Heading North!

We got to cross a couple of items off the bucket list on our way North. We had been meaning to hit Basin and Range National Monument for a long time, but somehow never seemed to be in the vicinity. Managed by the BLM it has no real services. But it does have a treasure trove of ancient rock art. On the way to Ely we hit White River Narrows which has rock art galore.

We also found the usual historical but not ancient rock art. Employees of the railroads as well as those of the US Geological Survey would often mark the areas where ancient rock art was found. While this stuff is in essence graffiti, since it dates back to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s, park management considers it to be historically significant.

We also stumbled on the visitor center at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. Water in the Pahranagat Valley resulted in it being a haven for ancient agriculture. As Europeans moved into Nevada Territory, the lush environment most of the year drew them as well. Long before Vegas became Vegas this valley supported permanent settlements that have not been able to stand the test of time. 

When we finally got to Ely we discovered that the Silver State Classic Challenge had all the venues booked. The Challenge began in 1988 as a showcase for vintage racing cars. Today it draws serious racers from around the world. The Silver State Classic Challenge holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest car race, when in the 2017 race the fastest car was clocked over the entire 120-mile course at an average speed of 219.643 MPH – smoking!

We dined in style in Ely at the Jailhouse Steakhouse. In our own private cell, we were served a delicious 16 oz Ribeye with all the fixins. Luckily, we could leave when we were done by just paying the bill.

Talk to you soon!