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RPod Travel 2021
  • Amy Gilmore
  • Amy Gilmore

RPod Travel 2021

Two humans, one dog, and one cat on a year long adventure in a small travel trailer. Read more
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  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    Cyclist in front of us has his surf board attached.

    Capitola & Santa Cruz

    May 27, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    Cruised down East and West Cliff Dr, visited a few other state parks in the area, farmer’s market stop, beers, and a visit to the infamous boardwalk and beach. Traffic and roads here make me feel like I have ADHD. Bought the most delicious strawberries I’ve ever had at the farmer’s market. And the sour I had was spot on perfect for the day-Cascade Kriek 2017. If I come back, I want to stay in Capitola at the Venetian Motel. And ride all the fun rides at the boardwalk. Preferably at night.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Ranch in Livermore - Hipcamp

    May 30, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Wine country before wine country. It’s beautiful. The town has money which means it’s in pristine condition. In the middle of this lovely area is a massive laboratory with major security and double wall/fence barricades. Here’s what we found out: “Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission of strengthening the United States' security through development and application of world-class science and technology to: Enhance the nation's defense. Reduce the global threat from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction “ More interesting details about it’s history and purpose online. Annual operating budget is in the billions. 2.5 billion 😳 Strange that it’s in this picturesque area. Or is it?

    We stayed here for Memorial Day weekend b/c everything else was booked. We used Hipcamp and stayed at a ranch situated between two wineries. Glad we stopped here. We’ve been on a search for certain bike parts since Utah. Finally found all of them. Also got a new pair of hiking shoes (same as my old) on sale at REI. Today, 5/31 we head to Santa Rosa.    Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Santa Rosa

    June 1, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Beautiful little campground in a very cool city. Tyson loved the mtn bike trail system. We visited Russian River Brewing Co. which was a must on Tyson’s list. My bike is still making the same awful sound even after the new parts (chain and cassette) 😞 Grrrrr. On a better note, I did find someone to re-string one of my tennis rackets. He couldn’t do both rackets in one day’s time but was willing to do one. I used the down time to catch-up with my parents (Remnant plane crash was on 5/30) and Rachel. Her chemo ends on Aug. 5 if all goes well. 🤞🏼 🤞🏼Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Drive Thru Tree in Leggett

    June 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Asked my mom for some pics from when my parents visited NorCal so we could recreate some of the moments and send pics to dad for Father’s Day. He’ll get a kick out of it. We barely got the Tundra through the tree but we did it!!Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    Tyson's "fancy fucking charcuterie board"Inside of the travel trailer carved out of a redwood tree.

    Humbolt Redwoods SP/Ave of Giants

    June 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    This campground reminds me of a NP campground. Such a unique set-up in the midst of the “Avenue of Giants”. We had fun here. Our neighbors from Utah got married in the woods on the day we were there. Their kids loved Sushi. She came over to our campsite to get the kiddos and casually mentioned it. So OF COURSE I had to get a photo to celebrate the moment.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Arcata, CA

    June 5, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Upon check in, the manager told us our bikes will get stolen (even with the best of locks) and offered to store them for us. 😳 “Eureka and Arcata have been hit hard.”, said the lady checking us in, “Drugs, pandemic, job losses, homelessness and crime, so sorry.” That set the tone to a visit that we had hoped would be epic. It took a day or so to figure out what worked for us. Sometimes that happens. After that initial adjustment, it was all good. We took our friend’s advice and went to Orick/Prairie Creek Redwoods SP and Trinidad SP Beach. Absolutely beautiful! A few other highlights were the sunsets/coastal views, Redwoods skywalk, Arcata Community Forest hikes, seeing the eclectic hippie culture in the city, and one really, really good burrito. Oh and all the cows/farmland on the way to local beaches and dunes! Kind of special that it wasn’t built-up housing along the coast.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    I give Tyson one job...to make bread with butter and a sprinkle of garlic powderLove watching the circle tides

    Harris Beach SP in Brookings, OR

    June 7, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Oh Oregon! We are so ready for you. This SP was recommended by our travel buds and it’s beyond what we needed. It’s beautiful, clean, well-manicured and cheap! $35 for full hook-up? Yes please. The trails are taken care of and the beach is spectacular. The city of Brookings was bigger than expected so we were able to stock up on groceries. And people were happy. Strangers looked at each other and greeted each other. It’s something that we hadn’t seen in Cali often. I think the pandemic did a number on that state and many people living in it. Either way, hello Oregon!Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Cape Blanco State Park

    June 8, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    I think we’re in Ireland? This place is lovely! A retreat in the woods yet steps from beautiful bluffs overlooking the ocean. Cell service, electric/water hook-up, awesome trails, and awe inspiring views. Once again, pristine campground and everyone is super nice. We only needed one night and we made the most of it. Oregon has the latest check in/check out system which we thought we wouldn’t like but it’s actually working out great. Check in is 4pm and check out is 1 or 2 pm. Best sites are A41-A51Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Bandon, OR / Bullards Beach SP

    June 10, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Cute fishing town that isn’t too big but still caters to the tourists / golfers. Mouth watering delicious food here! Not just seafood either. And the SP is awesome! Wilsons Market for pork tacos and kalua pork. Tony’s Crab Shack for crab cocktail and Edgewaters for sit down sunset seafood dinner. We went to Tony’s and Wilsons twice. That good. Dog friendly brewery, candy shops, rum distillery, Whiskey Run Mtn bike park, Face Rock, ocean dr,...we packed it in here. Loved it all.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Yachats & Newport

    June 12, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Rain rain rain makes us grumpy. It doesn’t help that Sushi meowed the whole ride to South Beach SP and, even after stopping twice for her, she pooped in her cat carrier. That shit stinks. Literally. Tyson was the grumpiest cat of the bunch. Let’s get him to a brewery stat! Toured Yachats and Newport and their city named breweries.I loved the Salty Bay Gose at Newport Brewing Co. Yachats reminded me of a town from a storybook.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Blue Heron French Cheese Company

    June 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    Rearranged our trip and cut short some of the coast camping so we could go to DeGarde (didn’t realize they are closed M-W) and visit Portland before our meet-up with the Zaps. It worked out because the last few days have been rainy. Stayed at Blue Heron French Cheese Co. (Harvest Host) for the night. Totally worth a stop. Wine and cheese sampler plus chowder-all delicious. DeGarde has tons of wild ales which I’m not a fan of but for some reason Tyson thought I’d like these wild ales. Still not a fan. 🤷🏼‍♀️Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Champoeg SP / Portland

    June 15, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Like most of our SP stays, we jumped on a cancellation. There’s a big difference in campsites b/w the A & B loops. Stay in the B loop. We were in the A loop which wasn’t bad but sites were not as spacious/secluded and landscaping needed a little TLC. Portland’s homeless population is huuuuge. I feel like it’s a city that would be better appreciated if we knew people that could show us around. Grocery Outlet = Aldi with a way better wine and beer selection. Cascade Brewery for the sour win. Sooo good.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Silverton, OR

    June 18, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    It’s Zap Attack time! Meg, Brad, Isabelle, Norman, Big Betty, and Isabelle’s friend Audrey came down from Leavenworth to hang with us for a week or two. Yay! First stop: Silverton, OR. Silver Falls SP, FLW house, botanical gardens and lots of wine. Let the good times roll.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    La Pine State Park / Crater Lake

    June 20, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Stayed here two days at two different sites. Campground is nice and backs up to the Deschutes River. We used the location for a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. Wow. So beautiful!

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Bend BLM

    June 22, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Lots of mtn biking for the crew. Experienced fire warnings and waking up to distant wildfire smoke/haze/smell for the first time. Bend is such a cool area! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience much of it because of being under the weather. I was so excited to float down the river in the middle of the city!! But elevation sickness/over-heating/lingering vax side-effects did a number on me. 😩 Feeling better now, thank goodness.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    I ♥️ Hood River

    June 23, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Wind surfing, mtn biking, hiking and skiiing (Mt Hood) make this area an adventure sports enthusiast’s dream. And the shops, restaurants, breweries welcome it all. I wanted to stay longer but knew we’d be broke if we did! So many places to eat, drink and shop. I didn’t take many pics. Spending time with friends and staying in the moment seemed more important than the snapshot. Memories for a lifetime or, let’s be real, until I forget which happens often and that’s the real reason I take so many damn pics. 😁 We stayed at The Gorge Basecamp in White Salmon. Tucker Park also has great FCFS spots. We ate at Soltice, Pfreim, & Feast Mkt & Delicatessen.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    It’s F@*king Hot!

    June 26, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 104 °F

    Peach Beach RV = Water, trees, weird Stonehenge replica, fresh fruit, and Maryhill Winery. Contrary to recent reviews from our friends, the nearby town of Goldendale is not cute nor worth a stop. Maryhill Winery, though is da bomb. They have this huge outdoor concert stage right on the river. Their terrace overlooks the venue and river. Can’t wait for concerts to start back-up!Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    Reflective insulation to help with the sun beating down on usThe Columbia River is like glass this morning..5 star campground has cute little bullet holes in it's sign

    Wildfires and Water

    June 27, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 102 °F

    Heat dome and wildfire season NO THANK YOU. We were going to stay in Ritzville, WA as a one night stop over but I freaked out after seeing a wildfire just before getting to that town. Found out through local news that the fire was reported to authorities about 45 minutes before we drove by it. It caused level 3 evacuations in a nearby area. I found a place near water (and further away from the wildfire we saw) next to the highway. What I didn’t realize was that, even though it is situated next to the highway, you have to take about 7 miles of gravel road to get to it. Aaand the place is not great for what we are paying. It’s been a long day. Hoping tomorrow will be better. Don’t let the sunset on water view fool you. Junker cars, trash and weird smells are behind that view.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Idaho

    June 29, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 99 °F

    So hot that the asphalt was melting. The great state of Idaho passed a rule that all out of state folks have to pay double for a state park campsite. Yep, we paid almost $80/n for a state park campsite. Ouch. But, with highs in the 110’s, we had to have hook-up and tree coverage/shade. The SP is huge and beautiful. It was so hot that even taking an easy 1.5 mile hike in the shade of the forest trees was tough. Tyson did get up and bike in the early morning. And we tried to venture out at least once a day for a little bit to see the nearby cities of Sandpoint and CDA. But we have animals. High heat, rolling power outages, and the such made it hard. Pour Aurthority in Sandpt for delicious beer and cheese.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    Yes that's bear spray (thank you LaGrows) in Tyson's handBrewery puppies!!Biker shuttle up the mountain.

    Whitefish, MT Pt 1

    July 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Staying in Whispering Pines RV which is technically in Colombia Falls, MT but it’s closer to Whitefish, MT which is a 5 minute drive. Visited with family friends, Paul & Heather, that recently bought a house in the heart of downtown and 40 acres nearby. They had us over for dinner and showed us their land. We had a fun time together! The day we arrived, a surprise storm rolled through with rain, heat relief, an a lightening show in the big Montana sky that lit up the night sky for hours. I was worried about the lightening and fires but all seems to be okay. 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Staying in Whitefish until Tues. then scored a spot at a Glacier NP campground for two nights. That means we don’t have to cram in everything Glacier NP in right now and during a big holiday weekend which will be nice. Plus Glacier is so busy that they started selling tickets just for entry (on top of your annual pass) and those are sold out. The only way around it is getting there before or after 6 (am or pm). Now, as a camper in the NP, we are in!Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Glacier NP at Fish Creek Campground

    July 7, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Wow. Once we discovered the difficultly to enter Glacier NP with their new ticket system, I knew our best bet was reserving a site or lodging inside the park. At my very first try, a cancellation popped up. This is where having a small trailer comes in handy. The west side is jaw dropping beautiful. The east side (of Going to the Sun Rd) had a forest fire a few years ago and it’s still recovering. Not as pretty. Wish we could have rafted some of the river. Hucks are in season! That’s the term they use for huckleberries. They taste like a tart blueberry. Tyson & I both loved the huckleberry pie. I went back for seconds on our way out of Glacier. I also lost my phone on a popular hike in Glacier. No cell service so couldn’t track it. I retraced my steps back UP the trail again in hopes that my watch would BT connect to it. It worked! All of a sudden, in a sea of people on the trail, my watch connected and I rang it. And I could hear it ring! I stopped, yelled loudly “Does someone have my phone?” and some dude with a baby on his back pulled it out of his pocket and held it up high. I wanted to hug him. I lost it on a snow slope I slid down on my butt. 🙄 😂 So glad to have found it.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    3
    Taste and buy cheese from the window. 🤗Started with $10 and left with $48. First time I didn't donate $20 to a casino. 😂

    Flathead Lake SP / Finley Pt

    July 10, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Finley Point is flooded with deer, cherry trees, and surrounded by a beautiful lake. It’s like we stepped into a Disney movie. We were warned that a black bear named Junior liked to frequent the campground but we never saw him. We visited the nearby town of Polson. Not much to it but enjoyed the low key stay. Wildfire smoke rolled in the day before we left. Eerily strange how quickly air quality and visibility can change. 😞Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler

    Missoula KOA

    July 14, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Stayed in Missoula for a handful of days. It’s got a good sized downtown full of shops and bars. The KOA was really nice and walking distance to an REI along with other stores. Air quality gets worse b/c of wildfire smoke and we have to adapt. Imagine Nation Brewing was awesome. Missoula has fun and interesting outdoor art everywhere! Listened to a band outdoors. An actual band…like adults that used to be in a marching band reliving the days. It was not good. 🤣 But the park they played at was super cool for kids. We hiked up to the M the one day the air quality was okay. First time dealing with new weather app “storm” alerts (air quality). Soon, we’ll also experience red flag warnings which basically means weather could be a fire starter soon & winds will make it worse…get ready.Read more

  • Amy GilmoreRPod Travel 2021Traveler
    An old bank that's now a sports barLovely brewery in Anaconda, MTStarting to get used to the dim heavy feeling that wildfire smoke gives to areasBerkely Pit is a toxic water storage area. They use lazers and drones to keep birds away.Man vowed to honor women somehow if wife survived cancer. He built a huge Mary statue.

    Butte, MT has Toxic Water

    July 18, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    That was the highlight of the trolly historical tour I took of this once booming mining town. A bygone era of money, mining, brothels, and speakeasies. I learned a new term: superfund. If you asked me yesterday what a superfund was I would have said it has something to do with mutual funds. A superfund is an area that is so polluted with hazardous contaminants that the US govt steps in and says “Uh-oh…this is a bad one. It’s going to take a long time to clean this area up.” Butte, MT and some of it’s surrounding area was designated as a superfund site in 1982. And it feels that way. It’s still a decent sized town - even has an engineering college - but the town seems to be as dim as the smoke covered daylight currently in southwest Montana. We discovered new places and it wasn’t a terrible time but it is time move along. Next stop is Lewis & Clark SP.Read more

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