A Life Well Traveled: Our Family’s Love Affair with California State Parks

By Leslie (Avery) and Tom Ward 

Recently, my husband and I donated to California State Parks Foundation in memory of my parents, Beverly (Beckman) and Robert Avery. We wanted to honor their love of camping and RV life, and knew this aligned well with California State Parks Foundation’s mission of protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. 

Bev and Bob met on a blind date at Lake Tahoe in the summer of 1947 while my father and his brother Burt were building a house at Rubicon Bay. The following summer, my parents got married. By the mid 1950s, Bob worked as an engineer at Varian Associates, and the family settled in Los Altos. My mother had never camped prior to marriage, but she should have known better as she married an Eagle Scout. Our family began camping in the majestic redwoods of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. As a youngster, I remember a white canvas military tent and a teardrop trailer defined our campsite. Campfire programs in the evening were always fun for us with stories, songs, and slideshows.  

In the early 1960s, our family summer vacation would be a week at a state park. Camping was economical (being frugal was important), but the experience of camping outdoors and connecting with nature was the greatest value. We tried Calaveras Big Trees State Park, but our favorite park was Lake Tahoe’s Eagle Point Campground in Emerald Bay State Park. Often, we would drive over to spend the day at the beach at D.L. Bliss State Park or hike down the trail to enjoy the beach area at Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. I even learned how to water ski on Emerald Bay. Camping brought us together with family friends and relatives. As kids, we roamed the campground loop while playing hide and seek or kick the can. Meanwhile, my parents would set up a card table for bridge, dominoes, or a jigsaw puzzle. Evenings would be spent around a campfire, carefully toasting golden brown marshmallows over the embers to make delicious s’mores. These were all happy memories during my childhood.  

At some point, my parents traded the teardrop trailer for a Hi-Lo trailer, a unique telescopic travel trailer that utilized a hydraulic lift system to lower the top half over the bottom half. My parents took me on trips with this model to Pinecrest Lake and Mount Lassen. Bev and Bob continued to upgrade their RV models until they were finally touring America in a motorhome and towing a car. They visited 46 of the 48 contiguous states while traveling in “Beverly’s Hilton.” My parents were happiest when they were on the road touring the various State and National Parks across our country, playing golf at numerous courses along their way, and visiting family historical sites. This was their shared pastime for over sixty years.  

My husband and I value our California state parks as well. Tom volunteers as a tour docent at the Point Sur Lighthouse at Point Sur State Historic Park and achieved State Park Champion Volunteer in the Monterey District. When I was a fourth grade teacher, I would plan field trips for students to visit San Juan Bautista and Monterey State Historic Parks. Now, we take our grandchildren on local hikes at Garrapata, Andrew Molera, and Pfieffer State Parks.  

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California. It certainly accomplishes all three goals. You come out feeling strong after a hike, you are exhilarated by the surrounding beauty and biodiversity, and you learn something new from a brochure or an interpretive sign.  

I am grateful to continue supporting these special places in memory of my parents. Just as they instilled a love of parks in me, their legacy will allow future generations to discover the wonder of our state parks. If you would like to join me in supporting California State Parks Foundation, please reach out to [email protected].