Saturday September 8 1979 Virginia City – Pinon Cones – Camel Races
Started for Virginia City about 10 & stopped at Home Lumber Co,. to buy a fiberglas garage door. There is a 1” gap in the one they have. $75 was a bargain Bob thought. Picked up a cute apple juice bottle. On Rt 17 to Virginia City by 11:00. Stopped on way up to pick up pinon cones. Climbed to to of a small mountain, gathering all the way. Could see the several years of weathering on the various cones. This year gree ones just starting to fall. Gorgeous views of Reno from top. MGM Grand always dominates view. 1 ½ hrs collecting and looking at Viriginia City after hair raising curves up the Geiger Grade. Stopped at Cemetery first. Marble tombstones of 1860 not in the least weathered. Drove on into Virginia City and parked fairly close to camel racing area. No more races until 2:30 so walked up to Main Street for hotdogs and Coke. Had a window table and watched 3 parachute jumpers- 1 broke leg when he landed we learned later. Back downhill to camel races. Not very exciting. Only ran about two hundred feet. Two camels at a time. Shootout by Old Depot more exciting. Walked back up to the “Castle”- 1868 home of mine superintendent. Only three families have owned it and each left some of original furniture- but a 500 year old sideboard in Victorian style? Left Virginia City about 8. Had ice cream cone in candy shop and good water there. On way back up Del Monte Lane to view point in Aubrey Harris Park. Blue ranches. Showed slides of Mary Welker’s wedding and Hemmerly reunions and some old 1960 ones I had brought. Bob went for Chinese food for supper. Took two bath waters to get me clean.