Hunting

Out for a short (2 mile) hike today we chose a moderate trail on  BLM land.  Our trail started at the point on the bottom, then went right around the oblong area, ending along the edge of Centennial Mountain (green spot on left).  There are many trails here of varying lengths.  We selected this one more or less at random.

To access this area of the Virginia Mountains we drove US50  a few miles to the eastern edge of Carson City (NV), then around the edge of Centennial Park to the foot of  Centennial Mountain.

We weren't out here just for a hike.  We were hunting.  Our quarry?  Wild horses!

We hadn't walked far on our trail before we found fresh signs of what we sought.

Our quarry eluded us, though, as we wandered the trails around the beautiful upland desert at the foot of Centennial Mountain.

The trail wound up about 200' through basalt rocks

Creosote, and blooming Desert Brush. 

Finally, 3/4 of the way through our search, we spotted them--there in the dip on top of Centennial Mountain!

The herd was at ease, idly grazing along the ridge.  

We were able to get some nice views of the 12 or so horses through the field glasses and some nice shots from both phones and the camera.  As we hiked nearer, they continued to follow the grass as it led over the edge of the ridge until, by the time we reached the foot of the mountain, the horses were all out of sight.

We were well satisfied with our hike through beautiful weather and beautiful desert.  The sighting of the horses was an added plus.

The hike down was straight and steep, and offered a good view of Centennial Park as we descended.

We could see the east golf course the circle around the 4 softball fields, and the edge of the tennis courts on the middle right.  The west golf course was out of sight around the mountain.

Back at the bottom we found our truck waiting to take us home.

Chore day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

 

Fun Run

Beautiful riding weather and squiggly roads enticed us out for a short 28-mile afternoon run.

 Brock plotted the roads and led the way, from our rv park on US50 west to NV342, the same road we took to Virginia city yesterday.

The difference today was that from there we took NV341 which runs parallel to 342 which is on the other side of those hills.

This road was a thrill to ride and sent the Brock-O=Meter so high it broke.

After about 10 miles of twisty, curvy roads with an elevation gain of 2000', the road joined 342 at Virginia City.

1/2 way through town we turned south and road downhill through town

and out onto 6 Mile Canyon Road for more off the chart scenery on a long downhill ride winding through the folded hills.

Refreshed and feeling fine we rejoined US50, the Lincoln Highway for the rest of the trip home.

Hopefully Leola's back will cooperate and she will be able to take this ride before we leave the area.

Hiking for us tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Short Flight

Leola's tricky back kept her off the bike today, but Duane, Brock and I enjoyed a short 60-mile ride, starting on US50 on the right, turning north (right) on 341, turned south on old NV395 at Reno (not pictured at the sharp bend at the top), picked up US580 and then US50 back home.  

NV341, here called The Comstock Road led us into the Virginia Mountains.

We wound our way through a couple of old mining towns:

Silver City

then Gold Hill with its mixture of modern homes

and old mines, their tailings (mounds of discarded gravel from which the gold or silver were removed).

We stopped in Virginia City, the location of the original Comstock mine.

The town is built on four different levels, with houses on upper and lower streets, 

and the main part of town in the middle.  The town reflects the original mining town as much as possible (for tourists).  Numerous mines were located on the hills/mountains surrounding the town, but the Comstock Mine was located in the valley at the bottom of the townsite.

We parked and walked down the board sidewalk

to the Visitor's Center.

The boys bellied up to the bar and received information on the sights and tours available.  We will be making another trip here soon to spend the day exploring these opportunities.

On north we went

climbing up to almost 7000' as we wound around the twisty mountain road

then town on old  NV395 around this mountain and ending up on the other side of the one just the other side of the guard rail.

as we twisted down that side we were treated to views of Reno as it spread across the valley floor.  In this view the city center and some of its larger casinos are in the distance.

The further south we went the road became straighter, but still scenic.

I580 joined us up with US 50 and home.

A nice ride on a beautiful sunny day.

Louise and Duane

Home For A While

 The Dayton RV Park is a very small, tight, well-kept and pretty park in the city of Dayton.  Our site is is in the middle, on the right with the light string running through it.  Next left are two back-in sites.  Brock and Leola are in the rear site.

At the right of the entrance is this nice gathering place,

which includes 2 small tables with chairs, a corner couch, a bar with tall chairs, and two bbq grills.  On the corner on the right is a large fenced dog run.  Next to it is a dumpster then parking for extra vehicles.

There is another seating area in the middle of the park with two swings and a picnic table.

Our rig has enough room for Brock and Leola's Spyder in addition to our Harley.  We both parked our trucks in the extra parking along the wall.

view from the back

From the living room--left window I can see the laundry/restrooms/showers.

From the big window I see across the top of another dumpster concealed behind walls.  These are my views when I'm sitting in my chair

as this, when I look straight ahead.

Out the front door I can see the front of B & L's motorhome.  These aren't the greatest views, but they aren't bad either.  

In spite of being on a busy road, the traffic noise is very minimal.

Not a bad place to be for the next two weeks.

Louise and Duane