At the end of July Grandpa and Grandpa Potts made the trip to our new home where we enjoyed a wonderful visit together. We took a drive around the lake (and got a flat tire on the way!), went to a tractor pull at the State Fair (it was fun, but loud) and explored Virginia City by steam train. Bob also got Grandma all set up with a new iPad and showed her how to use it. We had a nice time together and enjoyed showing them our new home and the surrounding area.
Grandma and Caleb in front of the historic Catholic church in Virginia City, Nevada.
A beautiful angel in the "Boot Hill" cemetery in Virginia City. Exploring the cemetery and reading the tombstones was interesting.
Grandpa waiting for the train.
We rode the classic old Virginia and Truckee steam train.
View from the train.
Lisa and Christy enjoying the train ride.
One of the many tunnels the train passes through on our scenic ride through the Virginia City mining region. The Virginia & Truckee line runs all the way to Carson City and was originally used to haul silver and gold from the mines in Virginia City a hundred years ago. At that time Virginia City's mines were the most productive in the world. The miners who worked these mines were also the highest paid at the time. Mining is still an important part of Nevada's economy.
A view from the back of the train.
"There's gold (and silver) in them thar hills!" was a cry that echoed here 100 years ago. Today mines use a variety of methods to extract precious metals, some even down to the microscopic level.
An old train depot is apply named "Gold Hill".
The sagebrush and hills of Nevada have an appealing quality. The Nevada state song begins with the line "Home means Nevada, Home means the hills...".
Nevada is the most mountainous state in the contiguous United States as the geology folds between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Sierra's to the west.
Bob in his Tilley hat.
Train Tracks
Grandpa Potts looking right at home in this classic setting. It was nice to have him with us for a while.
Bob and Hannah continue to enjoy photography. Hannah has a photographer's eye for the little details. Here are some of her photos from our train ride.
The nuts and bolts of life.
Woven wire adds visual interest to this photo.
Grandma brushing up on the history of the area.
We also took a drive around Lake Tahoe with Bob's parents. The lake is so beautiful it is hard to believe it's right over the hill from our house.
At 6,224 feet, the surface elevation of Lake Tahoe is actually higher than Carson City (4,802 feet), which is just 20 miles away.
Caleb by the amazing blue waters of Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is almost 21 miles long, 1,645 feet deep, and is the second deepest lake in the United States (after Crater Lake in Oregon). It holds 36.15 cubic miles of water and, if drained into California, would cover the entire state with 14 inches of water.
The blue of Lake Tahoe reminds you of tropical waters. It's amazing blueness is now thought to be controlled by a seasonally changing combination of sediment levels, algae concentration, and the amount of nutrients in the water.
Christy loved hanging out with Grandpa and Grandpa loved having Christy as his buddy.
July 4th in Virginia City, Nevada.
Bob walking the boardwalk in Virginia City. This historic city is like a 100 year step back in time.
Bob and I spotted this sign in Squaw Valley Village where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We often refer to our home as "Base Camp" because we see it as the base from where we go adventuring. Our new home really fits the "Base Camp" description because of all the great places around the Carson Valley to go adventuring.
There were amazing views from the top of the gondola at the Squaw Valley Ski Area and it was fun to learn the history around the 1960 Winter Olympics that were held there. It was really great hanging out together in such a beautiful place.
The Squaw Valley gondola was impressive with amazing views.
The anniversary couple. Twenty-five years of adventuring together and looking forward to more.
View of the Carson Valley looking south. The park below is part of the route Bob and I walk every morning.
Another view of the park, our new neighborhood, with the beautiful Sierras beyond.
Our new home at 967 Sunview Court with alpenglow on the mountains. It is great to be living in mountain country again.
Our U-Haul truck backed up to unload all our stuff into our new home. We are glad to be here.
Moving always makes you think "What a lot of stuff!" We were very grateful our friend Mike Brunson not only helped us load up in Las Vegas, but drove our pickup to Carson City, and then helped us unload. What a guy!
We appreciated all the helping hands on the Las Vegas end of the move.
Loading the U-Haul for our trip up North.