California Desert to Coast (2017/18 Snowbird Trip Update)

See my 2017/18 Snowbird Trip Video Playlist - goo.gl/NUHDRt
In this video, we travel from the Mojave desert of southern California north through the great Central Valley and west over the coastal mountains to the Pacific Ocean near Redwood National Park. I show you our route using Google Maps satellite views, still photos, and video clips.
In between the desert and the coast, we stop over at 2 casinos to take advantage of free overnight RV parking. We also visit the private lands of friends near Hollister and Tracy, CA.
It being springtime the scenery is full of bright green hills, leafy trees, and colorful blooms. The weather is mild not too hot and not too cold. My favorite time of year in California
The stop near Tracy was extra special as it was boondocking in the middle of a vast vineyard, next to an airstrip. In the video clip see my beagle run away!
Links related to the video content:
DrainMaster - drainmaster.com/rv
Tachi Palace Casino - www.tachipalace.com/faqs.php
Robinson Rancheria Casino - www.rrrc.com/
Elk Country RV Resort - www.loveyourrv.com/california-...
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[@lisasmith2065]

This was a great length of vidio. We'd love to see them all that long.

[@forthrightnight]

No need to rush home, 3 weeks might just be about right. Weather crappy until May at the earliest according to the Weather Network. Cheers from B.C.

[@arkansastraveler7698]

Last time we where at that campground, the elk watched us set up, then later they wandered across 101 and blocked traffic.

[@BritishColumbiaGhostMines]

Great update on what seems to be a fun filled trip this year. Our pup took off once too, we stayed in a hotel for a night for whatever reason and he bolted as soon as we put him down. Funny how they do that all of a sudden.. Thanks for posting !!!

[@legaleagleandpaws8198]

I really like the way you did that going from place to place with Google maps giving a great over view!

[@HighlanderMikeGolf]

Thanks for sharing....gave me some great ideas for camping and boondocking the next time I head up that way. Thanks again and safe travels.

[@capbubba]

Dog gone it, that’s some great R.V.ing. I mean camping in a Vineyard that’s cool. We are going to Klamath this June just love that area. Thanks for the video Ray👍

[@openroad9789]

Beautiful area! We want to boon dock there! I'll pick and stomp the Italian way!

[@mistycreek6342]

That was great, you deserve those pleasantries.

[@gac914]

That beagle moves pretty good for her age. . .!! :-)

[@eddiearmacost7649]

We really do enjoy your goggle over view that you have perfected!! Gives us some insight into areas that we have not traveled for future reference! Hopefully, we might cross paths at some point in the future. As we have said before, thank you for a great travelogue!!!

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome. :)

[@elainemagliacane]

Angie must have been on the trail of a rabbit or other varmint.. made me smile that the old beagle still has get up and go, our old beagle spends most of her days sleeping. Great video, loved the elk too... very special place there..

[@LoveYourRV]

Lots of smells there for a beagle that's for sure. :)

[@gymsreviews8155]

Your videos are great. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@jameschism2459]

Thanks for sharing, love your videos!

[@howardlunsford3140]

Fantastic video thanks for sharing

[@shoedog8483]

Thanks ray for taking us along on your fantastic trip ! We are living vicariously thru you guys until we can depart ! Thanks again !

[@julieh3327]

Thanks for the memories! We used to live in the Northern CA area you traveled through. Beautiful country. Safe travels!

[@foretravelman67]

Great job Ray! I was stationed at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA. Lodi, Walnut Creek and that area is very nice. Never made it to Eureka, but need to put it on our bucket list for the redwood country! Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidSmith-vo3nd]

Thanks Ray I used to play BINGO there at the casino in Clearlake long ago!

[@DnSAdventures]

Went through that San Luis Reservoir area in 2017 on the way to Yosemite from San Jose...and it was beautiful. Still a little drought stricken at the time, but still beautiful with those rolling hills. Thanks for sharing Ray - Shane

[@frystephenw]

You find the greatest camp spots. Can't wait to see what you do with the valves.

[@G_RAThbun]

Ty Ray

[@TheBuddy1939]

Thanks Ray for your videos. Your travel channel is my favorite. Exciting to watch the Elk and to realize this spot you shared last year is just as special as last years. Travel safe!!!!

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome and thanks. :)

[@bendixon2898]

Goodonyah Ray looking forward to coming over.

[@geraldkoger5681]

Ray; committing about the 3/1 Window Lube. Amazing product, accepted that our front sliding windows were near impossible to move. Applied the product, now the windows slide with 1 finger. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@frystephenw]

Still raining up here by the way. Don't hurry

[@K7AGE]

Ray, nice to meet you parked along the road near Gold Beach. We used to live in Grass Valley Ca, and made the highway 20/101 trip many times. And, we always stop for a Peb House sandwich and cookie. Give a shout on your next pass through the area.

[@wrodney5]

Wow! You were in my neck of the woods. I live about 30 miles north of the Tachi Palace off of the highway 41 just south of Fresno. I haven't been down there for about a year. The gas station wasn't open then.

[@danm2265]

Thanks for giving us good info, that we can use. And thanks for not showing you eating. Lol

[@darrellwampler6473]

My state Missouri recently introduced a new herd of elk to the state. Sadly the elk disappeared from the state years ago. I don't think Angie realizes how go she has it! Lol

[@NelloCambelli]

2018 is the Chinese Year of the Dog. Respect your beagle. Next time you travel over to the coast, take the high north of Stockton which travels through Napa or Sonoma to Guernville and then a beautiful drive just south of Mendocino and the county airport. Little River Inn is noted for their pancakes and fine dining in the evening. Lots of great fun in that neck of Mendocino County.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the tips, maybe we will try that route on the way down next year. I was planning last year but then the big fires hit and I changed my mind. Cheers, Ray

[@jimdavis5432]

Hi there my home base is in Kelseyville on the south side of Clear Lake and Hwy 20. Wish I would have known you were at Robinson Casino. It's only about 15 miles away. I would have bought you dinner. Would have enjoyed meeting you. Maybe next time if I'm at home base.

[@LoveYourRV]

We use it often as an overnight spot. Maybe see you in the fall. Cheers! Ray

[@downundasvideos6402]

Thanks Ray for another informative video The way that you use Google Earth to show us where you have been and are going is really super, it help those of us not so familiar with the areas in which you travel. I was wondering why you are going home when it is still so cold up north. Downunda - Melbourne Australia

[@LoveYourRV]

We are allowed to be in the USA for 182 days per year. We usually make our snowbird trips from early November to early May. By early May it's not too cold on Vancouver Island mildest place in Canada. We also follow the west coast where the weather may get wet but is relatively mild, this time of year April the day temps are in the 50s-60s F and nights in the 40s F

[@chrissafford3949]

Have you heard of harvest hosts? We are looking to go full time and have done some research. It has an annual fee but has free boondocking in places like the vineyard that you stayed at.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, heard of them but haven't tried them. There is also a website called Boondockers Welcome that does sort of the same thing.

[@PhotoAlbert]

Terrific video Ray! I was wondering if you have done a video on the thing you use for trip planning? When we head out west we'd like to go through Nevada, but avoid the interstate highways as much as possible. I don't think out Rand McNally Road Atlas gives enough detailed information about the non-interstate roads through the states. I was just wondering what you use to plan your trips. Thanks!

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks. I usually use Google a lot, checking the terrain with the maps program then do a search with the highway number + RV. It usually brings up forum discussions with folks talking about the route. A handy webpage I found for elevations changes is called Flattest route - www.flattestroute.com/ I also have a list of other useful sites here - www.loveyourrv.com/helpful-web-links-for-rving-from-love-your-rv/ Cheers, Ray

[@marketshare5273]

You know Angie saw rabbit in the vineyard.🐇

[@andrewrivera4029]

Bingo, Our beagle lab mix would try to run out the front door and if he made he would be gone! The only time he ever came back was the night it was 0 degrees out! We would get a call a few hrs later from someone in another neighborhood saying they had Bingo!

[@LoveYourRV]

haha, good old beagles. :)

[@WackerDePlowg]

Ray have you ever done any video from Vancouver Island? Would really like to learn more about camping on the island.

[@LoveYourRV]

Here is my archive of Vancouver Island posts and videos - www.loveyourrv.com/tag/vancouver-island/ Basically, if you're rig is small there are tons of spots but as the rig grows in length and height there is less and less. Van Isl is heavily forested and full of mountains terrain. A lot of the best camping spots are down logging roads. The best resource for backcountry camping is the called the Backroads Map Book - www.backroadmapbooks.com/backroad-mapbooks/bc-backroad-maps/vancouver-island-backcountry-maps We had a campervan for years and it was ideal for Vancouver Island. :)

[@DennisWintjes2]

RVProject had a problem with his door handle replacement, which I believe is the same as yours. The door came open while he was driving down the road.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, there is a flaw in the design I feel. The beeps make it sound like the deadbolt has slid over even if it hasn't. Say it jams for some reason. We always make sure to double check by pulling on the door handle to prove it has locked then pushing shut again. They need to make it so that an error beep occurs if the deadbolt didn't complete it's full travel.

[@jimc.6127]

It looks like you have a 5th wheel. What is the length? Ever going to do a video about your rig? Likes and dislikes? Is height ever a factor? I'm about 2 years out and just purchased a Titan H.D. 5.0 liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, first mission accomplished, but still doing a lot of homework on the rig I want to go with when I go full time. Thanks. Love your posts. Jim C.

[@LoveYourRV]

30 feet. Here is a link to all the post and videos I've done regarding our 2011 Cougar fifth wheel - www.loveyourrv.com/category/rv-product-reviews/keystone-cougar-review/ You'll find one there from last year where I did a thorough review after 6 years of living full time in it. Cheers! Ray

[@klyonsden]

Another question I have meant to ask you is about truck roof air deflectors designed to move air up and over the trailer, and, MAYBE keep a few bugs off the trailer as well.. They have a model that folds down when not attached to a trailer. Any thoughts on this?

[@LoveYourRV]

I've seen them and always wondered myself. From the research I've done, some say they help and others say they aren't worth the hassle. I guess it depends on the shape of the rig and how well it cuts the air. Our fivers nose is pretty pointed all already and handles wind really well so in my mind I don't think it would do much.

[@williammowery8853]

went to dewinterize 5th wheel this morning had a hard time getting getting dump valves to close and seal I had them open all winter dont know if that is good or bad dumped a bunch of dish soap down the drains and got them working again what do you use to keep them working like new

[@LoveYourRV]

I spray silicone lube done the shaft. We are fulltime so use it a lot, they don't get too sticky. I've heard of some people putting olive oil in the tank with the valves closed and it sits against the rubber seals lubing them.

[@williammowery8853]

thanks ray

[@andyphuong4826]

Mr Ray. From 99 and 5 how do you cross to meet 101 head to Eurika? Thanks.

[@LoveYourRV]

Here is a link to my route on Google maps from Williams on I5 to Eureka - goo.gl/maps/8kcAruasfGv

[@Regorybles]

Do you stay at one place when back on the Island?

[@LoveYourRV]

The last few years we have been staying at an RV park in Campbell River called Thunderbird. We book in for most of the summer. Love the area and a nice park right on the ocean - thunderbirdrvpark.com/

[@hankontheroad5960]

Sad, no boondocking videos for 7+/- months. :(

[@LoveYourRV]

:( Still, have a bit of dry camping left. Right now we are in the dry camping area of a beachfront park in Brookings Oregon. I'm thinking about doing some roadside boondocking further up the coast. I know of one pullout spot that has gorgeous views. I'll do a little video if we stop off there. :)

[@hankontheroad5960]

Love Your RV. Sounds good. My consolation is that I get to retire in 7+/- months and hit the road too. We'll wave to you in AZ early next year. :))

[@PDX53]

Great video Ray and I recently traveled South to Mesa along some of the same roads you mentioned. The satellite views really help put things in perspective. If you decide to go up the Oregon Coast you may want to think about heading East at Newport & stopping off at The Evergreen Aviation Museum in my town of McMinnville. They have free RV parking (dry camp) in their back parking lot & it's where The Spruce Goose lives. If you're interested send me an email & I'd love to buy you & your wife a meal at The Diner which is a stones throw away from the museum. (thedinermcminnville.com). I-5 is about 30 miles East but traffic can be a nightmare depending on where you connect to it.

[@LoveYourRV]

Cool. We'll see how our timing works out. We are down in Brookings now and slowly heading north on the 101. Looks like its about 50 miles from Lincoln City.

[@mkoujan]

Hello, Since you are a great FULL-time boondocker . if you want to collaborate with me to design and make the ultimate 5th weel living experience?