Ready....Set...

 A frantic couple of weeks.  the author and his wife have both retired now.  About 1/2 the garage is taken up with school supplies, which hopefully our youngest daughter will use in her new classroom and few days of frantically readying the RV.

The RV preps consist mostly of packing and evaluating what we have with an eye to reducing the weights and minor repairs 

Tentative start date, June 21, 2021.

Here's hoping.

One retirement down - one to go - the roadtrip is about to begin

 

Today I draw the curtain on a career in Computer Science that extended over 40 years. 

I started on computers that were car sized behemoths that we actually called "Minis". We programmed them using Hollerith punch cards, paper tape and the switches on the front panel.  I ended my career working on computers that didn't actually exist - virtual machines within other computers where the compute engine is smaller than one of the keys on that PDP-11/45 I spent hours happily toggling in my first job.

And that machine within a machine is located miles away accessed by this remarkable thing called the Internet.  A far cry from the from the TTY-33 over a 110 baud dial-up modem I used in college.  When we got a 300 baud Decwriter I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

And yes, the Internet.  I watched it grow from an interesting thing that a few computer people used to share messages, small files and tons of jokes, to a ubiquitous force that has changed virtually everything we do. 

It even allowed me to court my wife via email - though we worked in offices a couple of doors apart.

I've done fascinating things with computers - working with satellites, signals, commercial applications and even building new computers. 

I’ve met fascinating, capable people.  I’ve even hired incredible capable people that are still out there making a difference

All the companies I worked for were doing amazing things that I was proud to be a part of.  There was one, that I joined as a small operation, and we grew it by orders of magnitude to be the "gorilla in the marketplace".  Sadly, I also got to watch it implode down to be shadow of its former self.

It was that company that taught me that there is a big difference between a manager and a leader.  It taught me that it is not necessarily a compliment when senior management categorizes you as "excellent leader".  It also taught me that you really can't go home again.

My last company and jobs was picked by me for me.  It was a company I admired.  And much to my delight, I got to work with computers and radios.  And they even paid me to do it.  I think I would have done it for free.

 My last company also brought in the newest generation of Computer Scientists.   I stand in awe of their intelligence, knowledge and abilities.  To them I say “Ok, Kids, the torch has been passed.  Run with it”.

Thousand Trails Marina RV Resort

 Name:  ThousandTrails Marina RV Resort (ENCORE)

Location:  3330 Dunes Drive Marina, California
Sewer:  Yes
Water:  Yes
Power:  30A
Cable:  None
WIFI:  Yes - very good.
Cellular:  Excellent
Comments:  Best location for the Monterey Bay Area

This is one of Thousand Trails more recent acquisitions and rumor is they paid a pretty penny for it.  That is probably one of the reasons they charge a $20.00/night premium for this park.  This park is open to the general public and is apparently a Good Sam park.

We had actually tried to get into this park before TT bought it, and was told it had a 4-6 month waiting list.   We were quite surprised when it came up available on the TT website and we jumped on it.

When we arrived were diverted into a new section just south of the Resort that apparently had recently opened.  This section is out in the open visible from both Dunes drive and the nearby CA-1.  When we first saw this section of the RV park sometime ago we thought it was part of the Best Western Hotel that is right next door.

The sites in the new section are flat and paved with paving stones and include picnic tables  It is comparable to sites at high end RV resort though just a tad on the small side

The one drawback is that it is out in open, very visible from the roads and the dignificant noise from the nearby CA-1.

There are two beaches within easy walking distance of the park - One is at the continuation of the road that you turned right on the get to the park.  There were numerous hang gliders there as well as com public rest room facilities.  

At the top of the road was a path to a different beach - a bit more primitive but still quite nice.  For those that have history in the area I believe (not certain) this was the site of the old Stillwell Enlisted Club for Fort Ord.    

The RV park is about 15 minutes north of Monterey with all of its attractions such Monterey Bay Aquarium and some of the most spectacular coast line in California.

It is also about 10 minutes south of Moss Landing (look for the stacks of the big generating plant).  Moss Landing is home to the incomparable Phils Fish Market and Seafood house.  A number of whale watching boats are also based in Monterey.   A very interesting tour of Elkhorn Slough is also available

The city of Salinas is a slightly longer drive but well within striking distance.

There are grocery stores just on the other side of the freeway.

Because of Covid, we had minimal interaction with the TT staff and the in park facilities were closed, but they were quite friendly in the interactions we did have.

This is probably the best RV park in the Monterey Bay area, but alternatives include the Laguna Seca speedway, the Monterey County Fairgrounds and I understand there are RV parks in Carmel valley - though we have never stay in one of those.

 Name:  ThousandTrails Ponderosa

Location:  7291 State Highway 40, Lotus, CA  95651
Sewer:  Some
Water:  Yes
Power:  30A/50A
Cable:  None
WIFI:  Not yet (Maybe soon?)
Cellular: Overloaded

Comments:  Beautiful river side RV park in the California Gold Country.

Date:  Winter 2020

This park is a short distance from the location of the original Sutter's Mill gold strike that set off the 1849 California Gold Rush.  It is located between  Highway 50 and Interstate 80 along CA-49 (Coloma Road).

A word of advice:  CA-49, in general, is not RV friendly.  This was the old wagon trail used to supply the gold miners and small gold rush towns until it was paved by the state.  It is known for being quite twisty turny.  When going to this RV park it is strongly recommended you approach from Highway 50 in the south.  This is an easy driving mountain route to RV park.  The approach from the north can be done, but in our 37 foot motorhome with toad there were some white-knuckle moments when coming down from Interstate-80.

Once in the park there are sites above the American River - some of which have sewer and sites along the river.  The sewer sites, like a lot of TTs are hard to get.  But the prettiest sites are along the river without sewer and TT charges an extra $5.00/day for those.  Sites set back from the river, but still very close to the river don't have a surcharge.

Most sites have water and power (30amp with some 50amp), though there are some "rustic" sites that appear to have neither.

We found that staff here to be very friendly and helpful.  Unfortunately Covid kept us for interacting with them very much or enjoying the pool or clubhouse.

We did a lot of dog-walking along the river.

The nearby Sutter's Mill  is a state historical park with reproductions of the mill and some restored pioneer village.  We were told that the docents there put on demonstrations of pioneer skill and crafts.  Unfortunately due to Covid, all the exhibits were closed.  It looked like it would a be fun place to take the kids

To the south along an easy section of CA-49 is the rustic town of Placerville (aka Hangtown), the center of the CA goldrush.  This town is worth the trip for the shops and rustic buildings.  In addition there is a "farm trail" you can drive that has wineries and local produce.

We have quite enjoyed both our stays here and plan to return.  

ThousandTrails: Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort.

Name:  ThousandTrails Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort (ENCORE)
Location:  Scotts Valley, California
Sewer:  Yes
Water:  Yes
Power:  30A
Cable:  None
WIFI:  Yes - slow.
Cellular:  Good
Comments:  The location is what makes this campground

This is an ENCORE park in Scotts Valley, California nestled in near the old Seagate Corporate HQ.   As an ENCORE park it has limited availability to Thousand Trails members with certain enhancements.  In this case, they reserve 10 spots for Thousand Trails.   There is a small section reserved for tent campers.

Scotts Valley is a small town once famous for being the home of Seagate Technologies and Borland Software.   Both these businesses are now gone - Seagate to nearby Cupertino and Borland to that great computer store in sky.  But the bones of those once great companies remain.  The RV park is nestled in near the old Seagate Headquarters at 917 Disc Drive.  Hmmm.

 Scotts Valley today seems to be a bedroom community for Silicon Valley workers willing to brave the rigors of the CA-17 commute.   Grocery stores (Nob Hill and Safeway) and other amenities usually found in suburban locations are near the RV park. 

In the park itself, spots are very narrow and short and paved.  With a 37ft Motorhome we barely fit with impinging of the white line that we were warned both verbally and in writing about.   The toad just barely fit behind.

There were small sections of grass at each with a nice serviceable picnic table.  There is a pool and hot tub available to all residents but due to the covid 19 restrictions, we did not avail ourselves.  The park has a large laundry room and the prices are very reasonable.  The park is well maintained.

Most of the residents of this RV resort are permanent.  It is a sad commentary on the price of housing in the area that these permanent residents, in 2020, are paying $550.00 per week.

The close proximity of CA-17 makes for constant noise though we did not find it oppressive.  We found the staff to be excellent and very accommodating.

What makes this RV resort notable is it proximity to Santa Cruz and the Monterey bay area.  It is at most 10 minutes away from the beach resort town of Santa Cruz and the world famous beach boardwalk.  Most of the attractions of the Santa Cruz were close due to the covid-19 outbreak.'

Thousand Trails: Lake of the Springs

Name:  ThousandTrails Lake of the Springs
Location:  Oregon House, California
Sewer:  not likely
Water:  Yes
Power:  50A in some sites
Cable:  None
WIFI:  At the lodge - slow.
Cellular:  Non existent
Comments:  A true RV resort very appropriate for families with children.

In Oregon House California between Yuba City and Grass Valley is Los Verjeles Dam.  Built in 1918,  this worthwhile structure on Dry Creek is the dam for Lake Mildred or as Thousand Trails likes to call it, Lake of the Springs.

With 556 individual spots, Lake of the Springs is a very large RV, cabin and tent resort that is also open to the general public.  The lake is of course the main draw, as is a very fine lodge.

Once you enter the resort from the Ranger Station, you drive up the mountain ridge past the I and G sections.  These sections are somewhat desert like and probably the least desirable sections in the resort - however they do have a number of sites that are occupied by annual campers.  Probably due to cell phone coverage.

At the peak of the hills you will notice a "cell phone" parking area.  In the cell phone parking area you can - if you have the right carrier (AT&T?) - get a marginal cell,     There is no cell phone coverage in the rest of the resort.  The lodge, further down the hill has marginal WiFi.

If you are in Motorhome with a toad, the recommendation is that you drive all the way down to the resort grocery / ice cream store, disconnect the toad in the large parking lot and then go site scouting.

It appears that most sites have 50Amp power and water and there is a smattering of sewer sites scattered about, mostly near the rest rooms.  The exception is "X" section which was reportedly built for PG&E crew which is all sewer sites and as result usually full.   Thousand Trails seems to be slowly converting the sewer sites to Cabins.

There are plenty of facilities for activities for individuals and groups including a large group BBQ areas and a rarity among Thousand Trails Resorts, a baseball diamond.   They had a very fine children's playground.   Boats can be rented for roaming around on Lake Mildred.

 We were there during the Covid-19 outbreak and lot of the facilities, including a very fine looking pool area and the lodge restaurant were closed.

We were there for Fourth of July weekend - we needed to get the dog out of the madness of the Sacramento fireworks.  The lower sites near the lake were full, but the upper sites near the ridge had plenty of openings.

The staff was pleasant and helpful.

Because of the cellular service and lack of wifi, I would not recommend this campground for anyone work camping - there is an Indian Casino in Oroville that is probably re appropriate.  But if you are looking for a getaway Thousands Trails, this is one.

N

Thousand Trails Yosemite Lake

Another weekend jaunt this time to the Famous Yosemite National Park.

Name:  ThousandTrails Yosemite Lake
Location:  Groveland, California
Sewer:  Yes
Water:  Yes
Power:  30A with 50A in some sites
Cable:  None
WIFI:  Available for fee
Cellular:  Non existent
Comments:  A lot of folks consider Yosemite Lakes the Crown Jewel of the ThousandTrails.  Yup.  I wish all Thousand Trails were as well maintained and managed as this wonderous place.   Spacious sites, very green.   About 8 miles from the Yosemite gate.  The lodge is not be missed.