After Two Weeks At Home

We have had sunny early spring weather and also lots of rain, which in the time we have been home, have brought out the crocuses and daffodils, bravely displaying their yellows and purples. A benefit of being home for March. We usually miss these early flowers. Also home in time to help celebrate the March birthdays, Jassy who is 12 and Lachelan who is now 10. Son Travis, he's getting too old to put down his number....:)

Have started a little yard work, mostly just cutting down all the dead stuff from last fall. We're keeping the lawn people doing the grass for awhile until we get a lot of other things caught up. Definitely haven't used some of these muscles in the last seven months. I'm feeling the pain but it's a good pain:)

Have enrolled in a 6 week drawing class in Courtenay and on April 4 Sherry and I start "Sketchbook Skool", an online sketching "klass" being presented by all of our favourite Urban Sketchers, each instructing one class over six weeks.

Then it's Italy on May 16. I am getting very excited when I think about it. But it seems there are so many things going on I don't really think about the actual trip but only about preparing to go. I guess once we get on the airplane it will feel pretty real!

Catching up with family and friends slowly as Bob is still not getting any relief from the sinusitis?, Tinitus that has left him with constant ringing in his left ear and unable to breathe properly for the last three months. At least now we are home the pressure of getting us home is no longer weighing on him and the doctors are doing every test imaginable on him. But to date no one has found any solutions.

One of the benefits of travel, besides all the wonderful experiences and people you meet is the appreciation of home. I feel happy each day to look out over Baynes Sound whether it is raining, blowing, sunny or a combination of all three. This can compete with any desert sunrise we have seen. Love my home.

 

 

 

Stella Story.....while sitting in the truck waiting for Daddy to run into Canadian Tire, Stella asks " where's Daddy going" Meg responds..." He's just running in to get a new jack" . A horrified Stella responds, " we don't need a new "Jack" we already have one. I don't want a new Jack!!!.

A Jack is a Jack is a Jack...car Jack or Brother Jack....the intricacies of our English language can definitely confuse a three year old.

 

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The End of the Journey

We headed to the border early Saturday morning. A 15 minute wait and we were again welcomed home by the border officer. It is always such a good feeling to be back in Canada. We were even honest about the excess of wine we had. He just smiled and sent us on our way. We now had an hour to get to the ferry. It was basically empty and we were crossing to the Island on time. In the past we have overnighted in Nanaimo but because we were across so early we decided to head for home. We dumped at our regular spot ....one of our quickest dumps because it was raining. In the sunshine you don't mind standing around, taking your time.

We were home by 2:00pm. Everything was in good shape. The furnace thermostat needed new batteries but within a few minutes we had heat and then water.

We have travelled four provinces, sixteen states and thirteen thousand miles in seven months. We did not have a flat tire, or any mechanical problems. We didn't really even come close to a fender bender. There are always aggressive, stupid drivers to contend with but we managed to avoid any other vehicle contact.

Big Bertha and our home on wheels getting the last tire change. This truck and it's driver have performed above all expectations. We haven't been able to maintain Bob quite as easy as Bertha but it's his turn now that we are home.

We are totally worn out from the last couple of months of travel but even now that we are home we are already remembering incidents, places, people and of course the food. We are also talking about where we will go next. I guess we are addicted to travelling no matter how much it hurts.

We are somewhat unpacked, hooked up to TV, Internet and phone and most of our mail dealt with.

We have been very fortunate to come home to enjoy beautiful, sunny, early spring weather. Crocuses and snow drops are showing their colours in our somewhat neglected back yard. Because we had the grass cut a few times last Fall our yard doesn't need a goat to eat down the grass like last year.

We are having a quiet week regrouping. Next week we will be ready to resume our normal home life, visiting with family and friends.

Then I start to prepare for my trip to Italy mid May.

But for now we are glad to be home, grateful for our safe return and still in awe of all we have seen and done. This journey is over.

 

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Last Night in the US

We are sitting poised to cross the border in the morning. As usual getting through Portland wasnt too bad but from south of Olympia through Tacoma and the 405 bypass around Seattle was horrendous. After 13000 miles we can say again that the worst part of every trip south is Seattle. Our one saving grace was that we decided we could use the HOV lane and while the other lanes were at times at a complete stop we sailed right on by.

We had all the tires on both the truck and trailer rotated, balanced and polished with so much courtesy and efficiency. And this is a free service forever when you buy your tires from them. Discount Tire has one of the best customer service policies of any service industry that we are aware of. We have probably dealt in over a dozen different outlets across the US and every store is the same.

It has been a long hard week. Fourteen hundredmiles so far from Laughlin on Monday morning. We'll be sleeping in Union Bay on Sunday night

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Travel Through Oregon

There is something about Oregon and the people that I like. It is so different from its southern neighbour. Many similarities to BC but also different. You don't have to lay $250 to get your truck and RV onto the island to see the west coast beaches. The whole coast is accessible. It has many beautiful pristine rivers, like the Rogue, the Umpqua and the Willamette. It is a state that combines the warmer climate of California with the rugged forests of the Pacific Northwest. It's a culture of outdoor activities, lattes, a friendly openness and what appears to be pride in their state. Detainees of the Sheriff's department are required to do litter pick up. A good trade off for a bed and three meals in my opinion. We all have to earn our keep one way or another...... soap box comment for the day:)

We have finished with all the mountain passes. Flat land all the way home now. Spring is in the air....trees are in blossom, daffodils are blooming in the medians and everything is looking green. And the rain is still coming down!!!!

Another stop at another Cabelas. There are always a few things to be found for the fisherman.

Overnight in Salem. Organizing all our receipts for customs and preparing ourselves for getting through Portland and Seattle. We have found that taking the bypasses, 205 for Portland, and 405 for Seattle after rush hour is the best way.

One more tire rotation for the truck at Discount tire, two more days on the road and we will be on the ferry....

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Happy Birthday

When you're 66 there isn't much you need for your birthday. The best part of the day is all the nice things people say and do for you. Last year I had tulips and red wine in 30 degree desert weather.

This year I have chocolate cake and red wine in 12 degrees and rain and wind....

From Bob...he knows I have a sweet tooth and like a good bottle of wine.

My birthday card from my very talented sister:)

From my darling daughter, quote..." Two peas in a pod"..... A windy day last year at Saratoga Beach, Bahahaaa .... And a lovely birthday greeting to go with it..<3

It has been another unusual birthday setting for me. We are always on the road somewhere for this day. But being 2/3 days from home makes me very happy. Thank you to everyone for all my birthday greetings. They always make the day special.

 

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Laughlin to Porterville

We are moving by 6:00am. Morning coffee under our belts and toast and almond butter for on the road. It is a very boring trip along Interstate 40. Southern California has some pretty ugly areas....Needles, Barstow, Bakersfield. I think "junk" could be a secondary industry here. So many abandoned buildings, vehicles, machinery.....

Some of the sights along our trip today.

This is an old abandoned gas station along Route 66 that parallels our interstate route.

It seems that a 40 foot motor home may not be the the best answer to living on the road anymore. We have seen a lot of this type of unit this year built on a semi truck.

I love some of the beautiful rigs that are colourful and unique in their individuality.

We have left the cactus and the desert as we crossed over Tehachapi pass and travel down into the California flatlands towards Bakersfield. We now see real trees and even some in their spring blossoms.

As each mile passes as we travel west I keep hoping I can see a possibility to still go up Hwy 395. It just isn't feasible with the high altitudes at this time of the year. So we continue past Kramers Junction, our last chance for the road to Bishop. I know what we are doing is the best decision but can't help but be a little sad to miss the Eastern Sierras, Lone Pine, Independence and Bishop.

We have stopped for the night in Porterville, which is situated on a side road heading towards Fresno. The last time we came through here we stealth camped in the National Forest Service office parking lot. Today we are one of two BC rvs.....we just can't escape our provincial neighbours.....in a Walmart parking lot. We are talking about moving to Alberta to escape the somewhat bad reputation BC rv'ers have down here:)

We travelled 360 miles today and survived, to travel again tomorrow.

No painting or sketching today just photos....

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Going Home

We are hooked up and ready to go in the morning. Happy, sad, but mostly excited to be going home. In the past I have been OK with leaving the desert because I knew that in six months I would be back. This year I am unsure if this will happen. We thought this year's trip would be the change we were looking for. It was a journey of exploration, family research, interesting people, music, different cultures and exciting foods.

Whatever we decide to do we know there will be roads to travel and new adventures to experience. Seven months away from home, family and friends is long enough. Union Bay here we come.

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One More Day

Can you tell I want to go home? And Bob too, but we are prepared to wait another day so that this rain and wind storm that is crossing Southern California is really passed.
Went to town for a few chores and a bit of an outing. I was lucky to find a very accommodating young woman in the Walmart hair salon that squeezed me in between "perms"....I wanted a trim to get me home. $15.50 for shampoo and cut. I have had maybe 4 or 5 trims since leaving home last summer. Only one was less than satisfactory. When water is always at a premium it is a real treat to have someone shampoo and condition your hair.

We did Apple Ipad system updates at the BHCL.. ..Bullhead City library.....bought a roast chicken for dinner with a coleslaw and we are home again. Our energy levels are at an all time low. Certainly hope we can jump start ourselves to get on the road.
An outdoor Mardi Gras celebration, Laughlin style, had to be moved in-doors this afternoon due to the rain. We went down to listen to the Zydeco band that was playing. It was a little disappointing compared to our music from Louisiana. More Rock than real Cajun, plus it's not the same having to be indoors in the bar area.

The woman playing the accordian was great. I could have listened to her for a long time....but over all the music was too loud and not " Zydeco" enough.....:)
We have another squall going through as it gets dark.... hoping it will be the last one and we can feel good about packing up tomorrow to leave on Monday!!!!

 

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