Beating The Heat

Lake Front Boondocking

The Pacific Northwest, where I live, just went through a record heat wave. The majority of homeowners (my wife and I included) in this neck of the woods do not have the luxury of air conditioning. Fortunately, our RV is equipped with one. As the days became warmer and warmer the ability to tough it out in our home became less and less desirable. Unable to comfortably remain in the house, we finally abandoned it for the air conditioned RV in our driveway. Now our driveway is not the most exciting RV destination, so sitting in it watching our neighbor water his garden became old after the first day. We needed to take the RV to the lake or up high in the mountains where it would be cooler. Going to a campground was not a good option as they would all be booked up this time of year. That left finding a suitable boondocking location as our best option for beating the heat. I decided we should double up our efforts to stay cool by going to the lake AND the mountains. Fortunately, Keechelus Lake on Snoqualmie Pass is located less than 60 miles from our home , conveniently located just off I-90 and allows (dispersed camping) boondocking! Finding a space along the shoreline, we were treated to a constant breeze off the water, a great view down the lake, star filled nights and cooler day time temperatures. Our camp space even came with entertainment in the form of military jets flying low and fast over the lake, nightly fireworks (rock blasting on the I-90 expansion project) and parasailers riding the uplifting winds along the ridge east of the lake.

Beating the heat camping on a mountain lake for just the cost of a little gasoline, that is my kind of adventure in RVing!

Lakeside Stargazing

Note: Access to the shoreline to Keechelus Lake is via the USFS boat launch located at the north end of the lake. Per the sign at the entrance: A NW Forest Service Pass or other suitable national lands pass is required.

Dave Helgeson

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.