May 29 – June 2, 2023
Ahh yes, the last morning of this camping trip.
2023 is my seventh year of camping. So far, in all of these seven years, I have never wanted to go home at the end of a camping trip. This trip was no exception.
But later today someone else would be arriving to start their camping adventure, and they would be staying in the campsite I was in, so I had to go.
I tidied up inside the trailer for traveling, and checked the trailer tires (air pressure and lug nut torque) and then the truck tires and truck engine fluids, etc.
Then I walked around the blacktop road to say goodbye to my friends. They were leaving today too. You can just barely see their rig in the photo below through the woods. One of the very attractive things about this campground, and the specific campsite that I was in, is the privacy and the lack of noise from other campers.
And then I walked back to my rig and hooked up the trailer to the truck. I checked the running lights and a number of other things. All was A-OK. And so it was time to leave. Sigh.
The video below was taken as I was driving out through the campground, with my camera looking at the road in front of me. The camera is inside the cab of the truck, snugged up securely on top of the dashboard. It sits on a black towel on top of the dashboard (the black towel reduces glare and reflection off the windshield), and the camera is settled snuggly into a foam pad there as well. And so I headed out through the campground.
At the stop sign, at the entrance/exit to the campground, I turned right and headed down the road to Leavenworth with trailer in tow. Look at that mountain ridge to the right. Icicle Creek is down below, on the right.
My camera’s battery failed at about this point (at the end of the video above), so I pulled over and inserted a new battery … and then on down the road I went.
Around the next bend after the end of the last video above, I found lots of homes and businesses on the outskirts of Leavenworth. So I shut the camera off. I want to remember the area’s pristine beauty and remoteness. I’ll be back. But for now I’m headed home for a few weeks. Stay tuned for my next 2023 camping trip!
Thank you! That was wonderful to see how the truck and trailer ride and drive down the road, and to see a lot of the scenery along that entire road. Nope, I wouldn’t want to leave either.
Thanks Sesapa. 🙂 Nice to have you along for the drive.
Gorgeous. Nice view of how you travel/drive. I chuckled when your rig hit a few potholes and you groaned. We always did too! 🙂
Ha! Ugh!!! I almost edited that part out of the video, Wanda, but it seemed appropriate to leave it in. Life sometimes has potholes, eh? 🙂
I sure wish I could afford to own a camper of some sort. Maybe if I knew how to do all the stuff you do, I’d be more willing to buy something. But I’m starting to think about renting one and go to one of the places you’ve gone. So my question to you is this ….
What are your favorite destinations so far … and why … and what time of year … etc?
Ha! Ok, that’s more than one question. 🙂 And I surely know that your favorite spots might not be mine, but I need a place to start.
Renting would be great, Ruby. It would be a great way to get a rig to use that is likely very well maintained … and if something does go wrong with it, then THEY will pay to have it fixed (and they will pay to have it towed if necessary). Then you can see how you like camping, at least in the type of rig you rent. Friends of mine rent a small motorhome once or twice a year, just to get to the coast and sit by the ocean for a week, or go camping up on Mt. Rainier, things like that. Renting just a couple of times a year is way less expensive and less troublesome than owning. On the other hand, if you own a rig, you can keep it stocked … but if you rent one, then you have to load EVERYTHING that you want to bring with you every time you go. But, just to try it out a time or two? I’d say rent one. The down-side (to me) of having a small motorhome (or built-out van) is that you get all parked up in a campsite and then you don’t have another vehicle to drive around the area and see things. I like having a trailer and a separate vehicle. BUT, just to check out camping in general, I say rent. 🙂
Ok, my favorite destinations so far … sigh … that would be a long list! If I were you, I would pick a campsite fairly close to where you live for the first trip. If that trip goes well, then choose another destination a bit further afield for the second trip. Over time, you can learn how to judge ease of access and noise and amenities, etc. But to start, just go and enjoy and figure that you’re learning more about how you like living in such a small space and whether that’s ok or not.
Ok, favorite destinations … these are NOT in order, and this doesn’t include all of my favorite destinations … all are in Washington State. Yakima Sportsman … Deception Pass … Pacific Beach … Eightmile … Cougar Rock, Mt. Rainier … Friends Landing, Montesano … Dungeness Recreation Area campground, Sequim … ok, I have to stop there. Most of the places I’ve been are favorites. It would probably be easier to list the ones that are NOT my favorites.
What time of year? I start camping in May or June, and watch the weather. I do not camp in eastern Washington in late June or July, Aug, or early Sept … too hot. But if I have electricity at my campsite then I have A/C. Otherwise, I’m set up with propane for heat and fridge so I’m good to go. If autumn weather is nice, I’ll be camping into October, but I just watch the weather.
So, Ruby, those are my thoughts on a place to start. I know your email address because you commented here and I have just sent you a direct email. But I wanted to share thoughts about my answers to your questions here so others can read them as well. My comments are just my thoughts and my experiences. Others may think differently. I do hope you take a chance and go camping, Ruby. Let me know! 🙂
Great videos, thanks for the ride. 🙂
You bet, Ben. Thanks for being here. 🙂
I’ve driven up that road from Leavenworth past Eightmile so many times, but so many years ago. Your whole week there was stupendous. Thank you!
That’s so cool that you’ve been up that road, Nevada. I like that. 🙂 I did drive up to the end of road one day when I was here but didn’t take any videos or photos, next time I will. The road from the town of Leavenworth then up to Eightmile Campground is, as you know, eight miles from Leavenworth to the campground. After the campground, the road continues for another 8+ miles up into the woods, with the road mostly paved, but eventually it’s just gravel, and then eventually pretty rough. There are campgrounds along the way, all of which are rustic, no elec/water, no amenities, no reservations, and yet they are in truly stunningly gorgeous mountainous terrain. I really like that you’ve been there. 🙂 When I’m here again, I will take that same drive and will take photos and videos and will post them here … Icicle Road, then Icicle Forest Service 7600 Road, then Grindstone Forest Service 7609 Road, then the end. Driving those eight-nine miles at 3-7 mph took awhile, but it was worth it. I’ll remember that drive probably a lot like you do.
I rarely want to go home at the end of my camping trips either. Except I’m sleeping on the ground on a sleeping pad, and I don’t have heat. Sometimes those 2 things make me ready to go home! I have always thought I’d like to full time RV.
Oh good, another camper who never wants to go home. 🙂 Oh, but aargh, sleeping on the ground, and without heat. Not my idea of a comfortable time either, Dawn. When we were younger? Sure, ok. But now? Not so much. Keep me posted about your thoughts about a trailer or van or some such, even a pop-up trailer would get you off the ground and give you a bit of heat, and could be towed by your car. I will absolutely share my knowledge with you any time, you know that.
And yet … full time RVing. I think about that from time to time too. But I love my home. And yet … why not lock those doors and just GO, even if for six months … or a year … or two. The world awaits. And, you could go home now and then even if you are full time RVing. Sigh.
I’ve never been to Leavenworth, much less Eightmile Campground, but I liked everything about your week here too. Your photos and stories speak to so many people. Go ahead and go home, but get back out camping soon! 🙂
Ok Nebraksa, will do! 🙂 More camping soon.
We too find it somewhat sad to head home at the end of each camping trip. So we’ve agreed to talk about the NEXT camping trip, or options for it, on our drive home, so we don’t just moan and groan that we’re heading home and have to pay bills and do laundry.
Your photos from this trip were spectacular. And we are STILL considering selling our motorhome and buying a truck and a camper like you have so we can head out on day trips like you do. We may have to ask you to come teach us how to handle a trailer. 🙂 Great blog, Ann, thank you.
Janey
Oh, that’s a nice way to deal with the sadness of going home. I don’t have a spouse to do that with, but I will remember this and change my self-talk … maybe a post-it note on my dashboard will help. 🙂
I’d be happy to head up to BC and share what I know with you folks about towing a trailer. Just say the word. The border between BC and WA does now seem to be open (after being closed a few years because of Covid). Thanks Janey, my best to both of you. 🙂
Lovely drive. As you say, safe travels.
Thank you Heny. I always like your comments. 🙂
So cool. 🙂 So beautiful!
🙂