Jolene's Maiden Voyage: Pinnacles Nat'l Park
Feb 14, 2018 8:01:56 GMT -8
kirkadie, mrmarty51, and 1 more like this
Post by Jolene on Feb 14, 2018 8:01:56 GMT -8
Well folks, we did it. First camp experience with Jolene. I do have some photos (don't judge the "clove scene"...you'll see), but first here's how it went:
Pinnacles is about a 4 hour drive from us, which is kind of far but the deal with this trip was to see what was what and a half hour down the road wasn't, in my opinion, going to do that. Our tow car is an FJ Cruiser, and that worked great. I did see a lot more thirst for gas and sprung for the high octane. Towing by myself this distance was new for me but it felt like I wasn't towing anything at all (mostly). The issue when we'd stop was parking - I'm going to have to get used to parking in the veeeery back of lots and I admit that this trip I shamelessly took up several spots. I should probably read up on etiquette for that stuff, right?
We got to the campground (lovely), and that's when I found out that the store was closed. Note to self: buy ice and refrigerables before you leave. I didn't because I was worried about driving with them (because...new at this). Someone here said they put ice in the night before. I see why now. Luckily the neighbors were a part of a group of Airstream owners (new ones - there were 5 or 6 there) and without me saying anything came right over and dragged us to their dinner site for burgers, salad, and whiskey. One guy was so pleased to see a Li'l Loafer, said he'd grown up with one. Another gal has a vintage "Lakeside" (I think that's what she said...a 1970?) in her side yard.
We woke up and it was COLD. But making coffee on the stove warmed it up in about 5 minutes. I sat by the fire and wrote in my journal and watched 20 wild turkeys graze. That morning the golden eagle that nests near there was out too.
Took a short drive to the store and got everything we needed. Took the rest of the day to cool down the ice chest but it worked fine. The electrical didn't quit on us and the stove was great - didn't use the fire extinguisher. I did get the 30-15 plug and that was perfect. My brother told me to also get a 50-15 just to have.
The little porta potty was perfect. #1 only. No sweat and we were glad to have it. We've decided we'd like to upgrade in the future.
The grey water flow off consisted of a bucket outside the trailer that my daughter had to strategically place to catch all the grey water. Um....that has to change.
The ancient and crusty awning was just that - we decided it was done. Frayed and cracked and broken poles. But we tried. It is RIP. The fiberglass window awnings that I fixed and cleaned and painted were perfect.
A little hiking, some connect 4 and scrabble, another night that wasn't as cold.
The drive home offered a *little* snag (again, warning about the clove). I was driving down the 101 and saw some tread fly. Didn't feel anything but I pulled over anyway. The tire on the passenger side was completely stripped. So...jacked it up, took off the tire and trailer, and rolled into Paso Robles to get it replaced. Brought it back, put it on, and drove back to the tire place to replace the other one. So she got new tires. Not how I would've liked to have done it but I think we got lucky with no blow out.
My photos of the trailer aren't great (just a crappy outside shot and one of the kitchen area), but you'll get the idea I think. I made several lists of things to do. Nothing dire and you can bet I'll be asking for help but for now here's a few pics:
IMG_5914 by Summer Berm
1518453498712 by Summer Berm
1518453721780 by Summer Berm
1518454377608 by Summer Berm
And the piece de resistance (don't say I didn't warn you about the clove - I felt strongly I deserved it in the moment):
IMG_6038 by Summer Berm
Pinnacles is about a 4 hour drive from us, which is kind of far but the deal with this trip was to see what was what and a half hour down the road wasn't, in my opinion, going to do that. Our tow car is an FJ Cruiser, and that worked great. I did see a lot more thirst for gas and sprung for the high octane. Towing by myself this distance was new for me but it felt like I wasn't towing anything at all (mostly). The issue when we'd stop was parking - I'm going to have to get used to parking in the veeeery back of lots and I admit that this trip I shamelessly took up several spots. I should probably read up on etiquette for that stuff, right?
We got to the campground (lovely), and that's when I found out that the store was closed. Note to self: buy ice and refrigerables before you leave. I didn't because I was worried about driving with them (because...new at this). Someone here said they put ice in the night before. I see why now. Luckily the neighbors were a part of a group of Airstream owners (new ones - there were 5 or 6 there) and without me saying anything came right over and dragged us to their dinner site for burgers, salad, and whiskey. One guy was so pleased to see a Li'l Loafer, said he'd grown up with one. Another gal has a vintage "Lakeside" (I think that's what she said...a 1970?) in her side yard.
We woke up and it was COLD. But making coffee on the stove warmed it up in about 5 minutes. I sat by the fire and wrote in my journal and watched 20 wild turkeys graze. That morning the golden eagle that nests near there was out too.
Took a short drive to the store and got everything we needed. Took the rest of the day to cool down the ice chest but it worked fine. The electrical didn't quit on us and the stove was great - didn't use the fire extinguisher. I did get the 30-15 plug and that was perfect. My brother told me to also get a 50-15 just to have.
The little porta potty was perfect. #1 only. No sweat and we were glad to have it. We've decided we'd like to upgrade in the future.
The grey water flow off consisted of a bucket outside the trailer that my daughter had to strategically place to catch all the grey water. Um....that has to change.
The ancient and crusty awning was just that - we decided it was done. Frayed and cracked and broken poles. But we tried. It is RIP. The fiberglass window awnings that I fixed and cleaned and painted were perfect.
A little hiking, some connect 4 and scrabble, another night that wasn't as cold.
The drive home offered a *little* snag (again, warning about the clove). I was driving down the 101 and saw some tread fly. Didn't feel anything but I pulled over anyway. The tire on the passenger side was completely stripped. So...jacked it up, took off the tire and trailer, and rolled into Paso Robles to get it replaced. Brought it back, put it on, and drove back to the tire place to replace the other one. So she got new tires. Not how I would've liked to have done it but I think we got lucky with no blow out.
My photos of the trailer aren't great (just a crappy outside shot and one of the kitchen area), but you'll get the idea I think. I made several lists of things to do. Nothing dire and you can bet I'll be asking for help but for now here's a few pics:
IMG_5914 by Summer Berm
1518453498712 by Summer Berm
1518453721780 by Summer Berm
1518454377608 by Summer Berm
And the piece de resistance (don't say I didn't warn you about the clove - I felt strongly I deserved it in the moment):
IMG_6038 by Summer Berm