Highway 50 took to the cutoff and highway 95. I have to say it was a pretty boring drive broken by moments of darn good scenery. For the most part the road was good and traffic light in our direction. For those heading north it was another matter. From the number of RV's on the road I think a lot of Snow Birds were on their way home.
Today the state of Nevada provided a number of warning signs advising motorists of potential danger. The most number of signs simply said "Dust". I'm thinking the dust comes from dry lakes, of which there were a number. Other signs kept me on the lookout for steers, wild horses, horses with riders, mountain goats and burros. Speaking of animals, I should mention the dozens and dozens of chipmunks that crossed the road yesterday. Crossing from my left to right gave most ample time in the oncoming lane to anticipate my arrival. I shall say no more.
First rest stop was Tonopah, where gas was a lot cheaper than California. Between there and Goldfield the Joshua trees showed up. And as suddenly as they appeared they disappeared.
Goldfield would be a fun to explore. Gold was discovered in 1902 and between 1903 and 1940 mines there produced more than $86,000,000 in the precious metal. The current population of around 270 was once nearly 20,000 and included old west characters such as Wyatt and Virgil Earp and Samuel Clemens. Goldfield is also the home of The International Car Forest of the Last Church, which turns out to be a forest of vehicles sticking out of the ground like trees. Personally I don't get it.
Last rest stop was at Amargosa Valley, which is home of the Area 51 Alien Center. We passed. From there the drive into Las Vegas went quickly and without incident. We checked into another free night at a Marriott Courtyard and finished the day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
442 mile today.
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