Those of you that have been following this blog awhile know I am a big fan of Google Earth. The view from above provided by Google Earth shows; roads, mountains, unique geological formations, forgotten ghost towns, landscape conditions (ie: desert, forest, etc), water bodies and, of course, boondocking locations. It can even give you an indication on how steep the access “road” is to an identified boondocking location. Best of all, it provides the coordinates to navigate you and your RV to that special place. 
Well once again Google Earth has shown me another location for the “must go there” list of future RV outings. Recently, while searching on Google Earth for a trail or two for an upcoming backpacking trip, I came across a lake in the North Central Cascades of Washington that I was unfamiliar with. It was hidden away from civilization via a ridge on it’s eastern shore. As always, I had the “photos” option activated on Google Earth which displays blue squares indicating a picture posted by other users like you and I. One of the pictures was titled “Secret Lake“. Clicking to open the picture I was treated to a view of golden autumn trees reflected in a smooth mountain lake. Wow, this could be the spot I am looking for. Clicking on the next picture to learn more about the area showed RVs camped along the shore of the same lake. While disappointed, this would not be the destination of my next backpacking outing, it immediately went in the file of future RV destinations.
Where is this lake with campsites right on the shore you ask? I will let you know after I have been there ……. once…. or twice! After all, discovering secret places on our own is one of the rewards of adventures in RVing! I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you.
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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