David and I took a little road trip. The only planned part was the Jimmy Buffet concert in Vegas, and a visit with Roy and Eve. We like to get off the interstate and do the scenic roads and old highways. We traveled on HIghway 50, it was listed as the "Loneliest road in America." It was a very reflective drive. Memories of family vacations when  I was a kid. I saw Tom Brokaw is traveling across the USA on Hwy 50. You can follow him at :http://www.usanetwork.com/highway50/hw50/route.html

Ely, Nevada the first night. They have a great Railroad Depot Museum.  The depot has been restored and looks like it did it 1907.  They have a mimeograph machine….I’ve had to explain to younger co-workers life before Xerox machines.  I remember the purple ink, and the smell of the ink. The next morning, we had breakfast and when we left, out of 7 cars in the parking lot, 5 had Washington state plates…

There are 3 railroad museums in Nevada. You can find them at museums.travelnevada.com.

We took time to visit the Great Basin National Park and took a tour of the Lehman Cave. I learned about shields in the cave, and that it’s called the Great Basin because no water flows to the sea. It is soaked up by the land, or evaporated. It is an area of surprise, lush beauty all around.

Had a short, but great visit with Roy and Eve. They are a great couple, and we enjoy seeing them.  I ended up with a pair of someone’s glasses…..I’ll put them in the mail tomorrow. They looked like mine..

We drove to Vegas, threw our stuff in our room, and headed to Red Rock Canyon.  Great park, just about 20 minutes outside of Las Vegas. You can drive it and get out at the look outs, or there are lots of hikes.  A stop at the visitor center will tell you about the restoration project and the Mojave Max desert Tortoise educational program.

The Buffett concert was great, hard to believe that he’s been around for 40 years??? How did that happen? Vegas didn’t seem as crowded or the casinos as smoky as before. Lots of construction and changes going on. I love that town!!!

The next morning we were checking out the Lake Mead area. The weather is hot, about 105. We drove to the state park, Valley of Fire. This area has been unchanged for thousands of years. The  erosion has sculpted the rocks that surround you. It is a surreal feeling to be there. A beautiful park. 

We'd spent the day exploring the area. David decided to humor me and took me back to Vegas. In return, we were getting a room at the Motel 6 on Tropicana, and I ask for a room that faced the airport. As I walked away ,smiling with the room keys, David was coming to tell me NOT to get a room facing the airport, it would be to noisy....What a pleasant surprise to see that the $5 more for a remodeled room, included insulated windows, and it was very quiet! Yes, we could see jets out the window.  I was able to show him why I love Haywire machines. His reward was to come the next day when we were leaving town.

 We got into town on the weekend, and didn't see much at Nellis AFB. Leaving we were treated to some Raptors who flew right over us.....we met a kid from Cologne, Germany, who was in the US for 3 weeks. He was outside the base hoping for some great pictures. I gave him my email address and ask him to send us some pictures. I hope we hear from him! The Raptors set the tone for a great drive North on hwy 93. Drove to Wells, Nevada. it is at the junction of the interstate and highways.

Next morning, we had a touch of food poisioning,  but continued North to Idaho. David was looking for a plane at the airport in Twin Falls, but it had been moved.It was now in Jerome, and was on the way to Craters of the Moon National Monument.   It was warm and windy,  you are in the "Great Rift" and area of long fissures,where lava flowed and splatter and cinder cones shot lava bombs onto the earth.  

 Are you starting to see the pattern here? We love visiting the National Parks, Monuments, and the state parks. You can check out our National Parks at nps.gov. Easy to navigate. There are some great deals. We purchase a National Parks and Federal Lands Pass every year. It is $80.00 a year, but it gets everyone in the car in free, and we also can go to places like Red Rock Canyon and Mount St. Helens without an entry fee. If you are over 62, and a US resident, you can get a lifetime Senior Federal Lands Pass for $10.00.  Is that a great deal or what??  

  We love the state parks too. They have 3 general themes. historical, geographical or public access for boating, picnics. They are all unique, every one has a surprise. I consider them gems in our country's crown.

We try to support the towns and small/family owned business when we travel.  We have had some of the best food in small towns. They are reasonably priced, I'm not going to quibble over pennies....I've found nothing but decent hard working peoplewho helped us along the way. With the Jeep, we are always interested in another way to get there...

The best surprise was last. We stayed in Baker City, Oregon. Baker City has the distinction of being about half way point between Seattle and Salt Lake City.  We stopped at the Always Welcome Inn. You can see the sign from the highway and the location makes it and quiet.  It is newly redone and there are no pets and no smoking. A great couple run the place. They have rescued a couple of cats, and Maggie the dog will greet you when you register. If you are missing your pet, Maggie will play ball with you. She sleeps late, because we arrrive late.....The room was  roomy and the bed was  great, Coffee maker and small frig for my half and half. Yippee!!  Here is their info for reservations  175 Cambell St, Baker City Oregon    541-523-3431.

It was a great trip, Travel Rx bag, came to the rescue a few times, bandaids, neosporin, my new found fix tip...........I spilled berry tea on my white tee shirt, we were miles from anywhere, and I grabbed the handi wipes in the bag, and it got the stain out!! I was very impressed...

I also learned to put my medications in order......morning stuff starts on the left side of the bag, and I progress to night meds...I carry a small flashlight in the bag, even if I am sure that's the bottle, I always read the label. The flashlight is handy in hotel rooms, so I don't go bump in the night. 

To safe and healthy travel,

Bev