Sunday, October 13
Today is our last full day at Glass Creek Camp. The crew and I take another walk along the creek.
I love this camp. Funny how some camps seem like home as soon as I drive up to the campsite. Love at first sight!
It’s easy to see why it’s called Glass Creek.
I wrote that this is one of our best camps. What makes a camp one of the best? Natural beauty, of course. Convenient location is another. For me, seclusion is important, and the peace and quiet that comes with an isolated camp. Our Glass Creek Camp has all these things.
However, that doesn’t mean the crew and I can come back here and have the same wonderful experience. Depending upon the time of year and the opening of the neighboring campground, this boondock will not be the same.
The campground will fill up with campers. ATVs and dirt bikes will roar through the forest on forest roads. Curious people will drive up the spur road. Wildlife will become skittish. More trash will float down Glass Creek. Silence will disappear.
When I write “this is one of the best campsites,” I mean it is one of the best “right now.” Finding this gem when I was weary of the road, driving through the pine forest to a clearing with a magnificant view, waking to a winter wonderland, watching deer graze, listening to the silence . . .
All these things are fleeting, making them all the more cherished.
Tomorrow we’ll leave Glass Creek. It’s been a great camp, one of the best!
Monday, October 14
A sunny day with no wind, perfect for moving camp. The crew and I get back on Route 395 and drift southward. I use the word “drift” because traffic is light and the scenery is glorious with bright shafts of golden cottonwoods flowing down mountainsides. Why hurry?
We stop at Von’s supermarket in Bishop.
After the crew’s walk-around, I shop for the long term, stocking up on things like soup, tea, coffee, oat bran, beans, rice, and other staples. My cart is heaped high by the time I cruise into check-out. It’s a good feeling, being able to fill the cupboards with food. How very fortunate I am.
I also pick up a rotisserie chicken.
Instead of tearing into the chicken while Bridget, Spike, and I sit in the PTV in the parking lot (which we have done on occasion), I put the chicken in the cooler. We’ll have it for a late lunch when we reach our next camp.
On the way out I notice rigs settled into the far corner of the parking lot. Portable solar panels are set up. People are chatting with each other. Obviously these folks are camping overnight in the Von’s parking lot. I count fifteen rigs and that doesn’t include the stealth campers.
I gas up the PTV and pull out in search of a boondock.
I want to find a camp not too far from the town of Bishop. My Amazon order is on its way to the Bishop post office. There are many campgrounds from which to choose. If our government wasn’t having cramps right now, these campgrounds would be open.
I drive south and look and look. Nothing! I see acres and acres of open sage plain that is public land. Too much exposure. Everything suitable for camping is private land. Dang! These campground closures are making life difficult!
My California Benchmark atlas shows a campground not far from Big Pine.
It’s about twenty miles south of Bishop. Okay, that’ll do. It will probably be closed like all the others, but the surrounding area may be pleasant enough for camping and not too exposed. I’ll drive up there and see if there are campsites on the way to it or beyond it.
I drive us up the winding road. Spur roads have signs that proclaim, “No camping, Property of City of Los Angeles.” Sheesh, this is not good. Further along, no more signs but also no more spur roads.
We arrive at Tinnemaha Campground.
I see RVs! How can this be? My question is soon answered when I stop at the pay station. Tinnemaha is an Inyo County park. The fee is $10. I find a site away from the other campers. A creek runs by our picnic table, and the snow-dusted Sierras are in view. This will do just fine.
Our short journey to Tinnemaha took us from an elevation of 7,600 feet at Glass Creek to approximately 3,900 feet at Big Pine. Gee . . . Was it only a few days ago we woke up to this at first light?
rvsue
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
I appreciate every order you place with Amazon through my links. Here are a few of the items recently purchased by my readers:
Sultans Of Swing
Uniden Bearcat 40-Channel CB Radio
Norpro Egg/Mushroom Slicer
Orgono Living Silica
Sony 700 Watts Music System
Grove Square Apple Cider, Sugar Free, Single Serve Cup for Keurig K-Cup Brewers
“REAR VIEW MIRROR”
April 26, 2012, we experience snow, sleet, and hail while camped at Willard Springs dispersed camping area near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Wow, what’s not to love. Beautiful!
I enjoy our Rear View Mirror.
Thank you.
You’re welcome, Dedra. I’ll keep linking former entries.
Sue, what a lovely campsite Glass Creek is. Wish I was there.
Hi, Dennis . . . Yes, it is especially lovely when no one is around.
I totally agree on the whole..the right camp for right now. Situation, timeframe, etc can all change the feel of a place. There are a few other Inyo County parks around Bishop if you decide you need to move. Also the BLM area west of town (Buttermilk Road) apparently has nice spots for smaller rigs. We’ll be heading ourselves to lower elevations soon, but have no idea (yet) where we’ll go.
Nina
Thanks, Nina. I saw a sign for a county park but passed it by, don’t know why. I guess I thought at that point I’d snag another outstanding boondock. pffft! Foolish pride.
Ah, it happens! You’ve been getting some great camps, so I don’t blame you for trying. Those LA water department owned areas are tricky around here. It’s kind of shocking how much land they own. Have a look here:
http://www.laaqueduct100.com/our-legacy/history-of-ladwp-land-purchases/
Sometimes the border between BLM (= ok to camp) and LADWP land (= not ok to camp) is really hard to figure out.
Nina
Nina
Hi Sue, recently discovered your blog and have been enjoying it. As a furloughed fed, your comment today about the govt’s health issue gave me a really good laugh. Thank you, I needed it! (Sending cyber-ear scritches to your furballs.)
Love the fall colors you have been getting. Hope this Govt. Shutdown b.s. is over soon. Many times I think they forget they are working for us, not against us, and definitely not for themselves. –Dave (Marcia and Bubba and Skruffy) GoingRvWay.com
Sue and crew: Thank you so very much! We look forward to your blog and please know the enjoyment we reveive each and every time. As a full time caregiver for my husband it is the little things we have come to enjoy and traveling along with you brings so much happeness to our daily lives. May you have a very special birthday and thank you again.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday! 🙂
Ditto, Happy Birthday Dear Sue.
Love the foliage pics (starting to change here, too). Reminds me of when I was driving; was traveling I-80 into Salt Lake City in the fall. Going around the curves, I would catch sight of groves of cottonwoods glowing golden through the mountains. Always meant to get back out that way in the fall!
Happy Birthday!
Phyllis in Oklahoma
Happy Birthday Sue,
May you have many more blessed birthdays of wandering the west!
ACK! I interrupt this blog for HELP! I THINK I saw somewhere long, long ago on your blog (?) a website where you go to for free Kindle ebooks?????
I’ve used that site before and now I can’t find it. Was it you? Can you help?
THANKS BUNCHES,
Lacy
Here you go Lacy – http://www.ereaderiq.com – for free and cheap Kindle books.
That’s IT! You da best Sue 😀
Actually, Colleen’s da best! 🙂
WHAT’S THIS? Your BIRTHDAY????
HaPPy bIRthDaY to YOU! I hope you’re having the time of your life and may you have many MANY more happy and satisfying days ahead of you and the crew.
Muah!
hugs from south Louisiana,
Lacy
Some years ago, on October 15 in Bennington Vermont, my Gramma woke me and said “You have a baby sister!!!!” I was so excited to have some one to play with but a tad disappointed that she didn’t DO any thing! I don’t actually remember that but I was told so many times that it has become my memory.
Happy Birthday Sister Susan….I still can see that redheaded little girl with the freckles. Love you and pray you continue to travel safely.
Beautiful, peaceful camping site! I used to own a pop-up camper and did some camping in that and a tent years ago. Many great memories of places such as these.
Hope your birthday is filled with solitude and discovery where ever you are. Thanks for the gift you give your readers by sharing your adventure.
Happy birthday Sue! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with all of us, and for helping me to realize that this can be my reality someday.
Happy Birthday to you Sue…… I am remembering bagpipes and the look of total surprise on your face when you realized the bagpipes were playing “happy birthday”!
LOL that was a real GOTCHA !!! Know we love you, take time to celebrate and rejoice the wonderfullness of being above ground! 🙂
birthday bagpipes…maybe a “Rearview Mirror” subject? 🙂
Eileen in Phoenix
“Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Rv Sue,
Happy birthday to you! !!”
Just catching up on your blog and sorry I didn’t see it sooner. There are some great places to boondock just north of Bishop off Casa Diablo Rd on the volcanic tablelands. We were less than 5 miles from town, so it was very convenient.
In reading this post about how places and things can, and do, change, I’m feeling a little nostalgic, or is it just a bit sad? You’re absolutely right, in my opinion, and it reminds me to remember to be mindful of each day and each experience, both positive and negative. There’s always something to be cherished in the good times; as well as always something to be learned in the not so good.
Okay, so today it’s returning to the not-so-fun, but ultimately very satisfying job of reorganizing the rig. There’s lots of “stuff” to eliminate I’m finding; now, I’ll need to be cognizant of Goodwill drop off locations – or maybe the LDS church just down the street in this little town of Kanarraville, UT. Have a nice day and enjoy those purchases – especially the snuggly slippers!
Happy Birthday Sue! Reading your Blog daily is such a special treat for me! Thank you for all your terrific story’s and beautiful pictures!
Another Oct. Birthday? HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mine was the 2nd. I KNEW there was something special about you beyond your writing and photography skills. I’ve been thinking about those “City of Los Angeles” signs you ran into. I know LA has purchased water rights all over the state and beyond so maybe that has something to do with their presence way out of their county. I was born there, spent my first 8 years there, but I want no part of it now. I’m using the first glass creek pic on my desktop now. Southbound and down….you’re headed the right way now.
LA owns the water rights to Mono Lake and all water south of it to the desert. They are why the lake is almost drained and the tufa are above the water line. They are supposed to be submerged, That is when they grow.
Happy Birthday!! Love the pictures and the story.
Totally understand what you were saying about a location being perfect at that time. Glass Creek sure was pretty especially with all those bright yellow leaves to decorate the surrounding banks.
Hope you have warmer temps at your new lower elevation:)
Oh dear……sistah Pauline is telling ALL! Red head and freckles!
We too send a heartfelt birthday wish! Enjoy your day! Your journey is enjoyed by so many and your kind spirit doesn’t go unnoticed!
As I’ve told you so many times before……. “Live your dash….girlfriend”
Regards. Cindy and Jules
RVSue, your blog is a daily gift to all of us. Many thanks for the time and energy you spend in creating it. I hope yor birthday is filled with beauty, peace, wet noses and lots of snuggles.
Marilu
Happy Birthday. And I know how old you are but I’m not tellin’. Enjoy your purchases. I agree with the other folks that your blog is the one I check EVERY day. Your writing has gotten even better over the years. The expenses and the “every day” stuff help folks interested in fulltiming to get a good idea of the benefits and challenges.
Hopefully our paths will intersect again someday instead of just missing each other like we did last summer in Utah.
We’re camping and having fun but our one month trips confirm that our hearts aren’t fulltimers.
Enjoy your birthday
From one beautiful campsite to another – what a life 🙂 What a treat to see it all in the moment through your eyes and your writing.
Oh, and Happy Birthday, before I forget!
Birthday Blessings to you, Sue!
May the roads ahead be straight and smooth
And the winds be but a gentle breeze.
May the sun shed its warmth upon you
And God protect you from any needs.
Audrey
Happy Birthday RVSue! Hope you are having an awesome day!
Happy Birthday Sue!! Hope your special day brings you unexpected joy! Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey with us! We read your blog together as a family every night (or every time you post).
While in Bishop, check out Jack’s for the biggest, best breakfasts, including fresh squeezed orange juice! Love it!
Happy trails!
Will take a moment away from battening down the yard for the winter and readying the Casita for departure next week to wish you a wonderful birthday. Hope your day there has been as beautiful as our fall day here in the Yakima valley. We are looking forward to the trip south before cold really sets in here. Best wishes!
Hi Sue, I think I posted under spumoni before but decided to just go with my name, more personal than a nickname. I have been enjoying your “Rear view mirrow” I even looked up your floorplan and I have a question. When you are having coffee and posting do you set the bed back up as a table? Just wondering it doesn’t look like you would have a desk type area otherwise? Silly question but it got me wondering.
Hi, Shelley,
I don’t change any of the arrangement. The little table stays up all the time and the “single” bed stays a bed all the time. No, I don’t have a desk which is just as well. I’d only fill it with stuff I never look at or need.
I have my coffee, meals, and do my posting at the little table under the big window.
Oh I got it I thought it was all table or all bed that works out great. Happy birthday! I look forward to your blog everyday I love to camp but don’t get too often your blog is my happy place.
Happy Birthday to you, RVSue. I’m feeling selfish! Your blog is a gift to us. That’s totally backwards today! Grateful for your adventures, thank you, thank you. Almost feel like I’m interrupting the quiet at Glass Creek by posting today!
Thank you, everyone, for the happy birthday wishes! I have fun reading them. I’m still amazed by the attention I receive over my little blog.
I’m sorry I won’t be posting tonight. I managed to delete today’s photos in the process of uploading them from the camera’s memory card. No great loss. I’ll take more tomorrow. I stayed around camp with the crew, sat in the sunshine, and read a book. A very quiet day, but much enjoyed!
Thanks again for being an important part of my 65th birthday. 🙂
The Duke, and I am sure Judy also, wish you the happiest of days on the 65th anniversary that God blessed this world with your arrival.
A Happy Birthday Wish for you, may you have a tail wind always at your back and peace and beauty in all your camps!
Jeri
¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ HaPpY BiRthDaY to YoU♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ HApPy BirThDAy to yOu♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
SIXTY FIVE? Ya don’t look old enough to buy alcohol!
Must be your stress free lifestyle! Enjoy your evening!
Happy Birthday Sue. I hope you had a nice, relaxing day and may you have many more.
Happy Birthday my friend. I think of you often.
Sue do check into our health insurance and see what is up. Only BC&BS next year and of course cost increases. It is not posted on the web sight until the 21st. Enrollment is only 3 weeks this year. Emory and Northside is not accepting the state insurance. That is making big news here now. I hope they will work this out. It is in the books now for them to vote again on cutting out health care for those who are over 60. I doubt those in it will have a problem and will probably be grandfathered in but no word yet. ahh..not like it use to be. The rest we can talk in private email. Stay on top of that though ok. Thinking of you and the crew..I may be following in your footsteps to middle school. Again, more in private email. We need to catch up.
Kathryn and her rescued kitties. The last one was from the inside of Wal Mart. NO KIDDING!!!
Okay, Kathryn. Drop me an email!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Sue,
Sounds like a wonderful day spent doing just as you please 🙂
Beautiful pictures and posts of the best camping spot ever!!!
T~
Sue, if you don’t mind me asking, how do you manage your usage and disposal of water while you boondock?
Hi, Lee . . . I’m not sure if I understand your questions in total. Ask again if I don’t answer completely.
Usage– I fill my house water tank with potable water, of course. I also fill 10 one-gallon jugs with drinking water. The tank water is used in the bathroom sink and to flush the toilet. Bath water comes from the tank or the one-gallon jugs, depending upon supply. The one-gallon jugs provide drinking water for the crew and me (coffee, tea, etc.)
Disposal– Used water goes into the gray water tank (not the black water tank which only receives water from the toilet). If I dump water on the ground, like out of a basin, I make sure I’m at least 50 feet or more from a stream or other body of water if the water contains soap. Usually I only throw out water that I’ve used to wash vegetables (in other words, only organic), or water that has very little soap in it or something like old coffee.
How often do you have to interrupt your Boondocking to empty the black water container.
Hi, Lee,
I can go three weeks without a dump but that’s risky. Usually I dump once every two weeks.
Oh, for heaven’s sake. I can’t believe I wrote that. Hahaha! That’s one bad case of constipation!
That is hilarious. thanks for the laugh
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MISS SUE!!!!
May your day have been wonderful, and the rest of your days full of adventure and sunshine!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Sue, when you’re camping in a cold climate, do you have reflectix or like product to cover your windows with to keep the heat in?
No, I haven’t done anything like that. Maybe someday I will.
Happy belated birthday, Sue. I know you spent it the way that makes you happiest.
Hi Sue,
JoAnne and I are headed to Tinnemaha this afternoon. (We are currently in Mono Lake – I an commercial campground – Not near as nice as your Glass Creek campground.
We will certainly respect your “privacy” and not “drop in”. However, we would love to meet you and your crew. – We are in a 35 foot Class A Winnebago Adventurer and pulling as Silver Honda Fit. If you happen to see us on a walk please don’t hesitate to stop and say high.
Best,
Rick & JoAnne
Happy Birthday Sue….you are now in my second home…Big Pine….love that you are there and safe…have a great day and post pictures of the camp ground we have driven PAST it many times….safe travels and keep on blogging, makes my day. I am now going on Amazon to buy some things for my dogs from your site…makes me feel good to do that.
Hi Sue
The stories and pics are great as usual, especially Glass Creek! Happy Birthday to a much beloved wanderer!
Changed my name to tell you where I am from.