Washoe Lake and Gemfield Road Nevada.

 

Washoe Lake 

042326 - 042426 The drive from Oregon,  through Shasta to Carson City took a little over 6 hours. I arrived at Washoe Lake State Park Campground with plenty of time to get settled  and take a walk before the sun went down. You could tell it had been raining and there were still some angry looking clouds over Mt. Rose to the west. Made for a  beautiful background for camping.  The air was crisp but the forecast said sunny 🌞, so after a nice walk and two geocaches, I decided that I would stay an extra night. 

 

Feral Horses in the camp

In the morning while I was making my breakfast a herd of horses visited the campground. They grazed their way right through my site. I was thinking that someone left the gate open, but no, turns out this is an open range and they are a wild Mustangs. A local I talked to on the beach said "they are more farel than wild." They don't mind being around you but they do not like to be approached,  

According to Gemini Ai, The Virginia Range: This 40-mile mountainous area stretches between Carson City and Reno. You can frequently spot them along the trails on the east side of Carson City, near Industrial Way, or occasionally wandering into historic spots like Virginia City.  Here is an interesting article about the BLM roundup program and local advocacy efforts to protect and preserve the wild herds.  

Gemfield Road Dispersed Camping

It was really nice to skip a day of driving and relax. Saturday I took off late morning and found a Krogers in Carson City then I headed south. Roughly 5 hours later I arrived at Gemfield Road Dispersed camping just north of Goldfield NV.  I drove in about 2 mile and found a empty site great view of the valley and surrounded by Joshua Trees. I even saw more wild mustangs.  Gemfield road continues on to Gemfield Nevada Chalcedony, renowned for harboring what is believed to be the largest deposit of gemstone-quality chalcedony in the continental US.  At almost 6000' elevation, this was a really nice boondocking spot, off the beaten path enough for privacy and not far from civilization.  Other than the wind rocking the van on occasion, I had a really nice stay and a good one to end my trip to Victoria and back.  The next day, I drove the whole 7 1/2 hours to my desert habitat.  Links to Washoe Lake and Gemfield Road shares albums.  Thanks for visiting

Sun City to Victoria BC

 

Wheelers Pass Road Dispersed Camping - Pahrump Nevada 

Look west Pahrump NV

4082026 GPS: 36.2152, -115.9586 I got a good start out of the desert habitat and the 5 1/2 hours drive to Pahrump Nevada went by quick. Pahrump, Nevada, is famous as a rural, fast-growing getaway an hour west of Las Vegas, known for its proximity to Death Valley National Park, wineries, and motorsports.

    There were plenty of spots to park. The gravel road was rough but I found an empty spot and pointed the Van north and set up. There was snow still on the mountain peak to the west, A good place for an overnight.

    I headed north after breakfast, next stop Sportsman Beach on Walker lake, about 4 hours NW.

Pahrump photos

Sportsman Beach BLM Campground - Walker Lake, NV

Walker Lake - Mt. Grant

4092026 GPS: 38.6914, -118.7716  The drive from Pahrump was uneventful and went by quickly. The camping area was a pleasant surprise. Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Grant the views were splendid.  I got a space right on the lake right next to one of the geocaches in the park. The cost was only $6 and there was plenty of spaces to pick from. I walked to the pay station and then strolled down by the bank of the lake. The water was low and it looked very mossy. It appears the area has suffered from severe ecological decline, with high salt levels leading to the collapse of its fishery.

There are boat ramps, but I didn’t see any boats in the lake, and no one was fishing. According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife conservation efforts are ongoing to restore the lake's water levels, which have declined significantly over the past century due to agricultural diversions from the Walker River. Around this campground they have posted signs showing what the water level was in past years. So today it is a nice place for a overnight, but there used to be much more going on here.

Sportsman BLM Campground

I really enjoyed my stay, finding the few geocaches and visiting with other campers and their pets. I packed up early in the morning thinking that maybe I should stay another day, but there were dark clouds coming over the mountain so I hit the road heading towards Reno and into California. Not sure where I'm parking next, I have my eye on a couple rest stops but it looks like all the campgrounds are still closed in the Shasta mountain area. There is a parking area right on the CA/OR state line that might serve, weill see.

Sportsman's Beach Photos

Oak Slope Campground - Emigrant Lake, Ashland OR

4102026 42.158309, -122.619725 Well shortly out of Reno entering California it began to rain and would rain all day. I  drove through the Lassen National Forest from Susanville, past Mt. Shasta, although I did not see Mt. Shasta because it was raining, stopped for gas in Weed before crossing into Oregon.

Oak Slope Campground

I found the parking area at the first exit but it was just a muddy turnout on Highway 99 with road construction. So I got back on the 5 and after 8 hours of driving stopped at the Oregon State Welcome Center Rest Area I could rest here for 12 hours, I was the only one there, plenty of spots to park. I don't know why, but I just didn't feel right.

So I drove into Ashland and found a nice paved camp spot on the hillside north of Emigrant Lake in Oak Slope Campground. I didn't have any cash so I wrote and check and hunkered down in the van and let it rain.

In the morning the sun was out and the park was very nice. I went for a walk and took my time, again thinking it would be nice to spend another day, but there was more rain coming and I have a reservation at my next stop on the Umpqua River less than a 3 hour drive north.

I was able to dump my grey tank, fill up on water and I even got a nice shower. It was raining again by the time I left. I bet this place is nice when it is not rainy, maybe I will find out someday.

Oak Slope photos

Tyee Campground, Umpqua River - Roseburg OR

Tyee Campground

4112026 43.484506, -123.483565 I had high hopes for this campground. I originally booked 2 days, I changed it to 1 after the refrigerator repair. Surrounded by tall trees right on the banks of the Umpqua river, only one of two rivers in Oregon with headwaters that begin high up in the Cascade Mountains and meanders on down to the Pacific Ocean. I stay at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park on my way back from Thanksgiving last year.

This is a small campground and must be well used by locals during the summer. But in April, there was plenty of room, only a few other campers. Not sure what is going on in space 10 which looks like an abandoned yard sale. I only saw 2 other people and they were the camp host making their rounds.

stairway to Umpqua river

Tired of waiting for the rain to stop, I donned what rain gear I walked down to the river and up and down the stairs to the river. I walked the entire park which only took a half hour.

There was no cell signal and Starlink connection was weak and unreliable, but good enough to listen to baseball. So I pretty much spent my time inside the van staying dry. I cooked up a can of soup and enjoyed the game.

It rained all night and the tall trees dropped water on the van roof. Of course I was not bothered and by the morning the rain stopped for about 15 minutes, but I didn't notice. I slept until well after sunrise, but I didn't notice.

Tyee campground photos

Glenwood Dr. Vanway - Olympia, WA

Glennwood Dr. Vanway

4122026 - 4132026  Safely parked at Todd & Kate's, thus ending the first phase of this trip where we will spend a week in an Airbnb. Once settled we enjoyed a salad and delicious sausage rolls.

The next day was all about getting ready for the trip to Victoria. I decided to go ahead and take the Van, mostly because I will have all my stuff with me. Also I will not be taking up space in the car so it can be packed for a week in a Airbnb. I also want to be able to say I took my Van on the Coho Ferry.

In the morning we got ready for a busy day. I was able to get my COVID 19 booster shot at Walgreens and then we went on a nice walk/geocaching at the Grass Lake Nature Trail. After our walk, we gathered up the string instruments and had a quick Jam at a friends in Olympia.

Then it was back to Glenwood to make final preparations for a 0430 departure to get to the ferry on time.

Grass Lake Nature Trail.

Boulder Beach Campground - Lake Mead Recreation Area - Hoover Dam

04032026 - 04052026  Popular campground for Boaters and Family Weekends. I arrived just after lunch and got all set up in space 13. The campground was pretty full which is expected for a holiday. This is a nice area for the e-bike, so I unpacked Jagurandi and took off down to the beach area. I spoke with a Park Ranger that golf-carted by and received a great introduction to the Historic Railroad Trail. You can ride all the way to the Hoover Dam and the other way, all the way into Boulder City. The Ranger gave me maps and directions. 

Ready for some supper, I returned to camp and started to make a salad. That is when I noticed the refrigerator was not staying cold. It was getting power, but the compressor was not running. After finishing my supper, I decided to give it until the morning, thinking that it will work itself out and start running. In the morning I used Ai to help me troubleshoot and through this troubleshooting process I determined the problem was a component that cannot practically be replaced. For example: start relay, overload protector, control board or a locked compressor. So I ordered a new refrigerator. To be delivered on the 7th. So I will be heading home to receive and install. But before I do that, I can last another night without the refrigerator and I still need to ride to the Hoover Dam.

At about 1400 I took off on the e-bike, a 6+ mile ride to the Dam on the Historic Railroad trail that goes through a series of tunnels where the railway delivered materials and parts for the Dam. When the building was over, the railway just rotted away until they made it into a hiking/biking trail. The ride was easy on a e-bike but it was epic nonetheless. The views were outstanding and the tour of the Hoover Dam was nice. There was a Virtual cache at the Dam site about a Dog that worked with the builders. Tragically, one day the dog was killed when a truck ran over him. There is a plaque memorial at the spot it happened. 

With the ride complete, I went and bought a bag of ice to keep cool until I return home tomorrow. In the morning, ready to pull out, I discovered all the 110V outlets were not working! Now what? To be continued………….

Here are the photos I took

Thanksgiving 2025

112325 - 120525 Sun City to Olympia and back again with points in between

Now that the repairs on Vannie D0T1D9 are fixed I was eager to get on the road again. Destination a thanksgiving dinner that could not be beat compliments of the Caron Family somewhere near Olympia. 

I had a good start heading NW through Las Vegas then on to highway 93 that parallels the Nevada - Utah North and South border all the way to Idaho. I pulled into Pahranagat Rest Area after dark, found a level spot and stayed the night. 

Morning was a quick bowl of oatmeal I headed north. I was going to stop at the Alien Research Center but the alien's were off for the holiday and they were closed 🙁 so I continued north. Driving conditions were very good and I made good time. My plan A, a casino campground in Jackpot at the north border of Nevada and Idaho, was a bust. I just didn't have a good feeling about Cactus Pete's Saguaro RV Park. So I continued north into Idaho and found a gem. 

Lud Drexler Park

USFS Lud Drexler Park right next to Salmon Lake Dam. High desert at 5000 feet. It was about 45°F when I parked. I was the only one there, including any Rangers, but they were open. I paid $13.50 and pick a site that had a view of the lake. I had to break out the sleeping bag because it got down to 28°F. In the morning I cooked breakfast inside on the butane stove which help warm the up the inside of the van. I walked down to the dam and around the park. Found a geocache near where I parked. So it was already after ten by the time I lwas back on the road. Highway 93 meets Interstate 84 in Twin Falls, I figured I would make it as far a La Grande in Oregon before sunset. For the third day I didn't really have a confirmed campsite because this late in the season the state USFS campgrounds are closed in the high elevations. So I figured I would stay at a rest stop. But I thought I would check out Forest Road 21 Dispersed Camping between the La Grande exit and Deadman's Pass.

Forest Road 21

It seemed fine when I pulled in and there was only one other camper. The ground was wet forest floor, not muddy. Satisfied, I found a nice spot between the trees. I checked the weather forecast that shows "wintermix", whatever that means,  starting at 2100 with accumulation of .3". It was already after dark, so I figure I was good, after all it was warmer that last night. I woke up at 0230, stepped out side for the necessary and discovered about 2.5" of wet snow! Now I know what "wintermix" is 😟 

Try as I might, I could not go back to sleep. I was worried about getting Vannie out of the snow. Front wheel drive is good, but with so much weight in the back, I'm always afraid of spinning my wheels. So I forced myself to stay in bed, knowing myself I would try to get out in the dark, and wait until sunrise. No telling when the snow might stop, best to wait until there is at least traffic on the freeway. I decided that I would try to go out the way I came in because I know that ground was somewhat level. So at about 0630, have everything packed up, forgoing breakfast for now, I made my first attempt, which was all that was needed. I did spin the front wheels, but there was plenty of traction all the way to the pavement. Feeling relieved, I stopped at Deadman'd Pass Rest Area and had my breakfast before heading out for the 5 hour drive to Glenwood Park. 

Gus

I arrived right before dinner time, I have a knack for that. We had salad and sausage rolls, a NW treat! Banjo and Fiddle-Mandolin caught me up on all the PNW news and the agenda for the weekend. This includes a nice walk with Gus each day, a Thanksgiving dinner that could not be beat, a music jam and a trip to Tacoma to see old friends.  I always feel welcomed and I'm treated more like a inhabitant than a visitor these days, just part of the big familia.  Thank you all very much!

Alas, I do eventually leave, usually before there is any serious work to be done, always with a heavy heart and anticipation for my next visit.  Sunday morning, after yet another fine Banjo breakfast, I headed south down interstate 5 with my sites set on Umpqua Lighthouse State Park on the coast of Oregon. 

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

The weather forecast was very favorable for this time of year and there were plenty of campsites available.  I arrived way before sunset and set up in a nice back in site with electrical and water hookup, almost glamping for this trip. There was plenty to do, several geocaches to hunt and the lighthouse to visit. The park was maybe 1/2 full make for a nice and quiet visit. 

I walked around Lake Marie an found all the tiny geocaches, then rode Jagurandi down by the beach. At the lighthouse gift shop there was a real nice Letterbox geocache. I discovered all the travel bugs and swapped a pair. I visited the gift shop and got some stickers.  It was nice to have a whole day to explore and relax. My visit went by quick, next thing I knew it was time to get back on the road.  I spent some time planning my stops as I head south. 

I thought I would stay on the coast as I enter California, stay a night then jump east towards Reno area. The USFS and State campgrounds in the Redwood forest were closed, but I did find a first come first serve campground near Trinidad Ca.

Sue-Meg State Park

The drive down the 101 was beautiful with open skies and colorful transitions from forest to sea. The only traffic was through the numerous small towns along the route. I arrived Sue-Meg State Park about 1600 but didn't get parked until about 1700 because I had to drive into Trinidad to get correct change for the envelope drop pay station. I still had enough sun light to take the stairs down to the beach and take in the view. 

The campground area was nearly full so I was lucky to find a site for the evening.  I'm not complaining, but the difference of the facility up keep between Oregon and California State Parks was drastic. Maybe it was only because one is more popular than the other, still this is a nice park, just somewhat run down after the summer season.

Nevertheless, this was only an overnight stay and made the best of my time. Having filled up with water and emptied the grey tank in Oregon, there was no worry about it in the morning. After breakfast I was off again, only heading east across California, wanting to stay clear of any big metro areas. It took most the day driving the very curvy highway 299 from Trinidad to Reading through the Redwood Forest.  I took my time and arrived safely. From Reading I continued east up highway 44 towards Susanville.

Again, a lot of the campgrounds are closed this late in the year, so my choices for an overnight were thin.
Fortunately, Goumaz Campground was still open. A USFS free area with no facilities but nice level spots to camp. "Pack in pack out" rules apply! The forest road into the park was well maintained, mostly free of ruts and level except for the last part. I still had time for a nice walk around the forest, down a babbling creek, almost I wanted to try a fly. So peaceful it was kind of eerie because there was absolutely nobody else here. I defiantly needed my sleeping bag here, temperatures were in the 20's.  Maybe that was why I was the only one here. There was no waiting around in the morning for the temp to rise, so after a quick breakfast, I was off early making Tonopah BLM land for overnight before the end of the day. From here it was a 6 hour drive through Las Vegas and home. 

Here is a link to my shared photo album for this successful Thanksgiving trip. 

Thanks for reading my blog. 

 

Nevada, October 2025

100825 - 101025 

There is a lot more to discover around southeast Oregon,  but I was ready to make my way towards home. I'm finding that my travel time has been between 4.5 and 6 hours  on average which has been working out good. I have been using a trip planner called Roadtrippers with Campendium that helps me find places to camp along a route. I try always a plan B incase my first selection does not workout. I continued to take the less travel route into Nevada stopping at the Virgin Valley Dispersed Camping, yes another free camping area in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.  There was quit a few campers for being in the middle of the week. The rigs range from car campers to 40' mobile homes, with everything in between.  I parked in a gravel space that was pretty clean, however there was some trash in the fire ring. I settled in and had an uneven-full evening.  

The next days destination was Kinston Campground USFS Auston Nevada, a 5 hour drive through Winnamucca, a short time on Interstate 80, then South 1/2 way to Tonopah NV. This is another free campground and being later in the season, the campground was pretty empty. I imagine it is much busier in the summer. The trip in was fine for a front wheel drive Promaster, but the narrow bridge make it difficult for a bigger rig.  7092' Elevation, beautiful fall like temperatures.  I did not have T-Mobile cell service but Starlink mini worked good. I arrived right a 1600 so I had plenty of time to get setup and settled before dark.  I know in the future I will be driving to and from Washington, so it will be likely I will stay here again. 

Right behind the van was a flowing stream and a nice place the sit and just think. This is where I was when I finally decided to go ahead with another Cochlear Implant on my right side. This got me thinking of getting home and all the things that need some of my attention.  I left for Indiana a month ago, so I was feeling it was about time for me to get home and get these life balls rolling.  

So I was off early in the morning headed south. Fueled in Tonopah and onto the 95 which goes through  Las Vegas.  My destination was Silver Hill Dispersed Camping located between Las Vegas and Kingman AZ.  The horizon started to turn dark and then it started raining.  I made it through the Vegas traffic and passed the Hover Dam and it was still raining when I stopped for gas in

White Hills AZ. This is when I realized that I'll be camping in the rain. So I got a footlong Subway tuna to have for dinner. The sun was low on the horizon when I arrived at the dispersed camp area. There was only one area that was not flooded and there was a big rig there. I pulled in and just did not have a good feeling, so I head back through the small town to the highway.  I pulled over and ate my sandwich, then took a 30 minute nap with the rain pounding on the van. My plan B was Hualapai Mountain Resort , I've had my eye on this for a while, but with the pouring rain, I was not eager to go driving in the mountains after dark and I was only a little over 3 hours away from my desert habitat (home 🌵). 

Considering game 3 of the ALCS was on the radio, I decided to
break my 6 hour driving time rule and drive all the way home. It was still raining when I pulled onto Willowbrook Dr. at 2148, but surprising enough the game was not over. I was able to watch the 18th inning on my TV!   My 30 day trip I drove 126h 22m 14s averaging 50 mph and traveled 6,334.9 miles.

👀 Nevada OCT25 👀

Here is a link to my map:

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