Spring Trip 2015: Roseburg to Torey, Utah

Wednesday, 5/20:  347 miles, and camped at Days End RV Park, Standish, California.

Rising River to Days End

Days End RV Park, site 14

Days End RV Park was only half full.

We were on the road about 8:30.  We started out on Interstate 5 for about 80 miles, but the rest of the day was spent on two lane roads.  Crossing into California we had to stop at an Agricultural Inspection Station, and they confiscated two limes and a lemon.  However, they were much nicer about it than the US Customs officials were last year when we entered Maine from Canada.

We saw a verity of terrain and weather.  Mountains gave way to valleys which gave way to dry plains which gave way way to more mountains, etc.  Standish is located on a dry, dusty plain.  We dodged rain showers all day.  All in all, it was a relaxing day with little traffic.



Thursday, 5/12:  398 miles and camped at the KOA in Ely, Nevada.

Standish, California to Ely, Nevada

Ely KOA, site 51

Today we got started about 8:00.    We are crossing a region of the US called The Great Basin.  The Great Basin is the largest contiguous area in North America where water does not drain into one of the oceans.  Water is only lost through evaporation.

Most of the day was spent on two lane roads today.  A good part of the day was spent driving US Rt. 50, often called "The Loneliest Road in America."  Actually, US 50 goes from Sacramento, California to Ocean City, Maryland.  Life Magazine in 1986 referred to the Nevada portion as the loneliest road in America.  Nevada officials seized on the expression and now use it as a marketing tool.  By the way, after driving it, it really is lonely and isolated.

We dodged rain storms again today.  In fact, we even hit a small patch of hail.  The Great Basin area is a mix of flat plains, and mountain ranges.  Some of the road was as flat as a pancake, while other sections curved up and down mountain passes.  The "scariest" section was a series of cliff hugging switchbacks at Austin, Nevada.  All in all, it was a beautiful drive!

Gathering storm clouds ahead

Taking a break on The Loneliest Road in America

More weather ahead

Storms coming over the mountains

Friday, 5/22:  286 miles and camped at Thousand Lakes RV Park, Torey, Utah

Ely, Nevada to Torey, Utah

Thousand Lakes RV Park, site 43

We traveled along US Rt 50 again for most of the day.  It is easy to see why Life Magazine dubbed this highway as the loneliest road in America.  At one point we saw a sign that said, "Next Services 83 Miles."  Wow.  Can you imagine living at the mid point and having to drive 42 miles either way to get gas or groceries?  We did see one or two houses, but that was it.

Rain storms were predicted, but we missed most of them.  It was actually a very nice drive on two lane roads for most of the day.

Torey is near Capital Reef National Park, and so a lot of visitors use this campground as a base point. I'm glad we had reservations, because by nightfall, every site was taken and even the dry camping overflow section was filled.  We saw several RV's pull in and then leave because the park was full.

View from the campground

Another view from the campground

Saturday we head to Cortez, Colorado for a couple nights.