Disappointment in Nevada

This year which has less than 2 months to end has been quite disappointing in so many different aspects. I failed to get my CWB Level I Inspector Certificate, which is not a big deal and everyone can get it. I asked the Blue Eyed Lady out and she said no! and I had two miserable failed hikes! I have written about the first one and now I have to add another one: Boundary Peak! 

Boundary peak, as the name suggests is a mountain at Nevada-California border and we had a failed attempt this morning! Why? Because we selected a wrong time of the year and didn't have the right gear! We left the town of Tonopah early enough in the morning but there were two major issues which both stem from the same source: Snow! The piece of sh*t Ford SUV (Explorer ST) that we had rented and that was because Alphonse didn't feel like he should have driven his fancy Porsche SUV(!) was useless because it was skidding and then got stuck in snow like a stubborn mule in mud! We were lucky that we were able to get it out and parked it at the side of the very narrow road and walk up. 

Hiking up wouldn't have been the right decision because the snow was too much. Alphonse suggested to go up because he felt that we had come for nothing all this way. We went up for as high as 100 m. and then I decided to go back. I didn't want to walk in snow when I had no gaiter and even boots! We went back to Tonopah and had our lunch at Burger King. Then we checked the old cemetery and then our last stop was the mining park in the town. We thought now that we had failed our main goal then we shall at least see around the town. 

A view from the top of the hill which used to be the mine with both the Sate of Nevada and American flag

The mine at the time brought some glory to at-the-time struggling area. Gold, Silver, Lead and Copper for years brought wealth to the area which is estimated up to $2 Billion worth based on today's inflation. Unfortunately places such as this which as kilometers away from a major entertainment center (Las Vegas) don't get enough attention. How in the State of Nevada, which has a revenue of more $5.44 Billion, and that's all from different entertainments, would go to a small town, 3 hours northwest to see a mine which ceased its operation more than 100 years ago?!

Our dinner, which was after a break, mostly for Alphonse who wanted to have a nap, was served to us at this place called Hometown Pizza but that was a let down too! We were happy that the place had a Salad Bar and that was despite the fact that nothing, except two or three items looked very fresh, but when the Pizza was brought over and we each tried a slice there was nothing but the word bland. The sauce, the cheese and no other ingredients had taste. It was like your were chewing something without tasting anything. I'm not going to write more about the place but adding that you shall stay away. That a disappointing food experience added to a disappointing day! 

(Photo, top: This is part of the Queen Canyon road which takes you to the trail-head of the Boundary Head but we had to walk up due to the amount of the snow. The damn SUV was not going up)