Christmas card photos come to life in the Land of Giants.
Previously posted to Facebook on 5/18/18
Our explorations into this big beautiful country keep getting better and better. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is our first impressions of this special place in the Sierra Nevadas.
A land of giants
Ken said it correctly in an earlier post, we are in the Land of Giants. Every steep hairpin curve upward in the High Sierra brings a new surprise. Spring flowers in vivid shades of purple, yellow, red and white cover the mountainside like colored carpets. Herds of deer glide silently by. Bear forage after waking from long winter sleep. Giant grey squirrels chatter. A Perrigrin falcon coasts through the sky. You are surrounded by multiple, massive, icy cold rivers cascading thunderously down onto rocky faces and through lush mountain meadows. The smell in the air is a perfume no chemist could ever duplicate; it is pine and flowers, fresh clean water and woods.
The clouds touch the mountaintops and dance along the brilliant blue sky, so close you want to reach for them. And under the giant sequoia and pines, where it is dark and shaded, Christmas card photos come to life.
If Yellowstone is the diamond, then Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the rubies and the emeralds. The Sequoias are Titans wrapped in soft, warm, bark robes, sometimes two-feet thick.
Uncrowded exploration
We have had dumb beginner’s luck and visited here just ahead of the season, with its masses of tourists parading from park-to-park on the weekends; so during the week, we have this playground virtually to ourselves. We hiked for miles and rarely saw anyone. We picnicked alone in splendor.
Mother nature puts on a fantastic show in the High Sierra. Snow is still on the mountaintops, melting and creating waterfalls everywhere you look. Trickling ones, roaring ones, gentle brooks that feed the meadows. And slow, wide, meandering ones. You think you have seen the best. But then turn the corner and your eyes pop because you encounter something even better. A mountain, a budding tree, blossoming flowers, or wildlife.
Get out and GO!
Many of you have mentioned to us that we are living your dream; to go around in an RV or travel trailer and see the country. Ken and I would both say DO IT! Do whatever you can and drag your children along too. Weekends in a van or months in an RV. Do it. You will not be disappointed. The world is big……
Always grateful. 👫
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been our favorite National Parks so far. I hope our photos do it some justice.
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I’m not sure why we didn’t see Lava Beds National Monument when researching our route. The only defense is that you see so many forests and monuments on the map that if you stopped for them all, you would never make it to your destination.
North from Carson City
Our destination after Carson City, Nevada was Bend, Oregon with an overnight stopover in Tulelake, California. We researched our route and decided on Interstate 395 then across to State Road 139 at Alturas, California. The thinking was to stay east of the greatest elevation changes until the last possible minute and thereby save on gas. Our route choice was a good one and we made the very happy discovery of Lava Beds National Monument along the way.
I’m not sure why we didn’t see this park when researching
our route. The only defense is that you
see so many forests and monuments on the map that if you stopped for them all,
you would never make it to your destination.
We cruised up the highway, enjoying the sight of snow blanketing the forest floors. In the back of my mind, though, I kept wondering, did we move into the mountains too early in the season? And hoped that the answer was…it’s fine. We were nearing our overnight stop in Tulelake when the sign for Lava Beds National Monument appeared on the side of the road in what seemed the middle of nowhere.
The sign indicated that it was 16 miles to the park and, as we were ahead of schedule, floated the idea of heading there to look. We decided to continue to our overnight stop and try to include a quick visit before we pulled out for Bend.
Tulelake, California
Tulelake campground
Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds is a Passport America Park. If offers full hookup campsites in a lush, green, grassy area that is off to the side of fairground buildings and backed up to farm fields. This is a self-pay park and can still be used if you are a late arrival. Although there are not a lot of dining options nearby, it is a lovely and peaceful place to rest for a couple of days. There was a Visitor Center on the fairground property, though we didn’t go in. Happy with our camping site in Tulelake, we decided to stay two nights and see what was nearby.
Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge
White Pelican
Our first stop was the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge. After driving around on dirt dyke roads, through acres of sweet potato farm fields, we decided that this place would be what we call “an armadillo roll”, as in, roll on by. We did see our first ever pheasants with their beautiful plumage and, funny to us as Floridians, white pelicans. If you are into birds, then you may love this place. Various, huge flocks were floating, flying, and fishing in the waters.
Lava Beds National Monument
We used the second half of our day to drive into Lava Beds National Monument. Ken and I figured to just do a quick drive through look. Wow! We are sorry that we didn’t skip the wildlife refuge and just go straight to Lava Beds.
Acres of diverse volcanic features vie for your attention in the Great Basin High Desert. Hikes, wildlife and battle sites also abound but the show doesn’t stop above ground. Of over 700 caves in the park, twenty five of them are marked and open to exploration.
Caves
Skull Cave entrance
The caves are graded from easy to difficult and are yours to explore on your own. Yes. That’s right. These caves are open for you to explore completely on your own. To make sure that you have all the equipment necessary, you must first stop at the visitor center and obtain a pass. There the rangers will brief you on safety and equipment, you will be screened for white nose syndrome and helped with what caves may be suitable for you. You will need;
A helmet (bike helmet will do)
Flashlight (can be borrowed from visitor center)
Suitable warm clothing/boots
Gloves
Water
There is something otherworldly
about being in a cave all alone. It
really isn’t for the faint of heart but is something that I feel privileged to
have done. We went into Skull Cave where
you descend, down and further down, about eighty feet, until you reach the ice
floor at bottom. And the temperature change is dramatic. We were freezing down there.
Lava tube opening
We hiked back to another cave for
an attempted entry but felt that it was too steep for our capabilities. Even though we couldn’t go in that cave, it was
a beautiful hike, late in the afternoon.
We were treated to deer foraging for their evening meal and some
beautiful sunset colors in the sky.
We will be back
This is one of the places that we are kicking ourselves for not knowing about and planning more time to spend exploring. There is a small campground at the park. Although beautifully situated It does not provide hookups and only has a couple of spots suitable for RV’s over twenty-five feet. However, the Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds was nearby and has full hookups.
Tule Lake Monument
In addition, after we left the area, we found out that Tulelake, California was also the site of a Japanese American internment camp and prisoner of war site. This site is now memorialized at the Tule Lake Monument. This monument would be of particular interest to our family because Ken is half Japanese. The only way to tour the buildings at this site is with a Park Ranger and can be arranged at the Park Visitor Center located at Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds. The very place we stayed.
Klamath Falls Lake & Crater Lake National Park
Joey finds a mud puddle at Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds
The proximity of Klamath Falls Lake and Crater Lake National Park (about 1 ½ hours), makes Tulelake a great basecamp for exploring an activity rich area. I’m really sorry that we didn’t research our stopover more fully but very happy to have stumbled on it. Lava Beds National Monument alone is worth the visit but everything else is icing on the travel cake.
Are you considering the full time RV travel life? The research and preparation can be overwhelming. Read below for ten things to know before you go RVing. Maybe you will find a pointer or some advice to make the transition a little easier, or what to expect when you get there.
1. You need a hobby
Bitsy models crochet
And it has got to be one that doesn’t take up any
space. We arrived in Oregon earlier this
year than last, which has been great! We
got to do some playing in the snow that Ken and I had never done before. But what we did not know is that between the
snow melting and the sunshine starting, it is cold rain. Lots of cold rain. When we started out, I envisioned constant
motion, hiking, kayaking, sightseeing. I
did not envision being stuck in this teeny, tiny RV for one week solid. With bad tv service. And worse internet service.
I am rediscovering crochet now.
2. You will gain weight
Okay. Obviously, some
of you will be better about this than we are. But Ken and I can’t resist a good restaurant
and we are always on the lookout for our next awesome meal. Staying on budget helps but unless you cook
every meal at home, it’s difficult to stay on a healthy, well-balanced,
diet. There is just sooooo much good
food out there. Even the farmer’s market
sparks my inner Julia Child.
This is a tough one for us and if you have any coping
strategies, please comment and share.
3. The festival will be the week before or the week after you are there
We have the freedom to move and go wherever we would
like. But there is much to consider when
you move on to a new location. It takes
research. You research the roads,
weather conditions, where you will stay, what is there to do, and last but not
least, where will you resupply. Oh! And budget considerations too.
Oregon State Fair
It is great when a festival or fair, an event or celebration coincides with your visit. But basing your travels on these events is difficult at best. Most towns don’t do a very good job of marketing their events. So, a search doesn’t necessarily bring them to your attention. We have just missed tickets for events that we would have loved to attend, have been unable to get RV park reservations for a nearby event, or just didn’t know in time to make changes to our schedule.
We keep an event calendar of things we have stumbled upon
and may want to return for in the following year. There have been a few festivals that occurred
while we were there. But it isn’t easy.
Is there is something you have your heart set on? My advice is to plan, plan, and plan well in
advance.
4. You won’t have your favorite brand unless you stockpile it.
This is a tough one.
We do not like doing without our favorite products. And we have discovered even more of them
while living on the road. But you will not always find your favorites. Thank goodness it is Walmart that stocks the
best RV toilet paper on the market, as they are everywhere.
While we don’t have room to carry everything, we do add a
little extra in some cases. It makes me
sad at times, frustrated at other times, but is a small price to pay for all we
have gained.
If you must have it, make a place for plenty of it.
5. Cooking takes more organization in a tiny house
I used to love organizing the week’s meals in my stick-and-brick
house. In love with my refrigerator, my
world was good when the vegies were prepped and ready to go on its
shelves. The pantry overflowed with any
dry good or spice needed to express myself through cooking or trying a new
recipe.
Farm to Table Steak Salad & Hard Cider
Not so much anymore.
Each prep step is performed in a small space and must be cleaned before
I can move on to the next step. Each
ingredient has been established to be a crucial item if placed onboard. Each meal is planned and crafted for
ingredients and time. The meal planning
and organization skills that I honed when living in a stick-and-brick are
coming in handy. It used to be a feeling
of satisfaction, but now it is crucial to getting us fed a healthy, well-balanced
meal.
If you are planning to move into a tiny home, start by
putting away your pots and pans, your dishes and utensils, now. Learn how to cook with less and how to
organize more. It will be great
training.
6. You won’t need half the things you think you will
Releasing your possessions to move into a tiny home is
hard. If you have a vision about what
your new life will be like, that is a good thing. You need the visualization of your new life
to help you through the process of letting go.
But be aware that what you visualized may not be what it’s like (see
first item You need a hobby). So, bring that blender along because you will
be drinking margarita’s every night, take those fishing poles that you have
never had time to use. And tools, don’t
forget all the tools you will need. You
know, to fix things and build things.
We still laugh about a few of the items that we brought
along with us and continue to let go.
I’m not saying don’t bring them but be aware that you will have to
figure out how to get rid of unwanted stuff on the road.
7. Everything you need will be in the outside storage
Ken in the basement
Do you need pet meds?
They are in the outside storage, below.
Need those other boots? Also,
down below. Extra fruit that won’t fit
in the fridge, it is down below. See
what I mean?
This problem is directly proportional to the size of your RV,
but I’m sure it is universal. We just
don’t have all the space that we would like.
It happened in our stick-and-brick home and it happens here. All I can say is, try to remember what you
need before ten ‘o’clock at night.
8. Personal standards will slip
I can hear you now, denying that you will let things start
slipping. But most of you will.
RV Socks
I cannot count the number of women in RV parks who have decided to quit covering their grey. A particularly scary sight was a woman pumping gas into her RV wearing pink fuzzy slippers and what looked to be a housecoat. Shaving every night gets a little difficult when you have a tiny shower and limited hot water. Personally, I am still trying to decide where loungewear is acceptable in public. It is very comfortable in the RV, and I don’t want to take it off.
How about mealtime? I
hate paper plates but have been sorely tempted to use them just to make my
cleanup a little easier. And fresh is
best, but I find I am using more dried
herbs because there just is not enough room to have it all.
But my biggest surprise… getting your hair done. You are never in the same location. So,
unless the plan is to keep coming back to your stylist every six to eight
weeks, you are at the mercy of someone new.
I have had a couple of questionable stylists, which is why, I think, so
many women in RV parks have given up and are letting their grey grow out.
9. People living in RV’s are strange
You will be the only normal ones. But be
prepared to meet some of the nicest people around. Ken is an introvert and even he has come home
with information or help gleaned from the other campers. It’s a great group of people and most
everyone loves to share what they know.
We have learned of great places to visit, to stay, and even had fresh
trout given to us by a fellow camper who had extra.
Keep an open mind and remember that you too chose this
lifestyle, so maybe normal is relative.
10. One cellphone provider will not be enough
This point is simple enough. One provider is not enough. It does not matter if you have Verizon. Or AT&T, or T-mobile, or, fill-in-the-blank. Ken and I have different phone providers, and a third hot-spot provider. Even then, we sometimes have no service and must go to Starbucks, or McDonald’s, or other establishment offering wifi.
Research this one thoroughly, as it can have a huge impact
on your budget.
You’ve got this
These are the ten things you should know before you go rving. We understand it is hard to process, figuring everything out before you move onto your RV. But relax, give yourself plenty of time to make the transition, and do not worry too much. There is always a store to buy it in, always a friendly person to help you, businesses that are catering to this lifestyle and, if all else fails, the internet to help you figure it out. And the reward is worth it.
We bid adieu to the Spring Mountains in Las Vegas and pointed The Burrow northward on Nevada highway 95 to the Comstock Load, Virginia City, Nevada.
Last year, we were delayed in Las Vegas while Ken recuperated from pneumonia, so the push was on to get to the Pacific Northwest a little earlier using a new route. Our RV, a Bigfoot, is habitable to 17 degrees-below-zero. But our snow driving experience is limited since we are Floridians. Give us alligators no problem. Four kinds of poisonous snakes, got it covered. Five species of poisonous spiders and enough mosquitoes to carry you away, (shrug) it’s all good. But snow? Yikes! We crossed our fingers hoping we were not moving too soon.
The drive was a delightful surprise. Highway 95 is good road through the desert, with little traffic and fewer towns to slow you down. The beautiful, snow-capped mountaintops of Yosemite towered on the horizon as we made our way north. We stayed for the week at a quiet State Park in Dayton (just down the road from the famous Bunny Ranch) where we had easy access to Carson City (the state capitol), Virginia City (Comstock Load), Lake Tahoe and my favorite activity…Steamboat Hot Springs.
Carson City, Nevada
How many times have you heard about a town, or place, and it did not interest you to visit? Since we started RV’ing, I feel like my mind has been blown. The little towns and historic places in our country are amazing. Seeing them is a privilege that I hope you have already experienced or will soon have the opportunity.
Capitol Bldg. French Crystal Window
Carson City is of course, the capital of Nevada. So, our first stop was the capitol building tour. Built in 1870, it is the second oldest capitol building west of the Mississippi and is adorned with beautiful architecture , a museum on the second floor in the old senate chambers, and an interactive display in the state supreme court room. An interesting fact is the building was condemned but subsequently restored in 1979. We meandered the Kit Carson Trail through downtown historic homes and businesses, while Ken reminisced about, as a young boy, reading Kit Carson adventure novels and how exciting it had all seemed. We enjoyed a lovely spring day, and had a really, really, good lunch at Gather.
Passive activities like touring Carson City, are good but give us an adventure, give us something we love to do, or give us something we have never done before, and it’s a permanent memory. One of my best memories was during a visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas. To me, a nice long soak in a hot spring mineral bath is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I am excited to be heading into one the most active regions for hot spring activity that produces them (read, Volcanoes here).
Steamboat Hot Springs
Steamboat Hot Springs was right in our path so it was my pick as a “must do”. Established in 1857, the springs are piped into a building, listed on the historic register. The menu includes all types of spa treatments, but we opted for a one-hour couples soak. Being able to do this together is one thing I really liked about their menu at Steamboat. In Arkansas, they segregated the baths and massages.
We arrived, eager for the experience and were asked if we would like to include aromatherapy, then shown to our private room. The building is set up a lot like an old roadside motel. Each bath is in a private room entered from an interior hallway and is decorated in a color theme designated by a stained-glass window. You may choose you room color at reservation time, and we choose the blue room. It included a shower, changing bench, towels, cool towels for your face, and a giant tub. The tub had plenty of room for two people, I could practically swim in it. The attendant explained the faucet system, and then, left us alone.
“Heaven, I’m in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together bathing, cheek to cheek.”
What a great experience we had. If you get to this area, we highly recommend the hot springs experience. Check for a Groupon to see if you can snag it at a discount. We found out — after we got there — you can bring your own bath essentials, like soaps, or bath salts, or snacks, or drinks. Wow! If only we had known. We could have bumped this experience up a notch. Oh well. Next time.
Virginia City, Nevada
Our next visit was to Virginia City, what could be considered the proverbial 1800’s mining town in every western film made and home to the first major discovery of silver in the US…The Comstock Load. It was easy to imagine the bawdy, bustling, booming town that made Virginia City famous. Perched at six thousand feet high on Mt. Davidson, it commands stunning views and still retains the ambiance and charm of yesteryear. Ken and I have been fortunate to tour other historical towns, but this one seems to resonate with the excitement and gaiety that was present in its heyday; almost as if the walls are imprinted with the past residents’ lives.
Chandelier in the Virginia City Tourism Bldg.
Step Back In Time
Walk down the board sidewalks, and the muddy streets, with horses tied and patiently waiting, while their owners entertained themselves with women, or drinks at one of the many saloons, comes to life. You can picture the men made wealthy by silver and gold, dressed in their finest, attending a private club for supper with a beautiful woman on their arm or entering the bank for a meeting. And in your mind, you see the trappers coming in from snowy mountains to socialize and sell their pelts. This is where Mark Twain first began his writing career, publishing news stories in the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, and where others, people notable in banking, mining, and politics got their start. Also, it’s the city that Bonanza’s brothers, Ben, Hoss, Adam and Lil’ Joe rode in to for supplies.
Bucket of Blood Saloon
Virginia City was an interesting and pleasant visit to our past, preserved for our future. We recommend a visit here but plan plenty of time. And make sure to have a drink inThe Bucketof Blood Saloon, notable for the many bloody miners’ fights.
Ken and I were disappointed to miss Lake Tahoe as it was only about twenty miles away but I’m sure we will visit this area again. Our travel style is a mix of unscheduled stops combined with more lengthy reservations so sometimes we just don’t get to linger in an area before it is time to move on. You take the bad with the good. Ken is better at moving on than me.
Travel Tips for Nevada Highway 95
If you are wondering about traveling this leg of Nevada highway 95 with your RV, we were comfortable the entire way except for a few high wind areas. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before leaving Amargosa Valley as gas stations are scarce along the way. Also notable on this route, is the town of Hawthorne that houses the largest munitions depot in the country. You can see the ordinance bunkers stretching for miles and miles through the desert. There is a free museum dedicated to all things munitions. Lake Walker, just north of Hawthorne, is a nice spot to pull out for a quick lunch or an overnight. Oh…. And there is a sizable herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep inhabiting the area. We saw them climbing rocks along the lakefront. Fortunately, we didn’t run over any of them. Not one.
This is Las Vegas???
If you have been avoiding Las Vegas because “it’s not your thing”, maybe you should take another look.
If you have been with us on our journey from the beginning,
you know our west coast base is in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is an easy place to get reasonably priced flights
any time of the year. We have been here
several times and, like most tourists, get mesmerized by all that is “The Strip.” Those bright twinkly lights are amazing — but
then, I am a sucker for Disney World too.
However, bright lights fade, and this past visit has really given us an
insight into a plethora of activities that don’t involve lights and slot
machines.
So… think Vegas isn’t your thing? Read on and I’ll give you some options you
might not be aware of.
Death Valley National Park
Dante’s Peak
It is close. Only about a two-hour car ride away,Death Valleymakes a full, but fun, day trip. At two hundred eighty-two feet below sea level, you can’t miss Badwater Basin. It is the lowest point in North America, confirmed with a sign way up on the mountain wall indicating the point of sea level.
You can walk on dunes and feel like you are in the Sahara Desert, have lunch in the historic Oasis Inn and view their art collection that includes Remington bronzes, drive through the aptly named Artist’s Drive and take in the beautiful colors displayed on the mountains. At The Ranch at Death Valley, there is a free, outdoor museum with stage coaches, mule team wagons, and equipment used in borax mining.
Make sure to stop at the visitor center and take a picture with the iconic temperature sign out front. Finish your day at the stunning Dante’s Peak for a spectacular sunset. It will cost twenty-five dollars to enter the National Park but your admission fee is good for seven days. Bring lots of water along as there are few opportunities to buy it. If aliens are your thing then make sure to take the highway 95 route to Death Valley and stop in Area 51 for “pictures with the Aliens.” All manner of alien souvenirs is available here.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead provides so many outdoor opportunities that you could spend a week here and not do it all.
Hoover Dam
Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Viewed from Hoover Dam
The most well-known attraction in the area is Hoover Dam and it’s only about thirty minutes away from Las Vegas. I won’t bore you with facts about the dam as there are countless PBS specials about what it took to build this engineering marvel. Even if you aren’t impressed by the engineering of Hoover Dam, there are still fabulous views, bronze sculptures, all sorts of Art Deco worthy of a monument to achievement. It is free to visit Hoover Dam, however, there is a parking fee on the Nevada side, free parking on the Arizona side. Tours are an additional cost. You may want to check that wind speeds are not too high on the day you would like to visit as they can knock you around a bit.
The Lake
Lake Mead paddle wheeler
Lake Mead Cruises offers daytime sightseeing tours, weekend brunch tours, and evening dinner cruises on a paddle wheeler. We chose to do a daytime cruise. The cost was thirty dollars per person and there are sandwiches, burgers, snacks and drinks available for purchase onboard. The cruise is narrated, takes about ninety minutes and they bring you as close to the dam as they can safely manage. The dam is remarkable from any angle but from the water it is especially nice. This tour is a great way to slow down and enjoy some relaxing sunshine and water.
Want to captain your own boat for the day and enjoy that beautiful blue lake? Several businesses on the lake rent anything from personal watercraft to houseboats. Check out Callville Bay Marina or Temple Bar Marinafor more information and rates.
Colorado River
The Colorado River is what feeds the Lake Mead playground and the National Recreation area follows the river down to Laughlin, Nevada. Below the dam is a popular spot for kayak tours. No rapids are involved and there are opportunities to see wildlife, explore Emerald Cave and more. A half day trip will cost about one hundred to one hundred-fifty dollars. As the tour company will have to apply for a permit for each person booked, it is a good idea to try and arrange this one in advance. Check here for rates and adventures: Blazin Paddles; Evolution Expeditions; River Dogz.
If paddling a kayak isn’t your thing then there is still a way for you to get out on the river. Black Canyon River Adventureswill do all the work while they take you down the river on a large comfortable raft. This trip includes lunch and a bus ride back to the origination point.
4×4 Trails
Do you drag around a Jeep behind your RV, never utilizing your four-wheel drive capabilities? Want to give it a try? Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a great place to “get your feet wet”. There are approved back country roads that will give a four-wheel owner the opportunity to see what most others don’t get to. Off roading is allowed on trails marked by a yellow arrow sign and black numbers on the arrow indicate the road number. Detailed maps are available for download atnps.gov.
Hiking Trails
Hiking trails abound in the recreation area and if you are a hiking enthusiast then you don’t need me to tell you how to go about it. But…you don’t have to be an athlete to look around. It is fascinating. There is even a trail that follows the old railroad bed and you get to go through the tunnels. Your puppy can go on these too. Just remember to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring along plenty of water. Go to nps.govfor more helpful tips about trails and hiking.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Shy and camouflaged, desert bighorn sheep are hard critters to spot. Hemenway Park in Boulder City will give you the best opportunity to spot one or a few. Hemenway is a city park inside a neighborhood where the sheep roam around unmolested. The park closes at dusk and is a nice additional stop when going to or from the Hoover Dam.
Old fashioned Car Tour
Hiking, biking, 4×4 and tours sound like to much for you? Just get in your car and drive. A beautiful scenic drive awaits you after you enter the Lake Mead National Recreation Area from the Lake Las Vegas entrance or Lake Mead Parkway.
You will have to pay a twenty-five-dollar entrance fee per vehicle and your fee is good for seven days. The drive will give you a little sample of three of the four desert ecosystems found in the United States. This is where the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert and the Sonoran Desert all meet. It is about a fifty-mile drive from Lake Las Vegas, around the northern side of Lake Mead, opposite the Hoover Dam or southern side and there are ample opportunities to pull over and take a few stunning photos. This is a great drive to combine with a visit to the Valley of Fire.
Numerous campgrounds are available in the recreation area. A couple have full-hookups available but most only provide a restroom, dump station, and potable water. There are plenty of opportunities for remote boondocking if that is your preference. Visit nps.gov for more camping information.
Valley of Fire State Park
The Valley of Fire is a unique area composed of Navaho Sandstone which gives the rock formations their brilliant red color. They almost appear to glow or be “on fire” when the sun is high overhead. Several movies have been filmed here, including Arnold’s Total Recall, due to the bizarre color and formation of the rocks. Several short hikes to notable rock formations are available along with picnic locations and a small visitor center. Ten dollars per vehicle is the entrance fee and is good for the entire day. This is another place that it pays to bring along plenty of water. We love this park combined with the Lake Mead drive. It makes a wonderful day trip to explore the Nevada desert. You can still enjoy this park if you don’t hike; there are plenty of stunning sights from your car window.
When you look at the map, there is a circular route from the National Recreation Area to Valley of Fire and out to Interstate 15, then back to downtown Las Vegas. I wouldn’t recommend this route as your day will be finished with little scenery and interstate traffic. Our recommendation would be to turn around go back the way you came. The scenic drive will look different from the opposite direction.
There is a campground available in
the Valley of Fire.
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
The Spring Mountains are one of the most delightful finds we have made and is only about a forty-five-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas. The Spring Mountains are part of the Sky Island ecosystem found in only a small region of the United States. There are species and terrain unique to these mountains, rising almost twelve thousand feet from the Mojave Desert. And there are trees, tons and tons of trees, which you might be desperate to see after a few days in the desert. Several opportunities to enjoy the recreation area are available.
Lee Canyon
Lee Canyon is a ski and snowboard resort that is operated in partnership with the United States Forest Service. During the winter season there is tubing, snowshoeing, snow play areas and ski/snowboard runs. Lessons and rentals are available and there is a small café in the lodge. Lift tickets are about seventy dollars and there is a five-dollar parking charge. There are ample opportunities to play in snow or view the wildlife – such as wild horses — on the way up to the lodge.
Joey
Summer activities include a scenic sky
gondola ride and hiking.
Be aware that, in winter, you may be required to have snow chains. Also, an important note, you cannot use Uber or Lyft to get to Lee Canyon from Las Vegas. There is little to no cell phone coverage so no way to call for a return.
Mt. Charleston
Another significant location within the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area is Mt. Charleston. Mt. Charleston houses the park visitor center, campground, a couple of small restaurants and lodging. We enjoyed a pleasant lunch at the Mt. Charleston Lodgewhere the restaurant view is of the snow-covered mountains. Also, they provide cabins that have the same scenic view.
Highway 158 connects Mt. Charleston
and Lee Canyon and is a scenic ten-mile drive.
Various hikes and overlooks are available to stop at. Watch for wild horses throughout the area as
they seem to like walking down the middle of the highway.
So, this is Las Vegas
Grand Canyon by helicopter, balloon tours, horseback riding through Red Rock Canyon, desert ATV rides, ghost towns and abandoned mines. There are a multitude of options. Check out Viator.com for tour ideas.
Desert Cactus
So, if you have been avoiding Las Vegas because “it’s not your thing”, maybe you should take another look. The best time of the year, as most places, is spring. The days are balmy and the nights cool, rain has the desert in full bloom, there is still snow in Lee Canyon. Spring just seems a little more pleasant to get outside and make memories. Always grateful.👫
Well, I cannot say the thought has not occasionally crossed my mind, but it crossed my mind long before we moved onto an RV. An RV hasn’t changed that we occasionally get aggravated with each other. We live in about two hundred and forty square feet. With a large dog. And with two cats. There is no way to do that without there sometimes being friction.
It’s been over a year we have been together practically twenty-four seven. So, I thought now would be a good time to share some of what we have learned about getting along in close quarters or our RV relationship Survival methods.
Remember why you picked each other.
When you are crammed together, and your companion starts to get on your nerves, it is time to remember all the wonderful qualities you originally saw in them. Are they kind? Thoughtful? Loyal? Or funny? Now is the time to remember what made you so excited to be with this person. It is also the time to remember, this, most likely is not worth getting angry about. If it truly is a problem for you, wait until later, then kindly explain how their habit or behavior affects you.
Have clear tasks or jobs that you each do.
In other words…stay out of the other person’s lane. If it is their job, then let them do it, however they like — okay, admittedly this one is difficult for me. Clearly you should be cross-trained. Either person should know what to do in an emergency, or if the other person can use a hand (after you ask). But let each person do their tasks their own way.
Make sure that you each get to do something you wanted.
It sounds silly. But sometimes you are so excited about a new location you end up running around, trying to do everything, except what each of you truly wanted to. Take your time. Make sure you get to do the thing or activity that is most important to each of you. There is no guarantee that the opportunity will come around again.
No Screaming.
You just would not believe what we have heard other couples yell at each other. It’s actually a great lesson in what not to do. You will encounter stressful situations at some point in your RV travels. Slow down. Be patient with each other. We find it helps to speak face -to-to face if we are having a problem, say, ummm like…parking the RV. Find out what the stressed person needs to relieve their pressure.
Say “you rock” sometimes
You are the only source of support for each other out there. Make sure to tell the other person when they do something awesome.
I suspect this type of togetherness is similar to having children. A bad or weak relationship is made worse but a good relationship grows stronger. Ken and I have survived the children and for us, the RV life is making our relationship stronger than ever.
And….
If all fails, and you need a little alone time, here is my favorite tip. Unhitch the tow and drive alone for a while. Turn up your favorite music. Sing as loud as you want. Dance in the seat. Do it for however many miles it takes but usually about sixty is good for me.
These are some of our coping strategies. Do you have others? Leave a comment and share your RV relationship survival tips.
We were ready. Yes we were. Everything had been done to prepare for the test of our boondocking limits. All the meals were prepped. The last leisurely showers were taken…and I had resigned myself to living without smooth legs for the duration 😬. We were doing okay out there. The test to see how long we could go without being connected to utilities was underway. And then…
The generator died.
Now, in our younger days, Ken and I did our share of primitive camping, but we aren’t really into that level of outdoorsiness these days. And besides, we love our electronics (and the new InstantPot). The only option was to pack it all up, go back to Vegas to the local Cummins dealership, and get the generator repaired. Which we did.
Attempt Number Two
It’s now day six in the captain’s log for attempt number two. Water supplies are holding and we continue to enjoy sunny days, which are keeping our batteries charged. The generator is running smoothly, after it’s little hiccup, and all systems are functional
It’s working
I am kind of amazed we are spending this much time un-tethered, and it’s fairly easy. How much more can we do? We really don’t know. How many sailor showers can we stand? The gauges supposedly tell you how much of this and that we have, like water and propane, but (hearty laugh) we’ve learned not to trust those.
Since this is a test, the location we have chosen does have a dump station and fresh water fill-up nearby. It will only be a matter of putting away the awning, cranking up the RV, and driving a short distance.
We are taking baby steps. We are still finding our way in the RV world, learning still more about ourselves, and what trade-offs we are willing to make. The beauty is that there are options with this lifestyle.
Better camp locations
A breezy day on Lake Mead
We adore our location on Lake Mead. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and a huge surprise that it is so close to Las Vegas. But if we get a noisy neighbor, we can move, if sailor showers get old, there’s an RV park only thirty miles away.
Saving money
Campsite view
What is important from a financial standpoint is that this form of camping is only costing us ten dollars a night here at Callville Bay. We are in a National Recreation Area and are using a senior pass that cuts our camping charges in half. To be positioned in an RV park with all it’s utilities and amenities would be about thirty to fifty dollars a night – and sometimes even more. You can see that boondocking is a considerable savings. In addition, you have options to be more remote than we are now, which would cost us nothing – but we are not quite ready to go there yet.
Everyone has their ideas about what they will and won’t deal with. This was a test of our boondocking limits but so far, we’re good. That extra twenty dollars a night is staying in our pockets and will allow us more in the dining and entertainment fund. I’ll remind myself of that when I take my next two-gallon shower.
Always a pet peeve of mine, laundromats are not where you want to spend your time and money.
Laundry is a difficult task when you live in an RV. Some of the large RVs have a washer and dryer on board, but when you want to stay small and manageable as possible, you don’t get that option. So, laundromats are the de facto option. Sigh… This prompted the RV laundry experiment.
Laundrymats
Always a pet peeve of mine, laundromats are not where you want to spend your time and money. The equipment does a poor job, it’s often dirty, and can cost $20.00 and up just to do a few loads. At hundreds of dollars annually, this is an expense the budget conscious can avoid.
Last year, we were learning the ins and outs of this RV lifestyle. This year, with a little experience under our belt, we are learning how to economize.
Portable washing machines
Ken and I did a little research and for about one hundred twenty dollars, found a small washing machine. Made from plastic and light weight, it agitates in one compartment and then you transfer to a spinner compartment. It’s a lot like doing wash in an old time wringer machine. (Which I have had the great fortune of doing when I was newly liberated from my parents home. Thank you, Grandma.). The process isn’t hard. You fill the tub. Agitate the desired amount. Transfer to the spinner. Then repeat for the rinse.
It Works!
I am overjoyed with the results. The portable washer is able to do about one-third to one-half of a regular size load, and takes about half an hour to complete all the steps. The agitator is strong enough to get my clothes completely clean, and I even have the choice of normal or gentle agitation. Currently using it outdoors, but if necessary, the washer can be placed in the bathtub and used inside.
Clothesline
We added a portable collapsible clothes hanger for about eighty dollars. It will hold two loads of laundry for drying.
So, it looks like the RV laundry experiment is a success. The portable washer has been used for three weeks now. The water and electric are provided by the RV park for the wash, and we use solar power for the dry. After about a ten week payoff for our initial investment, our laundry will be free.
Ken and I have started out the new year on the road with our first stop in 👑New Orleans. Probably not the best choice when you have vowed to do better on your budget and your diet🎺🎶🍽 but it was in our path, so who could resist?
Does New Orleans live up to all the hoopla? We only stayed for three days but I’m all in. New Orleans is older than our country, filled with restaurants that have created (and continue to create) iconic foods such as Oysters Rockefeller, Bananas Foster, Po’Boys and Gumbo and overflowing with fantastic old buildings. If you are a foodie or history buff then NOLA is a must.
From NOLA, we continued west. There was a frightening experience in Vidor, Texas where we tried to overnight at a Walmart. We still aren’t sure what the motive was but we were harassed and followed out of town at 1:00 am. FYI: The police are little help until an actual crime has been committed. We didn’t feel like waiting around for that to happen. So, we followed our instincts and left. Thank goodness The Burrow was refueled before our stop and we were able to get far, far away from Vidor, Texas.
Our next stop was with long time friends and family in Austin. We love Austin and even though it was a quick visit, it was like old times with friends Tim & Kaye who were generous enough to let us driveway surf.
Other than a cold front that forced us to spend a couple of days in Van Horn, Texas and another stop to visit family in Scottsdale, we made an uneventful trip back in to Las Vegas (our West coast base).
So, here we go again. New adventures are calling. A little more RV savvy, a little less stressed and a lot more certain that this is where we want to be.
This year we intend to focus on economizing our travels. So stay tuned. We’ll be writing about some of the measures we are taking (including more boondocking 😬) and how effective they are. And, of course, we will be sharing photos of our stops and flops.
Many emotions ran through our minds as we headed east and south to an annual family get together in Cedar Key, Florida. It’s the same feeling you get when your vacation has come to an end and it’s time to pack your gear and go. It’s sad. You want to stay and play but at the same time you miss the familiar and are excited to be back home.
It’s those familiar surroundings that are so enticing. Roads that you know every curve, every dip, and every stopping place. Restaurants where the food is always good. The ease of grocery shopping. And, getting all your favorite old products. Just knowing. The knowing, the familiar, wraps you like a warm blanket and a comfortable pair of old slippers. Home.
We spent two weeks visiting with family in Cedar Key, a tiny little island on the Florida Gulf Coast. The chance to do a little fishing, enjoy some food favorites, like stone crab and smoked mullet, were welcome entertainment. It was a great visit but was soon time to move further south to Ft. Lauderdale, where our first grandbaby was expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks.
The Burrow rolled down the Florida Turnpike and other feelings and remembrances started crowding our minds as the pace got more frenetic and shoved out the pleasant warm fuzzy emotions that we had harbored since the Florida/Alabama line. The traffic, the rudeness, the heat, the population, the acres of concrete. These are but a few of the reasons we wanted to leave in the first place.
Arrrrrgh! I have a first grandbaby to get to.
We are currently parked in South Florida. The weather is perfect. My new granddaughter is perfect. Visiting with my children, family and friends is perfect. It will be hard to go. But we will. We have been bitten by the travel bug.
Ken and I make plans for the kids to bring the new baby to us, maybe Oregon or Yosemite, someplace grand and inspiring that we would love for them to experience while sharing in our granddaughter’s growth. We make adjustments and changes. We figure it out.
Our time in South Florida is packed with RV modifications and upgrades, doctor appointments, figuring out our travel plans for 2019. And baby time. Lots of baby time because it will have to last for a while.
It’s time. It’s time for our kids to adjust to their new family life and time for Grandmama and Grandpa to go and dance under the harvest moon. Even though change is inevitable it doesn’t mean it’s easy but we will try to meet the changes with anticipation.
Thank you everyone who has made our last year such a memorable one. We sincerely hope 2019 will be as much fun. Looking forward to show you where we are headed.
