June 8, 2026
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, Chula Vista, CA (April 15th - 25th)
Very nice county park 12 miles outside of downtown San Diego. Didn't see our neighbors as sites were spread out and very peaceful. The only downside of this park was the attack of the ants in our RV. They got into everything, but ant spray solved the issue after a few days.
We love our time in San Diego. As always, the weather was perfect. Jim really enjoyed the runs at the San Diego harbor passing the cruise ships, Navy aircraft carriers and Coast Guard helicopters flying overhead. We spent a day going through open houses downtown. Some of the condos were amazing with so many amenities. Definitely on our short list of places to potentially live once our RV days are over.
We had a nice lunch with Jim's sister Maureen one day, and an equally nice breakfast on the beach with his brother Mike and his wife Joy on another day. Jim also got together with his buddy Paulo for breakfast and catch up.
We spent a whole day in Balboa park one day (Gracie loved the dog park), and then a separate day at the San Diego Zoo enjoying all the animal kingdom. Lots of walking.
Dockweiler RV Park, Marina Del Rey, CA (April 24 - 30)
Incredible!!!! What a view and location. Right on the beach, backed up to the sand and 10 feet away was a bike, walking, and running path. Check out the view from our RV. Sunsets were amazing. If we ever stay in LA again, this is our place. Only downside is it directly in LAX flight path, but no a big bother for us.
We had Jim's niece Nicole over for an afternoon of sun, talking and lunch. Great seeing her. Jim went to dinner with his cousin Todd one evening and shared quite a few laughs. Finally he got together with his good buddy Shelby and they spent the afternoon at the campground reminiscing and laughing (sorry we didn't get to see our friend, Richard).
We spent many a days on the boardwalk path either riding bikes or running. Rode our bikes to Venice beach one afternoon for good people watching and stopped off at Trader Joe's on the way home with a load of groceries. Finally we took a drive and spent a few hours on the boardwalk of the Santa Monica Pier. Good times all around and the weather was perfect.
View from inside the RV
Pacific Dunes RV Ranch, Pismo Beach, CA (April 30 - May 5)
We've stayed at this campground many times in the giant dunes of Pismo. Very close to San Luis Obispo area (where Jim went to school for undergrad). Our son Declan met us down for a long weekend as he too went to the same university. We had a decent meal at a Thai restaurant after the downtown Farmers Market.
The following day, the three of us met two of Jim's good buddies from college coincidentally in town (Rob and Martin) for a tasty Mexican dinner. Later that night, a third college buddy (Bret) for a night of drinks and fun.
The following night Jim, Dana and Declan went to the Cal Poly vs. Stanford men's soccer game. Very fun to watch live. Cal Poly had a 1-0 lead up until 15 seconds before the end of the game when Stanford scored leading to the ending tie game. Our older son Shamus celebrated his 30th birthday making Dana and Jim feel old :).
Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park, Santa Cruz, CA (May 5- 11)
What a cool place to stay. Obviously right in the harbor where all the personal boats are stored. Very small RV site with only about 15 sites, but hundreds of boats. Convenient to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk within walking/running distance. We got together with Jim's HS buddy Pete and his wife Chris at a nice Italian restaurant. Jim also got together with Pete at his house sitting on the front porch talking and laughing, a really great visit.
Morgan Hills Thousand Trails, Morgan Hill, CA (May 8 - 11)
We've stayed here many times in the past. Decent place, but our 5G home internet and cell phones don't work here which is a bummer. Jim got together with his friend/former colleague Vincent for breakfast one morning to catch up and share some laughs. A good long run for Jim at Coyote Creek Parkway Sunday morning. Dana was walking with Gracie when they came upon a momma and 3 baby Javelina's and their Mama on the parkway. Dana went on her first two jog/runs since recovering from her broken ankle.
Lake Minden Thousand Trails, Nicholas, CA (May 11 - 13)
One of our normal campgrounds when we are back in our old home town area. Spent time and a few meals out with our son Declan. Visited with Jim's mom multiple times and Dana even painted with her for a few hours. Dana got to visit old colleagues at Skycrest Elementary School, all the folks she used to teach water aerobics to at the Gold River Sports Club, and a few close friends for lunches. Jim got together with long time tennis buddies at his friend Ray's backyard playing on the clay court (missing our friend Sam).
Ponderosa RV Park, Lotus, CA (May 13 - 25)
We had not been to this RV park in many years as it experienced serious flooding 4 years ago. Still a favorite of ours in the area since it is right on the American River and is very peaceful. Got together at the campground with our friends Ned and Linda from the tennis club and had a good picnic lunch. Another day we had our exchange student Matthew from Australia and his husband Dan over for lunch also. It's been 23 years since we've seen him and it was good catching up. They have immigrated to the US and live right in Gold River, CA. Unfortunately, Jim only got one run in with his old running buddy Deanna at the river - hope for a few more runs next time. Got one run in with former X-Country teammates from the Running Rebels.
Pomo RV Park, Fort Bragg, CA (May 25 - 27)
Stayed here 19 years ago in our old camper with our sons when Shamus was playing a weekend soccer tournament here. Very private site with no visible neighbors and really peaceful. The drive to Fort Brag on Highway 20 was a nightmare with twists and turns (never again). Went to Mendocino the next day for walking around town and a hike along the coast.
Emerald Forest RV Park, Trinidad, CA (May 27 - 30)
Amazing camping right in a redwood forest. Campsites were a bit close together, but amazing place to spend time. We got in another national Park when we spent the day in the Redwood National Park up the road. A very long hike and saw those majestic trees up close and personal The size of them is impressive. Temp were a bit chilly at 50-60 degree days. Paid highest price ever for diesel fuel at $7.45 per gallon. Drove to Eureka a few days in a row to workout at Planet Fitness and explore.
Port Orford RV Park, Port Orford, OR (May 30 - June 1)
Gas went down to $5.99 a gallon crossing into Oregon (a welcome relief at over $70 less per fill up). This was a small, quiet campground. It was really windy for the two days and the RV would shake at times (almost as bad as when our clothes washer is running). After a long trail run along the coast, Jim brought Dana and Gracie back for further exploration. We had to get new tires on the RV here and took the opportunity to get the wheel bearings resealed and packed too. All set for our journey north of the border.
South Jetty Thousand Trails, Florence, OR (June 1 - 4)
Beautiful campsite in the trees. Huge campground with a lot of amenities. Took advantage of the hot tub after a tough 15 mile run that we had to do on a HS track since there was nowhere else to run - no bueno. We explored the cute old town of Florence with lots of art galleries and cute shops.
Pacific City RV, Cloverdale, OR ( June 4-8)
Another beautiful campground in the Oregon Coast in the forest. Massive campground, unfortunately the interior roads were horrible and getting to our campsite was a challenge. Once there, it was gorgeous. So deep in the woods that we had no internet or phone service. We had to go the the lodge for WiFi and the view of the Pacific Ocean from the lodge was stunning.
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