A Little Magic Every Day: East Through Nevada

Suddenly it was time to start east. Utah & Red Rock Country is our short term goal--and our route took us over the Sierras and across Nevada. We have done the drive before -- and mostly felt like just getting on with it.

First though we shared breakfast with Arlete (sv Quatro De Mayo) in a cafe near Sacramento. Dick her husband is giving their boat a bit of TLC in Hawaii while Arlete works as a Licensed Bicycle Instructor teaching biking skills to 5th graders. Who knew there was such a credential and that Arlete's multiple cross USA bike rides would lead to a new career??

Up and over the Sierras we went -- not much snow to view. We found a Nevada State Park (Lake Washoe) near Carson City with both a lake view and a snow capped mountain view! And, our luck, it rained that night. I am a bit puzzled why we seem to always have rain in Nevada!

One long day's drive brought us to Cave Lake State Park, a bit northeast of Ely, Nevada. The drive on route 50 was actually quite lovely -- snow capped mountains and green valleys. Almost no traffic, except for 1 lonely Nevada State Highway Patrol car. He stopped us because Alan was staying in the MIDDLE of his lane and in Nevada it is the law in the mountains to hug the RIGHT side of one's lane. I think the guy (all of about 18 years of age) was getting practice stopping vehicles and checking car registrations. It was a bit annoying.

Finally we made our way to Cathedral Gorge State Park and our first taste of the red rocks and blue sky that will be ours for the next several weeks. We explored the "caves", listened to the birds call day (and night), and made the most of the shade in our camp site. The Las Vegas Astronomy Club was well represented and had the biggest telescope toys imaginable. This is really Dark Sky Country!