Camping In Style

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 ...

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  

A simple hike with friend takes us to a full view of Nevada City If you can find it, it's sweet and simple Nevada City, California Click here to learn more about Sugar Loaf Mountain

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 ...

   Happy Mothers Day to you and your Mother. We spent our day with good friends taking a short hike on Independence Trail and then lunch at  Rainbow Lodge located in Soda Springs California. My daughter didn't get much sleep last night so she reminded me all day of my role in her life.     

I remember hiking a simple hike in Yosemite. I stopped to take a rest and a drink of water. Up came an enthusiastic man who was probably newly married to the woman behind him who was dragging her young (10yr old) daughter behind her who was complaining that she didn't want to hike anymore, she was tiered etc.... The woman belted out to her daughter "your going to hike and your going to like it!" I sat front row of this display and thought so many thoughts. First being that it was a sure thing that that girl was not going to "like" it and probably not her new stepfather either for that matter. Children though naturals to the outdoors are not always into the hiking in the same "get it done" manor that we adults can be. A pic nic, magnifying glass and shorter hikes may be all they are up to? So stop and smell the roses and remember to read your child's body language. Incorporate other activities, make the journey shorter or the destination fun and ...