Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain

    As a kid I remember going here spending the day playing in the sand and coming home spending the next week getting sand out of places I didn't know I had. I always wondered if everyone came home with sand in thier britches how long before there would be no mountain? I guess thats why they now charge a service fee(to replace all sand people take home). Actually over the years there have been so many accidents and so many ATVs going in areas they shouldn't, it became necessary. In my day if someone got hurt there was no phone to call for help and difficult to get to someone hurt, as there were no paved roads.

    Sand Mountain is an area well-known to ATV enthusiasts from all over the world. There is now a paved road all the way to the base of the mountain where you will find amenities such as restrooms and limited camping. Watch for speed DIPS and it is a service fee area. For further information:

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/sand_mountain.html

They do not offer day passes, only weekly or by the year. $40 per week and $90 per year. As to why they do not offer a day pass it is better to go thier web site above and read it for your self.

There are other things you can do that don't cost such as one of the side trails that leads to an old Pony Express Station.

Very educational.

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Of all the places near Fallon, Nevada Stillwater is my favorite place to go. Just 18 miles east of Fallon is a place where you can find more wildlife than you can shake a stick at. The last mile is dirt road, but well maintained. Here you will find an elivated viewing area with wheelchair access, and restrooms.

There is also an auto touring loop (maintained dirt road) that loops around one of the marsh areas. There are self guided tours with well marked trails. Some of my best selling photos have been taken here.

I suggest that you aproch the area slowly so as not to scare off the wild life more than need be. Some things you might want to bring with you are as follows.

1. Plenty of drinking water.
2. It is a marsh so plenty of bug spray.
3. shade, like a big hat or umbrela.
4. spotting scope, binoculars or camera with telephoto lens.
5. cellphone in case of emergency
The larger animals and birds will try to maintain thier distance, but if you are patient and quite they will sometimes get quite close. Early morning is the best time as the animals like to avoid the heat as much as you do. Don't be in a hurry to get from point A to point B, many of the animal you come across will be unexpected. If you are moving to fast your likely to miss them all together.

Some of the most interesting critters are very small and although driving is required to get to some places, walking is best.



damsilfly






Giant wasp

Be aware of your surroundings, watch where you are walking. I have never come across rattle snakes but I have seen black widow spiders in bushes. If you come across a snake, do not kill it. Nine times out of ten its a bull snake (non-poison) and all snakes are part of nature. Avoid the snake if you can and only kill a snake if you must A.K.A(it bites you and the doctor needs to know what kind of snake bit you.) As I said before bug spray is a good idea, not just for mosquitoes, but for ticks and other biting insects. Try not to brush up against bushes to avoid ticks and when your done visiting, check each other for ticks. If you bring your dog with you, a flea and tick collar is a must. 



Tick infested jack rabbit

Churchill County Museum

Churchill County Museum

In our latest quest for things to do in Fallon, Nevada, we vist the Churchill County Museum . One of the few things in life that is still free, but they do take donation. Of all the museums in the state of Nevada , the Churchill County Museum has always impressed me.  

Many of the local families have donated to this Museum, including my own family. The museum covers a great many subjects and there's sure to be something of interest for everyone. From prehistoric fossils to

    Churchill County's early history can be found in this Museum. It is visited by people from all over the world and includes periodic tours to outlying places such as hidden caves and downtown walking tours . Located at 1050 South Maine Street in Fallon, Nevada.  Museum hours are Monday through Friday 10 AM to 5 PM closed Sunday and holidays. For further information  you can visit http://www.ccmuseum.org/ or call 775-423 - 3677 to get current hours and information on events and tours.

    And while you are there don't forget to check out the woolly mammoth bones that my uncle Alvin found by Lake Lahontan.