Gim soaks in the tub at Pott’s Ranch Hot Springs. Photo by Joyce Hollister.I settled gingerly into the steaming tub—a round galvanized iron livestock watering trough—in hopes that I wouldn’t burn myself. “That’s why they call them hot springs,” my husband said. “Ha, ha,” I replied.

Someone had placed the trough next to a grimy old white porcelain bathtub, which had obviously been used for years and was now thankfully retired. You change into your bathing suit—if you brought one—and leave your clothes on a wooden bench. When we arrived at Potts Ranch Hot Springs, it took me about half a second to realize that the twisted washcloth sitting on the bench was the hot tub’s stopper. I pushed the cloth into a small hole in the tub and Gim pulled over three plastic pipes, somehow connected to the springs, and filled the tub to chest height.

It was about 10 in the morning. The August sun shone overheard. We leaned back in the water with a sigh. Ahhhh…

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Ralph Crouse’s signature inside the Belmont Courthouse. Photo by Joyce Hollister.It was strange to see the signature of an old cowboy we’d known years ago scrawled across the faded blue wall. “Ralph Crouse, Tonopah” was etched into the plaster in letters nearly a foot high. We wished Ralph had dated it, as so many of the nearby names had been.

The thought crossed my mind: When does signing the wall on a state monument become vandalism, and when is it historical graffiti?

But I am ahead of myself…

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Photo by Joyce Hollister.The notice said: Campgrounds full.

We had raced across Nevada on U.S. 50 from our home in Genoa—almost 400 miles—to Great Basin National Park. What with one thing and another, we didn’t arrive there until after 3 p.m.

Well, the park’s Web site did say if you want to stay in one of the four developed campgrounds in the summer, you should get there early…

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Thanks to a fascinating new series of interpretive programs, you’ll never look at the beautiful Spring Mountains National Recreation Area – better known to southern Nevada natives as Mt. Charleston – the same way again. The programs, recently launched by the U.S. Forest Service, offer visitors a new perspective on the science, history and culture of the area through an assortment of events and activities geared to various age and skill levels. We’re talking guided walks, day hikes and evening programs that put all five senses to work and, with a little luck, foster a real connection between visitors and the land. Children will enjoy the Junior Rangers Program, where they can learn about caring for the forest and staying safe doing it, and the whole family will love the fresh air, exercise and new-found sense of Spring Mountains understanding. Get the program...

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The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) will host the annual Thru Hike of 2009, a 15-day backpacking trip beginning July 25-26 and ending Aug. 8-9, on the spectacular trail that encircles Lake Tahoe.

The backpacking trip on the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail will involve two groups of 15 people, each with two or three experienced guides. The hike will offer remarkable views while also serving as TRTA’s largest fundraising event. Contributions from each backpacking participant fund the TRTA’s education, outreach opportunities and related programs.

Registration is available online at www.tahoerimtrail.org. For more information or questions, contact Emily Williams at (775) 298-0231 or emilyw@tahoerimtrail.org.