Monday, October 25, 2010

Camping at Seacliff State Beach

Camping at Seacliff SB
Our camping trip to Seacliff State Beach was a long time coming. These reservations are very difficult to come by. Quite literally in order to get a reservation, one must be on their computer at exactly 8 am with credit card in hand on www.reserveamerica.com 
Sunset over the Pacific
This camping location is absolutely worth the reservation process. The sunsets are amazing, the scenery is beautiful and the campers you meet staying around you are quite delightful. We will return soon!
Polly on the beach  
Our Morning Coffee view  

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Inside Polly

Polly may be small in size, but she is BIG on Adventure. She will be my gal until I save enough $ for an Airstream. (Shhh, don't tell Polly....)

Slide out kitchen
Dining Table makes into twin bed
Almost Queen bed
Kitchen

Costanoa KOA



Sunset from my campsite @ Costanoa KOA

 Luxu·ri·ous is how I would describe our camping experience at the Costanoa KOA.  http://www.costanoakoa.com/
From the moment you drive onto the property until you pull back off, you will be pampered like no other camping experience. The facilities are "top shelf" with Comfort Stations, showers like home, hairdryers, an outside shower (if you want to shower under the stars) a sauna and outside fireplaces. Beyond belief!
Tidepools

Across the street is the Pacific ocean with a hiking trail that takes you right to tidepools and frolicking seals. Costanoa has a full service restaurant, spa services with fabulous massages. Ahhhhh.
Bring your own fire pit and enjoy.  *Be aware, it is an expensive KOA.

Even the Raccoon like Costanoa KOA
 There are many things to do and beautiful sights to see. If you like to geocache, the area is full them. Walking along the coast to find a hidden cache is relaxing as well as breathtaking. 
Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Tent Bungalows
Horseback Riding
Elephant Seals @Ano Nuevo State Reserve


 

Pismo Beach Oceano Campgrounds


Crazy Drivers on the Beach

Pismo Beach is absolutely beautiful and Beast (my Sequoia) loves it because it's the only beach that he can drive on. The first time we camped in Pismo, we made the reservations at http://www.reserveamerica.com Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised. Oceano is a small campground area surrounded by eucalyptus trees. The facilities are clean and the staff if friendly. A plus for staying in these campgrounds is that your camping fees also allow your vehicle to be down on the beach driving around. Of course if you like the party scene or want to eat sand, you can actually camp down on the beach. Not this girl!

Horses, vehicles and RV's on this beach
Beast Loves Pismo
Happy Camping Friends

New Brighton State Beach

New Brighton State Beach
 Our all time favorite camping spot is New Brighton State Beach. Like most California state campgrounds, you reserve your spot through http://www.reserveamerica.com

Always beautiful


There are limited electric/water spots available, so on the first of the month around 8am, I am online trying to reserve a camping spot 6 months ahead. Of course who knows what you will be doing in 6 months, but if we get the spot, we will be camping (rain or shine) on that date.

We return to New Brighton again this December. Can't wait!
Denise enjoying the campfire


Stockton Delta KOA

Halloween 2009

Polly's Maiden Voyage

Stockton Delta KOA
Patiently awaiting the arrival of Miss Polly Pod was like expecting a baby. (well not quite) We ordered her and she immediately went into production. She arrived from the Forest River Assembly plant by flat-bed truck arriving the last week in October. Her maiden voyage was at the Stockton Delta KOA http://www/stocktondeltakoa.com
This campground is literally right on the Delta. If you are a boating family, this is the place for you. The campgrounds was very quiet, almost deserted. Felt almost like we were alone. Wayne came up to the campgrounds the first evening (Thursday) to spend the very first night in Polly with me. Friday Polly was joined by my very best friend and camping buddy, Denise. We carved jack-o-lanterns, sat by the campfire and relaxed. Polly will return to this KOA soon.

Here are a few of the pumpkins that we carved...





Gold Country Campground Resort

Polly with r-dome

Polly Pod's camping adventures have taken her to several different campgrounds. I will list a few along with websites, photos and my reviews.

http://www.goldcountrycampground.com/http://www.goldcountrycampground.com/
Gold Country Campground Resort (former Yogis Bear's Jellystone Park) is off Highway 88. This campgrounds is VERY quiet even in the Summer season. There are sites available year round even holiday weekends. The facilities are great for families. There are tent sight, cabins, homes, RV sites, and clean showers. They have a pool and summer activities for the children.
Also, Don't miss these excellent must eat at Highway 88 establishments.

Highway 88 Burgers
19845 State Hwy 88
Pine Grove, CA 95665
(209) 296-7277

Munnerlyn's Ice Creamery
20145 Hwy 88
Pine Grove, CA 95665
Munnerlyn's Ice Creamery/Hi-way 88

Pine Grove, CA is also close to Volcano where you can view Daffodil Hill in the Spring. http://www.amadorcountychamber.com/Historic/daffodil_hill.html 
Lake Tahoe is just about an hour drive with beautiful countryside along the way
Caples Lake

Highway 88 towards Lake Tahoe

Monday, July 26, 2010

Many Adventures of Polly Pod

Polly and Beast
Adventure should be my middle name. Blogging is new to me and I am going to attempt to give you a window into the adventures of Polly Pod as she travels throughout California and beyond.



My friend Denise and myself on Polly's maiden voyage
 Since Polly was purchased and made her maiden voyage over the Halloween Weekend 2009, she hasn't looked back. The first trip was to the Delta where we stayed in a KOA that was almost deserted. We carved jack-o-lanterns and had our first of many camping weekends.

My husband Wayne comes camping too!


 Polly primarily camps with women but my husband comes camping as well. Trips with him usually include activities where we are hiking, taking a ferry into San Fransisco to watch a Giants game or sometimes just relaxing.  I have even taken Polly to Oregon. My son Kris and I went to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We (I) thought it would be fun to pull Polly up to Oregon rather than stay in a hotel. The campground we stayed at ended up being quite a distance from Ashland, but we made it work.

Birthday Camping with Lauren


My friend and her daughter decided to surprise me on our camping trip with a birthday cake and gifts. I was very fun camping with a twelve year old that can not just sit around and "be". The weekend was both exhausting as well as exciting.