Robert's Ruby Lake Visit

Rod's dad came to visit us over Labor Day weekend. Fortunately, it coincided with Rod's RDO day, so Rod had a four day weekend, and we make the most of it!

Rod got off work early on Friday and we drove into Elko to pick him up at the airport. We took the dogs along, and got a cheap hotel room, had mexican (what else?), took advantage of a free art reception at the Northeastern Nevada Museum, then caught a movie.

The next day we got up and headed to Lamoille Canyon - one of the most beautiful places we've been here in NV. We definitely wanted to show Robert! It was a GORGEOUS day for a hike!

I was pretty proud of myself - hiking at over 9,000 feet at 8 months pregnant! I was definitely feeling it though - as was Rod's dad, not being used to the elevation. I definitely had a tougher time of it than last time we hiked it with Ambre, Brad and kids near the 4th of July - of course, that was two months ago! Needless to say, we didn't make it nearly as far this time. We did see the Clark's Nutcrackers again, however, which is always a treat, but struck out a second time on large ungulates (no mountain goats or bighorn sheep).

We were going to have lunch at the Pine Lodge Dinner House, but it was closed, so we fell back on one of our faves - Ruby Mountain Pizza Company. Then we headed over Harrison Pass, which Robert was astounded by, to Ruby Lake.

We spent the next three days lounging around the house and sightseeing on the refuge. He couldn't get over the scenery or the wildlife! I think during his visit he saw mule deer, pronghorn, porcupine, coyotes, waterfowl, wading/marsh birds, raptors, Great Basin rattlesnakes - although we did strike out on the Golden Eagles.

On one of our outings I took this photo of the refuge, which I absolutely love:

And we also had a big dust storm one evening, not a rare occurrence across the marsh:

We drove the auto loop twice, went snaking every night, toured the old Fort Ruby, and saw where the old Pony Express trail crosses Ruby Valley Road. We watched a couple of movies, lots of CNN, and just enjoyed each other's company, before I drove him back to the airport on Wednesday. It was a great visit!

Our First Visitors to Ruby Lake

Mom and Dad flew out to visit us in late May/early June, and we were so excited to play hosts! They flew into Salt Lake City, the nearest airport to us (4-4.5 hours away), rented a car and drove out to Ruby Valley. They arrived on Friday May 28 in early evening. We had a busy time planned for them - just how we like it!


Mom had packed an entire carry-on suitcase full of plants, and I was fortunate to have their help in some of our yard beautification projects! They don't let grass grow under their feet - Mom and I got to work right away planting flowers out front! And even though it was almost June, it was COLD!




Here is the water feature I'd already installed in the flower bed, we just planted around it! I've had birds drinking and bathing from it, including a Lewis' Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Lazuli Buntings.

Rod had to contribute to the flower bed too with his own personal touch!

Dad, aka "Durvish Dad", helped around the house too, from washing cars to planting vegetables in the garden to hanging birdfeeders.

Saturday, their first full day, we headed to Lamoille Canyon, also in the Ruby Mountains but about 1.5 hours away. It was absolutely beautiful. We couldn't get that high up into the canyon, however, due to heavy snow pack covering the road.






We did get really close to a porcupine, who seemed completely unconcered with our presence...



... and we saw a whole herd of mountain goats!

Sunday we got up and headed towards the Utah border to Great Basin National Park, a little over 3 hours away. To do this, we headed south to Ely and traveled on Highway 50, the "Loneliest Highway in America".



However, we all agreed that the road taking us south out of Ruby Valley and through Long Valley was MUCH lonelier!




We did pass a small group of "wild horses" on the way.



These are very controversial out here. The BLM and the Humane Society of the United States are always fighting about these horses. They are truly feral horses, that have been living free on the open range for decades. There are many facets to the issue - from them not having adequate water or food on the open range and thus starving, to the case that they are destroying habitat, to the possibility that they are competing with native wildlife as well as cattle. As an ecologist, I totally see a case for the fact that these are non-native introduced species that shouldn't be here as they unnaturally alter the ecosystem and affect the wildlife living in it. However, for every feral horse out there there must be HUNDREDS of cows, so it seems ridiculous to me to take on the issue of eliminating horses for the minimal damage they may be causing, when the effect on the environment from cattle is astronomical. Until grazing is addressed, talking about the horses seems absurd.

Here we are, at GBNP!



We drove up Wheeler Peak scenic drive (at over 13,000 feet, it is the second tallest peak in Nevada) and debated hiking to the top, but here's what we encountered:



Hmmm... maybe we'd better not. Instead we found a lower elevation trail - Pole Canyon:



We stayed at the Silver Jack Inn, which was really a trailer converted into very simple rooms.




And we ate at the Lectrolux Cafe - an eclectic little restaurant/bakery/gifty shop that I loved!



Here, we celebrated Mom's birthday!



Monday we headed back to Ruby Valley, and Tuesday I had an OB appointment in Elko. While there, we visited the Northeast Nevada Museum and saw the original Pony Express cabin, which used to sit on the south end of the refuge.



We also ate at The Star - a Basque restaurant/hotel started one hundred years ago as a safe haven and socializing spot for Basque sheepherders who had settled the area. The food is served family style - cabbage soup, salad with a creamy garlic dressing, bread and butter, and french fries for all - plus whatever main course (usually a garlic-laden meat such as steak or lamb) you order. (Except for me - I just do the sides!)



We spent Wednesday - Friday bumming around the refuge. We got a tour of the Gallagher State Fish Hatchery, where I spotted a bird never before seen in Nevada (see following post). We planted my vegetable garden. We drove the refuge auto loop (more than once). We hiked Cave Creek trail, and walked the dogs around the refuge roads.



Dad hiked up to the top of the mountain behind our house. Mom helped me do some baby preparation. It was nice to just spend time together.

When driving the auto route, this Killdeer frantically hopped up and down, capturing our attention and luring us away from her nest - which we weren't sure about where it was located, but upon further investigation Dad found the four small speckled eggs, right in the middle of the road.

We also got some great looks of a Short-eared Owl!

Saturday, Mom, Dad and I headed to Salt Lake City, leaving Rod behind for a long three weeks by himself. We toured the Mormon/LDS Temple Square area in the middle of SLC. We had two very nice "sisters" who gave us a tour, and learned a lot about the Mormon religion. It was a great week!

It's Official - We've Been Nevada Residents for 1 Month!

Saturday marked the 1 month mark from the day we arrived in Ruby Valley. I would say we're feeling pretty settled in and at home, despite the huge changes in our lives! We've unpacked most of the boxes, been to Elko shopping for groceries, etc. a few times, been socializing with our new friends and neighbors, and Rod is into the routine of up and at 'em bright and early to head to work.

We've had quite a bit of snow this week in Nevada! Rod's FWS uniforms arrived, so after a big snow last Sunday we went out and took pictures (which, amazingly, Rod suggested, and those of you who know Rod know this is SO unlike him!). He looks pretty darn cute in those browns doesn't he?

Here is Rod's office, and his charge - Ruby Marsh:

Poor Rod - he had quite the day Wednesday. He drove 3 hours south, past the Maverick mountain range, to Ely, to obtain a government ID badge. Upon arrival, the lady couldn't login to her computer. After trying for 2+ hours, she sent him back to Ruby Lake! Sigh - what a day. He had to drive back in the snow and the dark. It was pretty white knuckle, and he was tired when he got home! I think next time he's going to try Salt Lake City. Maybe he'll have more luck there!

The Gallagher Fish Hatcher down the road got a new employee 2 weeks after we arrived, and he has a wife and son. So, on Thursday, the refuge and hatchery had a welcoming potluck for both us and them at the bunkhouse. It was so nice! We got to meet three other close neighbors of ours too.

On Saturday, Eric, Rod and I headed to Elko for the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. We checked out the vendors at the Red Lion Casino before heading to the Northeast Nevada Museum.

Outside the museum is the

which used to be actually located on the south end of the refuge.



From here, we headed to the Western Folklife Center, then onto the Convention Center for some Rowdy Rodeo Rhymes. We got a pretty good taste I think of the cowboy poetry before calling it a night and heading home, when we stopped by Jeff's for some refreshments and to watch "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt".