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Posts from the ‘States’ Category

Jan 2

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A Desert Holiday

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Again this year, Kelly and I spent the holidays in the desert, far away from the snow and ice plaguing much of the country.

With plans to rendezvous with fellow nomadic travelers, we pointed Moose and the Airstream west.  About 2.5 hours later we arrived to Quartzsite, AZ – a location many fulltime RV travelers will know (arguably) as the RV capital of the Southwest.  At least during winter months anyway.

A town of 3,600 residents that swells to nearly 100,000 (yes – 100,000) during winter, Quartzsite is an RV mecca of sorts. When visiting this time of year expect big rigs and big crowds.

Almost as if playing bumper cars with one another, most RVs situate close to town.  Not us.

With a goal to avoids the crowds, we set-up shop about 20 miles south of town on a sweet patch of BLM land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  For ten days, the grounds were nearly empty as we shared hundreds of acres with only one other couple.  Effectively the middle of nowhere, we felt right at home.

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photo credit @gm3sf

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photo credit @gm3sf

photo credit @gm3sf

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Shortly after Christmas Day the New Year’s crew began arriving and we eventually peaked at ten total rigs.  Kelly and I already knew most of the group, but did make a few new acquaintances.

Our group could not have asked for better weather as bid adieu to 2016.  We enjoyed a fantastic group pot luck dinner, champagne, and loads of good laughter as the calendar rolled over into 2017.

It was perfect.

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photo credit @gm3sf

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Photo credit @gm3sf

 

Jul 31

3 Comments

Site 25

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The plan today was supposed to involve a quick drive from one campground to another, the latter being William Kent, a national forest campground located in popular Tahoe city.

On paper the plan seems sound – drive the scenic 20 miles or so over a beautiful pass before descending into Tahoe City, whereupon we’d set-up shop in a location offering easy (ie- walkable) access to the town.

That was the plan anyway.

In reality what we arrived to was a cramped campground, packed with people, trailers, and no shortage of twisty roads complemented with perfectly (ill)situated trees and boulders which will test even the most experiences drivers.  It would have been fun if I had been playing a video game, not hauling around my home.

In a nutshell, it was a shit-show.

Foolishly ignoring the inner voice advising us otherwise, Kelly and I went about our typical routine – she helping me navigate blind spots using combination of hand signals and vocal commands.  Despite our best efforts, and slightly bent steps, site 25  defeated us today. 

Our first complete parking failure.

With my head hung low, I slowly began the process of navigating the truck and rig back to the park entrance while Kelly sheepishly walked back to negotiate a refund.  And with that we left.

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But alas … there is a good ending to this otherwise harrowing story.  

When life offers lemons, why not make lemonade?  And that is exactly what we did by hauling ass directly back to Martis Creek campground in Truckee. 

Now, comfortably situated in a huge site and not dealing with a mob of people or horrific Tahoe City traffic, we find ourselves sipping a cool, sweet, summertime drink.

So F-off site 25 … you may have won the battle, but Kelly and I won the war.

Jul 29

1 Comment

Lucky

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Today’ plan was to relocate from Portola to Truckee, about 45 minutes away.  Our destination was Granite Flat Campground, which upon arrival immediately underwhelmed us.  Oddly shaped, tight sites, and located about 30 feet off a major highway, we were not at all impressed with this campground.

Debating our options, Kelly quickly recalled a recent social media post referencing a first-come, first serve campground about 20 minutes drive away.

Having convinced me eschew the existing reservation at Granite Flat, Kelly and I  rolled the dice – arriving to Martis Creek Campground at 6:30pm on a Friday.  Despite the odds against doing so, we snagged a spot at this sweet campground.

Sometimes the universe throws us a bone.

Lucky us.

 

Jul 25

2 Comments

Ahhh …

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On Friday we pulled-up anchor from the Bay Area and hauled-ass as quickly as we could … our destination being a rendezvous with friends in a rather non-Bay Area like location.  About 4.5 hours later and we arrived to a national forest campground outside of Portola, CA (about an hour NW of Reno, NV) with plans to spend the week with friends.

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Away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area, and nestled in at just under 6,000 feet of elevation, we are back in our happy place.  With friends and surrounded by a massive mountain lake, clean alpine air, and lots of tall pine trees, this spot is just the first of what will be a long string of national forest campgrounds we will be visiting over the next three months.

Just perfect.

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