I Enjoy a Road Trip

i enjoy going off by myself and driving to new destinations. I have a small 5x8 converted cargo trailer I sometimes tow if the weather has the possibility of cold or rain. This last week I decided to just take my pop up tent, camp cot, the two little dogs and too much food, and clothing (never get this part right) since the weather was to be in the 80s. My sweetie retires next year so I have been creating and planning trips for this summer and fall for us to do during his vacation time.

Most have been very successful but this one was a bit of a let down with screaming children and mothers (until 12:30 at night) and a repeat only with partying teenagers and an hourly train the next night. Then there was also the ticks, yuck! Out of the three campgrounds I stayed at and the multiple ones I visited, I only found one we will make a return trip to. I always meet interesting, friendly people though and have new, varied experiences. Just driving and seeing new places always invigorates me.

Here is my 6x6x6 tent and traveling buddies.


The first camp was at a Beacon Rock on the lower Columbia River. Lovely area but huge, long trains run on both sides of the river pretty much constantly. Only good if you love the sound of trains. But the campground was small and lovely and Beacon Rock and the river huge and awe inspiring.



Next I spent 2 nights on the middle part of the Columbia River by Vantage. The Ginko Petrified Forest Park was there. I had long wanted to stop and see this part of our state. I toured the petrified forest, little museum and surrounding parks, dams and area making a gigantic loop to see a couple of other smaller rivers and their camping options (there are many with the BLM, Forest Service, State Parks and utility companies maintaining different campgrounds in the area. Wanucum State Campground where I spent two nights, had nice facilities for camping with electricity, water, sewer hookups, and lawns watered in the desert area. Lots of people bring huge motor homes, and boats to play and fish on the river. Here are some of the flowers that were in bloom. Also pictured is Mt. Hood from the Washington side of the river.



The last evening I didn’t bother to take photos. It was an area my parents had once lived so I was more interested in seeing how things had changed. The campsites were incredibly primitive with pit toilets and bring your own water. The ticks meant I stayed only one night. The wild turkeys and Canadian geese did a lot of talking through the night right along with the teenagers and rumbling trains. The Yakima River scenic drive was pleasant though.

Coming home on the last part of my journey was spectacular with Mt Rainier making a pose. I also found a beautiful little state park we will visit in the future with moss, evergreens and flowering native rodies.

This is the east side of Mt. Rainier coming over White Pass.


Have other excursions planned for June, July, August and September. My sweetie will get dragged along on those. Only one of those trips will the camping facilities be new to both of us.

Now to get a good, quiet nights sleep

 

I'm so sorry you had a rough couple of nights. I don't camp very often..in fact I hadn't in almost 30 years till Ron and I went on a camping trip to join his daughter and her family at a campsite about 1.5 hours drive from us. It was just lovely!! I realized there is a huge difference between primitive camping and "glamping"...glamor camping. And we enjoyed the latter which was an entirely different experience. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!!

I loved your photos! Your traveling companions are adorable! The black and white one looks like a long haired chihuahua or pomeranian. The front one...well who knows lol!

 

Beautiful scenery....with so much violence going on in the world, you are very brave...I think the front dog looks like she is part chihuahua and the back one, papillon by the ears. Both are darling. Careful with the ticks...I know a young man suffering with Lymes disease and it is not pleasant. He use to be so carefree and now this is taking over until they can find the right medications for him...

 

Eileen I am quite in love with the area in which I live. Mountains, ocean, rainforest, sound, high plains and multiple rivers only a few hours away. Geologically its very diverse. I love my little pop up tent. It is only 6x6x7 but fits me perfectly. Only takes a few minutes to set up and much cooler than the trailer when temperatures get over 80F.

Ronni, I really only glamp, but am set up to boondock or disperse camp in luxury. My little trailer has all the comforts of home in a primitive kind of way (water, heat, stove, toilet and a very comfy bed). The weather was unseasonably warm so I only took the tent and camp kitchen. Two of the places I stayed had hot showers and regular restrooms. My parents would have scoffed at calling it camping.

Ronni and Sherry, Max, the black and white character is a chihuahua and poodle. He has traveled over much of the Western US with me. Amber, the blonde is chihuahua and Italian greyhound (the little guys). She is not as well traveled since she loves to run and I have to keep her anchored at all times.

Sherry, So sorry to hear about your friend. Ticks can be bothersome but fortunately I don’t live where they are a problem. I am super cautious when traveling in certain areas (East of the Cascade Mountains)

 

Jewel thank you for including us in your trip! Great photos! I love the ones of the mountains &Beacon Rock.

 

Sounds like your excursion got mixed reviews from you...never mind, every trip has some positives. I hope that you will keep travelling.

 

CM, thanks for the compliment!

Sjoerd, never fear I am a diehard clamper. Out of all my travels this was the first to even have a hint of discomfort. Having traveled most of the Western US, I find people very wonderful and life on the road safe and awe inspiring. I guessed that can be said for any travel.

Being open to meeting new people and having new experiences makes life exciting and worth living . I continue to be shocked at how many people buy into the media and the message of fear and hostility of the “other side”. My dream would be to do away with all media. Selfish of me and probably terribly naive, but I find many good people are so programmed with fear that my heart breaks for them and our world. As for me I have several more trips already planned and I am ready to hit the road again soon. Now to pull some weeds

 

That is a very nice (and hopeful) note from you, Jewell.
You certainly have a good attitude. What are some of the proposed destinations for you and your man?

 

After last summers disaster of a camping trip east of the mountains where it gets hot (I think it hit 100F and the caravan was 120F inside) and unfortunately had an abundance of mosquitoes, I have now planned accordingly. Next month while it is still comfortable temperature wise, we will do the wine country in southeast Washington State. I have also purchased a cool pop up screen shelter for keeping us safe from bugs. Larger than my personal pop up, we could even both sleep in it if needed.

For the summer solstice we are staying at a local state park and I’ve invited everyone from my Book Study groups to join us. Forest, lake and swimming/canoeing, campfires. Should be fun.

July I will be at a Dr. Joe Dispenza Week Long Retreat in Portland Oregon so probably no other travel but maybe a short stay at Lewis and Clark SP on the way home to get use to the regular world. Many campgrounds you can make reservations and need to plan well in advance, not so with this one. It’s a first come gets the campsite.

August and September we are staying close to ocean and rainforests.

We will do a touring loop in central Oregon to visit a Tiny Home Festival and then stay in some nice parks along the coast in August. Many have electricity and showers so it is quite comfortable.

September is Ike Kinswak State Park less than two hours away. Found it and one other park that will be perfect for the hot months. Sunny swimming holes on a lake or river and mossy rainforest to park the caravan.

Although we have a lovely little home and large yard it is fun to have a change of scenery. A year from now my sweetie will retire from work also and we can visit The Four Corners area (States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona) that I have been excited to see again. What’s really great is our adult son now lives with us, so we can pick up and go whenever we want. He is not only a wonderful live-in chef (think gourmet meals cooked for you several times a week), but also perfect house sitter. Never have to worry about houseplants or pets. Don’t know how we got so lucky.

 

It sounds like a good row of potentials.
That four corners area is one of the most beautiful there...such dramatic landscapes. we have nothing like it here.

 

Sounds like you will be traveling jewel! You have a great summer planned!

BTW, I really appreciated your previous posting, and agree with you.