California Dreaming: California Camping

Our new life in California continues to bring changes into our life. For the past 18 or so years we have camped in Peninsula State Park in Door County every July. For those of you not familiar with Wisconsin.... Door County is the "thumb" that sticks out into Lake Michigan. It has always been a highlight of the year. Even before we started camping there we would stay in a motel almost every summer since we have been married (31 years). Many memories were made there with friends and relatives. There were times we had 30+ people eating at our campsite. Our DIL Nikelle first met us in DC when she came to visit Shane for the first time. Nikelle learned to love camping in DC. So many memories but life brings changes. No Door County for us this year- we headed off to explore in Inyo National Forest- the Mammoth Mountain area. This lies about 350 miles north and a little west of us. The trip took about 7.5 hours going (pulling a camper uphill from sea level to 9,000 ft) and 6 hours back home downhill! As Dave said multiple times, " There is a whole lot of nothing between home and where we are going. " Brown, dry, sage filled desolation.

Miles and miles of this view. That goofy looking tree is a Joshua tree.

We did see a glorious sunset with nothing and I mean nothing to block our view!

We had started driving at 5 pm on Wednesday so we stopped between Lone Pine and Bishop for the night at about 11pm. We slept in the camper in this rest area and were quite amazed at how much the scenery had changed when we got up that am.

The beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Best bakery ever- in Mammoth

Do I want this ?

or this?

Dave working while he enjoys his breakfast.

Many warnings about black bears.....never saw one.

Not the best picture of me (love the hair) but check out the sweatshirt! Had to wear it n honor of Door County!

We didn't have reservations but we got the last available site in Coldwater campground.

I love camping and the beautiful "ceilings"!

Dave playing in the bear box. In this area if you leave any food out the bears come- a bit scarier than raccoons!

Site #76- our home for 3 nights

Our fellow campers- Keith, Jane, Jimmy and Connor arrived Thurs afternoon.

Happy campers! Especially the guys because they LOVE having their photo taken!

We headed over to Mammoth Mountain ski area. Keith and the boys rode mountain bikes. Jane, Dave and I rode the gondola up to the summit- 11,000 ft. Then we hiked down the mountain to 9,000 ft where we were camping. A gorgeous hike and we were all alone on the trail.

Heading up in the gondola...

At the summit- see the one sign that says " Dave's Run"?! Jane told us that a few years ago when they were there skiing she stood by this sign and her shoulder was level with the lower sign! Typically this area averages 400 in of snow per season! The skiing can start in October and last until 4th of July! So all you skiers should skip CO this winter and come to CA!

Looking back down...

Partway down...

Not much grows this high up- some hardy flowers.

Perfect day for a hike.

Jane enjoying her snack break- needed lots of munchies and even more water for this hike!

I am not so fond of heights and there were no rails.... I spent much of the hike leaning into the mountain and avoiding looking down. Great hike and I would do it again!

We are very glad we have camping buddies in CA! We midwesterners are built tough :)

As this sign states- you can see 7 gorgeous lakes from here. The guy isn't bad looking either!

Receiving texts from certain children telling us that they missed us in Door County! We miss them too- so much some days that we want to hop on a plane that minute!