We are off to......: Spring in the Sierra Foothills

Introduction

We are off to.... is our Blog to allow family, friends, and others that are interested to follow us on our extended RV travels.

We aren't full time RVers but like to take extended trips of a month or more as often as we can. We prefer public agency campgrounds like State and National Parks, US Forest Service, etc. We do use some RV Parks if they are the closest or most convenient place to things we want to see or do.

We will attempt to provide information on the various campgrounds we stay in, things to do in the area, and pictures of what we see.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Spring in the Sierra Foothills

It looks like we have picked a perfect time for another outing as the weather is forecast to be sunny skies, days in the mid to upper 70s, nights in the high 40 to low 50s and only light breezes. Doesn't get much better than that. That is the forecast for the entire week we plan to be camping.

We are at one of our go-to places in the spring which is New Melones Lake near Angels Camp, CA.

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/

http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchInterface.do?interface=%2FrecreationalAreaDetails.do&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=25&recAreaId=25&agencyCode=70905

Due to the drought the lake is lower than I've ever seen it but is coming up with the March rains and will rise faster as the snow higher up melts. Certainly won't be up much while we are here and some of the lake arms are green with grass not blue with water. Still it is a very pretty time of year with all the new growth on the trees and new grass sporting various shades of green.

Campsite but not overlooking the water (just grass)

It didn't take someone long to start relaxing.

This island is normally under water.

A month ago there was no water around this island.

All of the boat ramps are a long way out of the water except for the ones that were built before the lake filled when the dam was finished. To reach them there are long dusty gravel roads down to where they exist. All of the rental houseboats are parked on top of the hill along with many private houseboats. The marina is closed until the water comes up a lot more.