Fort Stevens State Park

25 08 2016
Ft. Sevens, OR Site #156

Ft. Sevens, OR Site #156

Good Morning from Fort Stevens State Park, location of the only World War II Japanese attack on the mainland US.  Fort Stevens and its associated military bunkers were commissioned during the American Civil War to protect the mouth of the Columba from the British .  In 1942 a secret Japanese submarine surfaced and fired 17 times toward the general location of Fort Stevens.  With virtually no damage, the Fort’s commanders opted to hold fire to avoid giving away their exact position.  Not to mention they believed they were seriously under powered, not actually sure their artillery could reach the sub.  After several nervous hours the sub retreated and never fired on the US coast again.

Fort Stevens State Park occupies most of the area on the peninsula of the south shore of the Columbia River.  Originally nearly 6 miles wide, the river has been compressed into a 2 mile mouth with a huge jetty project that is incorporated into the park.  Also in the park is the famous skeleton of the Peter Irondale, a four-masted ship that ran aground while trying to navigate a foggy, windswept Columbia in 1904.  The very large campground of over 400 sites is set in a  dense cedar forest, organized around 8 loops and provides both water/electric sites as well as full hookups.  We spent 1 night in site E-156 and another night in E-148. Both sites are nice deep, private sites.  156 is a bit larger, and set-back in the dense trees, a bit darker and quieter.  148 is on the corner of the E loop, between the inner sites and those along the main roadway.  It also provides plenty of space, privacy and has a bit more sunlight available during the day.

From Fort Stevens we’ll continue north on 101, this morning crossing over the historic Astoria bridge and enter Washington state.  More from along the Washington coast…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Cape Kiwanda RV Resort

23 08 2016
Cape Kiwanda RV Resort site #97

Cape Kiwanda RV Resort site #97

We’re parked at Cape Kiwanda RV Resort in Pacific City, OR.  This sea-side resort has about 150 RV spaces, some with park models plus about 10 premium tent sites in a tall stand of trees at the rear of the property. Our site #97 backs up to a large playground and volleyball court that the many kids in the park seem to love. This is a perfect spot for a family, not so much for those of us that don’t appreciate the screaming kids and yelling adults.  But, this RV Park does offer nice sites, #101 across from us would be ideal for both space and privacy.

Our first dinner in Cape Kiwanda is the local Pelican Pub and Brewery just across the street and on the beach in front of Haystack Rock.  The fish and chips were good, the beers on tap even better.  Tomorrow we’ll spend the day working and getting caught up on laundry.  We’ll continue north on Wednesday – more from further north on the Oregon coast…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Honeyman State Park, OR

22 08 2016

It’s a beautiful drive from the Diamond Lake area to the Oregon Coast along the mighty Umpqua River.  At Reedsport, where the Umpqua empties into the Pacific Ocean, we turn north along coastal highway 101 continuing to Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park.  We’re parked in site #224, one of about 160 RV sites and 180 tent sites in this large park that is literally at the base of the huge coastal dunes of Oregon Dunes Recreation Area.  Unfortunately this is just a quick overnight, tomorrow we’re headed to Cape Kiwanda.


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Broken Arrow Campground

21 08 2016
Broken Arrow Campground, Umpqua National Forest

Broken Arrow Campground, Umpqua National Forest

Good Morning from Crater Lake National Park, more precisely site #H14, Broken Arrow campground, Umpqua National Forest.  We’re parked in dense forest of tall lodge pole pines on the south shore of Diamond Lake.  Arriving on Friday, our reserved site, #H2 with 40 foot length specification turned out to be a double car parking area, much more adequate for tent campers than a 33 foot fifth wheel.  Fortunately the camp host is nearby and on-duty and had two sites set aside just for this type of problem.

As it turns out, H14 is probably one of the best sites in the campground with a 50+ foot driveway and plenty of space around it.  All sites at Broken Arrow are dry, but there are plenty of water faucets scattered throughout this huge park.  There’s also a central dump station, central shower house and restrooms in the center of most loops.  Even after walking the campground twice, we’re not quite sure of walk-up, versus reservation versus group sites.  There appears to be about 40 sites near the entrance that are walk-up.  Then, the entire “H” row is reservable.  Then, there are 6 more loops toward the back of the campground that seem to be behind a group reservation sign.  But, we saw walk-ups and single sites in use back here, so not quite clear on the status of the sites.  The campground seems unusually quiet, maybe 50% occupancy, for a end of summer weekend.

Saturday we spent most of the day at Crater Lake enjoying a beautiful warm and clear Oregon day.  Today we’re packing up and will hit the road for the Oregon Coast.  More from Jessie M Honeyman State Park…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

A Day at Crater Lake National Park

20 08 2016

Crater Lake LodgeAfter a quick email check we’ve opted to start our day at Crater Lake with a restaurant breakfast.  Unfortunately a bit of a slow start and some unexpected road construction causes us to arrive at Annie Creek Restaurant in Mazama Village just as they are switching over to lunch.  But their tasty sandwiches make a fine substitute for breakfast.  After a quick drive around the Mazama Village campground, we head up to the Visitors Center, then to Rim Village.  The jewel of the Crater Lake crown must be the beautiful Lodge.  Opened in 1915 and recently completely renovated, the Lodge features what is perhaps the best view of the caldera and lake.

Formed 7700 years ago, Crater Lake is the result of a massive volcano estimated to be over 12,000 feet tall literally collapsing onto itself.  After spewing enough ash that would cover the state of Oregon 8 inches deep, the magma chamber could no longer support the weight of the mountain and it collapsed into what is today Crater Lake.  The deepest lake in the US at nearly 2000 feet, and thought to contain the most pure water of any lake in the world, the lake level is maintained by only snow and rain.  And, with an average snowfall of 44 feet, there is plenty of melting water to keep the lake refilled from seepage and evaporation.

Entering along the western rim, we continue along the eastern rim to complete the circumnavigation of the lake in about 3 hours.  Plenty of rim-side parking spots and one side-excursion to The Pinnacles provided plenty of photo opportunities and information on the lake, it’s two small islands and even a castle on the edge of the caldera.  Overall a great day in a beautiful National Park!


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Camping on the KV Bar Ranch

18 08 2016
Junipers Reservoir RV Resort

Junipers Reservoir RV Resort

We about 10 miles east of Lakeview, OR in the Junipers Reservoir RV Resort, set on the edge of a 8400 acre cattle ranch.  About 40 sites are in a big loop next to the nearby reservoir.  There’s a nice pavilion with BBQ grills and picnic tables in the center of the grassy loop.  Next to the pavilion is the bathhouse and small (2 washers/2 dryers) laundry facility.

Most of the sites have a picnic table with at least one nice shade tree, and provide gravel, fairly level pads.  We’re in a full hookup site with 30/50 electric, water and sewer.  The parks WiFi is delivered by radio signal from a nearby mountain peak, and rebroadcast on a large antenna over the central pavilion.  The speed and reliability is some of the best we’ve had, easily running along at 2Mb downloads even during the traditionally heavy evening usage period.

The shade trees are a welcome relief in the still unusually hot August temps pressing into the mid to upper 90’s. Tomorrow we’ll continue northwest to Crater Lake National Park where we’ll spend 2 nights in the Broken Arrow Campground.  More from Crater Lake…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Finally, the end of I-80

17 08 2016
New Frontier RV Park, Winnemucca, NV

New Frontier RV Park, Winnemucca, NV

We’ve arrived in Winnemucca, NV – and are parked at the New Frontier RV Park on the east side of town.  This is a relatively new park, and amazing in terms of size and investment.  There over 130 RV sites, several with park models already installed and another 110 or so modular buildings that are configured as 3 individual studio living spaces with bed, bath and small kitchen area.

We’re in site #29, a nice end site with a few trees, a bit of lush grass and full hookups including cable TV.  There are a handful of full-time RV’s scattered throughout the park, and many overnighters.  The park caters to the full-timers by adding a telephone outlet to each site, presumably to allow for the use of DSL internet access.  However, the free park WiFi is adequate in our site.  All streets throughout the RV area are paved and the sites are gravel, fairly level and offer at least one small shade tree.

After 2 long days on I-80 from central Wyoming, across Utah and much of Nevada, we’ll turn north tomorrow and head into Oregon.  Our first stop is at Lakeview, Oregon – more from there…


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Categories : Olympic Peninsula - 2016, Summer Camping 2016

Another Night, Another KOA

16 08 2016
Wendover, NV, KOA

Wendover, NV, KOA

We’re in Wendover, NV at the KOA Kampground.  While only a couple blocks off of Wendover’s “strip”, and right behind the Red Garter Casino, this park is relatively quiet and convenient.  The gravel sites, many with a small shade tree, are wide and include a picnic table and fire ring.  After arriving, we selected a “downgraded” site with only water and electric for about $66/night.  With 30 over-the-air digital channels, there’s certainly no reason to pay for a cable connection.  And, since we’re only staying 1 night, no need to dump holding tanks.  We’re nearly as close as possible to the office, where the WiFi is slow, but seems fairly stable.  There’s also full bars of 4G T-Mobile coverage.

The office has a small on-site store of mostly RV supplies, clean restrooms and showers.  The pool occupies a nice shady spot at the end of the property, and seems popular with everyone in the 95 degree afternoon heat.  As it turns out, this is a big week at the Bonneville Raceway, and the campground is relatively full.

We’ll continue west on I-80 tomorrow, with a stop in Winnemucca tomorrow night.  More from there…


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2 Nights in Rock Springs

15 08 2016
Rock Springs, WY KOA (Site #66)

Rock Springs, WY KOA (Site #66)

Good Morning from Rock Springs, WY.  We’ve just packed up after spending 2 nights at the KOA here in Rocks Springs.  With a super friendly staff, including fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at check-in, this KOA is about what we’d expect in this dry desert of western Wyoming.  There are about 100 “short-term” sites and about another 100 long-term sites to the rear of the property.  The dog run on the east side and tent sites on the west side might be the best part of this campground.  The dog run has beautiful lush green grass for Fido’s enjoyment.  The tent sites are individually enclosed in a cedar privacy fence, include at least 1 shade tree, a grassy tent pad, an electric hookup, a picnic table, BBQ grill and nearby water and parking.

The gravel RV sites are arranged in 5 rows that run from east to west.  The front rows appear to be electric/water only.  We’re in the 3rd row with full hookups including about 30 channels of analog cable TV.  There are a few “super-sites” on the east end of these rows that include privacy fencing, a picnic table and BBQ grill – all for about $65 plus taxes.  Our site #66, also an end site on the far west side of the park,  has a couple of small shade trees and a bit more privacy for about $45/night.  Most of the sites share hookup connections, meaning the layout is staggered door to door.  If the park is full, you might end up sharing a picnic table area (with two tables) with your neighbor.    All of the park is gravel, but even with a mild wind, didn’t seem too dusty.  There are two shower rooms, a laundry room,  exercise room and a pool that is popular with the kids.  There’s also a well stocked store onsite, or a nearby Wal-Mart and K-Mart can satisfy most needs.

Today we’ll continue west on I-80, through Salt Lake City and on to Wendover, Nevada.  While we’re not expecting a lot at yet another KOA, we’re hopeful for nearly $72 it’s a bit better than Rock Springs.  More from Nevada!


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Glendo State Park to the Olympic Peninsula

14 08 2016
Glendo, Custer Cove Site #3

Glendo, Custer Cove Site #3

We’ve just departed Lake Glendo, after a very enjoyable 4 nights in Custer Cove site #3.  Once again we managed prime lakeside sites #3 & #4 thanks to pre-scouting by Shawn and Dana.  The lake is a bit further down than last year when we were here about 2 weeks earlier. With daytime temps pushing in the mid-80’s, the water is quite refreshing.

Instead of heading back to Colorado, this is our first stop of a 30 night trip to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.  Tonight we’re headed to Rock Springs, WY.  More from there…


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