On the way to the Ranch, just outside of Austin, Nevada, we drove through a thunderstorm.

The biggest lightning we had ever seen was hitting too close to our van for comfort.

We spent the first night in the Prospector Hotel in Ely, Nevada.

The beds were not comfortable, and the sign that said "Free Continental Breakfast" should have said "Continental Breakfast-Free".

When we got to the Ranch, Gavin entertained himself by popping all of the water balloons that the older kids made and stored up for their fights.

Darrell hiked to the "Triangle" several times each day and Rachel rode the four-wheelers constantly.

Darrell also found other ways to entertain himself.

By the end of the week of no hairbrushing and lots of four-wheeling, it was a major ordeal to brush Rachel's hair.

When we drove home, we were planning on staying in Ely again, but we got to Ely early enough that we decided to drive all the way home (I think we also were remembering the previous Ely beds and breakfast experience).