Just about every where we go there is a lot of interest in our little Chalet Camper. Truth be told that is how we ended up with one in the first place. Years back Kim saw one while we were camping our way up the west coast. She asked the owner for a tour (lol), it’s funny since the unit is only 13 feet long. It’s additionally funny since we get the same requests as interested people want to see the inside of the little A-Frame camper.
I’ve always wanted to hike the PCT, if you don’t know the Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,650 miles from the Canadian border in the north to the Mexican border in the south [map].
It works its way thorough the Sierras in California and over the years I have backpacked short portions of the trail. One day I hope to through hike the whole trial but for now I will have to settle for weekend camping trips and the rare week long packing trip.
Caz on the PCT.
I normally keep to myself and enjoy the peace I find while backpacking deep off the beaten path. This year however the family decided we could see more and do more if we camped at campgrounds and took advantage of what each site we visited had to offer. We took our Jeep, camper, kayaks and we had one hell-of-a summer vacation.
We typically begin each summer by meeting up with our fantastic friends Jim and Rene for a week long backpacking trip. This year Jim and Rene had other plans, they sold everything, bought an RV and were leaving on a year long full time RV adventure. I admit I was very sad to see them leave not to mention jealous of the year they have ahead of them.
I found that camping at campgrounds can be fun if you let it, you can meet new people and make new friends.
Here’s a picture our new friends, Chuck and Pat they were wonderful campsite neighbors. So much so that we spent way more time at one location than we had planed.
Chuck has a killer willies jeep one that any jeep guy (or gal) would drool over. They have been visiting the area for years and since we were new to the area he was very happy to point out some of the easier jeep trails.
I wish I took a picture of his willies but it appears I did not. I can’t believe it, well maybe he will read this post, take pity on me and send me a picture.
Last year was my first Laughlin River Run, it turns out that Chuck and Pat have been going to Laughlin almost yearly for some time. We hope to hook up with them again at the 2008 River run.
Guess I need to back track to Laughlin sometime later in the blog 
Rainbow Falls is a must see for anyone visiting the Mammoth Lakes area. In the afternoon (after 2pm if I remember right) a rainbow appears at the foot of the falls.
Make sure you time this right since we met a couple of photographers that were quite upset, they hiked to the falls in the morning and missed the rainbow. Why they could not wait after hauling some major camera equipment to the foot of the falls I don’t know.
We did not miss the shot.
Here Caz and I are swimming in the falls. The pool is quite deep, the air is thick with water vapor and there is a strong breeze flowing off the falls.
Caz enjoyed swimming in the falls so much that he made us hike all the way back again the next day to take another dip in the fall pool.
So have you ever been to a ghost town?
We did get to explore a few interesting places on this trip, while camping at Twin Lakes our crew took some time out to explore the town of Bodie. Bodie is located near Bridgeport, Ca. not to far off of hwy 395.
Bodie was a gold mining town that grew to over 10,000 people in less than 20 years. From what is left is is hard to believe that this town once supported 10,000 and had 65 saloons!
Today they call Bodie a ghost town, it may be but there were sure allot of people there on this day.
No I really mean it!
Here is an example of exactly not what to do:
No this is not my camp, this was a neighbors camp that became a well stocked Bear snack bar.
Please, Please do not do this! Bears that get a taste of human food like this become camp site menaces. Once this happens they often have to be trapped and re-located or even worse, they are killed all because someone can’t take the time to clean up their camp and keep food in bear safe containers.
Please visit these sites for information on camping with bears:
Keep Me Wild
Be Bear Aware
Bear Smart