The Boot Hill Saloon & Grill isn't quite ready to open, either, but it's very close. This is the place that Rory Schepisi is opening in her adopted town. Rory is currently involved in the Food Network's "The Next Food Network Star" and many may know her from her earlier participation in the "Popularity Contest" reality TV show filmed here in Vega. Even though she didn't win, that show changed the New Jersey girl's life and one of the most visible changes is this new restaurant. It's on the east side of town and I had first stopped there when I reached Vega. There was a small group of people outside and one of them explained that filming was being done inside. I again drove by, after getting the other Vega pictures, and most of the cars were gone. I stopped and was greeted by Rory. She stamped my passport, invited me to look around, and even posed for a photo after going behind the bar to turn on some lights for me. The big opening is probably two weeks away and the place is looking good. I wish I could be there. Boot Hill and its owner both look like winners.

Just up the road, trucks were lined up at the Mid-Point Cafe. I was still full from that big Big Texan breakfast buffet but managed to get down a piece of coconut cream pie. This place has a reputation for great pie so it really wasn't too tough. I did get to meet Fran, the owner, but didn't get a picture. Got one of a piece of "ugly crust" pie's final moments, though.

The day was dry and my car had enough clearance so I decided to take the gravel road out of town for the first time. So did Peter & Shiria. That's them on the road ahead of me. I think the idea of a picture of the two Ions occurred to me seconds after they moved over the horizon. This eighteen mile section is an incredible drive with great scenery, wonderful wooden bridges, and even the occasional roadside attraction. That last picture requires a bit of explanation. Other than my Ion's twin, I had only seen two pickup trucks - one each way - on the gravel road. Then I saw a pretty good sized dust cloud moving at a right angle to the road and could just make out a large truck at the front of it. The truck reached the intersection a little before me but, since I was on the "major" road and had the right of way, waited for me to pass. I was, of course, poking along and it wasn't long before the truck had caught up with me. That's the scene in the last picture before I pulled over to let him pass. You can get a better view of the truck here.