Outdoors with Don Q: The first big outdoor weekend of the summer

Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27) is coming up, just around the corner, the weather is forecast for gorgeous conditions, and for countless folks in this general area, it will be their first big outdoor adventure of 2013.

So, where to go on that weekend? Well, be advised that no matter where you go (unless it is to some God forsaken location in the middle of nowhere), you can expect to encounter big crowds of people also wanting to enjoy an outdoor outing for the holiday.

So, be prepared for lots of company wherever you go or whatever you do.
With that said, here are five Don Q suggestions on where to go, ranging from just staying home to traveling to nearby Northern California. Pick one and then enjoy the 2013 Memorial Day Holiday.

Stay home, safe and sound:
This could be the best suggestion, because of worries about being laid off at work, businesses closing, the increasing cost of gasoline, big crowds, etc.
Just stay home and have a nice, quiet barbecue in the backyard with family members, relatives, neighbors or close friends, where you can enjoy visiting with one another, conversations, story telling, laughter, etc.
If you do stay home, consider this suggested Memorial Day menu:

Appetizers:
Such as salami, assorted cold cuts, sliced cheeses, snack crackers, black olives, green stuffed olives, pickles, sliced carrots, celery sticks, Jalapeno and artichoke dip (my favorite), other dips, potato chips, dip chips, etc.

Drinks:
While munching on appetizers, enjoy each other’s company and sip on a favorite drink, wine, beer or cocktail (my favorite is a cocktail glass filled with ice, whiskey, a splash of water, an orange slice and a brandied cherry).
Main meal:
How about either barbecued baby back ribs, chicken or rib eye steaks (my favorite), together with baked potatoes, ear corn smeared with butter, macaroni or potato salad and thick sliced French bread.

Dessert:
How about strawberry shortcake, sliced fresh strawberries, a big gob of whipped cream and a splash of Amaretto liquor (my favorite).
All that food will be bad for your diet, but who cares, it will sure taste good!

Davis Creek Park:
If you don’t want to travel very far, drive to Washoe County’s Davis Creek Regional Park, just north of Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley.
At that park, you have a choice of day picnicking, hiking or horseback riding in the nearby mountains, camping, group camping, horseshoe pits, etc.
If you camp, the campground offers 62 camping spots, including 19 pull-through trailer sites (with no hook-ups) on a first-come, first served basis.
Best of all, this campground is one of a very few in our general area that offers hot showers. Hot showers! Not too shabby for “roughing it."
And, if there is any reason to terminate your trip away from home, you can quickly return to Carson because of the short distance.
For information, call the Park Ranger at 849-0684.

Topaz Lake:
Topaz Lake, which is along U.S. 395, about 35 miles south of Carson City, offers lots of choices for having a weekend of fun.
At that lake, you will find a Douglas County campground and boat launch, the Topaz Lake Marina with another boat launch, The Topaz Lodge and Casino, an RV park, a general store and a gas station.
As a bonus, there is some pretty decent fishing for brown, rainbow and tiger trout and even bass, from shore, float tubes, canoes or boats.
However, be advised that if you plan to fish from a float tube, canoe or a boat, you will have lots and lots of company from other boat fishermen, water skiers, jet skiers, speed boats, pontoon boats, etc.
I guarantee you won’t be alone camping, fishing or out on the water.
As a bonus for traveling to Topaz Lake, be sure to stop at the Topaz Lodge restaurant for their (in-my-less-than-humble-opinion) "Best-In-The-World" steak and eggs for only $4.95
For information, call the Topaz Lodge at 775-266-3338.

Alpine County, California:
Take a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88, south from Carson City.
That combination of highways will take you to Alpine County to all kinds of neat places like: Woodfords, Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs, Carson River Resort, Sorensen’s Resort, Caples Lake Resort, Kirkwood Resort, etc.

Both the West Carson River (near Woodfords) and the East Carson River (near Markleeville) will have been planted with lots of nice rainbow trout.

Those waters (and others in that area) will be stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game with planter-sized rainbow trout and by the Alpine County Fish and Game Commission with large rainbow trout (6-7-8 pounds!) from a private fish hatchery at Susanville.
You should have no trouble catching fish, unless you are an inept angler. If you like to camp, there are all kinds of campgrounds and resorts, pick one and enjoy the holiday weekend in the beauty of Alpine County.

Here's a special Tip, if you plan to camp in that general area:
The BLM Campground at Indian Creek Reservoir also has hot showers.
05: Davis Lake, California:
From Carson City, take the combination of U.S. 395 & I-580 to Reno, and then U.S.395 north to the Hallelujah Junction with California S.R. 70.
At that junction, take S.R. 70 west to Vinton and Beckwourth and finally to a junction with Grizzly Road.
Turn onto Grizzly Road and travel about five miles to Davis Lake.
The trip to Davis Lake is a 1.5 hour drive (one-way) from Carson City.
The Davis Lake area offers camping at a number of U.S.F.S. campgrounds, boat ramps and fishing from shore, float tubes or boats for rainbow trout.
As a bonus, if you forget to bring something or would like to eat out, visit the J & J Grizzly Store and Frosty on the south end of the lake.

Special Hint: My favorite lunch there is a cheeseburger with French fries and a soda pop, followed by chocolate ice cream. For information, call the J & J Grizzly Store at (530) 832-0270.

Finally:
No matter what you do, who you do it with or where you go, have a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend to start your summer.
If you stay home, try not to be too noisy for the neighbors.
If you travel, drive safely, drive courteous and be a defensive driver.
If you camp in a campground, try not to be too noisy for the neighbors.
If you drink, don’t drive, don’t drive, don’t drive.
Save the drinking for when you arrive at your destination. Don’t be a DUI.
Have a happy Memorial Day Holiday on May 24-25-26-27.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon he can’t tell you where we will be for the holiday.
If he grins and says, “Don and Elaine will be at the Quilici cabin near Davis Lake, with all kinds of food, drinks, conversations, laughter, etc.,” he could be one of the cabin neighbors invited to join them for the holiday.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now and www.SouthTahoeNow.com. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com