Railroads conquered the mountain passes of the west long before highways were constructed. Much engineering was required to construct a rail grade gentle and straight enough to accommodate the locomotives along with the freight and passenger cars they carried. The railroad over Washington State’s Steven Pass was no exception, requiring extensive tunnels, fills and soaring […]
About Dave Helgeson - Adventures in RVing
Hidden Gems Off Highway 2 In Washington
I have seen Deception Falls many times while driving over Stevens Pass along Highway 2 in Washington State. I had even slowed down a few times to get a good look and snap a photo of it as I crossed the bridge below it. However, it wasn’t until I actually stopped at this roadside picnic […]
We Found A Free Hidden Campground In Washington
Those that regularly follow my adventures on this blog know that I am all about free places to camp and lesser known places to explore. How have I driven past (literally within a half mile) the free Liberty Campground for all of my life without checking it out is a mystery. The campground is named […]
These Rock Formations Look Like Something From Another Planet
In the last installment, we were heading north from Nevada’s Echo Canyon State Park into Spring Valley State Park. In this installment, we will explore Spring Valley State Park north of Eagle Valley Reservoir. The paved road you have been traveling on will turn to gravel (suitable for all RVs) as you leave the improved […]
Travel Off The Beaten Path In Nevada
In the last installment, we had been camping and exploring Nevada’s Echo Canyon State Park. This week we will head up the road towards nearby Spring Valley State Park enjoying the sites and places to explore along the way. Heading north from Echo Canyon State Park on Rose Valley Road, you will come to a […]
Hike, Fish, And Camp In This Nevada Canyon
In the last installment, we ventured to Nevada’s Eagle Valley and explored Echo Canyon State Park’s scenic Ash Canyon. The unusual thing about Eagle Canyon is the abundance (by Nevada standards) of flowing water. This water first drew the Fremont people over a thousand years ago who hunted and gathered, then farmers and ranchers in […]
Go Camping In One Of Nevada’s Lesser Known State Parks
Just east of Pioche, Nevada lays Echo Canyon State Park. You are not likely to find it listed in many travel guides, but if you are an adventurous RVer (like me and my wife), make sure you detour off Highway 93 for a couple of days to explore the area the next time you find […]
We Visited An Old Ghost Town And Almost Got Stuck In A Ditch
If you have attended one of my seminars or followed this blog over the years it is no secret that I rely heavily on Google Earth to locate places to explore, roads to get there, boondocking campsites nearby and how to access them. A trip to explore the mining camp of Sprucemont, Nevada was no […]
See The Unique Formations In Idaho’s Little City Of Rocks
Unique and scenic rock formations are always a must-do along our travels in the west. One such place is the Little City of Rocks located near Gooding, Idaho. The Little City of Rocks (not to be confused with “City of Rocks” in Southern Idaho) features thousands of acres of rock formations including towers, mushroom caps, […]
Go Camping In Green Mountain National Forest
When someone mentions boondocking, you typically think of public land in the western states. Mention boondocking and snowbirds in the same sentence and most people will narrow it down to the desert southwest and places like Quartzsite, Arizona where RVers migrate by the thousands every winter. But did you know that boondocking (dispersed camping) is […]
Satellite Imagery Isn’t Always What It Seems
For years I have been touting the benefits of Google Earth. Through the years I have used it to: Find boondocking campsites View RV parks and campgrounds in advance to see how they are laid out, look at the access and if there are rail lines nearby. Use it to find easy to access fuel […]