1996

We purchased the MH in April of 96.  It is a 1987 Southwind, 27" long with twin beds.  I had previously purchased a two panel solar system that we mounted on my son's travel trailer.  When we got the MH we switched the solar system over to the MH but we left the brackets and wiring intact on the TT so we can switch over any time my son uses his trailer and we are not out in the MH.  The MH, registration, license, and a tow bar and base plate for the TOAD (83 Toyota Tercel) came to about $20,000.

Once we got the Motor Home we spent a couple weeks getting it packed up and  set up the way we wanted it.  My wife had to add her own "touches" to the decor and we got pots, pans , silverware, dishes, linen, etc. to make it livable.

A brief word of explanation about the mileage and driving times. These figures are as indicated by my mapping program, Rand McNally Trip Maker.  I have found the mileage figure to be pretty accurate so I have not changed them.  The Driving time figures are from the mapping program and in the cases where we have driven "straight thru" I have found them to be pretty accurate.

Actual driving time will probably vary for each individual.  If you stop to view the scenery, eat a quick lunch or take you time & do some viewing, bird watching, etc it will extend the time.  The driving time is shown mainly to give you an idea of the driving time so you can figure out how much time you want to devote to stops for whatever activities you enjoy.

Click on the date to see a map and route information.

16 May 1996  South Lake Tahoe-Topaz Lake:  70 miles-1.5 hours
Our first "shake-down" trip was to Topaz Lake, an hour and a half south of here on Hwy 395.  The County park there was full so we stayed at the Topaz RV park.  I was able to get some fishing in and my wife & mother-in-law patronized the Topaz Lake Casino.  It was a good thing it was only a 45 minute drive to get back home as we discovered we had forgot a lot of "little' things, such as a can opener.  I had to make a few trips home and into Gardnerville to pick up things that we did not think of when we packed up.

This was the middle of May and it was cold & windy most of the time.  We had a little trouble with the furnace.  It would not ignite unless I turned it off & on a couple of times.  I thought the problem finally resolved itself, but I later found out that was not the case.

14 June, South Lake Tahoe-Bodega Bay:  216 miles-3.8 hours
In June we decided it was time to take off for a couple of weeks so we headed over to Bodega Bay.  Once again the State Park was full, so we stayed at the Bodega RV Park.  We later found out there are several small State Park campgrounds further north.  Bodega Bay is a good base camp to explore the area.  We sat on the beach,  went up to Ft. Ross State park and visited the town of Guerneville.  If there is a casino or an antique store within 50 miles my wife can sniff them out.  There are several small towns around with interesting shops or antique stores.  We hit them all.. Being on the coast it was foggy & cool and the furnace started acting up again.  I asked the RV Park owner about a place I could take the MH to get it fixed.  He called a "mobile" repairman who came out to the park and put in a new control panel.

17 June, Bodega Bay-Myers Flat:  197 miles-3.1 hours
On the 17th we got back to 101 & went north to Myers Flat, in the heart of the Redwoods.  My wife likes the Giant Redwood RV Park  It is on the banks of the Eel River and she likes to go down and collect rocks and wade in the River.  It is a good base camp for seeing the Redwoods.  One day we took the Avenue of the Giants north and saw all the groves and tourist attractions in that direction.  Another day we headed south and saw the rest of the groves and did some shopping in Garberville.  More interesting shops and antique stores.

24 June, Myers Flat-Big Flat:  133 miles-2.3 hours
On the 24th we headed to Big Flat and the Trinity River RV park  I tried some fishing, but the summer run was not in yet.  While I was doing that my wife and mother-in-law visited the shops and antique stores in Weaverville.

 

28 June, Big Flat-Old Station:  132 miles-2.5 hours
From Big Flat we went east to Cave Campground on Hat Creek just north of Old Station.  This is a very nice Forest Service Campground, and Hat Creek has some good fishing.  Stayed here a couple of days, caught a few trout, and then went home on 2 July. 134 miles-2.4 hours

My mother-in-law was with us on our trip, so after we got home my wife & I decided we should take off for a couple of days, just the two of us.

23 July, South Lake Tahoe-Indian Creek Reservoir, 35 miles-.7 hours
Indian Creek Reservoir is not far from Tahoe, and one of my "fishing holes"  There is a good BLM campground on the north side of the reservoir where we like to stay.  The sites are nice, big enough for our RV, fairly level and the parking pads are paved.  At the right time of the year, the fishing is great and some pretty big trout have been taken there.  In late July, it was poor fishing & I did not get anything, but it was a nice relaxing week.  On the 26th we went back home.

In August I flew back to Chicago to attend a family reunion.  While there my brother suffered a heart attack and did not recover.  After I returned home the funeral arrangements were made and we drove up to Medford, OR for the funeral.

 7 Sept, South Lake Tahoe-Old Station, 134 miles 2.4 hours.
Sept 8, Old Station-Medford. OR. 185 miles-3.5 hours.
We stayed at the Holiday RV Park.  It was convenient to my Sister-in-law and to the Cemetery where the services were held.  We left Medford on the 11th and got home on the 12th.

24 Sept, South Lake Tahoe-Big Flat  347 miles-6.2 hours.
On the 24th I left Tahoe for my annual Salmon Fishing trip to Big Flat.  I usually leave about 8-9 AM and stop at the Rest Area on the north end of Honey Lake for lunch.  I then drive through to Redding where I stop for gas before the final run into Big Flat.  This year I stayed at the Trinity River RV Park, so I could be with some of my fishing friends. Fishing was pretty good this year and I stayed until the 7th of October.  On the last day I had everything packed up so I stopped at my favorite fishing hole and fished until about 10 before heading home.  Arrived at Tahoe about 1830 hours.

Now all that was left to do over the next week was to drain the water tanks, winterize the rig and put a tarp over the top.  That done we settled down for the winter, looking forward to next year.

s