Driving has always centered me. I had a drivers license and car at 14.5. I learned to drive in the snow and mountain passes going to the semi ghost town of Idaho City and dredging mines on Mores Creek. It’s an Idaho thing and seemed reasonable to me as a teen. Now as a mother of two teenagers, it scares me to death! 
I went out yesterday with no specific destination in mind, I just needed to drive and listen to music. Miss Edel and I gassed up the Jeep, got coffee and a puppachino and set off.
Sometimes I find more when I’m not looking, I stop wherever catches my attention. This trip I found hops originally planted over 150 year ago for a mining camp brewery.
On the way home I noticed an old road I hadn’t seen before. Roads were difficult to build and always had a purpose so Edel and I took a short hike. We came across a large cave which was used by the Washoe Tribe as a shelter and ceremonial site. During prohibition the cave was used as a Speakeasy.
Thank you Alpine County expert and author Karen Dustman for information on the cave and for identifying Hangman’s Bridge for me. Guess what posts you will be seeing soon?
Now I want to grow hops from the seeds, brew beer and have a prohibition party in the cave.
Lara says
Its wonderful how your drive leads you to great discoveries. I love traveling and gardening so tell me did you have any of the hop seeds with you for planting? If i would be at your place, that was must do for me.
Tami says
Nothing better than driving and looking around for what catches your attention!
I don’t have the hops from Alpine, but I heard others do. I think you plant from the rhizomes. We have another variety growing on the ranch and they are going crazy!