We lucked into volunteer hiking jobs at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park and spent the summer hiking four days a week! We learned a lot while we were there. Yosemite is a huge park that is broken into sections:
There are many miles to explore between each section of the park!
Tuolumne Meadows has a store, a grill, a post office and the Campground. The store, grill and post office are located in one building that also happens to be a kind of tent building. Pretty cool!
Tuolumne Meadows does not have a set opening day. It opens depending entirely on when the snow melts. We arrived in June and had the privilege of being in the campground for almost a week before it officially opened. We needed much of that first week to acclimate to the 8600’ elevation. Altitude sickness is very real and happens more often than you would think. Drink lots of water in the weeks before heading this way as it really helps!
We needed much of that first week to acclimate to the 8600’ elevation.
Cell service is an iffy thing up there. Depending on the season, there may or may not be a tiny bit of Verizon and the possibility of an even smaller bit of AT&T. We have a boosted Verizon hot-spot and once the tower was turned on we got a whopping 5 bars of 1X service. We were essentially cut off from the world … once we got accustomed to it, it sure was nice!
We quickly realized that although we had left Texas, we had not left the mosquitos! They were bad and stayed bad for every bit of a month while snow melted and puddles evaporated. The biters were bad enough near water that we wore netting over our heads as they laughed at our mosquito spray! If mosquitos are a real problem for you, come later in the year. If flowing water and waterfalls are important, come early and come prepared.
Bears frequent the campground in search of high-calorie food. Let’s face it, almost anything humans eat will fatten up a bear far faster than grass! They will eat anything that smells good … including sunscreen, candles, soap and your food. Bear boxes are provided in the campground and at every trailhead to keep food and “smelly” items safe from bears. Please use them as a fed bear is a dead bear.
Purple 49, AKA Bandit
The drive through Tuolumne is beautiful. However, the really spectacular views are seen while hiking trails. There are even “social” trails which are not listed on the official map, but these trails are not necessarily maintained by the park. Let’s go through the park-maintained trails from our perspective. How is our perspective different?
We knew right away that paper maps weren’t our thing and while apps on a phone aren’t ideal for those who are staying out many nights, they are perfect for day-hikes!
Tracks where you went, time on the trail, time spent moving, pace and elevation gain. Pictures can be added and data downloaded in a shareable format. Be sure to download the trails you intend to hike before getting to the park as you will need data/service to download. Maps sometimes have trouble loading even after downloading, so check before you head out.
Shows your exact position on the trail with GPS coordinates. Can also record your tracks, time and elevation gain. Pins can be dropped; pictures and information can be added to the pins. Best thing is you can see everywhere you have been on one map. Maps for this app have to be purchased. Pricing starts at free and goes up from there! No data or service is needed after the map is downloaded!
Avenza hiking tracks
Difficulty: 1
Wildlife Sightings: Deer and marmot
This is an easy trail, most of which is on an old gravel road and very slightly uphill. The spring is bubbling out of the ground within a partial log cabin surrounding it. The water has an unusual taste and warnings tell you to drink at your own risk. Many people do drink this water and one couple makes an annual trip to get water from the spring to mix up a drink with Tequila and Tang! There are views of the river, meadow and surrounding mountains from the spring. If you like, extend the hike by continuing up to Parsons Lodge and then down the hill to cross the bridge into the meadow.
Difficulty: 3
Wildlife Sightings: Deer and frogs
The first part of this trail is steep and we had to stop to rest a lot! The first time we hiked this trail we passed up the Lembert Dome trail as we thought it would be too hard … it’s not! Do both! The lake is pretty and if its early in the year there may be dragonfly’s emerging … it’s quite a sight! Lembert Dome has a bird’s eye view of the meadow and surrounding mountains and it is truly amazing.
Difficulty: 1
Wildlife Sightings: An occasional deer and lots of marmots
Easy trail with very little elevation gain. Early in the season, the trail is quite busy due to PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and JMT (John Muir Trail) hikers. It’s a pretty hike with nice river views.
Difficulty: 2-3
Wildlife Sightings: Deer, coyote, bear and marmot
This is a fantastic, but deceiving trail. Leaving the trailhead, it is mostly all downhill which makes it really easy to go much farther than intended. Tuolumne Falls are about 6 miles down the trail and the beauty of the falls as well as the changing scenery make this hike fantastic. Coming back can be fairly strenuous, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Difficulty: 2
Wildlife Sightings: Deer, marmot
This is a steep trail that takes you to May Lake and the May Lake High Sierra Camp. Note: High Sierra Camps have lodging and food but must be reserved in advance – possibly the year before. The views are great on the climb up and the lake is gorgeous. Upon arriving at the lake stay on the trail to the right, keeping the lake to your left. For a nice scenic view, continue past the lake always staying to the right and climb the rocks just before the switchbacks that lead down into a valley.
Difficulty: 1-2
Wildlife Sightings: Coyote, deer and bear (during one hike we actually had two bear sightings!)
Pond near trail
This pretty trail doesn’t have many mountain views but its rocky terrain is different from other trails. There’s plenty to look at and it’s a peaceful trail.
Difficulty: 3.5
Wildlife Sightings: Deer, snake
Steep but shorter hike leading to a pretty lake. Early in the season, there will still be snow, a number of water crossings as well as many mosquitos. Later in the summer the marshy/boggy waterlogged areas will dry up and you can take a trail all the way around the lake.
Difficulty: 4
Wildlife Sightings: Deer
This large and beautiful lake is worth every uphill step! The hike is steep and mostly wooded with a couple of stops along the way that should make the climb more interesting. We always fill our spare water bottle when we pass by the natural spring. Drink at your own risk.
Difficulty: 4
Wildlife Sightings: Deer
Smaller lake that is just off the John Muir trail and high above the lower lake. This lake isn’t as popular but is well worth the extra climb. We were unable to walk around the whole lake as part of it is unpassable unless you wade/swim or maybe climb up and around some rocks.
Difficulty: Mono–4, Parker–4, Spillway–2.5
Wildlife Sightings: Deer, coyote
Spectacular views await from either of the passes. The trail up is through a forest with a number of creek crossings and a pretty good climb. As you get higher the trees will thin out and all but disappear. The wind will also pick up, so secure that hat! If your timing is good, you will see abundant wildflowers. There are a couple of old log cabins along the trail to the passes and more along a trail that “y’s” off of the main trail near Mono Pass. They are worth checking out. Spillway Lake starts at the same trailhead but veers off before you get to the really steep stuff.
Difficulty: 5
Wildlife Sightings: Deer, weasel (there are Pika, but we never saw them)
This is my favorite trail, but it starts hard! Just take your time and stop to rest … it’s worth it. Trails to the lakes and mine are well defined, but there are no defined trails to Granite Lakes. Cross-country hiking is required. Use AllTrails and/or Avenza apps to navigate to the lakes and back.
Difficulty: 3
Wildlife Sightings: Deer
Nice uphill hike that leads to an alpine meadow. The meadow is amazing and the views from the far side (if you can get there) of the lake are astounding. Early in the season, there is so much water that’s it’s nearly impossible to walk around the lake without getting wet.
This is not an all-inclusive trail list! There are other trails that we either did not hike or that could not be done in a day hike. Social trails are not included.
Photo bombed!
All tucked into our summer home
Headed out of the park
Feeling small … Can you spot Gertie?
Touring California’s top wine-producing districts—here, we’ll concentrate on just five of the state’s 46 wine-producing counties —in a Leisure Travel Van is a treat to the palate and the eye, from the moment you pull into a parking lot, to the anticipation of lingering over every sensation of that first sample pour, and knowing that the wine you walk out with to serve your friends back home may not be available anywhere else.
The problem you may run into, however, is choice. There are more than 400 wineries in Sonoma County alone, and more than 400 in Napa too, so, where to start? How do you narrow a mind-boggling search that otherwise would leave anyone frustrated, possibly confused, and certainly parched? We’ll tell you how we did it, and will share some of our favorites.
Picking a good central campground or campgrounds is the first step, and we’ve got at least four that we can highly recommend for your LTV. Some of these parks have bridges that an RV bigger that our Leisure Unity couldn’t go over due to weight restrictions. Others have hairpin entrance roads. There are plenty of alternatives, however.
Then chose which wine regions to visit, so your ducks, campgrounds, and counties, are all in a row. Our choices: Mendocino County, then moving just to the south, Sonoma, inland to Napa, of course, and to our eastern-most location, the relatively undiscovered (read: inexpensive) but very special wineries of Amador County, and to the south, Paso Robles. Most can be easily reached off Highway 1, that famous drive that’s now re-opened all the way after the fires.
We picked these because we were slightly familiar with them and wanted to get to know them and the wineries along the sometimes twisting, gnarly riverside drives a bit better. Advantage once again: Leisure Travel Vans. You may have a different area in mind, but for our money, these are the mother lode of great California wine.
First, a few tips. Pick a winery by deciding what wine type you like. Even within wine types, taste varies by winery and each winemaker’s individual taste. I’ve had some petite syrahs from one winery taste good, but not remarkable, when a few miles away, I gushed over one far superior that tasted like liquid caramel, at least on my palate.
If you have a friend or relative who can recommend a specific winery, and your tastes are similar, trust them and go. Above all, while all this can be pretty intimidating, don’t let it be. If you find a wine you enjoy, then do it, and let the bottles—and recommenders, be it a best friend, or those now-ubiquitous points ratings—fall where they may.
That tip also can apply to campgrounds. Some of you may like boondocking with the bare necessities, with your solar panels pumping out juice. Some like to be pampered.
N. California scenery near Mendocino County.
California’s Highway 1 sweeps, dives and rises while the white waves of the Pacific, not being so pacifico when we passed, rolled onto the beaches near Fort Bragg. The Mendocino County region may be more known as having a reported half the population engaged in growing marijuana, but just inland you will find some great wine after camping in redwood country near the Oregon border.
Here California’s golden hills swell up from the Pacific, the leading edge of its great wine-growing regions. Nearby sites along Highway 1 looking over the Pacific headlands (great views, but it’s almost always windy), include Van Damme State Park to the south, or the redwood groves of Hendy Woods State Park or Navarro River Redwoods State Park a bit farther inland. And, speaking of Navarro, wherever you land, get ready to sip and spit the next day at a winery that won’t disappoint.
Denise outside the floral Navarro vineyards tasting room.
Southeast of Russian Gulch on California 128, Navarro vineyards occupies part of the eastern Anderson Valley’s picturesque hillsides, just north of the community of Philo, population about 450. Growing grapes since 1974, its Riesling was among the first to bring international acclaim, but samples of all its varietals, from its juicy zinfandel to subtle pinot, deserve a definite linger in its rustic-looking tasting room.
About two-dozen other wineries dot Highway 128 between Navarro and Yorkville. More are along U.S. 101 inland. Pick up the guide, “101 Things To Do In Mendocino County, including the “skunk train,” offering scenic trips through redwood groves along The Nyo River and Pudding Creek.
These are arguably California’s two most famous wine-producing counties, sporting multiple growing regions, with some definite favorites. Because of their fame, expect to pay more per bottle, and more to taste.
These two counties are so popular, you can park your LTV at a campground and book a mini-bus tour to several to get started, so you also won’t have to worry about over-imbibing.
San Francisco/Petaluma KOA
The campground we headquartered at to tour both counties was perfect from every standpoint. I usually prefer state and national forest camps instead of modern ones, but the San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA is outstanding. The best KOA I’ve ever pulled into, period.
Want the comforts of a nice pool? Check. Daily tours of San Francisco leaving right from the campground May-October? Check. An outdoor kitchen for your use? Special themed meals on occasion? Check. Kid’s programs? Yup. And bike rentals and wine country info? That, too. And while the campground is near Highway 101, highway noise is non-existent.
This KOA treats you nice, from the widely spaced full hook-up sites to those with water/electric only. Staff are friendly, and restrooms kept spotless.
We picked site 222, close to the site near the ultra-clean restrooms, and with plenty of internet bandwidth, plotted our two-day spree across the two counties that most of the world knows California wine by. First, and closest to the coast, Sonoma. Again, where to start? Best advice? Ask check sites like the Sonoma Tourist Guide and information from Sonoma County Tourism.
You’ll also find some other places to visit like the cute-as-a-peanut Charles M. Schulz Museum, where you can see, among other things, the “Peanuts” cartoon strip creator’s desk, between winery visits. Some wineries here offer free tasting or knock off the tasting cost if you buy something, but most will charge per visit, so do your homework beforehand, pick a dozen or so populating the important growing regions—Sonoma, Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys—and have at it. Most of all, trust your instincts and your palate. Here are some suggestions we’re personally fond of:
An aerie perched atop the Sonoma hills southwest of Healdsburg, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery is one of the county’s most picturesque. Reached by a steep, winding road that’s a challenge to larger RVs, the winery is perfectly positioned to visit in the afternoon to sit on the patio sipping its boutique golden chardonnay or its fruity prize-winning pinot noir to watch as the raptors ride the upswells above the Russian River below. Stunning. It’s not owned by Farrell anymore, who cashed in and moved on to found the boutique Alysian winery in the Russian River Valley, but its newest new owners have brought the label back. Both are definitely worth a visit.
At Dashe Cellars, also near Healdsburg, you’ll get more bang for your sipping buck because its tasting room is part of the Family Wineries of Dry Creek, a cooperative of six. Among Dashe’s offerings are several great deep zinfandels including a Zin dessert wine.
The entire region near Santa Rosa to Healdsburg is your tasting room. Known collectively as the Wine Road, there are so many wineries along its two-lane highways like CA 128, and 12, it boggles the mind. The farther one gets onto roads like West Dry Creek, the narrower the roads get, so take care around those blind corners. For a wine nut, as the slogan says, The Wine Road is truly Heaven Condensed. Among the wineries to visit: Paradise Ridge, reliable big producers like St. Francis, Kendall-Jackson, Clos Do Bois, and Chateau St. Jean. and smaller outlets like Jordan, Imagery, Dutton Estate, J, Gundlach Bundschu and other labels you may never see outside California.
Leave the KOA and head west to the coast for some truly memorable experiences like restaurants of Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock chose as the setting for his famed movie, “The Birds,” along with tiny, worthy eateries like The Glen Ellen Star, in Glen Ellen, and for great food and accompanying prices, John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa.
And, if you can’t get into the KOA, there is great camping here or inland above it all spots like 49-site Sugarloaf Ridge State Park 1,200 feet above the valley. The road up is definitely twisty, and at times you wonder where you’re going, but it’s definitely worth it. Watch for that tiny bridge I mentioned, too.
Only 15 miles east from Sonoma, if pinot, chard and zinfandel are kings in Sonoma, Cabernet holds court in Napa, the county most people think of when they think of California wine. It’s the priciest county to visit due to its tasting room fees and bottle prices that sometimes are higher than at wine superstores like Total Wine and BevMo.
The same rules apply here as in Sonoma: twisty roads. But along St. Helena Highway, wineries are easily accessible. Orin Swift Cellars is a must. Varieties like The Prisoner, Saldo and other blends are feasts to the taste buds. Also hit Heitz and Merryvale, among others here. In the shadow of famed Atlas Peak, make an appointment at William Hill, and also stop for tasting in the Stags Leap district at Shafer, Sinsky, and for zin, Biale, all along Silverado Trail, or pick from the scores of others along neighboring California 128.
Welcome to the undiscovered country. Centered around the small town of Plymouth, you’ve entered what Sonoma and Napa were maybe 30 years ago. In other words, fantastic wines at reasonable cost, especially zinfandels.
Signs like these will point you to wineries all across California’s wine growing regions.
There are at least two campgrounds within shouting distance of “downtown.” The Far Horizons 49er Village, a Good Sam park along CA-49 outside town, or Gold Country Campground farther from this county’s mother lode of tastings. Both offer loads of amenities, however.
Denise samples wines at Young’s in Amador County.
Must-stops here include Jeff Runquist Wines, one of my all-time faves, where that caramel-like Petite Syrah is casked. Just down the road, Renwood Winery, which seems to have regained its former prominence, Young’s, sporting especially beautiful labels, foretelling what’s inside each great bottle, and the northern outpost of famed, and expensive, Turley. Deaver is definitely a sleeper as well.
You’ve got almost 40 more to choose from that occupy the rolling hills here.
Here’s another county, in somewhat southern Cali, that also deserves attention for great, often overlooked wines in the rush to Napa and Sonoma. The roads again twist around the live oak and vineyard-covered hills, and at the end of each are some true gems. Justin Vineyards is one of the best, and Opolo is one of those that, when you taste, you immediately sign up for its wine club. There are great camping possibles here as well, from Morro Bay State Park, to full service state parks like Wine Country RV Resort.
In fact, you’ll want to sign up for many of these. Just check to see if they can ship to your state. You’ll then have access to these unique wines all year long, including those you cannot buy beyond the winery gates.
That’s my primer to wine country camping. My favorites may or may not become yours. But it sure will be fun to see!
Check out all the wineries online, or through each county’s visitor bureau. They’re great resources for sipping as well as camping. Here are a few sources: camping in Sonoma County. Amador County. In Paso Robles region. Napa County. And don’t forget Harvest Hosts. It costs to join, and most don’t have hookups, but it’s also a great resource.
If you’re planning other California park stays, be aware that some more popular parks in the redwoods now limit RV lengths to 25 feet. In other words, you may want to/have to leave your tow vehicle parked outside the gates. Some of the roads in Sonoma/Napa and Paso areas are recently twisty and tight. Some may want to consider renting a car or using a tow vehicle instead of piloting even a nimble LTV.
Going to California? Lucky you, because the golden state is over-the-top with contrasting scenery and every kind of attraction. It can be difficult to plan a route in an area where there is so much to experience. If you like to stay away from large cities but enjoy adventures that include a little bit of history, the outdoors, lots of local food, and sometimes wine, we can help you. These five destinations are in the southern portion of the state.
Located south and slightly inland from San Francisco, San Benito County has two towns – Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Hollister has all the amenities of a modern city. San Juan Bautista is historic. The Mission San Juan Bautista is the largest church on the California Mission Trail. Both towns are surrounded by country roads and rolling hills. Vineyards and row crops share space with cattle ranches.
Things you do not want to miss:
Located north and west of Santa Barbara, Solvang, California, is more Danish than Denmark. The architecture is strikingly European with cross-beamed timbers and thatched roofing, hanging flowers, courtyards, windmills, and lots of bakeries. The Little Mermaid, a copy of the statue in Copenhagen, greets you on the main street.
Things you do not want to miss:
Along Highway 101 on the Pacific Ocean, north of Los Angeles, Oxnard, California, is the place to appreciate nature in close proximity to city living. Pristine white sandy beaches run for miles alongside gentle desert-type sand dunes.
Things you do not want to miss:
Set inland, in the Temecula Valley, north of San Diego and south of Long Beach, Temecula offers a Mediterranean climate that is perfect for growing grapes. The many vineyards are small and predominantly family-owned. For that reason, the wine experience is personal, for everyone from winemaker to wine appreciator.
Things you do not want to miss:
Away from the coast, high in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego and just off the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, Julian is an old gold mining town known for its apple orchards.
Things you do not want to miss:
(Makes 4 servings)
Place the sundried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside. After 5 minutes, drain the tomatoes and discard the water.
Place the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in a food processor. Process until almost smooth.
Add the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
Preheat the grill to high (550-600°F/290-315°C) for 10 minutes with the lid closed. Using a pair of long-handled tongs, oil the grate by wiping it with a piece of folded paper towel dipped lightly in canola oil.
Grill the beef patties about 5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature registers 160° F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
While the patties are cooking, cut the bagels in half and brush each cut side with olive oil.
Toast the bagel halves cut side down on the grate until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Place the toasted bagel halves open-faced on serving plates. Spread all 8 bagel halves generously with the sun-dried tomato mixture.
Place 3 basil leaves on the bottom half of each bagel. Place the cooked beef patty on top of the basil. Follow with the tomato and mozzarella.
Leftover sun-dried tomato mixture can be kept in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 1 week.
Other grilling and smoking recipes can be found in our latest cookbook, On The Road With The Cooking Ladies, Let’s Get Grilling, available on Amazon.com or bookstores everywhere!