Columnist Barb Henderson: Mountain Days to attract all ages

Barb Henderson

Friday, Sept. 26, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

Folks will be heading to Elko County this weekend to enjoy the Good Ole Mountain City Days.

This two-day celebration is sponsored by the Mountain City Visitors Center.

The center is run by community volunteers with the assistance of a U.S. Forest Service Rural Community Assistance grant.

Located in Elko County, the tiny rural town of Mountain City is a destination where townsfolk offer good ol' down-home hospitality.

"The mountain spring fresh water, good clean air and the quiet at night where you can listen to the river frogs is truly a part of heaven to be enjoyed in the here and now," said Carol Hartley, who is the coordinator of Good Ole Mountain City Days.

This rural town was a mining camp, after gold and silver was discovered in the late 1800's on the upper east fork of the Owyhee River.

Everything will take place on Saturday with only one activity -- a pot-luck breakfast - scheduled for Sunday morning.

Saturday's activities include: parade, an art festival, crafts, food booths, a flea market, street dancing, cake walks, a Dutch oven feast, and a hometown favorite -- the seed spitting contest. People will try their luck at spitting watermelon seeds. The seed that goes the farthest wins.

Last year, 400 people gathered in this small town for the Good Ole Mountain City Days with more expected this year.

On Saturday, there will be the "Wacky Duck Race." Last year 753 yellow rubber duckies floated down the Owyhee River, with the winning duck being worth the prize of $1,000. This year Hartley hopes there will be at least 1,000 yellow ducks in the race floating down river toward the bridge.

Monies raised from the duck race will help support the visitors center by expanding displays for tourists who travel in the area.

Nearby, you'll discover two points of interest that would make anyone scratch his head: the Bridge to Nowhere and the Sidewalk to Nowhere. I guess, when you live in a wonderful town like Mountain City, there's really no need to go elsewhere.

Located within the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, this area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, photography, hiking and camping, among others.

"Mountain City, a short 90-minute drive on State Route 225 (84 miles) north of Elko, takes visitors through Owyhee Canyon's lush meadow and riparian areas. Its beautiful mountain setting is further enhanced by the current display of fall colors," said Christie Kalkowski, public affairs officer for the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest.

Should your journeys take you to this portion of Nevada, stop by the Mountain City Visitors Center.

"Come check us out, for we know no strangers," said Hartley. "There's always a story or two to share over a glass of ice tea or a cup of coffee."

For more information about the Good Ole Mountain City Days or this unique town, contact the Mountain City Visitor Center at (775) 763-6691.

This was the first of three events in the Western Division that will send the top anglers to the Bassmaster Open Championship in December and, eventually to the CITGO Bassmaster Classic next summer.

BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation.