super doody
Senior Member
I planned, built and purchased my truck/camper with one purpose - to get away from the masses and to explore the outdoors. Since the camper install in April, we have completed two weekend trips in established campsites. I was itching to leave the pavement behind and get in the dirt! With a lot great advice from fellow WTWers (Ski, Ted and JHa6av8r) I was ready to head towards Hope Valley for a quick overnight trip near a lake but with the 4 hr drive from the Bay Area, I knew it was stretch goal. JHa6av8r recommend Ice House Reservoir and Camino Cove at Union Reservoir which was 30 miles shorter.
Truck, gear and food was packed the night before. I had every intention to leave by 8 am but after feeding my daughter, getting her dressed and us getting dressed, we didn't leave till 9:15.
By the time we reached the turn off for Ice House rd., my daughter had enough of being in the car. We stop at the visitor center for a stretch break and also to chat with the rangers.
The weather was sunny and hot (~80 degrees) which was a nice contrast to the costal summer time weather (i.e. fog).
I still had images of lake and solitude, but my daughter was sick of being in the car so we ended up staying at Sunset campsite. We picked the 3rd loop which was furthest from the lake but was also the most empty.
Our camp site faced the forrest with lots of shade and no neighbors. My daughter and dog was happy with the open space.
Beach time. The water was about 5 min walk away from our camp. My daughter loved playing in the water with the mud and rocks. There was probably only 4 groups there. I imagine that during the summer the beach must be extremely packed. The water still a bit chilly but still a lot warmer than the ocean.
Dinner time. Steak, veggies and mac n cheese. Unfortunately, there were lots of spring time mosquitos so we cooked and ate dinner in the camper.
Early morning. Looking for sticks, rocks and bugs. 19 month old and fearless.
Funny faces
Road to camino cove. The next day, my wife knew I didn't get my fill of "playing" in the dirt so she suggested that we check out camino cove on the drive home. It was nice drive that started with a narrow pave road which turned into dirt. My daughter fell asleep as soon as we hit the dirt. There were some rutted descents but nothing bad enough to need 4wd. I was in 2 wheel lo on some of the steeper down hill sections. I was surprised that in even 2 wheel lo, my gear wasn't low to provide enough engine braking so I had to apply little bit of brake. I guess I was use to my tacoma TRD 4:10 gearing with manual transmission.
Dead rattle snake road kill
Union Valley Dam
Overall, it was great short trip. I was able to test out the off road capabilities of my rig, our daughter's patience for long rides and our fridge in hot weather.
Heading up to Wrights Beach in Bodega bay tomorrow with some friends but I'm still dreaming of high elevation lakes and solitude
Truck, gear and food was packed the night before. I had every intention to leave by 8 am but after feeding my daughter, getting her dressed and us getting dressed, we didn't leave till 9:15.
By the time we reached the turn off for Ice House rd., my daughter had enough of being in the car. We stop at the visitor center for a stretch break and also to chat with the rangers.
The weather was sunny and hot (~80 degrees) which was a nice contrast to the costal summer time weather (i.e. fog).
I still had images of lake and solitude, but my daughter was sick of being in the car so we ended up staying at Sunset campsite. We picked the 3rd loop which was furthest from the lake but was also the most empty.
Our camp site faced the forrest with lots of shade and no neighbors. My daughter and dog was happy with the open space.
Beach time. The water was about 5 min walk away from our camp. My daughter loved playing in the water with the mud and rocks. There was probably only 4 groups there. I imagine that during the summer the beach must be extremely packed. The water still a bit chilly but still a lot warmer than the ocean.
Dinner time. Steak, veggies and mac n cheese. Unfortunately, there were lots of spring time mosquitos so we cooked and ate dinner in the camper.
Early morning. Looking for sticks, rocks and bugs. 19 month old and fearless.
Funny faces
Road to camino cove. The next day, my wife knew I didn't get my fill of "playing" in the dirt so she suggested that we check out camino cove on the drive home. It was nice drive that started with a narrow pave road which turned into dirt. My daughter fell asleep as soon as we hit the dirt. There were some rutted descents but nothing bad enough to need 4wd. I was in 2 wheel lo on some of the steeper down hill sections. I was surprised that in even 2 wheel lo, my gear wasn't low to provide enough engine braking so I had to apply little bit of brake. I guess I was use to my tacoma TRD 4:10 gearing with manual transmission.
Dead rattle snake road kill
Union Valley Dam
Overall, it was great short trip. I was able to test out the off road capabilities of my rig, our daughter's patience for long rides and our fridge in hot weather.
Heading up to Wrights Beach in Bodega bay tomorrow with some friends but I'm still dreaming of high elevation lakes and solitude
