Much time has passed since I posted the first tale.  This trip was taken in April.  Like the first it began with visiting family.  We then took off on our own with a trip up HWY 70 to Twain, CA in Plumas National Forest.

This time we experimented with a class C motorhome rented from  Cruise America in Richmond, CA.  The coach was 30 ft. long.  Its power was provided by a Ford V-10 engine.  These are basic coaches.  No slide outs but the  coach has plenty of room even for our large dog.  There’s a walk around queen bed.  The coach has adequate storage and kitchen facilities.  For someone with pain, the Ford was not a pleasant experience but it  handled the mountain roads well both up and down.  We can thoroughly recommend Cruise America for their professionalism and ease of rental.  Our service dealer in Richmond, CA was excellent.  The coach was cleaned and well maintained.  The renter receives plenty of information both written and video to feel comfortable in their motorized rented home.

Now for the trip.

First stop Chico, CA.  We stayed at the Almond Grove RV park.  Well maintained and the spaces are laid out with thought given to privacy.  There is a lawn area to run dogs and a pool located by a recreation room.

From Chico, we made our way to Hwy 70 and the town of Twain, CA in Plumas National Forest.  We stopped for lunch along the highway discovering the ease of bathroom usage in a motorhome.  This photo was taken in Yankee Hill.

The views along Hwy 70 make for a delightful trip.  We were frustrated by the overhang of the Class C motorhome.  But I managed to get some pictures from the front window.  This is the Feather River glimpsed from the road.

The rock formations stun the eye.  I grabbed my phone for a word picture.  Finally remembered to actually take a photograph.

slabs of granite

climb to the sun

painted gold

with sunset light

Before going to the RV park, we drove up to Quincy which is large enough that we knew  they would have gas and our guzzler was getting low.  We didn’t intend to leave once we were parked and hooked up.  Next on our itinerary was the R & R RV park and Hot Springs on the Feather River.  We had a hunch this spot would be an adventure.  The reviews were mixed but the setting spectacular.  AND it had the train that seemed to follow us wherever we camped.  This one rattled along a high track across the river from us.  Thankfully trains, it appears, do not bother our sleep.

This is the entrance.  To find the park you had to see the red truck out front visible from the road.  We only drove past once!  To the right of these signs was a brown cabin with a sign saying office.  I carefully treaded over the river rock path and knocked on the door.  I rang the bell.  I called “Hello.”   Nothing, no one, not a sound.  Rang the bell once more.  Carefully treaded the river rock path back to the motorhome.  We drove in and picked a spot that was empty.  The last one in the row and closest to the river.  A woman we never saw again called, “Good spot.”  Jack backed the trailer in and looked for hook ups.  The enchanting sound of the river was right there and so were the hook ups.

Buried in the wild lilacs was a wooden reserved side sitting on the bit of concrete that was there.  Life was good.  We were level, the picnic table was in good shape and the view amazing.  (The next morning it took Jack a good half hour to track down someone to pay.  Even then visiting seemed more urgent than receiving pay for services.)

We had earned ourselves a Happy Hour at our wonderful picnic table.  Served was for me a wine spritzer, for Jack a coke and to eat caramel popcorn.  It was what we had.

The next morning was to be our one morning with sunshine according to the weather report.  Yes, sun arrived.  I moved my chair to the river side.  Got water and a good book, tied Moishe on a long lead to a near by tree and relaxed into river sound and sun.  From my chair, a view of the Feather River in a calmer moment.

River Rapids from our site.

river song over rocks

a bird obligato in the trees

and the grass sings

us into spring

Moishe enjoying the sun.  He got too warm and dug up the wet ground to lay on.  Yes, I took a picture.

Our motor home nestled in the trees.

As predicted the sun went away and dark clouds arrived.  But the expected rain was a prizzle and didn’t stop us from exploring the RV park.

The hot springs were the best maintained park of the park.  We didn’t drag along our suits but the water was warm and filled with sulfur.  As you can see the spot was peaceful.  Note during daylight hours bathing suits must be worn.

The park is host to music events in the summer.  We never found the venue spot or it wasn’t obvious.  The rest of the park was in dis-repair but quaint.  If you like perfection, this is not your spot.  But if funk and beauty is your thing, enjoy.  For me it gave me the remembered joy of river rafting and camping but with a roof.

One of the cabins we found.  It was in such a state, I can’t imagine it’s used anymore.

This is the fruit tree stand near the road.  The nursery seemed to be out of business but there were remnants of it left behind.

We all enjoyed our peaceful stay.  Nothing broke down.  Even the bad weather, wasn’t.  Moishe gave it his seal of approval.

On our last night, the sun made a last curtain call.

As we started down the highway the next day, the sky opened up to commensurate with us on leaving this wooded haven.