Cody Trip - Henderson, NV to Pioche NV

Monday's trip posted on Tuesday.

We left Henderson, NV later than we planned this morning, around 10:15 so we missed all the morning traffic in Las Vegas and headed towards Ely, NV. After yesterday’s ride in temps up to 110, we were pretty drained. We had dinner last night with Deb’s step sister and her husband, great people. As a result we had a hard time getting going this morning.

Once we got through Vegas we stopped to gas up and for Deb to check her oil then off again. We got off at Hwy 93 and gassed up again even though we had gone less than 25 miles because we weren’t sure how far our next gas was going to be. Fortunately we found out at the truck stop that we could get gas after about 80 miles in Alamo.

The ride was beautiful, there was another large stretch of Joshua trees. I’m going to have to look up how they got their name. Very interesting looking trees. Anyway, lots of great scenic rock formations and landscapes. This was one of the longest , most deserted, straightest roads I’ve ever been on. Every now and again there would be a sign with a curve symbol and 65 MPH limit. We thought it was funny. I think they were there to simply bring the driver’s attention to the not straight road. Speed limits went from 70 to 55 to 45 in about 100 feet.

We stopped in Alamo for gas and lunch in a funky little place. The town was less than 2 miles on the highway. There we chatted with a woman and her granddaughters while eating lunch. Discovered that somewhere between the gas stop and the lunch stop (about ½ mile) Deb lost the batteries in her camera.

At the first gas stop outside of Vegas we had already put on cooling vest, chilly pads and soaked ourselves pretty good since the temp was already over 100. By the time we were getting back on the road in Alamo, the temp was 110. Clouds were gathering in the distance and at one point God gave us rain, a whole 10 drops each J . However, the clouds did provide some welcome shade as they passed overhead.

Out in the middle of this desert is an animal preserve, not sure what they are preserving but we saw signs for deer and cattle. There was even a nice lake and some marsh lands…..who knew? Lots of fabulous rock formations and some breathtaking scenery. Later we stopped in Caliente to gas up and get something to drink. After looking at the clouds and realizing how drained we were from riding in the heat , and we ARE on vacation, we decided to stop in Pioche a tiny (once mining) town. It’s an adorable little town with some rich history. We are staying at the Mother Lode Motel, got the “best room in the house” the handicapped room, no phone, no wifi, no remote for the TV, no pool, no soda machines. However it is a room, clean and fairly comfortable in a rustic sort of way. We had dinner at the Silver Café, a building over 100 years old. Took some great pictures that will be posted soon.

Now, it’s off to bed.