Day 2 - Fall Getaway

Life with a teenager has many lessons to teach us old ones.  I cherish my morning times.... as does Hailey. She celebrates the morning by sleeping just as long as I can tolerate.  I choose to celebrate mornings with freshly brewed coffee and a morning walk.  So leaving her to her early morning dreams, I head out to the picnic and beach area.

 

The picnic area and beach is devoid of all human presence.  The hustle and bustle of children and their parents of summer are long gone.  The quiet envelopes me as I enjoy my morning ritual in this amazing place.  The rustling of falling leaves and the honking of Canadian Geese annoyed with my presence are the only sounds I hear.

 

The beach prints tell the story of critter occupancy, with geese and deer prints punctuated by only a few humans prints. 

 

So much of our lives is surrounded by noise, and technology, I take advantage of the quiet and drink in all the solitude.  I have left behind all technology for this trip.  Now cell phones turned on, no computer, not kindle.... just peace and quiet.  Hailey has surrounded herself with non-stop music but it is delivered via headphones so I enjoy the lack of auditory stimulation.  Ahhhh hhhhh

I watch as clouds begin drifting into the skyline.... looks like the sun will be gone shortly but I enjoy all the warming rays as I am soaking it in for as long as it lasts.  

Hailey at long last is up and we enjoy a cooked breakfast of hashbrowns, vegetarian sausage, (I know, its a oxymoron but surprisingly good) and eggs.   

 

Fall is the time of year that creatures large and small search for warm places to call home as the temperatures cool.   Flies stand guard near the door, ready to fly into the trailer, landing on my nose and then progressively slowly fly about the trailer evading the long arm of the fly swatter.
 

This battle continues the entire trip and I am armed with my weapon of choice.....

Hailey comes screeching back to camp.

She wants me to bring my camera to the rest room.......NOW WHAT?

I oblige and find a very large coal black spider.  

Hailey fetched a stick for me to check out the spider.

    

While blurry, it's red hour glass on the underside is visable...... I was done checking out this spider.

This is only the second black widow spider I have seen.  They normally hide in dark and moist places and I'll be just as happy if  they continue to hide in more distant places.

After the spider excitement, it begins to rain and I decide to postpone our hike into Northrup Canyon and hope for better weather on Sunday Morning.    We spend the rest of the afternoon reading and lounging in the comfort of the trailer.

Sunset is early at 6:30.  I am restless and tired of reading so we break my vow of no technology and break out the battery operated DVD player and watch a few episodes of Alias.  

We turn in early, listening to the soft pitter patter of raining falling on the trailer roof.

Warm Weather - A Last Harrah

The weather has been running 10 to 20 degrees above the normal average the last two weeks.  With nothing on the must do list and a three day weekend I grab at the opportunity for another adventure alone in the wilderness.  The weather forecast promises a weekend promising temperatures near 70 degrees in the middle of Washington State (otherwise called the banana belt) so we will chase the sun on this last hurrah of summer.

We are leaving on Thursday afternoon after Hailey gets out of school and get a bit later start due to a little whoops while loading up the trailer.  (I bumped the trailer hitch and dumped it off the blocks)  After a neighbor showed me a trick using the blocks to get the trailer up high enough to get it back on the hitch we were off, a little frustrated but on our way just the same. Thanks Larry for you patient instructions and help!

Due to our late start we ended up setting up in a familiar camp with a premium view.  It was dark as we pulled in and setting up in the dark is a challenge I hope not to repeat anytime soon.  We did a minimum set up and retired early anxious to begin a three day weekend.

Morning was glorious and I explored our camp to discover what a premium site we snagged in out late nite arrival.  I also discovered that our winter prices had changed to off season prices so our senior rate qualified us for $2.50 per nite for our lake side view site. 

Best yet the campground was nearly deserted with only 4 to 5 campsites occupied each night.  Plenty of wide open spaces and quiet, quiet, quiet.

Happy to call Spring Canyon home for the weekend.

Early to bed means early to rise, at least for me..... Lots of morning coffee and time for a morning walk revealed a private beach off of a group camping site that I hadn't discovered before.

The group site might be a great place for a small vintage trailer gather, especially this time of year!

Lots of autumn views and scenery to enjoy in the quiet of the morning.

This view from the beach reveals the back side of Grand Coulee Dam. This view shows little of the enormity of the dam.  The road over the top of the dam is nearly a mile long and is shown at the top of the lake.  Contrast this picture with a picture from an earlier trip to the dam from the opposite side.

The peace and serenity from our beach view certainly hides the power hidden behind the wall of the dam.  Coffee and morning walk done, it's time to hit the road and see the sights as we head out for today's hike to Lenore Caves near the southern shores of the man made Banks Lake. 

 

The Lake Lenore Caves were formed during the
last Ice Age, when catastrophic floods raged across much of Eastern Washington.

These floods carved long and deep ravines or coulees, from solid basalt.





The effect of water freezing and thawing within the basalt formed cracks within the cracks allowing the torrential waters to pluck out rocks along the cracks forming large cracks that formed into caves.

 

Gravity continues to cause the rocks from the ceiling to fall to the floor in some caves the outer edge nearly rising up to the ceiling.  In the future some of these caves could barely be visible.

At least 5,000 years ago native people began using these caves as temporary shelters and a place to work.   During the spring and summer, Native Americans visited this area to collect plants, dig roots, fish and hunt.  After preparing the food and plant materials, they carried their loads back to permanent villages.  They often left behind mats, grinding stones food and supplies for their next visit.  These artifacts were removed from the caves and are on display in nearby museums.

Kids and dogs doing what they do best.....exploring every inch.

Standing guard high above and south of the caves

We stopped at the visitor center at Dry Falls on our return to our campsite.

 Since the end of the ice age, water no longer flows over edge of the once largest water fall on earth hence its name DRY FALLS. 

The cliffs witness to the tremendous power of the catastrophic floods that swept over Eastern Washington at the end of the last Ice Age.  Today Dry Falls Remains as one of the most spectacular Geologic wonders of the Ice Age.

And then of course there was the Ice Cream...... Some of the best we had this summer. 

 

 

Chocolate for Hailey, Huckleberry for Me!!

More hikes and more Geology to come!

~Happy Trails~

 

 

Looking for a Needle in a Haystack....Locating Low Cost Camping Options

Everyone has their own method for locating camping spots when on the road.  While no one source seems to put together a resource that pulls together all options available campsite resorts I have relied on a few great resources to help me find campsites that worked pretty well last summer. 

Odessa Tourist Camp (Cost- Free!!)  Found on freecampgrounds.com

I am a visual person so I like to get an overall picture of the area that I am going to.  So the atlas is often the first place I start when looking for a new camp.  I draw an imaginary circle around an area that I am going near and then begin looking for more detail.  A good camp needs to be close to the attractions in the area that you want to participate in or you spend the campground savings on gas going to the places you want to see.  Just like in a sticks and bricks, it is all about location, location, location.  Here are some of my favorite resources when hunting done the perfect camp.

1.   National Geographic Atlas - My go to atlas.

This well used atlas, shows state campgrounds but also show National Forests and marks National Campgrounds which are often very low costs and of course many participate in the 50% off camping fees for seniors.  It is spiral bound with a heavy duty, plastic coated cover and has held up well under constant use. (it has held up far better than my Benchmark or Delorme Atlases.)

2.  Two web sites that have provided camps that aren't always on maps or Atlases

                                                                   freecampsites.net
                                                               freecampgrounds.com

Generally basic campsites but the ones I have used have been in areas that do not have a great number of low cost campsites so are valuable in a pinch.

3.  Pinterest - My on the Road Virtual Filing Cabinet

Pinterest is an on line bulletin Board of filing cabinet.   I have used Pinterest as my on line filing cabinet for years and have been collecting places I want to go and campgrounds, hikes, tips for camping and even good camp cooking.  I have found all kinds of useful (and useless) information to store in my files. When I read blogs, I often follow folks that camp in similar ways.... low cost and like to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Then I save pictures and locations oft heir campsand hikes that locate me near the outdoor activities that I enjoy.  When I am ready to go into a new area, I consult my file for that state and I review the camps and activities I have saved for ideas.
                                                               It works great for me.

 

 4.  ALLSTAYS

Allstays is an app that s available for use on phones or computers that could quickly become my new best friend.   Within its search engines are all kinds of information that will help the travelers as they move into unfamiliar territory.

http://www.allstays.com/Campgrounds/campgrounds.htm

Within the Allstays program, on the campgrounds page are located links to campgrounds and more links to list Walmarts and other businesses that allow overnight parking, that allow overnight parking, casino's, rest stops, truck stops and rv dump areas.  

5.  Bench Mark Maps

I also use BenchMark maps that show recreation areas, listing campgrounds, RV parks and recreational areas.  There are also topographical maps showing terrain and road maps that show roads in greater detail.   I may choose to stay in a campground for a night and scout some of the local roads without the trailer.  Many of the forested roads may not have turnaround areas large enough for a full sized truck and trailer.  Dropping the trailer to search out spur roads in a national forest takes a while.... but far less aggravating than trying to do a turn around in close quarters. (I have learned this little tip.....the hard way.)      :(

                  I have spent many hours pouring over maps getting a lay of the land. 

6.  Chat with locals, Visitor Centers and other Rv'ers along the way

Additional places that are not always located on maps are marinas and county or local parks that allow overnight stays. It is amazing what you learn by sharing a few words

 

Staying at Cap Sante Marina offered dry camping with a view.....

At $20 a night it is nearly $20 savings over the price price of a state park.

Check out the View!!

This beautiful camp was found by talking with other campers

I haven't paid for membership at campgrounds or Fraternal Orders campsites or the Escapees and their magically Boondocking lists...... and am not eligible to stay at the military camps.   Nor am I particularly fond of camping in RV Parks or resorts but I have discovered that some of the private campgrounds are actually cheaper than state parks when using the weekly rates.  When traveling on the East Coast,  I certainly will have to develop some new travel planning strategies to cope with the high cost of overnight stays.

What are your special strategies for finding those low cost campsites? 

Share all....Inquiring minds want to know!!

 

 

Protesting the High Cost of Washington State Campgrounds

Shortly before summers start I attended a ladies campout at Riverside State Park in Eastern Washington State.  It is a lovely Park but I was shocked to discover with recent price increases, the daily rate was nearly $40 per night and showers were an additional cost.  Nearly all campsites within the state system now require reservations making it impossible to travel casually without a set agenda.

The price increases have priced us right out of the state parks market.

I wondered how I could possibly travel for the summer within the state and pay that kind of price tag.  As I faced making reservations I discovered that weekends have been booked far in advance leaving fewer options for those without a home to return to after the weekend.   I wonder how families can possibly introduce their children to the joys of camping and the wonder of our outdoor world in addition the the high cost of living they are face raising children in today's high priced world. 

Many of the BLM campgrounds in the state have also been turned over to the State Campground system to manage and their fate is also reverting to higher camping costs and reservations further reducing the options available for low cost camping.  I understand our state is facing cutbacks and huge budget shortfalls raising questions on how to fund the wonderful campgrounds.


 


 Would we be priced out of the life I dreamed of ?







Somewhere deep in the crevices of my mind, a plan was developing......Would it be possible to avoid camping at State Campgrounds and still find options that would allow me to circle our state and enjoy the wonders of our state?   Would we find suitable camping alternatives in the areas we wanted to camp?  Can we camp the entire summer without staying in a state campground?
 

             
                 Could we do it?
   Would we have to go home early?
What would our camping costs add up to?

So we set out on our Washington Et All Tour with a goal of camping all around the State without camping in the State Campgrounds.  I know my simple protest will not be observed by the state bureaucracy or state officials but it is important (and necessary to me just the same).

During the 58 days I did not camp in a state campground any nights.  I have a portable solar panel so we were able to charge our electronics and keep our trailer battery charged for lights.  I did purchase a  discover pass so that I could access trailheads and other access points around the state as many of the 'best' sights require a discover pass to park in the day use areas. 

So I have been at the calculator adding up the cost of our eight week trip and came up with the numbers.

Total miles traveled    3797 miles                                                              Cost of gas  $1183.82
                                                         $ 591.91 per month of travel

Number of total nights      58 camping nights
Number of free nights       18 x 0 = 0                                                     40 nights camping = $ 307
                                 
                                     Average cost per night for 58 nights camping.............$5.29

              Stay tuned for the next post.......... 

       How We Found Free or Low Cost Camping Options

~ Happy Trails~

 

Are Vehicle Prowlings a fact of RV Life? How do you Minimize your Risk?

The call of the remote trail in the wilderness appeals to me and car prowlers as well.  Some prowlers find far more than the loose change left behind on the floor.  

After arriving home I read an article in  news paper.  It was about an experience that hikers had in the North Cascades probably while we were there also.


Car prowlers broke into a couples vehicle while they were backpacking on a six day trip.  Thieves stole hidden items including a ring of house keys, a cell phone and vehicle registration.  Thieve also cut the battery cables leaving the car disabled.  Upon return to their home(4 hours away) they discovered their home had been burglarized and the stolen set off keys left on a table.

more details here......

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Thieves-drive-cross-state-to-rob-ackpacking-twice-274180141.html

Recommendations for keeping your vehicle safe often suggest keeping everything out of sight or not in your vehicle.   This seems like a sensible and practical solution on the surface, but what are RV folks to do?  Everything they own may be in their trailer/vehicle/RV.

 

Thieves are often looking for quick and quiet in and out. 

Here are some safety practices to consider.

• Use drop off services of Park Services or friends when possible to avoid leaving your vehicle unattended for long periods of time
• Leave your vehicle in a busy area under observation or campgrounds with hosts or rangers in attendance
• If you must drive yourself, park in a visible area near other cars or restrooms.  Traffic discourages thieves.
• Take your registration with you rather than leave it in the car particularly if you have a home address listed on the registration.
• Ensure that doors are locked and alarms activated
• Obscure from view anything in your vehicle before arriving at parking lot area.  Thieves often wait and observe in parking lots until a promising target arrives. 

 Rethink where you store your Possessions

Every place I have thought of.....they have probably stolen something from.

 The crumpled blanket covering valuables is a signal to prowlers there is something worth looking for.   The glove box while convenient, is the first place thieves will look for your registration and address.

Many Rv ers keep copies of valuable (and necessary) papers in a safe bolted to the frame of the RV.   If you  maintain a safety deposit box that someone can access for you it is always a good idea to keep and extra copy and a list insurances policy numbers, credit cards a backup of your phone contacts.   It is a good idea to keep copies of all important papers in a second location in case of theft or destruction.



I  chose to live my life governed by common sense not fear.  I refuse to live life cowering behind locked doors afraid of what might happen.  But common sense goes a long way to keeping us safe along the way...... 

What safety practices do you use to keep your vehicle or RV safe from thieves?

~ Happy Trails~

Lake Roosevelt and Summers End

Leaving Early Winter Campground brought home to me the impending end of our Washington summer trip.

My thoughts moved to the fire that was raged in Central Washington while we traveled.

Wildfire is a fact of life that those of us who live in the West live with every year.  For weeks we had followed the progress of a huge wildfire in Washington State that grew in epic proportion and burned burned about 400 square miles — more than four times the size of Seattle — making it the largest wildfire in the state since record-keeping started.

 And it lay in our path near the end of our journey.

History of this Fire: The Carlton Complex fires started on July 14, by lightning from a weather system that moved through the Methow Valley. The Carlton Complex started as four fires: the Stokes Fire, the Gold Hikes Fire, the French Creek Fire and the Cougar Flat fire. These fires grew into one larger fire on July 20.
 

 
Nearly 75% of the land burned by the fire was a scrub mix that allowed the fire to exploded and travel great distances quickly and 25% were forested land.

Hot weather and windy conditions pushed the fire over the ridge tops and into the town of Pateros resulting in a large number of evacuations. The fire made significant runs towards the cities of Brewster and Pateros between July 17th and 18th, consuming approximately 300 homes in its path and destroying critical infrastructure.

Significant rain helped firefighters to contain the fire but also caused some slides within the burned and scared area. Highway 20 and 153 were closed and required detours where roads were washed away or slides covered the highways. We were impacted by these road closures and followed detours that allowed us to view part of the areas that had burned.  We could smell the lingering oder of fire in the air.

Can you imagine how frightening this scene was as fire raced over the hillside threatening all that you had worked for near these orchards?  What a valiant stand the firefighters made on this hill!

The costs of this fire is estimated to be in excess of $60 million dollars.
How much more personnel than just money, it is to families who lost everything.  

As we traveled, this day I had no idea where we would be camping for our last camp before settling  into home for the school year. With the road closures we are not sure where the detours will take us.  I wanted to end our adventure in a quiet setting with a lake nearby with swimming and a time to regroup and  a gentle transition into our winter mode.

 

  We turned toward Lake Roosevelt and hoped to find a camping spot along the river.

Just past Grand Coulee Dam is Spring Canyon Campground, a National Recreation Campground. We were there on a holiday weekend but found that we could move to a second spot and stay the entire weekend.   With the Senior Pass we were able to camp for $4 per night.   Our campsite sat high on a hill overlooking Lake Roosevelt.   
  

The wide open spaces were welcome and solar was plentiful.  The simplistic and stark landscape was a beautiful metamorphosis from the mountains and tree canape we have been living under.  It lent to a sudden feeling of freedom and a sense that I could fully breathe.

A quick trip into town allowed Hailey to attend an open house at the High School she will be attending in her Freshman year.  A little grocery shopping and school supplies and a friend of hers will join us for the remainder of the weekend.

Sagebrush abounds as do snakes during this time of year.  The Rangers and Camp hosts have been on snake patrol removing snakes from around the campground area.


This is not a good time of year for walking in the brush so we won't be doing much hiking here.  But the huge beautiful beach and shady picnic area will give us plenty of things to do. 

     

  But the huge beautiful beach and shady picnic area will gave us plenty of things to do. 

Where one or more teens gather, others will come.

  A trip into Grand Coulee for the evening laser light show started with a trip to the local ice cream parlor. Pricy but a yummy way to wait for it to get dark near the Visitor Center

  

 The Visitor Center is open until the Laser Show starts.  There are several informational shows and displays the document the building of the dam and the impact on the surrounding area.  Be sure to pick up a listing of show times so that you are able to see the shows that interest you.

  

 

One River, Many Voices, the Laser Light Show is held nightly at Grand Coulee Dam starting the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend through September 30. The show lasts about 30 minutes and is free of charge.

This narrated story, combines colorful lasers that move across the entire span of the dam, creating magnificent moving images that virtually dance across the spillway telling the story of the Missoula Floods that carved the canyon, the native people who lived there and the building of the dam.





After five days at Spring Canyon, our time for our great Washington summer Adventure came to a close.

Life is about to  change and we will be adjusting to new realities. It is now time to adjust once more to a stationary life for a time. I am so grateful for the time this summer with my Granddaughter free from the stress of everyday life.  It has been full of wonderful memories for both of us.

~Happy Trails~