Trip Report #20 April 2003 Mizpah Hotel, Wooly Worms and Memorial Day around Nevada

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The sternwheeler Tahoe Queen presents, “Mark Twain’s Tales of Tahoe,” a daily two hour and 15 minute Emerald Bay cruise departing at 2:30 pm daily and starring McAvoy Layne as the Ghost of Twain. The series starts Memorial Day and runs through the middle of September with John Benneth portraying the Master on McAvoy's days off. For ticket information call 1-800-238-2463.
The sternwheeler Tahoe Queen presents, “Mark Twain’s Tales of Tahoe,” a daily two hour and 15 minute Emerald Bay cruise departing at 2:30 pm daily and starring McAvoy Layne as the Ghost of Twain.

Our item last time on Tonopah’s Mizpah Hotel prompted this note from Realtor Trish Rippie: “I think if someone wanted to come in and do everything up first class all at once, $2 million is probably right. That is, if you wanted to tear down the old Fun Palace and pave all the parking lots, put in a first class casino and bankroll it, plus all new linens, dishware, kitchenware and some new furnishings, plus stocking the bars and restaurants, advertising, signage and on and on.

It just depends on how someone wants to go about it. I’d much rather see someone come in with a couple of million to spare than someone trying to cut corners and do it on the cheap.”

If you’ve got a couple of mil to spend after buying the place for $1.5, here’s an informative brochure about the fabulous Mizpah, densely illustrated with photos. You don’t have to be a serious buyer to enjoy this detailed description of the historic hotel.

And our helpful Pyramid Lake fishing tips last time prompted this -ps- from John Packer at Lake Tahoe: “For fishing at Pyramid I like using a wooly worm attached to a stick of dynamite. . . .”

Memorial Day has always been a big deal on the Nevada calendar, and the cemeteries of the state will be decorated with flowers and flags. Departed friends and family, especially those lost to war, come back to us, however briefly. Since pioneer days, communities around the state have presented a variety of activities and events. Here are some of them for 2003, hopefully in time to for you to plan a Nevada outing. . . .

At 11 am Monday May 26 a remembrance of departed comrades will be held at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Fernley. This moving ceremony represents the true meaning of this day set aside for the treasuring of our memories.
At 11 am Monday May 26 a remembrance of departed comrades will be held at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Fernley. This moving ceremony represents the true meaning of this day set aside for the treasuring of our memories.

At Gold Point, about 20 miles southwest of Goldfield via US 95, Nevada 266 and 774, the Volunteer Fire Department will host their 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off Firemen’s Benefit. “Last year we raised $1500,” write Sheriff Stone and Red Dog Lil.

“This year we’ll have five groups of entertainers singing and pickin’ their instruments

non-stop. We’ll also have 3 shoot-out clubs coming up for showdowns. The Chili Contest is on Sunday but the fun starts on Friday and goes till Monday. For a small donation to the Fire Department you’ll get to taste more chili than you probably

Downtown Gold Point
Downtown Gold Point

should. We are working on one of our fire trucks and it should be up and running before the party. Happy Trails and Sunsets!”

In Ely The Nevada Northern Railway Museum will be running a total of 6 passenger excursion trains during the 3-day Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, May 24 has a steam train at 1 pm and a diesel excursion at 4. Two steam trains will run on Sunday, May 25, at 10 am and 1

The Ghost Train of Old Ely is taking passengers again this summer.
The Ghost Train of Old Ely is taking passengers again this summer.

pm, and will be followed by a special diesel “Wine Train” excursion at 7 pm on Sunday evening. On Memorial Day Monday, May 26. a steam train will depart from the East Ely depot at 10 am.

Run-A-Mucca, Winnemucca’s Motorcycle Rally is May 23-26. Trick Air Extreme seem quite comfortable flying from one ramp to the other doing tricks in mid air. These talented

Mickey Jones comes to Winnemucca after filming the movie "The Fighting Temptations" (also with Cuba Gooding Jr.), due out in August
Mickey Jones comes to Winnemucca after filming the movie “The Fighting Temptations” (also with Cuba Gooding Jr.), due out in August

guys were swarmed by the

kids for autographs and gave a lot of high fives as they rode past during the show. The Winners has a special Runamucca rate — you have to ask for it — stay 2 nights at $35.00 per night and get the 3rd night free. It’s a great rate, and the most convenient place to stay, since many of the events and much of the fun during Run-A-Mucca will happen within a one block radius of the Winners.

Jim Butler Days is the big deal in Tonopah over Memorial DayA girl and her pony in Tonopah

A girl and her pony in Tonopah
Weekend as it has been since the early years of the last century with a Friday Night Street Dance and a Saturday morning parade. Drilling competitions, a Soap Box Derby, Chili Cook-Off and other cheerful events through the weekend.

The Tonopah Historic Mining Park will be having a free weekend during Jim Butler Days on Memorial Day Weekend. Free admission on Friday through Monday. Make your room reservations here.

E-Mail of the Month

This is one of the most user-friendly web sites I have ever used . . . making a hotel reservation is a breeze. Thanks so much.

On Saturday, May 24, you can tour Carson City‘s historic district homes and neighborhoods with costumed guides and enjoy historic re-enactments. Tours leave from Telegraph Square beginning at 9:30 a.m. and depart every half hour, with the last tour leaving at 2:30. $8 adults, $5 seniors and kids under 12, children under 6 FREE. For tickets, additional information or lodging call 1-800-Nevada-1

Laughlin is Fun City, especially during Laughlin River Days, the weekend after Memorial Day.
Laughlin is Fun City, especially during Laughlin River Days, the weekend after Memorial Day.

Laughlin is a great place for having fun and I am a big Fats Waller fan, so I’m snapping my fingers and strutting on down to the Ramada Express where Ain’t Misbehavin’ is playing for 10 days starting Monday

May 26. So unless your feet’s too big, bring your honeysuckle rose and get there, because the joint will be jumpin’.

Across the street at the Flamingo The Comedy Stop is performing two shows nightly, 3 comedians each show, with new comedians changing out each Monday. The following weekend is Laughlin River Days, a citywide boat racing spectacular with a Beach Boys concert May 31.

Does it get any better than this?
Does it get any better than this?

David Walley’s Resort about 1.3 miles from downtown Genoa (oldest settlement in Nevada) is all welcoming guests for a Memorial Day Weekend of peace and quiet in the bubbling hot springs pools with their beautiful views of the surrounding valley and majestic mountains. It’s delightful and serene with lots of amenities: restaurant and deli, massages in a full spa, swimming pool. They have time shares they also use as a hotel open to the public, Yep, that’s the event, peace and quiet, down time from the hustle and bustle that the world shoves down everyone’s throat ! A little slice of heaven.

E-Mail from a website visitor: Spent the night in Beatty at the Phoenix Inn. Very nice, clean, and quiet. Dinner at the Exchange Club – food was good, service pleasant.

Overheard at The Great Basin Brewery in Sparks: “You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.”


David W. Toll

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