Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Update of past week
It is difficult enough to find free wireless internet, but it is more difficult to get our computer to work with it. So I am writing ahead to download whenever the opportunity presents itself…
THERE AND BACK (adventures in Napa/Sonoma)
The weather was not conducive to hanging around in Calistoga for some biking.. so we left –and headed to Sonoma. We have spent MUCH time in the Napa Valley. but we have not crossed over to Sonoma—mainly because of the lack of campgrounds there. Sonoma is a sweet little California town with lots of history, restaurants, and shops. Too bad there is not a fairgrounds RV in the middle of town. We went to visit the Mission—the northern most of FR. Sierra’s missions. For $3 each we not only got into the mission but also into the military barracks, and the home of Mariano Vallejo –an important dude in CA history. He was indirectly responsible for the first wine making operation in CA although his real job was political and military. AND we got into a fourth site of this State Historical Park –namely Mariano’s adobe ranch near Petaluma. (He also got rich raising steers).
Petaluma was actually our final destination on this outing. I won’t write more about this city—but it got mixed reviews. (I couldn’t wait to leave). After MUCH discussion we decided to come back to Napa and rather than drive back to Calistoga we checked into the Napa Fairgrounds which is a real RV park with grass and everything. I was pleasantly surprised that it is within walking distance of the downtown shops and restaurants. But with all the busy roads, it’s not ideal for biking. Nonetheless the next morning we set out on a bike ride to find the Skyline Park where we were told there were bike trails (mountain bike). Imagine our surprise to discover another RV campground there—in the country—with 16 miles of hiking trails. So we quickly moved Ida to this park for our last night in the Napa Valley.
THERE AND BACK (again)
This may end up being a theme of our trip. We settled into San Lorenzo County Park in Monterey County, and then spent a day back tracking to Salinas to visit my cousin Virginia (and Bob). Rather than continue on to Pasa Robles we checked back into San Lorenzo.
BEACHES AND BAD NEWS
Our plan was to spend Sunday eve at the beach (assuming beach parks would be full on Saturday night). Here the bad news part begins. We have found ourselves in the middle of the storm of the decade (not since 1998…). The rain began on Sunday and has been getting steadily worse. Our plan was to stop at Refugio Beach (our favorite beach s.p. anywhere) and enjoy the beach despite the rain. Alas this wonderful campground is closed for the winter this year. El Capitan SP next door is open but the sites were very small and uneven and no beach out your front door. So we continued to Carpenteria where at least there is a cute little town with restaurants—but we needed diesel and there was none to be found in Carpenteria. Hwy 101 is notoriously bad for finding diesel. We had to drive another half hour south to Ventura. It was getting late and ugly (wet, windy) and we were desperate to find a place to stay. The one private campground in that town was closed. Luckily we found a county park right on the beach (over the rocks and 2 feet from our campsite) with hookups and cable TV. Monday afternoon finds us at a state park in San Clemente, somewhat sheltered from the storm. Now here is the REALLY bad news. Ordinary mortals can no longer afford to stay in CA state parks. We are paying $60 a night for a campsite with water, electricity, and plenty of rain. Throughout CA the tent sites are now $35. And we thought the RV sites in Carpenteria were outrageous at $50. We have been faring better with the county parks which are closer to $30 except the one on the beach with cable TV. At least SOME good news: the rain held off and the traffic was moderate for our drive through LA. No worse than Seattle for sure.
EL CAMINO REAL
The Spanish missionaries left a trail of missions from the tip of Baha to what is now Sonoma, CA. Each of them were a days journey. (Now it is more like an hour). We’ve been enjoying visits to several of the missions. It is interesting that each is presented in a somewhat different way. I will try to post photos when we get internet. Today’s (Monday) mission was San Juan Capistrano (pre-swallows). We got soaked as so much is outdoors. This one is a magnificent ruin but still has a small church where FR Sierra preached.
THERE AND BACK (adventures in Napa/Sonoma)
The weather was not conducive to hanging around in Calistoga for some biking.. so we left –and headed to Sonoma. We have spent MUCH time in the Napa Valley. but we have not crossed over to Sonoma—mainly because of the lack of campgrounds there. Sonoma is a sweet little California town with lots of history, restaurants, and shops. Too bad there is not a fairgrounds RV in the middle of town. We went to visit the Mission—the northern most of FR. Sierra’s missions. For $3 each we not only got into the mission but also into the military barracks, and the home of Mariano Vallejo –an important dude in CA history. He was indirectly responsible for the first wine making operation in CA although his real job was political and military. AND we got into a fourth site of this State Historical Park –namely Mariano’s adobe ranch near Petaluma. (He also got rich raising steers).
Petaluma was actually our final destination on this outing. I won’t write more about this city—but it got mixed reviews. (I couldn’t wait to leave). After MUCH discussion we decided to come back to Napa and rather than drive back to Calistoga we checked into the Napa Fairgrounds which is a real RV park with grass and everything. I was pleasantly surprised that it is within walking distance of the downtown shops and restaurants. But with all the busy roads, it’s not ideal for biking. Nonetheless the next morning we set out on a bike ride to find the Skyline Park where we were told there were bike trails (mountain bike). Imagine our surprise to discover another RV campground there—in the country—with 16 miles of hiking trails. So we quickly moved Ida to this park for our last night in the Napa Valley.
THERE AND BACK (again)
This may end up being a theme of our trip. We settled into San Lorenzo County Park in Monterey County, and then spent a day back tracking to Salinas to visit my cousin Virginia (and Bob). Rather than continue on to Pasa Robles we checked back into San Lorenzo.
BEACHES AND BAD NEWS
Our plan was to spend Sunday eve at the beach (assuming beach parks would be full on Saturday night). Here the bad news part begins. We have found ourselves in the middle of the storm of the decade (not since 1998…). The rain began on Sunday and has been getting steadily worse. Our plan was to stop at Refugio Beach (our favorite beach s.p. anywhere) and enjoy the beach despite the rain. Alas this wonderful campground is closed for the winter this year. El Capitan SP next door is open but the sites were very small and uneven and no beach out your front door. So we continued to Carpenteria where at least there is a cute little town with restaurants—but we needed diesel and there was none to be found in Carpenteria. Hwy 101 is notoriously bad for finding diesel. We had to drive another half hour south to Ventura. It was getting late and ugly (wet, windy) and we were desperate to find a place to stay. The one private campground in that town was closed. Luckily we found a county park right on the beach (over the rocks and 2 feet from our campsite) with hookups and cable TV. Monday afternoon finds us at a state park in San Clemente, somewhat sheltered from the storm. Now here is the REALLY bad news. Ordinary mortals can no longer afford to stay in CA state parks. We are paying $60 a night for a campsite with water, electricity, and plenty of rain. Throughout CA the tent sites are now $35. And we thought the RV sites in Carpenteria were outrageous at $50. We have been faring better with the county parks which are closer to $30 except the one on the beach with cable TV. At least SOME good news: the rain held off and the traffic was moderate for our drive through LA. No worse than Seattle for sure.
EL CAMINO REAL
The Spanish missionaries left a trail of missions from the tip of Baha to what is now Sonoma, CA. Each of them were a days journey. (Now it is more like an hour). We’ve been enjoying visits to several of the missions. It is interesting that each is presented in a somewhat different way. I will try to post photos when we get internet. Today’s (Monday) mission was San Juan Capistrano (pre-swallows). We got soaked as so much is outdoors. This one is a magnificent ruin but still has a small church where FR Sierra preached.
# posted by Carol Harma @ 12:58 PM 
