Day 49 – Scorched Hill Sides

Theresa started the day by getting 3 blog posts out for the morning audience to enjoy with their coffee.  Kevin did most of the stowing, disconnecting and general prep to ready the Smitanic for the days 240 mile drive.

The route was a 2 lane State Hwy the entire way. The landscape forced roads and all travelers on them into an always climbing or descending at 4-6 % grade. This terain made maintaining consistent speed a challenge to manage. The Road was smooth, except at a few bridges where construction slowed the speed to 30MPH. Bumps reminiscent of I40 conditions were encountered at those construction locations.

Fresh burn areas from recent fires blacked the hills as far as the eye could see. The exceptions to the scorched landscape appeared at each ranch house. This is were the fire crews would take a stand against the flames to protect ranch homesteads, corals, or farm buildings. Even the electric/telephone posts were chard clear to the top.

As Idaho was exited, Pacific time was entered as the Smitanic sailed into central Oregon. Theresa counted maybe 3 towns (more like intersections) with a gas station, church, bar and closed cafe in each. Nevada was then announced and the first building across the state line was, you guessed it, a casino!

The destination of Winnemucca, NV unfolded with a decent into a larger, flat green valley. Winnemucca's claim of fame is that Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the wall gang robbed a bank here and then left.

The destination, a KOA campground, had a western theme with fence posts rails used to delineate each site. The Smitainc was guided into the assigned pull thru. All the needed amenities where available, laundry, game room, pool, groceries (including some liquor and wine), showers and even a dog wash (boy Zin was happy to see that)! 

There were really no planned activities for the day so Theresa began a cleaning frenzy of sorts. First all the laundry was gathered and hauled to the Laundry room. Three loads were started then back tho the RV, she drug Zin over to the doggie wash. Zin did not know what to think at first, but once the primping began she was all in and cooperated completely. Zin was back in the RV just as it was time for the laundry to be transferred to the dryers.

All that cleaning worked up an appetite. Dinner was hamburgers, grilled potatoes and a salad consumed out side as the 90 degree temps gave way to a more reasonable 75.

With the smell of clean sheets the travelers elected to shower themselves before nestling in for some deserved slumber.