Lake Casitas/Ojai RV Trip Report

Lake Casitas

The last four days surpassed expectations, as so often is the case when we go out on RV trips. I think the reason for this is that we constantly underestimate how stimulating it is to be out in the fresh air all day, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. The other reason, I believe, is that RV'ing requires just the right amount of work and relaxation to make for a very balanced day.

We had an easy drive from our home to Lake Casitas, about 2 1/4 hours total going at our standard 55-60 mph towing speed. Aside from being the posted speed limit for vehicles towing trailers, keeping the speed down a bit helps to maximize fuel economy - we averaged 20 mpg over our 280 mile round trip drive. Once Mike retires in three weeks, we'll likely not be doing these type of lengthy out and back trips any longer. We'll either stay closer to home for quick out and backs, or turn these type of long-pull trips into one week or longer stays, in order to improve our average per day gas costs.

Costs
Our four day/three night costs for campsite, gas, food and entertainment were as follows:

• Lake Casitas electric/water site: $35 x 3 nights, plus $7 reservation fee: $112
• Gas: $65
• Groceries:  No change from what we'd spend if at home
• Restock ice for ice cooler: $3 (we keep produce in our ice cooler as it tends to get freezer burn in most indoor fridges due to uneven air distribution)
• 25 mile bike ride along interconnecting Ojai and Ventura biking trails: $0
• Fish & Chips lunch at Andria's Seafood in Ventura Harbor: $15.86
• 6 mile scenic run along shoreline of Lake Casitas: $0
• Wine tasting at Old Creek Ranch Winery: $10
• Picnic lunch at Old Creek Ranch Winery: $0
• Wine tasting at Boccali Vineyards and Winery: $0
• Olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Ojai Olive Oil: $0
• One bottle of 18 Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar from Ojai Olive Oil: $12
• One cheddar cheese-dill scone from Knead Bakery in Ojai: $2
• TOTAL FOR TRIP: $219.86

That averages out to $54.96 per day - not bad considering we "wasted" gas by doing such a quick, long out and back trip. If we had stayed a few more days, our per day costs would have likely dropped to about $50.00.

Lake Casitas Trip Report

On our first day we arrived into camp at 2:30 PM, and began set up, which we finished by 3:30 PM. And yes, sigh, we had a few more "learning moments" about our rig . . . primarily having to do with understanding the way in which the electrical components worked together. Honestly, why couldn't either of us have been born with a bit more mechanical know how! 

After getting all the electrical hook up kinks worked out, we poured some wine and got to work on some serious chair sitting, scenery gazing and reading for the remainder of the afternoon (we'd worked out at home prior to hitting the road for Lake Casitas). For dinner we enjoyed homemade pumpkin sage ravioli, salad and toasted rosemary sourdough garlic bread. After dinner we did the dishes, and then joined our camping club friends around the campfire for some campfire socializing. We stayed there till 11:00 PM, laughing and talking with everyone, before turning in and sleeping for eight straight hours.

One of our favorite parts of RV'ing - ending each day sitting around a campfire. We talked and laughed for hours each night before turning in. And that's our new trailer in the background!

On day two we awoke to the sound of birds calling, and beautiful sunny skies. We lingered over several cups of coffee before going into the trailer to make toasted bagels and grapefruit for breakfast. We then loaded up our bikes, and headed out to ride a 25 mile portion of the Ojai-to-Ventura River and Coastal bike trails.

We left sunshine and 93 degree temperatures in Lake Casitas, pedaling into fog and 63 degree temperatures in Ventura, just ten miles away.

The interesting restroom configurations at Santa Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura.

Coastal flowers, very crepe-ish in texture, along the Ventura Beach Trail.

Coastal Ventura rock art, with surfers in the foggy background.

I did a double take when we first pedaled by this cluster of oranges, returning for a closer look since there were no orange trees anywhere in sight. It's actually a sculpture - the oranges are made out of concrete and fastened to the ground!

When we returned to camp after our invigorating bike ride and a tasty fish and chips lunch, we discovered our camping loop had been invaded by a Vintage Trailer Club. What a bunch of cuties these trailers were! 

This beautifully restored vintage Shasta, purchased for $100, was being used as a chicken coop and almost unrecognizable as a trailer when the current owner first saw it!

This inside of this adorable turquoise Shasta was even more charming . . .

The owner maintained the original turquoise theme down to the salt and pepper shakers!

The kitchen galley with it's original turquoise appliances and white washed cupboards. Note the vintage lamp hanging over the stove.

I expected Lucy and Desi to step out of this trailer, it was all so authentically restored and staged.

Day two concluded with what was supposed to be pre-dinner wine and appetizers with our camping club, followed by dinner in our trailer and another group campfire. The appetizers, however, were so delicious and filling we somehow never made it back to our trailer to make dinner! We did, however, make it to campfire, again staying up late talking and laughing with everyone before turning in around 11:00 PM.

On our third morning we followed our normal morning coffee routine, but we then went for a run around the lake before having a quick breakfast of cereal and bananas. Day three was going to be a sedentary day - nothing but wine and olive tasting on the agenda - so it was vital we do something to get our blood moving in the AM, ensuring we'd be de-energized enough to enjoy the laid back portion of our day. Which we were . . . 

Our first winery stop - Old Creek Ranch in Ojai. We enjoyed nine wine tastings and were the epitome of relaxed by the time we left!

Enjoying the beautiful day and scenery at Old Creek Ranch.

After returning to camp and showering, we joined our camping club for a group supper. For tonight's event, each camper brought their meat patty of choice (veggie burgers in our case) and then grilled and topped them with one or more of the 16 different fixings that had been provided. That, plus seedless watermelon, pasta salad, corn on the cob, grilled artichokes and strawberry shortcake made for a stupendous supper. One of the advantages of being in a camping club would most definitely be the group suppers! 

Unfortunately, day four consisted of waking up early for break down so we could get back home in time to make a 2:00 theater show we had purchased tickets for before planning this campout. Had we not had to rush off, we would have enjoyed a walk around the lake, followed by a leisurely breakfast, before starting breakdown. 

Oh well, next time for sure!