On The Road Again!
FERNLEY: This is where we began our adventure. Because of it’s close proximity to Reno, Fernely thrives today. It’s also the gateway to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Territory and Pyramid Lake.What to do:
- Drive west to Pyramid Lake. Pyramid lake is absolutely beautiful and serene. The blue green color of the lake is unbelievably vibrant with beige mountains as a backdrop and Tufa Rock formations dotting around the lake. Tufa rocks are porous limestone formed when calcium carbonate is deposited by springs or lakes.
- Before heading to Pyramid lake stop by the Pyramid Lake and Paiute Indian Tribal Museum. Here you can learn the history of the Paiute Indian Tribe.
DAYTON: Gold in Nevada was first discovered here and is one of Nevada’s oldest settlements of European Americans.What to do:
- Take the Historic Downtown Dayton walking tour. Visit Dayton’s Historic Society Museum and stop by the 1881 Depot, the only Carson and Colorado station depot in Nevada.
FALLON: Called the “Oasis of Nevada” is surrounded by farms and ranches.What to do:
- Eat at Slanted Porch, a farm to table restaurant that has the freshest food that is deliciously prepared and seasoned with fresh herbs and spices.
- Visit Lattin Farms and taste “Heart Of Gold Cantaloupe. The sweetest of cantaloupes, we are told.
- Stop by the Churchill County Museum, which houses exhibits of The Pony Express, the earl days of Churchhill County and Northern Paiute culture.
- Leaving Fallon Grimes Point is along Highway 50 and a great stop to discover Petroglyphs, pre-historic rock art.
- Traveling along Highway 50 pay a visit to Middle Gate Station for some kitsch and a good burger
- Next stop Cold Springs Pony Express Station. This is a historic marker and photo stop.
AUSTIN: A boom and bust town that is now on the National Historic Register. Discovery of silver was the reason for boom and made Austin the second largest city in Nevada at that time.
What to do:
- Take a historic walking tour and visit the Courthouse and The Gridley Store Museum.
- Drive up to the Cemetery. Towns have great history in cemetery’s and this one has the best view in town.
- Stokes Castle was built by a mine developer as his summer home in the late 1800’s.
- The Little Blue Bird Mine shop for silver and turquoise jewelry
EUREKA: Highway 50 runs through the middle of this well preserved historic town.
What to do:
- You can take a quick walking tour of the historic buildings and it’s a good place to stop for a bite to eat.
- Visit the Museum, the Opera House and the Court House
ELY: Originally established as a stagecoach station and post office, Ely has grown into a vibrant city with a lot to offer. In our opinion it’s the best city to finish The Pony Express Trail in.What to do:
- Nevada Northern Railway for a train ride through town.
- Renaissance Market (Saturdays and seasonal) Old homes were built for the immigrant railway workers
- Nevada Northern Railway Museum
- Dine at the Cell Block Steak House for some fine dining without big city prices.
- Great Basin National Park
Accommodations: There’s plenty of comfortable and affordable places to stay from motels to B&B’s
We stayed one night in Fernley, Fallon and Austin and we stayed two night in Ely.
We flew into Reno and out of Las Vegas. Fernley is just 30 minutes from Reno and Ely is about 4 hours from Las Vegas.
Most of your road trip will be along Highway 50, “The Loneliest Road”. You’ll stop along the at Pony Express outposts and stations, discover the history in the towns and witness some of the best scenic beauty.
The Traveling Eye gives The Pony Express Nevada and The Loneliest road two winks!
Tune into to our radio show this week on The Pony Express Nevada. www.wvon.com at 11am Central time September 19 and Sirius XM channel 141 at 11am Central time September 20