ssackett
Novice
In February of 2014, we became the proud 2nd owners of 550 #325. We had a what turned out to be an all-to-brief window between jobs. It's taken almost 12 years to hit 100+ nights. But now that we are both retired, here's hoping we can get the next 100 done much sooner! Many of our trips have been repeats within striking distance of So Cal. We'd also love to do a long haul in the not to distant future. Here are the highlights so far:
Year: 2014
Trips: 4
Nights: 19
Favorites: Maiden voyage to Pfeiffer State Park, Big Sur to enjoy redwoods and big bonfires. Then to Carson City, Nevada to visit family where we had the first, and only, snowfall on "Pokey". Ultimately this visit launched them into their own, custom designed and built, teardrop adventure. Also made our first trip to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park via Bodega Bay and the Mendocino coast. in the tip top of California. Passed through Ashland, Oregon on the way back to spend a few days at Bothe Napa State Park. We loved, and have returned to both.
Year: 2015
Trips: 3
Nights: 8
Favorites: In February, we rolled onto the sand at Carpenteria State Beach and enjoyed a long weekend in the quaint town. Have yet to snag another beach spot. In June, went wine tasting in Paso Robles and climbed Cerro Alto one of the "Seven Sisters" (often referred to as the Morros), a chain of volcanic peaks stretching from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay; Cerra Alto (Los Padres). In August, we joined family at Big Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierras; Big Pine Creek Campground (Eastern Sierra)
Year: 2016
Trips: 2
Nights: 6
Favorites: Lake Mary Campground and another wine tasting trip to Booth-Napa SP.
Year: 2017 - 18
Trips: 2
Nights: 4
Favorites: We were busy with other things it seems, but did have the great pleasure of meeting Skip and Diane Eastman, owners Camp-Inn #33 at a So Cal Teardrop gathering at Lake Perris So. Cal. Teardrop Meet-up
Year: 2019 - 2020
Trips: 2
Nights: 7
Favorites: Still busy, but made long weekends at Wheeler Gorge, Ojai and to celebrate a family birthday at Nevada Beach, Lake Tahoe. First time cooking a paella over the campfire, which has become a tradition!
Year: 2021
Trips: 1
Nights: 7
Favorites: After trying for several years to get reservations again at the Pfeiffer, only to have them cancelled for maintenance or forest management, we decided to try the private Fernwood Campground, and have been taking yearly trips to Big Sur ever since.
Year: 2022
Trips: 2
Nights: 14
Favorites: Loop to Monterey Bay to visit a friend (slept in bed at a historic house owned by the Monterey Art Museum, with trailer parked in the drive) via Pinnacles National Park (California Condors were the highlight) and Fremont State Park (hairpin-turn drive up is not for the faint-of-heart), and back staying at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins this time.
Year: 2023
Trips: 1
Night: 11 (14 total)
Trips getting longer and further. Made a 1800+ mile loop via Bothe-Napa SP to revisit Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Then back through Mendocino where we had a celebratory birthday (Mark's) dinner at Cafe Beaujolais, and back to Fernwood Campground. We celebrated again at the Sierra Mar Restaurant at the Post Ranch Inn, with jaw-dropping views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, down 1200 foot cliffs to the Pacific.
Year: 2024
Trips: 3
Nights: 14
Favorites: Three nights at Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree. We took Paw Patrol "stuffies" from our granddaughter along for hikes and cameo pictures in camp and the teardrop, which amused her tremendously
Year: 2025
Trips: 2
Nights: 10
Favorites: Same old, same old to Cerro Alto and Big Sur (riverside sites this time).
Year: 2026 to NOW
Trips 1
Nights: 6
Favorites: Same trip to Fernwood, Big Sur. Reserved for next year
I think we've done almost 15,000 miles with our original tow vehicle, an Audi Q5.
We're holding out for an EV TV when solid state batteries become available. We have yet to make it beyond the California border (except for a drive-thru Ashland). In a twist, we are making a loop through Oregon and Washington this fall for a wedding, but Mark wants to make it a road test for our new high-mileage EV touring vehicle only. But, I plan to check-out all the camping spots on the way!!
Year: 2014
Trips: 4
Nights: 19
Favorites: Maiden voyage to Pfeiffer State Park, Big Sur to enjoy redwoods and big bonfires. Then to Carson City, Nevada to visit family where we had the first, and only, snowfall on "Pokey". Ultimately this visit launched them into their own, custom designed and built, teardrop adventure. Also made our first trip to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park via Bodega Bay and the Mendocino coast. in the tip top of California. Passed through Ashland, Oregon on the way back to spend a few days at Bothe Napa State Park. We loved, and have returned to both.
Year: 2015
Trips: 3
Nights: 8
Favorites: In February, we rolled onto the sand at Carpenteria State Beach and enjoyed a long weekend in the quaint town. Have yet to snag another beach spot. In June, went wine tasting in Paso Robles and climbed Cerro Alto one of the "Seven Sisters" (often referred to as the Morros), a chain of volcanic peaks stretching from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay; Cerra Alto (Los Padres). In August, we joined family at Big Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierras; Big Pine Creek Campground (Eastern Sierra)
Year: 2016
Trips: 2
Nights: 6
Favorites: Lake Mary Campground and another wine tasting trip to Booth-Napa SP.
Year: 2017 - 18
Trips: 2
Nights: 4
Favorites: We were busy with other things it seems, but did have the great pleasure of meeting Skip and Diane Eastman, owners Camp-Inn #33 at a So Cal Teardrop gathering at Lake Perris So. Cal. Teardrop Meet-up
Year: 2019 - 2020
Trips: 2
Nights: 7
Favorites: Still busy, but made long weekends at Wheeler Gorge, Ojai and to celebrate a family birthday at Nevada Beach, Lake Tahoe. First time cooking a paella over the campfire, which has become a tradition!
Year: 2021
Trips: 1
Nights: 7
Favorites: After trying for several years to get reservations again at the Pfeiffer, only to have them cancelled for maintenance or forest management, we decided to try the private Fernwood Campground, and have been taking yearly trips to Big Sur ever since.
Year: 2022
Trips: 2
Nights: 14
Favorites: Loop to Monterey Bay to visit a friend (slept in bed at a historic house owned by the Monterey Art Museum, with trailer parked in the drive) via Pinnacles National Park (California Condors were the highlight) and Fremont State Park (hairpin-turn drive up is not for the faint-of-heart), and back staying at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins this time.
Year: 2023
Trips: 1
Night: 11 (14 total)
Trips getting longer and further. Made a 1800+ mile loop via Bothe-Napa SP to revisit Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Then back through Mendocino where we had a celebratory birthday (Mark's) dinner at Cafe Beaujolais, and back to Fernwood Campground. We celebrated again at the Sierra Mar Restaurant at the Post Ranch Inn, with jaw-dropping views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, down 1200 foot cliffs to the Pacific.
Year: 2024
Trips: 3
Nights: 14
Favorites: Three nights at Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree. We took Paw Patrol "stuffies" from our granddaughter along for hikes and cameo pictures in camp and the teardrop, which amused her tremendously
Year: 2025
Trips: 2
Nights: 10
Favorites: Same old, same old to Cerro Alto and Big Sur (riverside sites this time).
Year: 2026 to NOW
Trips 1
Nights: 6
Favorites: Same trip to Fernwood, Big Sur. Reserved for next year
I think we've done almost 15,000 miles with our original tow vehicle, an Audi Q5.
We're holding out for an EV TV when solid state batteries become available. We have yet to make it beyond the California border (except for a drive-thru Ashland). In a twist, we are making a loop through Oregon and Washington this fall for a wedding, but Mark wants to make it a road test for our new high-mileage EV touring vehicle only. But, I plan to check-out all the camping spots on the way!!
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