8 June - Downtown Elko, Mining Expo, Museum, Casino

8 June
This morning we headed downtown Elko NV which is actually about 10 miles west of the campground.  I'm glad we had to opportunity to stay an extra night so we had today to check out the area.  Elko has long connections to the old west, the California Trail and gold mining.  Being in Nevada, it is also full of casinos!

We started out at the Elko Visitor Center to get information on the sights.  Some years ago a set of very old pioneer log buildings were donated to the city and moved here.  The Visitor Center is located in what used to be the house.  

The Visitor Center

Schoolhouse

Pioneer house kitchen area

Log construction

We then headed across the City Park to the area surrounding the Elko Convention Center where the Elko Mining Expo was set up.  This is a huge event for the city, held once a year and we just happen to be here for it.  It is a gathering of vendors who supply products to the mining industry.  Everything from pumps to heavy equipment, safety equipment, blasting products, lighting, generators, footwear, tools, and on and on.  Each vendor had a tent and there were rows and rows of them, each with their own give-a-ways of course.  Koozies, pens, Frizbees, bottled water, etc.  

Vendor after vendor.

Serious earth moving equipment.  Caterpillar also had many displays 

This looks like it would be fun!

Some of our treasures!!

We then walked over to the Northeast Nevada Museum and walked through various displays of Nevada history

Inside the Pony Express Station 

Interesting display on the California Trail.

A printing press set-up similar to what Doreen's grandfather Schwandt used to use.

Stage Coach delivers the mail

Beautiful peacock.

Hey Bullwinkle, wanna see me pull a rabbit out of my hat?

Students here identifying the various animals.

Remember me?  I stepped out from under your camper last year!!

They sure have put a lot of work into these displays

Just hanging around in Elko NV!

We then headed further downtown to the Stockmen's Casino as Doreen had won and free dinner there.  

We went inside and Doreen played a slot machine for a while.  Wow, they sure have changed.  We both struggled to understand how to play, but she did something right as the bells went off and the lights flashed.  She inserted $1 and after a bit of playing was up over $100 and walked away with over $98!!  Here she is with her big haul and her $6 margarita!  Needless to say Doreen bought lunch!

Tomorrow we are supposed to head to our next destination which is Fallon Naval Air Station NV, BUT had a warning message pop up in the truck that I needed to have the DEF system serviced and to see the dealer.  So I have an appointment with the local Dodge RAM dealer at 0700 hrs in the morning and we will see what happens there.