To celebrate Kate’s retirement and explore warmer, drier areas near us for camping in “Buttercup” (the new name for our Class A Winnebago) we planned a trip to Nevada, starting at Lahontan Lake State Park.
Both Lahontan Lake and Pyramid Lake are the remains of an ancient Pleistocene Lake Lahontan that covered much of northern Nevada approximately 15,000 years ago. A product of the melting ice age.
The Lahontan CG was empty except for one lonely truck way on the other side of the grounds. Flush toilets and showers were closed off for the season, but there were some vault toilets around. Unfortunately all they had in this campground (developed CG at beach #7) was a porta-potty that was in dire need of emptying and no toilet paper. RV dump was available and free. Site was $15/nite. We were able to refill our water tanks. Lots of sandy shore to walk along and the dogs just loved the freedom. Warning signs not to eat the fish due to mercury. I flew my drone here and with the water so still, there was a mirror image of the clouds and the sky which made the land mass appear to be floating in the sky, like in the movie Avatar. See the video below.
The next place we went was Pyramid Lake, on the Paiute Reservation. Cost was 13.50/nite with my 10% senior discount. We camped at Warrior Point which is at the end of the road. It then turns into dirt road and non-indians are not allowed back there. There was a vault toilet but nothing else, no water, picnic benches or pads. We were alone at night and heard the coyotes howling near us. The stars in the sky were amazing. But other than fishing, not much to do since there are no hiking trails and just north of our campsite along the shore there was a sign forbidding entry. So we only stayed one night.
The last place we went was Washoe Lake State Park near Carson City. A great campground where we could back in so that our front picture window was facing the east side of Mt. Rose near north Lake Tahoe. Lots of interesting hikes around sand dunes and thru the mesquite. Looks to be a great birding area. We saw magpie and egret and ducks. I also ran my drone here between rain. We basically hunkered down here till the snow over Donner Pass had passed thru and the roads were clear. This was a really nice campground with flush toilets, free shower, water and free RV dump all for $15/nite. Nice big level pads. We will definitely come back here. Gorgeous orange/yellow colors across the high desert made for nice photos.
Since we had several days at Washoe of overcast clouds, we woke up one morning with dim lights, a warning that the batteries were way low. The generator would not even turn over until I started the RV, then we were able to charge them. Winter time always requires a lot more power than the summer with long sunny days.
Here are two separate short drone videos for each of Lahontan and Washoe lakes followed by some photos. (If you click the YouTube in bottom right corner, it will open up on YouTube and be a much bigger screen.)
WOW!! Stunning images and video, and the mirroring effect is mind boggling. Nice!!!
As usual, you’ve outdone yourself with videos and fotos. Good job. Remind me again, why did I move East?
geoff wow this is so beautiful!
the drone films made me gasp
i LOVE earth so much! thank you for always reminding me
XOOXOXOXOX
How great you are living your dream, retired and freewheeling. Lovely photos, nice to see the country thru your eyes. Love seeing kate and the dogs too! You have the best companions! How do the dogs like traveling in Buttercup?
The dogs seem to be just fine traveling with Buttercup. Ben stands right next to me watching the road the whole way while Charlie naps on Kate’s lap, which she would prefer he not do. Then when we land they get to explore new places and smells.