Topaz Lake Campground
So far, we have stayed at a state park (OR), a National Forest Recreation Area (CA), and county park (NV). Reservations are easily made online and the campsites are usually described in detail, frequently with photos of what they look like, and what amenities are available (ie showers). Our sites have all had hookups for power and water. (We saw Luigi’s deliver a pizza at Sycamore Grove. Camping isn’t what it was when we were kids!)
Lasso provides another level of comfort. Heat and AC, roof fan, hot water, shower & toilet, DVD player & flat screen TV with roof-mounted satellite dish. Refrigerator and two-burner propane stove and convection/microwave oven.
Day 6 was a lazy day of relaxing with the only task at hand finding ice, beer, bread, and lattes. Not as easy as it may seem. (Don’t these people eat food?) No grocery stores. Hand-tied flies for tricking those cunning trout, yes, but otherwise nada. Eventually, we had success.
If one continues south down the Walker Valley from Topaz Lake, along beautiful SR 395, eventually one will reach Yosemite National Park (and continuing on, Mammoth Lakes).
An aside: In 1930, my grandfather drove his family (my grandmother, my mother who was 11 or 12 , and a young family friend, Katy, who was probably a young teen) in his Model T Ford on a road trip to California. They visited Yosemite and I wondered, as Jen and I drove south on 395, looking for lattes, if they had traveled the same route.
An aside to the aside: In 1994, my mom (age 76) and Katy (80?) traveled together through Europe for SIX WEEKS. No guide, no tour.
An aside to the aside aside: While they were larking over the continent, I met Patrick. My mom called once (no cellphones then) and I told her that I “had met someone.” Pat was still deciding whether he would ask me out on a date, but my mom told me later that, with that call, she knew her “life would change forever.” A tad over dramatic and hers didn’t, but mine sure did.
Next: Lasso streaks to Las Vegas
Topaz Lake with distant mountains to the west
and east
Lasso has shades, curtains, and window covers all around. Very cozy!
