Goodbye, Eagle Lake! It’s been fun!
The drive from Merrill Campground to Susanville is down, down, down with the road winding all the way. I’m so glad the PTV is running well again. Views glimpsed of the lake are spectacular. I notice dirt roads look like they lead to boondock possibilities, not lakeside but close to places to go to the lake. Not this trip. We’re moving southward.
Upon entering Susanville I immediately know that I like it.
It’s a busy place with a broad, main street lined with quaint and artsy shops, historic buildings, and good ol’ standbys like a NAPA store and an IGA grocery. I’ve never seen so many vivid murals in one town, and very well done. I exchange hearty waves and smiles with a couple towing a Scamp. At the far end of town we discover the mall and — drumroll please — a Wal-Mart!
I make an impulse buy.
Funny how I hesitate to spend over ten bucks on a campsite, but I’ll drop forty smackers on something for the crew without thinking twice. I purchase a foldable, canvas crate that I know Bridget and Spike will find cozy. I also pick up a few cans of soup and a bag of dog food.
We’re on the road about 100 miles today.
Route 395 is a pleasant drive. I can’t say the same for Reno, Nevada. The first clue is when the sign says, “Reno, next 5 exits.” The highway becomes a three-lane raceway around the area of the airport and then a closed exit causes a traffic logjam. We creep along for about a half hour.
Before reaching Carson City, we approach a brown sign “Washoe Lake State Park.”
Good. It’s about 2 p.m. and I’ve driven enough for one day. Except for lifting their heads when I stop for gas, the crew sleep the entire trip. Bridget and Spike can tell when we enter a campground. The sound of the PTV slowing is embedded into their subconcious. They immediately wake up, whining and barking, while I choose a campsite. I find that Washoe Lake Campground ($17, no discount, no hookups) doesn’t have any bad sites.
We settle into a site with a shade tree and no neighbors.
After a walk up to the self-pay station and some picture-taking, I set up the new crate for the crew, and also my lounge chair so I can resume reading my kindle. This is a good place to stop. Tomorrow we’ll drive to Lee Vining near Mono Lake and stay in that area for a while.
Susanville, CA to Washoe Lake, NV
rvsue
Canine Corner: “Spike could use some manners” by Bridget
Typical!
Of course, as soon as rvsue sets up our new canine condo, Spike rushes right in and plops himself down. That’s no surprise to me. Spike has a lot of qualities, but manners aren’t one of them. It never enters his little brain that I might like to try it out, too.
Now that I think of it, Spike does a lot of stuff that’s just plain wrong. If I’m in my bed inside the BLT and he wants to get in it, he barks really loud until I get out.
Sometimes rvsue says, “Back off, Spike, you big bully. Leave Bridget alone!” and then I get to stay in my bed. I love it when she does that.
rvsue and her canine crew 