Changing Times – Page 2 – Canned Comfort

We Have Passed Into Spring

Looking out the window at the ranch looks like spring. I speak with my friends across the nation and find snow, cold, windy and tornado weather. Hmmm I think I like it where I am. I look at the Facebook pages of various groups and all are readying their rigs for travel. Then I get to thinking of places I want to see and experience. Spring fever is here not just quite spring weather though.

I have almost finished my first attempt at writing a book for fellow travelers. I also realize that what’s in my head is very difficult to translate to paper. Luckily I have found friends who are writers that are teaching me how to write and re-write without fear.

What does all this have to do with my Airstream? She sits patiently waiting for another trip. CC3 has survived snow storms, gale force winds, rain and rutted country roads. She deserves a rest and TLC. I think of all the little things that make her our little home. She is a beauty in our eyes and we love her.

The Airstream blogs/groups share creative ideas and DYI talent. Little steps is a great way to start. Thinking the kitchen storage area needs help. I am not sure what to do. I know that online shopping is dangerous. Too many options. I have done a little decorating before but a bit overwhelmed. My youngest grand-daughter (9yrs of age) is always wanting to stay in the Airstream when we visit.

COVID-19 has given us a gift of time. Time to be with our friends and families in new ways. Time to see what we really want. Time to see what is important to our life. Taking a big breath of air and seeing what we have and what we need to make life more meaningful. But it sure is a challenge not to take off in our rig just to get out of our Shelter in Place rules. I want to stay healthy and want others to be healthy. Darn, well dreams, plans and enjoying today sure keep me busy. What about your days and dreams of getting on the road again, meeting new people and learning new things?

Well, we did go travel from ranch to home and found a beautiful change of scenary on the way. It was strange to drive highways with rare vehicles other than semi-trucks delivering things we need. We rested for awhile then had a request for help on the ranch. Off we went to the ranch.

The fun weather changes on the upper plains!

It was a learning ride from home to ranch. Every trip on the same highway is a different view. It was a quiet road and fresh views. The semi trailers were fast and zooming past but not problems. We stopped 30 miles north of our regular Hwy 70 turn off and visited a KOA we had stayed at before.

Our last stay was during winter. Quiet and few people with a beautiful view of the snow capped mountains out the window. This time the same mountain with no snow, a packed campground, lots of families and ATVs. It was quiet. The shelter in place seems to have exploded family travel in trailers. Hmmm not the quiet beauty as last time but still comfortable.

Leaving the Fillmore KOA gave us a beautiful ride around a big chunk of Hwy 70. The wide open spaces with ranches, livestock grazing on spring grass, lambs are so cute and all the babies are adorable. This is what makes travel so great. It is the journey that makes your travel so wonderful. Keep traveling and enjoying the newness of the old.

And So It Goes. . . .

The current situation in our world is something to ponder. It will bring out the best or worst in mankind. Luckily the majority of what I am seeing and experiencing is the best. As the year for me started badly. Today I see that that social distancing and less work, travel and increased fear.

As I look around where I have been in our little rolling home, where I would love to be and adventures that may come, I am lucky. I have my health, loving family and my freedom.

I love this chance to look to the future, learn from the past and enjoy the moment.

This is a picture that belies many things. Is it light in the storm? A warning of a storm? The quiet time before the spring brings new life, more activities in your life, and the rush to keep all going well?

As I review Airstream blogs of what people are doing to prep for new adventures I start dreaming. The message appears to show how to take a positive advantage of time. Cleaning is not really addressed but great ideas of decorating, brightening and updating Airstreams are.

Take advantage of the good we can accomplish today, prep for tomorrow and hope springs eternal.

Well About The New 26U

We waited and planned and executed our dream with the new Airstream 26U Flying Cloud!

Cosatanoa KOA in Davenport California! The Coast and all its beauty!

We drove her from Henderson Nevada to California, then to San Antonio, Texas and to Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Eagle Idaho and back to Henderson, Nevada all in 6 months. Each trip was a new/sad problem that was unique to this coach.

We had a 20 foot Flying Cloud for over 10 years with minimal problems and a few human bumps along the way. She was easy to tow and easy to care for. Our 26U seemed to have problems from the get go. Water pump, then Water heater, then shower stall kept seperating. The vents in the cieling kept dropping down, then the TV sets would not lock into the wall and the wires etc had to be replaced and the locks re-mounted. Couldnt get the blue-tooth hot spot to work, All were under warranty and were fixed and fixed again! The final trip was a smooth ride down HWY 70 from Colorado to Nevada. We opened the coach door and the trim on the side of refrigerator was laying on the floor and the door handle to the refrigerator kept coming off!. We took it back to the dealership AGAIN and finally they said it has been having Gremlin problems and it is not reassuring for us to have to find dealerships on the way for all our trips. Soooooo

We have a 2019 27ft front bedroom instead of our 26U. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the 26U had but we have driven her from Nevada back to Ft. Lupton without incident and everything works! It is a different layout, not as many USB ports, no floor heater and no complete bathroom all together. I don’t have a personal cubby by my side of the bed. NO vents have fallen from the ceiling, the TV’s don’t fly on their own, the stove burner doesn’t pop out on its own and the bathroom set up is not as awful as I thought it would be and we each have a very generous night stand on the side of the bed with two USB ports on each side! The kitchen is roomier and the family love the new inside because we can all fit comfortably in the social area and it is very seperat from the bedroom!

We also have decided to not drive so far and so long to get from point A to point B and actually see the sights we have driven through. We are overnighting tonight at a Harvest Host site! It is an Alpaca Ranch and Boutique. The owners bought the ranch a year ago and restored the original house and outbuilding! The buildings date back to the early 1800’s. What a find. The owner is so bubbly and sweet. The animals are out of a picture book!

We hope to visit again soon! It was a very pleasant experience with great hosts!

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.

So where to begin…..

Over the last 12 years we have traveled from here to there for family get togethers and a rare vacation. We are now retired and getting adjusted to not having to be at the clinic/office at 8:00 am and working through lunch and late to home. It is weird! The fun new way we will utilize, clean, decorate and define our Airstream travel will be so much more enjoyable. This is a challenge!

Yes, we still will be traveling to family celebrations but now we do not have time restraints and can enjoy the world in our shiny, silver luxury suite. We have been binging on RV blogs to review all the new interiors, storage, cooking and travel points. Why? We are learning that all the blogs seem to be targeting the young, full time, families and their solutions. We are well past that stage and want to look at upscale amenities, gourmet kitchen utilization and meals that are healthy, delicious and blend themselves to travel adult entertaining. We did stumble upon Long Long Honeymoon and we enjoyed their information.

I am going to work on ways of making our new 26U Flying Cloud Airstream, truly adult and cozy. Hopefully we will interest you in our how and why’s of our choices. I do enjoy great tools and looks but I also don’t want to spend a fortune. Each step will be documented in the upcoming blogs for the project start.

I will begin with the overall cleaning of our rig. Airstreams are green by nature and we want to keep cleaning supplies safe, multipurpose and as allergy free as possible. I do love the fact I have found H2O Home. I only need three products to keep our rig clean, holding tanks fluid, clothes and dishes clean! They take very little space and only use a small amount. It makes life so much easier and no fragrances that make us sneeze!

Due to the small space that will be shared by two adults and one 30 pound doggy we know our tools must be multi-purpose, small storage size and environmentally safe. Cleaning liquids must be safe in both the black and gray tanks and for us no fragrance or potential hazard for our dog. The interior of the Airstream is also a challenge. The surfaces have warnings not to use strong or abrasive cleaners!

Our next “chapter” will be a show and tell of how we keep our rig clean. This begins our annual, pre and post trip cleanse. It helps show areas that may be in need of repair. So until next time be safe, have fun and enjoy the sunshine and snow.

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.

Car Travel with an Airstream mentality!

We have Airstream in our heads and know how we travel. Food in the fridge, clean sheets on the bed, clothes in the correct places and the doggie set to go. WAIT! no silver coach. Uh oh, so we pack a cooler, pack two small suitcases, doggie bed, 24 bottles of water a basket of snacks two Arbonne (32 oz) water bottles with fizzy sticks for energy and gifts for the grandkids all into a Ford explorer 10 years old.

Ok, first mistake – leave for the trip after working all day and head for Henderson Nevada first stop! Whose bright ideas was that, uh my husband. I took the car in for service and doggie in for grooming. The cooler had ice cubes in baggies sealed. We packed for two weeks gone and total of 4-5 days on the road. All the way to Ft. Lupton Colorado.

The winds were gusting all the way to Henderson. We knoshed on tortilla rolls sliced and filled with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, cold coffee drink for the driver and so it went. We forgot we couldn’t stop on the road side as we would with our rig.

We arrived in Henderson looking like we were in shock from an alien abduction! We should have known better but . . . . So early the next morning off we go to some mid-point towards Colorado through Utah. I must say, the landscape after north Las Vegas was stunning! We had our coffee and Cheerios before lift off and lots of water, doggie piddled and resting.

We were feeling cramped because everything we packed was IN the car not the rig. Oh yeah, it’s the little things. Potty breaks are the worst. Utah does have some of the cleanest rest stops we have seen. The vistas were a Wow no matter where we were on the road. It was as if all the photos and videos in the world were almost as good as the real thing. The colors, the geological shapes and variations made me remember bits of my college geology class and made it even more impressive.

We have always traveled off I-80 towards wherever but because we drove the southern route we took I-70/76 toward Ft. Lupton, Colorado. What a treat. We were adjusting to not having our Airstream and were counting how many silver coaches we encountered on the road. It was like the counting car game but silver things! In total for our entire trip to and from Colorado we saw 17 Airstreams of every size and vintage! We can’t wait to be another one on the road.

This little road trip without a rig really impressed on us how having one makes travel so much more comfortable. The rig increases your options of where you can stay and rest. It truly is luxury on the road. I also think it was far easier on our doggie to have her own place to rest instead of strange places, sounds and smells. Our Kona was exhausted after this adventure as she never was when we traveled in our Airstream.

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

I Did It —– All by Myself!

A work trip doesn’t need to be hotels, no pets and no privacy. My new adventure was to drive the silver coach all by myself. We have a small 2007 Sportrac that is only 4.5 liter engine. We have a twenty-foot Flying Cloud Airstream. I really had to convince my hubby that I can and will take out the rig all by myself.

I bet lots of women wonder why the guys have all the fun. They get to drive all over the place. I am not Miss Daisy! hmpf!!!! Women are great drivers and we all need to share the fun. Enough said.

At the time of this adventure my hubby was stationed at an Army base three hours from our home and I was given temporary orders to an Air Base for my reserve duty. This is also three hours from our home. So different orders and different locations! Great reason for me to take the rig out by myself and be able to take the doggie too.

Hmm winter weather with rain. The challenge was Hwy 17 in wet weather or an alternate route Hwy 129, flat, a little curvy and two lanes. Safer in silly wet road driving. Not a bad choice, Gunny and I were cozy and ready for any contingency! Well Prepared.

I took us approximately 3 hours from door to door. Not bad as we traversed a commute mess, toll bridge and the main gate to Travis, AFB. We checked in, drove to our space and had personal, very experienced ground guides help us slide right into our home. Took us less than 30 minutes to set-up and be cozy.

Very easy way to report for duty, then relax at a “home” not full of noise and lots of door noises! Our little doggie was very comfortable too. However, I found that our oven knob was a problem. I couldn’t turn on the blasted oven pilot light! So gave up and used my trusty old cast iron dutch oven. Yummy! I do feel like the pudgy little squirrel a little “squirrel” house! Full tummy, warm and toasty listening to the stormy Delta breezes outside.

I did entertain a fellow officer and it worked wonderfully, She was surprised at the clean, bright and roomy interior. We can do it again! I did notice however I needed to revamp my decor, reorganize the cabinets and re-think staples in the pantry.

As we readied ourselves for the return trip home I felt a sense of accomplishment! I can do this on my own. Not scary and I can take care of business too. Onward we go. Gunny and I did do this again many times on multiple duty requirements with a big old grin on my face!

It is after spending time on a Family Camp site that I really admire and respect all our retirees. We are a great bunch of people and to see the active duty, reservists, retirees and families utilizing a place that they can commiserate about the times they spent defending our country is invaluable.

Very Proud To Have Served!