Yesterday we went down the road South a little bit and walked the interpretive trail for Fort Ruby.  The fort was in service from 1862 to 1869.  It was disbanded when the transcontinental railroad was finished because soldier protection for the Pony Express mail route was no longer needed. The other purpose for the fort was to grant protection to wagon trains traveling through the area.  After the signing of the Ruby Valley Treaty in 1863 with the Newe Tribe, the conflicts ceased.  However, the treaty was poorly kept on the government side--cattle and provisions were not provided as promised.  Stories about the signing indicate that the tribe was strongly coerced to sign.

Today we drove down to the marshes and traveled around the lake, spotting birds,  ducks, and geese with our binoculars.  We had planned to walk around, but as soon as we stopped the van a cloud of mosquitos engulfed us and we decided not to get out.  Those mosquitos looked like they were trying to drill down through the windshield just to get to us.  There are so many different kinds of plants growing in the marshland.  Very beautiful.  Afterwards we drove a short ways north and found the Cave Creek Trail, where the Donner Party camped when in the area.  We began the hike, but ran into an area of high grass that we didn't want to hike through (ticks) so we turned back, and I walked the campground loop instead.

I am roasting veggies in the solar cooker now that we will have for dinner.  No clouds today so our campsite is sunnier than yesterday and Sunday.

Today is the Summer Soldtice.

Dave is still not feeling very well.  He has congestion and fatigue.  I still have some breathing issues, especially when lying down.  Altitude or allergy to pine trees?? Don't know.