Well - the trip is coming to an end --- a bit of dialogue to finish up. The Historical State Park was something to see and we could almost hear the ghosts of the soldiers as we walked the grounds and saw the remnants of this old army base from the 1800's.
Couldn’t start out day four without a soak in the hot springs though. This hot springs looks like a small pond in a large area of nowhere-land ! Except that it has steam rising off it this morning and is 99 – 104 degrees depending on how close to the outflow we are. Check out their web page! www.cranehotsprings.com
Endless driving across endless long highways – all in beautiful condition – finds us rewarded with a beautiful historical spot called John Churchill State Historic Park. The campground was abound with golden autumn trees in all their splendor. We were ‘dry camping’ but had a wonderful campfire and cooked bacon over the fire !! Such fun ! We enjoyed our campfire for about 3 hours and decided it might be time to get some sleep.
I found some information about this incredible historic stopover online. It was such a treasure to arrive at after a long day of driving the barren Nevada terrain. Have a read … we certainly enjoyed walking these historical grounds and feeling the history. http://www.darfortchurchill.com/fortchurchill.html This location was also a stopover for the Pony Express and at one point on the trail, we saw a picture representing many covered wagons passing through the area. With all the sage bushes to get in the way, I don’t know how horse and man made the trek to California ! Or wherever they were headed West.
Day 5 and another day of long and straight highways through the never ending terrain of Nevada. It holds a beauty of its own though. We passed through many shabby-type towns along the way and one huge Army Supplies base which you could see for miles ! As well, we passed by a Naval Undersea Warfare Center. Now, what I can’t figure out is why this Naval Center is in the middle of high desert in Nevada ! Navy means water and the sea to me !! I found some pics from http://www.thelivingmoon.com/47john_lear/02files/Navy_Secrets_02.html
Yet another surprise after a long day of more Nevada highways that lead into the horizon. As we rounded a corner on the highway at our intended stop for the night in Beattie, Nevada – we saw a sign saying “hot springs next left”. Screech went the tires (no really – since a 30 foot RV would be in trouble if the tires were screeching!) and we made an abrupt turn into a small but nice little RV stop with some hot springs to soak in. These hot springs are in 3 different buildings offering 3 different temperature choices. AND nude or not-so-nude soaking!
As we arrive, the sun is low and as I look to the left I see rust colored hills. Straight forward offers me a view of blue-toned mountains and off to the west in the distance the hues are violet. As mundane as the hills are, they offer beautiful desert colors and prove to me once again why I love this barren-looking land. At heart, my soul sings when I am in the desert.
Day 6 has us off to the Outlet Stores in Las Vegas which are wonderful. After our shopping stop, it is south past the Hoover Dam to our last night on the road which is a beautiful RV spot overlooking Lake Mead. Again, we will enjoy colors of the late afternoon desert sun. Our final camp fire of the trip and one more good nights sleep in our most comfortable bed !!
As always, I love to end with “this I know’
This is a beautiful continent we have to enjoy and it would take a lifetime to see all of its glory and beauty How blessed we are to be able to live here …….this I know !
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