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Tell your friends about this site
Check out
a slideshow of ALL pictures taken this year here
- 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 sixteen years of travel is here. Check it out!
- Follow me on Twitter
and 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 2022 will be my 17th year of ramblin'! My how time flies. Not all of my nights are spent camping, but most are. I don't make entries that are repeats of previous campgrounds or 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 141K miles on my camper and 210K miles on my truck. I took my camper to the Lance factory before my 2014 travels and had some structural repairs done to it (pics here and here). It should be in good shape for several more years of travel. Of course, my old body will probably wear out before the camper. :)
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' 2022 has started!!! Ride along with me here and see the sights! NOTE: There are some "winter ramblin'" sites at the bottom of this page. 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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1/31/23 |
Stats for 2022 are below. Less camping than normal due to off the road during mid summer heat. -3500 miles. Lowest miles ever! 17 year total about 145K mi. - 64 nights camping (including 17 (27%) boondocking, but excluding in driveways, etc.) in 30 different campsites. 19 (30%) nights @ $0/night. - $12.02 average campsite fee, with discount, and $18.06 without. Free campsites (boondocking, etc.) included in average cost.
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10/23/22 |
Back home. Ramblin' 2022 is over. Thanks for following me this year! Stats later. |
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I hope to have a short YouTube video of my 3 week fall E Sierra trip later. |
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10/11/22- |
Visiting my 2 kids in the SF Bay area for a while. |
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30 |
10/10/22 |
Sandy
Beach CG (County). About 2 mi S of hwy 12
at Rio Vista, CA. 30 ft. |
Nice CG with about 40 paved sites on level land, in 2 loops. All sites are pull-thru, parallel to the road. Shade varies a lot with site. Large lawn area in middle of loops. The wide Sacramento River is a short walk away and visible from some sites. Nice day use area by the river. Flush toilets and showers. Free-if-camping dump station. Launch ramp. $35 (w/water & elec); $20 if 65+ geezer (a real good deal, especially w/water & elec). 5th time here |
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29 |
10/9/22 |
Acorn CG (COE) on New Hogan Lake. 3 mi SE of Valley Springs,
CA. 700 ft. |
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About 130 paved sites on hilly land (some closed this late in the season). Many live oak trees for scattered shade. Nice view of the very low lake from many sites. Flush toilets, sinks and showers. Free-to-campers dump station - but no desiginated RV water fill faucets anywhere (boo). $20 (must pay via Recreation.gov via phone or Internet for open sites!). |
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10/6/22- |
Same CG as 6/10/22: Boondocking site (USFS) |
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Not as many here as back in June. Beautiful weather, but near 32F at night. |
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10/3/22- |
Same CG as 6/11/22. Robinson Creek CG (USFS) |
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Yay, back to my favorite CG. Just made it before seasonal closing. :) Great weather, but HIGH gas prices! Oh well, it's usualy about a buck higher than the rest of CA. |
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28 |
9/30/22- |
Lower Lee Vining CG (USFS). About 3 mi W of
US395 on Tioga Pass Rd in the Lee Vining, CA area. 7300 ft.
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50+ dirt sites (some tent only) on level land. Sites generally close together. Laid out somewhat randomly, w/o organized loops like many CGs. Trees predomiately tall pines and aspens. One section has very shady sites, due to a thick grove of tall pines. Nice creek along one side, but only a few tent sites are on it. Pit toilets, except 1 vault at front section. $14. 5th time here. Very nice CG host. |
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27 |
9/29/22 |
Silver Lake CG (USFS). About 5 mi W of June
Lake, CA on hwy 158. 7100
ft. |
60+ paved sites in 2 loops on level land. Very widely separated sites. S loop is near the lake, while the N loop is near a creek (outflow of lake). Can't see either lake or creek from sites, due to trees/bushes. Essentially no shade in N loop. S loop has some sites somewhat shaded by tall bushes. No shade isn't that big of a deal this time of year with mild temperatures. The fantastic view of the Sierras more than makes up for it. You can always bring shade, but you can't bring views. :) Flush toilets and pay showers. $31. 5th time here. |
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26 |
9/27/22- |
Boondocking site (USFS) Not a developed campground. From
the June Lake, CA loop road (S end) junction
with US395 go 7+ mi SE, then 1/2 mi NE on Owens River
Rd, then 1/4 mi N on unmarked dirt road (map say 02s214). 7500
ft. |
Nice, good size clearing in the pines and easy to get to. Only about 1/4 mi off a paved road via a one lane dirt road. US395 is about 1/2 mi away, but only trucks produce a bit of a hum. Good Verizon cell signal for internet acces. The usual boondocking fee of $0. Only one other camper in view through the trees, about 75 yards away. Been in this area many times before. I really like it here!! Many other spots in this general area. |
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25 |
9/26/22 |
Convict Lake CG (USFS). 34 mi NW of Bishop,
CA on US395 then 2 mi SW on Convict Lake Rd. 7600
ft |
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85 paved sites on sloping land. Small Convict Creek alongside CG. Beautiful Convict Lake, surrounded by tall peaks, at CG entrance. Many sites full sun. Creekside sites have more shade. Vault toilets. $31. 5th time here. The beautiful sunny weather continues!! :) |
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24 |
9/25/22 |
French Camp CG (USFS). 23+ mi NW of Bishop,
CA on US395, then 1/2 mi W on Rock Creek Rd 7300
ft. Note: Exit US395 at "Tom's Place" sign. |
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86 dirt sites on sloping land, full of boulders. A long, oval road accesses the sites, with 4 crossroads in the oval. Some sites will full hookups. Plenty of conifer type trees for at least some shade. Rock Creek to one side of CG, but not visible from any site. Makes nice music, though. Flush toilets and sinks. Dump station. Very handy to US395 travelers. $31. 3rd time here. I was sitting inside eating and noticed the incredible sunset. Had to get out and take some photos. Had a cold dinner when I got back. :) |
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23 |
9/24/22 |
Bishop Park CG (USFS). 15 mi SW of Bishop,
CA on West Line St (aka CA168). 8400 ft. |
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About 20 dirt sites on sloping land (several tent only). The fast flowing Bishop Creek (N Fk) is alongside most sites (and below some). Makes nice music. Heavy shade at many of the tent sites. Not much at the RV sites. Bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks. $32. 6th time here. I've caught many a fish out of the creek farther up where it's calmer. Fall colors starting at 9K ft or more. Lake pics are Lake Sabrina at 10K ft. Meadow is on the way to South Lake. |
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22 |
9/22/22- |
Boondocking site (BLM). Not a developed campground. In
the Alabama Hills area a few miles W of Lone Pine, CA,
off Whitney Portal Rd. 4700 ft. |
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A very large area with dirt roads throughout. Very interesting rock formations close by and the majestic Eastern Sierras in the distance. Mt. Whitney visible from some locations, including mine. Sites are usually beside the dirt roads, so you might get someone driving by every now and then. However, absolute quiet at night. $0. 7th time here. BIG changes by BLM on where you can camp (Pandemic camping overload related), so I was E of Movie Rd. No camping now W of Movie Rdee, where I always was. :( Got a great spot, though, with awesome view of the mountians and Mt. Whitney. This area was the site of many, many movies, especially old cowboy ones. In the middle of the night I awoke to the sound of a galloping horse and the shout of "Hi Ho Silver". Could it have been the ghost of ...... naw. :) |
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21 |
9/20/22- |
Tuttle Creek CG (BLM). 5 mi SW of Lone Pine,
CA via Whitney Portal Rd & Horseshoe Meadow Rd.
5100 ft. |
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80+ dirt sites, well apart, on sloping ground. Zippo significant shade. Beautiful view of the Eastern Sierra mountains and the Owens Valley. Very small creek in CG, but sometimes stocked with trout. Just several miles away from the highest point in the lower 48 - Mt. Whitney, 14,494 ft. (see last pic). Vault toilets. $5 dump station and $8/nite. 7th time here. Wind blowing like the dickens when I arrived, but much better next day. I really enjoy the open feeling here, where you can see miles and miles. |
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20 |
9/19/22 |
Ricardo CG, Red Rock Canyon State Park. 25 mi north of
Mojave, CA off CA14. 2600 ft. |
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50 dirt/sand sites. Desert environment. Interesting rock formations here. Off highway far enough to be very peaceful. $25 I got here about 2 p.m. and there were only about 10 sites occupied. Starting around 3 p.m. more people came in. Fourth time here. The last time, in 2014, there was a movie being filmed here, with Kevin Bacon. |
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19 |
9/18/22 |
River Run RV Park in Bakersfield, CA. 400 ft. |
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Very nice place with 100+ paved sites with full hookup. All the usual RV park amenities (pool, laundry, etc.). Usually dry large river bed in back of several sites. Eating and shopping a short drive. Pay dump station. $48 Too far of a drive to reach my planned destination in one day, so I booked this place. |
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8/4/22- |
Back at my sticks-and-bricks place until temperatures drop in the West. |
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8/3/22 |
Same CG as 6/6/22: Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park. In Gilroy, CA |
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When I arrived at 3 p.m. it was 100F!! I went to WalMart and Best Buy to browse in the air conditoning and then to Applebee's for dinner. Got back to my spot about 6 p.m. and it was comfortable enough to sit outside in my easy chair and read. |
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7/26-22- |
Visiting my kids in the SF Bay area |
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Decided it's just too hot for me to ramble around the West right now. 90F is my cutoff. I've decided to return to my "cool on the coast" sticks-and-bricks place and get back on the road in mid to late September for several weeks. The day I was planning on leaving Napa, my Check Engine light came on. A local shop took care of it the next day. An ignition coil needed replacing on one cylinder. The old one lasted 210K+ miles! :) |
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18 |
7/25/22 |
Benbow KOA CG. About 3 mi S of Garberville, CA on
US101. 150 ft. |
Nice CG with about 60 paved, full hookup sites, plus about 30 small cabins, on level land. A fork of the Eel River along one side of CG. Close to US101, so expect some noise. Nine hole golf course adjacent to CG with reduced rates for campers. $70 (22 ft backin). Needed to make a certain number of miles today, so my choices were limited. Had a chat with a nice neighbor |
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17 |
7/22/22- |
Florence Keller Park CG (County). About 4 mi NE of Crescent City, CA
on US101, then W on Elk Valley Crossroad. Follow signs from there (sign
for park entrance kind of hidden).. 150 ft. |
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Nice CG with 50 paved sites on level
land, although some sites sloped considerably. In a
beautiful, dense Redwood forest, so plenty of shade
and site privacy.
Some gigantic stumps around. Several
walking trails. Just
off of US101, but the trees do a good job of decreasing
the noise. No reservations taken. Flush toilets. A real deal at $20!
3rd time here. Same site as last time.While there I drove about 25 miles NE on CA199 towards OR to checkout a FS CG I'd been to before. When I got there it was 99F and only 65F where I started!! OK, it's back to the coast! |
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16 |
7/21/22 |
Sue-Meg State Park CG (formerly Patricks Point) about
5 miles N of Trinidad, CA off US101. 200
ft. |
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Large 125 site CG. Beautiful setting in the trees and heavy
vegetation, including ferns. Ocean view just a short walk
from
my site. $35.
2nd time here. You can walk down to the beach, shown in one of my photos, but I didn't try it. Down is one thing, up is another. :) |
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15 |
7/20/22 |
Standish-Hickey State Park CG about 90 miles S of Eureka, CA
off US101. 700 ft. |
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Very nice CG with about 160 dirt sites (some sloped a bit). Three CG sections on 2 levels; two by US101 (where I am) and the other "down the steep hill" by the Eel River. Loaded with tall trees, including Redwoods, that provide a lot of shade. Noise from busy US101 noticeable from upper level sites, but less so at night. Flush toilets, showers and sinks. $35. 3rd time here. |
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7/15/22- |
Visiting my daughter in Napa, CA. |
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I had planned to make a major trip up to ID and MT. However, I started to worry about hot weather (90+) on it and scrubbed that plan. Returned to my daughter's to rethink things. Decided to try some coast stops, even though it's cooler than I want. :) |
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14 |
7/14/22 |
Indian Valley CG (USFS). 31 N of Nevada City, CA on curvy
CA49. 2300
ft. |
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Nice CG wiith 19 paved sites in 2 loops. Lots of tall trees for shade. The beautiful N Yuba River beside the CG, but very steep access to it. Vault toilets. $24. 3rd time here. Was worried I wouldn't get a site arriving mid Thursday afternoon, but there were 2 available! Got to a bit over 90F while I was trying to relax in my easy chair. TDH (too dern hot). |
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13 |
7/13/22 |
Cottonwood Creek CG (USFS). 5 mi S of Sierraville, CA on hwy
89. 5600 ft. |
Nice CG on sloping land with about 50 paved, mostly level sites in
2 separate areas. Plenty of trees. Some road noise, due to close hwy. I got
in the back and it's less than the front. Toilets (Didn't use, so
don't know if vault or pit. They are in old wooden
building). $24.
Was here first way back in 2008. |
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7/12/22 |
Same CG as 7/5/22: Lakeside CG (USFS) |
First choice was full, so came back here. |
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12 |
7/7/22- |
Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. South of Lake Tahoe, CA
in the Hope Valley area. 2.5 mi SW
of the hwy 88/89 jct and 5.2 mi S of hwy 88 on Blue Lakes Rd. 7500
ft.
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Great boondocking spot. Perfect for my rig. It's on the edge of a beautiful meadow, with great views of the forest and mountains. Creek is a short walk and hidden in the bushes. Adjacent paved road that leads to lakes and campgrounds results in some daytime noise. Intermittent slighty smoky air. $0. |
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11 |
7/5/22- |
Lakeside CG (USFS). Exit 188B from I80 in Truckee,
CA and go about 4 mi N on CA89 then E on Prosser Recreation
Area road for 1+ miles. 5700 ft. |
40+ dirt/gravel sites on level land. Some are small and close together and others are large and well apart. Many beside the medium sized Prosser Creek Reservoir. Nice view across lake to dam and mountains. Vault toilets. $20. 4th time here. Since it was Wednesday I got a site for 2 nights, but it was full for the weekend. |
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10 |
7/1/22-
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Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. From
I80 near Truckee, CA, take CA89 N for 8+ mi. Turn
left on Sagehen Rd and take the next 2 right turns. |
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Super nice boondockiing spot near CA89, but far enough from it to barely hear traffiic. Amid tall, tall pines. No other feasible sites within my view, so I had it all to myself! Road in front of my site had a few vehicles a day pass. Road about 50 yards away the same. $0. Found this spot last year for the 4th. Someone was in it when I arrived this year, then moved later in the day. Yay! |
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9 |
6/30/22- |
Alpine Meadows CG in Martis Creek Lake NRA (COE). From
I80 near Truckee, CA, take North Shore Blvd S about
3 mi then 2 mi E on Martis Creek Rd. 5800 ft.
Note: I hope to be on the road continously for the next 3 months!! Where? TBD. |
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Nice CG with 25 paved sites on level land. Groups of tall pines provide varying shade to sites. Beautiful view of large meadow from back of CG. Very peaceful at night. Dirt road from CG leads to small, narrow lake with good fishing reputation (catch & release only??). Some small aircraft sounds from nearby airport. Some planes are towing up gliders. Fifth time here. I like this place! $20. Would have stayed longer, but all booked for the 4th weekend. Hope to get the nearby boondocking spot I got last year for the 4th. |
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6/18/22- |
Visting my kids |
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8 |
6/11/22- |
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 (which hadn't happened this trip). Many sites on the creek. My favorite Sierra CG. Several other CGs and two large lakes nearby. $28. Another fun family campout with my daughter and son and family. This was my 46th straight year to camp in this area! Very heavy winds on several days. :( Paid $7.65 for regular gas in town before heading out!! Ouch! |
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7 |
6/10/22 |
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. Was here in 2020 for several nites. This stop wasn't planned. Left too late to get to Bridgeport before dark, so camped here.. |
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6 |
6/6/22 |
Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park. In Gilroy, CA 200 ft. First stop of the summer part of Ramblin' 2022. |
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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. $60 (back-in with full hookups). 6th time here. Don't usually stay in this type of CG, but it's what worked into my schedule best. |
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CAMPER UPGRADES DURING WINTER |
Done (no picture) |
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SHORT VIDEOS MADE DURING WINTER |
Montana
de Oro #1 |
Beautiful video from my January mini-trip. |
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5 |
5/5/22- |
Parkfield, CA ("The Earthquake Capitol
of the World") for the Parkfield Bluegrass
Festival. NE of Paso Robles, CA in farming country. About
15 mi off of CA41/46 or 25 mi off US101, via San Miguel. 1500
ft. |
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My 8th time at this great mid-sized bluegrass festival. Try it, you'll like it. Out in peaceful ranching land. Weather very nice Lots of good music by national, regional and local acts. No festival last 2 years due to Covid, so very large crowd this year. People were hungry for live music! I listened to the stage music and jammed with local friends. My daughter joined me for the festival, which made it even more enjoyable. |
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4 |
4/28/22 |
Cerro Alto CG (USFS) 7 mi NE of Morro Bay, CA off hwy 41 via
about 1 mi of narrow, curvy, paved road. Campground sign
on hwy at entry road. 1000 ft. |
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22 very secluded paved campsites along a narrow road, mostly well apart. Small wet weather creek alongside road. Popular hiking trail accessible from campground. Vault toilets. $25. 2nd time here. |
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3 |
3/17/22- |
Upper Sweetwater CG (BLM). From King City,
CA go 15 mi NW on First St, then 2 mi N on Airline Hwy,
then about 12 mi SW on Coalinga Rd (potholed at times).
2800
ft. |
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Very nice secluded CG with 6 gravel, well separated sites on hilly land. Well developed sites with shade shelter and metal picnic table on concrete pad. Fire ring nearby. Tree shade depends on site. Very peaceful here, with only sporadic traffic on adjacent road. Hiking trails nearby. Vault toilet. $0. 3rd time here. Great place!! :) On the trip, stopped at a bluegrass friend's mini-farm for some jamming. Got a nice campsite in the pasture, but the rooster woke me up early. :) |
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2 |
02/16/22- 02/17/22 |
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. I stayed a the nearby SP Creek CG a few years ago. I like this one better for its open feeling. |
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1 |
01/12/22- 01/13/22 |
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. $20. Fifth time here (since it's only 5 mi from home). |
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[Home] [Camper Add-Ons] [Campsite Map] [Interviews] [Photo Albums] [Sporadic Blog] [Tips] [My Music] [Contact Me]
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