California, NE corner
Just a Stop-Over
Standish, California. Never heard of it? Neither did we, but it was a good stop-over point on the map when leaving Oregon destined for Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, then to Yosemite.
Turned out the 200+ mile drive from Chiloquin, OR took us down a serendipitous scenic drive on Hwy 139 and beyond to Hwy 395.
Soo close, but not close enough to do a swing by to the Lassen Volcanic National Park. We soaked in plenty of scenery though, driving through the Modoc National Forest, the Modoc National Wildlife Reserve, and Lassen County.
Days End RV Park
This was a Good Sam Campground located in Standish (population 779). We weren’t expecting much of the place, because all we had seen was remote, dry, wilderness/desert. In fact, the large Honey Lake nearby appeared to be totally dry.
But what a pleasant surprise; an oasis in the desert! The campground host was super friendly and laid-back, ala Cali-style. The grounds were well-maintained, and gardens of blooming flowers were throughout. Perfect. A bit of shade at the site was welcome in the near 100-degree heat.
The weather here was a bit strange. 100 degrees went to 70 or lower that night, the sunset was gorgeous, and then winds picked up. We stayed an extra night to attend to Lois’s A/C (needed recharging). Also, to re-assess our itinerary; Death Valley National Park just closed indefinitely due to 1,000 year record flooding! Wildfires near Yosemite are a bit concerning as well. Stay tuned for where we decide to roll next!