It was a chilly morning, and it took awhile for me to emerge from my tent cocoon as the sun rose – Alfred and Janette invited me over to their RV for breakfast, and the smell of fresh coffee wafted out of the door. Then it was time to say good bye and they pulled out only minutes before I did. I was about 40 miles from Ely, NV (Janette’s hometown, by the way) and decided that I would get a hotel room there as I hadn’t had a shower in a couple of days and was definitely ripe, and also it was college football time and I would be able to catch the Tennessee – Florida game which was on at 4pm. Like most days, I started by climbing a pass.
Then I had a mostly downhill ride, and ,unfortunately, a stiff headwind all the way in to Ely. It had not been easy to find a hotel room as there is a rally-style car race is being held this weekend just outside of Ely. I finally found a room in a casino run motel – I guess the local casino owns several nearby motels. The one I am in is the “Lucky Sevens” , just a block from the main casino. I got to Ely about 1pm, which was too early to check in, so I rode around town a bit and stopped at a drugstore and soda fountain for a delicious malt. The place was jammed as there are a lot of rally-racers and crew in town. Also, kind of sad, but seems like most of the businesses – at least the ones along the main street where I was – are closed and boarded up. All of the towns I gone through in rural Nevada have been like this. Not much going on and pretty depressing. I only went into the lobby of the casino to check in, but it seems very worn and smells of stale smoke.
The building itself where I am staying looks old and worn on the outside, but the rooms themselves are pretty nice – new furniture and fixtures, good TV, new flooring and paint. Not bad for $89. Unfortunately Tennessee lost the football game, but I am clean and the bed is comfy and I should be well rested for a 60+ mile ride tomorrow. I’ll probably have breakfast in the Denny’s inside the casino, so I will check it out.
Jeff and Carmenza's Adventures 
Hi Jeff, I’ll Joyce you are having such a great time. I truly enjoy Reading your blog. I look forward to talking to you in person to hear more stories of your awesome Journey. I need to tell Raul to catch up on your blog. He looks to see where you are on the map as soon as we walk into La Reforma.
Safe travels
Josh
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This town looks a little like Las Vegas, NM. They give off the same vibe. I know Tennessee lost, but NMSU Won!!!!!!! You gotta take what you can get
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He my friend, glad you are doing so well. Kevin, William and I have had some fun camping, shooting and fishing. Miss you, but so glad for you. Give me a heads up when you think you’ll be in Pueblo, CO and I’ll try and catchup to you. God Bless
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