A couple of hikes and a snowy ride

Our last full day in the U.S. features a spectacular train ride
through the snowy Sierra Nevada.

We enjoy gorgeous weather during the first half of our late autumn visit to Nevada. We spend as much time as possible outdoors at some favorite hiking places, and we discover a couple of new ones. Three weeks in, and the snow arrives. Our last full day in the U.S. is spent on the California Zephyr, Amtrak's daily train that starts in Chicago, crosses the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada before terminating in Emeryville, Calif., just across the bay from San Francisco. 

Not far from our apartment in Sparks, Nev., we discover this
beautiful park and enjoy several hikes here during our recent trip.

Eager to spend time outside while our apartment is undergoing some remodeling, we come across a couple of new (to us) places to hike. I use the term "hike" loosely, as our outings are more leisurely strolls than hikes. 

Sage brush and red-hued rocks adorn Wedekind Regional Park
in Sparks, Nev.

We've passed Wedekind Regional Park numerous times without knowing it was there. The hills alongside Pyramid Highway contain easy trails through sagebrush and red rocks. There are two trailheads and ample parking. Even though we're there on weekdays, we're kind of surprised that we run into just a few other people. 

Wedekind Regional Park is an urban park, just off Pyramid
Highway but far enough away from downtown Reno/Sparks.

The trails are designated by difficulty, but I wouldn't call even the most challenging too tough. There are very few steep places, and so the park is a good place to take young kids. From the top of the hills, we can see the downtown casino towers in the distance.

A number of these rock monuments are found at Wedekind
Regional Park, some built with rocks that once lined the trails.

Instead of our usual catch-up over dinner, I meet my friend
Chris for a hike through the hills of Caughlin Ranch in Reno.

I join my dear old friend Chris for a hike along the Caughlin Ranch trail, another gem that I was previously unaware of. Caughlin Ranch is an upscale neighborhood in Reno. We meet a lot of fellow walkers (most of whom are with their dogs). I'd be a little worried to bring along a toddler here, as there are some steep drops along parts of the trail.

Caughlin Ranch Trails in Reno offer 4.8 miles of out-and-back
walking and biking trails.

A stream splashes along near the trails of
Caughlin Ranch in Reno.

We aren't at all sure that we'll make our train to the Bay Area the day before our flight back to France. Yesterday's storm dumped about 15 feet of snow in the mountains and the California Zephyr trains  between Reno and Emeryville (and visa versa) had been cancelled. We arrive at the Amtrak station early and are told we can't check our bags until they're sure the train will run that day. An hour later, we're called to check our luggage — a good sign. However the train is way overbooked with passengers who had been stuck in Reno the day before. We anticipate a mad rush to board, but the Amtrak staff takes charge and threatens to "boot" those passengers who step onto the platform before their names are called. Because we're holding tickets to the last stop, our names are called sooner, and we comfortably settle into our seats. After an hour or so, after seats have been found for everyone, we're off.

Our train sits in Truckee, Calif., as dozens of stranded passengers
board, and we wait for snow-clearing equipment.

Although we had some snow-driving fun in Nevada, at least
we hadn't had to dig out our car.

In Truckee, we sit for another hour, waiting for snow removal equipment to show up and lead us through the mountains. We're kept entertained by watching people dig out their cars. Eventually, about four hours late, we arrive in Emeryville and are greeted by my big brother. This new itinerary — traveling to California the day before we fly out of SFO — has its advantages: one fewer flight, a bit less expensive, and best of all, time spent with Mike.

The train's snail pace allows us plenty of time to enjoy the
snowy scenery.