Farewell to Elko

Sunday morning ... up at sunset (photo on the right). Not too cold, no remarkable snowfall, just fine conditions for our drive back to Reno. 

We were exhausted from our previous busy days at the NCPG, with our brains spinning and filled with new ideas and inspirations. It's been great again, and, we were already thinking of attending the 40th edition of the festival next year again. 

 On the way out of town we stopped at the California Trail Interpretive Center, a fantastic museum, talking about the early settlers' trails to the west. Between 1841 and 1869, up to 250,000 people sold their belongings, packed wagons, and set out for the west to establish a better life there. 

With interactive exhibitions (pic above), full-size scenes and films this museum gives a good idea about the unforgettable histories of those who endured this 2,000 mile trek. Also, the outside exhibitions with quotes and old relicts are very interesting.

After our visit we headed out - due to snow in the forecast, we took Interstate 80 again instead of an alternate route. 

Until we reached Winnemucca, all was fine, roads dry, views great, few traffic. Starting further west towards Reno, the second half of the trip, it started snowing, first only a bit, then more and more, and, the closer we got to Reno the more it snowed. In the outskirts of Reno even main streets were snow-covered and slickery. Fortunately, it was not too cold yet, so it didn't freeze, but became slushy and slippery and we were glad about our heavy car.

Out of necessity, we decided to not go for any car excursions anymore, stopped at Walmart, got us dinner provisions, and called it a day after check-in into the Eldorado in downtown Reno. Pic above shows view from the bridge between parking garage and our hotel in downtown Reno.