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- Check out my YouTube Channel for a some videos here
- Read my March, 2017 interview in Truck Camper Magazine, where I pick 25 of my favorite campgrounds.
- A map of every campsite (740 of 'em, with no dups) I was in for my previous nineteen years of travel is here. Check it out!
- Follow me on Instagram
for occasional posts - Sign my guest book and leave comments
- Photos submitted to the Truck Camper Magazine Calendar Photo Contest: Winner: 2011 Runner-Up: 2013, 2016
| 2006 GMC 2500HD w/2001 Lance 845 |
Previous years' travels: 2006
2007 2008 2009 |
States
Visited Map |
VISITS
I bought my new truck and used camper in late October of 2005. The following May, I "hit the road" full-time for 6 months. I've done the same every year since, and now 2025 will be my 20th year of ramblin'! My how time flies. Not all of my nights are spent camping, but most are. I don't make entries when I stay with my kids or friends. Campsite fees are for one night with no discount (and no hookups, unless specified). However, being the old geezer that I am, I get 50% off at U.S. Guvmint CGs with the valuable Golden Age card, plus free entry to National Parks. One of the few ways (in addition to retirement) it pays to get older. All the aches and pains sure aren't fun. :)
I started my travels this year with about 151K miles on my camper and 229K miles on my truck.
Note: Click on small photos for a larger one. Click on
the USA flag-map (
)
to see the actual camp location (balloon marker) on a map (+/- 50 ft).
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Ref # |
Date |
Location |
Campsite & Other Photos (click links) |
Comments |
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Ramblin' 2025 has started!!! It's my 20th year!! Ride along with me here and see the sights! Check out last year's ramblin' here. Sign my guest book or email me with any questions or comments. Safe travels to you! |
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10 |
7/28/25 |
Kyen CG (COE) on Lake Medocino. 6+ mi N from
Ukiah, CA on US101 then 2+ mi E on CA20. 800 ft. |
72 paved sites on a hillside with lots of trees. You might need your leveling blocks. Across the road from the large Mendocino Lake. Restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers $35 to $65 (w/full hookup). 3rd time here. If you don't already have a reservation, you have to contact Reservation.com fron the CG to book a site. I had lots of trouble due to a weak cell signal. YMMV, |
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Visiting my kids in the Napa area. Was thinking about going to Stanley, ID area, but changed my mind Too much risk of high temps and/or forest fires. Now planning on heading up the CA/OR coast soon |
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9 |
7/17/25 |
Bothe-Napa Valley CG (State) 5 mi N of St. Helena, CA on CA128. 480 ft.
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About 40 dirt sites in a nicely wooded area. Also a few tent only sites and yurts. RVs may need some leveling in many of the sites. Small creek down hillside of some sites. Hiking trail along the creek. Lots of poison oak around. A short drive to many wineries and the nearby town of St. Helena. $43. |
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8 |
6/30/25- |
Westside Regional Park CG (County) in Bodega
Bay, CA. 30 ft.
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47 paved and level sites in 5 rows. Trees between some of the rows for possible shade. Back-in and pull-thru sites. Right beside beautiful Bodega Bay with benches to watch the boat activity. Possible foghorn every 5 seconds during night, but you'll get used to it. :) Launch ramp with parking adjacent to CG. Flush toilets & showers. $10 dump station. $44 (w/tax). 5th time here. Little sun firsr 2 days, but lots of it 3rd day!! |
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7 |
6/22/25 |
PiPi CG (USFS). 11 mi NE of Pioneer, CA on Hwy 88
then 6 mi N on Omo Ranch Rd and North-South Rd (#6),
both paved,, but curvy and very pot holed.. 3600 ft. |
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Very nice CG with 51 paved sites, usually well apart, in a heavy stand of conifer type trees (some 100+ ft tall). Sites in 3 loops and alongside the interior road. Plenty of shade. The small and scenic Cosumnes River (Middle Fork) alongside CG. Very quiet here at night. Popular 1/2 mile walking path (paved or boardwalk) along river. $36. 3rd time here. Several very tall trees recently cut down due to bark beetle. |
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6 |
6/13/25; |
Robinson Creek CG (USFS). 9 mi SW of Bridgeport, CA on
Twin Lakes Rd. 7000 ft. |
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Very popular CG with 54 paved sites in tall pines on level land. Shade varies significantly with site. The very nice Robinson Creek wraps around the CG. Usually good fishing, if they have stocked recently. Many sites on the creek. My favorite Sierra CG. Several other CGs and two large lakes nearby. $32. Another fun family campout with my daughter and son and family. This was my 50th straight year to camp in this area! Very nice weather. |
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5 |
6/12/25 |
Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. South of Lake Tahoe, CA
in the Hope Valley area. 1.3 mi SW
of the hwy 88/89 jct then N through open gate. 7100
ft. |
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Popular boondocking area visible from hwy. Main area is a level, deadend dirt road with sites along the sides. Good part time shade in most sites. Nice meadow visible from many sites and a short walk. Main downside is traffic noise from hwy and camping traffic (ATVs, etc) on dirt road beside sites. Overall a good spot and the price is right at $0. I keep coming back! Been here several times. I must like it!! |
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4 |
6/6/25 |
Gilroy Garlic RV Park. In Gilroy, CA 200 ft. |
Very nice commercial RV park with 170+ paved sites. Most RVers here appear to be "extended stay" folks, but the park does have short stay spots. All the usual amenities: showers, laundry, pool, etc. Close to large shopping centers with stores and eating places. Some hwy noise from nearby US101. $70 (back-in with full hookups). Have stayed here many times. Very convenient for breaking up the trip beyween home and visiting my kids in the SF Bay area into 2 legs,. |
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3 |
6/5/25 |
Pinnacles National Park CG. 29 mi S of
Hollister, CA on curvy-at-times CA25, then 2 mi SW on CA146.
1000 ` |
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120+ gravel sites (incl 37 w/elec) on level land. Also 14 group sites. Several really big oak trees and other smaller trees and bushes. Saw some quail and rabbits near my site. Lots of hiking trails nearby (easy and hard). Swimming pool. Flush toilets & showers. Free dump station.. Store with WiFi. $43 (no electric). 6th time here. |
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2 |
5/29/25 |
Islay Creek CG, Montana de Oro State Park. 5 mi SW of
Los Osos, CA (via Los Osos Valley Rd and Pecho Valley Rd). 100
ft. |
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Secluded CG in a beautiful State Park on the coast. 50 paved sites on level land in two sections in a canyon. Feels more like a typical USFS CG, than a State Park one. Loads of hiking available along with a beautiful beach cove. Spectaclular scenery. You can even hear the waves crashing at your site when the surf is big! Vault toilets. $25. Decided I'd better see if everything works before I hit the road for a while. Easy to do, since it's only a few miles from my winter home. 8th time here. |
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1 |
2/20/25 |
Washburn CG in Hearst San Simeon State Park.
5 mi S of San Simeon, CA on CA1. 200
ft. |
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65+ gravel sites on mostly level land on a plateau. Sites usually well apart. Some small trees. Nice views from the CG. Hiking trails. About a mile walk to the beach. Vault toiilets. $25. 3rd time here. Was in this area to see the elephant seals (see Beach Bums pic and video). Decided I might as well camp for a night. |
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[Home] [Camper Add-Ons] [Campsite Map] [Interviews] [Photo Albums] [Sporadic Blog] [Tips] [My Music] [Contact Me]
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