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!

We always have a great time with our BFF’s Donna and Jeff but when we party over New Year’s it’s ever better!  We shared our first really big RV camping trip with them last New Years at Wine Country RV Resort and I can’t believe a year has passed already!

This cracked me up, especially since nary a marshmallow was found this weekend.  We drove up to Boulder Creek, a 2 hour drive in pouring rain, on Friday the 30th, got all set up, had a great dinner in our friend’s RV, then when the rain let up we headed over to the lodge to hang out by the fire, play games, and eat ice cream.  A great first night.  I should also mention here that the 30th would have been my brother Rick’s birthday.  He always joked that Chuckie and his Bride were his kids so we often travel with them.  Miss you Rick…miss you every day ❤

Saturday and Sunday we played games inside and out, ate like kings, played at the lodge, soaked in the hot tub, and hiked.  We found beautiful quartz on our hike which are in the rock tumbler turning into huge diamonds… A girl can wish!

Some great campfires!

On New Year’s day we watched football and ate traditional New Year’s day food for luck and prosperity … black-eyed peas and coleslaw…along with Jeff’s amazing prime rib.  The resident park cat “BC” loved Donna of course…and came to visit when she wasn’t guarding the aviary inside the lodge. Another weekend rich with fun, and new memories made with our best friends Donna and Jeff.