My sister Michele and her husband Michael organized a family gathering at the beginning of May in California, at the Jalama Beach county park campground. Susan and I brought our Oliver travel trailer, as my sister Margie and her husband brought their Casita trailer, while the rest of the family stayed in cabins. Michael’s family came, his sister Carol and her husband Tom, and his brother Denny and his wife Gillian. Along with us old folks, the younger generation was represented by Michele and Michael’s daughter Alana, her husband Mark, and Beatrice, an adorable nearly two-year-old bundle of activity
It is a long drive to Jalama Beach, which is near Santa Barbara, so we broke it up into two days driving, with a good audiobook by Philip Pullman, a prequel to the Golden Compass trilogy. Unfortunately, there weren’t any suitable parks or campgrounds in the area. Online, I had read about people spending the night in a parking lot at Walmarts, truck stops, or casinos, for free. You should buy a meal, some groceries, or some gas. Or throw money away in a casino.
Aha! Right on the California – Nevada border is the tiny town of Primm, with nothing but three casinos, all owned by the same company. Come to think about it, there are no homes or residential area in Primm (I just looked on Google satellite view.); where do all the casino employees live?
We pulled into the lot behind the Whiskey Pete’s casino, and it was full of big semis. We crossed the interstate, and behind Buffalo Bill’s casino there was a sign that said RV parking. We found a big parking lot, mostly empty, but with a few RVs and semis, and found a spot in the far corner. Right next to the parking lot the casino has an events center where they hold concerts. I guess they let the people park for free, and they make money off drinks, meals, and gambling.
Susan was worried that this wasn’t legal, so we walked over to this huge travel trailer with a bunch of big dirt bikes; the motorcycle had numbers, like for racing. They said, “no problem… You in that little tiny trailer?” Also “it’s a good thing you came tonight. People with campers will be pouring in tomorrow for the big off road races this weekend.”
We bought dinner at the Mad Greek’s (sorry, not owned by the casino enterprise who provided the parking), and while waiting I found the Vegas Off Road Experience online. I don’t think we would have enjoyed the off-road racing, or probably the off-road enthusiast crowd who would be camped in the parking lot who the next night. But the food at the Mad Greek was pretty good!This was a Thursday night, and the casino was empty! The joint would probably be jumping on Friday and Saturday, when all of the off-roaders were there! Susan used to love slot machines, but that was when they used real nickels….
On to California and the Jalama Beach Campground.
We had a really good time at Jalama Beach. Really good food, good wine, and good family. Really nice campground.
We walked on the beach a lot.
I also photographed the local wildlife in the campground.
A few days after the camping trip my sister Michele texted me asking if I got pictures of all five of the siblings and their spouses. I sheepishly replied no, “people weren’t into posing.” Translation: As much as I like taking pictures, I usually don’t like to ask people to pose. I like to take candid pictures.
However, my photo archive comes to the rescue for pictures of the family. My niece Alana, before she and Mark got married in August 2016, asked me to be the wedding photographer. My only request was that someone from each side of the family would be assigned to help me pose the de rigueur photos (e.g. mother of the bride with father of the groom). I was worried that I would screw it up, but it turned out okay. You can see my favorites HERE or the whole collection HERE. I really enjoyed the reception, where I spent the time taking candids of people having a good time (the snapshots page). Yes, I was a photographer at a REAL wedding, that even had ten bridesmaids. So I will now share photos of my family!
Family is sooo special!
We left Jalama Beach and then went to San Luis Obispo and Cambria, next blog post.
Beautiful family time and photos! BK and I were glad to be a part of the San Luis past of your California trip.
Wonderful…and this beach in ca. Is new to me