Durango RV Resort - Red Bluff, CA

Traveling from the mid-Willamette Valley in Oregon, the Redding/Red Bluff, California, region is generally our first overnight on the way to the desert.  It is about a 5-6 hour drive which is really all we care to put in on any given day...when we have a choice of course. Durango RV Resort is literally on the edge of I-5 and the Sacramento river in Red Bluff and is a nice place to crash, refresh and take a first dose of California sunshine for those of us with web feet. 

Setting 3.5  Of course I would boost this rating if being right on I-5 was THE most important aspect....but unfortunately being right on I-5 does come with the usual traffic noise, and with Durango, also a nearby train track.  Of course like any urban RV park, these things are expected.  What does boost this rating for us is the gorgeous view of the river....which includes a short walking path.  There is nothing more relaxing that sitting next to the ocean or a nice river and stream and that boosted our rating of the "setting". 

Amenities 4.5  With our coach at 39 feet and with pulling a toad...having a pull thru that is wide and long is always appreciated for parks that are one night stops.  This place has tremendous hookups that are positioned in exactly the right place, a huge cable channel selection, meticulous cleanliness and landscaping, a welcoming front office with supplies and some groceries, and a clubhouse/lounge that has the feel of a ski lodge.  Everything felt brand new and spotless.  The only downside is the lame exercise room that was clearly an afterthought and has two exercise machines, no weight machine, no free weights or space to really exercise. 

Accessibility 5  Just a 1 minute drive off I-5, easily accessible by any size rig.  Spaces were all wide and able to accommodate anyone. 

Friendliness 5  From the front desk check in, to the employee that guided us to our site, to the friendly and outgoing residents that we encountered...this place couldn't have done more to be warm and welcoming.  Always appreciated after a long day's drive.

For a quick dinner....take a quick walk to Luigi's Pizza.  Recommend getting the slice and salad combo...the antipasto salad is almost big enough for a meal and the pizza is outstanding.

Riverfront Site on Sacramento River

View of sites from river area

Clubhouse area with warm inviting fire

Another view of sites

Utility hookups. GREAT water pressure as well.

To the Desert

Dewinterizing without a trip planned?  That would be blasphemy in the RV world....so of course off we go.  We are off to the desert....unfortunately only one of us will be staying in the desert.  Paul owns his own business as a personal concierge and has some client work so will actually be staying in the desert for the month of March.  I will be making the trip down with him, help him and Kasha get settled in the coach and then will be flying back home for school and work.  I hope to get down a weekend or two for visits and then will make the drive back to Oregon with Paul and Kasha at the end of the month.  Our first stop was the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, CA....stay tuned for a review to be posted soon.  The next stop will be the Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield, followed by Paul's home for the month at Outdoor Resorts Indio in the Palm Springs area.  The weather so far has been absolutely gorgeous...always a great surprise when traversing the Siskiyou Pass during the winter....stay tuned....

Dewinterizing Weekend

Ok...I know it is only February 24...and I know we only winterized two months ago...but we just couldn't take it anymore. A few hours later we are fully functional, sanitized and ready to hit the open road. You know that feeling of being whole, full of excitement, and sitting on the edge of your seat...yeah...that is us right now. It is the knowledge that we can pick up at a moment's notice and hit the open road. Stay tuned!

Annual Service Time

It is February in Oregon...and for us that means annual service time for our coach. Back in December we had the coach completely sealed and winterized....now is the time for the chassis and engine service. The downside to a diesel pusher is certainly the maintenance cost...we can expect a minimum of $500-800 each year to really do it right with a chassis lube, oil and filter changes, bi-yearly coolant change and this year the air dryer. The good news is that we will be ready to roll for the Spring/Summer season.

The days are getting longer and we plan to de-winterize the coach this coming weekend so we can be ready for our next extended trip down to Palm Springs later this month. Although we hate parting with the $$$, being ready for the season makes it all worthwhile!

Winterizing - The Emotional Pain

The temperatures have dropped below freezing a few times now, and with no power at our storage location, we knew it was time for the inevitable seasonal pain we call "winterizing".  Winterizing is not painful...the lack of freedom it represents is.  Gone are the long weekend trips where we can select the most remote site in a campground and know our sink will keep running and our toilet will keep flushing.  We are now relegated to staying at parks with nearby facilities and making those 6 a.m. treks in the pouring rain to the public facilities.  Don't get me wrong....we still LOVE to get away and explore Oregon every weekend possible, but are saddened by the limitations that come this time of year.  The paper plates are restocked, the jugs of water are onboard, and the campground "toiletries" are packed and ready for a daily trek to facilities.  This is the time of year where us northerners are jealous of our travel buddies that are down south enjoying the clear sunshine and full facilities.  Wishing all 4 of your that read this blog a wonderful holiday and happy new year!

Premier RV Resorts - Salem, OR

Some of our weekend escapes just do not allow us to travel very far from home.  Even just an hour away from home can provide a nice escape on a short weekend trip.  This last weekend our escape was Premier RV Resort in Salem, Oregon.  Located on the Willamette river, the park is just a few minutes SW of downtown Salem, and one of many options in the Salem area.  Although not located directly off I-5, this is a convenient location if you really want to explore Salem, or if you happen to be coming East from a coast trip in Lincoln City.  We are both impressed with this park...particularly the cleanliness of the park and the amenities provided and would certainly stay here again for events and activities in Salem.

Game Room

Sites along the river

Our supersite

Supersite adds picnic table and parking spot

Setting 3.5  The park is accessible directly off Hwy 22.  The park is along the river, but the river is not visible directly from the sites.  There is a path behind that park that allows you to view the river.  Sites are all pristine and spotless.  Residents certainly seem to have pride in the park as well....no junk lying around, etc.  Downtown Salem is about 10 minutes and Hwy 99 which runs N/S through Oregon is also just about 10-15 minutes away.

Amenities  4  Tremendous water pressure, clean electrical and a huge array of cable channels included.  The park also has an extensive DVD library.  Some of the sites (like the supersite were were in) have an additional parking space and a picnic table which provides extra space.  The only negative was the sewer connection as there were no threads...so unable to make an airtight seal.  Great game room available and a small exercise room as well.  We did not utilize the laundry facilities, but they looked impressive.  Bathrooms were spotless and well apportioned.

Accessibility 5  Easy approach to the park.  All sites were easily navigable and any size rig should have no problem negotiated the sites.  May be limited on site selection for anything in the 42-45 foot range, but it could not be easier to navigate the park.

Friendliness 4  Very friendly front office and residents also seemed very neighborly.  Only staying the weekend, this is always hard to evaluate, but everyone we did meet was friendly and welcoming.

Exercise room

Hookups

Pheasant Ridge RV Resort Review - Wilsonville, OR

Locating an RV park in an urban setting is always a challenge, and the Portland area is no exception.  South of Portland there are really only two choices, Pheasant Ridge in Wilsonville or Roamer's Rest in Tigard.  The third choice south of town in Tualatin sold to a developer last year and will soon become apartments and condos.  Being involved in a program at Portland State University, I am a regular patron of Pheasant Ridge as it is certainly my favorite of the two south Portland locations.  We will certainly continue to frequent this park when visiting the Portland area.

SETTING: 3.5  The location of the park is quite convenient.  Located just a few blocks off of I-5, this location is ideal for getting around the south Portland suburbs.  It is located near grocery, Costco, Target, Starbucks...and Camping World is right across the freeway.  Downtown Portland is about a 20 minute drive, but more convenient than the two parks that are north and easy of Portland in my opinion.  I also appreciate not having to navigate through downtown Portland or east Portland.  The sites are very close together and do no have tables, or even a space to sit outside.  The tiered layout of the sites on a hill does make it feel like you have a bit more privacy than you actually have.

AMENITIES: 3  Full hookups are available.  Cable channels are limited, but you can check-out a converter box which does access additional channels.  Bathrooms are clean, but not overly spacious.  Laundry room is quite nice.  Exercise room is very limited and is attached to the general gathering room so can be a bit awkward.  Like most RV resorts, the exercise room consists of old and tired equipment.  An indoor pool is on premises.  The utilities can be difficult to access, and some of the sites have the sewer hookup so far back on the pad that your normal sewer hose will not reach....we have had to back up to dump on two of the sites.  Most of the daily/weekly sites are on the upper level, above the clubhouse.  Good water pressure and internet is adequate.  Strong 4G Verizon available at the park, and the office has a great selection of grocery, snack and RV supplies...one of the best I have seen.

Utility Post

Shower/Restroom Stall

Sink Area

Row on Upper Level

Site in Upper Section

Site...noting tree to watch

ACCESSIBILITY: 3  The entrance to the park is definitely frightening.  It must be taken at an angle, and I always prefer to unhook nearby before entering the park....just be careful as you enter and exit.  There are many trees in the park that can make negotiating your site a challenge, particularly after dark.  You will absolutely want a co-pilot and guide as you enter and exit many of these sites.  On our first visit we watched in horror as a couple sideswiped a huge hedge in their brand new class A pusher.  That being said, if you are careful and plan ahead, MOST of the park is definitely negotiable.  The front office is very helpful if you ask them for a site that has easy access.  Like most older parks, you just have to be careful as you are negotiating the property.

FRIENDLINESS: 3  The front office staff is friendly as are the residents.  I would guess that 70% of the park consists of full-timers during the slow season.  Rigs are all in good condition and residents are thoughtful in keeping their sites clean and orderly.  That being said, most people seem to keep to themselves as we have never found this park as friendly as some of the more transient parks like 7 Feathers.