Eastward Bound!

It just figures that I'd begin at the end

I'm enjoying a breezy day in Indio, in the Palm Springs area. I'm next to a date farm that sells their produce and products, including date milkshakes. It doesn't sound like my favorite flavor, but I've been told I should try it. I'm going to check it out in a few minutes and then go pick up some cold-weather supplies.

Planned itinerary:
Currently at Indian Wells RV Park, Indio
Sunday night in Joshua Tree National Park at Cottonwood Campground (brrr - could get down to freezing!)
Monday night in Joshua Tree National Park at Jumbo Rocks Campground
Then to Lake Havasu

Gingerbread and Midnight Pancakes: Merry Christmas 2014!

I've never been away from "home" on Christmas until this year. Sometimes it's been my home, or the home where I grew up or with in-laws. This year I'm at my sister's apartment and experiencing a new Christmas. It's a windy morning in Brentwood but it will still be pleasant enough weather all day for just a light jacket. I'm hoping to get to Santa Monica today for one last beach visit before heading east. My RV repair is done and I pick it up and head out tomorrow.

Last night, on Christmas Eve, we went to a great family party (Michelle's LA family). They start with a gingerbread house construction contest (poolside on the patio, of course). After dinner they have a white elephant gift exchange where there's deliberately such a wide variety of gifts, ranging from real duds (deodorant, plain boxer shorts, pickles) to prized American Express gift cards, and very specific rules about "steals" so it was spirited and fun.

Tonight Michelle and I will get together with one of her former housemates who has to work today for "midnight pancakes" at a 24-hour restaurant.

It's a holiday where I'm missing Steve, and Michelle's missing her guy, but we're together and appreciating that, and we will make the best of all we have.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Gingerbread winners:

The Longest Night

Last night I had an interesting experience. My sister Michelle and I had dinner at her brother-in-law's house with several other family members. After a great dinner and dessert, they brought out a set of cards, a little larger than playing cards. The artwork was extraordinary and each one was different. They were "Omens of Hafez" Persian fortune telling cards, and it's a popular Persian tradition to bring them out on "The Longest Night" (Winter Solstice) to see what the new year will bring. The text was in Farsi, so I simply got a brief English translation of the poetry. Mine said something about living a long life, that I am a proud person, and it's wise for me to go ahead and do what I want to do. There was also something about about beauty isn't everything and that all good things don't necessarily show outside beauty. It was a really interesting evening and I'll interpret it to suggest that it was a good choice to set out on my journey. That is, if I can get on with it. Early last week the parts for my RV arrived and it turns out the manufacturer sent a left side repair package, not the right side I need. It must have been an omen that I'm supposed to stay in LA just a bit longer. The shop I've been working with is going to fabricate the piece that didn't arrive and I think it will be done this week sometime. Not sure yet how the holiday will impact the schedule. At least I'm with family! Merry Christmas to all!

Leaving San Diego with a Storm

After enjoying a week on Mission Bay, I'm just north of there now, in Vista, experiencing the beginning of the same storm that has caused trouble and knocked out power back at home. Last night I could swear there was something on top of the motor home, and not just a bird, like I've commonly had before. This sound (and you could feel movement) had me outside with a flashlight looking for a big rat or something. Fortunately, all that I could see was the awning over the slide-out rippling a little in the wind. Since the wind and rain were forecast to hit full force overnight, I decided that maybe I should just retract the slide-out when I was ready for bed. I'm glad I did. Around 4 this morning, the wind gusts were really knocking the whole motor home around, and a couple hours later the torrential rains began.

The storm has made me think about the job I left behind back home. Hope all is going fine there, and that the weather impacts haven't been too bad. The news I saw mentioned Washington State, but all the video was from Northern California. The storm is supposed to be short-lived here. It's scheduled to slack off by late morning, so I'll hit the road after the winds die down.

I'm headed back to LA. The parts still aren't in for my repair, but I'm going to stay with my sister over the weekend and I'm hoping they'll be in early next week.

I really enjoyed San Diego. It was odd to see ice skaters in the sunset with palm trees around, as seen when we went to Hotel del Coronado.

P.S. I did get a chance the other night to verify the NOAA weather radio I've been using when I stay in tsunami inundation areas is working and programmed just fine, thankfully not for a tsunami warning. There was an Amber Alert in the middle of the night and dog and I were wakened up quite rudely. Glad to know it's functioning, though. It should also come in handy for tornado watches later in the trip (but hopefully not.)

San Diego

Enjoying time in the San Diego area with my sister, Michelle, and my niece, Zabrinna. We spent three (rainy) nights at right on Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, and now we're at Mission Bay RV Park in San Diego for a few nights. Yesterday we went to the San Diego Safari Park and loved it. 

I've got complicated feelings about zoos. I love seeing the exotic animals. I know it's more socially conscious to not want animals to be in captivity out of their native environment, but I really like to get a chance to see and learn about them, so I'll go to the zoo if I get a good chance. The Safari Park was great.

Sunset at Huntington Beach

I know, the title begs for a photo, but I don't have one. I also don't have a picture of THE best dog park - the Huntington Dog Beach, where I experienced Saturday's sunset. I've been hitting the beaches with just my keys, the dog, and a smile. I'm at Huntington by the Sea for the weekend, and even though tonight's sunset walk was in the rain, I'm enjoying it here. To Oceanside and San Diego tomorrow with Michelle!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today will both feel like a traditional and a non-traditional Thanksgiving for me. Non-traditional because I'm in a warm-weather location where the temp is forecast to be 82, I don't have to fix anything for dinner, and the family I'll be with is the extended family of my sister, Michelle. I'm betting I'll need to sneak peeks at my phone for updates on the Seahawks game. But still traditional, since there will be a feast and they will treat me like family.

Yesterday we went to Attari, which is like the Meconi's of Persian food in L.A. There are numerous "Best of..." articles posted on the walls, and they are known for their sandwiches and soups. The chicken sandwich and Osh soup I tried were really good. They make soups like none other I've seen though, and I won't get up the courage to soups that use parts of an animal that I didn't even know people will eat.

One place I'd keep going back to and be willing to try one of everything, is Sprinkles, the cupcake shop. I had no intention of using the Cupcake ATM, but when they were sold out of the Salted Caramel in the store and said they may have one in the ATM still (how ridiculous does that sound?), I had to try it. Yum!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Update: They DO have the game on!

Holiday Disney

I'm finally too old for Disneyland, I've decided. I'm not saying I'll never go again because it is enchanting to see kids experience it. But between the "been there, done that," my tendency towards motion sickness, the kitschy-ness, funky-smelling rides, and cost, I'm over it. And now I've seen Disney during the holidays. It was nice for us to get together with my niece and her husband, though.

I'm still staying with my sister while awaiting RV repair. She's been a great hostess and it's been good to spend time with her.

I can't believe its almost Thanksgiving!

The Charley Takeover

I've stayed a few nights this week at Dockweiler State Park. It's right on the beach and doesn't really feel so much like it's in the city. However, it is on the LAX flight path and there are jets constantly taking off overhead. Luckily I sleep well most of the time and it was all right.

I'm STILL waiting for an insurance adjuster to come look at the motorhome to authorize payment for repairs. My sister finally talked me into staying at her apartment. She shares the place with her Persian father-in-law, who is fairly traditional, and dogs are not traditionally welcome in the home. However, he seems to be warming up to Charley. We started with my visit last spring, when Charley stayed out on the patio or in the kennel in the garage. With this visit, there's no garage, so the kennel came into the apartment. My sister, who is a devoted dog lover, kept breaking him loose and her father-in-law would coax him to get up on his hind legs and dance. This time, the kennel isn't even set up now and the dog just about has the run of the house. Cute can get you far in this life.

I'll be in LA for at least a week more, through Thanksgiving. Then we plan to head towards San Diego for a visit with our niece. The weather's been great - the traffic not so much. Thankfully I'm not on a schedule.

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!

McMenamin's McMinnville

Continuing the microbrew theme, I've ended up at the Hotel Oregon, a funky McMenamin's property in downtown McMinnville. Wasn't sure what I would think of it, since I read a variety of reviews. Some loved it, some absolutely did not. Two things were clear: 1) It's a historic downtown hotel, so the rooms are small, many even with shared baths, and 2) There's a rooftop bar, and they provide earplugs in the rooms, so it might get noisy here on the 4th floor.

I took a room with a shared bath, with one other room having access to it. To my benefit, though, they said they wouldn't book the other room tonight with me having a dog (which itself costs a little extra). Guess I'm lucky it's a quiet night here. It's around 9 as I write this, and I can't hear the rooftop bar over my own radio. Yes, I said radio. There's no TV in the basic rooms here. Thank goodness I have plenty to amuse myself with. I've got an iPad, books, magazines, podcasts, and there's always the rooftop bar if I get desperate. I had a great dinner here of a salad and berry cobbler, and Charley's happy, so I'm lovin' it so far.

The room's small. The photo here shows about 2/3rds of it. The bedspread is classier than what you see - The first thing I do when I get to a hotel now is spread out a sheet from home so the dog's got a familiar scent and if he's on the messy side, we're not leaving paw prints. It's been a good strategy to remember.

We also cruised through Woodburn to see tulips in bloom. The farm has it's "tulip festival" going on, and their signs mentioned a $10 parking fee once we got there. However their dozens of vendor booths weren't open on this rainy day, and nobody was enforcing the fee, so we just drove through towards the exit with a slight pause. Pretty fields, but nowhere near the quantity as in the Skagit Valley. Big decision tomorrow: One more night out or go home. Guess I'll decide tomorrow.

99 Bottles of Beer....

Today was a nice, relaxing day. Took a long walk along the Deschutes River in Bend, then window-shopped in a couple areas around town. Late afternoon I went on a tour of the Deschutes Brewing Company.

I'm having trouble deciding where to go from here. Not ready to head home yet, but I'm still working on figuring out the next destination. I'd really like to go back to the beach, but it seems like too long a drive to hit the coast from here. Plus it doesn't help that it's likely to be raining anywhere I choose to stop. I guess we'll see.

Bend, Oregon

I'm liking Bend a lot so far. Got here late afternoon. My hotel fronts a National Forest area full of trails that eventually lead to the Deschutes River. After getting settled in, we went for a little hike (okay, I walked and Charley ran as much as I'd let him.) The photo on top is the view at the top of the
trail we took. The photos below are of Charley enjoying the outing. 

Afterward I found dinner at the Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. Lodge. Lots of microbreweries here - won't have time to visit them all :(

A Good Doggie Day

After keeping Charley in "solitary confinement" for so many hours in Reno, I felt I owed him a good day enjoying nature. We took a drive into the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity recreation area, specifically around Whiskeytown Lake. Went for a little hike up Brandy Creek for a ways (wasn't smart enough to bring a camera to capture the pretty waterfalls), then decided to go ahead and take the gravel road to completely circumnavigate the lake. Didn't see anyone else on the gravel road and actually put the Toyota into low gear and 4-wheel drive to get up one of the hills (okay, I probably didn't need to, but it's good to work the mechanism now & then). The photo was from one of the high points on the gravel road above the lake.

We stopped at Oak Bottom and sat on the beach and enjoyed the sun for awhile. It's a popular beach and there were plenty of swimmers even though all the facilities (like restrooms) aren't open for the season yet. Then drove back to Anderson and took a nice end-of-day walk along the Sacramento River at the Anderson River Park, where every other person/group was also walking their dog. I seem to be back in Charley's good graces again.

Tonight: Best Western in Anderson. It's a small-town area with few city lights and seems like a great place to view the lunar eclipse, but there's a partial cloud cover so not sure what I'll see.

Tomorrow: Entrada Lodge in Bend, OR