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Had another great six months of RVing 2008!  I stayed mostly in US Forest Service campgrounds.  Average campsite fee (including Federal "Golden Geezer" discount) was $9.40.  Without the discount it would have been $14.20.  I was camping for 86 nights, not including staying at friends & relatives.  Did around 9,500 miles and averaged just under 12 mpg.

See a "trip report" in Truck Camper Magazine here.

Thanks for ramblin' along with me.

63

9/17/08-
9/21/08

Amador County Fairgrounds, Plymouth, CA for Plymouth Bluegrass Music Festival.  1000 ft.
 

Last year's picture
 

Fun, medium size bluegrass festival.   My 3rd straight year..  Perfect weather.  Really enjoyed it, especially since my son & daughter-in-law came up for the weekend!  Yeehaw!

62

9/15/08-
9/16/08

Boondocking spot (not a real campground) (USFS) south of Lake Tahoe, CA.  2.5 mi SW of the hwy 88/89 jct and 4.5 mi S of hwy 88 on Blue Lakes Rd.  7500 ft.
 

Teeny Creek-Many Fish
Sierra Scenery
Emerald Bay-Lk Tahoe

Popular boondocking spot spread out over a large area.  Several other campers there, but I got a very private spot.  Right on a teeny stream, but loaded with teeny fish.  Caught around 18 in 3 sessions totaling around 2-1/2 hours.  Most around 6".  Fun though!  $0.

61

9/14/08

Cottonwood CG (USFS).  5 mi S of Sierraville, CA on hwy 89.  5600 ft.
 

Lake Almanor

Nice CG on sloping land with 24 paved, mostly level sites in the trees.  Some road noise, due to close hwy.  I got in the back and it's less than the front.  Only a couple of other sites occupied.  $10 (off season rate, I think).

60

9/13/08

Merrill CG (USFS) on S end of Eagle Lake.  18 mi NW of Susanville, CA via hwy 36 and Eagle Lake Road.  5100 ft.
 

Back Door Lake View

Very nice campground on a large lake.  170+ level, paved sites.  Most have significant shade due to tall trees.  Modern toilets.  Some sites have hookups.  I got a primo site with a great view of the lake on Sat afternoon at 4 p.m.  I prefer smaller campgrounds, but couldn't pass up the nice site.  $18.

59

9/12/08

Ramhorn Springs CG (BLM).  8 mi S of Ravendale, CA on hwy 395, then 2.5 mi E on good gravel road ( with a bit of washboarding).  5100 ft.
 

Goose Lake (Calif)
Unique Elks Lodge

Nice little 10 site CG.  Dirt/gravel sites close together.  Very little shade.  However, very secluded and peaceful (oops, not so peaceful with the hunters coming in late and leaving early).  Wow, vault toilets even have seat protectors available (that's a first).  You rock BLM!  $0 (or donation box)

58

9/11/08
 

Boondocking spot (not a real campground) (BLM).  4 mi SW of Paisley, OR on Forest Svc road 33.  Note: Very short, steep, kind of rough dirt road to get to it.   4500 ft.
 

Past Its Prime (like me)
Oregon Outback

Great spot by the pretty little Chewaucan River.  Even got a picnic table!  $0.

57

9/9/08-
9/10/08

Gorge CG (USFS).  16 mi NW of Sisters, OR via hwy 20 and Forest Svc Road.  Near Camp Sherman, OR.  2900 ft.
 

100 Ft. (?) Forked Tree
Metolius River #1
Metolius River #2
Three Sisters Mountains

Nice CG with 18 level, dirt/gravel sites in tall trees.  Several sites right on the super clear Metolius River.  Tried a couple of hours of fishing, but no luck (clear water makes it more difficult).  Down to 26 deg the last night!   Brrrrr.  $14.

56

9/7/08-
9/8/08

Boondocking spot (not a real campground) (USFS) 5 mi W of Sisters, OR off hwy 242.  3400 ft.
 

Back Door View

Very close to my 9/2/08 campground.  I spotted this boondocking spot while there.  Right off a little used road.  Lots of tall trees.  Very nice and peaceful, especially at night. Said I was going to do more boondocking this year, but didn't happen a lot.  Oh well, there's always next year.  $0.

55

9/4/08-
9/6/08

Sisters City Park CG, Sister, OR.  3300 ft.
 

Mt. Jefferson
Lots of Fish

60 dirt/gravel sites very close together.  Many tent only.  Very convenient place to stay for the Sisters Folk Festival (which is why I came).  About a 1/2 mile walk to the main venue.  Good music festival in a neat little town.  $15.

54

9/3/08

Cold Springs CG (USFS) 5 mi W of Sisters, OR on hwy 242.  3400 ft.
 

Vintage Truck Camper
John Day River

Very nice CG with 23 dirt sites spaced well apart.  Tall, tall pine trees and some of the tallest aspens I've seen.  Plenty of shade.  Been at freezing or slightly below for the last 8 nights or so (even going lower in elevation).  $12.

53

9/2/08

Union Creek CG (USFS) 20 mi W of Baker City, OR on hwy 7.  4100 ft.
 

Snake River #1
Snake River #2

56 gravel, very wide sites, spaced well apart.  Plenty of trees.  Most sites have some shade.  On the large Phillips lake.  Modern toilets.  $18 (w/water & elec).

52

9/1/08

Peninsula CG, Ponderosa State Park, McCall, ID.  5000 ft.
 

Steep Raft Ramp
Payette River (on 55)

Very nice CG in tall, tall trees with lots of green stuff.  Big lake nearby.  113 level sites, spaced well apart.  Modern toilets.  $21.

51

8/28/08-
8/31/08

Stanley Lake Inlet CG (USFS).  5 mi NW of Stanley, ID via hwy 21 then 3 mi W on Stanley Lake Rd.  6500 ft.

Stanley Lake
Stanley Lake Mtns
Snowy Labor Day a.m.

14 dirt sites, well apart.  Few trees = no shade (but good for the solar panel).  On a nice lake with spectacular mountains behind it.  Glad I found a very nice spot for the Labor Day weekend.  Very scenic and peaceful.  Whoops, it snowed the last night (see pic).  $13.

50

8/27/08

Mt. Heyburn CG (USFS) on Redfish Lake.  5 mi S of Stanley, ID off hwy 75.  6500 ft.
 

Redfish Lake
Peaceful Canoeing
Sawtooth Mountains 

19 paved sites on level land.  Tall, skinny pine trees (some down from July wind storm).  Couple of hundred yard walk to the lake beach.  Beautiful lake and bathtub clear water.  Got down to 29 deg at night.  Brrrr. $15.

49

8/26/08

Cottonwood CG (BLM) 16 mi N of Challis, ID on hwy 93.  4600 ft.  First camping in Idaho in 2 years.
 

 
Salmon River
Green When Watered

Very nice CG smack dab on the banks of the Salmon River.  14 level, paved sites, some shady.  Gravel in picnic table area.  My back door is 40' from the river! $10.

48

8/25/08

Indian Trees CG (USFS) 24 mi S of Darby, MT off hwy 93 on 1 mile of gravel road.  5000 ft.
 

Very nice CG in tall pines, aspens and low green stuff.  15 level, paved sites on sloping ground.  Got a teeny creek a few feet away making nice music.  $10.  My last night in MT for this year. :(  I'll miss it.

47

8/24/08

Spring Gulch CG (USFS) 15 mi S of Darby, MT on hwy 93.  4400 ft.
 

Big Hole Battlefield
E. Fork Bitterroot River

Very nice CG alongside the pretty East Fork Bitterroot River.  11 paved sites on level ground.  Plenty of trees.  Only downside is the very close busy hwy.  The river is about 40 ft. away from my back door.  $12.

46

8/22/08-
8/23/08

East Bank CG (BLM) 8 mi W of Wise River, MT on hwy 43.  5700 ft.
 

Big Hole River

About 10 gravel sites on level land alongside the beautiful Big Hole River.  Many pine trees (several dead, unfortunately .... dern bark beetle).  $0.

Stayed at my cousin's in Dillon, MT for a while to do some fishing and visiting.  Great time, but gotta keep ramblin'.

 45

8/7/08

Beaver Creek CG (USFS).  W of West Yellowstone, MT.  8 mi N on hwy 191 and 17 mi W on hwy 287.  6400 ft.
 

 
Grand Teton Mountains
Lewis Falls (YNP)
Madison River

 64 gravel sites in 3 loops. Loops well apart.  Lots of tall trees.  My loop (C) has mostly primitive priveys.  Near Quake Lake, Hebgen Lake & Madison River.  $12.

44

8/5/08-
8/6/08

Pinnacles CG (USFS) 23 mi NW of Dubois, WY on hwy 287 then 5 mi NW on gravel Brooks Lake Rd (some washboarding).  9200 ft.
 

A Flat Top Mountain
Creek & Brooks Lake
Brooks Lake
Temporary Friend
Creek & Pinnacles

21 gravel sites on hilly land.  Pretty Brooks Lake visable from a few sites.  Spectacular rock formations (The Pinnacles).  Nice little creek that I verified has, at least, some small fish.  Nice and peaceful here.  I like it! $15.

43

8/4/08

Popo Agie CG, Sinks Canyon State Park 9 mi SW of Lander, WY on hwy 131.  6700 ft.
 

Interesting Pioneer Fact
Popo Agie River
Big Horn Sheep
Canyon Rocks

19 paved sites on hilly land (bring your leveling blocks).  In a canyon with interesting rock formations.  Fast, boulder strewn Popo Agie river alongside (hard to fish).  River disappears for 1/4 mile (hence, name Sinks Canyon). $4 WY residents; $8 non-residents.

42

8/3/08

The Dugway CG (BLM) 8 mi N of Sinclair, WY off Seminoe Rd (CR351).  6400  ft.
 

Yeller Flowers
North Platte River
Wyoming Sunset

Around 10 gravel sites alongside the wide North Platte river.  No trees, hence no shade (except beside my camper).  Very peaceful.  Only 2 other sites occupied.  Nice bluffs across the river.  Wasn't in the AAA book, but saw it on a Wyoming Public Lands CG map I had from last year.  It's a FREEBIE!!

41

8/1/08-
8/2/08

Kelly Flats CG (USFS) 36 mi W of Fort Collins, CO on hwy 14.  6600'.
 

Poudre River
Distant Snow-Rockies?
Overland Trail Marker

Finally a decent CG again!  Actually more than decent; very nice.  Pulled in, just as someone pulled out (CG was full) and got a primo spot.  30 dirt/gravel sites along the very nice Cache La Poudre river.  Pine and aspen trees and lots of other green stuff.  River noise masks out most of the hwy noise.  Even caught a few fish!  My last Colorado camping for this year.  I'll miss it!!  Beautiful state.  $17

40

7/31/08

Estes Park KOA, Estes Park, CO.  7500 ft.
 

 Rocky Mtn NP Pics
Nice View
My Camper up High
Wildflowers & Rocks
Bull Elk & Harem
View #2
Bird on Sign

For the 2nd night in a row, not my type of campground.  All CGs in the spectacular Rocky Mtn Natl Park were full.  Decided not to drive further and hope I found a FS CG, so I bit the bullet.  Got a choice spot right by the noisy hwy. :)  $39 (w/elec & water).

39

7/30/08

Pine Cove CG (USFS) 2 mi E of Frisco, CO on Dillon Reservoir.  9000 ft.
 

 
Pretty View
Me @ 12000 ft.
Dillon Resv. 

Parking lot camping at it's finest. :)  Well, at least there is a nice view of the lake.  I never saw the turnoff for choice #1; choice #2 was closed for repairs, so at 7 p.m. this was the best I could do.  It happens sometimes.  $14.

38

7/27/08-
7/29/08

Rosy Lane CG (USFS) 8 mi NE of Almont, CO on paved Road 742.  8600 ft.
 

 
Blue Mesa Lake
Taylor River Bluffs
Taylor River
Taylor Park Lake

Nice CG in a beautiful location.  20 sites (some paved, some dirt).  Moderate tree coverage.  I got a primo site by the fast flowing Taylor River.  Nice "river noise" at night.  $18.

37

7/26/08

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  8 mi E of Montrose, CO on hwy 50 and 5 mi NE on hwy 347.  8400 ft.
 

 
Black Canyon View #1
Black Canyon View #2
Black Canyon View #3
 

88 sites in 3 loops.  One loop has electric.  Short trees and bushes.  Rather primitive for a National Park.  $12.

36

7/25/08

Pa-Co-Chu-Puk CG in Ridgway State Park, 18 mi S of Montrose, CO off hwy 550.  6800 ft.
 

Silverton High View
Silverton Court House
Ouray High View
Ouray Main St.

Very nice campground on level land.  Zippo shade.  In this CG all sites have hookups. Noticeable road noise.  Modern toilets.  Fly fished the very nice Uncompahgre River for a while.  Caught 2 small ones and 3 more got off. Not as good, however, as a guy with a guide who was pulling them in right and left. Grrr.   $28 (w/required $6 park day pass).

35

7/24/08

Boondocking spot (not a real campground) 2 mi N of Silverton, CO off hwy 550 about 1 mi.  Note: Take County Road 7 (although Google Map says 20) where sign says "South Mineral Creek Campground" (which is farther along the road).  Broke my campsite altitude record at 9500 ft. (wheeze, wheeze).  Crossed an 11,000 ft pass to get here.

 
Durango Main St.
Durango Old Hotel
Stormy Sky
Big Guys Boondocking

As I was going up the hill, I looked back and saw many RVs parked.  I back tracked and found this place.  Obviously very popular.  I found a place not real near someone else, but the "big guys" are closely packed along the creek.  Nice and close for visiting Silverton.  Definitely not noise free, though (road above and RV generators)  $0.

34

7/23/08

Junction Creek CG (USFS) 5 mi NW of Durango, CO on Junction Creek Road (same as 25th St. in Durango).  7300 ft.
 

Contented Colorado Cows
Pointed Mountain
Piedra River
Chimney Rock

Very nice CG with 40+ gravel/dirt sites on hilly terrain with tall trees.  Far from a noisy road (yea).  Creek not very close.  Sites are spaced waaaay farther apart than a typical FS CG (nice).  $16

33

7/22/08

East Fork CG (USFS) 10 mi E of Pagosa Springs, CO off hwy 160 one mile.  7600'.
 

Peaceful Place
High Colorado View
Barbed Wire Plus ....
Wanna Live Here?
Funky Shop

26 dirt/gravel sites among many trees on mostly level land.  No road noise.  San Juan River fork alongside, but very steep access. I came here because of the river, but too muddy to fish.  Oh, well, probably wouldn't have caught anything anyway.    $15

32

7/20/08-
7/21/08

Aspen Glade CG (USFS) 15 mi W of Antonito, CO on hwy 17.  8500 ft.  My first campsite in beautiful Colorado!!
 

Taos Store
Rio Grande Gorge
Rio Grande Bridge
Bizzare House
Canejos River 

Nice CG with 34 gravel sites in  two sections.  One by the good size Conejos River in dense trees and the other about 30 ft. higher in fewer trees.  Both on level land.  Some hwy noise, but a nice "river noise" even at the upper level (where I am).  Flyfished an hour or so, but no luck. $16

31

7/17/08-
7/19/08

Black Canyon CG (USFS) 7 mi NE of Santa Fe, NM on hwy 475 (Hyde Park Rd).  8400 ft.
 

Much for Sale
Cathedral
Museum
Oldest Church in U.S.

Very nice CG in tall pines.  36 paved sites in hilly terrain.  One of the nicest FS CGs I've been to.  Just rebuilt 2 years ago.  Even has low flagstone walls at the campsites.  Visited an old high school buddy I hadn't seen in 30 years while here. $10

30

7/15/08-
7/16/08

Valley of the Fires CG (BLM) 4 mi W of Carrizozo, NM off hwy 380.  5200 ft.
 

Desert Sunset
Billy the Kid Hole
Old Ruins
1850s Torreon  (a fort)

Very nice CG in a beautiful high desert setting with mountains in the distance.  Alongside a lava flow bed with a walking trail.  Nice shaded picnic tables.  20 paved sites.  Quite a few small flies that like to get in my ears. :( Nice and peaceful at night. :)  $12

29

7/14/08

Datil Well CG (BLM) 1 mi W of Datil, NM off hwy 60.  7200 ft.  First campsite in New Mexico!
 

 
Nice New Mexico View

Nice CG in short trees.  22 gravel sites, spaced well apart on sloping land.  Only 1 or 2 others here!  Big change in the setting from the last week of CGs. Got rained on hard for the 3rd straight day!  $5

28

7/13/2008

Benny Creek CG (USFS) 2 mi N of Greer, AZ off hwy 373 0.5 mi.  8200'.
 

Nice CG in medium size pines.  26 dirt/gravel sites spaced well apart on level land. Very slight road noise.  $10

27

7/12/08

Ponderosa CG (USFS) 15 mi NE of Payson, AZ on hwy 260.  5600 ft.
 

Jerome Hillside
My Motel in  Jerome
Distant View
Big Clouds

Nice CG in dense stand of tall, skinny pines.  60 paved sites well apart.  Dump station (fee).  Slight hwy noise.   Raining hard when I got here (AZ monsoon season ... new to me).  Glad I'm not in a tent. $15

26

7/11/08

Potato Patch CG (USFS) 7 mi S of Jerome, AZ off hwy 89A (about 0.5 mi).  7000 ft.
 

 
Red Bluffs
Sedona Main St.
Sedona Horse Statue

Nice CG in the pines.  In two parts; basic (A) and electric (B).  40 paved sites total (A=28, B=12).  Slight hwy noise, but not bad.  A part has sites well apart.  B part like a parking lot.  Much better CG than last night. $10 (A) $15 (B).  Visted Jerome State Historic Park - very interesting.

25

7/10/08

Pine Flat CG (USFS) 12 mi N of Sedona, AZ on hwy 89A.  5500 ft.
 

Oak Creek Canyon
CG Red Rock Bluffs

Narrow CG on either side of hwy in a narrow canyon.  Small creek between me and the high red rock bluffs beyond it.  58 paved sites, close together in the trees.  Considerable hwy noise in the day.  Lots of people here when I arrived at 4 p.m.  Not high on my list; too busy. $20

24

7/9/08

Bonito CG (USFS) 16 mi N of Flagstaff, AZ on hwy 89 and 2 mi E on NF-545.  7100 ft.
 

 
Lava Field
Dead Tree
Sunset Crater View #1
Sunset Crater View #2 

Nice CG on mostly level land with trees.  Ground is "volcanic gravel".  43 paved sites spaced well apart.  Modern bathrooms. Across the road from the Sunset Crater National Monument Visitor Center. $16

23

7/7/08-
7/8/08

Ten-X CG (USFS) about 5 mi S of Grand Canyon National Park, AZ on hwy 64.  6600 ft.  My first campsite in Arizona!
 

Grand Canyon View #1
Grand Canyon View #2
Grand Canyon View #3
Grand Canyon View #4
Grand Cyn Hopi House

Nice CG on level land with medium size trees.  70 paved sites spaced well apart.  Two miles to a free shuttle into Grand Canyon Natl Park.  A real deal at $10.

22

6/29/08

Boondock site in Sierra National Forest (not a campground) just across the road from last night and back in the trees.  8400 ft.

Up High View

Just across the road from last night.  Farther away from the road and more shade.  One trailer on this side also, but can't see it from where I am.  Very peaceful and .... free! $0

21

6/28/08

Boondock site in Sierra National Forest (not a campground) about 2 mi from Courtright Reservoir (30 mi E of Shaver Lake, CA) on Courtright Way.  8400 ft.
 

Courtright Reservoir
Rocks on a Platter

Right off the road, but it's not busy.  On a nice flat rock formation. Fantastic view, if clear, which it's not.  Unusual rocks.  Still many mosquitoes.  Lots of boondocking going on where I've been the last several days.  $0.

20

6/27/08

Trapper Springs CG (USFS/Pwr Co) about 35 mi E of Shaver Lake, CA on Courtright Way.  8200 ft.
 

Flowers, Rock, Lake
Super Solar Array
Flowers & Mtns
Canyon Below Dam

Very nice CG.  70+ asphalt sites with good privacy.  Many trees.  A bit of a hike to the lake.  Lots of mosquitoes!  Did some fishing in the lake next day, but no luck.  $18 (Boo .. no Golden Age discount).

19

6/26/08

Sawmill Flat CG (USFS) about 25 mi E of Shaver Lake, CA and 3 mi S of McKinley Grove Rd on heavily pot holed FR11S12.  (Note: No campground sign, just a Forest Svc bulletin board)  6700 ft.
 

Wishon Reservoir

Small primitive CG in the boonies.  At least there is a privy!  Nice setting in tall trees.  Right on the road.  No noise, however, since most people taking this road are coming here.  Two other campsites occupied when I arrived. $0

18

6/25/08

Dinkey Creek CG (USFS) about 13 mi E of Shaver Lake, CA on Dinkey Creek Rd.  5700 ft.
 

 
Creek View #1
Creek View #2

Large CG with 120+ asphalt sites in tall trees.  Creek nearby.  Modern bathrooms.  I'm surprised ... many open sites. I prefer smaller CGs.  $22

17

6/24/08

Swanson Meadow CG (USFS) about 3 mi E of Shaver Lake, CA on Dinkey Creek Rd.  5600 ft.
 

Meadow View
Caterpiller Castle?

Neat small CG alongside a beautiful meadow (I luv 'em).  8 dirt sites.  I'm the only one here!  If it wasn't for some slight road noise, this would be paradise!  (Note: See Sporadic Blog link, above, for deer story).  $15

16

6/23/08

Dorabelle CG (USFS) near Shaver Lake, CA (50 mi NE of Fresno, CA).  Take Dorabella Rd off hwy 168 1 mi to end.  Note: CG not marked on hwy 168 (that I saw, anyway).  5400 ft.
 

Smoky Lake View

Nice CG in tall pines and big rocks.  68 dirt sites (half tent, half RV), many unlevel.  Lake a short walk.  Many open sites when I arrived at 7:30 p.m. (whew!)  A bit smoky from various fires around CA (but not here).  $19

15

6/12/08

Sunset State Beach CG 17 mi S of Santa Cruz, CA.  200 ft.
 

I Want This House!
Nice Beach

90 sites in multiple loops with various terrains.  No beach view from mine (the first loop).  CG sandwiched between agricultural property and ocean. $25

14

6/11/08

Plaskett Creek CG (USFS) 40 mi N of Cambria, CA on hwy 1.  200 ft.
 

Sand Dollar Beach
Coast View

40+ sites, large trees (cypress?), plenty of grass.  On inland side of hwy 1.  Only glimpses of ocean across hwy.  Ash falling from fire inland.  Hwy 1 in this area one of the most beautiful drives there is! $22

13

5/29/08

Island Park CG (COE) on Pine Flat Lake, 36 mi E of Fresno, CA (off Trimmer Springs Rd).  Note:  Short steep entry road.  1000 ft.
 

Lake View
View from my site

On large lake.  Nearly 100 sites total.  Half in hilly area w/many tent only.  The other half in a flat grassy area, packed together like a parking lot.  Got the same primo spot I got 2 years ago;  site #11 overlooking the lake.  $16

12

5/28/08

Hume Lake CG (USFS), about 10 mi from Grant Grove Village, CA.  About 4 mi off hwy 180.  5200 ft.
 

Wowee Sierra View
Hume Lake

74 sites in tall trees.  Nice lake a short walk from my campsite. Small summer camp community about a mile away (gas, store, restaurant, boat rentals, etc.) $19

11

5/27/08

Azalea CG, Kings Canyon National Park, 58 mi E of Fresno, CA on hwy 180.  6500 ft.
 

Sentinel Tree
Gen. Sherman Tree
More big trees

110 sites, hilly, "big trees".  Many sites not level.  I'm the only one in the beautiful "meadow section".  Market and restaurant within 1/2 mile.  A lot colder at this elevation.  Low 40s in day, near freezing at night. Sure glad my furnace works! $18

10

5/22/08-
5/26/08

Potwisha CG, Sequoia National Park, 40 E of Visalia, CA on hwy 198.  2100 ft.
 

Cal Buckeye Tree
Foot bridge over river

Nice 41 site CG in lots of trees (foothill type).  Alongside Kaweah River.  Arrived around 7 p.m. and got one of the last spots for Memorial Day wknd.  Weather could have been better.  Spent most of one day in the camper out of the rain.  $18.

9

5/8/08

Doheny State Beach CG in Dana Point, CA.  40 ft.
 

Harbor Entrance
Beach View

My usual campground when visiting Orange County.  100+ sites.  Very popular.  Some campsites right on the sand.  I'm the next row back to save $10 (2.5 gal of gas).  $25.

8

5/6/08

McGrath State Beach CG 4 mi S of Ventura, CA off Harbor Blvd.  20  ft.
 

Coast View
Sand Flowers

Very nice 145 site CG.  Beach a few hundred yards away over sand dunes.  Loud "booms" at night turn out to be for scaring birds away from  nearby strawberry field. Didn't help my sleeping.   $25.

The below entries are for a short trip I made before taking off for full-time travel in May, 2008

7

3/25/08

Tehachipi Mountain CG (County) 8 mi SW of Tehachipi, CA on Water Canyon Rd.  5500 ft.
 

Flowering trees

Nice location high in the pines.  Dirt sites. $12.

6

3/24/08

Wildrose CG, Death Valley Natl Park (CA).  4100 ft.
 

Charcoal Kilns

Primitive, narrow CG overlooking hwy to the charcoal kilns.  $0.

5

3/23/08

Mesquite Springs CG, Death Valley Natl Park (CA).  1800 ft.
 

Scotty's Castle
Ubehebe Crater

30 sites spaced well apart.  Near Scotty's Castle.  Wow, loads of stars at night!  $12.

4

3/21/08-
3/22/08

Texas Springs CG, Death Valley Natl Park (CA). 0 ft.
 

Badwater -282 ft.
Zabreski Point

Nice desert type CG with large spaces.  Up in the hills off the hwy. $14

3

3/20/08

Tecopa Hot Springs CG, 5 mi S of Shoshone, CA off hwy 127.
 

 
Dry Lake

"Desert Rat" (the 2 legged type) area.  Not many choices on the way to Death Valley. $14

2

3/14/08-
3/15/08

Temecula (CA) Bluegrass Festival.
 

Campsite just a dirt lot with other music fans on the main street of old town.  Had lots of fun pickin' & grinnin' with my friends.

1

3/13/08

Far West Resorts CG, 5 mi N of Santa Paula, CA. 700 ft.
 

 
Campground peacock

My usual stop halfway between Morro Bay and Orange County was closed.  This one across the river was much better.  $18.