7 Overlooked Towns In California's Sierra Nevada Worth Visiting

Above, camping in Brown's Town Campground in Bishop in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's one thing that Californians should add to their "bucket list" of things to do, that is to explore the Sierra Nevada area of the state.

A lot of history can still be gleaned from exploring towns that thrived during the Gold Rush years. World Atlas has posted a list of seven of them. 

I have been to most of them, mainly through chapter events of E Clampus Vitus (of which I am a member) that sprung up during the Gold Rush in many of these towns.  

World Atlas begins their list with:

The Sierra Nevada stretches more than 400 miles and is home to dozens of small towns, three national parks, and numerous wilderness areas. Some of the towns are better known and more travelled than others, but those that are overlooked shine in their own right. You will find history, nature, culture, and recreation in each of them. If you truly want to experience the soul of California's Sierra Nevada, these seven towns deserve a spot on your travel list.

To read more, go here. 

Section of U.S. 395 To Shut Down 15 Days In September

Above, The Beast at Manzanar Internment Camp in July 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I drove U.S. 395 in California's eastern Sierra Nevadas was back in 2016. During that trip, I visited the Japanese internment camp Manzanar, stayed in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes and drove into Yosemite National Park on Tioga Road.

Those planning to drive U.S. 395 next month will find a part of it closed.

RV Travel reported:

Planning a trip along California’s eastern Sierra Nevada? Check your calendar and your routing. A beautiful section of U.S. Highway 395 in California will shut down for more than two weeks in an effort to protect wildlife.

California dubs the stretch of U.S. 395 as the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, and folks traveling it from the south will find it shut down on September 4 for 15 days. If coming from that direction you will need an alternate route to access the communities of Walker and Colville or to fish and camp at Topaz Lake.

Northbound motorists can take Highway 182 from Bridgeport and connect with lonely Nevada Route 338.

To read more, go here. 

Things To Consider When Booking A Campsite

Above, at Brown's Town Campgrounds in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Either I have been lucky over the years or I have practiced choosing a campsite with the tips by Chuck Woodbury in RV Travel as second nature already. I have not had any problems thus far.

The topic of Woodbury's article is on how to choose the best campsite with things to consider while doing so.

It begins with:

Here are some tips about choosing a campsite based on my many years of RVing. I urge you to add your own suggestions to this list after reading it. You can thank me for this advice next time we meet.

To see what the tips are, go here. 

What To Cook After A Busy RV Driving Day

Above, barbecuing a steak at a campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While traveling in my motorhome, I usually try to reach the day's destination by round 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. This is so that don't have to set-up in the dark and have plenty of time to enjoy the campground or RV park and cook a meal.

For meals after a long day of driving, I would either cook a frozen meal in the microwave or barbecue either chicken or a steak.

RV Travel has some tips on what to cook after a long drive.

They begin it with:

What should you cook in your RV after a long travel day? There are so many options that are quick and easy. It’s always best to plan ahead so you have all the ingredients you need. Prep everything you can so when you stop, you can don’t have to chop, slice, or even open a can. It should be ready to throw in a pot or skillet.

Also, don’t plan any complicated meals on a travel day. A meal you can pop in theWhat microwave is great, so consider leftovers or a charcuterie feast of cheeses, fruits, and meats. Just prep ahead and pull it out of the refrigerator, add some sliced bread, and pour a glass of wine, and you have a great meal.

Let’s take a look at a few great ways to cook and some easy camping recipes that you might enjoy. 

To read more, go here. 

Along Yosemite's Tioga Road

Above, an early morning view of Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years ago, I took a "little" trip up the Owens Valley on U.S. 395 in California.

I stayed one night in Bishop and a couple of nights in Mammoth Lakes. Along the way, I stopped at Manzanar and Devil's Postpole National Monument. After this, I headed a little further north up 395 to Tioga Pass Road into Yosemite National Park.

This was the first time I have ever been in this part of Yosemite and it was well worth a road trip.

Travel Awaits has an article on the seven best experiences along Tioga Road.

They begin it with:

During the hottest days of summer, the best way to enjoy Yosemite National Park is to spend most of your time in the higher elevations, in the eastern side of the park, along Tioga Road. The area is open only in the summer, but when it is, it offers breathtaking views of the High Sierras and the High Country of Yosemite National Park. 

I visited the park with my family during the first week of June, just a few days after Tioga Pass opened. Since we ended up in the park during some of the hottest days of the early summer, Yosemite Valley proved too hot for us to spend much time in. So we spent most of our time in the High Country of Yosemite National Park, along the Tioga Pass Road. 

The scenery was just as stunning as in the more famous areas of the park, and the lower temperatures made our visit more enjoyable. The following are only a few of the many things to do in Yosemite’s High Country along Tioga Road. 

 To read more, go here.

8 Campground Courtesy Rules

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, I have not had any bad experiences while camping, either in a tent or a RV, with other campers. 

About the only annoying thing I can think of was when kids from other camps will use my campsite for their walkway. That's about it.

Here's an article by The Know (from the Denver Post) on 8 rules to follow so that you don't become "that annoying camper".

They begin it with:

For years, my idea of camping meant heading into the middle of nowhere and pitching my tent as far from the rest of humanity as possible. 

That changed when maturity knocked. My wife and I bought a small travel trailer, which we now generally park in established campgrounds. 

While most of our experiences have been pleasant, all too often we find ourselves sharing territory with individuals who apparently believe the need for civility doesn’t apply to them. Here are a few suggestions on how to be courteous campers.

To read more, go here. 

Frugal RV Guide

Above, barbecuing a steak at Brown's Town Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my three-week trip to Metropolis, Illinois (and points in-between) last year, I rarely went to dine in restaurants. I cooked most of my meals in the RV. My RV freezer was fully stocked when I left home. For cheaper grocery shopping while on the road, I shopped at Walmarts.

That is one way to save money while on a RV trip. There are 19 more tips on how to travel frugally in a RV from Do It Yourself RV.

They begin with:

There’s no denying that taking an RV trip can be far more economical than other methods of travel. If you add up the cost of airfare, rental cars, eating out for every meal, parking, attractions, souvenirs and more…the cost of campground fees and fuel for the RV pales in comparison. 

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still strive to save some dough when RVing. Check out these 20 money saving tips for frugal RVing – because everyone loves a deal.

 To see their money saving tips, go here.

Brown's Town Campground In Bishop, California

Above, the office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, I took a little trip up California's Owens Valley.

Along the way, I stopped at the infamous Manzanar Relocation Camp. For the first night's stay, I stayed at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. I did not make any camping reservations as I decided to just "wing it".

I stopped at a coffee shop for a snack. While there, I checked Google for a campground in the Bishop area. I saw several listed.

I looked one over and the people there didn't look too friendly and the campground was rather primitive. So I pressed on.

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to the next campground, which was Brown's Town Campground. It looked like a nice place. It was shady and situated next to a golf course. I walked into the office and found that they had vacancies and the price was reasonable ($30/night).

Above, cooking dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The access road was nice and wide and the campsite I was assigned was level, so I didn't have to use the leveling blocks. It had full hook-ups, a table and fire ring.

The campground has a nicely-stocked store. Their prices were reasonable when I made a few purchases.

Above, Sierra enjoying the air conditioning and view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unfortunately, since Bishop gets quite hot during the summer months, the campground does not have a swimming pool to cool off in.

At RV Park Reviews, I gave Brown's Town Campground four out of five stars. I would stay there again should I visit the Owens Valley on another trip.

My grade: A- (had there been a pool, it would have been an A).

Digital RV Trip Planning

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Technology is gradually replacing the "old fashioned" method of RV trip planning through the use of maps, paper travel and campground guides. Now, there are a number of RV planning websites and apps that will make planning one's next RV trip far easier.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on some handy resources to plan that next RV trip.

They begin with:

Planning an RV trip has become easier than ever thanks to technology. Instead of just traditional maps and Mapquest we now have an extensive selection of websites and apps at our disposal. With just a phone you can find RV park reviews, cheap gas near you, family attractions and pretty much everything in-between. 

The best part? A lot of great resources are free or affordable to use. All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile device connected to the Internet. These are just a few of our favorite digital tools that make trip planning more simple than ever.

Some of the ones listed I've already begun using. They came in handy during my recent cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois.

To read the article, go here. 

Sierra's Birthday!

Above, Sierra, then known as Claire, as shown at the South Bay Pet Adoption's Facebook page.

Today, my cat Sierra turns one year old!

I got her when she was three months old at the South Bay Pet Adoption center in Hawthorne. Her name there was "Claire". Now she's officially Sierra Claire.

Above, kitten Sierra on her cat tree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

She has been a good companion at home and on the road (she's been to Yosemite National Park twice) and has a good personality like our late cat Siren.

Above, yours truly meeting Sierra at the Hawthorne animal shelter.

Above, Sierra at the Hawthorne animal shelter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra meets Amber. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, buddies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra napping in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra and Lola in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, playing in a box at Yosemite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra in The Beast in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now, she graduates to adult cat food!

For her birthday present, I got her some burlap mice toys filled with catnip.

California Private RV Camping

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would have been nice to have known about this book before I left for the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley a few weeks ago.

But, I do plan to eventually return to the area and I'll get the book first.

RV Life posted an article on the scarce number of campgrounds in California.

It begins with:

If you live n the Golden State you know that it’s getting harder to find private RV camping in California. Thankfully the authors of “Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Camping with Privacy” know how to help you find the solitude you’re seeking.

To read more, go here.

RV DVD Library Starting

Above, Superman (George Reeves), right, captures Dr. Barnack (Lawrence Ryle) in "The Star of Fate" (1953).

About a couple of weeks ago, I went to CD Trader near my home to see if they had Season 4 of Dallas. Fortunately for me, they did.

While in the store, I was browsing around and spotted Seasons One through Three DVD sets of the Adventures of Superman. I already have the complete series on DVD, but what caught my eye was that each set had a $6.99 price tag. It was too good a bargain for me to pass up!

I decided to buy Seasons One and Two for exclusive use in The Beast (my motorhome, in case you're a newbie here). I guess this means that I am starting a new DVD library in The Beast.

The Beast came with a flat screen television set and a DVD player, so if I wanted to watch a movie or something and there's no local television signals or too many mountains, I can just pop in a DVD and be entertained.

While camping in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes a few weeks ago, I watched the entire DVD set of Ken Burns' The War that was originally broadcast over PBS back around 2007 or 2008. Watching those brought back nice memories of watching them at my mom's with her. 

RV Park Reviews Posted

My reviews of Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California and Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes, California have been posted at RV Park Reviews. I stayed at both campgrounds during my trip this week to the Owens Valley.

Above, Brown's Town Campground office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Brown's Town Campground, go here.

Above, Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Mammoth Mountain RV Park, go here.

Relax Day

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is a relaxing day at the Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes, California. I'll be heading back home tomorrow.

This has been a fun excursion into the Owens Valley area to stop at places that I haven't been to before such as Mammoth Lakes, Devil's Postpile National Monument and Manzanar Relocation Camp.

Above, The Beast at Manzanar Relocation Camp. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Beast has performed well on this trip. Sierra is getting more used to traveling. Soon, it will be "old hat" with her.

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Lakes Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On this trip, I stayed at two different campgrounds. The aforementioned Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes and Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. Of the two, I liked my site at Brown's Town Campground much better, but as far as facilities go, Mammoth Mountain RV Park has a lot more. Brown's Town Campground cries out for a swimming pool, especially since it is hotter there at this time of year. Mammoth Mountain has a spa and pool.

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The site I had at Brown's Town Campground was gravel and grass. Whereas, the site I have at Mammoth Mountain RV Park is asphalt. They do have some gravel sites. At least both had plenty of trees for shade.

Above, yours truly relaxing at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will post reviews on both campgrounds after I get home at RV Park Reviews.

Above, Sierra stretched out and snoozing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For tomorrow's trek home, I am trying to decide whether to go back the way I came on U.S. 395 or head west to U.S. 99. Gasoline would be more plentiful (and cheaper) on U.S. 99. It is over $3.00/gallon here.