Matthew Rutledge/Flickr Creative Commons
It’s difficult in this day and age of internet, interstates, and instant (not to mention constant) communication, that there are still places in the United States that are remote, unpopulated, and somewhat forgotten. Sometimes it’s nice to head down a trail that doesn’t have too many tracks, so today we’re going to talk about a couple of the empty places that are scattered throughout the continental US, and we’ll start with one here in Texas.
As of the 2010 census, Loving County, TX is the least populated county in the entire United States with a total population of 82. Most folks live in or near the county seat of Mentone, TX which by the way is the only town in Loving County. Back in the 1970’s the schools were closed and both Loving County students were incorporated into the Wink County school district. There are no doctors or lawyers in the county, but there is the Boot Track Cafe in Mentone. They allow smoking, but don’t take credit cards. If you want to shop, I’d imagine you’d head to Kermit, TX. A local was quoted as saying, “You can buy a stamp at the Mentone Post Office, but you have to get the spit to lick it in Kermit”, because Mentone even has to truck in its water. To get to Mentone you need to head north on Hwy 285 from Pecos, like you’re going to Carlsbad, NM, then take a right on Hwy 302 to Mentone. It’s not in the middle of nowhere, but you can sure see nowhere from Mentone, TX.
Another place nowhere near anywhere is Hwy 50 in Nevada. Back in the 80’s it was proclaimed the “Loneliest Highway in America” and not a lot has changed in the last 30 years. The stretch between Ely and Eureka is probably the most remote 73 miles of the Loneliest Highway in America. If you have any qualms about the mechanical state of your vehicle, stick with the interstates because this road is so far out there it is home to the darkest night skies left in America. That means there are no lights, people, service stations, McDonald’s…nothing. The highway zig zags around the washboard mountain ranges that seem to march in ranks across the state, and most settlements left in this part of Nevada were old mining communities form the silver rush days.
Before y’all head out into the great beyond, be sure and stock up on batteries and water, and also swing by PPL Motorhomes.com for any other accessories you might need.