Canned Comfort

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.

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.

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!