Howdy, A couple of reflections from 49erReuben Cole SHAW's journal as he discusses water: "We found an abundant supply of water of crystal purity all through the mountains. In addition to numerous springs whose waters were ice-cold, nearly every depression in the hills sent down a small stream, which, in the after part of the day, was flushed with melted snow. The most beautiful little cascades were seen leaping high, perpendicular cliffs, and then plunging into limpid pools and hurrying on to lower levels. In the morning, the supply of snow-water being cut off by the low temperature during the night, the small streams presented a very modest appearance, as they afforded but little water. "Nothing added more to the cheerfulness, comfort, and romance of our journey than good campfires on cool nights, and wherever fuel was found plentiful we used it without stint; though, on dark nights bright fires in deep, narrow valleys, surrounded by mammoth rocks and steep hillsides, formed a weird scene giving us a realizing sense of our complete isolation from the civilized world and reminding us of the fact of our being in the heart of a vast mountain wilderness, surrounded by wild beasts and wilder Indians. It often produced a sense of loneliness, thoughts of home and friends, and the comforts of civilization." AND then the HUMBOLDT river: "....[You] should not imagine the Humboldt [present day Nevada] to be a rapid mountain stream, with its cool and limpid waters rushing down the rocks of steep inclines, with here and there beautiful cascades and shady pools under mountain evergreens, where the sun never intrudes and where the speckled trout loves to sport. While the water of such a stream is fit for the gods, that of the Humboldt is not good for MAN nor BEAST. "With the exception of a short distance near its source, it has the least perceptible current. There is not a fish nor any living thing to be found in its waters, and there is not enough timber in 300 miles of its desolate valley to make a snuff-box, or sufficient vegetation along its banks to shade a rabbit, while its waters contain the alkali to make soap for a nation, and, after winding its sluggish way through a desert within a desert, it sinks, disappears, and leaves inquisitive man to ask how, why, when and where." NOTE: Hope to have a little more about the Humboldt sink in a few days. Also, maybe some time we oughta check out the water, or lack thereof, on the Southern Trails to CA. Do you think we are ready for a "journada del muerto"? Just a couple of sips:-), Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>