Driving through Nevada into Utah

Yellowstone and Beyond: 2018 Roadtrip traveling in a Small RV

View 2018 Yellowstone and beyond... on Two On The Go's travel map.

Thursday, May 3, Battle Mountain to West Wendover, Utah Border

Nevada desert with snow-capped mountains

As our journey continues, there are more high deserts, a few cows, lots of flat stretches of HW 80 interrupted by mountain ranges like Lamoille, Ruby Mountains.
Shortly before reaching West Wendover, we climbed a high mountain to 6900 ft! Surrounded by forest, this range must have a rich wildlife since I saw 3 WILDLIFE BRIDGES and rejoiced that the communities were caring enough to prevent the senseless slaughter of crossing dear, elk and cats and other on the highways. Later in my travel I will see more wildlife bridges in the mountains of Colorado.

Wildlife Bridge over Highway 80

Big Thank You to those states that cherish their forests and wildlife and help them thrive!!

We stopped in West Wendover, the last stop before the Utah border. Like many communities in Nevada, West Wendover is full of casinos but since it is the last stop before leaving Nevada, it has some real big ones. Our plans were to stop at one, have a nice dinner at the casino and stay overnight at the casino parking.

At the Casino

Our 4 RVs parked at the far end, we had a quiet night!

Early Morning over the Nevada Desert

Friday, May 4, West Wendover to Antilope Island State Park the Great Salt Lake.

Leaving the Casino park early, about 60+ miles through the Bonneville Salt Flats and the flats near the Wasatch Mountains and ultimately the Great Salt Lake awaited. This stretch of highway is lonely with no towns or amenities. I finally hit a community named Toelle with a travel center and a Denny’s at around 10 am for a welcome brunch. Good wifi, so I read my emails and news and enjoyed a couple of cups of coffee.

Salt Flats

Although circumventing Salt Lake City, the midday traffic north was heavy until I veered off to the causeway to Antilope Island. It is a large island on the east side of the Great Salt Lake and it is famous for its bison herd. I had visited Antelope Island some 10 years ago but due to heavy thunder and rain storm I left without seeing the bison. This time, our plans called for 2 nights with a nice rest on the island. These plans were derailed once I reached the Visitor Center – almost always my first stop when available – and exited from my BigGirl. A swarm of No See Ums, tine black biting flies, and mosquitoes engulfed me. It was terrible. All other visitors wore head nets and I make a beeline to the gift shop where these nets were sold. So at least your face, neck and ears were protected. I immediately texted my friends to do the same!

Our campsites campsite had a full view of the lake, a shade cover over the table and firepit, but unfortunately none were used since we were eaten alive! Poor Nikki had so many bites that night that her tummy was red polka doted! Inside of BigGirl, it was hot and I could not open doors or windows for the swarm of biting insects.

Bison on the Beach of Antilope Island

Nevertheless, during the afternoon, Sissy and I and our 2 dogs explored the island on either side and visited the historic ranch. Although not close, the bison were there in the distance, some had already dropped their calves with their characteristic orange coats quite visible among the adults. We further visited the Historical ranch on the East side of the Island that is now a museum where we could see and imagine life 100 years ago.

Despite the No-See-Ums, we doned our head nets and ventured out for a walk as well in search of birds, flowers and of course bison: