The Sierra Nevada mountain range was just stunning after heavy winter storms dumped a lot of snow. Even though snow was badly needed, it closed roads to attractions like the ghost town of Bodie, California.
The Sierra Nevada
The mountains run about 400 miles in a north/south direction primarily in California with the Carson range in Nevada. They are known for amazing National Parks including Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite. It was the site of the California gold rush in the 1800s. Lake Tahoe is known for a number of outstanding ski resorts. The western California foothills are studded with wineries.
Hawthorne, Nevada
From Las Vegas we headed north to Beatty then Hawthorne. The worlds largest military’s ammunition storage depot is in Hawthorne.
The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum was pretty amazing. Admission is free.
There were numerous volunteers from different wars present to answer questions and encourage picking weapons up or climbing into their tank or jeep. The museum was established in 2002.
Walker Lake
Just north of Hawthorne is Walker Lake. It’s a natural lake that according to locals has few fish because of it’s salinity.
Mono Lake, Sierra Nevada, California
Another saline lake that is located along the eastern Sierra Nevadas. Mono Lake doesn’t have an outlet causing high levels of salts. There are brine shrimp and alkali flies.
Mono Lake is a critical habitat for two million migratory birds each year.
Tufa are limestone towers that formed underwater. As water levels fell, the Tufa towers were exposed.
Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada
It’s a large lake between California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevadas at 6,225 feet elevation.
There are numerous ski areas. In the summer, Lake Tahoe is popular among hikers, bikers and boaters.
Minden, Nevada
We stayed at the Carson Valley Inn which had a casino. This is a yellow headed blackbird.
Truckee, California
We really like this small town other than the diesel prices were a dollar per gallon higher than Nevada. California loves its taxes. Come July 2019, the combined California and Federal gas tax will be about 66 cents per gallon, of which California double taxes by adding a sales tax of approximately 8%.
Coachland RV Park
There was still snow on the ground but the roads were clear. Jake enjoyed watching squirrels again.
