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.

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!

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!

Turkeys and Scones!

Hidden Valley Lake, California was our adventurous goal. What a wonderful place. It was a four-hour drive from our home up to Napa and the Silverado Trail. Beautiful scenery and lots of places to stop and sip the vino. We arrived at our destination, a little dusty, thirsty and ready to relax. It only takes us 30 minutes to set up, open the vino and put out salami, cheese and french bread. We were the only ones there our first night and only two other RVs arrived the next night. Very quiet. It is a small, oak filled canyon with a bubbly running creek. It feels like you are out on the ranch but you are in the middle of a gated community with a golf course and market!

The deer and wild turkeys rule. The early mornings have a little fog hanging onto the branches, deer grazing, turkeys waddling and flying and the feral cats are fed by a mysterious cat lady. The quiet is amazing. We take our little pooch out for a short stroll. The air was crisp and cool with just a hint of damp. We started our morning with a short walk. The water for our french press coffee is heating and the luscious lemony scones are baking. As we return to our rig the water is poured over our Peet’s coffee and the aroma of the scones cooling on the counter just add to the simple pleasures of life. With our curtains opened to view nature, classical music playing quietly in background, we enjoy our cozy cave. (Our doggie pokes his head between the curtains so he can keep an eye on the wildlife.)

We found this little place thanks to our friends Anne and Dan who live at Hidden Valley Estates. This trip we had dinner at their house, went wine tasting all Saturday and cooked our dinner for the night in our rolling French bistro. Sunday was home-made scones and coffee. This little kitchen really works and there is plenty of prep space. Prior planning helped. I prepared the dry ingredients for the scones at home, packed them in a zip lock bag and only added butter and milk in the coach. Fifteen minutes later, we had warm, buttered lemon scones with our own French press coffee. Now that is traveling!

Unfortunately, we also had our first encounter with a frozen water hose too. Luckily, as always, fellow travelers helped us with a lesson on all-weather camping. We now wrap our hoses in cold weather.

We shall do this again! Even, Gunny, our doggie liked it. He travels well. We love to see our friends and the Napa/Lake county wine regions too. If you go to Lake County wine area there is a great little restaurant in Kelseyville called the Saw Shop and a repeat visit is a must. We are getting used to our little home. It is relaxing to just have a lazy morning with goodies you made while still in your jammies! The dog is not so sure, but goes along for the adventure.

Our Gunny! He now loves his little rolling home. See what he did to the curtains!

It Took Awhile!

Twelve months had passed since our maiden voyage! We wanted to really travel with our new rolling home (20 ft Flying Cloud) but life gets in the way. Wait, I thought escape was the reason behind our investment! hmmmm

Our choice of our “rig” was guided by the capability of our little Sportrac’s tow power. We really did not know what we were looking for or how we would really utilize this trailer. It had not occurred to us what trailer travel was all about. We saw commercials and we thought wow what an adventure. We would use our own linens, our doggies could go too, we could dine and relax in our own “home” while on the road. Sounds great! We’re in!

We visited many dealerships around not only in California but also Nevada . It surprised me in the feel, decor and sneezes we encountered. Yep, I am allergic to the world! Of course the price ranges were wild! We had not even considered previously owned trailers either! We compared the RV to the trailers to the vans, C class, A Class etc, etc. A whole new world.

I really did not want a trailer after all the looking until my hubby took me to an Airstream dealership! I did not sneeze, it was well thought out, clean lines inside and out and it did not have a formaldehyde odor! It also had a light, bright kitchen area that had enough room for me to cook. The really crowning touch was the FULL bathroom! Yep the bathroom and kitchen sold the silver toaster for us! So we took the very expensive plunge.

In December 2009 we went to Moro Bay and stayed at the Moro Bay Dunes RV park. We were fully packed for any contingency and then some. We only had one little doggie then and he is a traveler! We had heard nothing but great things about this park and location. Funny we live by Monterey Bay and now we are traveling to Morro Bay! We plan our trips like we planned mission movement in the military! We flunked the civilian side this time we were late by 30 minutes of our departure time. We also learned how to properly stabilize our hitch.

Off we go! We stop in Soledad, California 2 hours into our adventure for coffee and doggie piddle. We arrive at 2:00 pm at the park and are guided to our site. We were relieved to see we are in a quiet spot with few campers on our court. Did I say quiet!? As the weekenders began to arrive the noise level kept rising and children on bikes and trikes began roaming the area. We realized our court had one of the few gates to the beach across a paved road! Too many people but the view from the kitchen is a wow! Outer Banks Trip 110

The first night is almost completely dark, small slice of the moon, we take a short walk on the dunes and listened to the beauty of the surf and sounds! We did not stay around the camp ground like photos in articles show but we did get a quiet spot to enhance our learning curve. We do know now that we should do a little more homework about where we want to stay and what our style of travel is.

This is a great base camp point for short drives to Pismo Beach and San Lluis Obispo. There is also a lot of surf fishing too! The camp hosts were great and we shall return.

The Silver Suite

Oh the Rain, Snow and Landslides!

For us the winter has historically been our best time to travel. That is before a tree said hello to our back panel and mother nature said “you want rain, here it is” . We then had rain, snow, landslides, rock slides and mudslides. Oh, yeh, we had floods too.

This gave us time to deal with the real world, re-thinking tomorrow, re-evaluating dreams of travel, fun and life. As we are challenged by time, our time. What is the future? Hey, who knows, so enjoy it.

When we bought our Flying Cloud we had no clue what we were doing. All I know is I was not going to sleep on the ground, freeze and wake up aching at every joint. As all newbies know and learn …. WE HAD NO IDEA! reading Living Riveted, Airstream blogs and Sunset magazine … we were confused! Happily we just kept walking into walls and looking goofy!

I also realized we have had our rig for nine (9) years! It feels like it is so new and beautiful. There are so many ways to decorate it, make more luxurious, comfortable and “ours”. It keeps changing and I am still not sure we are doing it right! OK what is correct and right and the Airstream Way? Just have fun is the answer.

A co-worker of mine has a glass etching business with her hubby. They made us beautiful Riedel style glasses with our little silver coach etched on the side! What beauty and such meaning. These are the little things we keep finding in our lives and travels.

We are so excited that we also gave the Airstream bug to our friendly winemaker at Six Sigma Winery. We got them the Riedel glasses to pack easier in their new home! What a hit! Fun, creative people with new prisms of our environment really enhances our experiences.

From all the “how to’s” of travel I havent seen anything about “melt downs!”. YEAH! I mean I journaled our travels from day one to now. They were always beautiful times. Just saying. The adjustment period either makes or breaks your love for you rig. Right?!

So here goes my little story of our little Silver “Canned Comfort”. …..

Outer Banks Trip 088 — Sea Cliff State Park

Here is where the journey started! Our shakedown cruise. Lovely quiet spot 15 minutes from our house! I had already “packed” the little baby with all I thought we needed, including a stew already cooked and just needed a little warm up.

It took us about an hour to get us “right”. The scenery was beautiful, gray, misty and about to rain. Can you imagine what a great start to our first adventure? I forgot the wine opener, had the wine though! We only had one puppy with us and we were about a 20 minute walk uphill to a quick stop! Our knees were kinda sore but we got our corkscrew and found this little place had a great wine selection!

It then started to rain, we were soaking wet by the time we returned but that’s a memory. We turned on the lights, we had full hook ups, turned on the heater, changed to dry clothes and then realized we were in a very little space! The art of movement in a small space has a weird learning curve as does the sleeping areas!

We can hear the surf breaking on the beach, reminds me of Hawaii but very cold, The rain sounds great as it hits the roof. Our first night was a rough night, sleepwise with me and hubby and a mini Australian Shepard trying to stay warm. When we awoke the next morning we though our roof was leaking as the walls and ceilings were dripping wet stuff! we sealed everything closed that night and did not have the moisture stuff to absorb wet! Who would think that you leave vents open to keep your environment going!?!?

Let’s just say a few bad words were spoken and threats of never, ever doing this camping/trailer thing again went round and round that evening. The morning dawned and the sun peeked out while I baked home-made scones in our little oven, the french press was making wonderful coffee and best of all the shower and toilet worked like charms!! Almost like being home in a very condensed toaster! Had a wonderful walk on the beach to a little hamlet nearby and then prepped for home! We had survived our very first ever glamp in our own “back yard”. We are each still alive, the doggie loves his new bed – ours and we did not break our brand new Airstream!

Onward to more adventures!