The list of what we didn't have time to do . . .

. . . is longer than the list of what we did manage to squeeze in while we were camped at Pioche.  We fully intend to return there; the señor wanted to do it in July, but we've opted for Utah then, my choice, and leaving Lincoln County for next fall perhaps.  One week was sufficient only to whet our appetites; there is much more to enjoy in the area.

We did get in three days of fishing, and enjoyed our time doing just that at Eagle Valley and Echo Canyon lakes.  Our catches included rainbow and tiger trout - tiger trout are a hybrid that is produced and stocked there, although why the powers that be would want to stock hybrids is beyond me.

We had hesitated because of the cost of licenses, having only a choice of one-year or one-day non-resident, but discovered the purchase of a one-day license allowed for a discount on consecutive days, slightly easier on the pocketbook.

 

 

 

 

 

While fishing, of course we were aware of the diverse avian life we found on the waters and overhead.  One treat was a pair of golden eagles gliding lazily above us.  I first noticed them when a raven was noisily diving at one of them.  Interesting to watch when the eagle kept rolling over to turn its talons toward the bird attacking it from above.  

Other birds we added to the trip list there included osprey, eared grebe, ring-necked duck, ring-billed gull, tern (probably Forster's), spotted sandpiper and a surprising life bird for us: red-breasted merganser.

A surprise . . . 

On one of our drives, we called a halt on the road to convince a very large bull snake not to remain on the pavement where it was sure to meet its demise.  It was quite cross with our efforts, displaying said displeasure with plenty of hissing and striking.

 

 

In the process of halting traffic for the snake, we met the local fish & game ranger who later told us that she patrols seven reservoirs.  Because I only knew about two in the area, I questioned her, discovering that five more are at a distance on the White River.

 

Although it involved a longish drive, curiosity required satisfaction, so we were off and gone to see what was to be seen.  We located the lakes strung one after the other on the river alright.  Fishing access on the reed-infested waters was limited to the dikes, but with fierce winds coming right at us, it was not feasible.  We did see large flocks of yellow-headed blackbirds there, having been surprised not to see any at the other lakes.  An unexpected bird flew up right in front of us from the marsh in which it had been secreted: a white-faced ibis.  We also saw the only great-tailed grackle of the trip.

 

Never mind, though, that fishing can be for another time.  The prize we found was when we saw a small sign for Hot Creek Spring, a definite attention-getter.  As it turns out, the name was a bit over the top, but the place was an absolute delight - the highlight of the week without a doubt.

So . . . Hot Creek's water is a temperate temperature - incredibly clear aqua-tinted.  One look was all it took: we were suited up in a flash and immersed up to our necks in the pristine stream.

 

One fellow bather was a young Chinese fellow who has evidently been wandering homeless for some time, but who was an interesting quiet companion.  Frank had walked upstream to the main spring pool.  When he told us about it, we three decided to go there in a more watery way.  The creek's depth varied from knee to hip depth; in order to remain warmly immersed and out of the wind, we adopted our own versions of pulling ourselves forward with our hands and/or a sort of crouch walk.  It was just lovely being in that crystal creek moving slowly upstream around sparse growths of reeds and occasional floating islands of vegetation.  

Hot Creek is home to an endangered fish, the tiny Moorman White River springfish.  Evidently, those pretty little fish exist in only three places in the world: Hot Creek, where we swam, and two other Nevada springs.

I simply could not stop laughing as we made our way upstream, actually something of a workout, as the striped minnows seemed completely unperturbed by our presence.

 

 

 

The pool surrounding the origin spring is about 40 feet across.  Its depth allowed me to stand with water up to my neck; in the center where the spring burbles out of the earth, it is closer to 15-20 feet deep.  The señor dove into it for a look-see and said the cavern has overhanging sides all around.  The color is a deep brilliant turquoise there - positively gorgeous!

My very big regret is that I did not take more photos there, and none of the spring pool.  Below is the lower pond, all of it beautiful.  We will definitely return to spend more time.

 

In true Nevada fashion, there is another warm spring pool nearer to where we camped, pictured below.  It is not in as pristine location, but we nevertheless intended to sample its bathing water also.  Unpleasantly cool winds dogged us for most of the week, and in the end, we ran out of time for that activity.

We did meet a nice family who were just finishing their swim despite the wind.  They said it was lovely until they emerged wet in the wind.  They were from Saskatchewan, originally natives of the Czech Republic - a couple with a sweet daughter aged 11 months and 27 days.

 

During our week, we saw lots of elk, lots of deer, and exactly two pronghorn.

Nevada's open range laws allow cattle to freely roam across roadways.  This cow was completely unmooooved by our wish to get on down the road.

 

 

Of the many things we would have liked to do but didn't manage was to take an on-foot tour of the historic buildings extant in Pioche itself.  One interesting and surprising survivor of the old silver mining days is an ore car tramway that sits still exactly as it was when last used long years ago.  It transported ore from the mines on Treasure Hill above town to the smelter just below.

 

 

 

Home today, to see how our gardens are faring and hope the little bunny that had found its way into the yard has not eaten up our flowers.  While we have plenty of reptiles residing back there, I have never seen a black lizard such as we saw in Nevada.

Cliff rose and mallow were in full bloom while we were in our neighboring state, but little else.