Trip report, Richland WA to Bay Area, March 24

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Trip report, Richland WA to Bay Area, March 24 - 27

April 04, 2022, 06:27:31 am

The trip home

The purchase is complete, still outside the Washington state DMV.   From my research on the day of the inspection, I knew there aren’t any real campgrounds anywhere south within four hours, plus I needed gas, food, and things to outfit the RV. The previous owners did leave me with a bunch of stuff, but still needed supplies to get home.

First stop was Costco for gas, food for the three day drive home, and a few things like stainless steel bowls and non stick pans.   Did I need the bowls and pans for the drive, probably not, but I would need them eventually.

Decided I’d stop for the night at the campground of last resort, a Walmart parking lot in Hermiston, Oregon, about a hour south.   To be fair, it was the nicest Walmart I have ever been in. And they do cater to RVers, carrying a lot of items needed to outfit a RV, plus Oregon has no sales tax.   Wasn’t my first choice for my inaugural night in my new Lazy Daze, but it was a choice that made sense.

Spend a couple hours shopping, then hauled my goodies back to the RV to have quick salad, salami and cheese for dinner.

Unpacked the pillow I had packed, along with my sleeping bag, planned out the next day’s route and destination, and went to sleep. By 6am it was 45° inside, even colder outside, turned on the furnace, make a quick breakfast shake and went back into Walmart for additional items I had thought of during the night.

Then headed out on a few scenic two lane highways (207, 26, 27) with the ultimate destination being the Crooked River recreation area, about a hour east of Bend, where I was hopeful that one of the eight tiny campgrounds there had a campsite open on a Friday night.

Scored a site near the river, and started to cook my first meal, with all the food I bought at Costco.   Cut up the cauliflower, put it on a new sheet pan and roasted it in the oven til caramelized, tossed together a bag of sweet kale salad, a bit of salami and cheese, and I had myself a fine first meal cooked in the RV. The photos speak for themselves, was a great drive. I hope to travel through the area again someday, and the campsite was right next to the Crooked River, which I listened to as I fell asleep. This is why I wanted an RV, to experience places like this.

Next morning, stopped at another Costco in Bend for a bio break and a stretch, and to get a few more things I had thought of, as well as a couple things that caught my eye like memory foam wedge pillows to use as a back rest.

Also splurged on a small drone (DJI mini 2).   Have always wanted one, but couldn’t justify it until now.   When scouting one of the campgrounds yesterday, encountered road terrain that I didn’t dare attempt and had to back up about a half mile.   Since I’ll be traveling alone without a car, a drone would be very helpful in scouting ahead.

South of Bend, the highway resembled more like an interstate, two lanes each way, so a bit boring until it met up with I-5 in California, which is even more boring, though with mountains and views of Shasta.

Got lucky and found a decent campsite at Castle Crags State Park, right off I-5, south of Dunsmuir.   Repeated last night’s dinner, and watch a bit of video before turning in early. Wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow’s drive, interstate all the way capped off with Bay Area traffic. Still, a delightful first drive in my new Lazy Daze, only regret is that the drive was so rushed.

Next adventure is getting her ready for longer trips, new tires, add TPMS, blind spot monitor, different stereo, more solar, add lithium batteries, add upgrade the backup camera, maybe a cell booster, eventually build an Andy Baird pantry.