Crow Butte - Revisited Again

We wanted to try taking Cyrus to a campsite that wasn't quite as sheltered from vision as Manchester was to determine if he was really going to be good with camping.  So - back to Crow Butte!

Campground Info:  Crow Butte State Park  Boardman, WA  Site 42.  Weather was sunny and hot.

Campers:  Jim, Deb, Geoff and Cyrus the boxer.

Cyrus in the sunshine.

On this trip we borrowed a friends inflatable kayak.  We figured that we should try out the water sports at some point in time and this would also help us to determine if we wanted to look at purchasing a kayak ourselves at some point. 

Jim and Geoff took care of inflating the kayak and then took the maiden voyage while I stayed back at camp with Cyrus.  Because of his nails, and the fact that the kayak was borrowed, we didn't feel it was a good idea for him to go in the kayak.  Not only that - Cyrus isn't too crazy about water.  He will get his feet wet when necessary, but other than that... not so much! 

Off into the wild!

Again, another relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Manchester State Park

This was our first week long trip in the GRUB.  We had our nephew, Justin, out visiting from Colorado and our friends, the Fuller's, joined us later in the week at a site right across from ours.

Campground Info:  Manchester State Park  Manchester, WA.  Site 9.  Weather was foggy and sunny.

Campers:  Jim, Deb, Geoff, Justin and Cyrus the boxer.  Joining us later:  The Fuller family.

 
Manchester State Park had very woodsy sites - each one had you feeling like you were out in the woods, surrounded by trees and wildlife.  Unless you knew for sure - it didn't feel like you had any neighbors.  The bathrooms are very clean and having locking showers!  This park takes it quiet hours very seriously, which is nice at night.  There is lots to see and do at Manchester - Geo-caching, hiking and a lot of World War II points of interest.  At one time, Manchester was an armory and battery point during the war. 

There is a lot of water, as Manchester is on the Puget Sound - practically across from Seattle, WA.  The lake, while it was pretty further out, was slimy and smelly at the shore line.

Firsts for us:  Joining another family for camping, having our nephew Justin along and taking Cyrus the boxer camping for the first time. Cyrus did so well camping, not barking or growling at others, that we will take him along on future trips.

Cyrus doesn't like sleeping on the dirt.... 

We introduced the Fuller's to Geo-caching and the guys took in a night Geo-cache that was very cool.  They did well and only got "a little" lost along the way out.  During our day hikes, we stumbled across a field with two camels in it.  Yes, camels!  Turns out they are "rescued camels" and the owners keep them in a field and rent them out at Christmas for Nativity scenes.  Not what you expect to see during a hike!

It was fun spending time with friends in the afternoons and evenings, sharing desserts and wine.

Good company, good food, good wine!

Crow Butte - Revisited

Crow Butte will be a favorite camping area for us - we love its closeness to home for a quick weekend camping trip.  Only a three hour drive along the Gorge and you're there!

Campground Info:  Crow Butte State Park  Boardman, WA.  Site 42.  Weather was sunny and hot.

Campers:  Jim, Deb, Carl, Geoff, Kyle (Geoff's friend).

This trip is full of first time things.  We got the new truck to pull the GRUB.  Previously we had been using our Subaru, but it limited how much we could take camping with us.  With the new truck, we can pack coolers, chairs, and the new lasso golf set.  This was Geoff's birthday trip this year - and the lasso golf was one of his gifts.  As you can see, the large grassy areas made it a perfect playing field!  We also took the new fire pit so we could cook S'mores.  Another first time - having a guest of Geoff's along with us.

Learning the fine art of Lasso Golf 

We brought the scope with us this trip and the guys went up to the "observatory" at night to view the stars.  They were able to view a lot of wonderful stars and the temperatures were perfect for it.  During the day, the boys went to the swimming area and swam in the river for most of the late morning and afternoon. 

With the nicer weather and the end of the school year, there were a lot more campers on site.  Some came with boats and used the boat launch to spend the day on the water.  Even with a full campsite - it still felt wide open.  Another relaxing weekend accomplished!

Crow Butte State Park

Jim & Geoff have gotten into astronomy.  However, in the Pacific Northwest that can be a challenge as there always seems to be cloud cover.  Jim discovered Crow Butte while he was looking for a place to observe the night skies unobstructed by clouds, trees and light pollution.

Campground Info:  Crow Butte State Park  Boardman, WA  Site 42.  Weather was hot and sunny with beautiful night skies.

Campers:  Jim, Uncle Carl, Geoff, Deb.

Crow Butte is more of a "park like" setting than a lot of other places we have been too.  The sites all have large grassy areas with trees - which help during the sunny, hot afternoons.  It is on an island in the Columbia River up the Gorge.  On two sides you have the river and views and on the other is the more arid and hilly spots.  We have the arid spot - that leads up and away from the trees for better stargazing.  There are no campfire pits at the sites - only little BBQ pits.  If you want a campfire, it is permitted but you need to bring your own.  Bathrooms are very clean. 

There is boating and swimming available.  It is also a day use park for the nearby towns - which are not that near by!  Fisherman have been seen up and down the river as well.  We found a couple of Geo-caching opportunities, but this campground, for us anyway, is all about the stargazing and relaxing.

The path to the Observatory

Jim and Uncle Carl started out on this trip and the rest of us joined Jim on the weekend.  There are many, many, many rattlesnake warnings at the camp - however, we were fortunate enough not to see or hear any.

Ike Kinswa State Park

So far, so good - we've been doing well on camping at least once a month.  This weekend we went to Ike Kinswa State Park.

Campground Info:  Ike Kinswa State Park  Mayfield Lake, WA.  Site 57.  Weather was sunny. 

Campers:  Jim, Deb and Geoff. 

Ike Kinswa is such a pretty campground.  Lots of green trees, beautiful sunshine.  It offers a variety of things to do from fishing & hiking to swimming & Geo-caching.  The lake is beautiful with a very nice swimming area and play area for kids.  While we were Geo-caching we were fortunate enough to see some deer, calmly observing us.

We waded some in the lake - didn't dare swim as it was WAY too cold this early in the season. 

As pretty as this campground was, I don't think we will go back.  For me, it is all about the bathrooms...  these bathrooms are still talked about by us months later!  Not clean, and the shower stalls had a hook & eye lock - which didn't really matter because you could just look right over the door.

Even with the yucky bathrooms though - a great time was had by all.  We enjoyed the sunshine, played and relaxed - that's what its all about!

Cape Lookout

Another decision was made - we don't want to just go to the same camping spots all the time! We have some favorites already, but don't want to be locked into going only to them. So - we have made a list of places we'd like to try and see and away we go!

Campground Info: Cape Lookout State Park Tillamook, OR Site C59. Weather was sunny with patches of rain.

Campers: Jim, Deb, Carl, Geoff 

What's beautiful about Cape Lookout is the trees and green foliage.  Granted, this IS the Pacific Northwest, so it is almost the norm.  I loved the old tree trunks that surrounded the site.  This weekend was perfect though for the sunny days.  We were able to get out and see the beach, although it is not very handicapped accessible.  Jim and Geoff were able to locate a Geo-cache that was an 8 mile hike from the campsite and only attainable during low tide.

This was also the trip we got the new camping screen room.  We were so excited about it - a completely screened in room off the door to the GRUB.  While it was very cool - put up and take down was a pain!  I don't think we will use this on weekend only camping trips.  

Cape Lookout is a campground I would love to go to again.  The neighbors were friendly, the weather was good and the bathrooms rated well!  :-)

Timberlake Campground

When we purchased the G.R.U.B. we received from Apache Camping a voucher for a free weekend of camping - just a little something to help us get our camping memories going.  The voucher was good at Timberlake Campground - a private campground.

Campground Info:  Timberlake Campground - Carson, WA.  The weather had cloudy days but clear, starry nights.

Campers:  Jim, Deb, Geoff

Timberlake Campground

Timberlake Campground is more of a resort style campground.  They have VERY CLEAN showers and bathrooms - an important feature in my book!  We were able to enjoy a day of Geo-caching and some hiking.  They have Timber, a very cute cat to greet you upon check-in.  It is also located very close to Stevenson, WA - which being novices, we went to purchase supplies.  Lessons learned!

This was our anniversary weekend - so "Jeeves" (AKA Geoff) served up lunch for us while we were there. We had absolutely stunning night skies and heard owls hooting during the night.

Overall, this is a nice site - not sure we would go later in the season as it seems more geared to R.V. style camping, but that early in the season it was pretty and not very crowded at all.

Cape Disapointment

The campsite may be called Cape Disappointment, but for our first camping excursion in the GRUB, it was anything BUT disappointing!

Campground Info:  Cape Disappointment State Park, site 58.  Weather was rainy & cloudy.
Campers:  Jim, Deb, Carl, Geoff

The campsite offered nice trees, perfect for tying the dog to, and the sound of the nearby ocean.  Cape Disappointment also has plenty of hiking trails, Geo-caching, and a natural amphitheater.  Since it is early in the camping season, we practically had the place to ourselves. 

We got all set up - first one by ourselves - and then hit the beach.  We came back and were able to grill dinner on the outside gas grill.  We attempted to make S'mores on the campfire, but just when we lit the fire, the rain started!  It rained like crazy and we all retreated to the inside for hot chocolate, cold S'mores and board games.  Nothing like listening to the rain on the tent, and not being on the ground!

Our New Home Away From Home

 We took the plunge!  

After a couple of back surgeries and just getting older, we decided that tent camping was out.  So - enter the G.R.U.B.  (Great Recreational Utility Barge) so named by our youngest.  It has room for six to sleep, hot and cold running water, a heater, refrigerator and electric mattresses! 

We went to Apache Camping Center and they were wonderful to work with!  Not only did they help us choose the camper that was right for us, they gave us a full lesson to make sure we knew how to put it up and take it down!

With this purchase, we are committing to camping once a month through out the year - no summertime only camping for us!

Look out world - here we come!