Road Trip Day One: Minden to SunValley, Idaho
All packed up and ready to go!
Pulling out of the driveway was exciting!
First stop, Rye Patch Dam, a reservoir resort on Nevada's Humboldt River.
I learned that invasive species are a problem for Nevada's lakes. Animals like quagga mussels & New Zealand mud snails and plants like milfoil can destroy a lake habitat.
Rye Patch is a beautiful place and we wished we had more time to enjoy it!
Passing through Battle Mountain
Stopped at Beowawe, just west of Elko...
...and learned about the California Trail. For 30 years, wagon trains made there way through Nevada. You can still see the ruts from their wheels carved in the rocky terrain. In 1868, the railroad was completed, and the era of wagon trains ended.
East of Elko, the colors of the fall leaves in the Ruby Mountains were amazing!
And finally...we arrive in Idaho!
The Snake River Gorge!
More from Idaho tomorrow!
I loved what you shared about invasive species. This was a huge problem in Hawaii...non-native Limu, which is seawead, was introduced by ships from other countries and it was taking over the native seaweeds that were "Endemic". Meaning, it ONLY grew in Hawaii and was important to Hawaiian culture, food, and way of life. Sooooo, the university of Hawaii discovered a sea urchin that would eat only the invasive type of seaweed, and started a project where classrooms would raise this type of sea urchin, study it, and then release it into the wild to munch away on the bad seaweed. It was awesome!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Linford, Thanks for the post! You're the first ever person to comment on my blog! Very interesting about the problem with Limu seaweed. And what a great solution! It does make me think about what might happen from introducing a new sea urchin... :) "Endemic", that's a new word for me...and a good one! Miss you! Thanks for keeping in touch!
Delete