September 10

We pulled out of the Border Inn near Baker, NV and headed North to Ely, NV just 64 miles away.  We checked into another RV park/Casino/Motel where only one other RV was parked at the time.  A half dozen more came in later in the day.  It was a nice area, small with maybe 20 sites, but large enough for the biggest rigs.  The only other RV park in town was the KOA with a price double that of this place and not any better.  This is why we rarely stay at KOA campgrounds. They are nice, but we find in general, better choices - preferring State Parks when they are available.

This metal cutout on the Pony Express route across Utah and Nevada was at a rest area on our way to Wendover.

After settling in, we walked over to the Casino (of course) to check it out.  Within 10 minutes, I was ahead $100, while June had lost $20, so I cashed out, family gain $80.  We were on a roll. 

Day two, we drove about 18 miles to see the Ward Charcoal Oven State Park.  The entrance road was 10 miles of gravel.  Truck got really dusty.  These Charcoal ovens were built in late 1800's to provide charcoal for the nearby mines Smeltering operation. The ovens were only operational a few years when the Mine started using Coke to fire their operations, rendering charcoal obsolete as it was more expensive.

Ward Charcoal Ovens

Day three we visited the Northern Railway museum. This is an operational Museum, meaning there is a train ride, and operating machine shop and on occasion they demonstrate some of the old specialty cars, such as the crane they used to clear wrecks, and the snowblower used to clear snow from the tracks in winter. For train enthusiasts, this would be a nice place to visit. We've been to several of these over the years and rode the trains, and it's sorta Ho-hum now.  The museum offices were filled with displays of old office equipment, old desks, old file cabinets, old typewriters, etc..... I felt like I was back at work...

Museum Rail Yard

Machine Shop

Wrecking Crane

Snow Blower

Steam Engine returning with tour group from a 90 minute ride

Back in Ely, we drove down the street and visited a historical landmark, The Hotel Nevada, another gambling hall,  but this one took our $80 gain and didn't even say thank you.  It is what it is.... But we left town even.

Historic Hotel Nevada

We left Ely, NV and drove further North to Wendover, UT, 120 miles,  another border town with the RV lot in UT and the Casino across the parking lot in Nevada.  The only RV park here was another KOA and we weren't interested in spending $44 a night for a gravel pad 6 miles out of town, so we had decided to just keep on going to Salt Lake City, another 160 miles.  Just as we were ready to put it in gear, June noticed at the rear edge of the lot at the Shell Station truck stop, some electric power poles like we see in RV parks.  I went inside and asked and they said yes, RV's can park there and plug in for $1.00 per hour for electric use.  No other fee.  The lot was paved, very clean and nearly deserted so we drove over to the fuel island where they also had water and filled up our water tank (75 gallons), then picked a spot and set up for the night.  We walked next door to the casino, considerably larger than the ones in Ely; in fact more Vegas like, but there were very few people inside.  Of course we had to try the slots, and I lost $20 in two minutes, while June milked $10 for nearly an hour before it was all gone.  Wendover is a nice clean town with eight or ten Casinos lining the main street. I guess all the Salt Lake crowds come over to Nevada and play.


This cowboy greets people on the road who are entering Wendover from the West.

We stayed one night here in Wendover at this Shell Truck Stop. Special  Introductory offer to sign up for the $1.00 per hour electric charge, was a $2.00 charge for 12 hours plugged into the Electric.  We had a quiet night for $2.00.

 

 



The Victory Hwy is the old Pony Express Route that is now a historic highway

 

Just 6 miles from Wendover is the Bonneville Salt Flats Raceway.  There is a paved road leading to the beginning of the raceway which is simply the salt bed.  This sea of salt extends for miles & miles.  If anyone wants to drive on the flats it's not a problem. We chose not, as we were told those who do end up with lots of slat caked under your vehicle.

We stayed just one night in Wendover then headed East through Salt Lake City to Heber City, about 50 miles East of Salt lake.



Driving across the Salt Flats on I-80, about 30 miles East from Wendover and 80 miles from Salt Lake City is this piece of Art Work? called The Tree of Life.  A concrete Pillar with several Balls on the top.  Nothing grows on the Salt Flats and this is an odd thing to see here.



Heading East on I-80 through the Salt Flats

We checked into Mountain Valley RV resort for 12 nights. This is a first class resort with grass, curbs, a new clubhouse, pool, outdoor pavilion. Very well kept grounds and all at rates no higher than KOA's.. We were here last year and really enjoyed the area.  Our next update, I'll fill you in on our activities here in Heber City.