VIsiting some sites near Wells, Nevada

On Friday, we decided to try to see a couple of the sites that were near Wells (the closest "town" to where we are staying). 

When we were at the California Trails Interpretive Center (CTIC) on Thursday (https://journeyinamazinggrace.blogspot.com/2022/05/thursday-to-elko-and-california-trails.html), the fellow there had told us about the app he wrote and that we could use it to try to visit a couple of places where we might be able to see wagon wheel ruts.

We used the app to get directions:

It also provided text about what we would see there:

 

We found the "T" post...

"California Trail - Humboldt Wells Route"

"We had to descend a bad hill to get down to the creek, where we nooned near some well springs." -- Byron McKinstry, Aug 10, 1850

View of the 4x4 trail that, I guess, follows the same path as the emigrant trail.

Pretty wildflowers blooming near the trail

California trail marker on the other side of the road

We were following the app directions, heading on to the next location...

...we passed the VOR station for aircraft navigation at the top of the hill...

 ... but we noticed that the directions took us on Metropolis Road. Our friend, Steve, had told us about this odd townsite of Metropolis, that had been built in the first half of the 1900s, but had not figured out that they had no water rights and thus the town met its demise. We decided to detour away from California Trail sites from the mid 1800s to Metropolis:

Plaque at Metropolis

I looked up information about the inscription at the bottom to try to understand the date "June 8, 6018 (2013)" -- you might understand the information better than I have: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Clampus_Vitus

Some sort of "memorial" at the ruins.

"Remember Metropolis

In memory of those valiant pioneers who settled and built a city here, giving so much to us all in their pursuit of happiness and security. Today we enjoy the fruits of their efforts.

The first settlers came in 1910, followed by many others until 1935. Many who lived here aspired to become teachers, lawyers, civic leaders, church leaders, and best of all reared great families in homes where love and happiness filled their lives. May we always remember our Metropolis heritage and beginnings, and may our lives be fuller because of the Metropolis pioneers. May we also forever resolve within our hearts and minds to cherish the memories of the pioneers of Metropolis. Blessed be the name of Metropolis, Nevada throughout the eternities."

 

We think this was the ruins of the school (or maybe hotel).

After our detour to Metropolis, we continued on to the next (and last) stop of the trails tour. We drove part of the way down the rutted dirt road until we decided that we had better walk the rest of the way...

We found the trails marker...

... and what may have been wagon wheel ruts (though I think they may be 4x4 trails now) - and a nice view of the mountain beyond.

We also found some mattresses tossed out beside the trail -- do you think these are left over from the emigrants who were lightening their load as they passed through this area?

We enjoyed our day visiting emigrant trails and a ghost town...

Back at the rig, Carl made stir-fry for dinner:

Yum!

We have enjoyed our time near Wells, Nevada, visiting our friends at Welcome Station RV Park. Our plan is to leave on Tuesday (after Memorial Day) and start heading toward Oregon and Washington where we plan to spend much of the summer.