Back in the Desert

(Which we missed!)

Our route from Twin Falls, Ida-nowhere, to Lake Tamarisk, Califor-nowhere took us past Hoover Dam. Listening to NPR en route we learned that Nevada is the most urban state in the country so it was with delight that we entered Las Vegas where more than one out of four Nevadans live and where 60% of the home mortgages are underwater, and that has nothing to do with the proximity of the dam.  Las Vegas is a happening spot.  The week before we arrived a Nascar accident at the Motor Speedway took the life of 33 year old Dan Wheldon , the night before the Republican presidential candidates had a televised debate there, and a couple of days later Obama dropped by to talk about jobs, a bit of a gamble considering the influx of unemployment since sweeping the state votes three years before.  Our only gambling involved switching lanes during the rush hour urban commute and trying to take our UHAUL with us through the Hoover Dam security check point. (DAMN! We got turned away from the dam.)

It was with great interest that I read about Interstate 50 which runs west/east bisecting the state.  We crossed  I50 near Ruth, home of one of the world's largest copper mining pits, and took SR6 and then SR318 south through desolate high desert.  At one point the Nevada State Tourism Board dubbed I50 "The Loneliest Road" in a effort to entice travelers from the famous Route 66 which runs basically parallel to I50 but one state south.  (Unusual marketing ploy if you ask me.)  Judging from the color and thickness of our route on the map compared to this tourist magnet and the lack of urbanity sighted we took the road less travelled than "The Loneliest Road."

Being turned away from Hoover Dam allowed for an early afternoon arrival at Lake Tamarisk.  Driving from Boulder City to Casa Verde the car thermometer topped out at 100'.  Gas prices rose 50 cents a gallon as we crossed into California.  Other than a new solar project minutes out of Boulder City we mostly saw a lot more nowhere.  Oh, and a potential investment opportunity near Vidal Junction.

Solar project Boulder City

Rice Road from the Desert Center/Rice Road Junction

Definitely there's a cluck to be made here!

Snow Buzzards Have Flown!

Slow go over Snoqualmie Pass

Had to park Buzzard Mobile and UHAUL and walk through the Drive IN

Yes, leaves are dropping with the temperatures.  We've had to turn on the furnace and buy gift wrapped fireplace logs.  Sandals are off and socks on. Obvious signs that it's time to pack up and head out for Year Two South of the Moisture Barrier- THE BUZZARDS HAVE FLOWN!

DB's gift of the new edition of "Road Food" doesn't disappoint.  The Westside Drive In is run by Boise TV Foodie Chef Lou Aaron and the choices he presents make a one meal stop pretty dang frustrating.  What to choose?????

Hey, that's us!

Guac/chix burger with thinly sliced lettuce, onion, and cucumber.  Nice choc shake, too.

Good to be on the road and on the road food again.  Idaho is a great southern route.  The Snake River makes occasional appearances along 84 as we leave Oregon at Ontario.  We pass fields of hops, corn, potatoes, and onions.  Sometimes they pass us.   Idaho is ranked 11th in geographic size and 39th in population compared to the rest of the United States.  One and a half million populate the entire state. Not sure about the animal to person to dirt ratio but we noted two cement factories,  several feed lots, and few out of state auto licenses.  (Big score was a Virginia motorhome and Louisiana truck in the find the 50 state license game.)

Ahhhhhhhhhhh