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Day 19: Sat Aug 9, 1997

 Slept in late. Then checked my email, that took awhile, had a lot. We finally got out of the motel (Heritage Motel) at 11:52, just before checkout time. We ate at the same place as last night. Got gas (in the car) and headed south on Alt. 93. Got to Ely, NV in less than 2 hours. I was typing on the computer on the way, it started cloudy and rainy, nice weather for using the computer in the car. But before long it became sunny, making it hard to see the screen. At Ely we got gas for $1.359, full service, windows washed and all. There was gas for $1.51, must have been really good stuff.

Lots of Basin and Range scenery after Ely, much like before Ely. I like landforms so the scenery was not boring.

One interesting break was when we passed Rt 375, a little road that cuts off from Rt 6 and passes through Rachel, NV. We actually turned around to take another look at this road, it was called "Extraterrestrial Highway".

Tonopah, NV was not far beyond. It is located on top of one of the smaller ranges and was a silver mining town, Jim Butler discovered silver here in 1900. Tonopah is not the most elegant town, but it is fairly scenic, mountains and old mines.
Also they say they have almost no red tape, no zoning or regulations except in flood areas. We got a room at the Silver Queen. The office is an interesting round building and the motel is scattered over several levels, our room was in a section up over the hill, near the pool. The pool was a bit cool and we didn't try it. We hiked around town for awhile, then went back to hook up the computer. Found the phone was hardwired and we could not connect. After some discussion we got a refund on the room (they had told Sharleen the computer would work) and we went down the street a block to the Jim Butler motel.

It was a very nice motel and had sheets softened by a special recipe that uses vinegar and not too much soap. They were quite soft. After a nice sunset we hiked down the street to a Mexican place for supper.

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