Hello All Of You Buckaroos...We're Back!

The good news is that the State of Nevada is still in tact after our abbreviated trip over the Sierras. I got a whole host of ear tones on the way up and hoped we'd have something to talk about, but gosh darn, EQ's and me just don't show up at the same time.

We had a one day trip over to Virginia City and saw the place with new eyes and it revealed a very interesting geologic past. This place has scenery to die for. Sugarloaf mountain which seems to be an ancient pluton, draped in a "Mars" red glow stood out on the morning skyline and it was a breathtaking view.

I found a rock shop full of highly polished stones and the best part was they were dated, identified and very inexpensive. The town is known as the Silver City as millions of dollars in silver were mined in this locale. The tragic part of this story of course is that there were a number of cave-ins and an explosion in 1938 that killed quite a number of miners. Its a must go to place for rock hounds. Of course Virginia City is noted for its city wide events and we just happened to arrive on the perfect weekend. It was outhouse racing down the main drag. Nothing like it! Also, Don got his wish and had me put in jail. (photos to follow soon)

Our trip down to the ghost town of Bodie, CA was unbelievably picturesque. We stopped several times so Don could get some good photos. We saw many vertical postpiles in various colors and rock material. You can be sure I collected plenty for my new planting bed in front of my home.

Bodie, which is in the state of "arresting decay" is a marvelous state park. It appears as though everyone in town just got up and left on one particular day. Though booming with gold mining in the 1870's through early 1900, due to a fire started by a little boy most of the town is long gone. But even at that, I would highly recommend this trip and the sooner the better. I was there 21 years ago and returned to find some buildings no longer there.

William S Bodeys and two friends found the gold and were to set up mining together, however, Bodeys died in a snow storm before the work got underway. The name of the town was changed due to the spelling so it wouldn't sound like bodys.

I'll give pause here to advise anyone who travels over that way, (near Bridgeport, CA) of the 13 miles of road from US395, 10 are paved and easy to drive, but the washboard the last 3 miles is a killer. Bring your patience cap for the last bit, but I assure you, its well worth the time and effort to go there.

Though we are very tired from the trip and had to return a little early, there is no way to convey the beauty of the Sierra's. From every vista there are enormous rocks, rivers, meadows full of flowers and at this time of year, the Aspens are giving up their golden colors for an added bonus.

So saddle up, put on your best pair of duds and head to the hills...you'll love it.

Petra