Jackson, CA * October 2011 * Airstream Rally

We were curious to meet other people with Airstreams so we signed up for the annual rally in Jackson, California, a small historic town nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  We arrived on a rainy October afternoon but the sun was out for the rest of the trip.  There are plenty of short side trips into old gold mining towns like Sutter Creek.

The Jackson Rancheria RV Resort is top rated and comes with plenty of amenities: full hook-ups, pool, hot tub, laundry, clubhouse, casino, restaurants, hiking trails and a beautiful view of the top of the bluff

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  The people were friendly, fun and had plenty of information for airstream newbies like us.  We met a student who lived in her airstream at UC Davis, teachers taking a weekend off, retired couples, mother/daughter travelers, and some really cool dogs.


We look forward to future rallies and more time with the group.

Eugene, Oregon * September 2011

Back to Eugene for a week.  Needed a service day at Sutten RV to fix a few more things on the airstream. 

We found a little spot to nestle up to in Deerwood RV park.

Highway 58 runs along one edge of the park is noisy but proximity to town is good, only 10 minutes to downtown Eugene.

Deerwood maintains a small low key "community" garden.  Guests are welcome to pull a few weeds in exchange for a zucchini, green beans, herbs or whatever sounds good to accompany your dinner.  I loved that idea!

Spent one day doing the wine tour near Eugene.  Loved lunch, the views and the gardens and the wine at King Winery.

Trinity Lake, CA * Coffee Creek * July 2011

Yes, it's a KOA!  Located at the north end of Trinity Lake in Northern California. 

We found a campsite with hookups (water/sewer/electric) on the south boundary of the campground with lots of green space and not too many neighbors.  We like the mountain pine smell and our campfire.  Room for a hammock too.

The sisters came over from their houseboat on the Trinity Lake to check out the new airstream but our new niece Elliot is the star attraction.

Don't smoke us out Jimmy!

We left our airstream at the KOA for a couple days and drove 20 miles up into the Trinity Alps via Coffee Creek road.  It's all gravel, sharp granite rocks and dirt with plenty of narrow cliff-side driving thrills. You just hope no one is coming the other way!  The reward at the end of the road is a stunning landscape of granite peaks, alpine lakes, wild flower meadows and clear snow melt rivers.

 

 The public road ends at Big Flat primitive campground which is the gathering point for hiking and horseback riding trails in the Trinity Alp area.

Herd of humans spotted in the meadow...

This one looks especially happy..

Three sisters...Catherine is our mountain guide

Looking for gold in one of the forks of Salmon River...no luck!

Benbow RV Park, CA * June, 2011

Not too far from home: Benbow RV Park, about 3 miles south of Garberville, CA.

A short path runs under the highway and leads to the lovely tudor-style Benbow Inn.  Fancy restaurant, full bar and tea and scones in the afternoon.

You can also play golf on the 9 hole course adjacent to the RV park. 

If the small pool at the RV Resort is too crowded, find the short sandy path at the far north end of the RV park; it's barely marked.  You will find a lovely little creek with a rocky/sandy beach.

Water runs clear until early summer, but tends to get mossy and slow later on.

Nice place for an afternoon drink and a dip in the swimming hole.  Only 4 people there all afternoon.

We bought an Airstream * Eugene, Oregon * June 2011

After making the 5 hour drive north to Eugene three times over three years to look at Airstreams, we finally made the decision: BUY! 

Neither of us had ever pulled a trailer and had no RV experience.  Zero.  After a 15 minute lesson in the parking lot next to Sutten RV, we were relieved to make it all of 10 miles south on Interstate 5 to Deerwood RV Park.  His job: drive. My job: make sure the airstream is still behind us...

I had reserved a drive through spot, confessing that we had no idea how to back up yet.  Our new 25' International Serenity FB....and the 2003 Ford F-250 tow vehicle.

We brought a truckload of supplies including bedding and a couple place settings of the wedding china from home.  A posting on  Airforums reasoned that if you use the good stuff at home, you might as well use it in your new Airstream.

After a delicious grilled steak dinner, the china ended up in a hundred pieces on the floor when we failed to lock the pop up shelf in place and piled all the "good stuff" on it!

The next day we found the Cabella's in Eugene and bought some lime green metal cowboy plates.  Next stop was Costco for a thick queen size memory foam mattress topper.  Ahhh...love the bed now.






After two nights in Eugene working out a few bugs (door latch adjustment, freezer door handle) we drove south on Interstate 5 to Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville, Oregon.

Lots to figure out, beautiful place to do it.  Hope no one is watching us try to put the awning up.....lol











Further south, a winding drive among huge redwood trees.  Narrow and scenic highway 199 runs along the pristine Smith River, past Jedediah Smith State Park and ends at the northern California coast. 

A one night stop on the misty Klamath River about 2 miles up from the mouth.

Met up with Dad for a very early morning fishing trip.  Rustic RV spot in the field with basic hookups. 

Foggy coastal mountains, sea lions, bald eagles, salmon run.

Almost home......