Seaquest State Park - July 30th, 2016

No, it is not by the sea.  Why would you think that?  It is by Silver Lake and Mt. St. Helens.

We stayed at site #34.  This is a back-in site, so we got to practice our maneuvering with the Huckleberry.  The site was very large and fairly private despite being close to the water source, trash and bathrooms.  The sites across from us, 32, 33 & 35 were also very nice and had direct access to the large play field, which would be nice with kids.  #32 & 33 are pull through, so would not much privacy for a trailer from the road, and site #35 was a "premium" site.

Speaking of premium, we got to experience the new pricing system at the WA State parks here.  There are several different prices depending on the level of hook-ups (none, limited, full) and the seemingly random rating of the particular site (economy, standard or premium).  All I can say is that for $40 per night for a patch of dirt and a parking spot, I think the State could offer much nicer facilities.  Many state parks have put in kids playgrounds, and this campground had soap in the bathrooms, so I guess that's something.  If you want to reserve ahead of time on-line there is also a reservation convenience fee.

Bathrooms here had soap and a single token fed shower of each gender.  Side note: some WA State park showers take special tokens, these are $0.50 each and give you 3 minutes of hot water.  Other state parks take actual quarters at the same $0.50 per 3 minute rate.
This campground had a large play field including a play structure.  Also a large day use area with a picnic shelter, horseshoes and fire pits.  Bathrooms were not quite up to speed while we were there, out of TP and soap occasionally.  Other sites were a mixed bag, some much more private than others.  Campground overall was quiet, lots of large tall trees all around, plenty of shade on a hot summer weekend.

Mt. St Helens was a 45 minute drive east.  We visited the forestry education center, which was worth 30 minutes but had no food or refreshments, surprisingly (missed opportunity Weyerhauser).  A small gift shop was on site and a 4 minute video of the mountain exploding for those of you from out of area or too young to have lived through it (still having nightmares!!).

On the way home we stopped for some grub and ran into what I'm fairly certain was a BigFoot hunter's RV.  Just about the total opposite of our set-up, but also totally awesome!

Lake Wenatchee State Park - July 15-16th, 2016

We stayed at site #2, which is on the South Campground with all tent sites. The North Campground is RV sites. The large day-use area and beach is also here at the South Campground. There is a large parking lot at the day-use area, just past the store.

At the South Campground the Bathrooms have soap and a single shower stall. Two more shower stalls are in the bathroom at the day-use area near the lake along with a changing area and a small store that also serves ice cream and some hot food. Sites have tent pads, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a nice kids playground, as well as a volleyball court and horse shoes for rent, a warming hut and a picnic shelter.

At the amphitheater Saturday the local volunteer firefighters provided the junior ranger show. It was lots of fun and they were very nice letting the kids climb all over their trucks, ask questions and try the gear on.

Many of the sites are very pretty, large and nice. #2 was an economy site just because of the location near the entrance, but even it was fine. Some sites cost a bit more because of location near the water. Those further from the water had more brush cover between sites.

We tried boating but the gale force winds and 3' breakers coming strait toward shore made it challenging. Despite the wind the beach was pleasant, and the wind died down significantly the second day. There is a really nice shallow swimming area with sandy bottom and an island about 200 yards from the beach for those that can best the headwind and make it off the shore through the waves.

Fairholm Campground, Olympic National Park (Lake Crescent) - July 7-9, 2016

Summary: Damp, what should I expect in a rain forest? When it wasn't raining, it was beautiful. The lake is spectacular. There were also lots of visitors from far away (National Park). We stayed at B33 & B36.

We took a canoe and paddled around several times on the azure colored lake. There are also boats available for rent at the store. The Spruce RR trail is ADA accessible and paved! Great for bikes, scooters or walking. Dogs are also allowed on this trail, unlike most in the national park. 

The people at Storm King Ranger Station (15 minutes east) were very nice and had activities for the kids and several trails right there at the ranger station. We did the waterfall hike which was about ¾ mile each way, great for kids and beautiful. Fishing is catch and release with no-barb hooks, but no licenses required. There are two unique species of fish in Lake Crescent, the Beardslee trout, a relative of rainbow trout, and the Crescenti Cutthroat Trout.

Amenities: There is a store near the campground entrance for firewood, snacks, etc. Camp host is on B loop. Each loop: A, B and C had a central bathroom near the entrance road. There was poor to no cell service at the campground. There are no showers or soap in the bathrooms. Only water supply was by the bathrooms. There were also several walk in (short distance) sites right on the lake.

Wallace RV Park - June 22nd, 2016

So you want to camp somewhere along I-90 in North Idaho? Good luck! There really aren't any campgrounds between Coeur d'Alene and well into Montana, the valley is just too narrow and mountainous, plus you might fall in a mine shaft if you're not careful. There are a couple RV parks.

We took a chance and stayed at the Wallace RV park, which looks like a parking lot behind a bar with some grass. It was actually really nice! We stayed in spot #36, which had an open grass area next to it (last site) and a fire pit. Bathroom and showers were very nice, but at the far end from our site, close to the restaurant but across the creek. All sites have full hookups. It was also surprisingly quiet despite the proximity to the highway. The only bad part is that there is really no privacy as there are no trees or shrubs anywhere, but there is a nice little creek running the length of the property. They are also a few small cabins available for rent on the other side of the creek.

In Wallace (which is a very fun little mining town) we really enjoyed the Sierra Silver Mine tour. You also have to visit We also found the local grocery store in town very adequate. There are lots of boutique shops, galleries and restaurants in town, and Wallace also happens to be the center of the Universe, so there's that. You've also got to visit Red Light Garage for some great tacos, a huckleberry milkshake and a ride in a UFO.

Farragut State Park - June 20th & 21st, 2016

Summary: This is a great State Park. It is situated right on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille ("pɒndəˈreɪ"). It is well forested, has lots of really nice camping sites and even several free Disc Golf courses. We stayed in white tail loop, site 55, two nights. This spot was right next to the program area (programs Fri and Sat nights in the summer). Mostly tent campers here. Farragut is also a good spot to stay if going to Silverwood amusement park nearby. A huge improvement over the “camping” offered by Silverwood, which is wide open and directly adjacent to the highway.

Amenities: Bathrooms were clean and modern, showers were free. Camp sites were clean and cared for with good flat spots for tents at every site we looked at. Large trees and forested all around. No soap in the bathrooms was a downer.

A small playground is located near the bathrooms. Sites were nicely separated and reasonably private. There were also “companion” sites that could easily hold two families. Disc golf was fun and free. We did Black Bear, which was the easy one, although tough for W to last all 18 holes.

We found fishing on the lake at McDonalds Hudson Bay Resort. Everyone we ran into here was very nice, friendly and accommodating. We purchased the boys fishing licenses at the shop and they showed us where to let the boys fish right off their marina piers. They also had very nice bathroom facilities, chairs and tables. Also of note is that the marina store carried an impressive variety of Pringles! Props to the Bayview visitors center for sending us their direction.

Swimming at Farragut was available at Beaver Bay beach, which was next to a small inlet. Fishing is also available at an adjacent area on the lake side. Another large bathrooms, shower and changing/locker facility is available next to the beach parking area, although again no soap. W took a waist high dip in the water. S tried some more fishing. There were several other kids swimming. Very picturesque spot.

We would definitely come back here again.

Potholes State Park - June 18-19th 2016

Summary: First trip out in the Huckleberry! We stayed at site #20, an RV site. The mattress is really comfortable and we are feeling very blessed to have a nice place to sleep with all our gear on board. We also had a lot more flexibility in our packing today with everything packed into the trailer.

Weather at the campground was sunny and warm, but not hot. There's a full moon at night, we can also see Mars and Saturn, cold and clear at night. Mosquitos were plentiful and aggressive.

The tent camping sites didn't have grass, although more trees and shrubs. They were also closer to the swampy area and mosquitoes were pretty bad even where we were.

The RV sites had full hookups and nice grass, although they sprinkler the grass, so no tents on the grass except Fri/Sat nights when they don't sprinkler. 

Amenities: Bathrooms had showers and soap. Bathrooms were old but very clean. Showers took State Park tokens, $0.50 per 3 min.

Activities: Places nearby rent boats, etc. several other RV places nearby. Nice view of the potholes area from the drive over the dam. Hiking the potholes area, water sports in the reservoir, fishing, biking.

Camping with Style, Comfort and Convenience 

Have you ever come back from a camping trip when everything is wet and dirty,your gear is scattered or maybe even lost? Then you have to pitch the tent in the garage for a week to let it dry and reassemble your gear into some semblance of organization before the next trip. Its a lot of work, but it's worth it, because you love camping and spending time in the outdoors. What if you could avoid all that? What if your gear could all be neatly organized into a trailer that was ready to go at all times and required very little time to setup or breakdown, plus you could sleep in it? Would this allow you to spend more time doing what you love? Would it make it quicker and easier, more joyful? Would you go on a lot more camping trips? This is my goal.