Over the last month, I have been on 3 different camping trip. Though each one digressed in accommodations, they were equally fun and comfortable in their own way.
In mid-April, I joined Fay for a much needed girls outing to Millersylviania State Park just south of Olympia. We took her T@b trailer that she fondly refers to as “Big 4”. Way more room than if we had taken “Tiny.
We spent 4 days sleeping in, visiting nonstop, and hiking around Capital State Forest. It was the lap of luxury for me. And a nice change from sleeping in a tent.
A week later, Jim and I boarded a plane to Las Vegas with our car camping gear in an attempt to explore the concept of car camping in a U-Haul van. The van would also act as a rental car for our week at Red Rocks, hiking and rock climbing.
After our emergency camping experience last fall, we were equipped with hooks, collapsible bins, and lots of reusable grocery sacks. All items we had noted that would aid in the organizing of this barebones van. It worked amazingly well.
With the heat, we added a blue trap for shade weighted down by Jim’s hiking boots. (We obviously need to make a few more tweaks to our system.) Added a sun shower for nightly cleanup. And “Presto”, we had a functional camp. The pride of any dirtbag climber.
Jim adding weight to hold down our shade tarp in the wind 
Mostly worked
This was our first time rock climbing in Red Rocks. We found lots to do and had a great time exploring the areas with routes we could climb.
Jim climbing the crack 
Jim checking out the route
Our other goal for the trip was to summit White Rock Peak in the center of Red Rocks scenic drive. Last fall, we attempted the peak but turned around due to a lack of time.
This year we allowed a full day and we needed most of it. The peak was much more convoluted than we thought, making it a great adventure. Super fun day with great views.
(If you want to read more about the climb of White Rock Peak, here is Jim’s full trip report.)
I was only home for 3 days when I boarded a plane to Redmond, Oregon, to hook up with Jim Aga for a week of car camping in Idaho. Where in Idaho? We didn’t know. Not a lot of trip planning went into this adventure. We just made it up as we went along.
Though our trip planning was weak, Jim Aga had spent the last month converting his 2001 RAV4 into a camper. His RAV4 is one of the early models. A small, compact SUV. If he took out the back seats and moved the front seats all the way up, there was enough room for two people under 5’11” to sleep.
Jim Aga built a platform for us to sleep on. Complete with hinges so we could move the seats around and access gear stored under the bed.
Jim A added 3” of memory foam to the platform. Using a car camping mattress for a topper, we had amazingly comfortable sleeping conditions. With all our gear added in, we had organized chaos.
Jim Aga picked me up at the airport and we immediately headed east towards Idaho. The drive across eastern Oregon might be the most boring section of the Pacific Northwest. We camped just outside of Idaho. Thankful to be in the RAV4 instead of sleeping in a tent in the rain.
The rain drove us further east than we had originally intended. The next day, we ended up in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Lots of snow on the ground and it snowed all through dinner but at least it wasn’t raining.
This is probably a good time to note that I forgot my down jacket and warm pants. I had tights and a sweatshirt with me which I wore nonstop for 5 days. 24 hours a day. Thankfully, I remembered my rain gear which at least protected me from the bitterly cold winds.
The best thing about being in Yellowstone in the early spring is the baby bison. They were so cute. Mostly they laid quietly in the grass amongst the herd. Then all of the sudden one would jump up and run around at full speed then collapse in the grass for another nap. Priceless.
The bad thing about being there in early spring is it is migration time. The bison herds are moving up to the higher meadows. Many of their migration patterns require them to go over passes with steep cliffs.
Over the years, the bison have determined that the easiest route is the road. We were delayed over an hour. Moving less than 2 mph. While a herd of bison used the road to migrate over the pass in front of us. Very frustrating but cool, all at the same time.
After a day in Yellowstone, we headed back into Idaho. With an improving forecast, we hoped for a few days of sunshine. As the sunset that night, we got color on the trees for the first time on the trip. The weather had indeed changed to sunshine.
The next couple of days, we drove the RAV4 up several interesting dirt roads. Most ended with us coming to snow so deep that we didn’t dare risk getting stuck. We did end up with a couple of beautiful campsite next to babbling brooks.
Most areas of the Pacific Northwest have an abundance of snow this year. Idaho is no different. Typically all the forest service roads are open as of May 1st. This year they are not opening until May 20th.
This changed some of our plans for getting high views of the Sawtooths. But nonetheless, we were gifted with a sunny day and got a taste of this amazing range. I will definitely be coming back with my husband for some backpacking.
On our last night, we were able to comfortably sit out next to the creek for a long dinner and conversation. It was actually warm enough for me to take off my sweatshirt. I had hopes of sleeping without it but that dream ended as soon as the sun went down.
Most people would think that sleeping in the back of a U-Haul or RAV4 would be uncomfortable but it was better than sleeping in a tent. I actually feel well rested and ready for our next adventure. I have to admit, I am glad our next outing involves staying in a hotel. If for no other reason than the prospects of a daily shower.
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