Reno/Northern Nevada Sightseeing – November 9 2019
Tour originated in Edmonton, home of singer K.D. Lang
When all of the passengers were collected it was a Happy Gang
Tour lunched in Calgary, afternoon break in a Lethbridge mall
Crossed Canada/US border, entered Montana, least populated state of all
Overnighted in Great Falls at Holiday Inn, tour enjoyed wine and cheese
Travelled I-15, passed Helena, capital city, viewed Our Lady of Rockies
Crossed Monida Pass, entered Idaho, ‘Gem State’, exporter of potatoes
Lunched in Idaho Falls, 4th largest city in state, where Snake River flows
Had an afternoon break at Garden of Eden, Eden, Idaho
Overnighted in Jackpot, Nevada, at Cactus Pete’s Resort and Casino
Jackpot is a gambling town, created by Cactus Pete Piersanti
Nevada’s nickname is ‘Silver State’, capital is Carson City
Tour booked to visit ‘Trail of the 49er’s Interpretive Centre in Wells
Because of a glitch it didn’t happen, had a coffee stop at the Shell
Lunched in Winnemucca, named for Paiute tribe Chief Winnemucca
Winnemucca is only unincorporated city in Humboldt County, Nevada
Overnighted in Reno, for 3 nights, at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, Eldorado join, making “The Row”
Departed Reno for morning break in Genoa, birthplace of Nevada State
Viewed town statues, visited Mormon Station Park, a history gate
Picked up a step on guide, had an enjoyable tour of Carson City
Historic buildings include, Stewart Nye House, oldest residence in city
Abe Curry House is most historical, Ferris Mansion, Bliss House we saw
Also Capital Building, Governor’s Mansion, both structures related to law
Saw Old Nevada State Prison, original campus of Stewart Indian School
Departed for Virginia City where we took a trolley tour, pretty cool
Viewed Piper Opera House, Spite houses, cemeteries, St. Mary’s church
Silver Queen Saloon, schools and courthouse, sitting on its perch
Returned to Reno, next day visited Incline Village Visitor’s Centre
Drove beside Lake Tahoe, clear blue water, never freezes, scenic adventure
Lunched at Biltmore Lodge, UC Davis Lake Research Centre we did enter
Listened to talk on fish in Lake Tahoe, saw a video, toured exhibits in Centre
In Reno we had shopping time at Meadowwood Mall, largest in Reno
Bade Reno farewell, entered California ‘Golden State’, thus far no snow
Took a break at Niles Roadhouse, Alturas, HQ for National Forest
Travelled beside Modoc Forest, 1.6 million acres of vegetation of West
Viewed alkaline Goose Lake, 8 metres deep, formed by precipitation
Entered Oregon, which has most diverse landscape of any state in Nation
Lunched in Lakeview, at Julia’s Café, with wine-tasting on bi-level
Lakeview is billed as the ‘tallest town’ in Oregon, 4,862 ft. above sea level
Visited Hot Springs Resort, natural geothermal springs, saw ‘Old Perpetual’
Old Perpetual is a hot water geyser, erupting 30-60 ft. at 90 minute interval
Continued on through Salem, capital city of Oregon, inc. in year 1857
Overnighted in Klamath Falls, ‘City of Sunshine’ sunshine 300 days/year – Heaven!
Had morning break in Chemult, unincorporated community on US97
Combined with a Walmart stop, some passengers thought it was heaven
Lunched at King Buffet in Bend, largest city in central state inc. in 1905
Afternoon break in Biggs Junction, shortly afterward John Day Dam did arrive
Followed southern shore of Columbia River, Washington was on other shore
Overnighted in Pasco Washington, one of the 3 cities of Tri-Cities corridor
Washington was named for George Washington First President of the USA
Lunched at Spokane Valley Mall, Spokane is birthplace of Father’s Day
Tour entered Idaho, passed through Coeur d’Alene founded as city in 1878
We met Mr. Detour’s pal Road Work near Pend Oreille. He rules we wait
Pend Oreille Lake is largest in Idaho, glacial formed by Ice Age, long ago
Crossed Kootenay River at Bonner’s Ferry, travelled toward Eastport, Idaho
Crossed US/Canada border into BC, had last time change, forward one hour
Overnighted in Cranbrook, enjoyed Farewell Dinner, received earned flower
Home going day has arrived, emails, hugs exchanged, anticipation is high
Had a break in Blairmore, first drop-off there, sadly we said goodbye
Tour is breaking up, drop-offs along way, to final destination, Edmonton
It was educational and fun-filled, Nagel tour planners did a job well done
Composed by: Vickie Murphy, Airdrie, Alberta