Driving back from Eureka to Las Vegas, we decided to drive a different route since the Extraterrestial Highway turned out to be a disappointment. Most of the way featured the same desert scenery punctuated by small Pinyon Pine forests.

By chance, we decided to take the turn-off to the little town Pioche. What a pleasant surprise that turned out to be.

Due to numerous mining claim disputes, 19th century settlers resorted to guns to defend themselves. And Pioche quickly earned the distinction of being one of the roughest towns in the Old West. It’s been said that 75 men were killed in gunfights there before anyone had a chance to die by natural causes. Pioche even made Tombstone seem pale by comparison.

Today it’s a pretty sleepy place full of quaint storefronts. (Sorry, many of my digital pictures didn’t turn out so great.)

We wandered into the Lincoln County Museum, which boasts an unbelievable collection of vintage mining equipment, mineral specimens, and everyday items.

Another cool looking Opera House.

Lots of antique stores. Almost everything was closed because it was Sunday.

A wall full of signs.

A little touch of Vegas.

After our little detour to Pioche, we drove a bit further and encountered the scenic Cathedral Gorge. We also took a quick stop here and poked around in a few caves, as it was recommended to us by the woman at the museum.

It was no getting late, so we headed posthaste toward Las Vegas.

Next stop: Ahhh… Vegas, a study in fakery

Continuing on the journey through Nevada, we arrived in Eureka to attend the wedding.

Eureka is one of twentysomething Eurekas in the country. But this one, like many other towns in Nevada, was a former mining center founded in the 1860s.

This photo was taken near the abandoned mine site called Ruby Hill. (It was awfully hazy due to the Northern California wildfires.)

The tiny town has it’s own quirky charm – kind of like the Old West meets a ‘60s hunting lodge.

Some views of the main street. Love that Louie’s Lounge!

Lots of great hand-painted signs.

Mounted stags in the supermarket, of course! (OK, maybe that’s a little creepy.)

Clever use of old wagon wheels.

The wedding was held in the Eureka Opera House. Here’s a picture of it with the historic Jackson House hotel on the left.

The opera house has a fantastic hand-painted curtain.

This was probably the most unique wedding venue I’d ever been to. I must say the cool locale made for a great event.

However, with the conclusion of the nuptials, our time in Eureka was up and it was time to move on the next morning.

Next stop: Stumbling upon one of the roughest towns in the West and a gorge.