Unemployed, Living on the Streets

That's how I'm finding myself these days, but not for long. I've been visiting my sister since last Tuesday and have been parking my motorhome in her neighborhood (at least it's a nice one). I'm sure people are getting tired of seeing the RV here, and I'm almost out of water and battery power, so it's time to find a proper place to stay at an RV park. 

Michelle and I have been enjoying our visit. I'm still not sure how long I'm staying in LA. We plan to get down to San Diego, but she's got some business to take care of and has other company coming Wednesday, so we're still not sure exactly when we can leave. I've also been struggling with getting the RV repair shop I contacted to respond with a quote. If they don't come thru today, I'm moving to "plan B." Anyway, you can never escape the little hassles in life.

In the meantime, we've been around town, to Malibu and Hermosa Beach, and had several meals out with her family and friends. Friday night we went out to Santa Monica, and here's Michelle and her friend Natalie on Third Street. Sorry about the dark, late-night photo - haven't been taking many pictures lately.

Hobson Beach Park, Outside of Ventura

What I should be doing: Cleaning the motorhome.
What I am doing: Enjoying the last of the day's light and the view from my campsite.

Hearst Castle

Went to Hearst Castle today - first time I've actually gone on the tour and seen the mansion. It was disappointing that they break the tour up into several different segments, each with it's own $25 ticket. I went on the Grand Rooms tour, which doesn't show you the kitchen or living quarters, just the big entertaining spaces. My favorite spot was the pool.

Diving platform

This is the fanciest pool ladder I've ever seen, by far

Due to the water shortage, they've closed the restrooms at the Visitor's Center and are exclusively using Port-a-Potties. Seemed incongruent, but I guess money can't buy everything.

Maybe Dad needs to get some zebras to accent the Black Angus at home!

I also stopped at the Elephant Seal Reserve in the San Simeon area. I had stopped here in the spring, and I'm fascinated watching the huge creatures. There were at least a thousand of them along the beach and in the water. Some were content to just sun themselves on the beach, but some wouldn't leave each other alone, in an effort to prove dominance.

Staying near Pismo Beach tonight at a place called Grover Beach. Should be a nice day tomorrow, and I hear it's going to be cold at home. I'll take the sunshine.

Glass Beach

Just before I left for my trip, a friend Bette sent me an email that said I need to go down to Glass Beach at Fort Bragg. It's an example of how people's bad habits have created some interesting results. It's the site of an old garbage dump, and the ocean keeps revealing more of the old glass and debris. Of course, people still are demonstrating bad habits - I was told that people keep shattering new glass here. Also, I was disappointed to see so many people collecting glass pieces by the bagful. There weren't any large pieces of blue or aqua glass to see at the time I was there. I'll bet it's a great place to go after a storm.

I was lucky to walk past a vet (I knew from his cardboard sign) who informed me that the best beach to go to isn't the one where the trail signs lead you to, but it's better to go to the one just south of there. It was an interesting rock climb down, but he was absolutely right. I'd have been disappointed if I had just gone to the first beach.

Charley bellying down to the sun-warmed glass

Had another wonderful drive along Hwy 1 down the coast to the wine country, where I spent last night. Still lots of hairpin curves, but I'm getting better at getting everything appropriately stowed for the drive. Going through San Francisco, continuing south today. I learned last night that my timing is bad - the Golden Gate bridge has construction lane closures this weekend. Hopefully it's better on the weekend than during a weekday.

Always loving the beach stops

Never Get Tired of Watching the Surf

Yesterday was beautiful, and I finally got some good coast time in. I wasn't the only one to enjoy it - Charley's at his happiest when he's off the leash, allowed to run unrestricted, ears bouncing up and down as he bounds away. It was a sunny day, and it's funny how the low 60's can seem so warm in the winter, but unacceptably cold in the summer. I can verify for all my hunter friends and family that all the elk are in protected areas along the highways. I've seen so many beautiful huge ones the last couple days, all alive and well.

It's not all ideal, though. I was in Coos Bay late Tuesday and was planning to drive another half hour to a beach campground, when I was rear-ended as I was stopped at the exit of a parking lot, waiting for traffic to clear. There were a lot of things that could have been worse. No injuries, the damage was relatively minor and didn't include the brake lights or taillights, the responsible party and his insurance company all seem to be on the up-and-up. I duck-taped the broken fender and corner upright back into place and looked for a location to limp to to stay the night. Fortunately there was an RV service shop (that had closed about the time the accident occurred) and a decent RV park within about 8 blocks. In the morning, the RV place told me that it would probably take them a month to get the parts and fix it. I decided to have them just bolt the broken pieces in place and got stronger tape to hold everything down at highway speed. :-(  It's holding together, but it sure is ugly. I'll get it fixed when I get to southern California and can find a Winnebago place.

Last night I stayed outside of Arcata, CA. My years of being in the emergency preparedness business have apparently turned me into a food hoarder. When I was preparing to leave and clear out anything perishable from my house, I realized that I probably could have survived a couple years on what was there. I brought as much of it as was reasonable, and my goal has been to eat at "home" and clear the inventory. However, I couldn't pass up the fact that the RV park was next to a Mexican restaurant that smelled good from a distance, and had the most wonderful hand-made chile relleno and margaritas for dinner. Glad I stopped!

Travel Lesson #1: There's No Rest at a Rest Area

Well, I finally made it out on the road late Monday (where did that put you in the betting pool, Andrew?). Since it was too late to do anything, I decided my first stop would be an economy stop at an I-5 rest area in Oregon. The monetary price was right, but the real cost was no sleep at all with all the truck noise in and out. I don't think I'll do that again unless I'm desperate to find a place to park overnight.

I've already thought of something I've forgotten to bring. So it's off to mail my ballot, make a quick stop for a travel mug, and hit the road, planning to angle toward the coast.


Planning to find a more comfortable "home" tonight!

 

My Biggest Adventure

In a couple of weeks I'm about to launch my biggest adventure so far. I'm going out on my own "Travels With Charley in Search of America" (Charley's my dog - a poodle). I have a couple of days left of work, will tie up some things at home and then will head south for the winter.

I plan to log my trip here, which will help me organize memories, will be a reasonably easy way to let loved ones know where I am and that I'm safe, and will hopefully be  interesting to those who are just wondering what I've been up to. Am I excited? YES! Am I a little nervous? Yes. Am I ready for this? Ugh - not yet. There's so much to do, but I'm working on it.

The picture here is my home away from home. I've only been out camping in it a couple of times so far, but it seems like it will be a good fit for what I'm planning.

Many people have told me they could only imagine quitting their job and going traveling before they're old enough for retirement. Only time will tell whether this is one of the best decisions I've ever made or one of the worst. But I'm ready to take a chance to find out. Wish me well. And if you want to meet up somewhere out there, let me know!