Tombstone, AZ
Hmmmm....nice of blogger to return this font size. Unless of course I made some error on the last couple posts (doubtful of course). Always nice to have one less thing to be concerned with :-)
While I'm finding peace in focusing on the Now, I've found great pleasure in doing some real travel planning this week! I realize that some people find this piece of RV life stressful, but I've always loved it. Since Bill is happy to go where I route us, and since any routing "oops" affects me more as the driver, it's a very fun project for me. This time there's the added bonus of doing something I love after having had to wait seven months! Patience is definitely not my strong suit.
I now have five maps saved with lots of favorite stops, and a few brand new ones. Leaving in mid-April we'll head north through the center of California and over to the coast just north of San Francisco, all the way to Astoria, Oregon. Then we'll move inland to Gig Harbor, Washington, for that can't-wait visit with my newly found cousin David. North through Port Townsend, Washington, into Canada where we'll finally see Jasper and Banff before continuing south into western Montana. Some stops in Wyoming, Idaho and Utah before we return to Arizona and back to the house in mid-October. Secure reservations for a couple of the holiday weekends, and two summer weeks at our favorite spot on Tillamook Bay, Oregon, is a good start to feeling like we can really make this happen!
One other route is finalized for the week in Santa Fe. Being post-Labor Day I was surprised that getting reservations was a challenge. I didn't find any events happening, but apparently it's a popular time in this favorite city. I'm already preparing my taste buds for stuffed sopaipillas!!
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| Cafe Castro in Santa Fe does it right! |
What's odd is that I find I'm nervous about heading out. All the whining, and now I'm anxious! Can't really put my finger on it......maybe I wonder if we'll still know how to "do" everything :-) I suppose the pandemic and all the changes it has wrought is foremost on my mind. I've gotten comfortable with our little world here in Southern Arizona, and how people do or don't comply with safety measures. Trusting a whole world of people "out there" is a bigger step than I thought. But this is our world now, and while vaccines may be in our future before the end of 2020, we won't know their effectiveness for months afterward. I do feel more confident about our 2021 travels, yet who really knows at this point?
Happily my excitement overrides my concerns, and I'm feeling optimistic about returning to the road.
We did venture out to a birthday party at our dear friends' house. We sat outside for much of the time as there were over a dozen people (a veritable crowd for us) in the house, but it was fun to celebrate with good food and friends for a short time.
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| Daniel, Rose and Gary ready to make their birthday wishes. |
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| I never tire of this view (or any of them all around us!). |
So looking forward to your excitement as you make this "Obscenely Beautiful" road trip. We did it in June and July last year, but s look forward to doing it again via your blog!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun when folks come along with us!! I can't wait :-)
DeleteJust more ways in which we are sisters. I LOVE the travel planning. And David too was willing to go wherever I wanted to take us. If only he were here to go along in his wonderful gentle Way. I also seriously lack patience. This virus is really testing me. But we differ in that I don't share your excitement for the driving.
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds like great fun in two areas where I have never been with the RV so I sure wish I could Caravan along. Guess I'll have to settle for a vicarious Caravan.
Any way you can come along is great - hoping some day we'll get you to the West again! The planning is so fun but man this "can't make reservations yet" thing is frustrating now that I'M READY :-))))
DeleteI too love the planning. Hope is one of our greatest gifts!
ReplyDeleteSo true, keeps me sane.
DeleteHere's hoping all those plans work out and you guys are on the road having fun this next summer! I love your optimism about crossing our northern border! And that your Santa Fe trip gives you a recharge! Love your dining room view!
ReplyDeleteFunny that I didn't even consider the border crossing! Guess my internal crossed-fingers were working overtime. I have to believe it will be possible by then (or I'd never get out of bed).
DeleteAwesome news, Jodee! I wasn’t aware that the northern border was reopening. The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is outstanding!
ReplyDeleteI'll have an option B ready just in case, but the thought of this being our world next July is beyond depressing :-( I am seeing that highway in our 2021!
DeleteI love planning and anticipating too! If all works out, we'll be heading up 395 and into Oregon heading to the Spokane area for the summer. Santa Fe was on my fall list this year but it's not going to work out - so sad. Santa Fe has always been one of our favorite spots to eat and explore. Maybe next year. We'll be in Arizona at various times in November and February/March (finger's crossed) so perhaps we can socially distance outdoors sometime!
ReplyDeleteOh Hwy 395!! So many good memories including meeting you two the first time - Darwin turret :-)))) Yes, we must make that socially distant get-together happen. You're always welcome to stay in our 50 amp/water site and of course we can come to you. Makes me smile just thinking about it.
Deleteyou win! Darwin turret?
DeleteThe silver lining to have to cancel our spring/summer plan is that our May - July trip is all planned. All I need to do is rebook the same parks. I am looking at a ten day trip in early Oct, but I am struggling to get motivated to picking the date and picking up the phone. There's always tomorrow...haha! Your next spring plan sounds wonderful. Love many of those stops. Fun times for sure. Good to hear all is still going well with you, Bill, and Tessa. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI started to pick up our 2020 plans but after this summer in the desert I'm soooo ready for time on the coast so we'll do the Colorado and Idaho route next time. I too often put off picking up the phone, much prefer making reservations online. But sadly so many are now requiring phone contact. Weird, but there it is. I'm envying your swimming pool and glad you two are enjoying it!
DeleteYour travels for next April through mid-October sound fabulous! So many wonderful places, some of which are our favorites, and some we've yet to explore. I've been thinking I need to start making reservations for next spring, too, if we're going to get back on the road. We already have our route figured out...it's what we had planned to do this year (Michigan and more) until everything went belly-up.
ReplyDeleteYou described the mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation perfectly. But I like your optimism. :-) Meanwhile, keep enjoying those gorgeous views!
Apparently there's no rush :-)) as so many aren't taking reservations yet, but the fun of building a map and locating spots is still great fun! I think if our family was on the east side of the country we'd spend our summers in Upper Michigan. So much to love there. You'll have to go see Jim and Diana's new place.
DeleteBoy, I know what you mean about planning to travel. I too am nervous. But I don't know what else to do now that I have no permanent home. Your plan sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMight be time to find a new little town with small population and natural beauty to explore. Central Oregon? I'm confident there are still some good options available :-)
DeleteAwesome! I know you'll have a blast. Don't worry, you'll now how to do everything-it's just like riding a bike :-) We're in PA right now, we wear our masks when inside, limit our exposure to the public and primarily cook meals at home. Not too much different for us. The best thing you can do it prepare and it sounds like you've got that handled. Have fun!!
ReplyDelete