RV Camping In Napa Valley: Refreshing, Relaxing and Great Scenery

Above, a vineyard near Calistoga in the Napa Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1980s, I used to head north to the Napa Valley wine country region of Northern California for relaxation and to hit the wineries to re-stock my wine supply fairly frequently.

My favorites in Napa Valley were the Robert Mondavi and Beringer wineries. They had great tours that ended with a tasting session in the wine tasting room.

Above, the campground at Bothe-Napa State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While there, I camped in the Bothe-Napa State Park. It is a nice state park with a great campground. And, it was right smack in the middle of the winery area, which made it handy.

The Daily Press has an article on RVing in wine country.

They begin with:

This is shaping up to be a fantastic summer to visit many places in California that had great benefit from our rainy season. Russ and Lori frequently travel up U.S Highway 395 over to Interstate 80 in the Truckee area. 

Recent years saw the drive with lakes and rivers that were eerily low during the drought. The West Walker River is raging in many areas. Topaz Lake looks like it is refreshed. The Sierras even got a June dusting of snow. The record-breaking rainy season also benefited California’s wine country. With this summer shaping up to be a hot one, why not take an RV trip to California’s Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley? 

RV camping in wine country is quite easy if you just plan a little ahead. Many wineries are up north, but we also have some fantastic wineries fairly near to us in the Temecula area. An RV trip to the Sonoma or Napa Valley would be comfortable as a 7 day trip or longer. 

Above, the grapevines following the harvest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Take To The Roads

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

Driving an RV on the open highway or in the city can be intimidating to a newbie, but after a few hours behind the wheel, it becomes much easier.

Daily Press has some tips for the first-timer that will make things easier the first few times out.

They begin with:

An RV can be the perfect way to travel, but rookies might hit some speed bumps. To prepare for life on the road, start slow and ask for help, veterans advise. 

"Take a 'maiden voyage,' " says Donna Fout, owner of the Williamsburg KOA Campground. "Camp close to home as a practice run to prepare for a camping adventure, and keep a list of anything you've forgotten."

To read more, go here. 

Tracing The Roots of the RV Lifestyle

Above, a teardrop trailer my grandfather built in Oregon in 1940.

Ever wondered how travel in trailers and motorhomes came about? How did the "RV lifestyle" begin?

VVDailypress.com (the Daily Press out of Victorville, CA) has an article on "Tracing The Roots of the RV Lifestyle".

It begins with:

The RV lifestyle goes way back. Possibly, the RV way to travel was as much a necessity back then. Drawn by horses, caravans carried some of my ancestors from Bohemia on long journeys before departing for North America on sailing ships. The journey was much more pleasant, having a few comforts along the way. 

With so many seeking a new life in America, many craftspeople from other countries shared their skills with others. As best as Lori and Russ could see, the first actual practical travel trailer was built in 1880 by Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works. It basically looked like an 18-foot miniature cabin on wheels.

Traveling in this fashion was called "Caravanning." With the advent of automotive power, Caravans started gaining popularity in the United States during the 1920's. A new nickname came about for these travel trailer campers. They were called "Tin can tourists." These had few amenities yet there was no more need to ever set up a heavy canvas tent ever again.

To read more, go here.