Wednesday, February 6, 2008

STEAK AND EGGS. AND HANDLEBAR MOUSTACHES.

At dawn we set out from Seattle for Elko, NV, to attend (or more accurately, work at) the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. It was clear and dry in Seattle, but snowy as we reached Snoqualmie Pass.


And it got snowier.

And snowier.

We drove 40 mph for 6 hours. The drive we planned on doing in one day took two. We spent a warm, clear evening in Boise, and overnight the snow caught up with us. We woke to sun and icy roads, although the ice melted soon enough.


Hwy 93 is the better road that runs between Twin Falls, ID and Wells, NV, but the road was closed at Jackpot due to blowing snow. We spent five hours loitering in a casino until they reopened the road. It was good to finally see the Humboldts on the horizon.



Elko is full of cool old motels. We stayed at The Centre.
















I have never eaten so many casino meals in a week, and I certainly hope I never do again.


It snowed every day.


No visit to Elkotown is complete without a Basque meal.

Mining Pride.


Sally loves her pink coat.





That's a spit trough there, where you rest your boots.

A certain filmmaker was in town running a roving, small-town film contest/workshop. He was fond of wearing this coyote on his head. The bartender made him move his "pet."


Jerritt the Shark had no mercy on me at the Tiki Hut.









On Saturday night we went to the dance.

This child is the best yodeler I have ever heard.


Jessica is the official photographer of the Gathering. Christina coordinates all the educational programs.


Everyone wanted to dance except Anders, so he got to hold everyone else's drinks.



Teddi is the most adorable cowgirl.



Jerritt's folks have Jackson's (more svelte) cousin cat.

Yes! That is my long-lost TS!

She's been living it up in the high desert.







After a delicious brunch with TS, Jerritt, and Jerritt's folks, we got back in the car and headed northwest through the snowy landscape, back to Seattle.


What is it about Wells, NV? It is such a weird, little vortex, and seems to get more snow then anywhere else.

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