The parts arrived at last! It was like hearing we had an offer on the house, or that the RV loan was approved. Although neither of those things took this long :-(
No time for sour grapes, we met with our Camping World tech Friday afternoon to confirm what needed done, and are scheduled for first thing this morning (no installers on weekends). They're good folks there, but don't you know they're as ready for us to be done as we are?!
With a "go" date back on the calendar we wanted to wrap up a couple last things before leaving familiar ground. A trip to Home Depot was all Bill needed to fix the storage bin to better hold some longer pieces. We made sure the washer and dryer worked (neither did without additional steps), and got the exterior of the rig washed without having to move it anywhere. We'll see all the boys for hugs to last nine months sometime today.
Most critical task was reservations. In June. Along the California coast. Yeeha!
Yes, we decided to bypass Hwy 395 with the temps already in the 90's, and head up Hwy 101. We've spent time in several places along this route, but not in our home, in our own bed, for multiple days at each stop. And there's just so much to see!! It means spending more money than we planned, although the delay of 8 days with free moochdocking gave us a little wiggle room in the budget. And it means staying in "not our first choice" places in some areas. We'll survive.
We've also booked a couple stops through our Harvest Hosts membership. One is a vineyard and one is at a taproom (part of a small brewery). I think it will be fun, and again, free is good!
July we'll mosey through Oregon and if I can't reschedule our dates in Forks, WA, we'll pick up the pace to make the ones we have the first week in August.
Our reroute means seeing our friends in Spokane and Nevada later in the year, and traveling Hwy 395 in the Fall. Both sound great to us. We're back here in November for Nick's wedding.
So that's the new plan and we're more than excited to finally head out tomorrow morning in this big, new, adventurous life!
Thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow......word's out that we washed the rig!
YIPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!! I wondered if the delay affected any reservations you might have made. Sounds like you've got it all worked out!! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteWe've been fortunate to find spots along our route, sometimes with our third and fourth choices looking like they'll be better than the first :-)
DeleteWOOHOO You are full time RVers!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe ARE!!
DeleteAlright! Enjoy those hugs and your drive!! Let us know later on if your plans in ID have changed. Rock On!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie :-) I'm pretty sure we're going to miss you guys in ID now :-(. Will have to see where our paths might cross later on!
DeleteNo problem. We'll be all over Idaho during July/Aug and in Glacier Aug/Sep. Make sure to keep your RVillage updated :-)
DeleteYippee! Yahoo! You're on the road. The Forks Elks is known for the Elk herds who wander through their yard. We saw an amazing herd of them a couple years ago. Besides that ... let me know if you wander to the Portland area. Perhaps, we'll get a chance to chat in person.
ReplyDeleteWould love that opportunity :-) The Forks area is so beautiful, we're really looking forward to spending some time there.
DeleteI know you are thinking FINALLY!!! Fingers crossed that everything for the launch works out perfectly. The rest of it you will figure out as you go. ENJOY! ENJOY!! ENJOY!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely thinking that. Spent the night at CW so the sealant could cure on the windshield rubber so that was a change. Had electric which was a blessing as it was 104 at 5 PM. This morning we head out about 9 and guess what - it's raining! We need it so bad I can't even be mad :-)))))
DeleteSo Happy for you guys and looking forward to your future adventures. I know with your writing skills, I will be laughing with you all the way and enjoying your travels, Thumbs Up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maura :-) I am ready for some laughs myself!
DeleteEnjoy the travels! There will always be bumps in the road, but those bumps are cause for laughter and great memories.
ReplyDeleteAnother bump unfortunately has us just 50 miles down the road. Another night in a shop parking lot. At least we're near the beach with cooler temps and great options to keep busy while they fix the onboard computer.
DeleteAlright!!!! On the road. Oregon coast is gorgeous. Remember the National Forests for boondocking. Looking forward to your updates. Bon Voyage!
ReplyDeleteSlow start but yes, we're on the road! Thanks for that reminder, I had completely forgotten about that option!!
DeleteIt is finally here!! Best wishes for a great beginning:) Good to see you are adjusting the need to change plans which happens to all of us. We were spending the summer in Colorado and are now heading east instead! We'll be back west by the beginning of September...our happy place:) We'll be heading down 395 in the fall, as well. Maybe we can get a chance to meet. Of course it is going to rain! Washed vehicles call to the rain gods:) Safe travels as you set off!
ReplyDeleteOh how fun it would be to catch up with you guys in the Fall! The rig looks like we drove it through a big trough of mud :-(
DeleteCongratulations!!!! I think you made a good decision to travel up 101 instead of 395 given the crazy weather there this spring. We made the same choice when we finally left San Diego in mid-April and enjoyed a fabulous two-week trip up 101 back to Ashland. (I'm obviously a bit behind on our blog posting.) We've thought about the Harvests Hosts stays, so it will be fun to see how you like it. Many blessings on your journey! :-)
ReplyDeleteLoving the cooler weather on 101 - even had rain most of yesterday :-) We cancelled the vineyard because it's supposed to be in the 90's there and we'd be dry camping (wimps). But we're still on for the taproom near Eureka!
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