We Were Not Lonely Or Scared.

We set out on Hwy 50 today, 50 is billed as the loneliest highway in America and because of that was recently listed in a book about America’s Scariest Highways; we were not lonely or scared. Today we drove 267 miles on Highway 50 and at times we traveled 5 minutes or so without meeting another vehicle but we never felt we would be in danger if we had a breakdown. The term scariest highway would be better used on roads with high accident or violation rates.

This morning when we exited the mothership we were greeted by a National Guard Convoy that was refueling at the Fallon RV Park, they were filled and on their way before we left at 0830. There was enough traffic in Fallon but by the time we left town on 50 there was no one behind us nor ahead of us; the speed limit is 70 but John set the cruise-control at about 63 (the fuel bill comes out of our pocket). It didn’t take long for a pair of vehicles to come up behind and pass us and they were followed a short time later by a tractor-trailer unit. I would say that less than 10 vehicles passed us during our 267 mile drive even though we only reached the speed limit a few brief times on long downhill runs.

 

National Guard Refueling at Fallon.

 

Leaving Fallon on Hwy 50.

 

We met lots of vehicles and were passed by about 10 in 267 miles.

 

We drove past the Sand Mountain recreation area that is an ATV rider destination; we then drove through the US Naval Training-Target area where a sign warned of low flying planes. The training area was in use and we could see smoke rising in the distance near a grouping of targets.

 

Sand Mountain Rec Area, the dot to the left of the mountain is a vehicle.

 

Smoke was in the air over the Navy’s training & target area.

 

We passed a number of bicycles, just about stopped for this one so it was not that lonely out there.

 

At times it was just us and the road.

 

We reached the city of Austin and climbed to the Austin summit, this was the curviest and slowest ascent and descent of the 7 summits we crossed today. We went slow and had no problem unlike the tractor-trailer unit that a trooper had stopped near the summit.

 

Austin.

 

Heading toward the Austin summit.

 

 

Down the other side.

 

After crossing a summit there would be a distance of flat land to cross before beginning the climb to the next summit, the distances varied between 13 to 50 miles. Near the City of Eureka a motorhome came up behind us so as we entered the city John pulled over and let it pass but before leaving town it pulled over and parked, a glance at our clock showed it was noon but we kept driving.

 

Over a summit.

 

Across the Valley.

 

Eureka!

 

 

Between Eureka and Ely we crossed 3 more summits but only Little Antelope summit involved curves that had warning signs of 45 mph or less. We arrived at the KOA in Ely before 1:30 pm; we made our trip in a little less than five hours. We enjoyed our trip down highway 50, the road is wide and smooth enough that it doesn’t tax the driver or RV.

 

Over a summit.

 

Across a valley.

 

The scenery was great whether in the hills…

 

 

 

or on the flat lands.

 

We will be staying at the Ely KOA tonight, this is the first KOA we have stayed in for awhile and the grounds are nice but we can’t say we are impressed with their customer service (see park review). Tomorrow we will be off to Baker where we will spend the weekend and visit Great Basin National Park.

 

We arrive in Ely.

 

Our spot at the Ely KOA.

 

The view from the campground.