Wayne and Margy's New RV Trip Log 4

Trip Log Part 4

Richardson Park Campground

Women's softball at Jane Sanders Stadium at U of O.

The beauty of traveling in an RV is you can change your plans. Originally we were going to head back to Bellingham after the Univeristy of Oregon softball game. We've been having so much fun, we decided to stay near Eugene for another game later in the week.

We didn't want to drive back to Armitage Park so we decided to try Richardson Park 16 miles west of Eugene on Fern Ridge Reservoir. We got softball tickets for the popular University of Oregon vs main rival Oregon State University online at Stubhub. We made reservations at Richardson for the three nights between games, then one more night at Armitage Park.

We picked a pull-through site #42 to get lots of sun.

Richardson Park is 15 miles west of Eugene on Fern Ridge Lake, a large reservoir popular with sailboat owners. There's a marina here and nearby at a day-use section near the dam. We had two wonderful days with lots of sun and blue skies.

The marina with lots of sailboats ready to go out.

Camping opens in mid-April for the 88 tent/RV spots with power and water. A sani-dump is available, but it was out of order we were there. April is early in the season, but reservations are still a good idea. If you use the Lane County online reservation system you need to do it two days in advance. Otherwise call the campground at (541) 935-2005.  Rates are $27.50 a night plus a $10 reservation fee for the stay if the online system is used.

Barbecuing steak for dinner.

We relaxed for three days watching boats, reading, barbecuing and enjoying fires. We soaked up lots of sun in camp and down at the lakeshore. If you're looking for a spot a short ways from I-5 and town, this is the place.

Traveling without a Towed "Toad" Vehicle

An RV friendly parking lot.

Our 24' Bayliner doesn't have a dinghy and our 24" Sunseeker RV doesn't have a toad. A small RV has limited towing capability, plus we decided to use our small RV as our regular transportation as well as our living accommodation.

Our vehicle almost fits into a regular parking spot. We are fine on width, especially if we pull in our mirrors. The length hangs over about two feet, making it necessary to use what we call Canadian parking, pull through and face out.

Google satellite view maps help us find the services we need.

It's best to find large supermarket or mall parking lots that give ample room to maneuver. Google maps is great for this. Zoom in using satellite view to check out the facility. Today we are going to combine a grocery store stop for resupply with parking during the game,

For the last leg, we can use either Uber, a taxi or other public transportation. When we were in Tempe, Arizona, we used the light rail that passed right in front of our RV park.

A toad following it's master.

If you have a camper, 5th wheel trailer or travel trailer you can disconnect and go. We do see other small RVs without toads, but virtually all of the big rigs drag them along behind. The choice is yours. -- Margy