Travel
Since I've had a couple of comments on pillows, I'll just say that I wouldn't have even thought of it being the problem until I read that pain in the shoulder blade is almost always caused by an issue with the neck. And I don't normally have a problem in the world with my neck, so I considered it might have been because I didn't take my small pillow. I was using a new sleeping bag that features a built-in pillow - actually a thin piece of foam - which is why I left my camping pillow at home. I think the problem was strain in my back to try to keep from sliding on the uneven terrain.
I feel much better this morning so I will just have to be more careful in the placement of my tent in the future. Oddly enough, there is rarely a completely flat piece of ground on which to pitch a tent, and I've never had this kind of problem before. Hopefully I won't have it again.
In looking over my photos it strikes me that this is the perfect amount and form of water to make me happy. I appreciate the beauty of an ocean or lake, but a creek, stream or river is my perfect choice. I like my rivers big and small - one of the most perfect spots when I was RVing was in Idaho at Village of Trees RV Park, right on a wide point in the Snake River. But water rushing over rock is my perfect scenario.
I also think the western mountain chains, the Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, etc., are stunning and breathtakingly beautiful. The eastern mountains, the Appalachian chain, the Allegenies, and others are beautiful, sometimes mysterious, but welcoming and friendly. I always feel wrapped up in their many folds, and loved. If I had to spend the rest of my life in one or the other it would be the Appalachians, but that's not the way life is. I hope I can continue to travel to and through the eastern part of the country for many years to come, while I will continue to be awestruck in the Sierra as well.
Oh, but I've left out the Rockies, haven't I? I don't think I've ever had a full appreciation for them, although I would like to spend some time in the Northern and Canadian rockies if I could. Life is just too darn short, and I'm on the short end of the stick with so much to see and do and so little time.
The Silver Fork campground - my most recent trip - was very well laid out to provide good privacy between sites, and you actually could hear the water from just about the entire campground. I noted that for as far back from the main road that it is located - about 8 miles over rough road undergoing road work at that - there are a disproportionate number of RV's, large and small. Having towed a large 5th wheel over 6 miles of gravel road when I worked at Lassen I know it's possible, but not many folks tried bringing in the big rigs. I really wish that campgrounds would set aside a loop for the big ones, and at least a loop for tenters. I got up in the middle of the night to see a huge column of lights flashing off and on next to a big RV, plus a very bright light that came on when someone (me) walked by. That is very intrusive to me to not be able to walk to the bathroom after dark without being blinded by a spotlight, and if a person is so paranoid they probably shouldn't be there in the first place.
In looking back I'm so glad I went to Silver Fork and wouldn't mind returning although the spot I had was perfect for accessing the rocks and getting close to the water. Unfortunately there wasn't a flat place to camp. Next time I might pad up the picnic table and set out my bedroll on top of it. Actually, I did look for a flat space big enough to hold the pad and sleeping bag for some "cowboy camping". I couldn't even find that except for right up by the fire pit.
This afternoon I'm driving back up US 50 for a few miles to watch my grandson Liam at his swimming lessons. I think it's such a great idea for kids to swim when they are very young. Liam will be 4 in just about a month. I still have a few camping things to put away but they will wait. I am just so happy my shoulder doesn't hurt any more that I'm not worrying about a thing!
- Friday, Already???
Yep, another short week gone by. I had to make a couple of short trips this morning, Costco and the grocery, and I couldn't believe the traffic. I wondered if there had been an accident or a lane closure somewhere, but it's...
- Back A Day Early
I spent one night at Silver Fork C.G. in the El Dorado National Forest, instead of the two I anticipated. It is a beautiful place, and I had the most scenic of all the campsites. Unfortunately most of the sites are not level but I toughed...
- Bad News And Good News
I'll do the bad first. I rolled into Fargo, ND with a flapping back tire. Called AAA and they said something about having a repair service come over and put on that little donut tire for me so that I could drive it to the shop. That...
- Burns, Oregon
I left Lava Beds at 8 am thinking I had a leisurely 100 mile drive to Crater Lake. It is an awesome place that sometimes makes you think you are in another world. I forgot the name of the Wildlife Refuge on the way and didn't...
- Camping
I am still thinking about the birds (raptors) that were soaring in the vicinity of my camp a few days ago. An anonymous commenter mentioned condors, and I've tried to find some pictures and info since I don't know much about condors except...
Travel
A few thoughts
Since I've had a couple of comments on pillows, I'll just say that I wouldn't have even thought of it being the problem until I read that pain in the shoulder blade is almost always caused by an issue with the neck. And I don't normally have a problem in the world with my neck, so I considered it might have been because I didn't take my small pillow. I was using a new sleeping bag that features a built-in pillow - actually a thin piece of foam - which is why I left my camping pillow at home. I think the problem was strain in my back to try to keep from sliding on the uneven terrain.
I feel much better this morning so I will just have to be more careful in the placement of my tent in the future. Oddly enough, there is rarely a completely flat piece of ground on which to pitch a tent, and I've never had this kind of problem before. Hopefully I won't have it again.
In looking over my photos it strikes me that this is the perfect amount and form of water to make me happy. I appreciate the beauty of an ocean or lake, but a creek, stream or river is my perfect choice. I like my rivers big and small - one of the most perfect spots when I was RVing was in Idaho at Village of Trees RV Park, right on a wide point in the Snake River. But water rushing over rock is my perfect scenario.
I also think the western mountain chains, the Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, etc., are stunning and breathtakingly beautiful. The eastern mountains, the Appalachian chain, the Allegenies, and others are beautiful, sometimes mysterious, but welcoming and friendly. I always feel wrapped up in their many folds, and loved. If I had to spend the rest of my life in one or the other it would be the Appalachians, but that's not the way life is. I hope I can continue to travel to and through the eastern part of the country for many years to come, while I will continue to be awestruck in the Sierra as well.
Oh, but I've left out the Rockies, haven't I? I don't think I've ever had a full appreciation for them, although I would like to spend some time in the Northern and Canadian rockies if I could. Life is just too darn short, and I'm on the short end of the stick with so much to see and do and so little time.
The Silver Fork campground - my most recent trip - was very well laid out to provide good privacy between sites, and you actually could hear the water from just about the entire campground. I noted that for as far back from the main road that it is located - about 8 miles over rough road undergoing road work at that - there are a disproportionate number of RV's, large and small. Having towed a large 5th wheel over 6 miles of gravel road when I worked at Lassen I know it's possible, but not many folks tried bringing in the big rigs. I really wish that campgrounds would set aside a loop for the big ones, and at least a loop for tenters. I got up in the middle of the night to see a huge column of lights flashing off and on next to a big RV, plus a very bright light that came on when someone (me) walked by. That is very intrusive to me to not be able to walk to the bathroom after dark without being blinded by a spotlight, and if a person is so paranoid they probably shouldn't be there in the first place.
In looking back I'm so glad I went to Silver Fork and wouldn't mind returning although the spot I had was perfect for accessing the rocks and getting close to the water. Unfortunately there wasn't a flat place to camp. Next time I might pad up the picnic table and set out my bedroll on top of it. Actually, I did look for a flat space big enough to hold the pad and sleeping bag for some "cowboy camping". I couldn't even find that except for right up by the fire pit.
This afternoon I'm driving back up US 50 for a few miles to watch my grandson Liam at his swimming lessons. I think it's such a great idea for kids to swim when they are very young. Liam will be 4 in just about a month. I still have a few camping things to put away but they will wait. I am just so happy my shoulder doesn't hurt any more that I'm not worrying about a thing!
- Friday, Already???
Yep, another short week gone by. I had to make a couple of short trips this morning, Costco and the grocery, and I couldn't believe the traffic. I wondered if there had been an accident or a lane closure somewhere, but it's...
- Back A Day Early
I spent one night at Silver Fork C.G. in the El Dorado National Forest, instead of the two I anticipated. It is a beautiful place, and I had the most scenic of all the campsites. Unfortunately most of the sites are not level but I toughed...
- Bad News And Good News
I'll do the bad first. I rolled into Fargo, ND with a flapping back tire. Called AAA and they said something about having a repair service come over and put on that little donut tire for me so that I could drive it to the shop. That...
- Burns, Oregon
I left Lava Beds at 8 am thinking I had a leisurely 100 mile drive to Crater Lake. It is an awesome place that sometimes makes you think you are in another world. I forgot the name of the Wildlife Refuge on the way and didn't...
- Camping
I am still thinking about the birds (raptors) that were soaring in the vicinity of my camp a few days ago. An anonymous commenter mentioned condors, and I've tried to find some pictures and info since I don't know much about condors except...