Carlsbad

Womp womp womp.

In 2022, Carlsbad Caverns needed reservations. We did not have reservations.

Travel tip of the day, boys and girls: ALWAYS GOOGLE BEFORE YOU GO.

We stayed the night in Carlsbad at a hotel and kept moving the next day.

Rancho Relaxo / Saguaro

Bring water. Then bring more water.

My first Hipcamp stay made me a believer. Rancho Relaxo was rural, peaceful, and had a lovely host, sunsets, coyotes at night, and a Zen garden.

An orange barn cat adopted us and our tent. All the orange cat energy.

At Saguaro, we mixed light hiking with driving and taking in the views. Fewer crowds, plenty of cactus, and hot as hell. Bring water. Then bring more water.

Joshua Tree

Horses, boulders, and desert dark

Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary was a horse property with campsites. We could feed and interact with the horses. Yes, it smelled like horses. That did not ruin it.

We spent about half a day in Joshua Tree: Skull Rock, boulders, Keys View, photo shoots, bouldering, and people watching.

Back at camp: a fire, horses nearby, and that deep desert dark.

Refugio

First Pacific splash.

We camped at Refugio over Memorial Day weekend. It was busy and full, but not obnoxious. Beach camping was worth it.

McKenzie’s first Pacific splash was cold. She ran into the water, ran right back out, and then we got the photo.

The sunset turned pink and purple. A pretty good end to a travel day.

Big Sur / Ventana

One of the best nights

We stayed at the regular Ventana campground — not the resort or the glamping tents.

Tall trees, cool air, deep shade, and my hammock. It felt peaceful almost immediately.

No agenda. No rushing. No trying to squeeze one more thing into the day. Just a really good night in the trees.

Salt Point / Gerstle Cove

Close your sunroof.

We got to Gerstle Cove at Salt Point late and pitched the tent before dark. We barely had time for the coast and cliffs.

I left the Jeep’s sunroof open in the woods overnight. In the morning: Goldfish, pretzels, Rice Krispie Treat wrappers. Snack carnage.

The guy across from us asked if we had been raided too.

Apparently the raccoons had also gotten into his campsite.

And eaten his weed gummies.

So while we were sleeping, there was apparently a tiny woodland rave happening around us.

Good for them, I guess.

Close your sunroof.

We packed up early. Prairie Creek was a long drive away.

Prairie Creek

Then we hit the redwoods.

Massive trees, ferns, cool damp air, and that earthy smell. Prairie Creek was one of those places where I immediately wanted more time. We saw an elk herd too.

On the way, I got very excited about a drive-through tree. I did not stop to ask whether the Jeep would fit.

It did not. We got partway in, it was rough, and the Jeep was fine. There is video. Unfortunately.

Crater Lake / Union Creek

Crater Lake in May

From the redwoods, we headed inland and stayed at Union Creek Resort & Cabins for two nights.

It was May, and there was still a lot of snow. Some roads were closed, so we only saw part of the park.

Even that was enough to make me want to come back. I did return later with my husband and daughter — but that is another story.

Astoria

And then we were done

The plan was a scenic coast day: lighthouses, Cannon Beach, a few more stops. By then, we were tired. Really tired.

“I’m worn out. I want to go home.”
“Me too.”

So we went through Portland and straight to Astoria. Sometimes that is the right choice.

Astoria was home until June 2024. Then it was time for another wander.

Sometimes you just need to take the long way.