Airstream – Page 2 – Canned Comfort

A NEW CHALLENGE – 2020

We started this year not knowing it would be full of challenges. Our January was quietly moving in a direction of its own spirit. This year so far shows that there is only one truism – You never know what you can do until you do it.

A very dear friend was fighting a very aggressive and rare cancer. She was the kind of person that knew her mind, could be as stubborn as she was kind. She made sure that her last Christmas season was the most memorable for all her family. She found special ways to create warm and loving happy memories for her spouse, children and grandchildren. Then the time was drawing near that she would have to say goodbye.

As the time drew near to say goodbye she asked me to help her and her family make the journey together in dignity . I got a call to come. It was a change for me. I have been a medical provider for over 40 years and in charge. Now I was a bystander of her medical care, an emotional supporter as well as medical translator. I was with her when she finally let go of the here and now and left for what was beyond. It was peaceful and she was at rest. Her family and friends came to say goodbye. Both happy and sad but the was out of pain and at peace. I had been gone from home for 2 weeks. Now on to home.

I was in Wyoming during lots of snowfall, wind and cold. There was many days the highways and major roads were closed. I was also at her family members hospitality for a place to sleep. I did not have my silver coach. I sure missed the privacy and quiet of my own little home. Honestly I spent most of my time at the hospital or the Hospice center.

I decided to go to my home in Nevada 2 days later. I could not fly out as there was no plane to transport me from Laramie, Wy to Denver Colorado could not fly us out. My son and his wife picked me up in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I was so very tired and wanted to go home. I was so thankful for their assistance.

Four days later my daughter-in-law died suddenly. I flew out immediately to help my son and his family prepare for the funeral et al. It was snowing and cold in Colorado! I have never seen so much gray, snow and sorrow. Two days later my hubby arrived with our Silver Coach. This was heaven. It gave us all room to grieve and yet be together. There is more to having a Silver Coach, it is our home whenever we need it.

Life goes on and we learn how lucky we are to be able to use our gifts to help others. Happy travels and safe keeping.

The End Is The Beginning

Here it is then end of a decade! A new decade begins and excitement is in the air!

We have spent most of our time this year handling health issues and family needs. We traveled back and forth to Colorado and California as well as Idaho. We learned that one of the joys of all the challenges was the beauty we found in our ordinary travels.

If you have ever traveled between Las Vegas Valley and Central California you know that parts of this path is “beautiful” – wellll. We learned that taking a back road or alternate route opened our eyes to very beautiful seasonal changes that we have missed by not looking. Traveling with our Airstream allows us to stop and smell the roses! We learned to stop when tired at beautiful, clean rest tops that are free and available to all. We can rest in our own “home” and wake to wonderous sunrises sipping our fresh made coffee preparing safely to continue our travels.

We did not realize the help that is out there to help us to have safe travels. The ability to find gas stations or rest stops or historic spots – there is an app! We utilized the Apps this winter between Southern Nevada to Colorado and from Southern Nevada to Idaho. Fantastic finds in out of the way places when we urgently needed gas, a rest spot and a new look at our routes.

A Christmas look at the KOA in San Antonio! It says it all!

Be thankful for this past year and look forward to a healthy, happy and bountiful new year!

(a little note – we will have a new small traveling cookbook available after the first of the year!)

Is it August Already!!

I started this in July now it is already the end of August, 2019! We have traveled twice from Henderson to the Ranch! We have really broken in our new, new 27 ft Flying Cloud front bedroom! We have learned so many new lessons for really traveling without real time constraints. We are slowly learning that we do not need to stay in an RV campground but Harvest Host is opening our eyes to what is really in our great big country.

We have gotten used to the different levels of KOA campgrounds but we have started Harvest Hosting also. We also know our little window of using HWY 70 over the Rockies is seasonal so we are really enjoying our drives.

Our first fun stop was in Cedar City at the Creamery, It has the best tasting, locally sourced milk! We enjoyed great melted cheese, local bread and ice cream that is soooo delicious. We have passed this place 4-5 times and we finally stopped! Yum Yum. We bought about 4 -6 pounds of wonderful cheddar and curds for putine!

Look who parked next to us at the Creamery!

We were boondocking on the ranch for about 4-5 days and we really enjoyed the quiet and privacy. We utilized our solar and propane for more comfort and the view of the Rockies is pricless!

On our way back we stopped at a Harvest Host Sopris Alpaca Farm and boutique . What a gem! It is of Hwy 70 in Silt, Colorado. Yes it was hot and lots of seasonal bugs. The big present was the view and the cute alpacas. The hosts were so friendly and the boutique was so cute. We plan on staying there on our way back to the ranch.

Because we had some time we also stopped in Palisades Colorado. It was a beautiful little Napa in Colorado!. We couldn’t believe our luck ! It was like a little European jewel. The charcuterie was so delicious and the wine very enjoyable . Please, if you can stop, enjoy the wines and fresh fruits in Palisades, Colorado. Another place we want to return to!

Can’t wait as we keep expanding our itinerary for each trip.

Let’s Look Back at Our Winter 2018

Best plans for starting at the beginning were changed by a rush of plans and invitations to go visit family and friends! img_1037-1

We put 15,000 miles on our new coach in 3 months! I used the H2O liquid cleaner to quickly wipe down the dust and accumulation of the new rig. There were labels all over the inside stating “no abrasives or cleansers”. Cleaning was quick and easy and we then quickly stored everything from the 20 ft FC and prepped for winter travel!

Well, as often happens, on our way to Colorado our water pump had stopped working. We had just had it repaired from a short trip to California and had picked up the rig at the dealership on our way out of time. Luckily we found a dealership in southern Colorado that refreshed the pump for us at no charge!!! What luck.

We soon learned we were not at all prepared for our trip. Yes we had food, winter clothing, doggie supplies etc. We had too much stuff. We really had not really learned much from our last 12 years of travel. This was a longer travel through new roads and byways. We just rushed to get needed repairs for damages made on the maiden voyage from California to our new home in Henderson, Nevada.

My hubby tried to back up our rig into the court we had lived in and introduced our back aluminum panels to the street sign!!! Our new rig needed two weeks of repair! Ouch, ouch, ouch!

The repairs finished just as we had to leave on our 3 week trip!!! Not a great way to start. Grumpy, short tempered, rushed and hopeful that we were prepared! What another adventure we were to have.

We forgot that there was less daylight and lots of semi-trucks zooming along eastbound Hwy 10! Thank God we had a new tow vehicle and the rig was in one wonderful piece. We finally got to our destination KOA in NEW MEXICO! Rolled in at 1:00 am and rolled out at 8:00 am! Not a way to start.

Day two began with sunlight, 46 degrees and a wonderful hot cup of coffee! After taking the dog for a walk we realized why we have our coach! We had a cozy, comfy sleep in our own bed. We did not have to check-into a hotel, lug stuff in and out of our vehicle. We just parked, hooked up the electric and went to bed!

The next part of the trip was rushed, as we were afraid of the snow possibly falling too soon. The great part was the vistas we enjoyed, the road conditions and we had our own good hot food and could stop to walk about to stretch.

After staying at another KOA in southern Colorado, quite nice too. We arrived at the ranch and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Of course we had an electrical panel problem we tried to repair but all dealerships were closed. We were able to make it home and to the dealership without problems! Thank goodness my son is mechanically inclined and helped out!

Whew home, safe rested and the rig is getting repaired! Still on warranty too! What luck

Hopefully before our next outing in one week we can review the cleaning and updating of our new rig. Happy travels.

The Long Road to Smiles!

After more than 15,000 miles in 4 weeks we realize every turn shows us many new vistas? Our new 26-U Airstream Flying Cloud is being pulled by our 2018 Ford Expedition! My husband had to have this new comfortable “truck” as they are our forever dream. I know our doggie was very happy with her posh back seat all to herself also.

Our first adventure was our roundtrip Thanksgiving loop to Colorado. The last time we drove over Interstate Highway 70 in our old true blue Explorer. We went up through beautiful mountains, deep valleys and truly magnificent canyons. We just knew that our next trip would be even more spectacular because our home was coming with us. The big difference in trips was the snow and steep climbs made us rethink traversing the Rockies with all new equipment on this first big winter trip. So we chose south on Highway 10 then up to Colorado through Arizona, New Mexico and a tiny piece of Texas with 3 days “camping” at the ranch.

We learned a lot about having a tiny home following us wherever we went and also learned how different 12 years makes in Airstream innovations. We grew from a 20 foot cute cozy Flying Cloud to a 26 foot little home. We have a big girl refrigerator and freezer that more than acomodated our needs. Of course I had to over prepare because we were not sure how things would go.

We did not realize that this Airstream did not have a water filter. Our 20 footer did. I did do prep work for making soups etc quickly as we went. We were only staying overnight as we went.

We planned on leaving about 10 in the morning but left at 5:30 pm because our Airstreams pre-flight repairs and adjustments were not ready as promised. This put us way behind. We promised ourselves no more driving through the night to rush anywhere. Well that did not happen. We arrived at our first stop at Gila Bend KOA Arizona. I thought we were lost in the Mexican dessert as there were few to no lights on the highway and we had never driven on this highway before, not even in the daytime. Oh yeah, I think this highway is owned by truckers, great big 52 feet long semi’s that swoosh by you and we felt like ants.

The KOA at Gila Bend was very clean, well maintained and we got a pull through! We were cozy and it was so easy to shower, have coffee, walk the dog and make my morning shake. We prepped for our lunch on the way, made sure we refilled our water bottles and off we went. I would recommend Gila Bend to people going that way as people were very nice, courteous and we felt safe there. I was happy that we got to witness the Air Force flying their wings in the morning sun! What a thrill. We had doggie snacks and water cup for Kona our 9 year old mini Aussie and our protien bars, Fit Chews and Fizz sticks to keep us alert, hydrated and energized.

Looking forward to seeing where we are going this days ride!

Our Baby is Home

Finally we have our 26 footer and a beautiful tow vehicle! We had planned our first trip would be for our Thanksgiving celebration but instead it was in Davenport California Costanoa. Why? Because we were renovating our home for sale! But what a wonderful gift.

We needed to go back and forth from Davenport to our home everyday for clearing and cleaning and packing our stuff. It was at least 60 miles round trip each day. It sounds like a very long trek. It was and it wasn’t.

I have lived almost all my life near the ocean and Monterey Bay in particular. I had never really looked at the ocean or enjoyed its various changes throughout the day. But the drive each way at various times from early morning to late evening was a magnificent gift.

Our new baby made the stress and physical strain bearable. We had to clean her up but that was a work of joy. I used non-chemical cleansers that had little or no scent. She shined and sighed and even smiled. H2O home is what I have used on all our Airstreams and home. Airstreams are “green” so I have kept her clean the same way. Her linens, dishes and our clothes are also cleaned with H2O products. For traveling it is easy and economical and safe for us and our doggy.

We put our cooking utensils, clothing and food in our “tiny” home and were quite comfortable. We could sleep listening to the ocean waves and feel at home. We had beautiful views as we drove back and forth. Clean ocean air as we walked in the evening and early morning and have coffee looking out at the morning sky. It is a wow.

We lived in our tiny home working on our big home for over a week. In that time we really learned about what real needs were and letting go of stuff. It was an eye opener. I donated so many clothes I no longer wore, furniture we really did not like or need and helped a new SJPD officer fill his apartment with pots and pans, dishes, and a TV stand. We felt so blessed that what we did not need or want could help someone else.

I got to start cooking after a long recovery from an accident and the tiny kitchen was fantastic. The sights of the early morning fog, wave action and fishing boats were like tiny miracles I never really saw in my lifetime of living near it. We were also able to buy fresh caught fish that was so very tasty and healthy! What fun to live like a tourist in our own back yard.

A really great part was on our very last morning at Costanoa KOA we happened on the new owners of our very first Airstream! We couldn’t believe it and we all hugged and cried. They live nearby also and happened on an overnight fun trip just to relax. They have traveled often and “Cynthia” as she is named is loving it. We also found out they love utilizing Harvest Host through out Central California, Washington and Oregon. They have found many wineries and farms that allowed them to stay over night at no cost. It is a great organization and we are going to use it ourselves. Wonderful things happen on our journeys and we are so thankful to be able to travel comfortably and meet so many new friends.

Next going to Las Vegas to remodel another home and then travel for the Thanksgiving vacation to Colorado! We are such lucky ducks.

Starting over! A new adventure a new path!

Almost a year ago we sold our very first Airstream. She was a 20 ft Flying Cloud and a sweet home on wheels for our 2 miniature Australian Shepherds, me and my hubby. We do plan to get another gem and then see all the 49 landed states (Hawaii to far for a swim!). We now realize we feel so stranded as we only have vehicles, one doggie and have to use hotels!

This will be the beginning of our new movements, cooking, cleaning and enjoying our new world! We are leaving California, my family roots go back to a Spanish sea captain and a native California indian woman whose marriage was noted in the Mission San Diego registry (1759). I love the central coast climate, the sound of the ocean but now so does everyone else! Its time to see the rest of this great nation too.

I love the green-ness, clean lines, efficiency of the Flying Cloud we are planning on getting in the fall of this year. I am thinking of how I want to keep her clean, stay “green”, keep our foot print light and cook up a storm as we travel about. Before I wrote about our travels as new owners and very small geography covered. We were working and had family responsibilities that limited time and miles traveled. We are now retired and free to stretch our horizons leisurely, no military orders or other career restraints.

I am reviewing our re-start with a new gleam in my eyes and eagerness to photograph our best thoughts on keeping our forever Airstream as pristine as our first one. Just this time we will have more room and one less doggie. We lost our first doggie 6 weeks ago now his sister will be at the helm. The Airstream is made for our little family and really is a dream come true.

I look forward to sharing thoughts about our little travels for the next few months in an SUV and our preparations for our new gal. Travel up to Six Sigma Winery and Ranch if you are near Lake County California and stay overnight at no cost! Its beautiful and the wines are even better.

Happy travels and happy tummy!

Looking for THE spot . . .

Its August and its hot! My husband is assigned to a military post in central California and needs medical treatment in Santa Maria. What a great reason to take a trip in our silver escape vehicle. Finding a place to stay is the question. We are 6-7 hours north of Santa Maria so we need at least an overnight midway. It is going to be hot and this is our first trip in the summertime with our coach. We are also taking our doggies – one little and one grumpy.

We look at military family camps (RV and tent facilities for military families) in the area and decide to try Camp Roberts! We also make reservations at Morro Bay Dunes for the convalescent period. Morro Bay Dunes is very close to the beach and it is close to town. We are set. As this is our first year traveling with our silver coach we pack like crazy nuts. Newbies never really know what to take or leave and we took it all. Always a learning experience. Remember it is also an adventure and as my spouse says “it’s the best marriage counseling there is”.

Camp Roberts is not going to make my “places to go ” list. The facility is mostly abandoned, dry, hot and poorly maintained. I can’t believe they still train personnel here. It was built to train troops during World War II and many hollywood celebrities were introduced to the military here. Its layout was a traditional Army Garrison set. One of the original chapels still stands and there is a beautiful organ still in place. It is falling apart and not cared for. The whole camp looks so sad and yet if it could talk I bet there would be lots of great stories. It is said that when soldiers were remodeling a few of the old barracks for new use they found newspapers and letters that were stuffed in the walls for insulation. What great insight into the daily lives of the 1940’s trainees. They also say ghosts are all around and sometimes can be seen and heard during the still warm nights! It’s just sad to see it falling apart and that a piece of our history is just crumbling away. It is actually a California National Guard training facility. It also has eagles flying above and around the creeks, giant oak trees, snakes, dry grasses, abandoned, falling down buildings and a glimpse at what it was almost a hundred years ago! So sad. We won’t stay there again as the facilities are very rough and the road to the camp is poorly maintained and very bumpy. It was a safe place to rest overnight.

Our next morning was bright and beautiful. Skies bright blue and the air still – it was going to be a very hot day. We are on our way to Morro Bay. We had stayed here before and were overwhelmed with lots of very noisy neighbors and felt cramped but our last outing here was an experience in over planning and an aggressive schedule.

This time we were able to get a great spot G-5 in the back of a cul-de-sac right next to the gate out to the beach! Wow we were so happy.

It was an easy drive from Camp Roberts to Morro Bay Dunes and the scenery went from an old California golden dry to the California coast. We are so lucky to live in an area where we are so close to everything so beautiful. The trick is to be able to find a time to enjoy it without a lot of people.

The set-up, as always, was easy, our doggies were happy to sit in the shade and they love running on the beach. We just relax and enjoy. The sound of the ocean waves is fantastic. The next morning we had to be in Santa Maria by zero dark thirty!

Brent convalesced well. Ocean waves crashing, sun, coastal winds and quiet. The doggies, well, Gunny the older one was so good and well-behaved. His little sister was the barky dog who still has not finished her training. She WILL learn. Good thing she is cute.

While in Morro Bay we met two great Airstreamers! Will and Jeff, they travel to California every year, specifically Morro Bay and work while here. One is a photographer the other an architect! We really enjoyed visiting with them. They gave us the name of a mobile home park in Cayucus California off Hwy 1 that has spaces for RV’s too. So we decided to travel home via Hwy 1 instead of Hwy 101 to see a coastline we rarely see. We did get a reservation too!

Outer Banks Trip 109

Picking Up Our Kona Bear

Its July and we have been considering getting a friend for our Gunny. Our mini-Australian Shepard. We called the breeder in Susanville and found out he had a half-sister just born! We began our preparation for her pick up!

We know we have to drive to Susanville, California north of Reno?! Border Town RV Park is our go to place off Hwy 80. This is a cute little RV stop, clean, quiet and on we go. It is comforting to us that our Gunny will have a buddy. We brought her kennel, blanket, collar, lead and food! What we did not know was her temperament for sure. She will be older than Gunny was when we picked him up.

We thought from her pictures and little history she would be small like gunny and quietly loving. Well, nope. She was already bigger than Gunny was at the same age. Different coat, fluffy, soft and tan. Gunny was very small, black and tan tri color and his coat was a little more brindle. He was shy she was curious and active, He was cuddly and she just wanted to run and play. Wow, like all siblings they really had their own personalities.

She did love her new family. It was love at first site for all of us. She loved the truck and the Airstream. She just made herself at home. Sweet!!!!

Brother and Sister in her first snowfall!

So it begins, dogs do like to go, especially ours. They are fun and we follow all the rules for their health and safety. The Airstream really makes it easy. They even know how to open the curtains to see whats outside. It’s so cute to see them use their talents and curiosity. They do also make greats sentries too.

Traveling is better than ever now. On we go! More adventures for all our family.

Its April

We’ve had our baby for about months now. We have been on 4 outings and now preparing for another local weekender. We had made a promise to utilize our new silver dream as much as possible on doable weekend jounts. We drew a circle the was a distance of no more than a four hour drive to anywhere.

My brother asked us to join them at a local camping place within an hours drive from our home! Not only is it nearby but it is a wine festival featuring wines from Santa Clara County. The festival is next to the Casa De Fruta Campground and fruit stand. This is awesome.

We were still newbies so we overthought everything. OK I overthought everything. I planned for every moment, every snack, meal and even multiple clothing options!!! I tried to coordinate with my brother’s wife alternating breakfast and dinner menus. We were staying Friday and Saturday night and returning home Sunday afternoon.

April in the Hollister canyons are mild and beautiful. What we did not realize is that the wine festival was the local dog show used the campground for participants.

Saturday morning was beautiful. Clear skies, warm gentle breeze and morning quiet. Six in the morning is the best time for quiet coffee and gentle wakeup. Ohhhh, my hubby was starting to cook bacon and eggs. Wonderful aroma, so off I went to take the doggies for a little morning walk about to see our area. There was a whole bunch of rigs this morning that were not there last night! I was starting to wonder how guiet it would stay.

Breakfast done, my sister drives over to join us at the wine festival and we get tickets to get in. The temperature is climbing and music and people are joining in the fun. We dance to a little country music under the shade of oaks and madrones and its so fun. We sample wines and want to buy some to take back to the campsite. Unfortunately at this wine festival they are not allowed to sell the bottles to the tasters and participants due to the festival actually being in San Benito County and the wine was from Santa Clara County. Don’t know kinda goofy to me but we enjoyed the music and the dancing! we were so proud of how cute our little baby looked amongst the other rigs around.

The evening was not as wonderful. There was loud music, partiers and hooting and hollering until the wee hours of the morning! The campground had no security and no one enforcing campground courtesy. The spots were uneven and difficult if you had to walk to use the facilities. The rigs were very close together and it was not restful at all. We were learning to be more decerning in choosing our campgrounds.

I made too much food, was cranky and tired and just wanted to go home. We still had a lot of learning to do about living in a very small space with another human and 2 doggies. At least I did not have a meltdown this time. Was great to get home. Will not be back to this campground again! We bought our wine at the Casa de Fruta market, and had a nice walk.

We will find our fun areas and we are not giving up! We need to learn how to plan better, prep better and RELAX!

Our next stop!