I don't know how long it has been since we've been camping.

I know we never took the kids.

I grew up camping. Every year, year after year. We went

for weeks at a time. We had a blast!

But, I was a kid, I didn't have to cook and clean and do all the

tough stuff that makes it so fun for kids!

As an adult, I continued camping through the college years.

Terry and I even did some of it.

We had a great time, too. Made lots of great memories, even though

I wasn't much of a recorder of events at the time.

Once I had kids, I knew what work was involved and decided

hotels were better. It worked out just fine.

We spent so much time at the beach, that made things easy, too!

But. I discovered the Jucy!

The Awesome Jucy!

Now Marty and Eileen have their Westie and travel all over the country

now that they have retired, and they are experienced!

So, it was a no brainer when she suggested we try it out on a camping

trip with them. We had been trying to figure out a reunion plan for the family

that could work for everyone. Also, trying to figure out how to make it easier

on the planning committee!

This might be a solution!

Now, there are other types of camper vans out there and a little research on Google

will show you them. We enjoyed it so much, we might try out some others!

Dan decided to get in on this trip and actually purchased a used RV for him and Bridgette!

Those can also be rented. They can be set up for you, too, so all you do is show up!

They also take it away after you are done vacationing! How awesome is that!

Now for the experiment!

We decided on the best of California! Ok, there are so many great California places

to vacation, and I'm sure everyone has their own favorite, but gotta love

those Redwoods!!!

And it was on!

Jucy rented. All we had to do was pack it up and head out on the highway!

Eileen and Marty met up with us early one morning and we set off
for the beautiful highways of northern California, after we picked up
Dan and Bridgette at their ranch.
We spent the first day and night with them on their ranch!





Teresa and Brian and the boys joined us for dinner, Dan had bbq chicken, meat and grilled
vegetables! A great dinner!

I wasn't sure why Colt and Huxley kept pulling at Dan at first. I just thought, wow, those
kids are really attached to their Grandpa! Well, not saying they aren't, but they
had something else on their mind!

First, a trip on the cart with the boys, always delights!
Then, out to see the horses!






They loved Zipper giving them a ride!
Before, we knew it, Dan, had all of us riding bareback!














Thanks for the ride Zipper!

Lilly and Red looked on.




After a fire and a good night's rest, morning had on back on the road.














All the way to the coast above San Francisco to Big Basin Campground!
And wow, was it beautiful!!







We got set up and right away opened up for dinner!
Marty had an extra table set up for Terry to have an extra stove, as Jucy's two
just weren't enough for what he had planned!
It was cocktail hour!



and everyone pitched in to help and watch the chef in action!







Marty started a fire and Eileen was up for dessert!



Let me just say, we ate good on this trip!




Next day, we headed out to check out these old growth Redwoods!










We saw some awesome specimens! It was hard to believe that these
beautiful trees once covered the coastline through No. Cal, Oregon and Washington.
There are only 5% left today!






Some are over 2000 years old and 350 feet high!
Taylor is standing in a "fairy circle". This is a circle of trees
that have grown out of the trunk of an old tree that is now gone.
He is standing where the old trunk would have been. You can still
see remnants of the old trunk if you look closely. Once, we knew what to
look for, we found them in every campsite we stayed at.



another Fairy Circle 

Fire is extremely important to these trees and they withstand many fires!
The pine cones need fire to open up and release the tiny seeds that propagate 
new growth!
Their is evidence everywhere of how these trees withstand multiple fires.







These trees you see are all ALIVE! This last tree was literally hollowed all the way out
and still alive!
 We had a great walk through the trees!




Once back at the camp, we even celebrated Father's Day!








The next stop. . .  Samuel P. Taylor campsite!

See you there on the next post!