Does it get better than September? A Campground Smorgasbord near Truckee

This week we continue to explore the Tahoe National Forest and find ample free and paid options for Camping.
Henness Pass Route: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...
Free ebook pitsenberger.com/blog/tag/Hen...
Podcast: Frontier Tragedy: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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Moonshade (affiliate link}: moonfab.com?sca_ref=2840305.8fOH1OGxFf
Some elements are from a subscription to Envato Elements.
Music in this video is from a subscription with Epidemic Sound:
A Golden Sun - Heath Cantu
Lens Flare 1 - Peter Sandberg
Tricks and Treats - Raymond Grouse
March of the Elves - Enigmatic
Heat - Christophe Gorman
Pave the Way - Raymond Grouse
Kill Drill - Robert Ruth
Love on a Sticky Note - Brightarm Orchestra
Our Last Hope - Dragon Tamer
Autumn Comes Too Soon - Jayden Talley

[@rohinitambe8997]

Thank you for the journey through scenic routes - lovely nature.

[@rosatraveller3874]

Danke fürs mitnehmen🤠

[@janadurst2882]

I love how much you LOVE California ❤

[@MargaretBojo]

Another lovely video, thanks. Sorry to see John took a tumble. We live so close to Donner State Park, I can't believe we haven't camped there, or visited their museum. Thanks for adding another place for us to explore!

[@forkintherode8236]

You two are tough on those trails, and I like your choice of ice cream.

[@roseboudreaux4645]

If you ever pass through Placerville, Ca., you have to stop at Placerville Hardware. It’s magnificent!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks for the tip. I love hardware stores!

[@peppylady6426]

I just learn about transcript. I don't recall reading about the Donner in high school. We read "Alive" the plane wreak in Andes mountain. And discussing book, the Donner party was brought up.

[@garygus5966]

Beautiful video! You always do such a great job putting your videos together. As usual, you do such fun things and see interesting things. See you next week on KZbin!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Ahhh, such a sweet awesome video. Thank you so much.

[@dakat1726]

You capture such beauty and inspire us to come along.

[@angpb6176]

September is the best! Wow, loved this video and hope to visit the area. Thanks for the podcast link.

[@NelloCambelli]

Really like John’s Race Shirt. Mercedes Key FOBs are notorious especially during the 1990 infrared which cost $500 per copy when on the fritz. What to John & Debbie’s matching buck saws to clear the bike trails. Good exercise.

[@FromShetoMe]

I have a battery operated chain saw at home and love it. Always starts, quiet, amazing how well it works. But even if we had room in our van, our son says it's only allowed in a wood cutting area and with a permit.

[@NelloCambelli]

Donner Party story was a 4th Grade Book when California Public Schools were top 3 in USA. A high school classmate was #2 ar ACE and responsible water discharge for irrigation & ranching. Another classmate had a rafting company on Cache Creek outof Beeryessa & Clear Lake - they were the bickersons when the Ag Water Stopped.

[@camperab]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@timsmith7625]

Ice Cream!!! 🍦🍦😂 The docks are nice and my nephew loves to ride hard and then jump into the lake to cool off….Ace Hardware if famous and even has ads in Reno airport! We spend a bit of time in there too!…Donner Party of “One”!! Nice campgrounds too, Coachland is pricey and stayed there when I had the big truck motorhome you toured.

[@slf994]

Wow, another great video you Always find the nicest spots I must go. Thanks

[@san-ramon-flash8077]

I really enjoyed this episode. I live in the Eastbay in No Cal and I can’t believe I haven’t been to Donner Lake for camping. It is such beautiful place and full of history. Thank you for sharing and will put it on my list. We camped at Nevada Beach (Stateline in South Lake Tahoe) in September and it was very busy so I’m surprised how empty the campsites were for you !

[@FromShetoMe]

It's always packed there but we got a last minute spot.

[@lizchilders4154]

Always a quality video. Scenery, history, campground info, music. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks for coming back!

[@lauriesnyder8603]

Hey Debbie and John We watch your videos every week and so enjoy all your adventures and great ideas for future trips. We try to spend as much time in the Sierra mountains and South Lake Tahoe to visit family up there. Hopefully someday we’ll be fortunate to run into you guys along the road 👍 take care. Laurie and Denise from HB.

[@FromShetoMe]

We could meet up at BC too.

[@lisarobison3395]

Beautiful scenery per usual. Your choice of music to accompany all the beauty just adds to it. Thank you for sharing!☺

[@dporper6390]

The 2nd bike ride looked awesome! We just watched your video with 1 bar of internet in Yosemite Valley😊

[@FromShetoMe]

So glad you made it to Yosemite. Hope you're able to stay warm with the cold front that is coming.

[@RamblinRalph]

Another great video! +1 for boondocking. I've used the RV park you did to dump tanks many times when in that area. Safe travels!

[@FromShetoMe]

The gas station across from the state park used to have a dump but no longer.

[@mikemanjo2458]

Thanks for bringing us along. You and John continually amaze me! This was an interesting park.❤🙏Jane in SC

[@VELOPERS]

Bucket list !!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

We have not explored this area - looks amazing! The Donner Museum / Visitor Center looks fascinating. Starting to get some beautiful fall colors in Eastern NC right now 🍁🍂

[@mikefarrell5996]

Excellent video. Love the biking and beautiful campsites. Will have to explore this area one day. 760CFS WOW. Was looking at the CFS for the Narrows in Zion, so gasped when I saw 760CFS. Cool spot.

[@FromShetoMe]

Took me awhile before I could find the data on their website. Had to use a technique I had learned watching a genealogy researcher. And apparently, FERC wants them to increase the size of the outlet for environmental reasons.

[@abbysomebody9792]

Great video! Donner is one of my favorite spots to spend the day. We have also camped several times a little further up from Jackson Reservoir at Milton Reservoir. If you want to try kayaking, Independence Lake used to have free first come first serve ones.

[@FromShetoMe]

I'm hoping that there will be room in our new van for a folding kayak.

[@priebecl]

The other day a photographer posted a headstone of Georgia Anna Donner (Babcock). This is in St John WA so not far from Spokane.

[@jann4732]

Love, love, love this one (well, late October in Ohio so missing the smells of the northwest :)). Btw, did a John raise the seat on his bike? Looks like he may have. I remember some advice from a few months ago.

[@FromShetoMe]

No, but he’s gotten better at using the dropper post.

[@lindahobbs2136]

Wonderful video. Thanks for the tip re the RV fob. Like you were, I'm a little reluctant to try dispersed camping. Could you do a video on the subject and share your insights, suggestions, tips, etc. for us who'd like to try.....?

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks. I'll try to work it into a future video.

[@clarkleakins879]

Awesome episode! Jackson Meadow area is xss excellent place to 4x4 and dual sport adventure every day to new place. You didn't go to Webber Lake, or Independence Lake? Maybe another time. If you don't know, read about Moses Shalenberger, who survived alone separated from the Donner party.

[@FromShetoMe]

We didn't have time to explore more. But we'll be back.

[@eastwestRD]

Beautiful video. I'm from northern CA originally and never visited Donner Lake area. Now, we will have to and in September. Is the van the one Humble Road built for you? I haven't watched in a while...

[@FromShetoMe]

We will have our old van until next summer. It's a long process.

[@rookie962]

Your BLM recommendation is spot on. Do you think that many or most state campgrounds are old school….as in walk-in tent camping? Like most folks, we have a vehicle with attached tent. BLM always fits our setup perfectly. Oh, John’s ice cream choice is also spot on.

[@FromShetoMe]

I think it just depends on the age of the facility. Older ones have smaller parking pads and few drive through sites. But generally we find state campgrounds to have more amenities.

[@user-ef3iz4je4l]

My husband and I love your videos! What kind of electric bikes do you have?

[@FromShetoMe]

Specialized Levo SL.

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Looks like Foresty Forest needs to come down with his chainsaw and work on that trail. So, was this the middle/last part of Sept. you did this? Do you recall the date that camp host left the campground? I'm wanting to do northern Ca. next year.I'd like to break up areas to travel by season. I watched td adventures say good-bye to their old Ontour today, I think they are really going to enjoy the upgraded 2024. Thanks for sharing today, really liked seeing these areas through your drives and rides.

[@FromShetoMe]

The host left Sunday, September 9 which seemed early. But at least they didn't close the campground.

[@JustMe-vi8nx]

Nice video. When will you be getting your new van? I'm anxious to see how you pack it and what kind of curtains, supplies, etc that you add.

[@FromShetoMe]

We don't expect it until next summer but I just got some pictures from George and it's looking good.

[@vancandew7375]

That’s crazy that you had to wait that long. Time you get it, it will be considered used? 😂

[@JustMe-vi8nx]

@@FromShetoMe Seems like 'we' have been waiting forever for you to get it. LOL

[@FromShetoMe]

@@vancandew7375 Most of the wait was on getting the chassis.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@JustMe-vi8nx I totally get it. We feel the same about Gone with the Wynn's and their wait for the new sailboat. 😅

[@MrWinger1951]

I stopped using established campgrounds whenever possible many years ago. It's difficult however to find dispersed campgrounds here in the East, but is possible by following NFS roads, and using an app like iOverlander.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, it is much harder east of the Mississippi. And the out of state fees can be exorbitant.

[@MrWinger1951]

@@FromShetoMe Yes, thats a good point about fees, and how they have skyrocketed the last few years! I just spent a week on the Georgia Traverse, camping the whole way, and only spent $6 on a campsite. The rest of the camping were dispersed sites (free) on National Forest land.

[@ruthtorphy2204]

Omg! I just had first hand experience with my car. I did however get a warning light to say my battery was low. Got home hubs said use the key . I said what key?.. now I’m wondering if the said key would have actually worked. I’m hopeless with this new technology. 😂

[@FromShetoMe]

I was so surprised to discover that the key wouldn't start the car if the alarm had been triggered.

[@jeffreythompson9843]

Wonderful fall video, great editing. Deb you haven’t mentioned your Montek charging system to much. Do you like it and what model is it. We have the two Lectric 3.0 and a portable power system would be great to charge the bikes. Is there always adequate power to charge both batteries? We spent 2 weeks grandkid sitting in Texas at 110 then when we got back to Bend the smoke did us in your September trip looks great for next year. Jeff and Liz

[@FromShetoMe]

It's a good battery but it's too big. Doesn't fit any of our spaces. Might work for a larger rig like yours but it's not for a van. We recently purchased the new Anker Solix which is a better size. We don't have the solar panel for it yet. May or may not get it but the size of the battery is perfect. Will have to recharge it while we drive.

[@jeffreythompson9843]

Did you get the 1000 anker solix model and will it charge both bike batteries and does the charging drain the solix.? Definitely something we will be looking into for the future. Jeff and Liz

[@FromShetoMe]

@@jeffreythompson9843 Yes, we did get that one but we didn’t have it on that trip. It is a little smaller than the one we already had but I’m sure it would charge our batteries which may be smaller than yours.

[@Beeceebeach]

Aren’t we so lucky that our beautiful state never seems to run out of new places to experience? Is it tempting to move North?

[@FromShetoMe]

Explore north, yes. Move north, no. We have a great support network here, and the weather can't be beat. But it will be great to have a van that will allow us to extend into the outer limits of the shoulder seasons.

[@SunVegan]

Our key fob seems to have died. Our van is a mercedes sprinter 2011. Mercedes will only let us get a new fob if the van is towed into the service center with no key available. We live in the van full time for the last 4 years. I am unable to enter thru the front doors, slider door only for me. If my husband isn't in the van with me, ( walk, or ? ) i can't even leave the van because I can't lock it and also get out as the slider door only locks or unlock with the fob. 😢

[@FromShetoMe]

That's terrible. Have you tried changing the batteries?

[@billwilliams5889]

What was the source of the huge water shoot and why was it there ?

[@FromShetoMe]

It is an outlet for the reservoir. They are required to release water for the environment. It flows down to a second reservoir where there is hydrogenation. It's quite a complex system of reservoirs in the system.

[@dianenaylor4770]

Debbie, I look forward to “traveling” with you each week! Great job; your music choices are perfect. Quick question-I love the “fish scale” pattern neck gaiter you’ve wore in the past few videos. Can you share your source? Thx!

[@FromShetoMe]

@@dianenaylor4770 Here you go (and it's even on sale): bit.ly/3u03hHh