Thursday November 04, 2004

Tonopah.

Wednesday, I climed three mountain passes. The final hill up to Tonopah was a doozy. At the top I could see a whole bunch of white mountains to the west. I was told they were the Sierras, but they looked too close for that.

Today was just the opposite. It was downhill most of the way. A nice gentle slope, with a rest area (with bathrooms and picnic tables!) about half way. I ate my lunch in splendor. Usually, I take a break on a rock, a guide wire or culvert - and I have to search for them.

There's a lot more traffic on the road out of Tonopah. A LOT more.

It's a major connector between Reno and Vegas. I guess most of them are city folk. I didn't get a single person offering help today. I was averaging perhaps 5 a day on the other side of Tonopah.

The road also leads to Bishop, California. We're only about 50 miles from the border. But there's an intimidating mountain in between.