Ralph Weickel’s Blog

Day 11, June 2, 2009, found us excited to be traveling the loneliest road in America or Rte 50 through Nevada.  We left Reno and headed east on I-80 until we reached Fernley and Route 50.  We picked up our passports for the loneliest road and headed east for Fallon.  Before leaving Fernley we were advised to always have a 1/2 tank of gas.  In Fallon we had our passport stamped and enjoyed a filling breakfast at Jerry’s on Rte 50.  The longest stretch on Rte 50 between towns followed with 110 miles to Austin and there is nothing in those miles to stop and see.

We did put on rain gear and had a misting or two while missing the real downpours.   In Austin we were told to keep the rain gear on as we had 8 more passes to cover and rain was likely - fortunately they were wrong.  Still we were happy to keep the rain gear on as it was a nice break against the wind.  From Austin we headed toward Eureka.  Along the way we covered four passes and watched a police officer accelarate from 0 to 100 in short order to pull an individual over - we just kept cruisng along at 70 miles per hour.

Following Eureka we head to Ely and received our final stamp and we can now mail our completed passport for free stuff.  Ely boosted the Nevada Hotel and after awhile all slot machine rooms began to look alike.  We continued east on Roye 50 to Baker on the Nevada/Utah border - a very lonely road.  After getting gas and liquids we headed toward Delta, Utah on Route 50 east and 90 miles of open spac and large rock formation - we saw maybe 10 cars in those 90 miles.

What was memorable from the ride was the smell of the high desert after the rain - sweet and filled with the aroma of sage.  We ended the day in Salina, Utah - some 600 miles from Reno.

Tomorrow we head for Colorado - specifically Durango.

Have a wonderful day!

ralph