Hi everyone! Well, I just wanted to give a big shout out to all the participants of TNT2021. I think we all had a really amazing time and had some really fun experiences, made some new friends and traveled to some amazing places in Nevada and California. Instead of a long winded story, I will just give you the highlights with each uploaded photo. Hope to see you all next year, when we do Trans Idaho Trek on the TIT2022.... Wait, maybe we should do Montana instead. Okay, yes TMT2022! Trans Montana Trek! Stay tuned for details!
Departure day. All packed up and ready to roll!
All the personal belongings packed up and we're off!
Travel through Central Oregon was a bit daunting with the nearby wildfires.
A quick stop for a photo op of a huge wildfire plume in the background.
After a very long, hot and smokey drive through South Central Oregon, we made it to The Alvord Desert. To celebrate our arrival, Liz and Janel toast with a cool, adult beverage!
If The Alvord wasn't epic enough, the spectacular sunsets topped it all off. Here, Michelle takes a creative shot of our star, setting in for the night.
More to come!
Danno
T.J. - No real alternate routes were necessary, for the most part. The remote roads in Nevada are a little more forgiving than the PNW.
Dan
After reading this and looking at the pictures more carefully, I'm impressed that @Byron Benson brought the trailer for most of the route. Benny, did you have to take alternate routes? I'm not afraid of gravel with our trailer - that is how we did our Alaska trip in summer 2019. Let's do some glamping together :-)
Awesome documentation, thank you for sharing!
The following day, we made it to Fort Churchill State Park, we got there a little early and there were plenty of camp spots, so we decided to go adventure into Virginia City for a little sight seeing. Fun, turn of the century town.
The streets are narrow and the boardwalks lined the entire street on both sides.
Now, after leaving Virginia City, we haded back to Ft. Churchill to camp for the night. Oi! it was super hot. But, we colled off with the sounds of Rick, strumming his guitar to a little Peter Murphy. Was a great night indeed.
On to South Lake Tahoe! Where we would enjoy a day spent with our new friend, Aaron Hagar. Son of Sammy Hagar, his custom Rat Rod shop, The Rat Runners Garage, has a collection of some of Aaron's creations, art, retro vehicles and motor bikes and some family heirlooms. Notably, his Defender 110 was the true eye candy.
Aaron take factory made motor vehicles and bikes and puts his artistic touch on each piece. Here, a Ducati Scrambler with some of Aaron's leather work on the saddlebags, seat and grips.
Aaron's signature custom Aprilia motorbike.
Aaron's 1961 Triumph.
A Ukrainian Dnepr with side car.
The Defender 110 masterpiece.
A piture of his dad, adorns his working shop/museum.
Here, Aaron and I stop for a quick photo opportunity,
And, last but not least, Pesto, Aaron's French Bull Dog, beat to hell with all the people from the TNT2021 visiting. All in all, it was a great trip and I am looking forward to next year.
Peace out!
Danno
Seriously, who wouldn't love this place. So tranquil and serene.
These pesky rain squalls threatened, but never really affected us much at all.
Sunset nears on the first night at Pyramid Lake.
A little Filet Mignon for dinner tonight!
Chef James getting 'er done!
Our first gorgeous Pyramid Lkae sunset.
The NWOL Resort on Pyramid Lake.
John and June enjoying the beautiful sunset colors.
The next day, we were so awestruck with the location and lack of humans that we decided to stay another night. A decision that was profoundly a sound one.
That evening, these little critters came out to give us a warning. And, noted! Bring your shoes up into the tent.
More to come!
Danno
Destination, Jungo Road. As soon as we left the Overland route along the Eastern side of the BRD, we had to navigate over a set of railroad tracks that had limited access. We followed Jungo Road for a spell until I discovered a rail crossing, so I went and checked out how viable it was going to be to get all of us across the ribbins of steel.
After a quick stop at an emigrant era RR station, we made our way to the RR crossing.
Sweet Land Rover Defender desert art.
Finally, made it to the RR crossing. This would bring us onto the BRD playa.
After a successful RR crossing, James and Dan celebrate our arrival to The Black Rock Desert.
Camp setup on the West side of the Playa. There were some thunder heads moving in, so we thought it would be best to hug the playa shore in the event of an unscheduled egress.
The next morning, we all dispersed one by one. I, of course, wanting to enjoy every last minute of the BRD, decided to hang back for a bit and soak it all in.
We all met at the next day's camp on Pyramid Lake. All I can say is wow. We had the best spot on the South end of the lake. Here, I am waiting for a few rain squalls to pass over before setting up camp.
GPS locating home for the next two nights.
Not one single motor craft on the lake. Reminded me of camping on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California.
Amazing sky and still, very warm. Closing in around 90 degrees F.
More to come!
Danno
Saturday evening HH with the crew on The Alvord Playa.
Had a visitor from the BLM stay with us on the playa Saturday night. Really cool guy that had some great data and info from the insider's POV.
Rick's New Defender at home on the playa.
Benny and Janel brought their mega-hotel for all to admire. Very sweet setup!
James and Liz, hunkering down for the evening in the Front Runner 2.5M awning and annex setup.
The flagship on its first night of camp.
The following morning, we rolled out and headed to The Black Rock Desert. Taking an overland route was to shave off about an hour and a half from taking the asphalt route. Super fun drive along the NE side of The Black Rock Wilderness Area.
Here, The Allied Nevada-Hycroft Mine in the distance. All gold and silver mining at this location.
More to come!
Danno