July 1: From Tonopah, we headed out Highway 6, and turned onto the Extraterrestrial Highway, also known as 375. This extremely desolate stretch of road (8 cars in 100 miles) runs through Rachel, Nevada, one of the loneliest towns in America, unless you count all the UFO sightings. These UFO’s most likely originate from Area 51, less than 20 miles from town. Part of the movie “Independence Day” was filmed here, with a time capsule left behind. No UFO sightings for us, but we did see quite a few horses and antelope.

Leaving the Extraterrestrial Highway, we turned onto Highway 93, to Caliente and the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot built in 1923. Caliente is very close to three Nevada State parks, one being Cathedral Gorge state park and our next stop. Cathedral Gorge lies at the bottom of a prehistoric lake, and the weird spires have been carved from years and years of runoff. The area reminded me of some of the terrain seen in Planet of the Apes.

Close to Cathedral Gorge was yet another piece of Nevada History – Pioche. Pioche was one tough town back in it’s day. Forget Bodie, forget Tombstone, Pioche was the place where you did NOT want to end up. It is said that 72 people died from gunfights and other violence before a single person died of natural causes. The aerial tramway was truly a sight to behold. Most of us think that these trams were originated at Disneyland or other theme parks, while in reality, Disney borrowed the idea from the always inventive miners.

Enough sights, on to Utah! Gas in Cedar City, up the hill, around the slow RV’s, and finally to Duck Creek Campground, inundated with water! I’ve camped here at least three times, and most of the water seen in the next to last picture usually isn’t present, nor does it usually run down both sides of the entrance road for the campground!