Wednesday May 10, 2023 is moving day. Clifford and I have enjoyed our time at Echo Canyon Nevada State Park, but we are continuing our journey back to Montana to spend summer with family. Pioche, Nevada, is only 15 miles from Echo Canyon and that is our first destination.
There is a small RV park on the outskirts of this old mining town, and that is where we are planning to stay for a week or so. When we arrive, we are pleased that the site at the end of the row is available. This RV park does not have a restroom, but it does have water, a trash can, and a tree at each site. Being at the end of the row means more privacy for the days that we are here.
Pioche has a historical role as one of the most lawless of the mining towns in the Old West gold and silver rush days in the1870’s. We have been here before and spent time in the museum and driving out to the old cemetery, but on this stay, we browse around town, stopping at the old Lincoln County Courthouse, which housed the jail, and further along the street, we admire the leaning mining shack, appreciating somebody’s sense of humor. We finish with lunch at the historic Silver Cafe.
Across the road that encircles the RV sites is a large pit, maybe once a mining claim. I walk there to take photos of wildflowers. It’s a shame that trash is blown or tossed there, as it could be made into a delightful walking path with benches where visitors to the RV park could enjoy a bit of nature.
Across the street from the RV park is a large and well-developed city park with a ball field, a swimming pool, and an area with playground equipment for kids. I like to walk the outer edges of this park, as the Japanese flowering crab apple and forsythia trees are in bloom, their contrasting deep pink and bright yellow putting on a delightful show for any who pay attention.
There are some cloudy and windy days, but I often sit out with journal and coffee by the big boulder that is a boundary between our site and the road. A week in Pioche gives us time to catch up on internet activities.
Our next destination is a new place for us – Patterson Pass. We have seen the highway sign on previous trips, but on the map it looked too remote. However, the internet allows us to investigate further and it might be a great place. Guess we will soon find out.
