We planned our first camping trip of 2022 to Hendy Woods State Park. By the way the crow files, 214 miles and a little over 4 hours travel time if in warp speed. Rambling along I-80 to highway 37 across the North Bay and then up Highway 101 to Cloverdale. Off 101 and along highway 128 with the reminder of the destroyed tire and rim on one of our previous trailers, through Boonville (they speak a different language. They call it Boontling.) to the park. Last time I think is around 6 hours.
Last time I filled up the truck, it was $90.00 and I still had a 1/4 tank. This trip would have easily cost the better part of $300.00 in gas plus the $188.00 camping fee. We decided that was way too much when all this trip is, is mainly wine tasting. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against wine tasting (keep in mind I don't drink) except spending nearly $500.00 just to get there when we can go around the corner, so to speak, and wine taste in the Shenandoah Valley.
So we cancelled that trip and made reservations at an RV campground off Highway 4 in the little town of Arnold, California. If you've followed this blog, you know that White Pines Lake is in Arnold. Nice little kayaking lake, stocked Trout in the Winter, and a plethora of small sunfish.
Got there at 1pm on Thursday and set up the trailer. Elevation about 5000 ft. For those not familiar with the California terrain, the higher you go, the colder it gets. The high on Thursday was about 60 degrees.
Here are a couple of photos for your enjoyment.
Then came Thursday night. Our trailer is rated "all weather" so were supposed to be able to camp in "all weather". What we forgot was to set the heater so it didn't get really cold. Outside Thursday night I'd estimate it got to the low 30's. We froze even under a blanket, comforter, and a quilt. Didn't make that mistake Friday and Saturday nights.
With the trouble I have getting around, we spent Friday just hanging out and enjoying the quiet that you get in the mountains. Watched a movie (Men In Black International) Friday night.
Saturday we went up to Alpine Lake to see if my new idea about fishing would work. Let me explain. Since I can't carry fishing rods, tackle box, chairs, rod holders, and assorted snacks, I bought, for fishing and for working in the yard, something called a Gorilla Cart.
Looks exactly like this.
We found one parking lot open. Half the parking spaces (about 12) were full with people doing what ever they were doing and the other row 5 feet deep in snow. Needless to say, couldn't find a place to park because every other tiny space had a "No Parking" sign. Can't say I didn't try.
So we threw in the towel and went back to the campground. Saturday was nice, almost 80 degrees. Read some, snoozed some and listened to the dogs barking and the children screaming.
Ah, typical weekend camping. Up and back on a 1/2 tank of gas.
If you haven't seen this, how's this for a Sunfish?
https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/lake-havasu-sunfish/
I haven't given up trying to fish with this gimpy body.
Stay tuned.
Mark
ReplyDeleteSeems like everyone else had the camping fever----the plus here is to just get out and interact with nature---mission accomplished---the minus ridiculous gas prices and they will keep going up---looking forward to a fishing trip using the gorilla wagon!
Don't give up. Unless the price of gas makes it just too out of reach. It'll be interesting to see how that alters people's summer plans this year. I feel like in prior surges the price would always come back down during the summer. Don't think that's happening this year.
ReplyDeleteI could certainly use a gorilla cart around the house. Looks like a keeper of an item.