Movin' in to Ruby Valley - Take 2

On Sunday, Rod and I ventured back into Elko (now that we had plenty of space, coolers, a list of what we knew we needed, etc.), had lunch and did a major shopping trip. Saw lots of wildlife en route: mule deer, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks (including some dark morphs), Prairie Falcons, a Great Horned Owl, and Rod's first good look at a Golden Eagle. Rod was very happy when the DISH network guy came Monday – he was missing TV! Monday night, we had dinner with some people from the valley we'd met at Niki's party. Shauna and Rex had us over, and also there were Stephanie and Marlo and LesAnn (and their kiddos). Shauna made a GREAT mexican meal, and Rod got recruited for the LDS basketball team.

So now he's into week two of his job... finally he's not coming home pondering aloud what in the world he's gotten himself into and doubting his ability to learn this job. It is really overwhelming for him right now, but I have no doubt he'll catch on and do great. One of his major duties is to monitor water levels on the refuge, so he has to drive the levys and take water measurements at several locations.

Friday Marti and her husband Ken came back into town for her retirement party. We all loaded up, and I met Allen, the fourth fish hatchery employee, and we rode with him over Harrison Pass (our first glimpse at this route - we saw around 75 mule deer) to the Jiggs Bar. WHAT an experience! A true cowboy bar. We spent a couple of hours here, socializing with a crew from California making their annual boys' vacation here, before driving into Elko to have supper at Sergio's Mexican. Mmm-mm. On Saturday, Rod and I drove into Elko again. This time we were on a mission to open a bank account so Rod could set up his direct deposit. After, we had lunch then did some more shopping before heading back home. The wildlife was a repeat of last time - lots of raptors and some deer. Makes the 2 hour drive enjoyable! Sunday a technician came out and hooked up our internet – NOW we’re cookin’!

So, week three of living in Ruby Valley-

Tuesday night was book club – Niki took me to introduce me, I’m on my own from here on out! This month the book is The Far Pavilion. I need to order the book and get on it! Wednesday night Jeff had us over to his house for supper: Niki, Ian, Eric, Lowell, Rod and myself. Thursday we all went into town. Everyone had an errand they needed to run, so it just made sense to all go together. Rod and I applied for our Nevada driver’s licenses. We ate at The Star, an historic Basque restaurant, for lunch. The Basque people are sheepherders that came from the Pyrenees region of Spain and France and settled here, and have a fascinating history. Jeff gave us a tour of Elko’s Red Light District – crazy. We picked up some Papa Murphy’s pizza before heading back home, and all got together at Eric’s Thursday night to eat it. Friday afternoon I spent some time with Niki learning about the refuge’s concession (t-shirts, books, etc.) which I am taking over the sales of.

A big event in Elko is the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and the annual event kicked off last night and lasts all week and into next weekend. There was a free showing by Richard Elloyan at the LDS church down the road, and Eric, Rod and I went yesterday to watch him. Rod then stayed and played basketball, and Eric and I came home. Well, Rod realized at about 8 pm as they were about to leave the church to drive home that I’d taken the car keys with me. So, I got in the little Focus and putted up the road to Rex and Shauna’s house, where he’d left his car parked, to take him the keys. The roads were icy and it was snowing, and I mean I went SLOW... it took me about 30 minutes to travel the 12 miles to their house. I only slid once... when a Great-Horned Owl flew twice back and forth in front of my car.

Now we’re heading into our fourth week in Nevada! Rod says we have more of a social life here in this isolated valley than we've ever had, and is hoping for a quiet week to be able to do some of his own unpacking and settling in!