Home Again, Home Again

First of all... a change of plans. The preceding couple of posts have promised that a review of my motorhome is coming, and it is. But it's a big undertaking and I'm getting further and further behind on posts about where I've been and who I've seen. So, while I continue to work on the review, I'm going to plunge ahead with travelogue posts and let the review come when it's ready. This is a short post about my return to San Diego after my trip north as far as Banff.

SPOT On

I'm working on the promised review of my motorhome, but there's a new development I wanted to share immediately. I planned to have a SPOT device with me from the beginning of my travels, but after I'd tested it once at home, it refused to even power on when I hit the road. Now I've received the replacement SPOT and it appears to be working. If you look below my retirement card at the right, there's a new "View Map" link. Clicking on this takes you to the SPOT website that tracks my travels.

Return to Fiddletown

On my return south to San Diego, the one side trip I took was to Jackson, California, east of Sacramento, to visit my friends Wade and Cheryl Hurst. The O'Hagan's and I had visited the Hursts back in August for a Cowboy Campfire BBQ and concert, but I was happy to have the opportunity to see them again. There was no concert this time, but I had more opportunity to explore the area, some on my own and some conducted by Wade and Cheryl.

Interlude

Originally the plan was to take two weeks loitering down the West Coast on my return to San Diego. But while I was in Canada, I got confirmation that an on-again off-again consulting job in Las Vegas was definitely on. So, after three quick days in the Seattle area, I parked the van and hopped a flight to Vegas. At the end of a very worthwhile week at the convention, I flew back to Seattle and began an abbreviated trip south.

All Downhill

Though there were still some great sights still ahead, I had turned a corner with my trip to the Columbia Icefields, and it was clear that the remainder of the trip would be mainly about returning home and seeing some friends along the way. This post is about the last three days I spent in Canada before returning to the states.

High Point

After spending the morning at Lake Louise, I continued north to the Columbia Icefields. This was a highpoint of the trip for me, certainly in latitude, but also in an emotional sense because it was the most beautiful scenery I'd seen, and it was the furthest I would journey from my start in San Diego; I felt like I'd accomplished what I'd set out to do at this point, and the rest was just wrap up. This post recounts my excursion to the Columbia Icefields.

Points North

Glacier was one of the primary objectives of this trip, Banff and the surrounding territory was the other. It truly is a strikingly beautiful area and I took many, many pictures. So many, in fact that I've decided to split my time there into two posts. This post will cover the drive through Calgary, my first evening in Banff, and the next morning at Lake Louise. The succeeding post will cover my trip to the Columbia Icefields and the rest of my time in Canada.

Glacier, No Snow

Glacier National Park was one of the destinations that drove the planning of this trip, so I was particularly excited as I headed east from Spokane. In spite of a rather long and convoluted route, I arrived early enough that evening to take in some sights, and then spent the entire next day driving around the park. So I'll combine those two days into this one post. I'll also mention a couple of my most memorable RV parks on the trip.

Rock On

Crater Lake is a hard act to follow, and to be honest, I wasn't sure my next scheduled stop would be worth the effort. I'd have to backtrack nearly 60 miles, and then return along the same road - it was't on the way to anywhere. Plus, it would be a long day even without the sightseeing - I had to cover a lot of miles. In the end, though, I decided this trip has to be more about seeing the natural wonders, even when you're taking a chance on them, than about getting on down the road. So, I took the detour, and was I ever glad I did.

Crater Lake

I first saw Crater Lake at the end of the summer before my Junior year in college. A friend and I took off on a driving tour that looped around the entire western half of the United States, starting in my hometown of Omaha and ending two weeks later in our college town, Houston. As soon as I saw it, Crater Lake became one of my all time favorite places, and that has continued through several decades, though until now I had only been back there once again. I wondered before I visited this time whether I'd be jaded; maybe it wouldn't be that big a thrill. Well, it was still just a breathtaking, or, somehow, even more so. I've taken plenty of pictures, so get ready.

Truckin' Down the Highway

At the end of my first day on the road, I stayed someplace truly fascinating. In the following days, I encountered some breathtaking natural beauty, but nothing that really rises to the level of warranting a post of its own. So here, I'll catch up on days 2 through 5, and get back close to posting about things shortly after they happen.

Day 1

I'm on the road! Finally! My first destination was Red Rock Canyon State Park, north of Victorville, California. I originally picked it because it was a convenient four hour drive north of San Diego, but I got very lucky - the place is fantastic. In this post I share some impressions and photos of this hidden treasure. I know everyone is interested in the van, too. I'm still gathering my thoughts for a comprehensive post in the future, but I'll share some first impressions here.

At Long Last

The motorhome has arrived! I picked it up in Fresno on September 25th, advised the Sportsmobile (SMB) crew on a few last minute additions and adjustments, and drove back to San Diego that evening. The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity, saying au revoir to good friends and making preparations to travel. Pressed for time, this post will be the first of several to bring you up to date.

Date Certain

So... I talked to Sportsmobile this morning and September 25th is confirmed as the pickup date for my motorhome! I'm flying up to Fresno that morning. I'll check everything out - and you better believe I've got a long list. There's a few last minute touches that I'll be present to make sure are done just the way I want them. I'll drive back down to San Diego that evening. A few days for loading in my possessions, and then the fun begins. That's the big news. There are a few more details if you care to read more

Lemonade

Where is it? Is it here? It was supposed to be here by now! Actually, it was supposed to be here six weeks ago. I'm talking about my Sportsmobile motorhome, of course. Well, it's not here, but it is coming. In this post, I'll discuss the latest wrinkle in the delivery of my RV, the definite (?) delivery date I've been given, and how I may be able to deal with this bag of lemons I've been handed.

Fiddletown

Just four days after returning from my trip to the northwest, I was off on a roadtrip with friends to gold country in California, east of Sacramento. Our objective was to visit with our friends there and attend a cowboy concert and barbecue. Our route took us through Fresno, so naturally we had to stop off and check the progress on my Sportsmobile.

Off The Grid

My recent trip to the Northwest was a double header. In the previous post I recounted the family wedding that I attended. This post will describe how the other half of my trip played out: staying with relatives at a lake cabin in northern Idaho.

All About The Journey

Until now, this blog has been about my RV; the selection process, the planning, the construction, the things I'll take along. It's been a fun and captivating process for me. Ultimately, though, the Sportsmobile I've designed and purchased is just a tool, a means to allow me to take the journeys I long for. When I found out the RV wouldn't be ready in time for a tour that I had planned to the Northwest, it wasn't a hard decision to take the trip anyway by more conventional means. So you could say this post is the first real travelogue of this blog, about attending a wedding and reconnecting with family.

Contender

On a recent trip to Fresno, I came across a type of motorhome for sale I hadn't previously seen. It had several appealing features, so I took a quick look around inside and liked what I saw. I didn't take it too seriously because I figured it was well out of my price range (there was no price sticker on it and no one around to answer an inquiry). When I got to an internet connection to do some research, I found out it is actually reasonably priced and offers a lot of amenities for the money. In fact, of all the alternatives to the Sportsmobile (SMB) I've chosen, I'd say this new model is, for my needs and tastes, its strongest competition. It's been a while since I've done a motorhome review, but this one deserves a closer look.

Meh

They can't all be winners. My latest trip to Sportsmobile (SMB) in Fresno to check progress on my RV conversion was a bit of a yawner. A lot has been done since my last visit, and it's good quality work, but it's mostly behind-the-scenes stuff; like pouring the foundation for a house, it's necessary and important, but not especially thrilling. But I do have some pictures, and a story or two. So, if I've riveted your attention with this scintillating introduction, read on...

Two Wheels and a Battery

I've taken the first ride on my electric bicycle! In this post, I'll report on my selection process, assembling the bike, and my first impressions. 

On The Line

I just received an email from Sportsmobile (SMB) that my van has started the conversion process. Later in this post, I'll share a couple pictures they sent of the progress. After considerable back and forth with the audio-visual guy, I think we've come to an agreement on what he'll be installing - and just in time, too, because the wiring that he designates is one of the first things to go in. I'll also bring you up to date on how I've gradually been converting my wish list for the RV contents into reality.

All Systems Go

I made my second trip to the Sportsmobile factory in Fresno and I've seen my actual van! (For pictures, "Read more".) We went over my final plans and I'm getting 98%+ of everything I wanted. Well, with one important exception...

And So, It Begins...

First Trip Plan

As I write this, the first trip in my motorhome is still three and a half months away, but it's all planned out in my head, so why not put it down on paper? That way, I can provide the answer to one of the most common questions I'm asked. The objective of the trip is the wedding of my cousin's son, Tim. The route will go from San Diego to Seattle, most of it running up Highway 395 on the eastern side of the Sierras. I'll be trying out the leisurely pace I intend to keep in my retirement travels: not much more than 4 hours on the road per day. With a couple extra days thrown in to see the sights, it will take me nine days, with six scenic stops along the way, and plenty of time to explore.

Mail Call

Among friends that begin to consider the implications of my fulltime RVing plan, the most common question is, "How will you get your mail?" I'm far from the first person to face this issue, and, thankfully, there are a number of solutions available. I'll review them in this post, and discuss how the answer is linked to a much more important question with long term consequences. Clubs for RV owners have a role to play, so I'll mention a few of them, too.

Gadgets

What can I say, I'm a gadget freak. It's mostly electronics, but anything that makes my life easier or more enjoyable qualifies. My retirement travel plans are a way to get closer to nature, but that doesn't have to mean leaving technology behind. Let's take a look at some of the gadgets I'll take along when I start on my travels, and some I'd like to have when my budget allows.

Basement and Utilities

A motorhome with a basement? Sure, a basement is where you store stuff you use infrequently, and it's a term in common use by RV'ers. Often it's applied to storage that's accessed from outside the RV, but it can be found under seats and beds, too. The basement is also where you find a home's utilities: furnace, water heater, electrical panel, etc. Let's conclude our tour of the "rooms" in my motorhome design by taking a trip to the basement and the things it holds.

Bedroom and Closet

Whether it's a house, an apartment, or a motorhome, nothing is more indispensable than a place to sleep. Somewhere to store your clothes is also pretty important. Thus, of all the "rooms" in my RV design, I had to get the bedroom and closet just right. After considering a lot of alternatives, I believe I have.

Salle de Bain

Woo hoo! I finally got some mileage out of the five years of high school and college French I took, thereby avoiding a post entitled "Bathroom". (Apologies to any readers from France, Quebec, and various African and island nations.) It's the "room" in my motorhome where I'll spend the least amount of time, but its importance merited considerable design effort. This continues my detailed review of the "rooms" in my RV design, in preparation for final submission to Sportsmobile.

Galley

Continuing the tour of the "rooms" in my motorhome, allow me to conduct you to the galley ( or kitchen, for those of you still attached to an immobile foundation). Along the way, I'll have something to say about the equipment I'll use, and cooking outside, too. Please step this way...

Living Room

Would you believe that a roughly 100 sq.ft. space can be divided into five rooms? Well, that's the way I think about my Sportsmobile (SMB) design. To me, there's a distinct living room, kitchen, bedroom with a closet, bathroom, and a basement. Would you believe that I intend to devote an entire post to each of them? If you've read my previous, occasionally obsessive, posts, that's probably not hard to believe at all. But I do have a reason - or rationalization - for this attention to detail. The time is approaching to submit my final design to SMB. Writing these posts will give me a chance to review everything one last time. It will also give anyone who cares to read, a (very) thorough tour of my motorhome, and a chance to chime in if they wish. Let's start with the living room.

Steady State

In June 2013 I paid a visit to the Sportsmobile factory and liked everything I learned about them and their products. Aspects of my design that I expected to be problematic turned out to not trouble their designer at all. But my design was overweight: it exceeded the cargo capacity of the Sprinter van. Their designer had pointed out that possibility, and by diligently working to prove him wrong, I had proven him right. The alternative was to use a Sprinter with dual rear wheels, but that hurt fuel efficiency and intruded on my interior space. So, I set to work cutting weight out of a design that I had regarded as perfect.

The Source

In late June of 2013, I took a long-planned trip to the Sportsmobile factory in Fresno, California. This would be my first chance to see for myself some conversions they'd done, and also to present my own conversion plans for their comments. My daughter, Kelcy, home from college, came along. It was only a small detour along the way to see the Lazy Daze factory, too, so we made a stop there. This post recounts that trip, and describes how my discussion with Sportsmobile forced a major revision of my plans. A long post with lots of pictures ahead!

Going Social

Early in the process of looking for a motorhome, I found the Sportsmobile website and soon had prepared a custom plan that I liked quite a lot. However, I continued to research other RVs to make sure I wasn't overlooking a great alternative, or at least to gather ideas. While there wasn't another option that I'd trade my Sportsmobile design for, I did find features that made me reexamine the ways I intended to use my motorhome. This eventually led to a completely new design that was better than the original in almost every way.

Commitment Issues

The check went out in today's mail to Sportsmobile for the deposit on a Sprinter. I tried negotiating with the local Mercedes-Benz dealer. Though initially their price was higher, I eventually got them down to a bit less than Sportsmobile's price, but that difference wasn't enough for me to accept the risk that some subtle thing on the options list wouldn't meet Sportsmobile's requirements. So, I'm paying a small premium for peace of mind. Also, the MB dealer couldn't guarantee that I'd get swivel seats in the cab - it seems that's a fleet-only option. The deposit itself is small, I pay the balance when Sportsmobile receives the van, between three to five months from now ( it comes special-ordered from Germany ). Until recently, I never expected or aspired to own a Mercedes-Benz, but I'm committed to that now.

Plan A

The biggest attraction of buying my retirement motorhome from Sportsmobile is that they let the customer design the interior, from the type and number of furnishings to the materials and finishes used. If I hadn't chosen electrical engineering as a career, I probably would have been an architect, so the opportunity to design my own living space was very appealing. Though I've tried dozens of variations, my design has progressed through three major versions. In this post, I present some background information for the design process, and the first design that I thought was "the one".

Silver Bullet

In choosing my retirement motorhome, I want something that is not only functional, but also projects a sense of style and class. To me, those terms have always been synonymous with the Airstream brand. So I was interested to hear that, in addition to their esteemed trailers, Airstream makes a Sprinter-based RV. Also, if any brand could convince me to choose a travel trailer instead of a van, it would be Airstream, so I looked at those, too.

Going Pro

Sprinter-based motorhomes have been unrivaled in their fuel-efficiency, and in my previous post I calculated that could save me something like $4K/year over traditional motorhomes. In 2014 a new entry will appear on the American scene that is expected to be on a par with Sprinter fuel economy. I'll take a look at several variations on this new platform in this post.