Camping In Style

Fall is a GREAT time to Wash sleeping bags and bedding. Store in plastic bags or bins with lids to keep dust free. Tidy up loose gear scattered in the garage or in the house from Summer.  Look for sales on replacement gear.  Put a jar aside to save money for next years gear purchase.  Make a wish list for a Holiday Gift.  Research locations for next years trips.

For a great family friendly activity, pack up the kids, the vintage camping trailer and head north of Nevada City, through the picturesque town of Downieville and Sierra City and turn left at the general store of Bassetts and follow the winding road up past the amazing look out to the Sierra Buttes to the Lakes Basin Campground. The campground is centrally located for hikes, fishing and adventures on any one of the neighboring lakes.  We brought along an inflatable kayak and took turns paddling around Gold Lake.  The fish were hoping every which way, so the boys enjoyed the opportunity to practice the sport of fishing. If water sports aren't what you're interested, try one of the many hikes in the area, options for all levels.   For a great morning activity hike out the Grassy Lake Trail up to the Long Lake Trail and reward yourself with a refreshing dip at the end. When you pack your camping goodies, don't forget your local ...

LINK HERE Follow your dreams  This is where I buy my handmade cards These are vintage trailer inspired cards by Erin

Swim Suits Retro Style Oh yes it's that time of year again - OH Yeah! I went poking around for suits I liked that expressed my love of Retro while being kind to my body. Here is what I found. Firm Control Convertable Dress @ Victoria Secret Women's Control Max Bandeau Swimsuit @ Old Navy Women's Halter-Tankini Control Max @ Old Navy Women's Plus Ruched Swimsuits @ Old Navy Garnet Hill Signature Swim Dress Calvin Klein Bandeau Tankini @Garnet Hill   Garnet Hill Ruched Blouson One-Piece   Women's Plus Size Seaside Resort Dot Swimdress Seafolly Seaview Tie Front Halter Maillot at Antrhopologie   Meknes Poncho at Anthropologie        

Just a friendly reminder that today is the day to begin booking your campsites for the month of Ju ne through Reserve America   The early bird catches the worm for premium sites SEE BEST CAMPSITES SEE CAMPING WITH DOGS SEE LOCATION LOCATION 

In this awesome town of ours (Nevada City) there are many places that make it the wonderful destination it is. The Outside Inn  issuch a place. Image of Outside Inn Room Porch The motel features unique themed rooms under tall pines and is just a short walk to bookstores, cappuccino, shopping, entertainment and restaurants. Nevada City is located in California's Gold Country and has managed to maintain a lot of its charm and history.   Image of Outside Inn Hotel The hotel staff will set up bike rentals or a kayak lesson, on  flat or moving water and recommend  mountain bike trails. They can also suggest a rafting company to take you down the North Yuba or the South Fork of the American Rivers.  The point I'm making is if your in Nevada City and love the outdoors or want a unique non commercial place to stay check out The Outside Inn . It's AWESOME! Plan ahead and check out Erin's Blogg " Inn...

Sometimes Camping In Style is taking in Squaw Valley activities Overview from Cable Car of Squaw Valley Squaw Valley Cable Car High Camp, see other activities here  Eat, swim, hot tub, tennis, hike, drink, picnic, music, take your dog Adults $29 Children $10 ride all day pass Great hiking a top High Camp We also took in a ropes course at Squaw Valley Adventure Center teaching our 7 yr old how to challenge herself. She did great! Our daughter on ladder to hook onto swing   What a great time to be had A few links I would check out if your going to Squaw Valley, CA  Adventure Center High Camp Miniature Golf Bike Rental Events Calendar Village Map Happy Hour / M-F a great way to save $ Plump Jacks also great Sunday Brunch Rocker very kid friendly with GREAT outdoor setting Also Yummy Sushi @ Mamasake  Fireside Pizza   22 Bistro more dinning  

Facts about Black Bears The only species of bears in California are black bears. However, they do range in color from blonde to black, with cinnamon brown being the most common color. There are an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 black bears in California. Black bears will seek to avoid confrontation with humans. If encountered, always leave them an escape route. Males are much larger than females and can weigh over 500 pounds, although average weight is about 300 pounds. Black bears can sprint up to 35 mph and they are strong swimmers and great tree climbers. A typical wild bear diet consists of berries, plants, nuts, roots, honey, honeycomb, insects, larvae, carrion and small mammals. As winter approaches, bears will forage for food up to 20 hours a day, storing enough fat to sustain them through hibernation. Bears often hibernate in large hollow trees 40 to 60 feet off the ground. Bears that are accustomed to people can become too bold and lose their fear of humans. For...

Arrival date First day to make reservations (7 am PT) March 15 through April 14   November 15 April 15 through May 14 December 15 May 15 through June 14 January 15 June 15 through July 14 February 15 July 15 through August 14 March 15 August 15 through September 14 April 15 September 15 through October 14 May 15 October 15 through November 14 June 15 November 15 through December 14 July 15 Wawona Group site only: December 15 through January 14 January 15 through February 14 February 15 through March 14 August 15 September 15 October 15 Yosemite National Park has 13 popular campgrounds , of which up to seven are on a reservation system. From April through September, reservations are essential and even the first-come, first-served campgrounds often fill by noon from May through September. Make a campground reservation Visit  www.recreation.gov (recommended)  877/444-6777 (or 877/833-6777 for ...

Hermit Thrush As Spring nears I hear more and more birds every morning. It makes me feel hopeful, excited and curious about what birds we have here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Then in my research I found two great resources.  Barn Owl at Folsom Zoo * South Yuba River Park Association Birding at Bridgeport by local expert Bill Cortright Bring In The Clowns photo by Mark Schmitt w/ GREAT photos Schedule for South Yuba Bird Watch Red Tailed Hawk at Folsom Zoo And a beautiful resource site through San Francisco State University listing details about the Birds of The Sierra Valley and The Yuba Pass Area click here to see their report. American Dipper taken from Wikipedia SUGGESTED READING Sierra Nevada Natural History, T. I. Storer, R. L. Usinger,D. Lukas; The classic book on all aspects of the natural history of the Range of Light. Order at Amazon A Sierra Club Naturalist's Guide to the Sierra Nevada, S. Whitney. ...

Yesterday I stopped into our local Hills Flat Lumber and was completely sidetracked by all the cookware, I thought to myself "self, I said, what do you need to stock up on for camping this Summer" Located in Grass Valley, California   I think they had every size of dutch oven, even one the size you could bath in Cast iron, what's not to love A huge selection of tarps as well The one thing that caught my attention the most was the "Cooking with The Donner Party" cookbook Click here to find outside of Nevada County, California

Photo by Erin Thiem @ The Outside Inn Where else can you tour a castle, ride a gondola, drink wine and spend the night looking at the stars?  Looking for a fun way to experience the wine country?  Try camping in Calistoga.  The cute little town provides the best of the amazing award winning wineries, plus shops, hot springs and dining.  If you want to park right in town try the Calistoga RV park , but a more rustic option would be the Bothe Napa State Park , less then 5 minutes from downtown Calistoga. Photo by Erin Thiem @ The Outside Inn Our family enjoyed a tour at the Castello di Amorosa Winery , we thought we had left California and gone to Italy for the weekend.  Our 6 year old’s favorite stop at the Castle was the weapons room, whereas we both enjoyed the wine tasting and particularly the Pinot Noir. Photo by Erin Thiem @ The Outside Inn For the younger member of the family we rode the gondola up to Sterling Winery and took in ...