Pahrump, NV

We stayed in Pahrump a few days due to the proximity to Death Valley National Park. The Moose was the spot we chose but we were hardly there except to sleep. The camping options are several: Moose, Elks, Escapees, Walmart, and Terrible’s Casino, all for free or a small donation, all in a town of less than 25,000.

Pahrump has a strange feel to it. To me, it seemed to be a cross between the Slabs in southern California and Las Vegas. There appear to be many retirees; as well as ragamuffins. I wonder if many aren’t those who can’t really afford to live in Vegas or don’t want the hustle and bustle of a big city.

In the beginning the ‘49ers passed through as this was a watering hole on the Old Spanish Trail that led to Los Angeles. Perhaps some just broke down and got stranded in the town.

But we did find everything we needed: wifi at the Elks’ Lodge, hot fudge sundaes, a Walmart, a nice library, a Dollar Store, and a $10 T-bone steak at the casino.

We even found a winery, the Pahrump Valley Winery, and took a tour of the small operation. They get their grapes from California and “bottle the best California wine in Nevada.”

This looked like a school field trip to me? Maybe so in Nevada.

The view of the snow on Mt. Charleston in the Spring Mountains was quite nice and could be viewed throughout the town.