Less Bear; More Brrrrr

We wandered around Yosemite yesterday, the park is a lot less busy in October than it was in May. Grabbed some lunch fixings from the village store and had lunch at the trailer before leaving Missy and heading for a hike along the first part of the Mist Trail.

"Moderate-to-strenuous": boy they weren't kidding. In my city-boy shoes and pants and flatlander leg muscles, I barely got to the bridge before saying "uncle" and having us turn around. Next time I'll come loaded for bear with better hiking gear and apparel. I was considering mugging a fellow traveler for their hiking pole.

Mr (or Ms) Bear made another appearance last night, even came up to our campsite, but we were comfortably in the trailer and didn't even suspect we had a visitor. Next-camp-neighbors saw the bear walk by the river and told us about it. For a big animal, they sure are sneaky.

The LP tank breathed its last sigh of propane last night leaving us without a LP refrigerator, heater or a stove. We knew it was getting low, but figured as little as we used propane, we could squeak by this trip without a refill. Almost did, too.

We broke out the portable, backup camping stove and warmed a can of soup for dinner, then later in the evening, rather than risk bear mauling outside, used the open flame of the camp stove to toast marshmallows for smores.

We discovered on waking up this morning that the refrigerator really keeps the trailer nice and toasty. Usually, we wake up to a comfortable temperature, I tend to start sleeping in layers and by the next morning, have shucked my socks and at least my sweater; but this morning without the LP refrigerator running and dumping waste heat in the t@b, we were freezing. Thank god we had the dog to keep our feet warm.

Good Morning Yosemite

Saturday morning, and we're still alive. Last night Yosemite North
Pines campground was full of the sounds of campers driving off an
ornery bear.

Our next-campground neighbor said that this particular bear had been
making an appearance every night this weekend. Mr. Bear seemed to
wander off around 10 pm, just in time for quiet hours, and we slept
the night without incident.

Arriving to a camp spot after dark is pretty impresive, come the next
morning. When we woke up we were treated to this sight out our window.

A few of our mods

Below are a few of the mods we have made to our TAB

Name Emblem

Shocks

Stove & Sink Cover

October Trip - Sonoma Coast

We were off again this past weekend... Yes, two weekends in a row camping. Saturday morning we headed off to the Sonoma Coast camping at Stillwater Cove Regional Park. We stopped on our way up the coast to enjoy the waves and let Missy check out the area (pee break).

Once we arrived and had set up TabStream a fellow camper came over and said " I LOVE your cute little matching trailer & truck" and she waited until we had set up to come over to look at our "rig" we gave her a tour of the TAB. This was the first time someone waited, most of the time we get someone coming over wanting to look at our TAB before we even back into our space.

Stillwater Cove was a wonderful location and such a nice small family campground.

Sunday we took a drive up the coast to visit some of the small coastal towns. We stopped in Gualala at Bones Roadhouse. We had Beer, Stuffed Potato Skins, Clam Chowder and some of the best Onion Rings we have had. (yes those are onion rings .. not Cinnamon Rolls)

Great food and a Great view

Next trip.. Yosemite

How do you like the Sonoma Coast, Missy?

September Trip - Napa Valley State Park

This past weekend we went to Napa Vally State Park.

We arrived and unhitched the T@B and drove into St. Helena and had dinner at Taylor's Automatic Refresher, Taylor's is classic roadside diner with the BEST Burgers you have ever had. (they also have a location in the San Francisco Ferry Building) We had Blue Cheese Burger, Beacon Cheeseburger, Garlic fries & Beer. They also serve whatelse... Wine.

lowlight photo below - iPhone has no flash

After dinner we stopped by the Supermarket and picked up some milk and a DVD at the RedBox DVD rental
Napa Valley State Park is so nice in the fall. The park was full Saturday night and about half full Sunday night.

Sunday we took a walk around the park and went into St. Helena for lunch at the Silverado Brewing Company for their Oktoberfest. Good Food, Good Beer. Great weather to eat outside. They are very dog friendly and gave missy a water bowl.

Nathan enjoying the Beer

Missy under the table.. tired dog

next weekend... The Sonoma Coast

Moo Cards

The last few trips we took we had so many people come up to us and want to know more about our T@B and our travels, many people wanted to know where to get a T@B etc.

A few weeks ago I made some Mini Cards online with pictures of T@BStream to pass out with our info and information about the T@B owners group and the T@B RV website.

We made our cards at http://www.Moo.com. You can upload your own pictures and print, Mini Cards, Business Cards, Postcards, Greeting Cards, Note Cards and Sticker Books.

(Click picture below for a larger view)

August Trip - Camp Shelly

We arrived Saturday at Camp Shelly in the late afternoon. The campground is operated by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. Erik grew up in Livermore and his family spent many summers camping here when he was a child.





There were about half of the 26 sites filled Saturday night and Sunday night we were one of 2 sites being used. It was nice pretty much having the entire place to ourselves.

We took a drive around Lake Tahoe. Nathan had only been up to Tahoe in the winter. We took Missy for a walk and enjoyed the warm weather.

Emerald Bay is such a beautiful area of Lake Tahoe.

Erik's folks came up and stayed in TabStream mid week as we had to go back to work for the week. We will be back for Labor Day weekend.

Park Report:
Site # 26
Back In Space - no water, no elect
$30 /night