Trippin’ Around North America

The Richest City in America

November 20

The route from Las Vegas to Reno is basically scrub desert with the occasional small mountain range. It is also quite far, over 700 Ks.

We set our sights on Virginia City, in the mountains 21 miles south of Reno. We arrived at 5.30 in pitch darkness. We had not realised it but our northward trek had reduced our daylight hours, quite considerably. To make it more exciting in the mountains at night, we had to take an alternate route because of the sharp curves during the ascent to over 6000 feet.

We set up in the dark, which is never fun. During our unhitching process, the trailer lurched to the rear on us, the first time this has happened. It was only in the morning that we realised that we were backed up to a drop-off that went down to Virginia City's massive cemetery.

In the morning there was the most beautiful sunrise we have seen this trip...


We decided to stay for another day and explore Virginia City. I was here with my friend Andy 45 years ago, and was eager to see if my memory had any recall at all. Nope, other than the boardwalk, and some very long bars in Saloons. The city has cleaned up and is one of the neatest little western towns we have visited.

We did a load of wash and fixed a few items with the trailer and strolled the town. Around 1860, gold and silver was discovered here. Massive amounts of silver. In 26 years they took over $700,000,000 out of the mines. The ground below the city is honeycombed with tunnels. It is better known as The Comstock Mine.

The miners and promoters became very, very rich. The city was the wealthiest in America and possibly the world for a short time. The American Civil War was to a large extent financed by this wealth. [For the Union side at least.]

We had lunch in a cafe that would have one-tenth of a Michelin Star if it was rated, however the hamburger was good. Then back to the trailer for a Nap for Doug, [the first since Atlanta], and scrabble for Fellette. GREAT day.

The roads appear to be clear of snow between here and home so that is good news. Our nemesis right now is the wind. It shook the trailer most of the night but the forecast is for it to drop off in the morning. Getting out of the mountains should make a difference.

Wish us luck as we start the journey home please, we have a few mountain passes to get through and the areas are overdue for winter conditions. We have travelled over 18,000 Ks and have about 1600 to go.

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 7:19 PM