12 Oakdale

Once again, my sadness of being too late to reserve a waterfront campsite has turned to joy as the winds blow across the bay, and we are tucked into an interior site. The last time we were here, it blew so hard that some people parked their cars and trucks sideways at the water’s edge in futile attempts to block the wind. Others just packed up and left. We were fine. Of course, even though I knew better, I tried for waterfront. Fortunately, no sites available. We are here to test our new Coleman Instant Tent that pops up with just extending 4 corner poles. And it did. It was also easy to move when we realized one of the guy-lines was too close to the electric box to stake down easily. We are also testing the foldout cots Grant ordered. They opened easily, are a comfortable height, and support us well. If only our vintage sleep pads held air. Those will be repaired or replaced when we get home. All good. With the gentle rain now falling, we are also getting to test how waterproof the te...

My plan to rent a small cargo trailer went awry at the UHaul store when I realized there was no way to wire the trailer’s brake lights to my car. The salesperson had never heard of lightbulbs with attached wires to put in taillights. I called a NAPA Autostore, and the salesperson there told me to get them at a UHaul store. He was amazed as I was that they were no longer available. I’d used them on several Suburbans back in the day. Progress? The hitch installer would be back in the morning, but we want to be on the road as early as possible, plus didn’t want to spend $150 for this one time. With no trailer, packing was tight. Major problem was 3 bikes. Mine got folded and laid inside; Clara’s and Grant’s went on the rack. Everything else got stuffed in the car, except for the cabana and swim noodle which I bungied to the bikes. Why, oh why, did I buy a car without roof racks? Thursday the cold front came right after dinner, so we ran to the pavilion with the chocolate cake Stephanie ha...