Passion

In looking back on this trip, we met a lot of very passionate people.  Perhaps the event that got me thinking about this was our tour of the Ely yard of the Nevada Northern RR. 


Nevada Northern Steam Engine No. 40



There is no logical reason for why this anachronism should even exist.  Diesel and electrical locomotives have long since overtaken these coal-burning beasts, hauling freight and passengers at a fraction of the cost with less pollution and more pulling power.  So why is Nevada Northern a thriving operation?  It only exists because of the passion of a lot of dedicated steam train enthusiasts that want to make sure that history isn't just for the history books.  From the top down, you can just feel the excitement oozing from the old locomotives, from the conductors to the coal tender fireman to the kitty cat that loves to rub on the legs of the visitors. 

"Dirt" the Yard Mascot

It's not just the management and employees who make Nevada Northern steam forward.  It's also the passionate volunteers, financial supporters, local officials, tourists, and history buffs that make it successful.  Perhaps the most amazing thing is their willingness to let visitors just wander about and see, smell, touch, and trip over history.

 

                     

Nevada Northern Engine 93 in the Shop

When you think about it, there are a lot of things that wouldn't be around without people who put principle before their pocketbooks.  Things like the Boise River Park, or the Weiser River Trail would never have gotten started without the vision of a small group of dedicated individuals.  Next time you see something cool that isn't just there because of the money, look backstage and see if you can see the passionate people that made it happen.


Gayle climbs into No. 40's Engineer Cockpit



The road goes on - take it!

Eight fantastic days, lots of challenges, some great luck, and an incredible series of views.  Looking over twenty miles down across a valley staring down an empty, perfectly straight road is something that I can't explain - you just have to see it.  We all broke into the 70 mile days on a bike seat with complaining derrieres, sore legs and amazing memories.  It is a great trade-off, believe me.  As they say, the future is always out there, you just need to pick your road.  For this week it was a great choice!  PCC

9-15-2017 Day 8 The last day on the bike

The brisk and wet morning at Ward campground

 The last day and a shorter one for sure.  We only did 17 miles and most of it downhill - just 330 feet of gain.  We started out waking up at Ward campground after another night of rain - but no rain in the morning, just 40 degree temps - burr!  So we suited up and then headed down Ward pass to Ely.  After getting there and checking out where we were to stay we headed out for a bit of sightseeing - and ran into closed roads for a car road race!  Back we went and on the way checked out the Nevada Northern Railway office.  What luck as the afternoon train ride was steam driven!! So, we signed on and went back to the motel for a change of clothes and a shower (much needed).  Then, we headed back to the railroad museum, walked around the shops and climbed into some of the old engines. Neat that one can do this.  We caught the free tour of the museum as well, which was full of details and stories we would have never known.  Paul P. and Gayle even got to climb into the fired-up steam locomotive with the engineer.  After that we took the 90 minute steam train ride up to the mine and stayed on the open flat-car to see the sights, hear the cuffing of the loco, and getting showered with coal smoke - especially in the tunnels.  As a railroad buff this is great (even though another shower was needed when I get back).  So, it was a variety of wheels.

On the way down the hill to Ely

Railroad Relics

Standing in the steam engine!

What a piece of history - made in 1909 and still pulling freight

Hard to tell it is 2017 and not 1917!

The open car seat - great view and LOTS of smoke

Up the hill to the wye - great sights, sounds and smells

Finding Fall Flowers

Rabbit Brush

Fall isn't the time that you'd expect to find flowers, and granted there aren't many this time of year, but we have seen quite a few.  The most common seem to be the bright yellow Rabbit brush.  With the recent rains, they've turned a brilliant yellow and seem to be everywhere.

 

Orange Globe Mallow

A lot less common, but still relatively easy to find alongside the road has been the orange Globe Mallow.  The plants are 1-2' tall with numerous flowers along the main stem.

We had to ride many miles before I saw one of these: a Thick-stemmed Aster.  The flowers are low to the ground and less than an inch in diameter, but quite colorful.

Thick Stemmed Aster

Another rare flower that we observed by the side of the road was this Tufted Evening Primrose.  It hadn't yet opened for the day, but it was the best picture I took.

Tufted Evening Primrose

And lastly was this mysterious white flower with pink insides.  It seemed like it was everywhere, and my best guess as to what it was is some kind of bistort.














With all the colorful flowers we've seen, I just couldn't resist posting this incredible rainbow shot taken as the rain tapered off and the sun shown underneath the receding clouds.

 

September 15, 2017 Ride Map, Ward Mountain CG to Ely, NV

Here's a link to today's ride, September 15, 2017, from Ward Mountain Campground to Ely, Nevada.
Ward Mtn CG to Ely, Nevada route map

9-14-2017 Day 7

Another climb-day!  Only 43 miles and 3100 foot climb but the roads were good and mostly free of traffic.  It was we in the morning and a bit cold, but the climbing warmed me up well - you just had to pack up for the descents.  We enjoyed a midnight thunderstorm complete with high winds, lots of driving rain, and a cloudy morning in the 50's - perfect for some climbs.  The terrain has really changed however as we are now up in the mountains and no more straight flat roads - just lots of juniper trees.  We had a tailwind too - nice.  After getting through some road repair sites we ended up at Ward Mountain campground.  Paul P and I took a hike that was to be just a short muscle-relaxation stroll but ended up as a 1,000 foot climb, 6 miles and 2.5 hours!  I was ready to take a rest for sure.  That is when the rain started and while it was a bit cold, there was a set of double rainbows which were complete!  Amazing indeed!!  Tomorrow we grunt on to Ely, the place we started this fabulous trip.

"On the road again"

A beautiful break in the mountain

The cloudy cool weather was perfect for the climbs

The first summit - I added a foot to get 7,000 feet altitude

We are clearly getting closer to civilization!?

Road work of another kind

What a look back down the road!

The second summit!

A short stroll that ended up a 2.5 hour 1000 foot climb hike!

It actually was a nice trail

An incredible set of rainbows!!

Send in the Clouds

Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you'd want what I want
Sorry, my dear!
But where are the clouds
Send in the clouds
Don't bother, they're here

---Written by Stephen Sondheim, sung by Judy Collins, with apologies

Well we had some amazing clouds the last couple of days.  As the sun set yesterday evening, several really cool ones appeared.  One giant billowy one rose up over the nearby ridge, looking like a nuclear bomb mushroom cloud.  Fortunately it wasn't, as it quickly dissipated. 

As the sun set, it illuminated the dumpling-like puffs descending from the heavy overcast.

 

Last night we had one hell of a thunderstorm, which seems pretty bizarre for Nevada, especially this corner of the state which supposedly gets less than 4" a year.  As the storm passed this morning we were rewarded by some incredible cloud displays.  To the west a rainbow appeared over the distant mountains as the sun rose.  The dark rain clouds made an impressive backdrop to the colored arc. 

To the north, another bright cloud built as the sun rose.

As we climbed the first summit this morning, the storms were still depositing their moisture on the parched desert landscape and a huge anvil cloud opened up ahead of us. 

 

Then this evening as we finished up dinner, another rainbow appeared to the east as the storm spent its fury and curled up at our feet, waiting for another day to awake.

 

 

As you can see, the clouds, rain squalls, rainbows, and sunlight have combined to augment the wonderful scenery we've been cycling through for the last week.