California-Julian-Stagecoach Trails RV Park-15 of 49 on our RV Adventure

If you are a first-time reader, welcome to Lora and Erics RV Adventure Blog. You can read about us at http://www.LoraandEricsRVAdventure.com. We started in December 2017 with a goal to complete 49 states before heading home to North Carolina.

Yesterday was a busy but rewarding day. We left Las Vegas, Nevada; traveled to Twentynine Palms, California; visited Joshua Tree National Park and parked overnight at Twentynine Palm RV Park and Cottages.

Today we are headed to Julian, California. The time from Twentynine Palms RV Park and Cottages in Twentynine Palms, California to Stagecoach Trails RV Park in Julian, California is 2 h 48 min (154 miles) via CA-62 W. Our reservation is for three nights from May 17th through May 20th.

The drive took us through various phases of desert. There are numerous Indian Reservations with Casinos throughout the route. We pasted through Palm Springs California and Yucca Valley. The wind was blowing strong along the route. Before reaching Palm Springs there is a section of highway that passes through a wind turbine farm. There are sign posting gusty winds. They were correct, I maintained a steady slow speed until we were driving in the direction of the wind towards Palm Springs.

We eventually turned off the highway and started to head over the mountains through Borrego Salton Seaway and Yaqui Pass. Before reaching desert, we seen signs of vegetation.

The scenery was desert, but cool how we were driving on a plateau that had a maze of mounds deep in the canyon on either side. There were ATV and off-road vehicle trails throughout.

When we reached the mountains, the roads narrowed, and the roads twisted.

We were in an area that few campers travel. We were cautious around each turn and dip.

Once we made it to the other side we were within a few miles of our destination. Finally we reached Stagecoach Trails RV Park & Resort.

Stagecoach Trails RV Park & Resort is a large scenic campground in the valley 17 miles east of Julian in San Felipe Valley and Earthquake Valley. Before reaching the campground, we pass Shelter Valley, population of 320. Elevation in the valley is about 2,300 feet. The elevation for Julian is above 4,000 feet. The wind is blowing swift onto the back of the camper. Once again, we are off season so there are only a handful of campers and a dozen or so campers left closed till the fall season when the snowbirds head back down from the north. The have a nice deli and takeout restaurant with pizza, burgers, sandwiches, sides. The store is equipped with necessities of camping. There is a large pavilion in the middle with sitting area equipped with fire place, basketball courts, hall with kitchen, separate barbecue pit cabana, and 2 bathroom and shower buildings on either side. The campground can hold 200+ sites. They also have 3 sizes of cabins. On the left side of the campground is horse stalls for campers that bring their horses with them.

It seems like here they for everything under the sun. The passport America rate is $27.50 which is not bad. Then there is a pet fee of $5.00 per day, state tax, environmental fee for us and separate for Bella Bee. In all is comes out to about $118.00 for 3 nights.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes near the Stagecoach Trails RV Parks & Resort. Many hikers will get supplies, shower, and bite to eat before moving on. The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington.

After we finished setting up, we tried the TV and Internet. We received no stations and internet only works on my PC. If we need cell phone service with our Verizon we need to drive to the Vallecito-Butterfield Stage Station Historic Landmark on the corners of Highway 78 and Great Southern Overland stage route of 1849 Road.

We ordered lunch 2 meatball sandwiches from the deli and while they were being made we headed to make calls to Lora’s brother Michael, son Jonny, and son Daniel. Michael is planning to stay with us, but unsure of the day and time. When we called him he let us know he would arrive sometime Friday afternoon. There were a lot of questions regarding power, bed, who else may come, etc. Michael lives about 1 hr 30 minutes from our site in San Diego.

We headed back after our phone calls and picked up our subs. The remainder of the evening was capturing the sunset and researching campgrounds for Sunday and Monday night.

The evening had very strong winds. We had our chairs, lounge chair and table knocked over. Lora had a blue bucket she uses for cleaning her feet. The bucket is long gone. I walked around but could not find the blue bucket. I was up early enough to capture a sunrise.

I noticed Bella is not acting right when I walked her this morning. It appears she did something to her right paw. I had walked her last evening on a trail. I think she may have stepped on a cactus branch on the ground. Lora mentioned she pulled a cactus needle out of her paw, but unsure which paw. We will monitor her and if it persists we may have to visit Pet Smart when we get close to one.

We were both up early, so we can visit Julian before Michael arrives. We are unsure as to when he will arrive because we gave after noon, then three, and not sure because of traffic. We traveled to Julian before 9::00 am. Julian is 17 miles west up a mountain of curves and steep drops. It would be very challenging to bring the camper through here if necessary. Luckily our next route will keep us in the valley on Sunday.

Julian, California is the site of San Diego’s first and only gold rush. A cattleman, Fred Coleman, found the first fleck of gold in a creek in late 1869. He bragged about his find in the local salon and by 1870 the gold rush was on. The gold is found in the crevasses of quartz. The gold mining in this region is considered hard rock mining.

We were in the mood for breakfast. We walked to Miner's Diner & Soda Fountain. The diner is a walk into history. The old-time soda and mike shake fountains are nostalgic. The walls are covered with old signs and photos. Glass Coca Cola bottles are on display. There is an adjoining candy store fill is many new and old variety of candy. There is a toy steam train constantly moving along raised shelving near the ceiling running between the candy store and diner. Our omelets were good. I had also ordered biscuit and gravy that was fantastic.

After breakfast we went to Jack’s Grocery. One of two mini grocery stores in the town. We picked up charcoal and lighter fluid for the streak Michael is bringing.

My goal was to visit the Eagle and High Peak Mine Gold Mine. Lora is very apprehensive of going into the gold mine. She is willing to wait while I take the tour. Eagle and High Peak Mine is a local gold mine opened in 1870 and in the 1960’s opened for tours. Lora decided to take the tour with me.

The guided tour takes you back to the into the time of gold mining. The first half of the tour is outside of the mine where 3 mining presses are displayed. The tour guide goes steps us back into the history of this mine and the founder. He describes the gold in this region as course gold found in the veins of quartz, thus needs to be crushed from the stone. The story goes when the mine opened for tours, the owner would attract curious visitors to the mine by running the mining presses. The noise of crushing the stone could be heard from downtown. Visitors would ask locals what the noise was visitors we come to see the presses, then take the tour.

The second half is panning for gold in sand troughs with find gold and sand. The host demonstrated panning for gold. He was able to get a fair amount first try. We were then give 10-15 minutes to pan for ourselves. Everything was pan and release.

The last section was to enter the mine from one end, pass through to the second mine, climb a ladder to the next level and exit the second mine on the other side of the mountain. The first section is nice and wide inside. The host stopped at a couple of quartz veins to show how they were mined. The second mine was more interesting because it is a down shaft mine (skip) with multiple levels. The host showed us the lifting machine, miners equipment and tools, and the foreman’s office in the mine. While sitting in the foreman’s office the guide showed us total darkness then lit a few candles for effect. To exit the second mine, you need to lower your head if you are more than 5’4”. In all the tour lasted almost 90 minutes. For the cost of $10.00 the tour is truly worth it.

After the tour we called Michael to find out where he was in his travel. He was just getting started. We headed back to the camper and waited for Michael. When Michael arrived, we said our hellos and started to have a couple of drinks. We hung out inside and outside of the camper. We walked a short bit. After a while we helped Michael bring in his portable dialysis equipment, so he can do his 10-hr. treatment at night. We cooked hamburgers on the Coleman Stove started a campfire. We hung out around the campfire until Michael was ready to start his dialysis and go to bed.

The next day we were expecting the rest of the family. Tory was the first to show up. We eventually walked and drove to the front office to wait for Tory. We ordered up some food while we waited. When she arrived, she ordered herself something to eat as well. We headed back to the camper. Sherry and Chad were to come later. The plan was to start cooking around 2 pm. I prepared the grill and put new wood in the fire pit. Michael is going to cook the tri-tip steak and I am cooking the potatoes on the grill. I started the potatoes since it would take longer. Sherry and Chad arrived, and we hung outside the camper. The weather was not completely hot, but bearable. The whole day went well. Tory left early because she had to work.

Michael packed up his equipment and left the same time Sherry and Chad were leaving.

In all, the day went very well. We got to spend time with Michael and the rest of the family. For Michael, he liked what we are doing and is looking ahead on how he and Sherry can do the same. Sherry’s parents have a motor coach and travel regularly as well in their 70’s.

We cleaned up the camper and prepared for an early rise and departure tomorrow. We are headed to Lake Isabella, California near the southern end of the Sequoia National Forest.

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