560 Ultra Trips

Hey everyone,

I just reviewed the " Camp-Inn " home page & noticed this new forum. I've already posted a few photos of my new ( 2009 )560 Ultra Trips on another forum. But this is the " Camp-Inn Forum " , so here we go !

Grand Canyon

Setting up Camp for the night.


Wallymart Heater, worked very well, for a very small investment!

TOOOO cold for another night stay.


So, we head down to " Lake Powell " for a few days of warmer weather,and set up for the night.

Well,it lightly snowed every night,and melted off during the daylight hours.


We departed after a few days stay,on a very beautiful sunny & windy day.

I'm planning on heading out to the " Santa Barbara / Solvang " for a weekend trip @ the end of this month.

L.M.

 

Hey, L.M.! Welcome to the forum. Kudos to you for camping in the snow. (don't try that with a tent)

Thanks for the photos!

 

Hey all, here's a few more winter photots:

First night snow @ Lake Powell


@ Grand Canyon camp grounds. I heard a rumor that it was a record setting cold night,for that time of year.





Photos of Road trip to Grand Canyon

L.M.

 

Nice Pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Charlie

 

Hey all,

We just got back from our mini-Vacation to the " Solvang / Santa Barbara " area.

Just finished packing and heading out on Thursday morning. It was a cloudy overcast morning, & started to rain as we were leaving.


Here we are arriving @ " Flying Flags RV Park ", on Thursday afternoon.

http://www.flyingflags.com/

The place was " Nice & Clean ".


They were holding some type of " RV Show ". A few folks came by our spot, to admire our " Raindrop ".
We provided a brief " Tour " & handed out a few brochures.

The place was half empty when we arrived, but by Saturday afternoon, it was full.. ! We had originally decided to spend some time on the beach .. But, we didn't plan ahead , and couldn't locate a place on the beach.

L.M.

 

Just a few more photos & info.

We pulled into town a bit early & decided to have a beer @ a local " Micro-Brewery ", which I keep passing by.. ?
Unfortunately , they were closed, so we headed back on " Friday " afternoon for lunch.



http://www.firestonewalker.com/index.php?c=taproom_restaurant



The food was good, the Beer was very good,& the service was great !!

Here's another place we stopped at to eat breakfast before leaving.

Las Tres Rosas Mexican Restaurante
The " Mexican Food " was very good,& it was within walking distance from where we were staying !

We did most of our own " Cooking " in camp.


I just love " Hot Links ".. !



On the way home " Pacific Coast Highway ".


Here we are driving thru the city of " Santa Barbara ". They were hosting some type of " Arts Festival ",along the beach front / Harbor area.


L.M

 

Hey all,

Just back from another " Road Trip "

" Mammoth Lakes "

I generally like to stop by the " Indian Wells Brewery " on the way out & heading back home ( Thirsty ) !





Manzanar War Relocation Center






Base Camp : Mammoth Mountain RV Park






Convict Lake

L.M.

 

Hey all,

My girlfriend isn't a " dedicated Fisherwomen " & had never spent any time in or around " Mammoth Lakes " .. So we did a little sight seeing, before deciding to do any fishing.


This was her first attempt with Float Tubing. The first lesson(s)were conducted @ Convict Lake.

I'll now have to teach her how to " Swim ".




We decided to finally go fishing the following day @ Virginia Lakes.



We fished for a few hours. I finally landed one after a few lost hook-ups.

A nice " Brook Trout " , caught on a " FLY " ; Black , Beadhead Wooly Bugger.

L.M.

 

L.M.,
Looks like a fun trip. Beautiful pictures!
thanks for sharing

 

Hey Bob B,

We had a good time.. but there really was tooooo much to see & do,in so little time (one week).

The weather was kind of touchy !! Most days were in the " High Eighties ", with a few nights & early mornings " Overcast , with a bit of Drizzle ".

I generally try to fish @ " Crowley Lake " , but my girlfriend would not have had a pleasant time. It's pretty much a "Barren Desert Lake", with virtually no shade " Sunny & Hot " !
http://www.crowleylakeguideservice.com/Fish_Reports/Fly_Fishing_Report.htm

However, the " Fishing " can be fabulous at times .. I've had 30 + fish caught, before getting blown off the lake ( hot aternoon winds ). We normally land (5) Perch . for every Trout caught. (average Trout length 16 + inches )with a few Brown Trout in the mix..

Just an additional " FYI ", for those of you interested & not familar with the area ?
We decided to travel lite , as there are several stores / markets in town , to stock up on any needed items; Vons / Do-it Center / Rite Aide.. !

There are always " BEARS " to consider & we didn't have a " Bear Box " in our Camp Site .. And they did show up,late at night.

So, we decided to plan our meals on a " Day to Day Basis " , which as it turned out , to eating out on the road most of the time..
Here's a list to consider.

1. Breakfast:


The Stove also serves "Dinner" & whatever " Prime Rib " is left over .. They serve the following morning, as "Prime Rib Hash,with Eggs".. My favorite item !!

2. Lunch /Dinner:

In my opinion,Best Pizzaa in town,and they serve the local " Micro Brewed BEER ".


Very decent Burgers, right next to " Grumpy's " , which is a Sports Bar.


First floor " Formal Dining " .
Second floor, " Bar " area " HAPPY HOUR " prices (starts 5 PM).


I was impressed with the " Mexican Style " food !! (The Village area).


http://www.convictlake.com/restaurant.php
We had planned on staying for lunch .., but the " Float Tube " lessons lasted longer than expected.

Schats Bakery
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/1488/schats-bakery-caf-mammoth-lakes-and-bishop-california
They serve a very decent fresh roasted " Turkey Sandwich ".



http://www.thaidup.net/
We were a bit burnt out eating " Burgers / Steaks /Hot Links , etc " & decided to try something different.
I've driven past the place (over a few years), but never stopped . I personally love , " Thai cuisine ". We were both pleased with the food.


Beer Tasting, near the Village!

http://www.mammothbrewingco.com/
FREEEE Beer tasting. Although, I don't know how long this will last ... ?

L.M.

 

Hi again ,
I ran out of posting space (??) just a few more places to stop by , while on the road !

Bishop
http://www.smokedmeats.com/
They serve " Deli Sandwiches " & Smoked Meats.

Mono Lake / Yosemite area.
WHOA NELLIE DELI
http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/

Situated on a hill, overlooking " Mono Lake ". They made the cover of " Gourmet Magazine ".

Here's two " Guide Booklets " that I found to be very useful

Contact # for a copy.
Mono County Tourism & Recreation: 866-745-9719

L.M.

 

Hey Ken,

My regular flyfishing buddy & I, almost exclusively use "Beadhead Wooly Buggers/ Crystal Buggers/Docs Twin Lake Special or Clouser Minnows " (Float Tubing), in various colors (In particular Olive & Black).

http://stevenojai.tripod.com/twinspec.htm

Most of the local guides suggets " Midges " @ Crowely Lake, for this time of the year.

But.,we do very well, with the various " Buggers " patterns, everywhere !!

L.M.

 

Hi L.M.,

I just finished viewing all of your great pics. Man, it looks like you know how to have a good time. Plus, that's a great looking rig you have to go touring all of those beautiful places.

I have a question regarding the "Turbo Sport" grill I saw in one of the photos. What is the heat source for cooking? Looked like propane, but I couldn't tell for sure. How does it do for grilling up a nice steak or some chops?

Looking forward to more great shots of your trips.

Thanks,
Hutch

 

Hey Hutch,

I'm restricted to using " Propane " , in many of my local " Campsites " ( CA ) due to " Forestry Fire Restrictions " : No open Flames / Fire Pits / Charcoal BBG Cooking , ect..

So, I have to make due with " Propane ", for most of my " Cookimg " needs.

The " Turbo Grill " can only be run reliably, on " High & Medium " settings, as the slightest breeze will blow out the flame,on Low. I also found out that the small propane bottles ( 14 oz ? ), won't provide enough pressure to keep the flames going strong (Ceramic Heating Element).

It works great on Steaks, but you need to keep a close eye, and keep moving the " Hot Links / Hot dogs " on the outer edges of the Grill.

Now.. that's not normally a problem for me, since I like my " Steaks Seared / Medium Rare "..

You might consider checking out this thread:
http://camp-cook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2266

L.M.

 

Hey Ken,

I'm primarily into " Float Tubing " on the Lakes @ Mammoth, along with my local Lakes , (5-6 wt Rods) using full sinking lines.
(Castaic / Pyramid / Piru ; Trout, Large Mouth Bass , Stripers: 7-10 wt Rod)

But,I always take along a box of " Nymph / Midges / Wet Flies " & a few Dry Flies (4wt Rod), just in case !


p.s. : I've tried tying my own .. Unfortunately .. I'm not very good at it ):
L.M.