Drove down to Burney Falls. It is rather spectacular with a 129 foot fall into a deep green pool. A interesting thing about the falls, is it also comes out as large springs along a ledge of rock for about 100 ft either side of the main falls and approx 75 feet below the main crest. Being in volcanic rock, there must be fissures from above in the main stream to allow water to migrate deep into the rock layers and then follows a hard layer to where daylights to join the main falls. A nice viewpoint is at the top, and then a well built paved path to the pool at the bottom. Denice chose not to walk to the bottom, but I did. Well worth the time.
Then we drove back toward the RV park and went on past for another 20 miles to the entrance to Lassen Volcanic Park. We were pretty sure it would not be open at this time of the year as it is in "High Country" at about 6000 feet. Once we got there it was obvious why it wasn't open. About 4 feet of snow blocked the road at the closed gate sign, so we had to turn back.
Anyway it was still an interesting drive over Eskimo Pass, and the back to ELTORO. We had decided to have supper at the Rancheria Diner. It was very good. I just had veal cutlets and Denice had a Taco Salad.
April 15th
Today left Hawthorne and continued north on SR 95 up through Fallon and onto SR50 and I 80 into Reno. Desert environment starts to change as we move north. Less cactus, but still pretty bleak. Then as we approach Sparks and Reno we drop into a deep valley with high hills and mountains on each side No urge to leave any money at the casinos here, so just kept on going north on SR 395 toward Susanville.
Got into the middle of a political protest in Susanville. Obvious from the placards that everyone in the USA is not an Obama fan. We think he is doing a good job, but we did hear lots of negative remarks while in the south. I guess old feelings die hard!!Prior to Susanville at the Califonnia State Line, we of course, had to pass through their inspection. The inspector requested entry into ELTORO. He checked the fridge and the shower, not sure what he expected to find there, but on the table we had a bowl of fruit. So now California inspection now has a couple of Florida oranges!! They were slightly dried up and full of seeds anyway. He asked if we had any wood, so I told him just some blocking for the motorhome. Well I guess it could be used for blocking, or maybe lathe turning!! Once inside California topo changes dramatically. Start to see green valleys and lakes that actually have water in them. Elevation continues to climb up to the 5 to 6000 ft levels. Snow levels on the mountains grow closer to the highway, and yes, even right to the edge sometimes with a couple of feet in the ditches, BUT NONE ON THE ROAD. We were in the Lassen National Forest and were surrounded by huge pine and cedar trees, a welcome relief from the desert snd cactus over the last month or two.
We wanted to go this way to see the Lassen Volcano sites near the junction with SR44, so wanted to stay a day or two to check them out, needed a RV park close by. I had called to Lassen Volcanic Park headquaters yesterday about their camping sites and was told by Mike that theirs had no hookups, but if I just went north on SR44 that there was a nice park called Rancheria RV Resort. So at this junction we went the five miles north and pulled into the Resort at Hat Creek. I had googled it and then called them for a reservation. It is a beautiful little Park under large pine and cedar trees. Checked in and was given a pull through. It was out in the sun, but after setting up and then walking around found a much nicer site right on their little lake. Requested a move and was approved. Moved over and settled in for 2 nights
April 14th
And according to the plan developed last night we headed north.
Today drove a lot of blah, blah,blah desert with little to see. I guess the highlights would be a couple of passes that we navigated over. The first was at 5200 ft, I think and the second was at Tonopah at 6200ft.
Tonopah itself is over 6000 ft, quite a neat little town. Lots of mining history here for gold, silver, and lead. Then on to Hawthorne where we pulled up for the night at the Whiskey Flats RV Park. Coming into Hawthorne we noticed hundreds of bunker type structures and were unsure what they represented, so when registering at the RV park I inquired and was told this was the largest ammunition storage site in the Continental USA, although not active anymore.
More can be found on the Web. Here is an excerpt:
Hawthorne was established in Mineral County in 1881 on the western side of Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 4,255 feet and is surrounded by several mountain ranges that protect it from extreme weather allowing for nearly 365 days of sunshine a year and relatively mild temperatures.
Walker Lake, fed from the north by the Walker River, is the heart of outdoor recreation in Hawthorne. This lake was once part of the Lahontan Sea, a prehistoric sea that covered much of Nevada and is now home to several species of water birds, including loons, and the Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Hawthorne is called “America’s Patriotic Home,” and the red, white and blue streets and flags blowing in the wind are testament to the town’s great national pride. Part of this pride is rooted in the Hawthorne Army Depot, an ammunition storage site south of Walker Lake. Construction began on the facility in 1928 and it served as an ammunition staging area for World War II. It is said to be the largest facility of its kind in the world, covering more than 147,000 acres. Today, the depot employs a large majority of the residents of Hawthorne.
The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum is a great place to see some of this ammunition up close, and see a variety of military uniforms, photos and memorabilia.
There are several hotels and motels in Hawthorne, and restaurants to suit any craving. The El Capitan Lodge and Casino is the largest stopover, complete with 24-hour Nevada-style gaming, a cocktail bar and lounge, a coffee shop, and RV and truck parking. It is also close to the Walker Lake Golf Course.
April 13th
Rest Day in Pahrump
Moving Day preparations for tomorrow
Pick up a few groceries - just some staples as we need to eat some of the food we already have in the frig and freezer
Decision Day - what route to home. A couple of options, back to Vegas and up I 15 as we have always done, or north on 95 and up to Ely and Wendover, then to Salt Lake City and home on I 15, or new to us, up 95 and then over to Reno, north to I 5 for a short distance, then through Klamath Falls, OR, and into the Columbia basin and work home from there through customs at Yahk, BC. Shouldn't be too much snow at this time of year, but we will be going through some high country. Lets take a shot at it. Decision done!! Get onto "Streets and Trips" and lay it out.
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