Winter Trip 2023/24 - Easter in Nampa, ID

We arrive at Caldwell Campground just outside Nampa.

Our site sits across from a small fishing pond

A duck comes to visit Tucson 

We head over to Gary's granddaughter Molly's place to visit with her,this great grandsons, Jax and Valor and her fiance Connor.  We'll have to wait to meet the Great Granddaughter, Aurora as she won't be making an appearance until June.

Big Papa makes a good mountain for Valor's super heroes

and Jax gets a piggyback ride

Valor still like the Shark sleeping bag I got him a couple years ago, Tucson's not to sure about it - did a shark eat you?.

The next day is Easter Sunday.  Gary takes us all out for Brunch

We get back to the apartment for the Easter Egg Hunt

And to see what else the Easter Bunny Brought

Jax helps To alor arrange the snap on space ships on the T Shirts we got them while Tucson makes Google eyes at the cat.

Looks like the Easter Bunny left a good stash

A great but too short visit.  Can't wait for Aurora to arrive.

Winter trip 2023/24 - Las Vegas Bay to Nampa, ID

We start the trek to Idaho

The landscape reminds me of Texas Canyon in AZ.

Then there are Joshua trees

and snow on the Mountains when we Roll-in to Pioche, NV

A Silver mine was opened in 1870.  Over 5 million dollars in ore was taken out by 1872, and by 1900 Pioche was nearly a ghost town.  72 was the height of the boom for Pioche, which had about 6,000 residents.  The city had 72 saloons, three hurdy-gurdy houses, 32 brothels, two theaters, and two breweries,

During the first settling of Pioche, it was said that 72 men “were killed with their boots on” before anyone died a natural death. 

It was reported that nearly 60 percent of the homicides reported in Nevada during 1871–72 took place in and around Pioche.   

This aerial tramway operated in the 1920’s and 1930’s carrying ore from the mines on Treasure Hill to Godbe’s Mill in the valley at 6 cents a ton.

Moving on closer to that snow heading to Great Basin National Park to knock off our list.

The final stretch

We arrive at Great Basin

It starts snowing and we get.to the Visitors Center

They are famous for their Cave Tour but the tours are full the next few days.

Since it was starting to snow in Great Basin and the RV Park looked iffy, we decided to continue on to Ely, NV for a quick overnight.

The landscape reminds me of Texas Canyon in AZ.

Then there are Joshua trees

and snow on the Mountains when we Roll-in to Pioche, NV

A Silver mine was opened in 1870.  Over 5 million dollars in ore was taken out by 1872, and by 1900 Pioche was nearly a ghost town.  72 was the height of the boom for Pioche, which had about 6,000 residents.  The city had 72 saloons, three hurdy-gurdy houses, 32 brothels, two theaters, and two breweries,

During the first settling of Pioche, it was said that 72 men “were killed with their boots on” before anyone died a natural death. 

It was reported that nearly 60 percent of the homicides reported in Nevada during 1871–72 took place in and around Pioche.   

This aerial tramway operated in the 1920’s and 1930’s carrying ore from the mines on Treasure Hill to Godbe’s Mill in the valley at 6 cents a ton.

Moving on closer to that snow heading to Great Basin National Park to knock off our list.

The final stretch

We arrive at Great Basin

It starts snowing and we get.to the Visitors Center

They are famous for their Cave Tour but the tours are full the next few days.

Since it was starting to snow in Great Basin and the RV Park looked iffy, we decided to continue on to Ely, NV for a quick overnight.

Tucson even got to play in some snow

Next stop is Jackpot, NV  we stay at one of the casino RV Parks 

More Snow

Next stop is Three Island Crossing State Park

The Oregon Trail followed the Snake river for 300 miles.   This was the last crossing about 27 miles before Salmon Falls, the last of the great falls on the Snake River 

One of the original ferries

We check out the Museum while waiting to check in.

 We got a nice Site

Would have liked to spend a bit longer here but make it to Nampa for Easter weekend.