Click images to see more on each area...
In June, 2007 we visited Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite and the northern California coast as we made
our way to the Pacific Northwest. Mammoth Lakes was a beautiful surprise. Neither of us knew the
area before our arrival (friends we bumped into in Lone Pine, California persuaded us to stop in there
before going to Yosemite). It is an area of craggy mountains clear lakes and crisp air.
In June, 2007 we climbed the steep Tioga Pass into the eastern portion of Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite is very large, with cool, crystal clear streams in the mountains and towering waterfall-spilling
cliffs guarding the valleys. We spent time at Tuolomne Meadows and in Yosemite Valley. We were
there before summer vacation season, a big plus in this popular park.
In late June, 2007, we hit the northern California coast about 150 miles north of San Francisco in an
effort to avoid the summer crowds. We found quiet oceanfront campgrounds, soaring sequoias and
redwoods, and deslote beaches.
November, 2007 - We returned to California to visit Death Valley. After a month of Utah redrocks it
was refreshing and different to see the white and grey rock formations in Death Valley. This visit also
marked our first foray into public land boondocking, an aspect of this traveling RV lifestyle that we
have grown to love.
October, 2008 - We spent a month in San Diego, shuffling with the other RVs along the waterfront,
staying within the California's legal parking limit of 72 hours. Shelter Island was bursting with action, and
we roamed the area on foot and by bike. From meeting sailors on their voyages to watching aircraft
carriers float by to listening to the deafening roar of Navy jets to mingling at the Baja Ha-Ha cruisers at
their kickoff party, we were swept up in a whirlwind of activity.
October, 2008 - In stark contrast to Shelter Island, San Diego's Mission Bay is quiet and tranquil. We
shuffled our RV to the Bay a few times to "keep moving," as the California 72-hour parking law
implies. The bucolic, meandering waterways, gently lapping waves, charming beachside villas and
extensive parks and paths were soothing to the soul. Even the classic California surf scene on
Mission Beach was laid back.
January, 2009 - A quickie 3-day visit to the annual San Diego Sailboat Show happily grew into a 10-
day vacation as we met many new friends and enjoyed the waterfront once again. Blessed with
unusually warm weather, we ventured further on our bikes, and discovered beautiful Seaport Village.
April & May, 2009 - Our crazy search for a sailboat -- to expand our travels to the sea -- took us to the
cold, congested Oakland, California area and left us stressed and fatigued. A mishap with the trailer
while continuing our crazed search a little further south stranded us in the LA area and left us without
a trailer for seven weeks. Despite all this insanity we found some interesting places for sightseeing.
January, 2010 - We flew out of the Caribbean 8 weeks ahead of our planned schedule to purchase
our dream sailboat, Groovy. The boat was as delightful in person as it was in the advertised photos
we saw online from our deck in Carriacou. But what a whirlwind it was, spending 33 hours getting to
San Diego and two weeks doing the sea trial, survey and offshore closing. In the end it was worth
every ounce of effort, and we sailed south to Ensenada to start six months of living aboard at the
lavish Hotel Coral & Marina.
August 2010 - After six enjoyable months in Ensenada, Mexico, living on our new boat Groovy, we
sailed up to San Diego to spend two months before casting off for southern Mexico. San Diego offers
several lovely anchorages to visiting boaters, and we took full advantage of "the system," getting the
requisite permits and staying the allotted time on the specified days at La Playa Cove, the Police Dock
and the A9 Cruisers' Anchorage off of Harbor Island.
September, 2010 - We continued to bee-bop around San Diego Bay, staying in the free anchorages and
getting a new perspective on this lovely city with each place that we dropped the hook. Glorietta Bay is
on Coronado Island, the peninsula that protects all of San Diego Bay. Walking the pretty streets in town,
we discovered there is a lot of history on this little spit of land. Meanwhile, we were working like mad to
prepare for cruising Mexico. November 2nd we started down Baja's Pacific coast.