Bunny Ranch

On my way to Virginia City, I passed the entrance to the world famous Bunny Ranch (caution: "R" rated website). I was curious so I drove up to the "ranch". Here's the first sign (literally) that you are not in Kansas anymore...

And just in case you are unaware of the nature of their business...

Then you arrive at the main building...

At this point I figured a "low roller" like myself would be better off continuing on to Virginia City rather than going inside and embarrassing myself in front of a group of young women (I do that enough as it is).

PS - Virginia City is an interesting place but a little too touristy for my taste. However, if you are into browsing/shopping, then you would enjoy the experience.

Roadside Americana

Click on photos to enlarge...

Hot August Nights

Hot August Nights, the largest classic car event in the country, starts this week in Reno and the park is beginning to fill up with "high end" motorhomes and their toys...

As you might expect, the RV parks in the area are raising their prices for the week ($90/night here) so I will be moving to Carson City tomorrow.

Update: I have heard of people finding an original, mint condition vintage car that was stored for years in someone's garage but this is the first time I have actually seen one. According to the owner, this 1953 Chevrolet has only 17,000 miles on the odometer and everything is stock from the factory including the upholstery...

Another classic...

Wildfires

Unfortunately, the wildfires in Oregon and Washington have made travel on the back roads so problematic that I have cancelled my plans to tour the Pacific Northwest this summer. I am currently in Reno, NV where I will be working on a new itinerary over the next couple of days. As I once told Bobby Burns: "the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry". Actually, I said "s**t happens" and he cleaned it up.

Oregon Scenic Highway

Just to get a feel for the area, I drove the truck up Highway 52 to Ukiah and then Highway 51 back to Sumpter. All in all a nice drive through some very pristine wilderness. In some respects, it was like stepping back in time.

Old mining operation

A piece of roadside Americana

I brake for fawns

Sumpter, Oregon

Is a historic gold mining town located in the Elkhorn Mountain Range that I have chosen as my base camp to explore the eastern portion of the state.

Population ~200

Just off main street is the massive Sumpter Valley Dredge which was last used to mine gold in 1954.

Each bucket weighs one ton

In Memory of Bob Micklick

Last Spring I had the good fortunate to pull into a RV site next to Bob "The Gray Fox" Micklick, an avid off-road enthusiast, who had over a million miles in Jeeps and had been coming to Moab since 1967. We became friends and rode together there and again in Arizona that winter. I learned of Bob's passing last night via the following email that I presume was sent to everyone by one of his friends on his behalf...

Adios Amigos,

I have led my last trail,

I have told my last tale,

I have caught my last fish,

and I send my last e-mail.

I departed, peacefully, on my last great journey this morning at 9:13. I leave you with wonderful memories of all the grand trails that we have traveled together over the years. Miss me, but not too much! "Don't Ya know" Keep on Wheelin and enjoy every day to the utmost!

The Gray Fox

4th of July

Jim & Terri, owners of the South-Forty RV Park, had a catered barbecue dinner for the entire park. Great food with good people - not a bad way to spend the fourth of July...