Day Trips: Two Lonely Roads Meet in Nevada
This is the view from the front seat of of our Saab on Highway 93 going south out of Twin Falls, Idaho headed toward Jackpot, Nevada. Two lanes and not much traffic. Usual velocity was about 75mph. You must drive that fast or you will feel like you are not moving.
Eventually we get to Ely, Nevada (see the main street above) about 750 miles from Billings, a long day’s drive. From Billings we headed west on I90 to Hwy 191 through West Yellowstone, then Hwy 20 into Idaho, joining up with I15 and I86 and finally head south on two lane Hwy 93 to get to Ely. That is where 93 crosses two lane Hwy 50, which is said to be the loneliest road in America, at least since sometime in the 80s when Life Magazine did a piece on it and named it. But Hwy 93, running north and south from somewhere in deepest Alberta all the way down to the Mexican border, surely comes a close 2nd, at least in northeastern Nevada.
Ely is famous for being a mining town, like every other town in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada, especially Nevada. They are still getting some copper out of the tailings at the gigantic Ruth mine a few miles west of town. In the 30s it was also a place for Hollywood stars and others to stop on the way to Sun Valley so we might have slept in Gary Cooper’s room, not sure though. Nowadays there are some interesting murals scattered on downtown buildings and some places for bikers and tourists to stay and gamble.
The Hotel Nevada, built in 1929 was pretty hot stuff in the 30s, 40s and 50s. They have the only “live” gambling in Ely, meaning an actual live dealer at blackjack rather than the ubiquitous machines. Hwy 50 attracts a lot of bikers so the hotel tries to attract them as well. I did see a few signs that had nothing good to say about Senator Reid. I wonder who it is that supports him in Nevada?
Hwy 50 heading west from Ely toward Fernley and Reno: the loneliest road in America. Note the roughened part of the road on the edges and in the center. Making a lot of noise if you wander over these. Good idea.
