Commentary by Samuel Strait - October 19, 2022
It has been nearly a year now since I've had the opportunity to take an
extended trip in this Country without the constant nagging from members
of the Church of Covid Hysteria. Great to be on the byways and highways
of rural America, for a thirty day trip to the Atlantic Coast with as
few miles on the Nation's Interstate Freeways as possible. The first
day out was a rousing success of nearly four hundred and fifty miles of
travel on back country roads, only resorting to thirty miles on the
interstate. Up Highway 199 to Grants Pass, then to Medford, before
leaving Interstate Five for a scenic trip over the mountains to Klamath
Falls then Lakeview, Oregon. Completed the day with a late afternoon in
the majestic scenery of Northeastern California, before ending outside
of the sparkling lights of Reno, Nevada.
I had forgotten the luxury of a trip without a firm destination and the
ability to stop on a whim when ever the urge takes you. Small towns
along two lane roads that haven't changed much in years. Store fronts
from a half a century or more down the main streets of towns named
Likely, Pine Creek, and Madeline. All spaced with miles of scenic
beauty on both sides of the road, rugged barren peaks, huge lakes, and
miles of cattle ranches many displaying their patriotism by flying the
American Flag. Roads straight as an arrow through broad valleys for
miles that open often and unfailing when following the crest of a
mountain pass, only for the valley to narrow down in anticipation of the
climb to the next mountain pass.
If you are expecting tall and majestic trees, you are in the wrong
place, as the vegetation tends toward scrub and spindly short pine trees
at best, still a different kind of beauty is all around, that has made
the trip more than worth it. As the sun was setting, pink hued
mountains filled the skyline on both side of the road as we approached
the lights of the City, Reno, our final destination of the day. Reno
will be but a night time stop before heading further south and Las
Vegas. Highway Ninety Five with a detour to the Highway of the
Extraterrestrials, got to visit the tin foil hat crowd after all, and
the mailbox, as well as pick up a few alien artifacts, then on to Vegas,
maybe?
Day Two to follow shortly.
As I said at the beginning of this odyssey, plans can change on a dime.
The internet connection was abysmal at the hotel last night, so day two
has merged with day one and plans have changed. We learned that Reno,
Nevada is home to the National Automobile Museum, and the lure was
irresistible being only blocks from the hotel. Two hours at the start
of day two was spent viewing over two hundred vintage cars. Ranging
from the start of automobile development in the mid 1890's to the
1970's, a car enthusiast's smorgasbord of vintage autos was on display.
A must see for all those afflicted with the love of automobiles.
Gambling not being our "thing", lunch was had and Las Vegas was in front
of us. Reno to Fallon, then south on Highway 95. High desert, sage
brush, and more arrow straight roads until the breath taking beauty of
Walker Lake appeared before us. Pink Mountains enclosing the lake on
all sides, before entering the Native American Station of Walker Lake.
No Casino graced the station and decay every where was evident. Should
make our local tribes grateful for the resource of the casinos that they
have and be happy that the federal and state governments have invested
millions of dollars to further their life style in Del Norte County. No
such luck for the Walker River Tribe.
Further down the road to Vegas is Hawthorne, Nevada, home to a massive
army weapons depot. Acres and acres of munitions bunkers and the
support facilities covered the area around Hawthorne. Luing, Mina, and
Coaldale stations, mainly former mining towns that are bare remnants of
their former glory. With Las Vegas still three hundred miles away and
the dinner hour lurking we elected Tonopah, another hundred miles down
the road to be the end of the day. Tonopah is another century old
mining town that has managed to survive in a cluster of hills before
heading south towards Death Valley and Vegas, or the choice to detour
east to the Extraterrestrial Highway. Three hundred more miles of two
lane road with only the token traveled on Interstate 80 up near Reno.
Aliens and Las Vegas await our travels in the morning before crossing
into Arizona.
See you at the end of day three.
