Valley of Fire

Nov. 5, 2012 - Greetings Friends and Family

WE left Jackpot and drove all day.  Nevada looked basically the same from one end to the other.  There was sage brush on both sides of the hwy and hills in the distance of both sides.  Service stations were few and far between.  We made certain we had both gas tanks full every time we left a service station.  There were signs on the hwy telling us how far between stations.  Most of the land we passed was non-arable.  Houses were non-existent. 

The weather was beautiful.  We had decided to make time after checking on the internet and seeing that  snow was coming to Ely and areas close to Ely.  The snow was not supposed to arrive until Wedn. but we wanted to be certain we missed it.  We stopped at Wells, Nev. to get gas.  The attendant  checked the tires all around the motorhome, inflating when necessary and changed the oil for me.  I was thankful for that as I needed an oil change and was not sure where I should go where I could get in and out.

Our next stop was Lund, Nev. as we saw a post office and I had postcards to mail.  I wanted to buy more stamps, but the office was closed for lunch.  We couldn't help but wonder how people kept their cars gassed up as there was no gas station there and the next nearest one was approx. 36 miles away.  It was fairly bleak and desolate around Lund.  You need to enjoy your solitude to live along the hwy we drove on. 

Lund, Nevada

Wondering if we were going to make it to the next gas station, we finally arrived at Ash Springs.  There was an RV park there, so we decided to spend the night.  Parked next to us were a couple from Ft. McCloud, AB.  They were originally from Rimby, AB.  They also were on their way to S. Texas and will be parked in the little town just east of where we will be parked.  They will be in Weslaco and we will be in Donna. 

Brenda said she always wanted to see the Valley of Fire, so that is where we headed.  There is a state park here so we decided to spend the night.  We are fairly close to the bathroom and showers so feel like we hit the jackpot.  We have power and water, but no sewer. However, there is a common dump site.

  It is so, so beautiful here.  The rocks are red.  I would suggest you check it out on the internet.

 

Some idiot put his name on these ancient petroglyphs.

I took a photo of this shrub because the stalks were blue and made a nice contrast with the green.

  It is 29C at noon.  Finally Brenda is warm.  We put out the awning so we don't get too hot to sleep tonight, but I do have A/C in case I have to cool off our home for sleeping.  It has been a while since I lowered the awning, but we got her done!

Brenda got instructions from Dwight (retired school teacher from Rimby) as to how to avoid going through Las Vegas and places to see as we head south east. 

Nov. 7 - We are parked at Parker tonight at an RV park.  Hitting the road again tomorrow.