Mizpah and Ash Springs

We decided to go to St. George for Thanksgiving. I didn't want to go the same old way because let's face it, the drive is dreadfully BORING. So we went a longer way on Wednesday afternoon, down south through California. When we got to Mono Lake, we made a left turn. The drive was so beautiful. I only wish it didn't get dark so early in the evening.

 

 

We got to Mono Lake at sunset and the colors were spectacular. The road that connects from here to Nevada is a real gem. There is one stretch that is exceptionally hilly and quite exciting, like a roller coaster. And that would not be an exaggeration.

 

Instead of trying to get to Utah in one stretch, we stayed in Tonopah this time at the Mizpah. It was a fantastic hotel, fully restored to its turn-of-the-century glory. I didn't realize this when we made the reservation, but the hotel is even haunted. But I think the ghosts were visiting family for the Thanksgiving weekend. We did not see any.

 

Of course, we weren't sure if the ghosts would make an appearance or not, so we told the kids about the haunted status of the hotel in the morning. I value sleep too much.

 

 

After a breakfast at McDonald's, we hit the road again. But this time, we made a stop in Ash Springs. This is a one gas station town about two hours from Tonopah. The great thing about this place is that there is a (free) natural hot springs hidden off to the side of the road.

 

And the kids had a blast. The water was warm and the weather was ideal. They swam for at least an hour. No one wanted to get out.

 

When we got to St. George, I really wanted to eat a Thanksgiving dinner at the Golden Corral.  But alas, when we pulled into the parking lot, the line was crazy bananas. Apparently, everyone else in St. George wanted to eat at the Golden Corral as well. What a bummer!  Since Rinar's family does the Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, we had to find somewhere to eat that was open.

 

Rinar's parents joined us and we naturally went to IHOP! Nothing screams Thanksgiving more than pancakes, if you ask me.