This weekend we went on our first official Airstream caravan! Friday after work us + Leigh, Brian & Curtis packed up and headed down the road for a short two night adventure.
I think we’re being followed
The intended destination was a tiny national forest campground on the shores of Swan Lake. Unfortunately, we arrived around 5:30 to find the campground packed with weekend warriors with only one available site. So we drove a few miles away to Long Lake where we found the same deal- a packed campground with only one open site. Okay, onto plan C. This time we pulled into the Thirteen Mile Trailhead where the national forest graciously provides 3 campsites free of charge. There was no one else around and after some major finagling to get ourselves two level spots for the trailers, we were settled for the weekend.
Us
Them
Despite the close proximity to the road it was a nice fairly secluded spot to spend a few days. There were lots of tall trees, and even a small stream behind our site for the dogs to enjoy.
The boys playing in the river
On Saturday morning we set out to hike a portion of the 13 mile trail. The origin of the name lies in the distance to the nearest town, not the length of the trail. There is also a mountain somewhere along the trail called 13 mile. It was a nice trail that climbed steadily up through a dense forest and then up and down a series of mild inclines and declines as it traveled back into the Sanpoil River canyon.
Leigh & Brian on the trail
Trees & views
After our morning exercise we decided that we had earned a trip to the brewery in the nearby town of Republic. It was a cool little brewery that’s housed in what used to be the town fire hall.
From fighting fires to brewing beer
The brewery doesn’t serve food, but they have menus from all the restaurants in town at the bar. You decide what you want, call in your order, and they will deliver it. Seems like a good way to operate. In the picture below Leigh is ordering a monster veggie burrito.
Republic Brewing
After our late lunch Tim and I walked around the tiny downtown. The town’s history lies in the mining industry. It was founded by gold prospectors in the early 1900s and many of the buildings that line main street are over 100 years old. We found it fascinating that most of the old buildings had plaques stating their original function.
The town of Republic
On Sunday morning we headed back home. This time Leigh & Brian were in the lead.
On the way home
On the way back we stopped about 30 minutes from their property at the Waucunda RV park to dump our tanks and fill with water.
Waucunda RV Park
Followers of the Aluminarium blog might remember that this is the RV park for sale they blogged about a few months ago. It’s a cute, small, well-maintained park with tons of potential. We met the owners and got a tour of the old onsite school house. The building needs a ridiculous amount of work, but it if the right person (with the right kind of money) buys the place it could be turned into something really cool.
Old school house
The dogs had a great time running around and enjoying the lush green grass. I finally got a picture of Curtis not in motion while he rested in the shade of our trailer. Isn’t he a handsome boy?
Handsome boy
I would say our first Airstream caravan was a success and has us very excited for next weekend when our numbers will grow from two to eight!
3 comments
You’re such a better blogger than me!!
Sounds like you guys are enjoying yourself. We are starting our camping trip on Weds. Enjoyed your blot and pics.
Great get away! Glad the other two places were full…third times the charm!
Curtis does have beautiful eyes!
Enjoy your caravan of 8. That’s a sight I would love to see traveling down the road!