Early Season RV Weekend- Washington State Park March 11-13 2023

We have some bigger plans for RV use this year, so I wanted to get out and test a few updates and get any winter issues taken care of early this year. I recently installed a WeBoost antenna to the RV to allow me to have better cellular and internet service in more remote locations. I am hoping to do more work from the RV this year than last. Washington State Park is only 90 minutes from our house and fairly remote but still easy to reach for an early season weekend. 

We went on a Saturday to Monday. Monday being my weekly conference call, so if all worked well, I could take my video call on Monday morning from the RV before packing up and returning home.

The weather was still very chilly and blustery and as suspected we were one of only 3 RV in the entire campground. The campground hosts had not even arrived for the season yet and no facilities were open. 

Empty Campsites this weekend

We like it that way, except for being a bit chilly to be outside, the lack of crowds is really nice. Washington State Park has a couple of unique Petroglyph sites in the Park. Some of these glyph could be up to 2000 years old. 

After the kiosk with the signage there is a board walk to the site

The Glyphs are covered to help prevent erosion and to help with identification. Unlike other sites they are not on cliff walls but on the rock on the ground. 

The Thunderbird glyph

The familiar fertility circle that appears throughout all of the America's. You see this symbol a lot out West. If I ever was brave enough for a tattoo, it would be this glyph. 

The Park has a lodge with concession area during the summer months. It is named after the Thunderbird

Can't go out in the RV without our customary big breakfast and dinners. Apologies for the use of paper plates this weekend, as we were limited on the water we brought in the holding tank, so no hot dish water for real plates. Plus we had a few issues with the water pump, hot water heater and the actual water holding tank, all of which we solved, but that is why we are out here early this year. 

The park has three trails. The one called the Opossum Trail leaves from the RV park. They are all loops and they all connect. So needing some exercise after eating all day. I headed out for a little crisp fresh air. 

Opossum Trail- Blue, Rockywood Trail- Red 

There is a steep decent down to the Big River level 

The creeks all had water and were really neat looking with the slab rock.

Then it is back up to the ridge level passing a couple of  glades.

Why is there always steps! 

Just before the top of the ridge a little side trail takes you along the bluff to a deep alcove in the rock. 

Unfortunately, it has been heavily tagged by morons. Washington State Park is right off Hwy 21, so easily accessible by locals and the Big River draws lots of people to play in the water during the summer months. 

wider view of the alcove entrance 

You can look down on the alcove from the bluff above the Big River.

Scenic overlook 

One of the many pavilions in the park constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in the 1930's. An "army" of the unemployed during the depression, put to work by the US Government. They were made up of workers, some of them highly skilled, that created some fantastic construction projects all over the country, for basically, a dollar per day. 

Overlook in front of the pavilion

The trail comes down again, to the river level, behind the Thunderbird Lodge visitors center. 

Continuing on around the Blue loop you stay in a ravine for a bit, enjoying the hardwood forest conservation area and all the water in the creeks this time of year. Everyone of these creeks is just a series of small waterfalls and cascades.

Just a nice walk in the woods 

Across the creek head and heading back up a steep hill 

The last ascent is very steep, it takes you back up to the level of the RV campground. You put the water towers on the tops of hills for maximum potential energy!  

Back to the RV to hang out by the fireplace and watch some movies with Vicky. 

Sunday late afternoon the Sun did come out for a bit. Made it much nicer for cooking steaks and scallop potatoes on the grill.