CA | 2023, 28 Sep-1 Oct: B.A.R. (Bay Area Rally - "Light")

CADreamin · 05-13-2023, 09:56 AM

(Cross posted on the Fiberglass Forum)

There are many wonderful rallies through the United States and so many of us have been privileged to attend, even though they're many miles away. Several of us who are located in the S.F. Bay Area thought it would be fun to have a mini-rally closer to home so ... we are planning a get-together this September at Mt. Madonna County Park, located off Hecker Pass between Watsonville and Gilroy on Hwy 152. It's a small park but it has wonderful hiking trails and is graced with a beautiful redwood forest and chapparal, spanning over 3,688 acres. There are three camping areas: Valley View 1 has RV camping with water and electricity, while Valley View 2 & 3 are non-hookup sites but many have adequate parking (e.g., 28', etc.). Valley View #2 has 21 campsites and Valley View #3 has 25 campsites. RVs or trailers are permitted at all campsites and there are also three sizes of yurts available for those 'awaiting' their trailers.

More information on the park can be found here:https://parks.sccgov.org/santa-clara...na-county-park

If you're interested in attending, please visit the reservation page https://gooutsideandplay.org/reservation/camping/ and snag a spot by clicking on the blue button. Then let me know:
Name
General Home Location (e.g., Santa Cruz, Livermore, etc.)
Trailer Type and Size (e.g., Casita 16')
Site Number
Dates Attending

This is still a 'work in progress' so bear with us while we pull everything together. If you have any questions, however, please contact either myself or "Bea", on this forum, via PM and we'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Bobbie54 · 05-13-2023, 11:47 AM

I won't be there since I live in Washington now, but just to say it is a lovely park and nice for small RVs. Nice trails. Lovely setting. My site was not at all level though so plan on leveling. Stayed there years ago in my Campster.

splitting_lanes · 05-13-2023, 02:37 PM

Hi Jan -

We will be there!

Our details:
Rick & Mary
From San Jose (west side)
Escape 5.0 TA, 2022
Site 102RV
9/28-10/1

Look forward to the get together! It is a great area.

Fletch Dobbs · 05-13-2023, 05:21 PM

Hi Jan,

We will be there too!

Pam and Fletch, Site 139RV - 9/28-10/1

Looking forward to seeing everyone on our first rally outing!

Jill · 05-13-2023, 09:04 PM

Bummer - we will be camping in Oregon at that time so will miss it. But hopefully this will become an annual thing and we can join you next time!

SteveSgt · 06-30-2023, 08:08 PM

Just a data point: We stopped-by that Mt. Madonna campground today

I checked the cellular connectivity... I got nothing on T-Mobile, and almost nothing on Verizon.

Also, when you're leaving the park to get back onto Highway 152, it's a totally blind left turn across traffic to head back down toward Gilroy. That was a bit nerve-wracking even without a trailer.

But other than that, it looks like a nice place for the rally.

Peggy & Dennis · 07-01-2023, 08:29 AM

Unfortunately, we’ll miss this also. We have reservations the end of September in BC/Alberta.

It’s nice to see locals getting together; it sounds like fun.

Peggy & Dennis

Bea · 07-01-2023, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSgt

Just a data point: We stopped-by that Mt. Madonna campground today

I checked the cellular connectivity... I got nothing on T-Mobile, and almost nothing on Verizon.

Also, when you're leaving the park to get back onto Highway 152, it's a totally blind left turn across traffic to head back down toward Gilroy. That was a bit nerve-wracking even without a trailer.

But other than that, it looks like a nice place for the rally.

So nice you were able to check out Mt Madonna! Such a lovely place with tons of beautiful hiking trails all over. If you're lucky, a banana slug may come out to greet you!

That is true....the cell connectivity is a bit lacking in the Valley View 1 (the campground with hook ups). However, if you go for a quick 10 min walk (or 2-3 min drive) towards Valley View 2&3) that road loops around. At the very end of the loop, that is where there is a wide open beautiful view of the Gilroy valley area and cellular connection is good there. Nice benches to take in the view and grab emails or make calls, etc. (Hint - bring binoculars!)

Totally understand your description of getting back to Hwy 152, towards Gilroy when leaving Mt Madonna. When you get to that intersection, try and go as far right as possible so that you are more perpendicular to 152. When you do cross, they made the other side very wide open so there is plenty of room to make that turn. Hope this helps! Can't wait to see everyone at the rally! -Bea

CADreamin · 07-13-2023, 03:12 PM

Jill - So sorry you won't be joining us but know you'll have fun camping in Oregon ... one of our favorite places to camp. We hope to be able to have more local camping in the near future so fingers crossed! Travel safe!
Jan

CADreamin · 07-13-2023, 03:15 PM

Rick & Mary - We're looking forward to seeing you!
Jan & Bea

CADreamin · 07-13-2023, 03:15 PM

Pam & Fletch -
Can't wait to meet you guys!!
Jan & Bea

SteveSgt · 07-28-2023, 11:31 PM

I met another Escape owner in a campground in Bodega Bay today who is also interested in joining this event. I told him to find this thread for details.

CADreamin · 08-03-2023, 09:04 AM

Sounds good!!

h2owmn · 08-15-2023, 01:37 PM

I didn't think I'd be available, but my schedule is now clear. However, there are no sites available. I'll continue to check to see if something opens up.

CADreamin · 08-28-2023, 02:25 PM

Yikes! I hadn't looked at site availability in a while and see what you mean. If anyone has to cancel, please let me know and I can pass the news along to people who might be waiting for a site to open up. (Let's hope someone not in our group are the ones cancelling ... ).

CADreamin · 08-28-2023, 02:38 PM

Well, the B.A.R. "Light" is about a month away and we wanted to give everyone who is attending an update (I forgot to ask for emails so must resort to forum pages). Because there are three forums, it's best if we concentrate all outgoing information on one forum and that will be the Fiberglass Forum (https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...tml#post859468) so look for update information there. In the meantime, if anyone attending must cancel, please let us know as we have a couple of people who are "on stand-by" for a spot and it would be nice to give them a 'heads up' that a site may be available.

Thanks!!
Jan & Birdie (Bea)

h2owmn · 08-30-2023, 04:38 PM

I got a spot! I'll be in 302, 3 nights, arriving 28th, departing 10/1. Doing the happy snoopy dance.

Bea · 08-30-2023, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2owmn

I got a spot! I'll be in 302, 3 nights, arriving 28th, departing 10/1. Doing the happy snoopy dance.

Yea!!

CADreamin · 09-01-2023, 10:15 AM

Hooray!! I have you down on the attendee list! Can't wait to see you there.

h2owmn · 09-11-2023, 11:15 AM

So I have been checking Mt. Madonna and snagged a site in the first loop (#123N) for Wed/Th/Fri nights. I still have #302 and will wait to cancel Thursday and Friday for that site until I see if someone else here wants it for the two nights. I'll keep the Saturday night at 302 unless something else opens up. I have checked and unlike some other places, it is not necessary to book both weekend nights. I'll also post this at the Fiberglass RV site. Looking forward to meeting y'all and also, of course, camping.

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