Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

Today we left Ogallala and headed to Johnson Lake. Although it was supposed to be a short drive, just over 3 hours, it took us much longer. Before we left Ogallala, we drove down to the flume created by the release valve of the dam. WOW! The dam produces 50 megawatts of power, and the flume is created by a valve that allows a release of water without sending the water through the turbines It is run all summer long just to provide a higher dissolve oxygen level for the fish. Pretty cool...and just pretty.

 

 

We didn't have to leave too early because the drive wasn't so far, so we set out for a drive around the lake. Lake Ogallala is the largest lake in Nebraska -- 22 miles long. We ended up deciding not to drive all the way around, since it was kind of an unattractive drive. The homes around the lake are mostly manufactured, which was quite different than Johnson Lake turned out to be.

 

On our trip to Johnson Lake , we decided to take a back road (route 30) rather than the faster but more boring route 80. We drove through some very cute little towns, and some really desolate ones, and then headed south from North Platte. Stopped at an ice cream place that reminded the husband of his high school job at a dairy bar -- backroads Nebraska retains some of that old-fashioned charm. It's not the most direct route, but we were hoping it was more fun. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else with a trailer, though. Route 83 south from North Platte was a roller coaster, and everything that could be tossed around in the trailer was.

 

Nonetheless, it was a pretty drive and we made it! We had a great spot at the Johnson Lake Recreation Area -- the inlet campground -- right on the water.

We sat outside and enjoyed the dusk, and even had a firework show from a town in the distance. Right after dark, however, a storm blew in and we were unable to cook on the grill. So I did everything inside, which took a lot longer to cook serial dishes rather than being able to cook some while the husband grilled. We ended up with a great grilled (oh...actually pan fried) tarragon cod with smashed golden potatoes and a tarragon tomato sauce.

The storm was very exciting, with lots of lightening and thunder, and heavy wave action, for a few hours. The dogs were not phased, however; they know how to be comfortable in the camper!