Redwoods - family camping

As a family we try to gather once a year for a camping trip.  This year we met at the Mystic Forest RV Park, just north of Klamath, California.

But we first have to get there.  The drive from San Diego took us through the Central Valley.  It was hot!  We typically choose to drive on 99 vs. 5.  It is a bit slower, but offers more reasons to take it easy.

Bravo Farms, in Traver, is a nice place to stretch our legs.  Here we can admire their large choice of cheeses.

and olives

We enjoy a stop in Vina for Vino at New Clairvaux Vineyard.  This Trapist Abbey was established in 1956 when the order purchased 400 acres of the Vina Ranch.

New Clairvaux was named California's Winery of the Year, and the prices now reflect that honor.

New (to us) is a nice new redwood slab in the tasting room.

It was not planned, but son Michael arrived about the same time.  We each purchased a couple wines to share at the family gathering.

Pumpkinland Chocolate Company is several more miles up the road near Red Bluff.  They offer excellent turtles.

It was 113F when we arrived at the Red Bluff KOA.  Michael arranged for us to be set up next to each other.  Our air conditioner was no match for the heat.

Jm and I went over to the clubhouse and warmed up for the cribbage challenge

He won ... again!

while Fran enjoyed hanging out by the pool.

We both left in the morning to make the easy drive up 5 to Redding, and the long drive over the Klamath Mountains to the coast.

Mystic Forest is a family/group/dog friendly park with Patrick and Mya as awesome hosts.  They placed us in 3 30 amp FHU sites and a tent site on the grass.

The arrangement was great for our group.  Each evening we took turns hosting dinner, shared a lot of wine, had a fire and watched a movie. 

Fran and I hosted the first night with a Mexican theme … tacos! and wines from my favorite Mexican winery, Monte Xanic.

My last 2020 Cab easily the best

Jm’s puppy Ember was tuckered out from the ride, the commotion.

Michael used his propane gun to start a fire.  No paper or matches needed.

By the time Audrey roasted some marshmallows

It was time for a movie

Back to the Future

This would be our evening routine after exploring during the day.

We had different wine selections each night.  Michael entered his Abbot’s Reserve.

Past Abbot Thomas Davis (left) vs current Abbot Paul Mark Schwan (right).  Both excellent choices, my Temptation was not.

Our final wine day was to finish up the leftovers and rank them.

I saved an Aimee, which was the easy best-of-the-best,  But 14 Hands certainly the best value.

That is how we spent the evenings together … cribbage, eating, fire, movie and hanging out. 

Next Trees of Mystery.  An example of how we spent our days ... and no more bott;es of wine!