Striking Gold at the Hot Springs
We were talking the other night about our hiking trip into the Gold Strike Hot Springs that we did over a year ago. We had mis-calculated our water, and on the way back out the next day, we had completely ran out, with over two miles to go.
To say we were dying would be putting it mildly, but at about a mile left to go, we came around a bend in the trail, and found this bag of ice sitting on the rock. It was like we had struck freaking GOLD! We never did get to find the hikers that left that to thank them, but we sure appreciated it, whomever you are!
Gold Strike Hot Springs, hiking
Does Reserve America Really Suck?
As many of you know I’ve been trying to find a camping site on the beach for this summer. We have used Reserve America once before when we went to Mt. Charleston, so that was the first place I checked. Everything is full, but the site says to check back often as people cancel.
This morning, I was looking around some more and in fact a couple spots did open up, and I was very tempted to grab them, but I wanted to do some research first to see if I could pinpoint the location of the actual sites. That’s when I found this site, ReserveAmericaSucks and started reading the comments left in the guestbook. Some customers experiences are really bad, and some were even specific to the location that I want to go to. And one was even someone like me who took a canceled spot, drove all the way there (6 hours) only to find it was a mistake!
Now I’m just way to afraid to reserve anything through them, and I think we’re just going to suck it up, and not make the trip this year. BUT! We may just drive down there, and physically make a reservation for next year in person. Nothing could go wrong doing it that way, right??!!
ReserveAmerica, camping reservations, campsites
My Summer Camping Challenge
So the summer is here, and you are trying to decide on how to spend it. You want to take the entire family on a vacation, but you’re tired of the tourist attraction places (ie: theme parks). The expense is great, and the time you actually spend with your family is waiting in long lines, and crowded by other people. As much fun as these places are, have you ever thought about taking your family camping, setting them down around a campfire, and leaving it up to just being together to bond?
It’s quite and peaceful. Everyone takes a moment to soak it all in, then someone speaks. The next thing you know, 4 hours have passed, and you and your family have actually spent the last four hours deep in conversation. When is the last time you spent that kind of time talking with your kids? Really. Be honest. The hustle and bustle of everyday life keeps you from these conversations. The TV, the computer, the video games, they are all distractions from us really bonding as a family. Hollering into the next room that dinner is ready is not quite communicating. I hate to break it to you, but it’s not.
So here’s my pledge to you. Plan a weekend camping. Email your friends and family and tell them you are leaving for the weekend. You won’t be answering your phone, you won’t be blogging, and you won’t be checking your email. When you get back, email me with your story, and pictures, and I will post about it. Can you do it?
Camping At Big Sur
Big Sur is a place that I would love to go camping at this summer. The last time I was there was before my kids were born. It is probably one of the most beautiful places in Northern California. There are 15 different campgrounds to choose from that are buried deep in the trees, in the lush meadows, or right on the beach. I think I would like to be on the beach, as I have never once camped near the ocean before. And if you are a golfer, bring your golf clubs, because Pebble Beach is right up the road.
They Don’t Like Worms
I was reading more about Lake Mead, and I figured out why the guys didn’t catch anything on their fishing trip. They were using the totally wrong fishing tackle. They were actually out there thinking they could catch rainbow trout with worms, when they should have been using cheese balls. I had to write this down in my notes, so the next time they decide to try their hand at fishing, they take the right bait and tackle with them.
We are two people who love to go camping and hiking. We love the outdoors, and we are working on becoming as green as we can be.
