Roving Reports by Doug P: 2015-20 Olympia Peninsula (Continued)

Saturday, August 1, 2015

2015-20 Olympia Peninsula (Continued)

2015-20

local Indian art

Olympia Peninsula (continued)
Washington State

Little Creek Casino Rv Park

Campground: Little Creek Casino Resort. $17.50 Passport America discount, regular price $35. Full hookups with free wi-fi and cable tv. Get a Player Club card and on Mon-tue-Wed get $3 coupon for meals and $5 in play $ after winning one point.

Rv tip: Passport America is good for 7 days at Little Creek…. But you can leave for one day and get another week at the Passport rate.

Good morning fellow travelers and armchair travelers alike. I have about 30 minutes before I head out for breakfast and thought I’d tell you about the woes of we travelers. Today, I headed over to the Casino where I’m staying to get my $3 coupon which I planned on using with the $5.99 breakfast special this morning. But alas, the woes of being an early bird riser and Rv-er, the door to the Casino was locked tighter than the Brinks Bank where I’m sure all the money is sent too each evening. It’s 7:30 and the Casino doesn’t open until 8:00.

So just to let you know, it’s not all wine and roses on the open road out here folks. Sometimes we have to wait 30 minutes for the day to officially start.

the road to Port Townsend

Speaking of wine and good times, yesterday I joined good friends Tom and Christine along with a friend of theirs Susan for a fun drive up to Port Townsend to pick up their boat. Day trips are always fun especially with friends. Lots of little stops along the way, good conversation of course and a chance to meet up with Elaine and John more friends from our Desert Trails winter group. Elaine and John are staying at a great State park in Port Townsend and had us all for a picnic lunch at their campsite.

Port Townsend boat docks

Port Townsend

what fun, meeting up with friends

oh the stories we have to tell

it's all about the view at the seaside town of Port Townsend Washington

Then it was back to Shelton, a bit too soon in my estimation as Port Townsend is a wonderful sea-side resort that should be enjoyed for days and days at a time. But it was time to head back with the boat and of course cocktails and more good times at the Hallett retreat overlooking the waters of Puget Sound… What a day. Thank goodness I have my home on wheels to go back to for a good night rest after such a full day.

Susan, Tom and Chis, what good friends

Tom and Christine's water side Retreat

Chris's flowers are awesome each year

Since I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, I’m taking the time to do some research as to places to camp and possibly explore in the future. Like the morning tour of the Squaxin Island Indian Reservation /Museum

Squaxin Island Indian Reservation/Museum

no photos were permitted inside the museum

this man made pond represents the strong link
to water within the tribe

Today at Little Creek Casino they are having a car show, The T-Birds being my favorite, but many great vintage cars to enjoy.

Since this is a summer destination location and visit with friends in the area, this particular report will be shorter than normal but I’ll add a few pictures to make it look like I’ve been slaving away at the computer to write you a good story…. Have a super great day where ever you may be.

A few more photos on PICASA

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Favorite Camping Resource Books

Camping on a Shoestring, 3rd Eastern Edition by Don Wright (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds eastcoast, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
Camping with the Corps of Engineers by S.L. Hinkle (a complete guide to campgrounds owned and operated by the US Army Corps)
Coleman, National Forest Campground & Recreation Directory (A detailed list of all the campgrounds in National Forests)
Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds, Western Edition (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
GOOGLE SEARCH (Don't forget to use the Internet to search: use (city name, campgound, camping for your search)
Military Travel Guide USA (Lists all the Military campgrounds for DoD and retired military)
Passport America book (lists all the half price campgrounds)
RV Camping in State Parks, D.J Davins (A listing of all state parks)

Camping Club Info:

CAMPING CLUBS:

Joining the various camping clubs can be a great help. Each makes their own mark on camping and building communities within the camping world.

Many of the camping clubs I've listed are 1/2 off clubs. By joining, you get 1/2 off the camping rate for one night, a week and some are unlimited stays at their campgrounds.

Also, most everyone who plans on camping for part of the year or is thinking about full-timing get either the Motor Home or Trailer Life magazine. Both offer tons of helpful hints and trips to take throughout the year. Good Sam’s has Highways magazine which you get free with your membership.

I joined a number of clubs and magazines the first couple of years before I became a full timer, just to get an idea of what the community was like out there. After a couple of years, I’ve kept my favorites and dropped the rest. Listed in no particular order.

TIP: Always call ahead and inform them you are a member of a particular CLUB. Sometimes campgrounds drop out or change their policy. It's always good to call ahead and confirm they are still members in the club you've joined.

Escapees: It’s one of the best communities of Rv’ers you’ll ever find. With great support groups and individual clubs with just about every interest and hobby a person could think of. They own a number of campgrounds that you can get really great rates for camping and they provide a 10-15% discount at other campgrounds throughout the country.

http://escapees.com/index2.asp Membership: $60.00 + $10 enrollment fee.

Good Sam’s Is good, but personally I haven’t had much need for them, and their 10% off campground fees has not been much of an incentive. They do have lots of Rally’s and caravans if you have the inclination and are willing to pay for the trips. The trips can be very pricey.

https://www.goodsamclub.com/Membership: $29.95

Passport America: My favorite club!!!!!!!!

It’s a 50% off camping club that gets you 50% off the campgrounds that have signed up with Passport America, (1,800+ campgrounds) good online web site and book for browsing campsites.

If you join, please let them know your were recommended by:

D Palosaari C-271417

http://www.passport-America.com/main/default.asp

Membership: $44.00

Happy Campers: Another 50% off camping club and mirrors Passport America with perhaps a few different campgrounds than what Passport has. Their camp book is small and doesn't have good maps for directions.

http://www.camphalfprice.com/Membership: $49.95

Camping Club USA: recently merged with Passport America

Recreation USA:

I found this club on the Internet and it advertises that all of it’s campgrounds go for $10.00 a night. They also have a half/off section as well. I have been a member for two years, and though I've stayed at a couple of campgrounds on their list, many are no longer available or haven't heard of Rec. USA and I end up not being able to use the camping club discount. Always call ahead on this one to confirm that they are still participating. I've met the owners of the club and they are nice, it's just that they don't seem to keep up with the campgrounds who are supposed to be participating.

http://www.campingandcampgrounds.com/member_updates.html Membership: $44.00 per year.

Brief History

I grew up in the Copper Country's Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I started working from age 13 at the Copperama during the summer as a dishwasher. I remember being so small that I had to stand on two wooden pepsi crates to put the dishes in the dishwasher. After highschool, I attended Suomi College (a Finish oriented college) renamed to Finlandia University a couple years ago.

I had a chance when I was around 20 to travel to Florida with a co-worker from the Copperama (after our usual layoff in the fall) and upon arriving in Fla, I sent a letter home the second day and said, "I'm Staying". My Mom wrote back and said, "Stay, it's the best decision you made in your life.... and when you get settled, we'll come visit".

It worked out well, having moved from one peninsula in the U.P. to Florida, another peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. I love water.

Mom gave very little advice, but reminded me that no one would ever be able to take care of me after I left home, that I could not come back home after I left (except for a weeks vacation), and that I should never ask for a loan, because they didn't have the money.

What she did give me though, was some advice. And that was to look at the years my Dad struggled with making a living. Getting layed off from his construction work every winter until he finally got a job with the State of Mich. at MTU as a maintenance worker. Life was good after that.

So when I got to Florida, I got the hint and after a short period of working at 7-11 and a couple other small jobs, I started to apply for any Gov. job. City, County, State and Federal.

I finally got a job with the Navy starting out as a GS-2 temporary part time not to exceed 90 days putting cans of beans on the shelves at the commissary. My foot was in the door and a career that eventually spanned 31 years ending up as a Logistics Manager.

my desire to travel was realized after years of camping and enjoying the great outdoors. I got started camping just to save money and it became a lifelong source of joy.

Hint to those just starting out in the working world: Every job has it's fringe benefits, some are written down, some aren't. Learn what they are and take advantage of them.

Example: If I got on committees that required travel, I could travel at the Goverments expense. Plus, I could extend my stay after the work as vacation. The Gov. paid my way out and back for my job and for my vacation!

Dreams do come true. Stay focused and keep working on them and one day, yours will come true too.

Roving Reports by Doug P

Saturday, August 1, 2015

2015-20 Olympia Peninsula (Continued)

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Provinces traveled in w/camper

States traveled in w/camper