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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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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.
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Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
Registered: 9-23-2004
Location: Todos Santos
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Mood: could be better
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Lovely pictures, too many to mention specificly. The cranes, the mountains etc.
Thanks!
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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Lovely photos, Diana. Thanks.
"Surprise Valley that is in the N/E corner of California and the N/W corner of California."
I believe you meant to write N/W corner of Nevada.
Allen R.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Must do
1. Have the ravioli at Bruno's
2. Hope Valley Resort on Hwy 88 for turning leaves and exploring Hope Valley.....all the way to Caples Lake and Kirkwood
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
1. Have the ravioli at Bruno's....... |
You need to take care of that item asap, that's an easy day drive for you.
Please provide a review.
Ken
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Been there, done that
Had many a ravoli meal there. after a day of exploring the desert Outstanding food!!!!! Well, taken with a grain of salt since Bruno's is pretty much
the only place to eat within 100 miles in any direction.
I grew up in an Italian house, and have an Italian heritage and must say that Bruno's ravioli are almost as good as my (late) grandmother's ravioli
However, get 'em quick, as Bruno wants to sell and move on.
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
1. Have the ravioli at Bruno's....... |
You need to take care of that item asap, that's an easy day drive for you.
Please provide a review.
Ken |
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Leo
Lovely pictures, too many to mention specificly. The cranes, the mountains etc.
Thanks! |
Thank you. 
| Quote: | Originally posted by bufeo
Lovely photos, Diana. Thanks.
"Surprise Valley that is in the N/E corner of California and the N/W corner of California."
I believe you meant to write N/W corner of Nevada.
Allen R. |
OPPS --- you are correct, Thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
1. Have the ravioli at Bruno's
2. Hope Valley Resort on Hwy 88 for turning leaves and exploring Hope Valley.....all the way to Caples Lake and Kirkwood |
More to add to the list. Thanks. But I must plead ignorance, where is Brunos? After your review, it sounds like a real must do.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Bruno's Country Club
445 Main St.
Gerlach, Nevada 89412
Phone: 775-557-2220
As the coffee mugs say, "It's where the pavement ends and the West begins".
Bruno's Country Club & Motel is a classic Old West bar, café, motel, and RV Park and the only place for miles around.
They have a saying at Bruno’s, ‘This isn't the Middle of Nowhere, but you can see the Middle of Nowhere from there.’
The café serves good basic food, which means eggs and pancakes for breakfast, burgers for lunch and........ you have to try the raviolis with red
sauce for dinner – they are superb............ The club sandwiches are massive as well. Full and hearty home cooking' that sticks to your sun baked
ribs.
It is hard to eat much while camping in the heat, but a proper breakfast in town is just the thing to reset your soul before a long ride home.
From Travel Nevada
https://travelnevada.com/cities/info/gerlach/accommodations/...
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Gees, the old mind is going --- yes, I remember Bruno's in Gerlatch even though we just drove through there. We did stop at Bruno's gas station. We
commented that we wondered who Bruno was as it appears he owns most of the town, and of course, like all small towns, it all has for sale signs.
Next time we will go with an appetite and try Bruno's.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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It's also a favorite meeting place for Long Distance Motorcyle enthusiasts.
The rides are called "Ride to Eat", and attract riders from all over the country and Canada.
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Mood: Happy!
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Wow, looks nice, great pics!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
It's also a favorite meeting place for Long Distance Motorcyle enthusiasts.
The rides are called "Ride to Eat", and attract riders from all over the country and Canada. |
Since we are not riders, we did not know that --- but it makes us more interested in returning again and we would like to explore that Black Rock
Desert area ---- and check out staying at Brunos!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mexitron
Wow, looks nice, great pics! |
Thanks --- We really love the California - Nevada connection in these areas.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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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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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | 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.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
It's also a favorite meeting place for Long Distance Motorcyle enthusiasts.
The rides are called "Ride to Eat", and attract riders from all over the country and Canada. |
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.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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how about a little something special for humpty?
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
how about a little something special for humpty?
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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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.
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Sunman
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Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
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Wonderful pics, I am making the drive up 395 less than 2 weeks, hope its not too too late. Sure looks like you guys are enjoying yourselves up there.
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Bubba
Senior Nomad
Posts: 957
Registered: 2-17-2009
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
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Another batch of great pics as usual, thanks for taking us along on your trips!
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