Quartzsite's Red Ghost. 

Gem World on the west side of town moved into a hugh building and has brought back to life so to speak the Red Ghost.
Yes right out next to the main drag is Red Ghost. 

Red Ghost and Hi Jolly of Quartzsite AZ
(from www.examiner.com)
The plaque on Hi Jolly’s Tomb speaks of a failed experiment in the Southwest desert long ago. It reads: “A fair trial might have resulted in complete success.” Jefferson Davis created what was thought as one of the greatest ideas of the 1850’s. ‘Why not use camels to transport freight and passengers across the barren southwest dessert?’ 

The US Calvary had 77 camels imported into the United States along with their Syrian caretaker and camel driver, Hadji Ali. Americans called him Hi Jolly. The Calvary team from the army posts soon found that the camels and Army mules did not work well together. And when the Civil War erupted, the plan was forced to be abandoned. The camels were either auctioned off or set free in the Arizona and California deserts to find food and water for themselves. Some of the camels were sold to the circus or zoos around the country.  Hi Jolly kept a small herd of his own. He conducted a freight business between the Colorado River ports and the mines east of the waters. History records lose track of him from time to time, but they do show he lived in Tucson where he married and raised a family.
He later moved back to the Quartzsite area where he mined and scouted for the US Government, delivered the “jackass” mail, and sold water to weary travelers. Hi Jolly reverted back to his given name Philip Tedro in his later years. Tedro died in December 1902 as he walked along the old desert road between the Colorado River and Wickenburg. He was 73 years old.

One legend said that Hi Jolly was still searching for one of his camels when he died. The story read that he found the lost camel during a sand storm and was discovered dead the next day with his arm across the beloved camel’s neck. There are ghostly camp fire stories of Hi Jolly with several variations. One tale finds the man lost in the sand storm searching for Red Ghost—last of the camels. Variations of the yarn have the dead camel driver’s skeletal figure tied to Red Ghost’s saddle and doomed to ride the legendary animal in the desert forever more. 

A handsome10 foot tall pyramid tomb was erected over Tedro’s gravesite in 1934. It is made from stones in the area such as petrified wood and gold quartz. Some of the stones feature petroglyphs on the exterior surfaces. At the top of the pyramid is a copper silhouette of a one humped camel that catches the glint of the sun as night falls. This symbolizes the legend of Red Ghost the camel. 

The sealed vault at the base of the pyramid is said to contain some personal items of Hi Jolly. Legend also states it contains the ashes of Topsy, the last camel from the original herd. Topsy died in 1934 at the Garfield Zoo in Los Angeles at nearly 80 years old.

Newspapers report that to his dying day, Hi Jolly believed that a few of the camels still roamed the Arizona desert.  He was right!  The last wild camel in Arizona was captured in 1946.  And the last sighting of a wild camel in North America was in Baja California in 1956.  Some people believe the ghosts of Hi Jolly and his beloved herd of camels still ride across the arid sands of the Arizona southwestern desert...or are they just a mirage? 

“Old timers down in Arizona tell you that it's true That you can see Hi Jolly's ghost a-ridin' still
When the desert moon is bright, he comes ridin' into sight   Drivin' four and twenty camels over the hill” 

See and you thought Q was just a hot, dusty wide spot in the road. 

Last night being Friday and all, and having just been in town for a week it was time to get our butts to the Grubstake for their Fish Fry. If you have ever been to Q you surely have partaken in this feast. All you can eat of course, but very few, if any ask for more. 

Now along with some fine dark ale we were set for good eats. 
Now if we can convince ourselves we should do this outing only once a season.

Tuesday  Oct 26.

Yep moved to the LTVA today...

After checking out the area we wanted to see if after many years boondocking in the BLM if there were other options as in deeded lots, or RV parks in town. Even did posts on RV.NET on what we found in Q on RV Parks and dumping fees etc.  That created a firestorm. But got lots of peole posting so not all bad. You get to see who gets it and who is just plain nuts. Could be me, who knows. Gets the mind working to be sure. 
After checking what was available we determined our best bet like so many years prior was to head to the LTVA in the BLM as we could see our favorite site was still available. So this morning we hooked up and moved from the free 14 day area and headed on over to claim that space in the LTVA at La Posa North..  We got set up and later went for a load of firewood. Now still need to retrieve our canopy and picnic table from storage at friends property in Q. They have not arrived for the season so we will have to wait to get our stuff. In the meantime a picture so you can see where we have landed.  Also ee that DataStorm map  ID 98 link at the top of this page.

After taking a break and sitting down to take it all in we came to the conclusion this was the right move for us after all. Screw all those RV parks in town with regulations and tiny spaces who want to control every aspect of how you use their space.   That's their right but...  In the BLM this is our space to be used as we see fit within much more liberal rules. We get to stay for the season for $180 and at La Posa South we can dump and get well water.  After all we do have lots of solar and a Honda 3000 with a good set of AGM bats. 

In the above picture the Desert Ironwood Tree is lush and green this year and  will give us much shade. 
After spending time here in past seasons we are friends with this gem in the desert. We are glad to see it is doing well this year. 

This Desert Ironwood Tree is looking so very green and full of life this year. More so in past years me thinks. We are humbled to be able to partake of its shade. When you look at the old trunk structure it looks so weathered you may think it is dying but not so. 
A very old treasure that survives in this desert environment. 

It just felt right to be here back in the BLM. Before long our area will be filled with grass, OK not the real stuff, but a green rug is just as good... as you don't need to water it. 

And I am looking at a blow up hot tub.  (See picture below in yesterdays post) How cool would that be. Me thinks better than a hanging tomato plant that we tried in the past. You do remember that don't you. Like the hanging tomato plant that so many people stopped by to look at... you can if we get a hot tub stop by to look at it but don't bring your bathing suit, we are not going to be a public spa. 
 

Monday  Oct 25.

RV Parks are clueless in Quartzsite.

Went looking for a seasonal RV site (5 months) to rent at the brand new Quail RV park in Quartzsite. It was not open last season. There are right now maybe 6 sites occupied out of 167. So I told them I wanted to rent an empty site and gave them the number ot it. Was told that it was rented for January only so they couldn't rent it to me. So get this, the site will sit empty for the whole winter season and only be rented for January. That was the same way for all but 4 of their total sits. 
If you were a park owner would you let people pick a particular site for only one month or tell them you can reserve but not specific sites. 
The bottom line is they have all but 4 sites rented for January only and when I come in to rent for the entire season am told I can't pick the site I want. So I and others are turned away while their sites sit empty and only get rented for one month. How do you make money with that business plan. 

Rice Rance does it the same way. Their RV park is empty the whole winter season until January for two weeks. How do you make money that way. The have 5 spots they will rent for the entire season. 

Guess we are back to our first love of boondocking in the BLM again this year. Tried to give the RV parks a chance to make money but they just don't want it. 

Q over the years Q has turned into an event destination for the big tent show. Many now stop for the amusement factor and move on. It now has a two week to one month season. To be sure it is packed for that little bit of time and if you are a vendor you try to make your money during that time. So be it. If you want to build a RV park and only have it filled only one month a year, during that time, go for it. If you think Rice Ranch or the Quail RV park is busy the rest of the time you have not spent much time here. 

This is a Q thing and hard to relate to if you are in a Yuma or Phoenix RV Resort for the winter season. 

I'm just saying if these two RV parks I pointed out would just try to cater a little more to the whole winter season snowbird they might be better off. There are older RV parks that are full for the entire season and have learned that. 

We are here because of the Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Club that last year had over 850 members who do stay the whole season. If not for that we would be out of here in a flash for green grass and water to camp next to for the winter. 

After later looking at Quail RV Park rules finding their "You can't do that list, is longer than their Can do list. I would not want to stay for even one night.

No refunds. Checkout time 11 am strictly enforced.
Want to stay additional nights must be stated on check-in.
Max 25 lbs for dogs. Max two pets. Six foot max leash at all times.
Patio furniture only on patios. No open fires.
Ladders and rakes must be stored under the RV.
No bird feeders allowed.
Rules are strictly enforced. Disregard for ANY of the rules will be reason to be asked to leave the park immediately No rent refunds.
These seem very negative and this is just a sample of a few of their rules.

I don't have pets but no humming bird feeders allowed come on. 

Living in the BLM for the season is looking better and better. 
Yep moving to the LTVA on Tuesday...

Have some upgrades planned for the boondocking site.
What do think if this appeared on our site. 

See more about these low cost blow up hot tubs. Only 48 lbs.
Walmart even sells them.
Stay tuned... I have plans to be a happy camper.  El Nino is predicted to make AZ warmer here this winter. 
Hot Tub weather me thinks. Or a cool dip, who knows. 
 
 

Sunday  Oct 24.

Lowering our landing gear... Q we have touched down. 
Exploring the area to see if life still exists here.

We opted to land in the free 14 day BLM land for a few days so we can look around and see if we want to go for the $180 BLM Long Term Visitor Area or find a lot in town to buy or even look at the new Quail RV park. We go through this each year. Need to scope out the area and see what has changed. 

As we pulled into town we stopped at the PIT STOP to dump and take on water and propane since we were going to the free 14 day BLM area. All was good till she told me the cost.  $5 for water and get this $15 to dump. 
Later checking at the two other dump stations, one was the same price, up from $7 last year, saying the city raised rates 43% and the new one was closed and may not open at all as they are on a metered system since they are new and they can't justify even opening as they could not charge enough to cover their costs. He had just build last year a new 4 lane dump and water station which has now been put out of business by the city or Quartzsite. 

Also get this... As I understand it another aspect of the new sewer rate is that each RV spot you have on your land with a sewer connection has to pay an extra $6 fee each month all year long. Even private properties who might have a couple of extra sewer connections has to pay the increased fees each month, every month even when not being used. Now think of all the commercial vacant RV parks that sit empty for 6 to 9 months and still have to pay $6 extra for EACH spot every month above their old fees. 

The winner in all this is the BLM where you can stay the season in the LTVAs for $180 or $40 for two weeks where in each case you get water and sewer dump included. They have their own septic system and private  well. 

Now do you think the RV parks will be raising their rates? 

I posted a new thread on  RV.NET  in the Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping section with the thread  Caution: New High Price to dump in Quartzsite  and it has taken off with a discussion on this issue. 

Ya know the PIT STOP doesn't have a sign with the price on it. They tell the water rate but nothing about dump prices. So you get hit after you're cleaned out so to speak. 

Me thinks this is only going to cause people to dump illegally big time out in the BLM free 14 day areas. That is not good for all living things that live there.  Oh I know the argument that gray water is good to water things. But it is full of food particles and grease. At least black in natural.  Now it has been discussed many times about dumping in the BLM but in the end the BLM Yuma district does have special rules that make it an offense to dump.  With fines and being asked to leave and not return. Some places welcome gray dumping but no so in this BLM desert area. 

Just one more reason for RVers to just bypass Quartzsite and go someplace else that is more user friendly. Q is biting the hand that feeds them. 

Anyway we are still in the 14 day BLM looking around on where to land. 

Right now we are leaning to the new Quail RV park in town in the above picture.  This would be a seasonal rental for $1250 for five months plus .15 a KWH . On the far west side of the RV park right on the big wash might do. We shall see. Great unobstructed sunset views. 

A view of the brand new clubhouse and office. Big bucks was spent on this like 170 space RV park. Sure it was a broken down old disaster before, but they rebuilt it all new from scratch. Everything is new except some of the patio pads. 
Takes a visionary bussines plan to pull this off in Quartzsite. We looked in the clubhouse windows.. very nice and all brand new. 

Other options are to buy a lot outright. But prices for buying lots still have high asking prices.  One development selling lots has a HOA and raised their prices from last year. You know they think new suckers will show and buy early in the season. Can't just offer reasonable prices and actually sell some lots.  They have about 50 of 60 lots yet to sell. Go for it guys. Not for us me thinks. You wouldn't think the downturn has hit this place yet would ya.

Monday is a whole nother day as we get our minds around spending the season here. I'm not all that crazy about Q but Terry loves the Gem and Mineral Club so we are here.

Wednesday Oct. 26 is flue shot day at the QIA in Q from 2:30 to 3:30 for $10. We will be there for that to be sure. 

If you have been following we bought a new table at Camping World in Las Vegas. They had one on the show floor but had to search to find one in stock and brought it out to us and we took it and put it in the truck.  Now that we are in Q we got it out and found out it was not the one we wanted or looked at in the store. We went WHAT is this... and how could this have happened. All we would have had to do was look at the pictures on the box but we didn't do that.  So now when we opened it and set it up saw It was built by the same manufacturer and built very well and this one was like a picnic table.  After looking at it and sitting on the well built benches we decided this might be better than what we had originally selected. And now looking at the receipt she scanned the tag from the display she was using to look for the table in the waharehouse. So we got this table with bench seats priced at $100  for $75, as what we got was more expensive.

Instead of the grill stand attached we got a table with bench seats. This unit is built tough and should last for years. Due to their screw up we got it at a better price. Sometimes things work out. Folds up compact as you can see in the picture. Some day Camping Worlds inventory will not match.  That's their problem not mine. 

So me thinks this may work out for the best since our grill fits on our other end table just fine. A perfect fit. 

And we do have a another big wood picnic table stored in Q also as you know if you have been following along in past posts, to be retrieved later when our friends get to town where it is stored. This new Camping World small one is for boondocking when we get the chance. Could be we are starting to fill up our basement storage. Might be time to clean house after we get settled... What-do-yah think?  Get new stuff gotta purge old. It's not like sticken a finger down your throat, though. Unless it's Terry's stuff we are throwing out....

In days to come see what I'm looking at in small blow up hot tubs. 
 
 
 

Thursday  Oct. 21

And then the rains came. 

We saw in the news that the Hoover Dam bypass new bridge opened Tuesday night so now on Wednesday we thought a day trip was in order. But of Course. 

First off was a stop on the way to Best Buy to return their wireless USB adapter that did not work for me. Next a must stop at Camping World where we did purchase a fold up table. Just like what we had been wanting... now that we are out of Idaho and don't need it. Finding all these places was a snap with my Droid yelling directions at me while my old time human navigator just had to sit there and look pretty. What he does best in that position.

It is very sturdy and not made of cardboard like so many others. This one will take a rain storm me thinks. 
 

Well after that stop we were off to the Dam.  And all hell broke loose with heavy rain and wind. It has been many years since I have seen this much rain and now I'm driving in it to go view a bridge which they gave notice that it can be dangerous to cross when windy. 
So you can guess we weren't planning on getting fancy shots of it this time, but to just be able to say we crossed it on its first day being open. 

You can't see much as the cement walls are built high so you can't look out over it. 
You can stop and walk out on it. This from the NV side looking east. 

As you drive it you don't even know you are on a bridge. 

Now you know I didn't take this one.  Other shots at this link.

The drive back to Vegas was slow going due to the rain which let up a bit by now. Most of the storm went to the north side of Vegas. I still wanted to stop at Fry's Electronics on the south end of the strip to get PCI desktop wireless adapter. Did so and drove the wet strip back to the north downtown area where our RV park is at. 

Things sparkle when wet and at night on the Vegas strip.

Las Vegas finest were in action and proud to serve as you can see. Flying the flag.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday  Oct. 19

Getting to know this "What Happens Here... Stays Here kind of Town" 
(Green didn't seem right for that statement.) 

We are still recovering from our feed fest at the buffet last night at the Main Street Station Casino.

 I took pictures on my Droid of our dinner but now can't find them after I moved them to my desktop hard drive. 
This is still a learning curve. So you get the web site picture for now. 

This was, we both agreed the most full variety of food in a buffet we have ever seen. And this was not on a special night for a seafood or prime rib special.  We had to wait in line for about a half hour or so. But it was so well worth it for the $10.95 without a players club card price.   Lots of Asian people were partaking in the variety of buffet food available as we thought they must be connected to tour groups staying at the hotel.  We are well north of the big time high roller hotels, so this is where me thinks the tours dump their charges. Now this is not bad, as this makes for a marketing opportunity which is after all what this town is all about. All people looked happy and were having fun. 

I always wondered where the Wedding Chapels were in Vegas.. North on the strip and they were being used big time as we saw many people in there best all decked out in their finest rented outfits doing their thing. Love is alive... and it happens here in Vegas to be sure.  I think there even was an Elvis impersonator in the above scene.

We found people were on on the streets... And we though visits to this town were down. Wonder what a normal street picture would be like in better times. It looks to us like there were lots of tourists on the streets but they didn't look like big time gamblers, just tourists wondering  in and out out the attractions. 

This is a Disney Land of unlimited whatever you want. An area for the common tourists and then you get to the huge high roller hotels where I am sure people off the street do not get to waunder through their doors. How they keep the riff raff (as in tourists) seperated from the high money spenders, must be a art in itself, me thinks.

These people are rushing back to their rooms, just rushing to anywhere, to get cleaned up so they can go out on the town as this may just be their last night in Sin City on their vacation. 

The decadence is beyond belief... 

People rushing on the walk light.   This goes one for miles and miles. If we don't get out of town soon we could get caught up in this not normal life (or is it) thinking we should stay for just a few more days. Some people get here and never leave.  I think I have been through most every vice except gambling.  But I could move up from the slots to much more if I don't get out of town soon. 

 We did get down to the south end of the strip so I could browse the Fry's Super Electronic store. Another landmark in this town. 
I did get a new N wireless router to replace my old G router that seemed to kick out from time to time. 
Now today I realized I also needed a new desktop adapter in N format so as we traveled around I got one at Best Buy but it doesn't seem to want to install so it gets to go back. I tried everything to make it work. Sometimes these electronic FREDS  just don't want to make happy with users. 

More later on Vegas as we are getting to know this land of  why this is a good place for us RV'rs to have fun while also supporting the jobs for those who help us love this lifestyle.   We are good people who are just here  to express and share our lifestyle and travels so others can follow behind us. We promise to keep our campsite clean for you. 
 
 

Monday  Oct. 18

We have landed in Las Vegas. 

On the north side at the Main Street Station Casino and RV park. You can walk to the the Fremont Street action from here. Nice RV park and only $19.  Now that's a bargain in Vegas. 100 spots, nice and clean with security. 

 We drove the strip and took lots of pictures which I will work on to post.  But for now like they say... 
What happens here stays in Vegas. So we shall see just waht I can post about our stay.  More later... 
We are tired and it is happy hour back at the RV park.

Now after a short happy hour we are going to go for the Casino Buffet. 

If you can't wait for our pictures, or we just don't post them... do check out this site that has every picture of Vegas you would ever want. LAS VEGAS PHOTOS

On Tuesday our plan is to get our butts to the breakfast buffet at the Main Street Station Casino and then head out to see the new Hoover Dam bridge and later wander back here for a dinner buffet and then to the Fremont Street Experience. The light show starts at 8:30 PM according to the web link. 
 
 

Thursday  Oct. 14

As promised yesterday more pictures of  Pioche, NV.

We like this town and may stay for a few days.  We are not in a rush and this a great stopping point. Did I say we love the free city RV park with Water/Sewer at each site and the views. We can provide the power anytime, not a problem with solar and generator. 

 The town of Pioche was established as a result of the discovery of the Panacker Ledge silver ore deposit in 1863-64. Paiute Indians disclosed the location of the Ledge to Mormon missionary William Hamblin in exchange for food and clothing.
   San Francisco financier F.L.A. Pioche initiated serious development of the town (although he never visited it) in 1868. The boom years in silver production lasted through 1876, a period through which several devastating fires ravaged the town. The 1871 fire was one of the largest in Nevada history.
   During its boom years, Pioche boasted a population of up to 10,000 souls and earned a reputation as a truly lawless town. Legend has it that six dozen people were buried in Pioche's Boot Hill before anyone in town died a natural death. Unprovoked murders were commonplace and went largely unpunished; hired guns of the town's two large mining companies often turned the area dubbed "Treasure Hill" into a battleground.
   Serious mining activity, including prolific lead-zinc production, was a factor in Pioche until the 1950's. Fascinating relics of nearly 150 years of mining history remain and can be viewed by the public to the present day.

Do see this link I posted yesterday about this historic town.  Treasure Hill Chronicles newspaper. (pdf)  A great read.

Now for the show..

The old court house and right next to it on the left  Mountain View Hotel was built in
1895 by the Ely Valley Mines to house their guests. It is a combination of styles
including “Shingle” style and early 1900s “Classic Box”.

The ore smelter as viewed from the boot hill cemetary.

Silver ore was discovered in this range of mountains in 1864, but no important developments took place until
1869 when mines were opened and the Town of Pioche appeared. Pioche soon became the scene of a wild rush of
prospectors and fortune seekers and gained a reputation in the 1870s for tough gunmen and bitter lawsuits. Over 5 million dollars in ore was taken out by 1872, and by 1900 Pioche was nearly a ghost town. Designated the seat of Lincoln County in
1871, Pioche survived hard times as a supply and government center for a vast area. In later years, notably during World
War II, profitable lead and zinc deposits were developed.

Crime was rampant in Pioche in the early 1870’s. During the first settling
of Pioche, it was said that 75 men “were killed with their boots on” before anyone
died a natural death. Many of these men are buried in the “Old Boot Hill” Cemetery. 

This is how they got the ore from mine up on the hill down to the smelter. 
This aerial tramway operated in the 1920s and 1930s
carrying ore from the mines on Treasure Hill to Godbe’s Mill in the valley. Built by
Pioche Mines Company, the tramway was mainly gravity powered with the aid of a 5
horsepower motor. The ore in the full buckets rolled toward the mill and provided
the momentum to return the empty buckets to the bin. In 1928 the cost of delivering ore
to the mill via this tramway was six cents per ton.

The white building far left center in the above picture is the new county court house. We are down back left of it. 

This fine burg is trying to hang on and by the looks of the new retirement homes overlooking the valley it is doing well. They have well watered green city parks and an indoor swimming pool etc. The old buildings in disrepair are here for the tourist me thinks. 
 
 

Wednesday  Oct. 13

It was cold last night at the Illipath Rec. area last night at about 7K feet. on HW 50.
I have a outside remote temp device under the front 5er overhang that I can read from inside while still laying in bed. 
It got down to 26 last night. And we had two blankets and it got to 50 or so inside. The trailer system voltage was at 12.3 and we didn't want to draw it down much more so we didn't start the forced air furnace. But when the sun came up the Honda 3000i got started and the furnace was kicked on to high. 

After we warmed up we headed of to Ely over a few more passes, which I am getting used to by now. 
Ely seems old and tired, we got diesel and headed on.  I wheeled into a tight spot at a gas station and got out like a pro.  Take it wide, wheel it in and use the mirrors to miss the guards at the pumps. Helps that a couple of parking spaces right in front of the station were empty. A couple of auto drivers were looking at us like how did you get in here. 

We changed our travel planes and decided to take US 93 instead of NV 318 since my trusty navigator (as in Terry) found that (see in the far right bottom) the touristy old mining town of Pioche, NV had a city RV park right behind the county court house. 

So a few more shots of the drive through desolate Nevada on our way south. 

This big rig decided to pass, as I thought where did he come from as we had not seen another car or truck for a long tme. 

Now when I saw this I thought.. Now we don't have to go up and over that do we? 
Sure enough in mile or so US 93 turned to the right... along the valley going south.

We arrived at Pioche. Drive right to to the courthouse and asked where the RV park was as that was the directions to go to he saw on the internet. Ya, it was right behind them and it was a joy to behold with views to kill for. 

They offer water and sewer. Now if you need power go and find a RV park up in town for only $15 or so. 

Is this a view or what.

Now do I have to say this again FREE  sure they ask for donations and we will give freely. 

We later toured this mining town and will have more pictures tomorrow of this kind of like Jerome, AZ type place. 
High on a mountain because that was where the treasure was. In this case it was silver. Learn more this place at  Treasure Hill Chronicles newspaper. (pdf)  Stay tuned as we are staying in this delightful location for a day or two so hope to show more of this unique historical treasure. 

The town of Pioche was established as a result of the discovery of the Panacker Ledge silver ore deposit in 1863-64. Paiute Indians disclosed the location of the Ledge to Mormon missionary William Hamblin in exchange for food and clothing.
   San Francisco financier F.L.A. Pioche initiated serious development of the town (although he never visited it) in 1868. The boom years in silver production lasted through 1876, a period through which several devastating fires ravaged the town. The 1871 fire was one of the largest in Nevada history.
   During its boom years, Pioche boasted a population of up to 10,000 souls and earned a reputation as a truly lawless town. Legend has it that six dozen people were buried in Pioche's Boot Hill before anyone in town died a natural death. Unprovoked murders were commonplace and went largely unpunished; hired guns of the town's two large mining companies often turned the area dubbed "Treasure Hill" into a battleground.
   Serious mining activity, including prolific lead-zinc production, was a factor in Pioche until the 1950's. Fascinating relics of nearly 150 years of mining history remain and can be viewed by the public to the present day.

Terry is making cajun chicken and sausage jumbo for supper.  My favorite dish...

OK a sample of the view. 

This looks flat but it is not. 
 
 
 

Tuesday  Oct. 12

It was windy on Monday so we held off to Tuesday to move more south. 

Going from Idaho to Nevada if you have not been paying attention. 

But since we did hold off a day we spent no wasted time. LOL.. That is we got going in late morning. 9 ish to 10 was my guess... Who knows what time zone we are in anymore. I had to read Nick's and others blogs after all before we stowed the internet dish. while I had a bite to eat for breakfast.  But from then on it was full speed ahead. Going south on Idaho 225 to Elko. I will not take that route again. Winding road in canyons and slow going after Mountain City. Otherwise a great scenic good highway. Didn't I just say the other day we always take the back roads.  So I regret that statement with caveats.  US 93 would have not been this much fun or as scenic but this time we took ID 225.  Each time in an area we will look for other back roads that we have not already taken. Not to redrive, but to find new territory beyond the curve in the road ahead.  (Now where did I come up with that?)

We rushed through Walmart at Elko for supplies and after a couple of sandwiches at Arbys off we went west on I-80 to Carlin to gas up at Pilot where I had to go inside and pre pay on my debit card $75 and she said what I didn't use would credit back on the card... We shall see. 

Next down NV 278 to Eureka and then on east on Scenic Byway HW 50. 

A shot of the main street in Eureka... lots of small gambling clubs. We did not stop but should have, we decided later. We didn't see any RV parks and didn't find any online to speak of so we went on by. We do want to stop here in the future.

By this time in the afternoon it looked just like all NV roads... as we will never get there from here. 

Every rise in the road looks like this with another OMG we have to get there from here. 

Our plan at this time was to get our butts now that it was getting late to Illipah Reservoir on the way to Ely, NV. You can bet our discussions were getting a bit heated. Yes I do yell at my navigator. And he is getting better at yelling back... Good for him.

Below you can see on the map the Illipah Rec Area. 

So at last we landed, sure a bit late and low on water, but we will be happy tonight.

Now for the we have landed pictures.

OK here I go again, this BLM campsite is FREE... not a resort to be sure. But so much better than where we could have stayed in a Walmart in Elko. I almost forgot the last time we have paid fees for a site to camp. All we have had to do was plan ahead a bit to find these great campgrounds. 
 
 
 
 

Go  BACK       Go to  INDEX  Page     Go FORWARD

See where we are at right now. DataStormUsers map ID 98  Have question or comment about our blog life... We love email.   Just email rbunge@hitchitch.com