"I think that the Internet - and I do love the free flow of ideas on the 'Net - is like the wild west of the information world."

Vince McMahon

Part 3:

Speaking of the wild west, this past Sunday my journey on Road 2b brought me to what remains of Fort Churchill.  The Fort is part of a 200 acre site that includes camping (20 spaces), hiking trails, bird watching,  and a group area.   The remains of the Fort are in decay.  Built in 1861 it served as military base for 9 years when it was abandoned (hmmm, 'abandoned' does seem to be a theme here) .   The cemetery that sits in front of the Fort contains only the remains of the Buckland family (suppliers to the Fort).  The remains of others who died and were buried at Ft. Churchill were moved to Carson City some years back.

The Fort's history is linked to the fear of white settlers of Native Americans. Two white men up at Pyramid Lake kidnapped two Paiute girls and refused to give then back.  The Indians killed them.  Hmm, seems about right to me but this is now ~ then white folks panicked thinking an Indian reprisal was on its way. That rumor spread and grew that the tribe was amassing and planned to massacre other whites.  The Fort was built in haste and men assigned to protect the settlers. Reinforcements came in from California and attacked the Paiute, forcing the Native Americans to retreat.  Such was life in the Wild West - manifest destiny at work.

 In addition to fighting the Tribes, the Fort was also a stop over for the Pony Express and a station for the Overland Telegraph.

On a more gentle non-violent note, this segment of the Carson River valley makes for great birding.  My trusty binoculars and I saw a variety of birds there including: egrets, a loggerhead shrike (a first sighting for me), a golden eagle, herons, hawks and wood ducks.  Next time I'll bring a tripod, a picnic, a patient friend and lots of bottled water as it is hot and dry from end of May through September.  And lest I forget ~ bring a fishing pole!

(to be continued one more time)

“Water, water, water....There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount , a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be.” 
― Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness
                                                                                                

I think these signs should have a post-script - "those with bad backs and/or weak bladders should stick to the main road!".   

Part One:
Sunday...my day off.  Four hours to explore the nooks and crannies of this part of the desert.   I drove my trusty little Subaru across Hwy 50 ("The Loneliest Highway in American") onto a short paved road that quickly becomes rutted and washboard dirt road heading toward the North East.  The little road, it turns out, follows the Carson River.  Much of the land is posted.  The river valley is green, shady and pleasant in stark contrast to the barren mountain range that stand on either side of the road.  

This is open range land or so the signs proclaim but I did not see a single head of cattle or wild horse on said open land.    Perhaps they took to heart the "Keep Out" signs.

This little trip took me to the remains of Fort Churchill and then onward to Lahontan Recreation area.  A few photos of the the first part of the trip (Highway 50 to Rt 2b to Fort Churchill).  It was reminder that if the balance is maintained...there is enough water for life in the desert.

Then just beyond these restful places is an area that contains larger fenced areas that appear to be used for cattle round-up.  No people nor cattle found there on Sunday...

The desert is quick to reclaim what is not watered:

To be continued...