A Thousand Miles of Desert and Mountains:

A Prospecting Trip Across Nevada and over the Sierras

Meet the prospector

The University Libraries, in partnership with the Washoe County Libraries is offering a virtual exploration of a Special Collections and University Archives collection entitled "A Thousand Miles of Desert and Mountains." The series, aimed at 4th through 7th graders but appropriate for all ages, explores a series of three diaries written by two prospectors as they traveled across Nevada in search of the next big bonanza.

Listen to the podcast

A dramatic reading of the journal by Jeremiah G. Nelson

Advertisement for California Flapjack Flour with a green border and a miner with a pickax

Episode 1

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine are striking out on their journey, leaving their home in Orangevale, California and heading for Byron, Nevada.

Episode 2

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine have reached Las Vegas, Nevada and meet Mr. Condee who is outfitting them with a new pack saddle for Jack.

Advertisement for the Silva Bergtholdt Co. California Fruits with a red circle seal around a red heart

Episode 3

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine are in Indian Springs, Nevada in early spring 1914. They are searching for the ever elusive gold.

Episode 4

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine have reached Amargosa, Nevada and are having some luck with their prospecting.

Episode 5

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine are still in Amargosa, Nevada and are learning more about the area, courtesy of their new friend, William G. Morris.

Advertisement for Borden's Pioneer Unsweetened Sterilized Evaporated Milk with an image of a miner holding a gold nugget and a pickaxe

Episode 6

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine have concluded their time in Amargosa, Nevada and are packing up and making arrangements for the next leg of their adventure.

Episode 7

In this episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine are in Goldfield, Nevada in late summer 2914 and are figuring out the next leg of their trip while tensions in Europe are rising.

Episode 8

In this final episode of 1000 Miles of Desert and Mountains, George and Josephine are one mile south of Bridgeport and must figure out how to convince the burros to cross the East Walker River as they make their way into California.