Part 9 May 15 to May 24

Day 55 Saturday May 15
We had a late breakfast as we had neighbors over. After breakfast we went to the drug store to refill a prescription. Big mess, pharmacy did everything like transferring from another place, then to discover they did not have the pills. So after many phone calls, etc. they made arrangements for us to get the pills in Delta, UT where we are going Sunday. Phew. Went to the post office to mail three more boxes rocks weighing about 46 pounds each.. Then we went to the park to see the man who wants to buy some cabs from me. We discussed size and other requirements and price. Then off to McDonalds to do some emails. On the way home we took Goldie to the car wash and got rid of about 20 pounds of mud dried under the fenders and along the sides. Goldie said thank you. We cleanup up the car and motor home getting ready to leave in the morning. In the evening we built a fire and roasted hot dogs for dinner.

Day 56 Sunday May 16 39193
We left Moab and headed north on hwy 191 to I-70. At Salina we took US 50 and followed it all the way to Delta, Utah. We got space 55 in Antelope Valley RV Park and set up the motor home. We decided to go to Sunstone Mountain and get some sunstone (feldspar). We sound some mostly small. Since we had enough and the temperature was in the mid-80’s so we decided to quit.
Drove 220 miles today

Day 57 Monday May 17 39413
We got up early, in case it got too hot, and headed out to the Dugway geode beds. Wonderful drive along the mountains to Dugway pass which was on the pony express route. We found many partial geodes left by others and also managed to find one area where we dug our own. Great time. Back in Delta we went to get my medicine which had been arranged for in Moab. Stopped by the local rock shop to look at all the stuff. They had a goodly amount of Utah stuff. Later in the evening it rained, and rained on and off all night, I think.

Day 57 Tuesday May 18
We packed up the motor home and hooked up Goldie and headed west on US 50 out of Delta. We drove to the “town” of Baker just off 50. Got a spot at the Whispering Elms RV park. Nice little park with only 11 spaces and we took up two. After setting up we went to the Baker Archeology site which was a Fremont settlement abandoned about 700 years ago. We then went to the Great Basin National Park visitor’s center and checked things out. The road up the mountain were closed because of snow and it snowed again last night. We signed up to take the 1.5 hour tour of the Lehman Caves tomorrow morning at 9 am. Remembered to set our clocks as we just passed from mountain to pacific time.
We drove 97 miles today.

Day 58 Wednesday May 19 39510
We drove up to the park and went to the Lehman Cave entrance. At 9 am we started our hour and one half half-mile tour through the smallest cave system I have ever been in. Narrow passages and small rooms. It was very pretty with lots of different formations. After the tour we drove up the mountain but the road was closed about half way up because of snow. The ranger said the road may be open by Monday. We drove around the different camp areas to see about spending another day here up in the hills. A couple of the sites may have been good enough but we decided not to get stuck up the mountain. Went for a short hike to Osceola ditch where miners built a 16 mile long ditch and flume to bring water to their gold mine. After lunch in “downtown“ Baker, Judy worked on her beading and I cut some cabs from slabs I had brought and some of the small geodes I got in Dugway. Went to use my Pixie after putting on a new plug and nothing. Still did not work. Some problem with the machine itself. Rats!!! The tree next to our site is loaded with seeds and thus lots of birds. Saw yellow rumped warbler, cedar waxwing, Lazuli, and a couple of others I did not identify.

Judy’s word
This is the place at the end of the loneliest road in the West… and I love it! So very few people. Quiet, and mountain beautiful. We took a hike today, and saw so many of the wildflowers that were a part of my childhood. You will see the pictures. Have not seen those flowers for soooo long. J

Day 59 Thursday May 20
We left Baker and headed north to US 50 to the junction with US 93 north to Ely, Nevada. Filled up with diesel there. Continued north and stopped for lunch at a former Pony Express station. We continued on to Wells, Nevada on I-80. The wind picked up and became very strong and gusty. Wow. Really tested my driving skills. The winds were coming from the driver’s side. We spend the night at Mountain Shadows space B-2. The place filled up early because of the wind? More gusty wind predicted for tomorrow.
Drove 188 miles today.

Judy,s word
A harrowing drive today. Thanks to Richards calm ability to move this bus, we arrived safe and sound. We did our laundry, and restocked our groceries. Good supper. J

Day 60 Friday May 21 39698
We left Wells and headed west on I-80 to Winnemucca. We spent the night at Hi-Desert RV Park space 61. Wind not too bad at the start then got worse as the day wore on. Thus we only drove 173 miles today. There were high wind warnings for this afternoon meaning no RV’s or trailers should be on the highway.

Judy’s word
So here we are, safe and sound at the Hi-Desert RV Park. We are entertained by the rain and wind passing thru Winnemucca, NV. J

Day 61 Saturday May 22 39850
Whew what a drive today. We left Winnemucca with the potential of wind and snow heading North on US95. Weather map showed no snow or rain along our route. As we headed out there was snow becoming more thick along the sides of the roads. Windy but not really gusty. We saw cars and trucks coming with snow plastered on their front and got a little worried. We made it to the Oregon border with no snow on the road but with snow flurries several times along the way. Heading into Oregon, more snow flurries and more cars with snow plastered on them. Nothing on the road. Turning West on 78 the snow pretty much disappeared along the road, for a while. Then more snow along the road, more snow flurries but the road was still bare of snow. Getting close to Malheur wild life refuge, the wind started getting more gusty with snow flurries. Finally made it to Burns with no snow on the road. Cold and blowy and snowy. Stopped at Burns RV park in space 50.

Judy’s word
We have had perfect weather until the last few. I thought we should head back to Moab! Well, we are on the way home and will be happy to get back into our real life. Hope you are all a part of it. I am sure we will return to the beautiful red rock country. J

Day 62 Sunday May 23
We drove NE on US 20 to the very small town of Buchannan where we visited a gift shop/ jewelry store/ museum. It was an interesting place to see. After lunch we went to Malheur Wildlife Refuge. We saw a great horned owl with four babies, an eagle nest with two babies, lots of ducks and small birds. Great time seeing lots of birds. This was not the high peak migratory season. Mostly sunny today but had a hail storm
during dinner.

Day 62 Monday May 24
We went to the Glass Buttes today which is about 60 miles West of Burns on hwy 20.. Got some really nice obsidian,: black, sheen, mahogany, lace and maybe rainbow. Goldie did a great job going over some of the most rugged roads yet. Nice weather most of the day but some snow snifters while we were high on the buttes. We had a nice dinner of baked potato and steak.