Well we made it. To Elko. With me driving on the wrong side of the road. Well actually the right side of the road. Average speed 78mph, translate that to 125kph, sometimes faster, not often slower.

Driving across Nevada was much like you would expect. Barren, dry, clumps of unattractive foliage as far as the eye could see. No doubt hiding those nasty rattlers. The rest stops warned of rattle snakes. 

If you could look past that ugliness and further to the mountains, they were beautiful. Whether it was during the day and seen through a heat haze, or as night fell through the gorgeous colours of the sun setting. It was a leveller. Nature has a way of making you realise how inconsequential you are in the universe.

The mountains were stunning.  Today’s word.

Most of the small towns we drove past had a McDonalds, even the ones with a population of 1000.  I’m more interested in Starbucks. Half strength soy latte. Yes I am one of THOSE people. 😜 The town signs displayed ‘No Services’ when there were no ‘gas’ or food outlets.  As we headed up the hills, there were signs warning of ‘slow trucks’. They travelled the hills with their hazards flashing. 

Just after dark we arrived in Elko. Not stunning. A Casino town, as many are in Nevada. We hadn’t booked accommodation so whilst travelling, MOD used the little bit of data we had to find one with a pool and gym. Staff were lovely, rooms were excellent, providing everything we needed, even make up remover washers and pads, plus breakfast included. $87AUD. A Casino of course. So that’s a tip, book into a Casino hotel and you will get all of the above, plus cheap meals in the restaurant. Not bad. 

I’m not keen on the whole gambling thing, don’t see the point, but we did have a flutter. I gave it my best shot and lost. Once again. Another reason not to like gambling, Twelve hard earned dollars down the drain. And of course smoking is throughout the casinos. With a sour face and eeeewwwww I removed the ash tray, using my fingertips, from the poker machine before playing. On the positive side, MOD won $55 with an input of $20. His shout for coffee this morning!

We left Elko by 11  after gym and the free breakfast. Another tip, if they offer toast, and you don’t like butter, tell them. Unless of course you like totally inedible smothered bread with your butter. Gross. 

Today’s destination was north to Jackson which borders Idaho, so that we could visit both the Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. 

We drove through Idaho -the Gem State. Famous for potatoes. The first thing we saw were corn fields. A lot of them. But it’s a big farming state, potatoes, wheat, corn, trout and the worlds largest factory for barrelled cheese. 

Idaho also had some amazing scenery, albeit much of it we saw at dusk whilst swerving to avoid at least one deer that had decided to wander out onto the road. 

During the daylight hours however, we did manage to stop at Twin Falls, which had the most amazing bridge and canyon, with some of the town resting on the edge of the canyon. We were lucky enough to see a paraglider jump off the bridge and sail to the bottom. The canyon was home to a section of the Snake River, a river which followed us north east across the state towards Jackson, our final destination for the day. Stunning. 

Our last stop before hitting Jackson was the Snake River Roadhouse where we had a damn fine feed and where I took photos of us just so I could capture the quaintness of the bar.   

Tomorrow is National Parks Day. 

I’m thinking my blog may become a phlog (photo blog).