Humboldt National Forest

So we went on an adventure last Sunday 6/22, not surprising, I know. This is what we seem to do best... pack a lunch, fill up with gas and just drive any direction. Thank goodness we grabbed our cameras this time. Steve decided we would go in search of a ghost town just north of here in Paradise Valley. 

We paid $4.19 a gallon for gas just outside Winnemucca, NV on Us Hwy 95.

We started off with a clean jeep and a full tank...

It really was a little paradise on the banks of a little creek right smack in the middle of the high desert.

 I didn't expect this much, but we really found a ghost town...

just on the edge of town...

or what was left of it!

beautiful old trees too!

maybe an old saloon or store? or both?

Then as we were leaving we noticed this sign directing us to the 

Humboldt National Forest

so Steve said...OK, let's go!

and we drove...

and we drove...

down miles and miles of gravel roads...

til we stopped at what appeared to be the summit...

Hinkey Summit to be exact!

and what a view...

so vast... in every direction!

Nevada has miles and miles of uninhabited BLM land...

As far as the eye can see in every direction! 

There were some trails that were passable only with ATV's

we even stopped to smell some wildflowers...

really pretty...right in the middle of the desert!

There was still some patches of snow too!

We drove over cattle guards and finally...

saw some cows! lol

  our jeep took a beating...but she made it! 

as we were leaving I snapped a pic of this sign!

Land of many uses....hmmmmm... and we didn't see much "forest" either,

but none the less it was beautiful in its own desert sorta way! 

Goodbye Dear Washington State Hello Nevada

I started this post right before I became very ill.  I wanted to get back to it but I have just now (2 weeks later) begun to feel well enough to think clearly. I loved our time in Washington. It was definitely our Northern Exposure and I will remember the last 6 months for the rest of my life. What a gift we have in travel, having exceeded all our expectations and so much more than we ever imagined. 

So somehow I landed in the ER on June 4th with high fever, high blood sugar and a whopper of a headache.  We soon found out how very ill I was... UTI, bladder and kidney infection that spread to my bloodstream. I even have kidney stones...who knew? I am so thankful for the ER staff and the PCU staff at Tacoma General Hospital. They were so good to me. Since we travel we are forced to participate in "medical tourism", partaking in whatever medical care is available. I can honestly say that while I do prefer receiving medical care in Houston, Tacoma was a good experience. 

I was released just 36 hours before we were to drive to Winnemucca, NV for Steve's next assignment. So, I didn't get to say all my goodbyes to Washington. I really wanted to see *my* Mt. Rainier one more time, but it wasn't to be... We left about 3am in the dark on Monday June 9th. We had a pleasant uneventful drive all through southern Washington and down through Oregon. Arriving in Nevada about 2:15pm. Our wonderful brand spanking new apt was all ready for us and we moved right in...aaah the beds are fabulous, cable tv and wifi!!!

High Ground Village Apartments
http://highgroundvillageapartments.com/index.html

5750 US HWY 95 N
Unit D6
Winnemucca, NV
89445

the lovely view from our front door!

our apt D6

It's big, about 1400 sq ft

large dining area and bar into kitchen

brand new table and chairs

perfect spot for our printer and laptop

looking into the kitchen through the dining room

beautiful kitchen...I would have chosen black or stainless appliances, 

but these are very high quality frigidaire! Love them!

big screen tv with direct tv...I'm dreaming of the beach!

new microwave still in the box...beautiful granite counters! 

The hallway divides the 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a laundry room at the end. This apt is set up for room mates, sometimes 2 nurses will share an apt when they work opposite shifts. 

one of the 2 bathrooms

larger of the 2 bathrooms 

our master bedroom, no picture of Spencer's room, but it is much the same

bedroom view

Our apt backs up to the mountains too! 

This is a new complex built just for corporate temporary housing. There's no permanent residents. All our neighbors are travel nurses and contract workers from all over the USA.

It's so quiet here. I'm hoping this will prove to be a great place to rest up for more fun adventures! 

Looks like a visit to Reno will be next!