We finished our ride on the ET Highway without event. It was so deserted, even when we passed the Sandia Test Site. We didn't think anything was happening there since our friend, Jim, was still at home in Livermore. We also rode along on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, U.S. Route 6, which honors the American Civil War veterans. Will there ever be a time that we are not fighting one another?
We arrived in Tonopah, NV for lunch. We heard that the Mexican place was really good. That's info from Pat, the owner of the Inn in Rachel, NV. She had also heard the food in the Mizpah was very good. She said the people are VERY proud of the Mizpah. And guess what? That's where we're staying, the Mizpah Hotel!!!!!
The Mizpah was a grand hotel, once upon a time. It sat vacant for eleven years and was in terrible shape. A couple purchased it and completely renovated it. You can tell they had a passion and put enough money in to it to make it special. It just opened last fall and I hope it stays afloat because it is special. The rooms are small, sort of a European feeling. They have plenty of little touches that show they cared about the renovation. The staff are all so proud to be working there. And really....there isn't that much else going on in this town, that we could see. The mines are booming.
I again ask...how do you get here? Are you born here and never leave? drive through, break down and stay here? I asked a woman working at the JC Penney catalog store/Western Store and she told me she came to town because of a man, that she no longer has anything to do with, and just stayed. She was so nice, but difficult to listen to because I kept staring at her mouth which was missing many teeth....and I think she was about my age. It's a hard life in the desert.
After a very good lunch at the Mexican restaurant we strolled around town. Many of the stores were closed and/or empty. We did find a used book store. All hard backs were $2 and paperbacks were $1, we were in heaven. If I stay in this town I'll be working at this store. The woman working there was wonderful. They had a table set up with a jigsaw puzzle that people can work on. I wanted to stay and work on the puzzle, but that would interfere with my afternoon nap. We each bought a book and we were off.
We had dinner and breakfast at the Mizpah. You get a $5 credit towards breakfast when you stay there. The breakfast I ordered, full eggs with potatoes, sausage, toast, coffee was $5.75....another GREAT value! Plus the food was very tasty.
In the morning as we were leaving, a man came up and chatted. He retired in this town from San Rafael. He searched around for a place with a very low cost of living and infrastructure (hospital, etc.) and this is what he came up with. He likes it here. I suppose he was on a restricted budget though. But really, everyone we met was so pleasant, I can see how you would like this place.
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