Day 12 - Thursday

Today we're off towards the Reno / Tahoe area with designs on the infamous Route 50 across Nevada tomorrow. It's already hot early in the day. Yesterday, as it turns out, set a record high of 101 for the day. Today it seems will be more of the same. Still, with no humidity it is comfortable at cruising speeds.

We head out Route 44 towards Susanville. This is another of the scenic byways that we have been travelling.

Real nice rest area along Route 44

Big pines, clear, cool stream, nice place for a break.

It wasn't long before we came upon Lassen Volcanic National Park. Ever hear of it? Me neither, but since it is a National Park and it is already hotter than a volcano, we thought we better check it out.

It's a very good drive and and when we get to the entrance to pay our fee we are informed by the park volunteer that this is better than Yosemite without the crowds. Well, I'll withhold that comparison, because I'm not thinking I will find anything comparable to Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan here.

What was surprising was the size of this place, the elevation changes, alpine lakes, and actual volcanoes. And the lady was right, there are no crowds here. I took a few pics as we checked the place out. Occasionally the odor of sulphur was very strong. Here is a link to other photos to give you an idea of what we're seeing...

http://www.nps.gov/lavo/photosmultimedia/photogallery.htm?eid=200372&root_aId=424#e_200372

A little info on the last explosion

View of Lassen Peak (10,457 ft)

There was a campground here that could be worth coming back to.

Summit Lake

Kings Creek Upper Meadow - That's a few thousand feet straight down

Jamie cooling down with her Camo-back.

We leave the park and head over to Susanville then take 395 down to Reno. We get to Reno wit a fair amount of daylight left, but it's a little too late to go further, so we decide to stay the night. The ElDorado looks like a logical place to stay. We tired to Valet the bikes but they wouldn't go for it. There was a secure parking area of motorcycles only, so that worked out.

We had a great dinner, played some blackjack (I won $190, not bad) and enjoyed a fabulous evening. Tomorrow we were heading across Nevada on Route 50, so this was a great choice for the evening.

Nice little pit stop!

Day 12 = 234 miles