A Gold Rush eh......

Barkerville is a ghost town that never was. Someone has always lived there since Billy Barker struck gold in 1861. Men  travelled the long journey, packing their mining supplies on their backs to the edge of the Cariboo Mountains. Within a few years it was the largest city west of Chicago and north of San Fransisco.

In 1958 the government decided to restore it and make it a park. Now you can even sleep in the town in a historical hotel or bed and breakfast. Stop by the General Store or eat at the Chinese Restaurant.( I honestly had the best chinese food I have ever eaten there.) Go for a show at the theater or pan for gold, this town still has it all!

When I was there we were able to camp right outside the cemetery which made the trip even more eerie. There are still campsites within walking distance but no power. A short drive away is Cariboo Joy's Campground , there are full hook ups and you can even buy your own Gold Claim and learn how to pan for gold.

I would consider packing for cool weather. The high can be 32c but its not often that hot. Make sure you stay up to enjoy the stars. Plan to go in August when the meteor showers are on. And make sure you bring some bug spray.

Helpful links:

• Cariboo Joy
• Offical Barkerville page

A volcano made that?

Devils Post pile is located in East California and you have to see it to believe it. This rock formation was formed from lava around 100,000 years ago. The basalt columns are 2-3.5 feet in diameter and some stand 60ft high.

The top looks like its tile!

Rainbows falls is just as beautiful standing over 101 ft tall.

You can park overnight in the hikers parking lot for free, but make sure you leave the trailer 12 miles back at June Lake. The park is closed from October to June so make sure you check the National Park Service website before you travel.

Full Service Campsites:

Golden Pine RV Park    760-648-7473

June Lake RV Park

Small Trailers

Small trailers are great for young families. I am not saying that I wouldn't love to have a big 5th wheel, but in reality its just a place to sleep. When you are camping you spend most of your day outside, exploring, playing tourist, so what is the point in having a big rig?

There are so many different types of small trailers. Here are some of my favorite types.

My boler before we started our restoration. I just love these little eggs. You can go wild with color and patterns or just stay true to the original, which is what we are doing. the boler

Yes you are looking at a hard sided tent trailer. This is an Apache Trailer, they have a similar cult following like the bolers. Production started in the late 50's and ended in the late 80's, with multiple models there is a style/ floor plan for everyone.

Airstreams are beautiful and sometimes worth the price. Long and short models, vintage and renewed if I had to trade my boler in I would get one of these guys.

Tent trailers are great and can be very comfortable too. I have seen some with king size beds and showers. The only reason I would never buy one is the canvas or vinyl and mold. Could you imagine being stuck in a rain and have to pack up to get back to work. Seems like a pain but maybe its not so bad.

These are my top 4 picks, do you have a favorite that I missed?

Tofino

Tofino is one of the islands most amazing coastal towns to visit. Being in the Pacific Rim National Park, it offers many outdoor activities such as surfing, scuba diving, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. It has many restaurants, hotels and motels as well as full service campgrounds and hostels. It is a small town but big on tourism.

One of the best kept secrets of this area is Hot Springs Cove. You do need to fly or boat there, and once at the dock hike up to the hot springs but the wait and view is worth it! Caution very HOT water!

Another great place to make sure you visit is Schooner Cover. Its a gorgeous trail down to a beautiful beach. Then head up the hill to Radar Hill. Now dismantled, it was originally built in the 50's to warn against Soviet bombs. Now its home to the most breathtaking panoramic views I have ever seen.

Tofino is a great place for all. Please be cautious around the water as there are frequent strong under currents. Here are a few links for more information on Tofino BC:

Original Guide to Tofino BC

Discover Tofino BC

Tofino Tourism

Scuba Diving, Caving and a Cenote

Port Alice is the gateway to the wild west coast, home to some of the best ocean fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, spelunking and a few natural limestone wonders. Chartered fishing and scuba diving expeditions are the locals expertise. Whether you like to hike, bike or drive there is something for everyone up in North Vancouver Island.

The forest between Port Mcneil and Port Alice holds Canada's only cenote, Devils Bath. It is a rock sink hole that is continually feed by a spring underneath (when I was there its was bubbling) making it even more eerie than its name. After enjoying the view, slip behind the waterfall at the Eternal Fountain, you'll see passages carved from the falls into bright red rock. Follow on to the Vanishing River and Reappearing River, a river that seems to flow into a mountain, only to slip below into ancient Quatsino Karst formations. Giving this area some of the best spelunking adventures in western Canada.

Devils Bath

There are a few B&Bs, Chalet rentals, and campgrounds around the near lakes. Only one full service campground in town. (250)284-3422 please call for reservations

Brooks Peninsula

Brooks Peninsula is a place I have always wanted to visit. Its not a drive in and set up shop kinda place, you have to boat or fly to get there. Fortunately the surrounding water there makes it a pristine canoeing and kayaking spot. You can set up shop 20km south in Port Alice. There is a full service campground there- (250)284-3422

Back to Brooks, this is the only place on all Vancouver Island that was not touched by the last ice age. So the forest is really old growth and there are plants there that are not produced anywhere else in the world.

There is evidence of life there for over 1000 years. Not to mention the abundance of sea life around including gray whales.

Such a beautiful, remote place.

Happy Trails

I am a proud owner of 1975 Boler and I cannot wait to get out with my family and start camping in it. I have two young children and I am so excited to be able to make these precious family memories together.

We are doing a total restoration on our boler. We thought we were getting a good deal, so be careful when buying anything and do your research. I am documenting our restoration journey to try to help others out you can see that at www.theboler.com.

In the mean time, I am dedicating this blog to travel, trailer traveling and places I have always wanted to visit. Info on beautiful campsites for trailers, all throughout Canada and the US. Can't wait to get out there myself!