Moab to Ely, NV

I was not expecting much this morning as we left Moab to drive to Ely.  Our trip started on I70 and continued on Route 50, which is also known as "the loneliest highway in the US."   What a surprise, the beautiful rocks change and continue outside of the National Parks . . . who would have thought!  When we reached Nevada there were more changes with lots of dark clouds, snow in the mountains, and even a bit of hail along with the rain.  We were planning to visit Great Basin NP in NV, but were worried about the weather.

Leaving Castle Valley, Utah this morning

More beautiful rocks along I 70

Server Lake, which is sometimes there . . . 

 and sometimes not there - intermittent lake!

Snow in the mountains and rain and hail on the road-

and, yes, those are the mountains in Great Basin National Park.

We asked the ranger if it was safe to make the drive up 

to Wheeler Peak - "probably, if you are okay with rain and snow," he said.

So we drove up, and there was not any snow on the road

and it was neat to see the Aspen Trees with no leaves-

they look like ghost trees

and, yes, it was @#(*&*^!!! cold

*

But lots of fun and we had a great walk.

Tonight we are in Ely, Utah and tomorrow we are off to Reno

to see Theo and Holly.  And, yes, we continue along the

quiet and lonely Route 50.