Back on the Road
Greetings travellers, how have you been?
IN this episode of where are we now, we find our intrepid RVer’s going north in winter. Wait, WHAT????
Ok, maybe not the dead of winter, but still… We pulled out of Coarsegold, CA on the 4th of April and amidst winter weather warnings along the Sierra. Coarsegold got a few inches of snow after we left and, much to the consternation of our couch-bound copilots, we rolled right across the dreaded Donner Pass with just a little blowing snow. We were kept up to date via text and voice calls from Erin’s dad re: winter weather warning, who held some concern over the road conditions. Thankfully all concerns were allayed when we got into Reno ahead of the winter storm and fortuitously stopped and picked up a winter jacket from the sale rack at Cabelas for Erin (who only packed sweatshirts). The blowing cold (sub-freezing) wind and snow the following day made the purchase very timely. We had also (having a bit of old knowledge of rocky mountain springs) purchased a heated water hose, which is coming in handy in the northern Nevada sub-freezing temps at night.
We spent a couple nights in our favorite park in Sparks (Sparks marina RV park) and enjoyed a nice dinner out and a winning session at the Peppermill Poker room. We picked up some needed supplies before we leave the land of Costco. We caught up with an old friend and enjoyed our day and a half in town.
Rolling out and eastbound on Interstate 80 into a sunny morning, we were amazed by the beautiful winter landscape, ranging from just barren ground to stark winterscapes of heavy snow in mountains above barren fields of sagebrush with cows huddling against the bitter wind coming off those high sierra peaks. We stop on the blowing prairie and take a break at the well appointed Nevada DOT rest area which happily has clean heated bathrooms and heated air hand dryers. We munch our travelling meals in the comfort of our climate controlled conveyance as we cross this barren land, discussing the hardships of the pioneers of old who crossed this forsaken country in search of a promised land so far away. We revel in our speed and chafe at times to just “be there already” when we can cross in an hour what would have taken those travellers long ago two days to accomplish. God, how spoiled we have become in our times. We, with our speed demon vehicles, GPS, coolers, heaters, indoor plumbing every few miles, drinks and food on demand, not worrying much about weather or swollen rivers or the vagaries of our mode of transportation being scared by thunder or lightning. Never worrying about getting lost if we lose sight of our landmarks or trying to find water that isn’t poisoned or enough dry bison patties to cook dinner over.
Soon enough, we find ourselves circling our wagon in Elko, NV. Travelling in a few hours what would have taken our predecessors a month of travel, God willing and the Humboldt didn’t flood. We pull in to the KOA amidst a lite snow flurry. Thankful for our water hose forethought, we plug it into the outlet at 30 degrees f and know we don’t have to worry. Our water tanks, waste tanks and water supply is all heated and can’t freeze (fingers crossed).
An evening of fun in our local cardroom/casino here and a good night sleep yield to a wonderful brunch at Drees restaurant in downtown Elko, followed by a walk about downtown. This old cowtown/mining community contains a ton of history regarding Northern Nevada. Just don’t expect to discover it on a Sunday in April. The only businesses open are the “modern” ones (Walmart, Marshalls, big chains) all of the small local stores are closed on Sunday. The glaring exception is every restaurant is open for business. I imagine this changes when all the western folk are in town this summer for the world famous Cowboy Poetry and other summer doings are happening.
This concludes our leisurely portion of the trip north. From here on out it is a grueling 3 day run to Custer, SD. We will be there on Wednesday to check in for our summer jobs. They want Erin there early which should give me a few days to get us set up and Black Hills spring proof our rig until the threat of freezing is over and summer begins.
