.
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Leaving Alamo and the horses are saddled up and loaded in stock trailers to head out for a days work on the range.
As we head north they are still growing hay in the desert because….they have water.
Coming through the White River Canyon. This is prehistoric and the water is long gone although you can see where it would have been. It would have been a massive amount of water.
I have taken many pictures of this area but I’m always tempted to take more.
Doesn’t look real.
Maybe something’s living in that cave.
As we climb spring disappears. Too cold here yet for leaves on the trees.
We stopped in Lund for fuel and the fellow in the station said it got down to 9F three days ago with a howling wind. Wednesday I guess. He said that was cold for the middle of winter never mind for April! 5580 feet so it’s high here.
We turn right off 318 and head north on Highway 6 towards Ely. You haven’t gone far before you can see the tailings from the Ruth Mine.
Coming down from the high mountain pass heading into Ely. No snow at the edge of the road and lots of Juniper.
Highway 93 heading north out of Ely. We have stayed here many times and really like it. I did a blog in 2012 that you might enjoy. http://kathyericstravels.blogspot.com/2012/04/buy-ticket-and-ride-train.html
Passing through McGill just north of Ely which was the smelter site for the Ruth mine.
Highway 93 splits and you can go left which we do or right to Wendover and East to Salt Lake City, Utah. If you are from Alberta you might go that way or you might go East at Twin Falls, Idaho. Shortly after the turn the very high Ruby Mountains appear to the west.
Lots of deer and antelope migration through here. There are very tall fences and then overpasses built for them to travel over the highway.
Closer to Jackpot the rocks are once again beautiful.
We have finally stopped climbing and are heading down into Jackpot.
Starting to green up here.
The little trailer parked next to us is a cowboy’s house! Eric had a chat with him about the area. He’s worked for every ranch around there and just loves the open country. He said you could go cross country from Jackpot to Utah.
By 6pm the park was full and the last rigs had to park out in the parking lot with the trucks.
We went over to the casino to have a buffet dinner but there was a 20 minute wait so we opted for a restaurant. Food was less than mediocre.
We didn’t leave the park until about 9:30 am on Sunday morning and there weren’t many rigs left. Only 179 miles to go to Meridian, Idaho.
Closer to Twin Falls and the trees are in flower.
We left highway 93 at Twin Falls and turned left onto old highway 30.
Coming into Buhl and it’s green and pretty.
Our fuel stop in Buhl at the country store.
A pretty little town.
As we travel along the sheep are grazing by this old house.
Coming into the Snake Canyon and it’s green. No shortage of fertilizer here.
Look at the rock.
Lots of waterfalls.
Over the Snake River.
The boulders are thick here and you couldn’t farm.
Downtown Hagerman.
Amazing landscape.
We left highway 30 and got onto I 84 at Bliss.
A high mountain prairie as we travel along.
That little white line is an old concrete irrigation ditch that could still be in use.
As we came into Boise the traffic got busier and the lanes increased until we were up to four. Just south of Meridian there was a huge amount of construction and it got really confusing when we got close to exit 44. There were signs telling you to stay right if you wanted to leave the interstate and stay left if you wanted to go through. Just as we were making that decision a truck pulling a travel trailer came close to side swiping us. He started to change lanes without looking….missed us by about an inch and then swerved left and carried on. We now had a concrete abutment dividing us from the through traffic and hoped we’d end up at our exit. Luckily we did.
We were parked at about 2:30 pm and it was sunny and nice. Lots of rigs in the park….heading north just like us.
We asked what was going on with the concrete paving on the interstate and apparently they are digging it all up in this area due to pot holes. We have never come through the Boise/Meridian area without huge road construction. Stressful!
So….two nights here and then on to Soap Lake, Washington which will be another really long day.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge and the town of Alamo, Nevada.
I really needed to vacuum the inside of the rig….huge dust storm in Laughlin. While I did that Eric was off on his bicycle to explore the town of Alamo.
What did he see? In this very small town he found four manicured baseball diamonds under lights, a running track at the elementary school, a new senior’s centre and a newish rodeo grounds with RV hook ups for about 50 rigs. Massive facilities for such a small town with no apparent industrial base. It is the service centre for the valley with one gas station and one grocery store. None of this can be seen from the highway. You need to stay an extra night and have a look around.
After lunch we headed south to have a look at the Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge. It’s spring and the valley is green.
The head of the wildlife refuge.
We drove into the northern end of the refuge and had a look at the visitor’s centre which is new and pristine.
Inside the visitor’s centre there is lot’s of information. The young ranger who was on the desk was extremely helpful and gave us lot’s of information. The whole valley is green because of natural springs and an ancient aquifer.
The native Paiute Indians have been in this area for thousands of years. This is one of their woven biscuits.
Ancient petro glyph plaster cast.
We watched a 12 minute movie on the area and then we were on our way for a walk.
The Cacti are blooming.
We left the visitor’s centre and returned north to the camping area along the lake.
We parked the truck and took a walk on the causeway over the lake.
Looking north.
Spring has sprung and the birds are starting to arrive.
Brackish to the north and dirty on the south side.
This flock of birds flew off as we passed by.
Amazing to see this water and greenery in the middle of the desert. There is no surface water in the area other than the springs.
I sat the camera on a rock and took a timed photo of us…..
and as usual I didn’t get it quite right as it took more than one and I thought it was done.
Just lovely!
Another desert flower.
The Joshua trees are blooming here as well and Eric read that the flowers attract white moths that pollinate them.
The entrance sign to the camping area. We drove the length of the camping area that is along the edge of the lake. We could get in with our 5th wheel and stay for a night but we’d have to drive three miles to the end to turn around if there wasn’t room. Don’t think we will try it even though it’s very lovely.
Looks like the flowers turn into big seed pods.
I’m sure something must feast on them and distribute the seeds. Perhaps the bats do.
The cacti are such a pretty color against the grey of the desert.
So….a good day and we’ll stay in this area again and look around more.
When we returned to the park around 3pm the rigs were rolling in. By 6pm it was almost full.
There must be a big event at the rodeo grounds as huge horse trailers have been passing by the front of the park all day.
Tomorrow we are off to Jackpot, Nevada for an overnight stay. 350 miles so a longer day.
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