In hopes of finding that “perfect” beach camp on the coast of California…we tried Dockweiler RV Park.  Yes we knew it was close to LAX but were in no way prepared for the noise of the jets that took off every 1 to 2 minutes. YEOWZZZAAA!!

We had a lot of fun with our friends the Machin’s which included a visit from Debbie’s daughter on Friday night, and a surprise visit from our Daughter-in-love Emily and grandbaby Marlowe on Saturday night!  That was the highlight of the trip!

I driving Grammy!

The beach was beautiful for sure, but the noise from the planes and the wild partiers all night was too much to take!  Won’t go back there…so the quest for the “perfect” beach camp continues…

I had wanted to go to Kern River forever, when friends asked us to come along with them and some others to Headquarters.  What a great time making new friends and seeing new sights.  The river was rushing pretty good so we could hear it at night as we slept with the windows open.  The weather was perfect during the day and crisp at night.  We played games at night and hung out by the campfire.  We were in site 29 which was a big site for an RV but sites 20 and 25 are right on the river…note for next time!  Kern River is definitely recommended!

Laying in the hammock with my sweet friend Kay – beautiful view!

One of the highlights was walking through giant sequoia trees.  Shocking how old and huge they are…

And my favorite picture, taken out of Larry’s truck window (while moving) of smoke that had rolled in from the Northern Pacific Fires that burned for weeks.  Breathtaking.

A busy and very hot summer kept us home a lot, but this came up and we couldn’t resist! Now in-between camping trips we will be on the lake. Who are we??

 

We went with the Machin’s, Yardeen’s, and Harrington’s to Boulder Creek for a long weekend in July. We knew the Yardeen’s and Harrington’s were going to fish so I bought some fishing equipment and it all started coming back to me from growing up fishing with my dad. We had a great time up there making new friends and fishing. I was a bit squirelly when I caught my first fish, so Ed helped me and after that I could get the hook out and string them up myself. Felt SO great!  First pic is us “practicing” at Apollo Park with the Eastman’s.

 

After such a great time last Memorial Day with Craig and John at Tom’s Place, we knew we wanted to go back.  It’s official now, this has to be a yearly tradition. The 395 through the Eastern Sierras is a beautiful drive, a part of California we don’t get to see enough. This year the snow made it even more spectacular.

Nikki, Elliott, Brody and Grace joined us along with Lucy, and so did Craig and John, Candace and Craig, and Connie and Jim.  We had 5 sites in a row but it’s so wooded there we also had lots of privacy.  We brought Chuckie and his Bride of course and got a kick out of the looks we got as people passed by.

We started out having the pot roast dinner at the Tom’s Place restaurant on Friday night then enjoyed breakfasts and dinners together at camp.  During the day some would take off to hike at Convict lake or fish.  Gary hiked 3 miles around Convict with no pain.   Evenings were spent enjoying combined-effort dinners and sitting around the campfire complaining about aches and pains and reminiscing about the crazy things some of us did as kids…not me of course 🙂

Grace and Brody climbed this tree about 100 times each!

Since this is dry camping, and we had 6 people with us, we bought a free standing shower tent with a shower bag.  Coolest invention ever.  The special bag, once filled with water, warms up in the sun and has a shower hose that delivers 3 gallons of warm water for a very nice shower.  Brody used it and thought it was pretty cool.  Nikki got in some much desired reading time and relaxation, and they all played Forbidden Island all night long one night.

On Sunday while others were hiking, we rode around with Craig and John and dreamed of living up there in God’s country.  It’s so pretty and remote.

Nikki, Elliott, the kids, and Lucy had a great time and got in some hiking as well!

Lucy was in her element, and particularly loved the rushing water.

On our way home we stopped at Copper Top BBQ for lunch with Craig and John.  Had to run across the 395 YIKES but it was worth it 🙂

Another successful camping trip with lots of memories made and this time with family and more friends!  I hope next year will include GEM!

We invited Nikki, Elliott, Brody, and Gracie to join us at Boulder Creek in Lone Pine for Mother’s day weekend.  Lucy also joined us.  Nikki, Lucy, and crew camped in tents and us in the RV of course…and we had a great time.  The pool and hot tub was a huge hit.  We had lots of good food, a couple of naps, and we all “decomposed” haha.  In two weeks we will head up to French Camp at Tom’s place so this was a nice little trial run.  So happy Lucy did so well…she’s already a pro camp dog!

Gary’s back surgery was a huge success!  Sitting, standing, laying down, walking, all a pleasure for him.  He will continue to improve over the next year too.  Glad to have my hubby back!

With Gary’s back surgery coming up on March 22nd, we took two quick trips to Tehachapi’s Mountain Valley RV Park. Only 27 spaces but really convenient, pretty views, glider park, and cute little restaurant.  This is where we went for our first REAL camping trip with the RV.  Lots of bike trails too.

Here we are on March 4th just chillin’…

And back again on March 17 with our bikes on the new bike rack. We had bought one at Camping World but didn’t like it all as our bikes literally hung and were secured with rubber thingies…I was always nervous a hard bump would find them flying down the highway.  Sold it and bought this one.  Much better!

The planes and gliders were taking off all day on Saturday!

And a beautiful sunset, shorts by the campfire (which by the way isn’t allowed at this campground oops) and lots of relaxing.

This picture means we’re heading home…The surgery was a huge success so our next trip will be soon!