March Meandering in the Desert

March 10-27, 2022

We stayed in Atwater with Dean's Mom for a few days and then headed south. 

Our first campsite was at Red Rock Canyon State Park (the one in California, there are several) Gorgeous views in one direction and glorious cliffs in the other. This is an amazing place.

We got our Kicks on Route 66!

And we saw a BIG Tonka Truck, took photos of Roy's (again, have some from years ago, they've fixed it up) and shared a root beer float! 

Sharing a Root Beer Float! Now we know we're on an adventure!

We made it to Joshua Tree a day before our reservations so we boondocked for the first time. Big open space, lots of other vans and rv's, saw one tent. We are now official! We can fully claim to be self-contained

Our first camp at Joshua Tree was at the Indian Cove Campground. Camping among the rocks is so much fun. Some people had campfires and the lit up the rocks. We have gotten used to not having campfires so didn't have one. When we are camping once it gets dark we decide it is time to had into the tent or van and then we are up to see the sunrise (at least Dean is, I might see it)
Yucca blossoms and twirlies (I'm making that word real (it says it's not). What a fascinating plant!

Our campsite at Jumbo Rocks. Van version above and tent version below. We did sleep in the tent. I think Jumbo Rocks is one of the most magical campsites I've ever stayed at. So many adventures to be had here.

Watson Hanging out in the van, showing off his Route 66 bandana!

Joshua Trees are huggable-but be careful!

Still hugging trees

The plants of Joshua Tree are quite varied. Joshua Trees in the Mojove Desert and then it changes to the Ocotillo and Cholla in the Colorado Desert.

He wouldn't hug the Ocotillo!

Didn't hug the Cholla either!

Cottonwood Oasis - Pretty amazing to find the bright green Cottonwood trees and Palm Trees.

Some of the Ocotillo were starting to bloom.

And the cactus.

There were actually quite a few wildflowers. They are very small so you have to really stop to see them.

Stayed one night at the Salton Sea (impressive) and then onto Anza Borrego. Borrego Springs has a lot of metal sculptures in the landscape. It was fun to take a tour of them. This sea serpent in the desert was one of my favorites. There might be a resemblance to me.

Moonlight over the van at Borrego Palms Campground. There were Big Horn Sheep in the hills.

Found a dirt road that took us to a forest of Ocotillo in bloom!

Relaxing in the shade at Tamerisk Campground.

There was a Cactus trail near our campsite. Lots of cactus in bloom. 

I wondered if they somehow set it up, just for us.

We stopped in Julian (super cute town) for pie. Dean found an old lathe. I didn't let him bring it home (he already has two).

VanLife: We make up the sofa into a bed for Watson. Gives us some floor space and he is happy. Sometimes he gets breakfast in bed. Not spoiled at all!

We weren't impressed with Carlsbad State Beach camping (it wasn't camping, it was a parking lot) We were impressed with Malibu Creek State Park (and Santa Monica National Recreation Area). Nice campground, great views and it looked like lots of good exploring. Another one to go back to.

We try to stop at Bob's Well Bread Cafe whenever we go through Los Alamos. This time for brunch. 

Yum!

Yum!

Yum!

We stopped at a couple of wineries for tasting and lunch!

 

Last camping spot! Morro Rock played hide and seek with us in the fog but did show up on our last day.

Itinerary

Atwater

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Boondocking out of Joshua Tree

Indian Cove, Joshua Tree NP

Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree NP

Cottonwood Campground, Joshua Tree NP

Salton Sea State Park

Borrego Palms Campground, Anza Borrego State Park

Tamarisk Campground, Anza Borrego State Park

Carlsbad State Beach

Malibu Creek State Park

Morro Bay State Park

Crossing the Golden Gate

 Somehow, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge is always an event for me to celebrate. I know, at that point, that I am really on an adventure. I'm going somewhere!

I'm not sure what the point of leaving is when we go south. I'll just have to keep going south till I figure it out. Getting coffee in Gilroy? Casa de Fruita (always felt like the jumping off point of no return once 5 went in)

I find it intriguing that now "crossing the Golden Gate" means going across the bay. In past times (before the bridge) one "entered the Golden Gate" by going into the bay.

Tomales Bay Kayaking

January 27-29, 2022

Tomales Bay

We took a short trip to Tomales Bay with Bryce along. Dean and Bryce had a kayaking adventure while Watson and I hung out and enjoyed the views.

Watson found that they had all these pesky "No Dogs" signs so we explored the parking lot while we were waiting for them. Good thing there were lots of interesting things to see. We also drove (yes, I drove the van) up to the picnic area where it was a bit more dog friendly. It was a nice, relaxing morning.

Here they come! Dean and Bryce are in the front kayak. Bryce had a kayak class for P.E, during college so he was a bit of a pro.

Our campsite was at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. What a wonderful campground! As always we need to go back.

Bryce came with us for this trip. We wanted to see how 3 in the van worked. It's a bit cozy! It is doable. Dean and I did sleep in the tent and Bryce enjoyed the luxury of the van. We may not get him in a tent again. 

Dean cooking breakfast! We didn't forage for mushrooms but there were a lot of them.

 

Isleton and Rio Vista

December 14-16, 2021

View from our Isleton campsite.

When we bought the van they "gave" us a 2 night campsite near Isleton. We figured we needed to try someplace that was catering to RV's. We enjoyed the stay but really it's not our thing (so we didn't buy in).

Another rainy trip but we need the rain so enjoyed it anyway.

We strolled around Isleton. It was pretty much closed (rainy day, mid-week, still pandemic) but super cute and it looks like they are doing a lot to build up business. Should be worth going back to Isleton.

We also visited Rio Vista. Another cute town with lots of cool, neon signs. It would be fun to be there after dark to see them lit up.

Does anyone remember Humphrey?