Surprise Valley, Balloons and Geese

In the Nevada Gazetteer we read about a 90+ miles historic and beautiful drive through Surprise Valley that is in the N/E corner of California and the N/W corner of California and while we had been through Alturas before, we never explored around there, so off we went for a few days.

Did not need the sign to show we were entering Nevada --- the road changes to dirt; good dirt.



It is such a vast area and a variety of terrain and all very difficult to capture on "film", especially the vastness.



The top mesa part is known as Massacre Rim --- the Native Americans in that area were often just hunted down.



This was part way up Fandango Pass that was used by many of the 49ers as they had been wrongly told it was the easiest way to the Gold Fields. Some of their journals tell that many thought that after this steep treacherous pass they would be in the goldfields; opps, not even close.



Well it wasn't Albuquerque, but Alturas was having a balloon fest! There were only about 6 balloons --- still fun to watch.

One just peeking over our hotel.



Then came Humpty Dumpty who looked like he was headed for the wires!







Fortunately, he was OK and did not need to be put back together.


In the evening, two of the balloons entertained the people in the park by firing up, but never taking off.



Not easy hanging on to those things.



And the final balloon picture the next morning.



The Modoc Wildlife Reserve is well worth a visit. We saw Pronghorn which are related to the Baja Pronghorn, but since they are hunted, they didn't stick around for photos. Only got to see the Badger burrows and the Coyote poop, but lots of deer. There were not too many migratory birds around, except for the Canada geese --




And even in areas that appeared empty, it is such a beautiful place to walk around. And I just LOVE to listen to the geese when they are flying.



I guess these big cranes nest there and they are beautiful.





Heading home, we decided to skip 395 and travel more of a back road because we had not been there before. But those who have attended Burning Man, know this area.



Many lonely and desolate areas with evidence of broken dreams.



After shopping in Carson City, we decided to spend the night in South Lake Tahoe and drive home the next day through Markleeville and over Monitor Pass.

We had breakfast at this little place in Markleeville and it was quite good and very good conversation with a couple of locals.



It is such a beautiful and peaceful place, but the locals told us that nobody in town liked each other. And as it seems to be in most of these very small out of the way bergs, everything is for sale, always. The owner of the cafe told us that building had been for sale for 8 years.

The views from the pass were magnificent, except there was enough smoke still hanging around to mess up the views ---- need to go back. But just to confirm that the leaves are beginning to change in the high country, we snapped these two pictures





So anyone interested in the fall colors up in the high country, start packing. We will probably head up to South Lake this week to check it out as the resort is reporting that the leaves are changing quickly!

Thanks for looking.

Must do

Been there, done that

Thank you.

Bruno's Country Club

Black Rock Desert

Fun place to explore, plenty of hot springs to soak in. Visit High Rock Canyon and see the carvings made by pioneers on the canyon walls, or go to the Opal mine near Donnelly Creek.

If you stay at Bruno's motel bring a self inflating sleeping pad for the bed!!!

And it is pronunced ger lac, not ger-latch

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Originally posted by bajaguy Fun place to explore, plenty of hot springs to soak in. Visit High Rock Canyon and see the carvings made by pioneers on the canyon walls, or go to the Opal mine near Donnelly Creek. If you stay at Bruno's motel bring a self inflating sleeping pad for the bed!!! And it is pronunced ger lac, not ger-latch

Thanks for the tips! And I really like knowing the correct pronunciation. When we moved to Crescent City we thought we were moving to Del Norte county --- pronounced as it is in Spanish and quickly learned that up there, it is pronounced like Del NORT.

I lived on 88 in Pine Grove Ca. we used to ride up hwy. 4 over the Pass and take 395 through Minden and eat Prime Rib at Sharkey's then over the pass on 88 back to Pine Grove. or on over to Carson City and spend the night and do some Gambling. The next morning around lake Tahoe and back over Carson Pass to Pine Grove. I moved to Baja and my bike sat in the Garage For 8 years I tired of watching it Rot and sold it. I loved those rides.

how about a little something special for humpty?

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy how about a little something special for humpty?

Thank you for coming along with us.

Thanks Igor!

Sunman, it is never too late to drive up 395 as there is always something to do and it is always beautiful in one way or another. As long as we don't have a strong storm, you should hit the peak of the color season at several elevations.

And yes, we are enjoying life up here. It has been a very good move; we just don't have time to do all that we want to do!

We like to keep on the move, so who knows, maybe someday we might move from here; but right now, we don't think so. We really enjoyed our time in Bahia Asuncion and miss our friends like crazy, but for us, after a while, it was a bit limiting on things to do in the local area. It became one of those been there, done that, and writing a book things, so time for a new experience.

So, who knows what will happen in a few years, but we are getting older so moving may become more difficult. Before we moved to Honduras we applied with the Peace Corp, and we still have thoughts about doing that before it is dirt nap time.

yeah, in that case i'll go right to work on that!

All good stuff, thanks much

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe Hey Willardguy! What's wrong with You? You've made a habit of posting some of the most obnoxious, most thoughtless posts of anybody on this board. Remove that post. yeah, in that case i'll go right to work on that!