The Loneliest Highway

Highway 50 through Nevada is called 'America's loneliest highway'. I love this stretch of road for that reason - there's hardly any traffic. I put the van in cruise-control, load up my CD player or tune-in Sirius satellite radio, blast the music, and sing my way across the state. Sometimes the desert is glorious with the yellow blooms and the bright green of new growth. After a rain, I roll down the windows and take in the delicious, pungent scent of sage. The road travels over several beautiful mountain passes for a cooler and different change of scenery - juniper and pinion pine forests.

~~~ NV desert in spring ~~~

~~~ NV desert in winter ~~~

There are several places along Highway 50 where I've stopped for a rest or to spend the night. All are free and have toilet facilities.

- Sand Mountain - 25 miles E of Fallon

- about 20 miles E of Sand Mtn, turn R on 722. There are a couple of places on the R within 10-15 miles. 722 joins 50 again just beforeAustin.
- Bob Scott NF c.g. - about 10 miles E of Austin; closed in winter,but there is a spot just before the gate where a small rig can tuck inbetween the trees.
- Hickison Petroglyph c.g. - between Austin and Eureka.
- Illiapah Reservoir c.g. - about 35 miles W of Ely

Heat Wave

I started to leave California last week, but the temperature was in the 100's and I just didn't feel like driving through the Nevada desert during this heat wave. Instead, I stopped at the Ponderosa TTN c.g. in the foothills of the Sierras near Placerville and found a nice spot right on the South Fork of the American River. I love the sound of the rapids and it was a bit cooler by the river. Pretty much I just rolled out my awning and sat in the shade reading for a few days - too hot for anything else.

The heat continued, so I drove higher up the mountain on I-80 and stayed at Snowflower TTN c.g. for another couple days until the temps started dropping and I felt like crossing the desert. I know I could have just turned the AC on and driven across the state, but I really prefer driving with the windows down so I can smell the sage and breathe real air.

Today I stopped at Trader Joe's and Wild Oats Natural Foods in Reno, NV to stock up on food for the next couple of weeks.