Nevada to Oregon: Antelope Reservoir, La Grande Pines & Life with 3 Dogs

From a sketchy canal in Nevada to a dreamy lakeside spot in Oregon, this leg of our journey had biting flies, blown-up Starlink, surprise mice, and a whole lot of dog hair. We’re towing our 26-foot trailer with three dogs, chasing cooler temps, and trying to keep our truck alive while we inch toward Idaho and grandbaby smoochies.

You’ll also see our sweet girl Jewels all throughout this episode—this was filmed before she passed, so this one is extra special to us. 💛

In this adventure episode, we roll out of the Yosemite/Virginia Lakes area and start making our way toward Idaho with a few memorable stops along the way:

• Humboldt Wildlife Management Area near Lovelock, Nevada – including why we wouldn’t let the dogs in the water, how biting flies + mosquitoes changed our minds, and what it’s like crawling down a washboard road at 10 mph with a trailer.
• Antelope Reservoir, Oregon (near Jordan Valley) – a beautiful free camping spot with swimmable water, big skies, and first-come-first-served lakeside sites that fill up fast.
• Spring Creek Road (Forest Service Road 21) near La Grande, Oregon – high pines, Oregon Trail history, Labor Day side-by-sides, hunting season, and how we handled the heat when we really just wanted a quiet few days in the woods.

We also talk honestly about full-time RV life with three dogs (Jewels, Bella, and Norman):

• laundry math when you haven’t washed clothes since you left Arizona
• dog hair avalanches every time you crack a window
• managing an elderly dog’s incontinence on the road
• why we keep snap traps on board for surprise furry stowaways 🐭

On the “logistics & life” side, we share:

• our truck upgrades (that new transmission cooler and why slowing down on mountain passes changed everything)
• a weird AC thermostat glitch in the camper (hello, Celsius)
• Starlink reality when clouds roll in and your upload speed disappears right when you’re trying to deliver a podcast episode
• the emotional roller coaster of selling our Arizona homestead and the excitement of possibly buying a small treed acre in Idaho near the lake—just enough space to park the camper, fence the pups, run shore power, and build a big “dog house” shed.

Through it all, we’re just two humans and three dogs doing our best to travel slow, stay safe, and keep things honest—even when the fire pits are full of trash, the temps hit the 90s, and the laundry basket is begging for mercy.

🎧 In this episode you’ll hear about:

• The truth about Humboldt Wildlife Management Area as an overnight stop
• Why we highly recommend Antelope Reservoir (and why you should arrive early)
• Free camping on Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR
• Traveling with three dogs: hair, heat, and hard decisions
• Our Starlink struggles and website rebuild in the wild
• Truck temps, towing safety, and how a transmission cooler changed our driving style
• Our next chapter: hunting season, baby cuddles, and a potential home base in Idaho

🔗 Places & resources mentioned:

• Antelope Reservoir (near Jordan Valley, Oregon) – free lakeside camping with vault toilets and fire rings (check current fire bans)
• Spring Creek Road / FS 21 near La Grande, OR – dispersed camping + Spring Creek Campground (fee area with vault toilet)
• GC Asian Fusion, La Grande, Oregon – delicious, affordable Asian fusion spot we loved in downtown La Grande

💛 A note about Jewels:

You’ll see our girl Jewels a lot in this video. This episode was recorded before she passed, and we chose to share it as a way to honor her joy out on the road. She was such a big part of Kerouacs Cruising, and we’re grateful you love her too.

📸 Blog companion:

Read the full blog with camping details, tips, and photos:

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🗣 Join the conversation:

• Website & blog: kerouacscruising.com
• Facebook & Instagram: @kerouaccruising
• Email: join@kerouacscruising.com

If this episode made you laugh, cringe, or plan your own trip, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more adventure-curious folks find us and keeps this journey rolling.