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...