posted by Christopher James
I'm on my way back to Washington now. Amber has to stay in Reno. :-(
We had a wonderful trip and a fitting final day. After staying the night at the Atomic Inn in Beatty, we made our way back to Reno. But we had a few stops to make on the way.
First, we visited the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, a gorgeous gem high in the hills of Ron Paul country. The restaurant is named after Senator Key Pittman, who died there the night of his reelection. To keep the news quiet, is body was kept on ice until after the results were confirmed.
Then we drove all the way out to Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park. It was closed due to weather, but Robin the park ranger took pity on us weary travelers and gave us an most excellent private tour. Thanks, Robin!
Finally, we got gas in Middlegate. Stephen King wrote Desperation while sleeping in the service station's parking lot. The owner said they thought he was a drug addict at first. Many of the scenes from the novel come directly from his experiences in the surrounding hills.
I always knew I liked Nevada—my adoptive home. Now I'm in love with it! It's quirky and difficult and lonesome and, as Amber and I noted this morning over coffee, we can't think of one crummy experience. The folks we met along the way, who gave us rooms for the night, who served us the grub and the beer that kept us fed, who told us the stories that kept us fueled, they were universally friendly, helpful and just plain lovely.
Home really does mean Nevada.
Location: Reno
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