On Our Way to a Wedding

We were ready for a long summer ride. Many destinations were discussed. Then Lindsay and Cliff set their date and we knew where we would go....Colorado.....and ride the Million Dollar Highway!  I've heard quite a bit about this road, and watched an episode of "Dangerous Roads".  Dave & Bret worked on the route and we were off........

We decided to wing it....see where we wanted to go.  We had our rooms for two nights for the wedding and then another night in Moab, UT since that looked a little iffy on availability...which makes sense since it's just about the only thing in that area.  We did something new, trying to split up the horrid ride through Nevada.  Instead of the first day riding 500 miles, we'd ride 200 miles to Carson City and then 300 to Ely.  If you have ever taken a road trip on Highway 50, you know what I'm talking about.  They don't call it the Loneliest Highway for nothing....plus it's hot.....and boring.

We left town at 4:30, hit mild traffic (we split lanes when the traffic is stopped....yes it's legal in CA....yes it is a bit scary, mostly because drivers do not use their mirrors) and didn't stop until Pine Grove for dinner.  The little joint (it was so little it did not have a public restroom....we ran across the highway and used the toilet at the park)  had good burgers and served a massive amount of fries.  The four of us should have shared one small order.  The help was entertaining too.  We learned everything about dental hygienists versus assistants, technical schools, and job opportunities.

We arrived in Carson City around 9:30.  Why are all those Casino/Hotels so sad?  There was hardly anyone there, the clerk behind the desk looked like they lived hard, and the parking lot was in desperate  need of a new striping job.  Our room was clean and ready so all was good.  When we woke up we saw this beautiful sunrise....over the the electric substation!

We stopped for breakfast in Fallon, NV at Jerry's...which is where we always stop to eat when we're in Fallon....mostly because that's about the only place.  It's an old-fashioned diner.  This is our third visit. Our first stop for gas was in Austin....another sorry and sad little town along Highway 50.

Now the entire time we're riding along, this is my view

 If I move a little to the left, this is my view

And here's my view if I look up

When we stopped for gas in Austin, Donna chatted with the sweet, young, gas station attendant while she was waiting to use the newly built restroom (which was greatly appreciated).  She told Donna to have lunch at the deli in Eureka that's run by an Amish family...they make their own bread.  We did find it, not too difficult since there's only one road through town (Highway 50) and not much going on. It was at the far end of town and we were about to give up.  We were surprised when we walked in and there were electric lights....we figured they were Mennonites and the young gas station clerk didn't know the difference.  The food was FABULOUS, service was FABULOUS, and the price was...yep, you guessed it, FABULOUS.

This is a photo of the guys turning the bikes around, getting ready to hit the road again.

The day was warming up and we continued on our way to Ely, NV