DESPATCHES
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15.
The Loneliest road on earth
June 22nd
We leave Hotel Nevada and its gambling
machines
Up at 3.00a.m. to leave at 5.00 !!! Peter has forgotten
to change his watch again. Go back to bed. Set off at
5.20 - quite cold, jackets on. We traverse a series
of valleys and passes. I take down all the names.
Robinson Pass - 7,606 feet
Antelope
Summit - 7,438
Pancake Summit
- 6,517
This stretch of ROUTE 50 is the old Pony Express Trail
and is known as the loneliest road in America.
I can see why. Don't worry, we have our survival kit
with us. After 57 miles we see one farm steading. We
spot a 'ranch for sale' notice. Tempting.
Pinto
Summit - 7,376
Into Eureka and a short stop for breakfast. This is
an old mining town that once supported 11,000 people.
Now there are about 1,500. Some of the old buildings
remain.
Hickinson Summit - 6,542
Bob Scott's Summit - 7,195
Austin
Summit - 7,484
Mt. Airey Summit
- 6,519
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Hotel
Nevada
Eureka
Opera House |
We
pass the sand mountain- 2 miles long and 1 mile wide.
New Pass - 6,348
Drum Summit - 4,840
Sand Springs Pass - 4,450
After 250 miles of nothing but arid valleys and mountain
passes we come to a wider valley with the River Carson
marked on the map. Here lies Fallon, more evidence of
agriculture, dairy, beef lots , the best water melons,
irrigation. People cannot survive without water. Also
the home of the US Navy's "Top Gun" training
base. Onto Carson city then over a stunning last Pass
- Spooner - with lots of trees and
get our first glimpse of Lake Tahoe, unimaginably beautiful.
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Sand
dune |
Philip
and Kathryn are there to greet us having flown in from Scotland
to Reno then hired a car.
next
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