May 29 - Eureka, NV - Pinto

​We left Deer Creek SP in the rain. Fog on the Wasatch Mountains was pretty. 

Our next stop will be in Eureka, NV. We took Route 6 out of Provo.  This is the same route 6 that goes across northern PA. Route 6 becomes Route 50, the Lonliest road in the US. It’s straight with very little traffic. We’ve enjoyed this route several times. 

Here’s a little bit of what we are seeing as we drive. 

Wound through a canyon. 

See why it’s called the loneliest highway … no cars, not much of anything but we like driving this road  much more relaxing for Bill  

Yes, Lenny can sleep sitting up  

Those are salt flats in the distance. 

Passed windmills doing their thing. 

After we crossed into Nevada, we were in by the Great Basin National Park  we had stopped here before but didn’t have my Passport book of National Parks  so we stopped to get my stamp. The park protects a diverse landscape from high peaks to low valleys. It is home to the Bristlecone Pines, some of the world's oldest non-clonal organisms. 

I have seen these pines and thought they were dead. Shows you how much I know!

Tonight we are staying at Pinto Summit BLM, just outside of Eureka, NV.  After setting up, we drove into town. We were here about 8 years ago. The 2020 census has the population at 414, but that doesn’t count the miners  there are 4 mining companies that employ a number of miners. Still, there’s not a lot of business here  we stopped at the Jackson Hotel and Saloon for a beer. Met Amanda, the bartender and a couple miners. 

Beautiful bar and stain glass windows  

Before dinner we took a walk on old Route 50  you could still see faint yellow lines with sage brush covering the sides.

Sunset was colorful  

Tomorrow it’s on to Fernley, NV. 

May 28 - Day 3 at Deer Creek SP

​Since we’ve enjoyed this park, we decided to stay another day. We have a beautiful view of Deer Creek Reservoir. 

Bill found another trail for us to bike - the Murdock Canal Trail. As the name implies, it is a canal but they ran it underground, then built the trail on top. It was paved and well marked with huge houses on both sides of the trail and Mount Timpanogas behind. Quite picturesque. 

We rode past this Mormon Tabernacle, having a wedding  

Just as we were thinking of turning around, we found another brewery, Strap Tank.  Interesting items all over the walls and ceilings. Forgot to write yesterday when we were at the other brewery that we both got carded. After I looked amazed at our bartender, she said they have to scan everyone’s license  it’s an Utah law!  Definitely a good stop with the best nachos we’ve tasted, even our own Happy Valley Brewery ones. 

Since they didn’t have their outside seating open yet, Lenny was allowed to come in and sit with us at the bar. One of the wait staff took our picture because this was probably Lenny’s first time at a bar!

Here’s a view from the trail looking out over the various towns around Provo. 

We did turn around and good thing we did because dark clouds were over us. We made it back to the truck, got the bikes loaded and the rain started. Whew. That was close. We biked about 40 miles. 

May 27 - Day 2 Deer Creek SP

​After a short morning walk around the campground, we drove to Orem to park and unload our bikes. We rode up the Provo Canyon for about 13 miles to Timpanogos Cave road, turned around and road back. Part of the trail was paved but part was gravel and rocky. We passed several parks. One of them was the Bridal Veil Park.

Took a spur trail to Brigham Young University. They are celebrating their 150th year. 

Stopped to rest. Lenny said he needed it. He doesn’t sleep while biking. Keeps his head up to watch where we are going. 

What would one of our trips be without a stop at a brewery - Heber Valley.  Enjoyed 2 of their hazy IPAs. 

The night view over the reservoir was pretty. 

Tomorrow we’ll ride another trail in Provo. 

May 26 - Provo Utah - Deer Creek SP

​Another day with a sunrise. Great way to start off our day. 

Since we were up at the crack of dawn (literally), we were on the road by 8 am. 

Driving through Wyoming, you see a lot of antelope. 

Lots of sage brush for them. 

As we drive through Wyoming we see lots of open land, mainly flat with the Wasatch Mountains in the distance. Still has snow on them.

Steep hills going into Utah. 

Once we move into Utah we see the red rocks. 

Deer Creek SP in Provo, UT is where we park for the next couple days.  Plan to ride the Provo River Parkway rail trail tomorrow. 

This is the view of the Deer Creek Reservoir from our campsite.

May 26 - Sinclair, WY - Dugway BLM

​From the plains of Nebraska to the rocky outcrop in Wyoming, the landscape changed. 

The coyote watches over the land. 

Lincoln Monument rest stop. 

It was a long day of traveling, especially for Bill because of the wind whipping across. There was actually a huge sign that warned travelers about the wind and that trailers under 20,000 lbs had to pull off. 

When we reached our destination at Dugway BLM in Sinclair, WY (just east of Rawlins), the weather cooled some. Should be good sleeping. 

We are parked along the North Platt River. 

Can you see the orange bird? Not sure if it’s a species of a Baltimore Oriole or not. When we have better connectivity, I’ll look it up. 

Clouds have rolled in and it’s thundering. We’ll see how much rain that brings. 

BTW, we’ve been in Mountain Time for 2 days. Lenny doesn’t like it one bit. He has an internal clock that doesn’t switch easily. 

May 25 - Memorial Day - Ogallala, NE

​As we left our Harvest Host, Old Farm, we had this gorgeous sunrise to get us started. 

Glad we had a good start because today’s drive was long because we got stuck at a Pilot Gas station for about 45 minutes. We chose that one because gas was only $3.89! Now we know why. It’s old and small with lots of cars, trucks and campers so they are enticing people to stop with the price. Guess that worked because we had to wait in line forever.

We finally reached our destination for tonight - Kingsley’s Dam Resort. The word resort is all relative! With temperatures in the 90s we were glad they had electric. 

We were along Lake McConahey. Huge lake but the level of the water was low. 

Tomorrow we’ll be in Wyoming, near Rawlins. Should be cooler because the elevation is higher. 

May 24 - Old Farm, Lincoln, NE

​Driving from Iowa to Nebraska today, we started to see lots of windmills. 

In fact, a used one was repurposed at a rest stop. 

Lenny likes to keep track of where we’re going as we’re driving down the road. 

Finally reached our destination a little south of Lincoln at a Harvest Host called  Old Farm. What a gem of a spot. Owners, Steve and Colleen Slaight have repurposed several grain bins into gazebos. They certainly have a little slice of heaven here in suburban Lincoln. 

This one has repurposed maple syrup buckets they use to plant strawberries. 

Another interesting thing they do is video their guests and post to YouTube. We were interviewed and thoroughly enjoyed answering questions as well as posing some of our own. Great way to get to know each other. Certainly will remember this spot in our travels. 

Tomorrow we travel west to Ogallala, NE.