We're back!

After 3 months in Europe, we only allocated enough time in July in Vegas to get our doctors and dentists appointments in. Literally the same day I had my last appointment with my cardiologist, we are heading north. We did, however, pay one last visit to Karen and Albert’s old house, now empty with their move to Seattle. I have to admit it looked eerie empty, as all our memories are with it full of their stuff.

We headed to Ely, a shortish drive since we knew we couldn’t leave until noonish due to my doc appointment. What we didn’t know was that all our batteries would be dead – all 6 of them – two to start the engine, and 4 to run the house. Fortunately, a mobile tech was able to come out while I was at my appointment and get the replacement started. We weren’t able to leave until after 2 when all was done, but we were glad just to be able to get to Ely for the first of our dozens of RV park reservations. Having done Ely a few times before, we had nothing in mind to see. Not getting any over the air channels, however, we did end up at Hotel Nevada Casino in their Sports Book in order to watch Serena get pummeled by Halep in the Women’s Wimbledon final.

Our next stop was Wells Nevada. We were there 10 years ago, and they had just fenced off the entire downtown due to damage from a recent earthquake. Sadly, 10 years later, all the damaged buildings are still vacant. We did manage to find Angel Lake recreation are in the Humboldt National Forest just outside Wells. Having not discovered it 10 years ago, it was pleasant to visit, and see the snow-capped peaks even in mid-July – nice!

We ventured out to Metropolis. In 1910, a developer launched a 40,000-acre master planned farming community in northeast Nevada expected to be the home to nearly 8,000 peoplee. In anticipation of the arrivals, built concrete sidewalks, the 3 story Lincoln School (the metal ladder from the playground slide set in concrete still sits outside the arched doorway), and a luxury hotel, the largest in the nation between San Francisco and Salt Lake City. After the town grew to a population of 700, a rail spur was run to Metropolis in 1912.

The developer hired a civil engineering firm out of Salt Lake to build a dam on Bishop Creek in order to supply water to the growing town. We sought out the remains, still present, but worn with the years. The developer, however, failed to secure any water rights, and the town of Lovelock Nevada which relied on water from Bishops Creek, successfully sued the Metropolis developer, resulting in no water for the town. By 1920, the population of Metropolis had dropped to 200, the last business closing in 1925. In 1942, the post office was eventually closed.

Heading to Bishop Creek to see the dam ruins, we learned that at the same time that the dam was built, hot springs in the area drew the construction of a retention basin, which still serves its original purpose today. While the waters were not particularly hot – maybe 100 degrees if that – you could still use the springs and the original work was obvious. While we were there, a couple of 4WD pickups showed up, full of coolers and goodies, apparently planning to be there awhile.

Sadly, the hard bumping due to the unpaved roads we had to navigate to get to these spots took its toll. At one point, a loud snap made me realize my bike rack had failed. After heading behind the Equinox to check things out, I realized that while the Woman’s bike was OK, mine was not. Given its age and condition, I had no intention of spending the money to replace the entire front wheel system. So, it became one of the many relics of Metropolis.

Talk to you soon.