HORSESHOE BEND RECREATION AREA - LAKE MCCLURE, COULTERVILLE, CA - MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2025

HORSESHOE BEND RECREATION AREA-LAKE MCCLURE COULTERVILLE, CA - MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2025

Our drive from Mendota, CA to Coulterville, CA had twisty turnys along the way.  It's always an experience to travel those roads with nearly 40ft motorhome towing a SUV not knowing what's around the bend.  Steve always takes his time and drives at a comfortable speed.  We're never in a hurry to get to where we're going.  We like to enjoy the ride and scenery along the way.  As they say, "It's not the destination, it's the journey."

Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area at Lake McClure was beautiful.  We were, literally, the only people there.  A few days later, another couple came in to camp.  Other than that it was quiet, peaceful and we really enjoyed the area.  With Lake McClure right there we would see boaters trailering their boats to the boat ramp, to spend time on the lake either fishing or just enjoying the water.

To our amazement, we saw the largest pinecones we've ever seen.  The area is filled with Coulter Pines!  These trees are massive.  They can grow to between 30-83 ft tall.  The Coulter Pine is native to California and thrives in dry, rocky soils.  It is drought tolerant.  Their cones can grow to be 8-20 inches long.  The cones have spiny segments and are tipped with a talon-like hook.  People are advised to wear hardhats when working in Coulter Pine groves.  The large size of the cones, combined with the claw-like scales, has earned them the nickname "widow makers" among the locals.  We found the cones all along the road as we walked through the recreation area.


Steve holding a Coulter Pinecone, while pretending to talk
on a payphone in the park.



The payphone in the park that did not work.  
We found it odd that it was even there.

Sir Didymus in our camping spot as we walked up the road.

Lake McClure and the nearby boat ramp area.

Panoramic view of the area.  It was an exceptional view.

We stayed in Coulterville for 6 nights.  On June 2nd, we drove to Yosemite National Park.  I'm going to write a separate post specifically on Yosemite.

Our time at Horseshoe Bend was relaxing and a much needed reprieve from the traveling and sightseeing.  Days with not much to do but take walks, have campfires, make s'mores and enjoy the surroundings really can recharge the batteries and we value that time immensely.

Yosemite National Park is next!

Tally Ho!
Patty

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GRAND CANYON, WILLIAMS, AZ - APR 18-23, 2025

Image
One of our most anticipated stops was the Grand Canyon.  We booked a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, in Williams, AZ.  It is a nice park with the train that runs from Williams up to the Grand Canyon.  There is also a hotel there.  Downtown Williams is just a short walk up the road from the hotel & RV park.  A quaint downtown with lots of shops. Drove up to the Grand Canyon, about an hour drive.  The anticipation was growing.  Once we walked the walkway up to the first viewpoint - I cried.  There are no words to explain the beauty, the massiveness, and the awe of the Grand Canyon.  I realize while there we only saw a portion of this beautiful place.  Hopefully, one day, we'll get to see more.  At the time we were there the North Entrances were still closed due to snow. Steve also got his cowboy hat while in Williams and we had to stop in at the Grand Canyon Brewery & Distillery.  We had a nice lunch outsid...
Read more

CLEAR SPRING, CLEAR LAKE & LAKE MURRAY CAMPGROUNDS - FEB 20-MAR 13, 2025

Image
CLEAR SPRING - TEXARKANA, TX; CLEAR LAKE - PRINCETON, TX & LAKE MURRAY CAMPGROUND - ARDMORE, OK Between Feb. 20 and March 13 we traveled to Texarkana & Princeton Texas, and to  Ardmore, Oklahoma.   In Texarkana we stayed at Clear Spring Campground which is at Wright Patman Lake.  The park is beautiful.  Our site has a great view of the lake.  While in Texarkana we went to    Spring Lake Park.  There is a lovely lake to walk around and there are many ducks, geese & swans roaming about.  The park has playgrounds, a fenced dog park, and acres of wooded areas with picnic tables. We drove into downtown and saw the US Post office that sides on the border between Texas and Arkansas, walked around downtown and took pictures of multiple murals that adorn the sides of so many buildings.  Drove by the Ace of Clubs house, which is built in the shape of the Ace of Clubs. It is currently closed for renovation.  We then hit Pecan Point...
Read more

OREGON - TO WASHINGTON - JUNE 10 - JUL 9, 2025

Image
OREGON TO WASHINGTON - JUNE 10 - JUL 9, 2025 Due to the need to catch up on my blog posts, I'm going to write a long one sharing our travels through Oregon heading to Washington state.   We are currently in Arizona and it's November.  Obviously I have a lot to catch you up on, so here goes! On June 10th we left Red Bluff KOA Journey in California and headed to Edenvale Winery in Medford, Oregon for 2 nights.  Edenvale Winery makes wines in the old-world style and prides itself on its commitment to sustainable agriculture, historic preservation and eduction.  Their tasting room experience operates out of the refurbished Carriage House of the historic Voorhies Mansion.   Built between 1890 and 1898, the Voorhies Mansion is located on was originally established as Eden Valley Orchards by Joseph Stewart in 1885. The entire property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  There is also a redesigned Italian-style garden on the property.  ...
Read more