The great thing about the desert is that unlike Dallas, it actually cooled off nicely overnight leaving me with a nice
dry morning with temperatures in the mid 60’s. I performed the a little VW maintenance (oil level and a quick timing
check), packed up, filled up with gas and headed out into the desert. The desert was kind to the Volkswagen and me, with
clouds covering the majority of the sky for about half the morning. The VW buzzed merrily along this practically empty
section of highway, strained up a small mountain pass, and cruised along the next valley floor to the Nevada state line,
only coming across four other vehicles the whole way.
I stopped for gas at a station on the Utah/Nevada border and saw two filthy motorcycles with large gas tanks and gear
packed on them. I asked the owners if they were riding the Trans America Trail, which passes very near here, and sure
enough, that was exactly what they were doing. They had started in Colorado and were on their way to Oregon. We talked
about riding the TAT for a bit, which is something I plan to do one day. The riders and I wished each other luck and then
headed off on our separate ways. The drive from the state line to Ely had some truly amazing views.
In Ely, Nevada I gassed up and continue west onto the “Loneliest Road in America”. This section of US-50, from Ely to
Fallon, Nevada, definitely has very little traffic, but I would hardly consider it the loneliest road. Heck I was on some
much lonelier stretches on my own trip, and I am sure thousands of miles of more deserted stretches of road exist than I
was even on. I am sure the “Loneliest Road” title has probably contributed to more traffic than there was before the
title. In any case, it was a really nice road with plenty of empty-black-top-strip-to-the-horizon views to be had. There
is just something that captivates me about a long, straight road disappearing into the distance. It has that staring into
infinity feel to it and I love those roads, even though the act of driving on them is less than exciting.
There were several passes to be crossed, and the one I remember most was Austin Pass. I pulled over at the crest to give
the hard working Volkswagen engine a rest and there were three bicyclists also taking a break at the top. I had seen a
bicycle or two here and there all through Utah and Nevada, loaded down for travel, as the three on this pass were. I asked
them what all the bicyclists were up to and they told me that US-50 is also a bicycle route for Pennsylvania to
California. They said they had left Pennsylvania 46 days ago and were on their way to the end in CA. I have great respect
for that, as I could feel the elevation affecting me just walking around at the top of those passes, much less riding a
bicycle up them all. The road wound down to the town of Austin, Nevada where I had lunch and continued westward.
While heading toward Fallon, NV I saw some dark objects swirling up and down by the side of the road ahead of me. It
looked like vultures or something fighting over some road-kill. As I got closer, I realized it was a large dust devil
tossing tumbleweeds into the air and it was now across the whole road right in front of me. The clouds had obscured the
dust column from far away so I hadn’t realized what it was at first. With no way to avoid an impact I pushed down on the
gas and braced the steering wheel. The VW was momentarily pummeled by a hail of tumbleweeds and wind. A small piece of
tumbleweed was still stuck on the left rear fender when I pulled into Fallon and ended my day. Tomorrow I would be in
California!
Shoe tree at the edge of Hinckley, UT on US-50
The vanishing point.
This was one of my favorite views of the whole trip. The picture does not really convey the true immensity of that rocky peak. I was in awe.
Cooling off in the Nevada desert. The VW wasn't really overheating, I just found that opening the hood let the heat escape quicker while taking a break after long highway runs in this hot climate.
Four nicely spaced clouds and sage brush to eternity.
Sand Mountain almost glows against its darker surroundings.
I cannot remember what Nevada road this was (maybe State Route 722).
It really was amazingly empty through much of Nevada.
The VW on NV-722.
722 gets twisty going up a pass.
On the pass there were lots of these flowers along the side of the road. The beauty of flower itself was deceptive, as every square inch of the remainder of the plant was covered in thorns.
The mineral layering on some of these mountains was incredibly pronounced.
