We didn't have too far of a drive today but we still got out of Winters fairly early after saying goodbye to our fellow campers. In spite of what Mike wanted to do we took the longish way around to get to Cloverdale rather than pulling the trailer over the super steep mountains. It actually wasn't that much longer and after a couple of freeways and about 60 miles on the 101 we arrived at Russian River. The park is right alongside the 101 which is unusual for the Thousand Trails parks, but there's very little noise and it's sort of down in a hole and across the river from the highway.
We got checked in and the lady at the gate told us where was best for us to try to find a space, and so off we went. The park is cut into the side of a hill somewhat and so it's quite hilly in here, but we followed the map and here directions and after taking the first turn managed to run into a tree. Well maybe run into is a little bit strong but the turns here are really tight and so the side of the trailer got really close to the trees; fortunately, after checking it out later, the only damage was lots of bark on the awning and a few little tiny holes. There were a couple of trailers dumping and one of the guys came over and helped back us onto the road and then proceeded to tell us that the spot they had just vacated was the best one in the park and we should go take it now. We checked it out and after driving around one more loop road decided his advice was good and we took spot #51, backing in without too much difficulty. The park is nice, very treed and rustic, but almost all the spaces are really small and hard to get into, and looking at the trees we are not the first to have a run in with them. Our space is maybe the best in the park because we have space outside to put out the rug and sit down and most of the others don't have any room, their spaces just drops away outside their trailer doors.

Our bestest space #51

After getting set up Mike spent the next couple of hours trying to get the satellite working. This is the first place we've had any trouble but because of the trees he had a heck of a time getting a clear view of the southern sky. Fortunately for him I had a brainwave around the 10th time of trying to get a signal and now our satellite is sitting up on the hillside behind our trailer and we get all the channels we will ever need. Now he's happy, he has satellite, internet and we even have cell phone service here.


Mike: I had to dig out another 50ft of cable, but it worked! She's so clever!

The view from the satellite dish