Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Snowbird RV Adventure Part 1: Morro Bay to El Chorro Regional Park


Part 1: Days 32 - 34



Site #7 in the Chumash Loop with full hookups.
December 5: Today's move was our shortest yet. The drive from Morro Bay State Park to El Chorro Regional Park near San Luis Obispo was only 8 miles.

We had reservations for three nights so we could get together with a friend. Kurt has come to Powell Lake in his Husky floatplane several times and stayed in our friend's cabin. Now we are coming to visit Kurt and his wife Leslie at their home in San Luis Obispo.

Kurt picked us up and we went back to Morro Bay to see the new to him sailboat he bought.

Kurt's new to him sailboat that he is restoring.

It needs a lot of refurbishment inside and out, but he's the guy who can do it. He's already rebuilt the diesel engine and is teaching himself to sail.


The entrance to the Botanical Garden.
December 6: El Chorro Regional Park has an interesting history. Farm and grazing land was used in the 1940s to create U.S. Army Camp San Luis Obispo.

In 1972, land was given to the County for a park which now includes Dairy Creek Golf Course (with discounts for campers), El Chorro Campground with dry and full hookup sites, extensive day use areas and the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.


As an avid gardener up at the cabin, I couldn't help but laugh.
During one of the sunny periods, Wayne and I walked through the many plant exhibits in the Botanical Garden.

Much of the work is done by volunteers and we were happy to give a donation on the way out.

That night the rain returned with a few really heavy downpours. The next morning we woke up to a muddy bog right outside our door.



The Cal Poly Mustangs with Kyle #33 playing basketball.
December 7: We were also here to meet Kurt and Leslie's son Kyle and watch him play basketball at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Kyle is a forward on the Division 1 Mustangs team. He's following in his dad's footsteps.

Kurt played basketball during his college career and is now a professor in the College of Engineering.

After two days and nights of rain, our campsite became quite a quagmire.

California has been getting some much needed rain.

But as a Californian by birth, I can't complain. She needs all the moisture she can get. It was a lot of fun to include a visit with Kurt and Leslie in our trip. And we put Uber to good use getting around on our own. Without a car, ride sharing and taxi service has made our trip much more enjoyable. -- Wayne and Margy

Trip Mileage Log
Leg - 8 miles
Total - 1347 miles



Our rechargeable Midland GXT1000s.
As you know, Wayne and I are new to RVing. While we've driven a pickup with a shell on the back for quite a few years, we've never mastered backing up, especially with a trailer in tow.

When we purchased an RV, we kept that in mind. Our choice was a 25' Class C that would be easier to handle on the road and in parking lots. To help us even more, we use a set of Midland GXT1000 two-way radios, better known as walkie-talkies.

Using walkie-talkies is a huge improvement.
In the beginning, I would run around the RV and call out directions, or stand in front giving hand signals.

After crunching the plastic awning cap we knew there must be a better way. We have a set of walkie-talkies from quad riding, so brought them along. Now I can give precise directions without announcing our attentions to the whole campground. Using two-way radios has made our operations much safer in tight situations.

10 comments :

  1. Very smart. Backing up big vehicles seems to be most RVers greatest issue along with repairs

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    1. It's hard to imagine how some of the really large Class A bus style RVs towing a car can safely maneuver, but you see them everywhere. - Margy

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  2. Another interesting part of your trip that you shared! That's a clever solution to your communication problem!
    I have been telling people for years that was the difference between weeds and flowers and now there's a sign! Love it <3

    Thanks for taking the time to link up at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

    My Corner of the World

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    1. I'm going to send it to my Garden Club for the Facebook Page. - Margy

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  3. I think the radios are a great idea - it would certainly save me dancing around waving my arms and yelling instructions when my hubbie backs our caravan. I never know if he can see me or not, and I seem to dash from side to side at the back trying to check everywhere. Happy touring!

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    1. That was me, dancing around trying to stay in his side mirror. Even then I didn't prevent hitting our awning cap on a tall pole in our storage spot. - Margy

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  4. Yes, a great idea. I simply cannot imagine doing this! I have trouble with the lawn tractor and trailer! Fun trip. How many days were you away?

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    1. I'm a little backlogged in writing posts, so we are currently on our last night out which will be day 40. We will stay in a hotel for two nights at USC for basketball games and will fly back to Bellingham on day 43. That will end part one of our Snowbird RV Adventure. - Margy

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  5. That camp site in San Luis Obispo looks delightful. Imagine it when everything is green. Years ago we bought walkie talkies at Target but could never figure how to use them. At least that was our excuse. lol.

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    1. I have to be honest, Wayne set them up. We use channel 1 and all we have to do is turn them on and push to talk. Listening is automatic. - Margy

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy