Jackson Meadows First Campout in 2015

Pass Creek

Wouldn’t ya know we  have another terrible drought year with nil rain all winter, but when it does rain, its on the Memorial Day weekend.  My first campout this year.  Oh well, I love weather anyway.  I find it fascinating.  Plus it really only rained a lot on the first day and nite.  Also made for beautiful cloud formations.

I had my lucky site #34 however, with regard with to the fishing… not so lucky.  I got skunked.  Zilsch.  One strike is all with four days of fishing from both the kayak and from the shore.  What worked last fall, yielded natha this time around.  But trolling in my kayak early in the morning while the lake was smooth as glass and the sunlight beginning to spread across the lake and the only sounds were my paddles hitting the water and the sounds of a wide variety of birds singing …. was  absolutely delightful.

Next year I will book it after Memorial Day weekend.  Way too many people.  A huge group of friends (not mine) from Reno took up almost the entire loop I was in .  Probably 30-40 kids and 20 dogs, all running thru my campsite on their way to the lake.  Baseball games, horseshoes, and some other thing that just seemed  to make a lot of noise.  They did paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, biking endlessly around the campground loop and splashed around in the freezing water while the outside temp was about 60 at best.  Little kids sure can handle the cold.  Anyway, it was kind of fun to see everyone enjoying themselves so I let it be.  Kate loves the sound of children playing, for me … eh, its ok for a while.  But Monday after everyone left and only two other campers in my loop… it was awesome.  So quiet and peaceful, I was sad to leave on Tuesday.

First day I got there I was lucky to have a break in the rain while I got my camp set up.  But shortly after it started raining again and continued thru the entire night.  I thought the lake was going to rise and take away my kayak.  That was a useless worry.  Metal roofs really allow you to listen to the rain, which is nice … for a while.  The next morning it did stop, I went fishing, and Kate arrived around 11.  Rain off and on, so we played Qwerkle inside when it was too wet outside.  Took a nice hike up Passe Creek which is running just great right now.  Waterfalls look terrific.  Saw some bizarre mushrooms that look like the formation of pods from the “Invasion of the body snatchers” movie.  Kate brought  dinner of some amazing shrimp and lemon linguini pasta dish.  Wow, it was amazing.   She left early the next morning since Memorial Day is a big weekend at the cemetery so she had to work.  We only live an hour and 45 away so its rather convenient.

This trip I got to try out three new addons to my old RV (now known as Doug).  A Goal Zero Yeti 150 and two Boulder 15 Solar panels.  Worked great keeping Doug’s batteries charged and recharging my laptop so I could finish Game of Thrones Season 4.  Also in electrical, I installed numerous LED lights throughout which gave off more light and took a lighter toll on the batteries.   For heat, since Doug’s heater is extremely temperamental not to mention a power drawer, I got a Mr. Heater Buddy … which works off LPG canisters and totally kept us warm while it was in the 30s outside.

Anyway, here are the photos..

Author: Geoff

Quick rundown: Grew up in Lombard, Illinois, went to Arizona State University, worked as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co, then Laventhal and Horwath, then Rolling Stones, then Heron International, then Goodby Berlin and Silverstein in San Francisco. Moved to the foothills in 1990 and traded futures and designed websites. Married to Kate Stewart, now living in Colfax, CA. We have six grandchildren. I enjoy camping in our RV, hiking, kayaking, fishing, droning and cross country skiing Also conga drumming, photography and dogs.

6 thoughts on “Jackson Meadows First Campout in 2015”

  1. So many great shots! My favorite picture of Biggs ever, the one where he’s smiling.

  2. Hi Bro
    Happy to get this neat release. I enjoyed reading your detail story about your entire trip. I felt like I was there with you. Absolutely wonderful photos of everything as usual. You take super realistic photos. The dogs are looking very happy to be out in the forest camping. Thanks for a terrific summary of your journey.
    Bro Geo in Las Vegas desert

  3. As a disabled senior I really enjoyed your photos and report. Biggs yawning after a night of pbr, priceless.

  4. My favorite is the two dogs walking away down the path together. Since I also have two dogs, it’s one of my personal favorites. Lovely description and images, thank you.

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