Coleville, CA

Dateline: Coleville, CA, August 21, 2011

Coleville is a dot on the California map, just south of a tinier dot called Topaz, and just north of a slightly larger dot called Walker. The three communities boast a total population of 1,266 laid back but hard working people. Yet the communities are able to host California's only rally for all-terrain vehicles and sport-utility vehicles! And the East Walker River that flows past offers fantastic fishing for rainbow, brown and Lahontan trout. Just to the north about ten miles, Topaz Lake has an extra long fishing season: January 1 through September 30, as well as a "major" resort community with RV park, hotel, gas station and casino.,

What are we doing in Coleville? Catching up with ourselves, kind of relaxing, but doing a little looking around. We are staying at Meadowcliff Lodge and RV Park just south of Coleville, and in front of Centennial Bluff.

The owners live next door to the park and lodge offices.

The monument out front on Highway 395 was built in 1951 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the installation of a flagpole and American flag atop Centennial Bluff in 1876, the first centennial of our country's existence. The pole has probably been replaced at least once, and Meadowcliff's owners Tim and Mary replaced the flag for this year's Independence Day.

The RV park here is only three years old, has 34 FHU sites for even the largest rigs, and they honor Passport America, CampClub USA, and Good Sam discounts. The park has a sparklingly clean laundry facility and gleaming private tiled bathrooms, each with toilet, sink and spacious shower (big enough for a buddy shower if you are so inclined). They provide DirecTV, free wifi, have a moderate sized swimming pool, and a small clubhouse. (We don't do separate RV park reviews, so this will have to suffice.)

To the right is the club house with adjacent laundry and rest rooms.

This area is called the Antelope Valley, and is an agricultural center for cattle and hay, among other things. We took a tour our first full day in the valley, visiting all three towns and driving up Eastside Road, the farm road on the other side of the valley.

To the left of center, looking not at all large, is Centennial Bluff, where our RV park sits.

Interesting patterns.

Always nice to have a red highlight in an otherwise monotone photo!

The people here, we learned, who need to shop for more than the little market can offer, drive 35 miles north to Gardnerville, Nevada. 

While they are there, we suspect, they also work in their haircuts, doctor visits, car repair, and other personal necessities. Just north of Gardnerville is Carson City with Costco, WalMart, Target, Staples, Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, and nearly anywhere else you would want to visit.

Monday and Tuesday we are heading south a ways to do some exploring. We'll tell you about it next time you visit ... Our Life on Wheels.