March 30, 2019 – Back in the no-zone


Yes, we are out of civilization now and back in the no cell service zone.  Here is the reason. 




Pretty nice, huh?

After 2 days at Nellis AFB cleaning up, getting the oil changed, doing laundry and shopping we were ready to hit the road again.  We have been to many military installations with our traveling home and each one has its own personality.  This diversity is well reflected when you go into the base exchange and look at the items for sale in the  women’s department.  What can I say:  VEGAS BABY!  There was literally nothing there that a typical Reno/Tahoe/Truckee would purchase.  What would I do with a Ives St. Laurent or Coach bag?

Our destination on Friday was Kershaw-Ryan Nevada State Park.  We arrived here not knowing what to expect and were surprised to find a really nice little campground that had many openings.  There are no services here in the campsites (electric, water) and certainly no cell service (read canyon), but the park has showers and totally level sites.  We pulled in, dropped our anchor and settled in. 

One thing I have to say about the Nevada State Parks.  They are small but they are wonderful.  Right down to the Rangers.  Who would expect a park in the middle of nowhere to have showers?  Pretty special.

Saturday we woke up to 39 degrees outside – brrrr.  Waited around for it to warm up then, after a pancake breakfast, we were off and running.  First stop was the Elgin Schoolhouse State Park.  The Schoolhouse was charming but not open.

Some History Here

The Schoolhouse was donated to the State of Nevada after it was refurbished.


But the trip up the canyon was spectacular.  We even had time for a short bike ride (which Ceilidh loved). 




Back to the trailer for lunch then off for a short, uphill (of course) hike on the  “Canyon Rim Trail.”  It afforded beautiful views of the canyon below and mountain vistas beyond. 


At the base of this hike was this sweet little park with a pool (not currently open), picnic tables, horseshoe pits, badminton course and a Koi pond (complete with Koi).  Turns out that this property was donated by James Ryan who had purchased it from homesteaders Samuel and Hannah Kershaw (1870’s).   



Before we got sucked back into going back to the trailer, we decided to continue our busy day by investigating the “Trilobite Site,” about 8 miles west of here.  We took our shovel and pick and headed out on the trail where we discovered that many people had been here before us – but no one there now! The sign said go ahead and take a couple but be selective.   We found a few fossils and headed home.  Just a couple to share with Cohen with an explanation.  You all do know what a Trilobite is, right?  Well here is a picture.   



Apparently this area – the Great Basin – was at one time covered with a sea.  The little trilobites where trapped in the bottom as the water receded and thereby became fossils.  I understand that they are older than dinosaurs.  Just think about that.

Tomorrow we will check out two more parks and decide if we will move the trailer to one of them. 


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