First trip in our new to us Windjammer: The Good, the bad and the Ugly!

[sheriff1]

Just got back from our shake down cruise in our new to us 2012 Windjammer 3008. We had a GREAT time! We started out in Reno, Nevada and took the short trip over Donner summit to Loomis. Found a couple of fantastic places to eat (Zorros and High hand nursery). Zorros is a bit spendy but well worth it. Stayed in the local RV park, nice but expect a train to come through your camper about 2 A.M. complete with loud horn! Just about a mile away is Camping world for those who like that. Next stop was Placerville and some wine tasting. Try Grace Patriot if you are in the area. Fantastic wine and nice folks. Several other winerys are now producing some very good wine in the area. We stayed at the KOA in Placerville, ask for a space away from the freeway. If you are lucky enough to get next to the fence expect peacocks and wild turkeys to serrenade you. About this time we discovered the clothes hanger rod in the main closet had ripped loose. Cheap plastic that is to hold the rod just ripped off of the screws. Also discovered that the prior owner had modified the TV antenna with a tree branch , EZ fix. Decided to go to the Pacific coast from Placerville. Went online and made reservations for Friday and Saturday nights. Poor internet connection kept me from doing much research but I did manage to reserve a space (pre-paid with a no refund policy) at Lawsons Landing near Dillon Beach. (This will be one of the bad and ugly parts, Lawson Landing review) When we arrived at Lawsons landing we saw why there was a no refund policy, they wouldn't have anybody staying there if they didn't! Camping was in a cow pasture complete with cows in your camp, at large dogs, mostly pit bulls and labs. Generators run through most of the night. The road that goes through camp goes to the boat ramp and you will enjoy speeding trucks with boats from well before sun up. No enforcement of any kind was to be seen. The rows of porta-johns right next to spaces are a special treat. We spent one night a left shortly after sun up. Went to Bodega Bay. We stayed at Porta Bodega, a VERY nice facility, reasonable rates and friendly folks. You are right on the water at the marina. If you venture around the bay to Bodega Head stop at the crab shack on the far side. WOW!! fresh crab sandwiches and the best clam chowder I have ever had. We spent a few nights there, very enjoyable. We left there and ended up in Napa. It was here I discovered the tongue jack had decided to self destruct. Using the emergency socket set I was able to release the tow vehicle. While enjoying the old town area we drove by an RV delearship and behold, there were Windjammers on the lot! We went in and found out it is only a repair facility for RVs and they are authorized Windjammer repair. I expalained my problem with the jack and was told that the jacks are junk. Since I was second owner, no warrenty. I was then sold a $250 Bulldog jack for $400. Thank you Napa RV, apparently they are the same company as Fairfield RV, so beware if you have any dealings with them. I installed the jack and continued our trip. We came back through Sacramento and back over the summit to home where we unloaded more than a few cases of wine. Since home I have finished the repairs, checked the lugs and lubed the axles. As I write this I am enjoying a glass of that wine and looking forward to our next trip.

[clancythecamper]

In spite of the >erks< it sounds wonderful to me ~ I can only imagine the scenery but if it's anything like the pix in my mind most of it was probably amazing. LOL about the "cowmpground" We once stayed at Camp Mack in Kissimmee fl and pulled in, found it to be interesting and set up camp. About 11pm, the place woke up ~ no wonder it was so quiet earlier, they were resting up for their night of airboating. Need I say more? LOL ! It's the goofy stuff that will make the best stories Looking forward to your next adventure!