Vancouver

In April 2011 we drove from Elko to Vancouver, BC. Wayne worked there for a week, so I came along to see the city. We enjoyed driving west to the California coast, and then north through Oregon and Washington.

Vancouver has become one of my favorite cities. To me it was like being in a modern European city, without the hassle of being somewhere foreign. We stayed right downtown on Burrard Street, ate good food and especially enjoyed Vancouver's beautiful Stanley Park. Coming from Elko in April, it was a breath of fresh (warm!) air to do some shopping and just feel the vibe of a metropolitan area.

Wayne at Redwoods National Park

Me at the Pacific Coast

Fisherman's Wharf, Seattle, WA

Vancouver

View from Stanley Park

Chinese Gardens in China Town

One of the bays

Ely, Nevada - June 2011

Ely, Nevada is a small mining town 150 miles south of us. It is very similar to Elko, but a bit smaller.

Wayne has a small 1967 MGB, and found out there was a MG rally that passed through Ely on its' way to Reno. So we made a weekend camping trip to Ely, saw a national park, and met up with some fellow MG people.

Wayne driving

Visiting the Charcoal Ovens near Ely

Camping at Great Basin National Park

Hiking - Great Basin National Park

Great Basin - I'm 27 weeks pregnant here!

Lehman Cave - Great Basin National Park

MGs in Ely

Right Fork Canyon Hike

Right Fork Canyon....Ugh
This was one of our first hikes in the Rubies. The hike was gorgeous. We did it in late June, so there were lots of water and flowers. However, the we couldn't find the trail at several points, making it frustrating and tiring. This hike we thought would be relatively easy, so we only brought a liter of water. After the 4 or 5 hours it took us, we were feeling shaky and in need of some recuperation. Next time we go, we plan to bring some garden snippers and perhaps some old rags to better mark the trail.
There is a huge population of mice in the Rubies, which I got used to quite quickly. However, I wasn't so relaxed after I stepped directly on top of one at the top of the canyon!
The trail goes up through the canyon to a nice large cirque containing lots of water and vegetation.



Distance: 4 Miles, but highly debatable.

Thomas Canyon

Fall colors in Thomas Canyon

We took a nice hike up Thomas Canyon. Very nice trail with a stream, beaver dams, and a flat, hanging valley at the top.

Unnamed Falls

This hike is very short and very steep. We assumed there would be a trail, but we were only able to follow it about 300 feet. From there it is basically straight up for a quarter to a half mile, then a short ways along the cayon wall to a high waterfall. You hike to the base of the falls, were there is also a memorial for two people who I believe fell off a cliff near this waterfall.

Lamoille Falls

Lamoille Falls was our first hike in the Ruby Mountians. Short, pretty, and covered with Arrowleaf Balsamroot. The 'hike' is only about a quarter of a mile, and goes up Lamoille Creek to the roaring falls.

Lamoille Lake Hike

Lamoille Lake is probably the most popular trail in the Ruby Mountains. You start at the parking lot at the end of the scenic road up Lamoille Canyon. Our first hike to the lake was on July 3rd and there was still lots of snow to hike through. Our second hike was July 31st, and we had a gorgeous day with lots of wildflowers along the trail. Wayne went swimming in the frigid lake, while Wayne's sister, Joanna and I sunned ourselves and took some photos. On both trips, we returned to the parking lot on the 'stock trail,' the trail on the opposite side of the canyon.

Distance (round trip): 4 Miles
Elevation: 900 ft