|
|
ROAD TRIPS/R V LIFE
updated July 17th, 2006
|
July 17th, 2006
A trip to Portage, Wisconsin to visit Monica, Dee, and their annimals at the refuge: 5 dogs, two pot-belly pigs, three huge pigs out back, and tons of cats.
|
|
off to Colorado
photos here
|
|
|
Sunday, May 28th, 2006 Rain and light winds through the Gorge. nothing serious. From LaGrande I drove hwy 82 toward Wallowa Lake. Lostine river road is amaizing. It goes UP, and UP. there should be forest campgrounds after the road turns gravel, but how much gravel can one RV take, and it is so cold i may get caught in snow tonight and be stuck up here a while. Moka found a carcus in the picnic area -coyote maybe? there is a city park on Wallowa Lake which provides a spectacular view or the mountain range. They are rugged with tons of snow, more comming tonight i bet since it is really cold. Spent the night in the town of Joseph. It is so cute with grand views of the mountains. Walked to the internet cafe/brew pub/coffee place for pizza, Moosedrool, and some free internet. Found a public parking lot with restroom for the night.
|
|
Monday morning, May 29th 2006- my windows are fogged and the town is still sleeping. it is 5:30am, and the sun is starting to show off the tops of the mountains. the best time of the day. It is SO COLD. must be 40-45 degrees. i can see my breath outside as i bolt to the restrooms. there are thick clouds moving over the mountains by 6am- probably snow. glad i am not camping.
Idaho sucks. there were some beautiful mountains on the western edge, but they were mostly covered in clouds. then, the next few hours were mostly boring except for the puffy white clouds and bright sun. very dry rolling hills and sage brush fields. The Snake River is pretty cool. stopped at a boat landing for moka to get wet and for me to relax in the sun a while. then drove in the pickup with teenage boys who were really loud. so i left and headed for Lava Hot Springs. the mountains on the eastern corner are pretty too. Lava HS is full of family hot pools mostly for playing ball, slides, diving, and the general splashing around. there are absolutely no mellow adult pools in this town, and when i asked around people were extremely crabby and glared at me like i was crazy for wanting a calm therapeutic pool, and said ‘these are all family oriented pools”.. the town sucks but i want to visit the hot pools first thing tomorrow morning. maybe the kids will be back in school and the holiday weekend will be over. even the ice cream i just had sure wasn’t Tillamook. i parallel parked (nice job Barb) near a public restroom, and then---- the city light turned on. it is going to be on me all night. but maybe that is good in this redneck area. people are revving their cars down the street and hollering things out the window at each other. can’t tell what they are saying.
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006. i awoke at 6am to the sounds of a car squeeling to a halt right behind my RV, and then a teenager screamming profanity as he walked away. real NICE. so i decided this scarry town disn’t need my business, and i left by 6:30am. found a much needed tank flush down the road and out of Idaho I sped. ah, Utah. picked a hot spring to visit, Crystal Hot Spring. it didn’t open until 10am, so i walked Moka, sat in the sun looking at the snow capped mountains (got 14” snow in the passes last night) enjoying the quiet. about 9:50am, in drives the school bus with Junior high kids. so much for my solitude, but now that i have waited this long i better check ‘em out. there were some adults to mingle with, and the water was great. now i am in Ogden, Utah getting more gas. everywhere is under $3/gallon except Oregon.
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 Eastern Utah is pretty, but then came boring Wyoming. it is flat, dry, sagebrush and mining fields. the little towns are there only to provide housing for the miners/drillers. they are mobile home parks placed on an open slab of dry, rock. you can see probably 5 miles up the highway to the next exit. there is a tree out there so it must be a gas station/hotel/restaurant combo. not sure how all these places got on the hwy map. i drove why 789 into Colorado. this was a great road, but could be terrible in bad weather. it is open dry flatland that becomes rolling dry hills. it provides a convenient route to Craig C
|
|
across the state line- first stop was Craig. Played a little fetch in the park until my puddle-loving precious pup found a mud puddle. REAL NICE. two deer stood outside the park fencewatching us. funny that we were the nes INSIDE the fence. staying in beautiful tourist trap Steamboat Springs, Colorado (6100’)
|
|
|
Moka and I went for a hike up the ski mountain trails. found a little patch of snow for Moka to play in. had she not been on a leash, she would have body surfed off the pile. now she’s snoring-out for the afternoon. We’ll proabbly stay parked here on the side street tonight. there looks like a fun brew pub in town, and of course a coffee shop for the morning. people are friendly and normal here. I love it.
happened to sit next to a beer rep from ft collins who was eager to buy beers for people. OK with me.
|
|
olorado.
Thursday June 1st, 2006 there’s frost this morning. it was warm sleeping because i use my sleeping bag as a comforter, and of course i sleep in a cap. Moka is tucked nicely under her wool blanket too. bundled up to walk Moka. she’s moving pretty slow. went to a coffee shop to connect with the world. guess people here don’t wear wool caps. in fact, people are in sandles. it’s 30 degrees out!!!! as soon as it warms up we’ll take a short drive from town for a hike, then i may visit the hot springs. i love hot springs. wish they were less commercialized, and a little more natural like back in Oregon. ah, there’s a sporty guy with a cap on, but socks in his sandles. - they all have socks in sandles!!! good grief.
|
|
Drove about 10 minutes out of town, up a windy road that turned gravel. Went for a hike about 8am. was looking for soda creek trail, and thought i had it, but was actually at spring creek trail. the trail dropped into a valley where it criss-crossed the creek many times. Moka had lots of opportulities to splash around. It is hot already. Tall Aspens lined the valley.
|
|
 |
Drove Hwy 40 to Sulfur hot springs (7200’). the first ten or so miles out of Steamboat are straight up. then came Sulfur hot springs. this is what i have been looking for. few people, age restricted areas, tons of pools, outdoors, overlooking the mountains, with free camping spot 5 minutes walk away. I am parked on the Colorado River, in the shade for my very tired dog, and should get a great view of the snars if i can stay up that long. It is 100 degrees this afternoon, but ya wouldn’t know it. the pools range from about 98-110 degrees. some pools fit 2 people, others could fit 6-8 people. I have a day pass and will be going back when it cools off this evening, and of course the morning when it is frosty out, before hitting the road again.
|
|
haven’t paid for a night stay yet.
Friday, June 2, 2006 well, the jeep is dead in hood river. starter went out (donations to this cause accepted). Started the mornig with a long soak in the springs in the cool morning air ---ahhh. filled up the water tank, and headed out hwy 40 east. quick stop in Frasier to visit the vet. Moka had a big sliver of straw in her toe. poor girl. the vet worked us in and Moka was a good sport earning her a couple fresh rawhides. she plays with it before finally devouring it. preferrably in the shade on the grass. that’s my girl. Up and over the mountains we went. that’s about 90 minutes at 30mph- time to check out the scenery. idaho springs is cool with tons of trail access. very dry- no fires allowed here. missed my exit to Boulder, so went the long way. cute little city reminds me of Eugene. walked the historic Pearl street, the trail along the creek, and caught a glimpse of music/movie in the parking lot. talked with a guy who just moved here from Seattle. a little taste of home. Staying in the parking lot tonight. it’s free and i fit under the tree- it’s 80+ today and 90 tomorrow..
Saturday June 3, 2006 Guess I parked next to the farmers market. gunna check that out this morning, as well as a walk to Wild Oats. not sure if we’ll stay another night here or get on to Golden while the traffic is mello. Gunna check out an RV park there where i can stay a while. not sure i like the idea of staying a while anywhere. i am really enjoying this transient lifestyle with no schedule, but i guess it is time to try to secure work. gas prices are less here $2.60 ish.
JEEP UPDATE: they brought the part saurday 90 minutes late, and it was the WRONG part. so, at 4:30p PST the new part is comming. then, they can install it and Tom can be on his way. Poor guy. sorry TOM!
Meanwhile, back on the Colorado front range (i’m getting the lingo down), i have rehydrated, taken nasal stuff, eaten, napped, and feel much better. So, I moved on to Golden. found a great free parking place, but it is warm and Moka has been panting all day. so I took the last spot in the Clear Creek RV park for some electrical/AC hook ups for my girl. the creek is super fast with rapids, and is a training/playground for kayakers. they are doing tricks in the falls and such. fun to watch. another great walking trail alogn the river too. found some local micro, and headed home. had to pay for internet tonight. and Moka still sleeps soundly. that girl can sleep anywhere.
Sunday June 4th, 2006 i checked out a couple RV parks around town- not many to choose from- and found a nice enough one for a month. it is in Golden, right along the mountains, a skip into town for coffee or walking, and there is a pool/hot tub. I am traveling on bike and bus for a couple days before the Jeep gets here. ah, what an adventure. it has been 90 degrees for a few days so moka is restrained to the A/C in the RV except the eary morning and later evening.
Tuesday June 6th, 2006 Tom has made it out to Colorado with the Jeep.
now that i am not driving every day i will start a page with day-to-day stuff here.
|
|
next up....
|
June 1st, 2006 I depart for Denver Colorado, or thereabouts, for an undetermined amount of time. No, I don’t know anyone there. No, I have no job secured there. Just need an adventure and change of scenery.
|
|
Beaver campgrou nd
|
|
May 15-16, 2006
located up the wind river valley, north of Carson, Washington. tons of trees between sites, very quiet, frogs, a short stroll to the river. wonderful hiking in the Trapper Creek wilderness area. signs of cougar and elk. huge trees. $15/night for a parking pad and quiet. water and toilets nearby. no hookups.
|
|
back in Portland
|
I wish I was on the road still. Everyone I am encountering is uptight, too busy for a chat and coffee, and complaining about the work they choose to attend 40 hours/week. I want my happy bubble back.
|
|
Whidbey Island and Olympic Peninsula
|
 March 31st-April 4th, 2006
Friday- Seattle, free curbside parking among the fancy houses, along a green space overlooking the Puget Sound and marina, with a great dog park just a few minutes walk. Can’t get much better. Walked tons, played tons of fetch, watched the sun set behind the Olympic Mountains.
Saturday - Free camping overlooking the water on the streets of Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island. Found a pub with tons of great micros to choose from. Otherwise, not much happening around this town. Walked the waterfront park again and again. Windy, cold, nothing spectacular. Waiting for hte race tomorrow.
Sunday- Shot the race and I am free to roam. Any direction, with little schedule. Ferried to the Peninsula. That is pretty trippy being so huge, weighing so much, and floating along. It’s just not right. Port Townsend is cute, but i wanted something more remote. Camped at ‘Heart of the hills’ forest camp in the Olympic NF. Huge trees. So quiet. Trails. This is where it gets interesting..... I pay my fee (first time this trip), and being the do-gooder that I can be, went on a mission to find the person who owns the checkbook I found, hoping there was a beer to exchange. It was my camping neighbor, from Colorado. We shared some wine and talked next to a fire that lasted late into the night. They shared this passion for life and adventure that i don’t hear often. It was fun to get excited about dreams, nature and the moment.
I wonder how i came to find a random checkbook and park next to awesome people from Colorado (where I plan to move in June). It is funny how sometimes things just fall into place. everything is right.
They are on a three week tour interviewing environmentally friendly companies, events, people. Information regarding their green TV show can be found here.
Monday- I need sun! Revisited Port Townsend. On my first walk with my precious pup, Moka, I hear seagulls screamming. Looking up, there are THREE bald eagles. Amaizing! I sure don’t see this in Portland. I watched a while, wondering what brought me back to PT, and this walk, and the experience of three eagles above at once. Found a great, free 24hour parking spot on the water and again, next to a little green space. Found a great micro at a pub that plays movies on Monday nights.
Tuesday- I take Moka on a walk, sunrise is sweet! Olympic mountains are starting to glow and the eagles are just hanging out on these posts. Again I appreciate this unique experience to be so close to such a gigantic bird. I wonder how this country came to choose the bald eagle for it’s symbol, and want to appologize to the birds for being stuck representing such a mess.
|
|
California road trip
|
March 02 -12, 2006
Thursday- A sad day to say good buy to the Allegro and my friendly neighbors at the RV park of Portland (which really is in Tualatin), but also a day to hit the road. In the night I saw a glowing cross, hovering in the air. must have been in the mountain side. Not much further, was a lit up peace sign on a fence along the freeway. First night was at a rest area just north of Roseburg, Or and the mtn passes. I prefer to drive the passes in the light.
Friday- Made breakfast and hit the road about 5:15am Friday. Oregon passes were fine, hit snow in California just North of Mt Shasta. Slow going, but no chains required-this is good because i dont’ have chains for the RV. Closer to San Francisco, I got hail. Drove to a beach which was a windy road straight up, then straight down, just to find out there is no overnight parking. Moka and i walked the beach, listened to the frogs, and drove back toward San Francisco before dark. Stayed in a parking lot and managed to not get ticketed or towed (so far two nights free).
Saturday- SanFrancisco is nice. Walked around a park near the bridge to take pictures. couldn’t quite find the best photographic vantage point with such short notice, but the view was amaizing, and the sun was just coming over the mountains. despite the creapy old military forts. Drove up and down the freeways with no real plan, until finding an RV park in Santa Cruz - with a dog park close by! played, walked, got coffee, and found a dogie bath, now I need one ---- Hot tub in a few minutes.
Sunday - more beaches that don’t allow dogs. Found a good cup of coffee and saw dolphin schools and a seal from the great park in Santa Barbara. Parked on the street for the night next to the park with ocean views.
Monday-Thursday- Visited Tom and Sandy in Venice. Walked the path/boardwalk tons, visited the dog park tons. The girls got along well and wore each other out. Went to the track with Tom. Too dark in there for good photos. Learned the hard way that the solar panel doesn’t really charge the house battery when lights or the pump are being used occasionally. It only is good for storing the RV.
Thursday - I-5 north. Stumbled on Mercey hot springs. spent the night. off the grid, outdoor mineral springs with tubs under the stars, nestled inte hrolling high desert mtns. Storm pulled through at night leaving a dusting of snow in the hills the next morning- beautiful.
 
Mercey Hot Spring from the surrounding hills The hills surrounding Mercey Hot Springs
It was on this trip I decided to move to Denver for at least the summer.
|
|
Searcher RV
|
February 25, 2006 Picked up my 22’ RV. 1995 Searcher with 26,000 miles, great condition. Will be in Tualatin Oregon until early March, then it is time to hit the road and photograph some sporting events, visit my brother, see the land, go hiking - San Francisco and LA.
|
|
Olympic Peninsula
|
January 27-29, 2006 Rest a While RV park, Olympic peninsula. Not a very exciting RV park or town. One short trail, but parked facing the oyster bay which was a real treat. The seals came close to shore, the tide comes and goes on schedule.... the ocean’s breath. Poked at a very cool beached jelly fish. Went for a walk down the road and saw a bald Eagle. Later found him pearched at the very top of a tree within the park, visible from the RV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ART STUDIO
|
I now have a great space to create cards, portraits, and framed work. I am signing up for art fairs around Oregon and a couple around the country. You can view my work here.
|
|
|
May 6th, 2006 2211 NE Front. Art show and sell celebrating 2 years in the space for the originators. thanks to all who attended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
