This morning, we left the unlovely Hawthorne, Nevada, home of the little El Capitan Casino, and drove south and east on Route 95. We then followed Route 361 north and Route 50 east to Ely. We learned that the Nevada section of Route 50 is known as the "Loneliest Road in America," and although we thought that 361 better deserved the title, they are BOTH very lonely! We drove about 300 miles today, and passed three areas recognizable as tiny towns. The road was perfectly straight for miles and miles, passing through endless plains of sagebrush, with only occasional sections of switchbacks through the more mountainous areas. The drive really was beautiful, and the sense of immense space was incredible. We tried to imagine living in a town the size of little Austin, population approximately 350 and about a two-hour drive from the next tiny town.
We saw a little patch of snow under a stunted pine tree, and more small pockets of fall foliage. We passed a sign reading "Major Deer Crossing," and shortly thereafter saw deer, indeed crossing the road. We stopped and watched as each one hesitated at the yellow center line and finally bounded over it as if it was a tall fence. Silly deer! They all crossed the road safely, despite their dawdling.
We reached Ely, Nevada, this afternoon, and are KAMPED at a very nice campground with wi-fi internet access. Molly met a friendly horse and some unfriendly burros; the burros are in a pen next to the campground, and create a tremendous braying uproar everytime a dog passes by. No burro friends for Molly...oh well.
We'll be driving through Utah towards Bryce National Park tomorrow.
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