National Parks – Canned Comfort

Oh Boy!

I cannot believe I am so behind in my blog! The story hasn’t changed since we traveled and the memories are still fun.

After leaving Mina, Nevada we headed to our next destination the Twisted Oaks Winery near Murphy, California. We had been through this area before but had not noticed our surroundings. The beauty of trying to slow down is that roads we have traveled before become new.

Highway 95 is a lonely two lane road that is used by big semi-trucks and the occasional rig. It is early spring and the wind is warm. It is a quiet road, we pass abandoned farm houses and businesses. There is an Army depot near Hancock California. We took a left to go south on Hwy 395 to cross over and through Yosemite NP.

The strange thing is when we had our small 20 foot Airstream we drove down the road past Mono Lake as we did on our way to California but could not find signs to help us navigate to get to an historic cemetery near the lake or get closer to the lake. We were such newbies then. We decided we would follow the map and drive through. We still didn’t know if rigs were allowed on these roads or where exactly the cemetery was. We are now pulling a 27 foot Airstream and turning is a challenge. We are such sissies. We did not want to trespass if this was private land and we did not want to be on BLM land we were not allowed on. We did park the rig, take the doggies out for a walk and to do their business. We did a little walk around and found pit toilets, some fencing but no signs. We left to get going.

As we turned left to go onto Hwy 395 we started seeing signs to the entrance to the Mono Lake National Park! Sometimes we get lost in too much thinking. It was getting later and we had to get across the mountains into Gold Country.

We were able to get to the entrance of Yosemite NP but found that COVID and snow made for a few restrictions. 1- you had to have reservations to get into Yosemite and 2- a two hour wait for one way traffic into or through the park. We had not made reservations as we were just passing through. Luckily I had my military ID with me and we were give a free pass to go through the park. Whew otherwise we would have to go to Barstow, California many, many miles away. We were able to walk the doggies again, eat a nice lunch in our rig and comfortably wait for our turn to pass to the other side. Oh and it was very cold, snow on the ground and windy.

We drive through Yosemite without any problems or backups. We did drive down very windy roads to get out of the area and it was a bit of a nail biter. We reached Modesto California in one piece and onward to Twisted Oaks!

I am a California native and have been through these hills many times but that was before wineries. hmmmm. My hubby decided we should use his navigator on his phone to locate our destination. It was now 91 degrees outside!

I thought the directions were a bit wonky but he persisted. It took us through 1 and 2 lane gravel and dirt ranch roads instead of the highways I knew I had driven many times before. It took a good 3 hours to drive carefully and safely to our Harvest Host site. The winery is located right off Hwy 49! We could have been there 2 hours sooner if we had taken my directions. Oh well we made before closing, were given a very nice place to park, tasted great wine and there was a cooling breeze all night long. We had no hook ups as these places are free with no “hook-ups” (no electricity for campers to hook up to. That means no AC and it was hot. We opened all our windows on the Airstream and the cross ventilation was so enjoyable. Eating outside was even more fun for all of us.

The most fun spot for an overnight with crazy rubber chickens hanging from trees with funny sayings and great wine too. We hope to pass through there again. It is quiet beautiful and free. Well we did buy some wine and it was another plus for taking the slow road to wherever. We also found out we were five minutes from a favorite place of ours, Angels Camp, California. Next time we will take even more time to enjoy the area.

So We Re-Start

The learning curve begins and what a gift.

Discussing the future way of travel was our first step; 1- learn how to use the many apps for finding “free” overnight camping spots and non-national private ie, KOA type places, 2- we set a goal of only driving 4 hours a day, 3-stop, plan for an easy setup for a relaxing evening and enjoy walks with the new puppies.

We are planning a 3 week family visiting trip covering 5 states. Looking at an Atlas book of current maps of the United States and Canada we penciled in 3 different routes. The route had to be different than our usual one. On our previous trips from Nevada to California were from our home off I-15 south to Hwy -5N to Hwy 46 to Hwy 1 to Santa Cruz, California. Whew. This time we went North on Hwy – 93 to Hwy 6 W, Hwy 395 to Angels Camp California and then winding our way to Felton, California for the duration of our first leg of this trip. Yep, that doesn’t sound like much until you look a a real map. Oh boy.

Ok, to say the “best laid plans oft go astray” is too true. We were up early, rig already packed and hitched the night before. Doggies prepped. Then our real day began. The two, 9 month old miniature Australian Sheppard puppies spotted a young coyote across the road. They were already in the car. We had decided to try traveling without their crates and put them in a safety hammock. Hubby left the driver side window open. They both jumped out the window. The chase began!

It was a beautiful young coyote that was chased by two doggies. It then turned around as to say “I’m supposed to chase you!” He turned around and began barking at the dogs and then the dogs decided they had better get back home. They of course ignored our calls to report to us and then kinda went to the busy street above our road and we started worrying. They quickly returned to home after seeing big cars. We were now grumpy and frazzled. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee. NOW. We were behind in our timed start. Big breath, go to the drive through bakery for a croissant breakfast sandwich, large coffee and water for the pups. We had driven about a mile. Oh my. We laughed, wished we had filmed the coyote express and realized we had planned a 3.5 hour drive and it was only 7:00 am.

Our first stop was Mina, Nevada. Our first overnight. Never heard of it? Me either. It is a very small, dusty hamlet on the way to somewhere else. It was empty of campers when we arrived. Fine for us. They had long “pull through” spots with well defined hook ups. Very clean, near the highway but quiet with an amazing view of the desert hills of eastern Death Valley. It was very reasonable, $35.00 per night. Very good for our budget. The sun was still up, warm, gentle breezes wafted through the camp. It was a quiet I associate with the late spring of the prairies. We could hear the occasional hum of a semi-truck. Just quiet and calm. Our pups loved the walk around the grounds and sniffing a bunch of everything. I took a big deep breath and almost cried. It was a space out there without the noise of the city, My hubby poured us a beautifully chilled Marianne’s Rose from Six Sigma Ranch in Lake County California. We felt so accomplished. We drove for only 3.5 hours, on a less traveled road, identified places we would like to explore on a recreational trip. We were not stressed and puppies were also less cranky.

528A26A8-4F64-45FE-9E00-22E52DTheB182EB — The end of the day refreshment

Our dinner was one I had prepared the day before and we heated it up in our kitchen while enjoying our view. We ate inside as the wind was picking up and the temperature was cooling down.

We took the doggies for another quick walk about, then into the coach for our dinner. It was so nice not to feel wrung out and stressed. We were able to eat dinner with a beautiful view of the desert landscape and birds, not worry about a crowded, noisy campground – we listened to the quiet, even the highway noise was muffled and slight. We heard a faraway train going through during the night. Ahhhhh

The morning was bright sunlight, not warm yet. Quiet, no people, many birds and deer scattering as we make human noises. Big deep breath and sip fresh coffee on our outside chairs. Doggies nudge us for the morning wake up walk. Just what we need. Simple, quiet, not people. A fresh new day. We had camp fire toasted, homemade cast iron bread. Home made jam and a smile. The doggies little wiggle butts were happily wagging too. It was an easy, un-rushed re-pack, to secure items and pack the dogs. We knew it was May. The day would heat up and we would melt. Onward and westward we charge!

Operation Yogi Bear! Yellowstone NP

The morning is crisp and full of excitement! Finally after all these months we are arriving at our destination – Yellowstone National Park. I am like a little kid. I feel butterflies in my stomach, anticipation and happiness. After months, since October 2015, we are at our destination. The skies are beautiful blue with fluffy white clouds quietly floating overhead. What a welcome!

We expected another long drive from Pocatello, Idaho to the western entrance of Yellowstone NP — but it truly was like we flew there. There was a special line for campers that had reservations so we breezed through to Madison Campgrounds. The registration process was orderly, full of information, review of regulations and courtesy! Wow! What a deal. The fact we have senior passes for the National Parks it cost us $13 per night! Can’t beat that.

We, at first couldn’t identify what we sensed was different, but we found that not only was Yellowstone green but CLEAN! Our campsite was clean, open, roomy, and had a sense of home. Our son and family was right behind us by about one hour! Our campsites were adjacent! This is their first trailer camping experience. They drove from eastern Colorado and we from coastal California.

It took about an hour to set-up the trailers and then grandpa and grandson set up the cookstove and cooking area, we girls made our seating, eating and relaxing areas livable. The bathrooms were pristine, fresh, and up to date with even a separate area to wash dishes! We were in a no hook up area!

I still can’t believe that we are finally in Yellowstone. We wasted no time to start our sightseeing. As soon as the campsite was secured and set we started on our must see list. It was only 2:00 pm and small crowds. It was very windy but not as cold as we were expecting. The Paint Pots were amazing! They burble, spit and steam all at the same time— AMAZING.

More magical than even Disneyland!

Our daughter and family were coming over for dinner this evening and we started our trek back. It is a glorious start to a truly memory making adventure! We know our campsite is comfortable, fire pit prepared, smores staples at the ready and the dinner project ready for the children to get started with so we can all have an evening meal!