Nevada

Nevada

We almost decided to miss Nevada. We were thinking of going to another RVer get together in Death Valley but as it worked out, we headed to a remote spot that our Mountain Man Rendezvous friends, Pat & Trish, told us about.

Cherry Creek, a place with a colorful history in the old west. We headed into town across the long valley that seemed to grow longer as we headed west into town. Of course, we stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone knew we were heading into town because they can see you coming a long time before you get there. We pulled up to the old saloon which seemed to be the only place that had any apparent evidence of people. I asked if anyone knew Warren & Mary. After some gee haws from the locals who were amused looking at our home on wheels, Warren pulled up in a pickup truck and stuck his hand out to welcome us to town. We were another lost RVer looking for refuge and Warren and Mary were glad to take us in. I don't think we ever had a more warm welcome as they both went out of their way to make us comfortable there.

We were soon introduced to the local welcoming committee, who were all on four legs, and often came to investigate newcomers to their part of the country. Tony llama was quite an interesting character. He was real friendly especially if you had some carrots to hand out. Their dog, Babe, was one of the biggest I've ever seen but she was very friendly and took to us in short order. Seems as though she was a present to Warren who wanted a small dog. Well, she was small when they got her! Must be something in the water.

Warren and Mary were eager to show us around and point out much of the history of the area as we explored over the next few days. The openness of both the land and sky gave us many moments of pleasure observing the unique vistas before us. There are numerous sights to take in. I marveled at the light refraction, sun dogs, in the sky one afternoon. I had never seen a double crossing rainbow before. Here I am enjoying a morning cup before we headed out on one of our Mad Max excursions out back. We went to look at old mining claims that were scattered over the area. Having an ATV or 4 wheel drive is almost essential to get out back and see some the fast disappearing relics from the past. The Pony Express came through here in 1860-61 complete with Indian attacks and US Calvary with outposts. It was good to have a guide to find these places because it would take considerable effort for the casual observer to run across some of the traces from the past on their own. Warren and Mary run the cherry Creek Museum which holds many treasures from the past that evidences the wild west as it truly was. Warrens brother has written a book about the area that details the events and who settled there in the 1800's.

We headed up into the surrounding mountains to see old mines, some new mines and interesting sights that captured our hearts as we covered the same ground that pioneers did over a 100 years ago. Bluebell's cabin Indian head rock. An old mine ore loading ramp. A miners cabin. The fall season is evident even in what most people think is all desert. If one just drives through here without getting off the beaten path, You won't see the amazing beauty and variation in the land. We found this little valley that was very appealing.