Craters of the Moon is one strange place. It’s our last planned stop in Idaho, and a bit off the beaten path. This national park was established in 2002.
It got it’s name from a geologist who described the surface as that of the moon through a telescope.
The area is nearly destitute of vegitation.
The volcanoes in the area last erupted about 2000 years ago, leaving vast fields of lava flow, fissures, caves, tunnels, and exhausted cinder topped cones. The lava formations are very sculptural, patterned, colorful and fragile.
Big Cinder, at 700 feet tall, is one of the world’s largest purely basaltic cinder cones.
Big Cinder, at 700 feet tall, is one of the world’s largest purely basaltic cinder cones.
We hiked to the top
There are patches, or blobs, of solidified lava that formed when clots of pasty lava stuck together and fell back to earth and there are fragments of cones. These verticle piles of lava are very brittle.
We walked into a couple of caves that were once tunnels through which hot lava flowed.
Some of the lava rocks are very colorful.
It takes a very long time for enough dirt to accumulate among the cinders for a plant to take hold. These are dwarf buckwheats
Craters was interesting, but now it’s time to make some serious tracks south and west.
We stay off main highways, and enjoy the drive on secondary roads, finding a state campground in the middle of nowhere, without water, electricity, or phone service. Quiet, private, and beautiful … what more could we want?
There are patches, or blobs, of solidified lava that formed when clots of pasty lava stuck together and fell back to earth and there are fragments of cones. These verticle piles of lava are very brittle.
We walked into a couple of caves that were once tunnels through which hot lava flowed.
Some of the lava rocks are very colorful.
It takes a very long time for enough dirt to accumulate among the cinders for a plant to take hold. These are dwarf buckwheats
Craters was interesting, but now it’s time to make some serious tracks south and west.
We stay off main highways, and enjoy the drive on secondary roads, finding a state campground in the middle of nowhere, without water, electricity, or phone service. Quiet, private, and beautiful … what more could we want?
Tom inspects the undercarriage and lubricates the automatic step. NO ... Kris did NOT run him over!
We are working our way toward Reno and follow Route 50 – described as the ‘loneliest road in America’ to see several old Nevada towns and some not-so towns
The town of Eureka was settled in 1864 by silver prospectors, but the town quickly found its niche primarily in lead mining.
To establish itself as a tour town, several of the classic 1880’s buildings have been restored.
The town suffered the usual fires, booms, busts and dwindled until recently, when mining has taken renewed activity. See this map with each old mine claim numbered.
To establish itself as a tour town, several of the classic 1880’s buildings have been restored.
The town suffered the usual fires, booms, busts and dwindled until recently, when mining has taken renewed activity. See this map with each old mine claim numbered.
After 1873, the law required the registration of livestock brands at the courthouse. This courthouse had an exhibit with some very old brands, including this one registered in 1873.
We were encouraged to walk around the courthouse, including the courtroom, sit in the judges chair, and view the judge’s chambers. There wasn’t another soul around. They are all very casual.
This part of Nevada is very remote. There are long stretches of desert, followed by a row of mountains to cross, then another patch of desert. This repeated several times across the state until we hit Reno.
Through the eyes of an artist, these are beautiful shapes and colors
We stayed at Sand Mountain for overnight.
Sand mountain is nearly 5000 acres of steep dunes, about 200 feet high, set aside for recreation including off road vehicles, hikers, and sandboarders.
We stayed at Sand Mountain for overnight.
Sand mountain is nearly 5000 acres of steep dunes, about 200 feet high, set aside for recreation including off road vehicles, hikers, and sandboarders.
The dunes are a build-up of sands deposited by southwest prevailing winds.
There was a pony express stop here in 1860.
We had a classic desert sunset and wildly clear skys to see the Milky Way more clearly then we ever remember seeing it.
There was a pony express stop here in 1860.
We had a classic desert sunset and wildly clear skys to see the Milky Way more clearly then we ever remember seeing it.
There are many petroglyphs scattered across the Nevada deserts. We stop at two locations with good hikes and interpretive trails to see the petroglyphs and pictographs.
These petroglyphs date back 7000 years or more and likely represent information about game trails.
That long ago, this land was moist and marshy, supporting game and other wildlife suitable for hunting. River otters, large ground sloths, and bald eagles were common.
When the first non-native explorers entered this area, it was the home of the Northern Paiute People, known as the Cattail Eaters. Houses were built of cattail and tule bundles. Tule bundles tied together with cattails were used to make boats. Clothing was made from twined fibers of sagebrush bark.
We hiked a trail up into the hills, and saw a few residents along the way.
That long ago, this land was moist and marshy, supporting game and other wildlife suitable for hunting. River otters, large ground sloths, and bald eagles were common.
When the first non-native explorers entered this area, it was the home of the Northern Paiute People, known as the Cattail Eaters. Houses were built of cattail and tule bundles. Tule bundles tied together with cattails were used to make boats. Clothing was made from twined fibers of sagebrush bark.
We hiked a trail up into the hills, and saw a few residents along the way.
Back on the road again moving toward Reno.
The town of Fallon is the last stop before Reno. As a military town with the Top Gun flight training school, there are modern amenities, plus a historic downtown. The old jail (foreground), built in 1906, and courthouse (background) are on the list of national historic buildings.
The jail was used until 1973.
Main street is quaint.
Some people live well, and some … not so much.
The town of Fallon is trying to bring comedian Jimmy Fallon into town.
Moving closer to Reno - more expansiveness. Nevada is a really big state.
We arrive Reno midday, and pull into the reserved in-town campsite.
It has full amenities – whoo hoo ! Electricity, running water, and sewer hook-up and real showers. We are in happy campers, now ready for a few more civilized days. We gave some thought to staying up the mountain with Becky, but there was not good parking for the rig, AND, it was going to be very cold.
We had 4 great days of fun and family with Becky, John and sweet little Juniper. We went to Yoga and climbing class. The little pouch on her waist is to carry the small animals that have been scattered around the walls. She has to gather them up as part of her 'training'.
Moving closer to Reno - more expansiveness. Nevada is a really big state.
We arrive Reno midday, and pull into the reserved in-town campsite.
It has full amenities – whoo hoo ! Electricity, running water, and sewer hook-up and real showers. We are in happy campers, now ready for a few more civilized days. We gave some thought to staying up the mountain with Becky, but there was not good parking for the rig, AND, it was going to be very cold.
We had 4 great days of fun and family with Becky, John and sweet little Juniper. We went to Yoga and climbing class. The little pouch on her waist is to carry the small animals that have been scattered around the walls. She has to gather them up as part of her 'training'.
She makes shadows during short movies at the art museum and feeds the ducks in the Truckee River that runs through downtown Reno.
We drive up to their house for dinner through … you guessed it, snow (in September … really???)
We spend a glorious day at a local farm where the girl practiced (on a fake cow), her best milking technique, and went for a pony ride and played with Papa learning about old fashioned water pumps
Tom and Becky got into a father daughter lassoing war
We had a great visit with the Nevada crew, had a long girls hug, then hit the road again.
Night Night
Next Post – Reno south to Los Angeles
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