Without understanding what she would become for us, we picked the perfect RV name.
Realization hit like a slap
We let The Burrow go today. It was time. I did not want to sell her but knew that it was the best thing. We have been in our new, still un-named coach, for three months. I wanted to find someone capable of appreciating The Burrow and how much she still has to offer. I feel like we found that person and he is now her new owner. But I was not prepared for the realization and emotion I felt as I followed Ken while he drove The Burrow to her new home. The realization and emotion her sale invoked made me realize we had given her the perfect RV name.
Our Beginning
When Ken and I started our journey in The Burrow, I was both mentally and physically broken by chemo and radiation. It was a slow process to trust her. Post-traumatic stress disorder manifests in odd ways. For me, every mile was an expectation that something terrible would happen. I had no mental strength and a complete inability to advocate or defend myself. Anxiety was a constant companion in our early travels.
Things did go wrong. Like the tire debacle or our Walmart parking ordeal. These, and other events, were more than we expected. I can laugh now but when happening, it was overwhelming. Ken, ever my rock, managed it all and I helped when I could. As we added the miles, it gradually became okay. I could muster the energy to manage two hundred-forty square feet of living space. I could make it three hundred miles down the road, albeit slowly, without becoming a panicked, babbling mess.
I improved physically too. Early attempts at hiking were arduous. We would repeatedly stop to rest because I did not have the strength to walk a half mile. Ken was so patient with me while I struggled to be normal again. But each difficult hike ended with a cozy night, safe and comfortable in our Burrow.
A refuge for healing
The Burrow provided an opportunity to stay engaged in new sights and sounds. To breath in and heal in awe inspiring nature. I saw ancient trees, painted deserts, volcanos, pristine caves, waterfalls, wildlife, beaches, and sunsets. She gave me the opportunity to forget the dreaded diagnosis of stage IV cancer and to marvel at what I could have missed.
Goodbye
The Burrow has been my security blanket for five years. And today I am giving her up. My sentiment may be silly to others, but she has played a key role in allowing me to heal. I will always treasure the memories we made with her and the sense of safety she gave me until I could achieve a better mental and physical place in my life. What a perfect RV name we gave her.
The Burrow was the perfect RV name Art Credit Jessica Boehman
After spending time in stunning Big Sky and a few days in the western chic of Bozeman, Montana, we were excited to continue our travels to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar in Washington, one of our favorite states. The first year RVing we spent time in the wheat fields of eastern Washington at harvest time. The experience was uplifting. We felt thankful to the farmers for their hard work and grateful for our country’s bounty.
Washington barn
Camping near the Apple Capital of the World, Wenatchee, was our next stop. Just like the tourists who flock to Florida –oohing and ahhing over orange groves — I couldn’t wait to see big, beautiful apple orchards. To stand amid the fruit trees, see their bounty, and experience their grandeur. So what if someone was going to laugh at me.
West from the Rockies
Bozeman, MT to Crescent Bar, WA route
Motoring west from the beautiful Rocky Mountains on Highway 90, we anticipated our next destination. The road was in good repair. The mountain passes not too difficult for the Burrow’s Banks Power assist. Guessing the types of crops planted by the highway kept us entertained. Identification signs started appearing on the fences and proved how hilariously wrong we were.
Arriving at the road to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar you encounter a short, steep, three miles of twisty descent to the valley floor with an awesome view of the Columbia River. My foot was pressing the imaginary brake and we made it safely down. At check-in, the park appeared to be clean and tidy. I knew from photos there were river-view spaces and asked about any open ones. The ranger said he only had two spaces that were appropriate for our size and amperage. We took our map, unhooked Armadillo, and went to our assigned campsite.
Membership
Thousand Trails path to Columbia River
The ranger’s idea of appropriate space is a small-site, backed up to the major road into the recreation area. There is no shade or noise barrier. This campsite was going to be our home for the next three weeks. The idea of listening to traffic noise for that amount of time sent me postal. The usual procedure at Thousand Trails campgrounds is to go and locate whatever spot you would like and return to the ranger and inform them. A drive through the park revealed many open and nicer campsites.
We returned to the check-in gate and discussed our placement with a different ranger who told us they needed those nicer spots for people with fifty-amp requirements. Excuse me? Thousand Trails membership entitles you to thirty-amp service. There is an additional nightly charge if you require fifty-amps. We offered to pay additional charges for a better campsite. But there is no additional charge at Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. I was angry at that revelation and went back to the Jeep. This needed to be Ken’s problem to negotiate.
Customer service
Janet photographs the Columbia River at Crescent Bar
Everyone who is a member of Thousand Trails has purchased a membership and pays roughly the same amount of dues. We informed the ranger of our unhappiness at being treated as second -class members because of our size and amperage requirements. She politely showed us a few alternative sites. Was it river-view? No. Shaded? No. Quieter? Yes.
Is this the wave of the future with Thousand Trails? There have been a lot of changes to the company recently. Reducing dues for RVs that use fewer resources should be included if this is the new procedure. I guess you have no chance of ever being situated at a river-view location in Thousand Trails Crescent Bar if your rig is only thirty-amp. Maybe you get lucky if no one with fifty-amp requires them. There were a few tent campsites located with a view.
The park
Thousand Trails gazebo and recreation room overlooking the Columbia River
Thousand Trails Crescent Bar sits high above the Columbia River. The park commands stunning views for those lucky enough to have those campsites. The recreation building is situated on the bluff, as is a gazebo for watching picturesque sunsets.
However, high-temperatures prompted me to undertake a project for outside window covers, as a heat-wave smothered the northwest. We hope to share the project with our readers after a few more refinements to the covers.
We had no further problems during our stay at Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. Covid19 makes using park restroom/shower facilities risky so we don’t do that. Campsites appeared to have plenty of space for even the largest rigs with slide-outs or extra tents. ATT and Verizon cell service were both three bars.
We love Thousand Trails and will continue to sing their praises. Read why in our blog post Affordable RV Travel. See how you can receive a $100.00 discount to dip your toes into Thousand Trails membership by clicking our link in the Tips and Links section at the bottom of this page.
Things to do
Biking, walking, jogging path through the recreation area.
Joey at play
The feature that keeps campers coming back again and again to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar is it’s proximity to the Grant County Recreation Area (See Tips and Links for additional camping info if you are not a Thousand Trails member). From the campground, you can access a shade dappled, wide, paved path that winds along the Columbia River for about three miles. Along the path are dog-friendly beaches for you and your pooch to enjoy a swim, mounds of blackberries to pick, a boat ramp, and golf course. Picnic tables invite you to spend the day on the clear waters of the river. Thousand Trails Crescent Bar also has parking for your boat or jet skis, so bring your toys along with you.
Golf course in the Grant County Recreation Area
Crescent Bar area has two small restaurants, an ice cream parlor and pizza joint near the RV park. There is also a small, well stocked camp store at the golf course clubhouse.
Bavaria in the Cascade Mountains
Leavenworth, Washington
This is how we roll
Need a change from playing in the Columbia River? Head up the road about a forty-five-minute ride to Leavenworth, Washington where you feel as if you have stepped into a Bavarian village. Shops and restaurants are plentiful in this delightful, pedestrian-friendly town nestled in the Cascade Mountains. In addition to the shops and restaurants, there is a city park that borders the Wenatchee River where you can walk or bike the shady paths, picnic, and swim. Several companies offer rental kayaks, paddleboards, or tubing down the river. Leavenworth Outdoor Center, RiverRiders, and Osprey Rafting Co. are among several local companies that rent equipment and transportation.
Apples, peaches, cherries and more
Thousand Trails Crescent Bar is near Wenatchee, the self proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. The farmland is rich and irrigated by the mighty Columbia. There are apple orchards, peach orchards, vineyards and vegetable fields. It is truly a cornucopia. You would be wise to take advantage of what is fresh at the time of your visit. The peaches were abundant and sweet at the time of our visit. We enjoyed them daily in salads, as snacks, in smoothies and grilled. Enjoy wine? Then make time to visit the many local wineries for a tasting.
Candy in Cashmere
The Liberty Orchards Company has been in business since 1912 and produces Aplets and Cotlets. Aplets and Cotlets are apple and peach fruit gels with nuts and a sugar coating, similar to Turkish delights, or lokum. We have loved them for years and routinely buy them for holidays. The company offers a tour of their kitchen and packing room, which we did and enjoyed. We then purchased, in their ample gift shop, a few candies for the road.😋 Really. Only a few candies.
Crunch Pak sliced apple snacks, who many people are familiar with, are also produced in the town of Cashmere.
Supplies and stuff
The town of Wenatchee is about twenty-eight miles away and can provide just about anything you may need as far as supplies and groceries. They boast Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Fred Meyer and Safeway, as well as a mall and various restaurants. The Pybus Public Market is permanent and pleasantly situated along the river. You can shop for fresh produce, handmade items, and satisfy your appetite at several of the restaurants available. We also would recommend a wonderful, small pub around the corner, called McGlinn’s Public House.
If you are interested in hiking, there are many trails to choose from near Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. Alltrails is an excellent phone app to see what is nearby wherever you may be camping.
Apple orchard near Crescent Bar
My biggest disappointment in the area……apple orchards. My expectations were of grand old trees covered in fruit. Reality is trees pruned so severely I actually felt sorry for them. They are pruned to a V shape, only two branches remaining and wired to metal frames. According to our research, this is how you make an apple tree produce more fruit. I will never look at an apple the same way again.
Until next week…We are
Always Grateful👫
Tips and Links
Golfers will love this Crescent Bar facility. This county golf course is just a short stroll or cart ride away, with views of the Columbia River. Others courses are available nearby.
Crescent Bar gets to extremely high temperatures. It is dry. Visit during spring or fall weather unless you are bringing your boat and will spending the days in the cool waters of the Columbia. Your pup will love it here because all the water access points through the recreation area are dog-friendly.
Thousand Trails Membership – Get out and camp with $100 off a Thousand Trails Camping Pass. Purchase in the next two weeks to reel in this deal!
I had heard of Moab, Utah but never was it at the top of my list of places to visit. Anyone who drives a Jeep, though, knows that Moab is where Jeeps go to play. But Ken and I are Florida babies and enjoy trees, water, and woods that deserts do not have in abundance. Still, when our route to Yellowstone put Moab, Utah in our path, we had to stop.
First, Moab is the town that Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks is near. People say Moab to refer to the area but there is no Moab National Park. Unless you are camping on BLM land or in one of the national parks, you will be camping in the town.
Moab is Looking Promising
We arrived from southern Colorado via US Route 191. This is an easy route that at one time in our country’s history was a spur on a major highway (Route 91) from California to Canada. We started seeing fantastical rock formations along the highway. There are stripped turbans that look like Russian onion domes. Minarets standing alone in open fields. Sweeping arches and windows carved into the sides of mountains. Moab, Utah was starting to look a little more interesting.
It is hard to make a pleasant RV park in the desert, but Moab Rim Campark manages a fairly nice landing spot. Town is an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops, breweries and tour operators. The town is historic, inviting, and walk-able. Imagine a western desert town where everything, including the buildings, seems to be red dirt. This is Moab.
Arches National Park is a short five miles down the road from town, So after setting up the RV, Ken and I jumped in Armadillo, our Jeep Wrangler, for a sunset ride through Arches. It is a real treat when you are close enough to enjoy sunrise or sunset in a national park.
Our Sunset Ride
The entrance to Arches is quite dramatic. You climb the mountain face on a switchback road. (Road is on the mountain behind Jeep in the first blog picture.) Everyone ahead and behind you is visible because it is solid rock. There are no trees. The cars look like ants going to and fro from their nest. I made the mistake of looking down the mountain, swallowed hard, and faced forward from then on.
Park Avenue, Arches National Park
It didn’t take long before we were greeted with the first spectacular view, Park Avenue. Park Avenue is a one-mile trail through a canyon that towers with some of the parks most well known monoliths. The Courthouse Towers, the Three Gossips, the Tower of Babel, all famously photographed, can be viewed on this trail as well as some outstanding fins (thin-walls of rock).
Rock formations called fins
It is always amazing to me that each park we visit, while similar, is so different. The colors, the formations, the stunning views. Just when you think it will be repetitive, you are surprised and awed yet again. Does everyone’s heart swell when they see these beautiful sights? Ken and I continue to be delighted over and over.
Parade of Elephants – The Windows Section, Arches National Park
Rafting, Hiking and Picnics
Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River – Break time
Our stay in Moab is filled with hikes to the famous arches, nature’s frames to stunning landscapes. Some are visible from a car pullout but others may require a short hike. Still others require a strenuous hike. They are worth every step it takes to view them. There are over two thousand documented arches in the park. Some are large. Some are small. But each is perfect.
We enjoyed a tame whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River with an evening picnic under starry skies. We hiked Canyonlands National Park and the scenery is just as jaw-dropping as Arches.
Pine Tree Arch
Moab, Utah is famous for its Jeep safaris, off-road courses, whitewater rafting, dinosaur tracks and the stunning arches and canyons. It is a destination that I’m glad we didn’t miss. I do wish we had planned a little more time.
Continuing Precautions
Covid precautions continue to play a large part in the decisions we make. From activities we do, to what time we do them, and where we camp, Covid is forefront on our minds. We continue to see what we can see and do what we can do to the best of our abilities. Traveling in the RV taught me very quickly that we will never see it all and we are too old to do it all. But there is plenty still to experience and we try to pack in as much as our short time on this beautiful earth will allow.
Till next week. We are…
Always Grateful. 👫
Tips and Links
Moab is hot. If you cannot tolerate the heat then be sure to visit during the shoulder season, March through May or September through October. There are plenty of hotels in the town and several RV parks. All services from groceries to restaurants are available and there is a good organic co-op. A dinosaur land is near the entrance to Canyonlands and would be perfect for young ones. If you are comfortable driving the twists and turns at night, a night of stargazing should be on your list to do. There are dozens of tour operators for anything you may want to try and most operators have an easy level for older, younger or beginners.
It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.
🎶 It’s o’dark thirty when the alarm rings. Ken’s rings to the right of the bed and mine to the left where we are snug and warm. I crack my eyes open first, give him an elbow to the ribs and say “let’s get this show on the road.” It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.
Load up
Armadillo on the way to Schwabacher’s Landing hike
The plan for today is a sunrise hike on the Snake River at Schwabacher’s Landing. The promise, from reviews, is the hike will provide stunning scenery and photos to treasure. It is cold. The temperature is 39 degrees. We shiver while loading Armadillo with hot coffee, water, protein bars, and backpacks.
The thought crosses my mind “Is it worth all this?” But the commitment is made and off we go, as Ken drives through the Teton Pass with it’s twists, turns and ten percent grades. Kaye sleeps and I nod in the back of Armadillo while we stay warm under the blanket Kaye thoughtfully provided.
Are we awake yet?
Twilight appears to silhouette the town when we arrive in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It looks like a fun place to explore but we push on, trying to reach the river before the sun peeks up over the mountains. Up, up the Jeep climbs, surrounded by the snowy peaks of Teton, Moran and Table mountains.
We keep our eyes open for wildlife as Armadillo rolls past the National Elk Refuge and are rewarded for our attentiveness. Five stately elk stand near the road. Two bucks hold enormous racks high on strong necks and appear like bronze statues. Zoom. We pass by too fast for a photo. Our memories will have to suffice.
Go time
We arrive at the parking area of the Schwabacher hike with little time to spare. The sun is moving up quickly and the parking lot is full. Full to overflowing. There is a collective groan in the Jeep.
Hurriedly everyone dons packs, grabs their poles and sets off. The river is crowded with early birds just like us. They too are there to capture, in photographs, some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.
We hike in, quickly snap some pictures and keep going. The trail follows a meandering creek. My hands are cold. My nose is cold. I keep hoping that walking a little more vigorously will make it better and it does. Eventually.
The reason we came
Soon the other photographers disappeared and then quiet and beauty surrounded us. Alone. Ken related that a review of this particular hike says not to bother going further than the first quarter mile. Nothing else is spectacular after that point. Au contraire. Nothing could be further from the truth but thank goodness others believed it.
It is the first foray into Grand Teton National Park for Ken and I. We hike quietly while soaking in the grandeur. I am reminded of early morning hunting trips with my Dad. Reminded of the peace and serenity a walk through the woods at sunrise brings to my soul.
Always grateful
These times remind me of how grateful I am to be here and experience this wonderful world. We hiked along the creek to its conclusion at the main river course then returned on our same route. The entire hike was filled with beautiful wildflowers spread across meadows and the towering snow-topped Tetons reflected in the mountain streams.
Upon our return, Ken and I along with Kaye and Tim, piled into the warm Jeep. The mood was happily exhausted in the car as we said goodbye and drove out of the park. A hearty breakfast on The Bunnery patio in Jackson Hole hit the spot after our early morning adventure.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
RV life
Would I get up again at o’dark thirty for a sunrise hike? You betcha. I would and we did again the next day. Some things are worth the effort you have to put in.
Our RV life isn’t always easy either. We put in a lot of work to be here. It wasn’t easy to dispose of a lifetime collection of possessions or to know that we would not be near our first grand-baby. But. We. Are. And grateful.
We all get to choose our life and how it will play out. Fill yours with all the things that feed your soul.
Always grateful👫
Tips And Links
We choose to stay about an hour and a half away in Swan Valley because the prices were exorbitant in Jackson Hole. This was part of the necessity for getting up so early. There is a visitor center in Jackson Hole so plan to stop there for all your information before entering the park. If you do choose to stay closer, be aware that the Teton Pass has ten percent grades for quite a few miles, is very twisty and is not recommended for RVs. The best approach would be through Alpine to Jackson Hole. Also, there are acres and acres of free and gorgeous BLM lands that are available for camping along the Palisades Reservoir that runs through Swan Valley. The Schwabacher Landing hike is suitable for any age or ability but is not ADA accessible, however, stunning views are visible with little effort even from the parking area.
Perfect days or moments pop up in tiny towns throughout our travels.
On Our Road to Bliss
Dipping our toes in the chilly water of Deloris River
Cottonwood seeds float on a gentle breeze as the waters of the Deloris River ripple past. It’s a balmy 72 degrees and the sun is shining. You hear young girls laughing in the distance. You see them next, braving the chilly waters as they ride their raft downriver on a swift current. This is where we currently are on our Road to Bliss.
Birds flit through dappled shade, off to tend newly feathered fledglings. Deer step to the waters’ edge for a cool drink. The day is crystal clear. Perfect. I want to hug it close and never let go.
Unexpected Surprises
Ken and I feel privileged to spend time in some awe inspiring places. National Parks that portray the majesty of our country. State Parks and forests that protect some of our country’s greatest treasures. But perfect days, those come unexpectedly. Those are the days you want to bottle like fireflies. To tuck away for safekeeping until they can be savored again in the winter years of life.
Perfect days or moments pop up in tiny towns throughout our travels. These small towns struggle valiantly to get you to see them. They beg you to stop and experience the town through their eyes. They beckon with natural resources, creativity, and sometimes even with a little bit of gonzo and flair. The results can often be more perfect than they know.
A Delightful Carousel
A special day could be at the historic 1909 carousel in Albany, Oregon where children and adults ride wooden, hand carved zebra, bison, a giant frog, or other fantastical menagerie. Where the community has come together as volunteers to create this one special, beautiful thing that everyone and anyone can enjoy because the last ride of the day is always free.
Dining
Other times, we find these moments in an outstanding restaurant like Little Brown Hen in Florence, Oregon or Little Gretel in Boerne, Texas. Many come to mind. Places where the chef/owners take pride and pleasure in serving mouthwatering and memorable food.
Flower Farms & Festivals
There are flower farms like Schreiner’s Iris in Salem, Oregon or Purple Haze Lavender in Sequim, Washington that work all year to open their businesses to offer you a day of meandering garden delight. Imagine musicians playing and flowers perfuming the air as you sip wine and stroll acres of floral beauty.
Hot springs, ghost towns, festivals, historic hotels, market days, swan boats or a simple meal by the campfire. You never know where your perfect moment will happen.
Conveyance for Finding Your Bliss
This is what traveling in an RV is. It is the conveyance for finding your bliss. Your perfect moment. Your perfect day. If you slow down and look, it is there in offerings from small towns across the country. Towns that may never have been discovered if you flew over them on your way to that other, fabulous destination.
There is an RV for every age, ability, price and comfort level. Have you ever dreamed about what it would be like? Would RVing be hard? Expensive? Can I (we) do it? It is worth exploring as an option. Everyone deserves to find their bliss and to tuck away some perfect moments. Maybe yours can be found in the destinations you uncover while traveling in an RV.
It has been on my mind to write about this for a while. The incident I’m going to share happened last year and changed our thoughts about our overnight stays when on the road. I do not want to frighten anyone. I am not trying to cast a bad light on Walmart, or Wallydocking. The ability for weary travelers to pull in and sleep at participating Wallmart locations is a boon. But here is why we will not be utilizing their generosity anymore.
Self-defense
It is not necessary for this blog post, nor do I do think it is prudent to share our methods of self-defense. However, I will say Ken is a military brat and Vietnam combat veteran. I’m a Florida Saltwater Cracker. Neither of us has any aversion to defending ourselves.
Happy Valentine’s Day❤️️
Vidor, TX location – between Louisiana and Beaumont, TX
On February 14th we pulled into Walmart at Vidor, Texas around eight o’clock in the evening. Walmart management required us to park in a certain area of the lot so we motored to that side. Ken parked with the driver’s side along the curb, leaving about ten parking spaces in front of us to the next curb that formed the corner.
When we entered the Walmart parking lot we saw a battered, black pickup truck with writing all over it proclaiming God, guns, and country. We mentioned the truck to each other but otherwise, ignored it. I will say now that it is always a bad idea to ignore gut instincts and red flags.🚩
Per the usual routine, Ken and I went into the Walmart to pickup a quick dinner. It was Valentine’s Day so we went to the card isle, made our selections for each other and exchanged them. (Yes, the aisle exchange is how we give cards to each other now. After we exchange and read the cards, we put them back on the shelf. It is another expense cutter for Affordable RV Travel. Our spending and celebration complete, we went back to the Burrow to have our dinner and settle in for the night.
Too close for comfort
At around eleven pm we heard a car pull up directly beside our entry door. It seemed odd that someone needed to pull up so close beside us when we were the only RV in the parking lot. Ken opened the door and stuck his head out to be certain that everything was okay and saw a truck with two men sitting inside the cab. The men looked at him and said, “What do you want?”. Ken explained that he was just checking to make sure everything was okay. The men told Ken, in a threatening voice, to “Get back in your RV and mind your own business.”.
Oooookay. We looked at each other, our danger meter ratcheting a little higher. We decided it was probably a drug deal and they were using our RV as a shield from the road. Just let it go we decided, and they will probably be on their way in just a few minutes.
We were wrong
Soon after, another truck pulled up. This drug deal seemed to be taking a really long time. Ken decided to check our backup camera to make sure the bikes we carry on the Jeep were not being stolen.
Bikes carried on Jeep tire rack
To utilize the backup camera, the engine must be running. As soon as Ken started the engine, one of the trucks immediately pulled in front of us at a horizontal angle and blocked us. This completely hemmed us in and blocked our ability to leave — you cannot back up with a tow vehicle attached. The danger level now sky-rocketed and Ken reached for the phone to call 911.
911 What is your emergency?
If you have ever had to call 911 then you may have experienced what we did. Since Vidor is a small town, they share the 911 switchboard with other small towns. This means the 911 operator has no idea where you are if you say, for instance, the Vidor Walmart. The operator didn’t seem to understand what the threat was. Ken had to keep repeating what was happening. We were growing completely frustrated with 911.
The truck with the two men in it then turned floodlights onto our RV which enabled them to see our movements through the blinds. At this point, I brought our dog Joey to sit down in the rear of the RV, on the floor, to make myself a smaller target.
The 911 operator dispatched the police but before they arrived, the truck beside us left. The truck in front who had been blocking our forward movement, pulled into a space correctly. End of scary story? Not even close.
The cavalry has arrived – wrong
The police department arrived, listened to our complaint and then proceeded to treat us like idiots. Like we were being alarmists. But if you know Ken and I, you know that we don’t rattle so easily. The police spoke to the person in the truck which had parked in front of us. The woman claimed that she too was camping in the parking lot and that the two “gentlemen” were checking on her safety. What a load of bull…..t. We realized it was the graffiti truck. The one advertising their love of God, guns, and country. Apparently God is okay with liars.
The police told us that she was the local crazy lady. That we shouldn’t be concerned about her at all. No one had an explanation for the two men who threatened us or why the local crazy lady needed to sleep in the Walmart parking lot. Crazy lady had committed no crime, therefore, the police could not do anything. They also implied that we were being ridiculous to be afraid of a crazy lady.
We asked the police to have “crazy lady” move her truck and at approximately twelve am, we threw things into sinks and cabinets and rolled out.
Where is Bitsy?
We were about 1 mile from the interstate on-ramp, on a four-lane highway, through the middle of Vidor. Everything had happened so fast. The animals were anxious. I looked around and couldn’t find Bitsy, our oldest kitty. I panicked and made Ken pull over into a large, strip mall parking lot so I could locate her.
And guess what? It still wasn’t over.
The graffitied truck with the “crazy lady” followed us. We watched as she passed by and turned into a gas station about a quarter-mile down the road as we pulled over into the parking lot. Thank goodness Ken suspected her behind us and was paying attention. I located Bitsy. Ken called 911, once again.
Our old girl – Bitsy. Passed this year.
Maybe the police will believe us now
As we waited for the police to arrive, the truck came past us in the opposite direction, turning into another business about a quarter-mile past. We clearly saw her.
The police arrived and again scoffed at us. Of three officers, two didn’t believe she was following us at all. We laid out several scenarios where we may be the targets of a hit-and-run, theft, or worse. We are from south Florida for goodness sake. These kind of things happen all the time down there. Texas is an open carry state. “Crazy lady” could shoot us as well as anyone else and we said so. And they continued to dismiss the two men as irrelevant.
Now we are angry
Really?
Again, the police said, “she has not committed any crimes.”. We understood that. We were both angry and disheartened by their dismissal. One officer did, however, offer to let us stay at the police station parking lot.
We thanked the officers but let them know we felt it was prudent to leave their lovely town. They left and we proceeded to pull out.
Before we even made it out of the parking lot, the “crazy lady” who loves God, her country, and guns, came into the parking lot, driving directly at us. Almost as if she wanted to play chicken. Ken gunned the RV and we kept going. Immediately after we got out of the parking lot, we saw the blue lights and the police pulled her over. Finally.
Adrenaline fueled night
We didn’t stop. Not at the next town. Or the town after. Ken continued to drive through the night. He drove through downtown Houston and we didn’t stop until the adrenaline wore off and there were enough miles between us and Vidor, Texas.
We may have been targets of racism. It is what Ken and I suspect. After a small amount of research, we found that Vidor, Texas indeed had and may still have a reputation for racism and hate.
That is the story. Now that we have had time to digest the situation a little better, I would like to give a few tips to anyone who will be boondocking at Walmart, or anywhere else.
What we did right
The RV had a full tank of gas. We had been on the road all day and the tendency is to stop, then wait until first thing in the morning to fuel up. We don’t wait anymore. We were able to get on the Interstate and keep moving for as far and fast as necessary.
We had permission from Walmart to be there. I always call and check. This gave us a small amount of credibility with the police officers.
We did not make ourselves at home by placing anything outside, opening any slides, etc..
What we did wrong
Whiteboard with current address
When we parked, we pulled up next to the curb. That left us no where to pull out but to the front and right. Our position left us vulnerable to their blocking maneuvers. If you are going to overnight in a parking lot, leave plenty of space forward and on both sides of you.
Telling 911, Walmart in Vidor, was not enough. Always have a physical address in case of emergency. A white board is at our entry door now where we write the address of any location where we overnight.
Parking the RV under a parking lot flood light may have discouraged them.
Some considerations
You are not in a stick-and-brick home. My point? Gunfire would have gone straight through thin RV walls with no protection.
Police can do nothing unless a crime has been committed. You are an outsider in any town. Police will treat your claims with skepticism.
Gun laws vary from state-to-state and unless you spend a lot of time studying them you won’t know what is legal. Waiting until someone enters your domicile puts you at a distinct disadvantage.
And finally, you are sitting on top of gallons of gas and propane. Even if some idiot with a gun had no intention of directing a shot at your person, their stupidity could still kill you.
I loved being able to rely on Walmart when we were moving from one location to another. Now we use Harvest Host and Passport America to fill in the gaps. We may use Walmart again if the circumstances warrant it. But I know I won’t ever be able to relax and sleep soundly if we are Wallydocking.
The peninsula’s beauty is protected and available for you to explore. Some folks may not appreciate the remoteness but others will revel in what this area has to offer.
Getting to the Olympic Peninsula
This is the second summer we have explored the Oregon and Washington coastlines. This year we were able to dig a little deeper and RV the Olympic Peninsula, an often overlooked gem.
Bordered by Puget Sound on the east, the Salish Sea on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Olympic Peninsula is almost entirely covered by Olympic National Park and the National Forest. The peninsula’s beauty is protected and available for you to explore. Some folks may not appreciate the remoteness but others will revel in what this area has to offer.
The primary RV route to the Olympic Peninsula is by scenic highway 101, from either Olympia to the east or the Pacific coast to the west. However, you can also enter by highway 16 from Tacoma , or ferry your RV in from northern mainland Washington.
The map pictured contains a link to all the areas that are dog friendly. For more information, click the description at the bottom.
Quaint small towns line the shores of Puget sound. Lavender fields scent the northeast breezes. And Ken’s favorite, oyster farms cultivate their bounty in the clean waters of Willapa Bay. The drive into the peninsula is scenic and beautiful so allow yourself plenty of oooh and ahhh time.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Port Townsend
❤️️Honor system veggie stand near Jefferson County Fair campground in Port Townsend
We began our month in the Olympic Peninsula with a move up coastal highway 101 from Long Beach, Washington to the town of Port Townsend, where we met up with longtime friends from Texas, Kaye and Tim.
Located on the northeastern tip of the peninsula, Port Townsend boasts a historic waterfront with fabulous turn of the century architecture. The town is a ferry stop for the Washington ferry system bringing tourists to Port Townsend’s historic downtown and Fort Worden Historical State Park.
What to do in Port Townsend, Washington
Point Wilson lighthouse at Fort Worden
You can enjoy great restaurants. Stroll or bike through beautiful scenery where deer wander freely through town. Or tour the outer islands like Bainbridge or the San Juan Islands. Take a whale watching tour. You can even take your bike and catch a ferry to Victoria, B.C. for a day trip.
Lift a pint on the deck of Siren’s Pub & Restaurant and enjoy the scenic waterfront. Or visit one of our favorite Thai food experiences in all our traveling at Khu Larb Thai or their Little Rose Takeout. Good dining choices are available throughout the town. Port Townsend also boasts an extremely satisfying Jefferson County Farmers Market on Saturdays. They offer all manner of fresh farm products, entertainment and food. One other tidbit about this area, Port Townsend has one of the best organic food co-ops that we have found, The Food Co-op.
Port Townsend waterfront shops
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Sequim
The next stop on our peninsula tour was Sequim (pronounced Sqwim). We stayed at the Seven Cedars Casino where you are welcome for three days without charge and there are even some 15-amp electrical hookups available.
We stayed the three-day limit and enjoyed their hospitality, gaming and restaurants. It was long enough too to enjoy one of the local farms during lavender festival, Purple Haze Lavender Farm.
What to do in Sequim, Washington
If you are considering a trip to the Olympic Peninsula, I would encourage you to time your visit with the Lavender Festival in July. Blooming fields, live entertainment, lavender flavored everything from margaritas to ice cream and beautiful hand-crafted items. And each farm offers something different.
Purple Haze Lavender Farm
Another memorable dining experience was the Alder Wood Bistro. They have an eclectic menu, including pizza. Of the six in our party, all six were happy with their dinner choices! A few days later, Ken and I returned for my birthday celebration with another helping of their crispy duck and Shaker Lemon Pie.
Shaker lemon pie – Alder Wood Bistro
Sequim is a
good location to position yourself for exploring if you do not want to continue
into more remote locations. There are RV
parks available, beautiful scenery and plenty of restaurants. Sequim is large enough to supply most of your
needs.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Into the woods we go
As you continue west, there are several options for stays. However, there is only one town with many supply choices and that is Port Angeles. We kept moving west but noted there were fewer opportunities for gas or groceries beyond Sequim.
If you require cellphone/wifi service, proceed with caution as it gets much more difficult to find hot zones. Our attempt at the Salt Creek Recreation Area was a bust, and since everyone in our tribe required service, we had to say a sad bye, bye to this beautiful and peaceful campground.
We use Campendium to check on cell-service before we travel to a campground, and recommend it. But you can’t absolutely rely on the reviews to be accurate.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Sekiu
Our next
stop was Sekiu and I’m almost tempted to keep this one to ourselves. But since our readership is not in the
thousands, we’ll share.
Eagle waiting for salmon scraps on Clallam Bay
You can’t go much further west than Sekiu, Washington on the Juan de Fuca Highway, almost to the peninsula’s northwestern most point. Most of the RVers here have come for one thing. Salmon. The salmon swim up the strait to the smaller streams for spawning and the fisherman are there to catch them and fill the freezers they brought along.
Campsites & boat docks on Clallam Bay
Sekiu rests on the western edge of Clallam Bay. It is a fish camp. But it is one of our favorite RV stops in this region. Peaceful and quiet with abundant wildlife, we could even see Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It punches our happy ticket.
What to do in Sekiu, Washington
Commercial fishing boat in Sekiu
There are several campgrounds available around the bay and most all the camp spaces back up to or overlook the water. We camped at Van Riper’s Resort with full hookups, waterfront sites and a small store. Salmon fishing guides can be hired here too. Verizon service was very good, but ATT was non-existent.
Janet & Kaye enjoying campsite lunch at Van Riper’s Resort
Our time in Sekiu was a wonderful respite and a good location to launch exploration of Olympic National Park. But the remoteness and atmosphere at a fish camp may not be for everyone. If it is for you and you decide to go, be aware that there are only a couple of restaurants nearby (one that was not so great) so you will need to bring food and supplies with you. It is a good distance back into a town. Wild blackberries abound throughout this region and there are plenty of places to go picking. We enjoyed blackberry cobbler nightly, courtesy of Kaye.
What to see and do on the Olympic Peninsula
Cape Flattery
A visit to Cape Flattery will reward you with some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery the continental United States has to offer. It is our northwest most point and is located on Makah tribal lands. Luckily they generously share this beauty with everyone. You arrive to a paved parking area and then hike to the point. It is a 1 1/2 mile round trip hike. Don’t pass this by if you visit the Olympic peninsula.
Restaurant stop on Makah tribal land
tribal cemetery totem
Olympic National Park
Wild lily in Olympic National Park
I’m embarrassed to say that we were enjoying our camping at Sekiu so much that we didn’t get into Olympic National Park as often as planned. What we did see made us commit to coming back again. Snow capped mountains (in July, shocking for us Floridians!), glaciers, marmots, and fields of wildflowers including beautiful wild lilies. It is a precious and spectacular place.
View from Hurricane Ridge hikeJanet & Ken at Olympic National Park Visitor Center
There are so many recreational activities that anyone can find something to do here. There are hot springs, challenging mountain hikes, bike paths, and the Hoh Rainforest. And if camping in State and National Parks is what you love, several are situated on stunning Pacific coastline
RV the Olympic Peninsula Conclusion
Several challenges exist if you are interested in visiting this area but all of them are easily overcome with a small amount of planning. That would be our best piece of advice. It is well worth your time to see Olympic National Park and to RV the Olympic Peninsula. Highway 101 is in good condition throughout. This is not a place you can easily just “wing it”. A little preparation will go a long way toward a fun and memorable experience when you RV the Olympic Peninsula.
Thanks to our friends and travel companions for the summer, Kaye & Tim. It was great sharing it all with you. Always grateful.👫
April was our last blog post as The Burrow shivered her way north to Bend, Oregon. The posts have been pushed to the back burner as we grasp every spare moment to explore our new surroundings.
Nomadic life is our new normal. We relocate our RV “home” every three weeks or so and it seems to be the travel schedule that works best. Two weeks is too little but after three weeks, it’s time to go.
Home
Armadillo & The Burrow at rest
With two years on the road under our wheels, our RV truly feels like home. The kinks are mostly worked out and the past year has allowed us to relax and enjoy the ride. “La Dolce Vita” is a phrase we embrace.
We met up with longtime friends in Port Townsend, WA, who have embarked on a nomadic lifestyle too. Our tribe is small but mighty and it has been truly fun to share these experiences with friends. I will admit though, traveling with three engineers can be challenging at times and the squirrels are still running rampant.
Where have we been since the last blog?
“I’ve been everywhere, man I’ve been everywhere, man ‘Cross the deserts bare, man I’ve breathed the mountain air, man Of travel, I’ve had my share, man I’ve been everywhere. “
The Burrow is sporting a brand-new refrigerator and all the orchids have set spikes (they love their skylight). The animals are doing well although Bitsy is now wearing diapers. She decided that urinating on the floor was a good way to indicate unhappiness. As with most of the animal issues since moving aboard, diapering a cat was surprisingly easier than expected.
Upcoming Content Focus
I think I’ll tease these destinations out a few at a time. Maybe try to give my readers an idea what is
there to see or what may be remarkable in the area. As my friend said, “how many times can you
say beautiful and awesome?”. Everyone has
different ideas about the perfect travel destination so maybe we can offer you some
planning ideas.
Going forward, Ken and I would like to review the Thousand Trails campgrounds that we stay in. Membership in Thousand Trails can help stretch your camping budget and we are happy to be affiliated.
New ideas are perking and plans are being made for 2020. This need for new challenge, sights and experiences isn’t leaving us. The past two years have fed our wanderlust and the nomadic life is our new normal.
We are back in Las Vegas. When our friends say “goodbye” and head back to Austin for their holidays and we travel to Florida for ours, the tribe will be dismantled. We’re snowbirds now, enjoying the best weather and destinations. But stay tuned. There is so much more to experience as we share with you how nomadic life is our new normal.
Christmas card photos come to life in the Land of Giants.
Previously posted to Facebook on 5/18/18
Our explorations into this big beautiful country keep getting better and better. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is our first impressions of this special place in the Sierra Nevadas.
A land of giants
Ken said it correctly in an earlier post, we are in the Land of Giants. Every steep hairpin curve upward in the High Sierra brings a new surprise. Spring flowers in vivid shades of purple, yellow, red and white cover the mountainside like colored carpets. Herds of deer glide silently by. Bear forage after waking from long winter sleep. Giant grey squirrels chatter. A Perrigrin falcon coasts through the sky. You are surrounded by multiple, massive, icy cold rivers cascading thunderously down onto rocky faces and through lush mountain meadows. The smell in the air is a perfume no chemist could ever duplicate; it is pine and flowers, fresh clean water and woods.
The clouds touch the mountaintops and dance along the brilliant blue sky, so close you want to reach for them. And under the giant sequoia and pines, where it is dark and shaded, Christmas card photos come to life.
If Yellowstone is the diamond, then Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the rubies and the emeralds. The Sequoias are Titans wrapped in soft, warm, bark robes, sometimes two-feet thick.
Uncrowded exploration
We have had dumb beginner’s luck and visited here just ahead of the season, with its masses of tourists parading from park-to-park on the weekends; so during the week, we have this playground virtually to ourselves. We hiked for miles and rarely saw anyone. We picnicked alone in splendor.
Mother nature puts on a fantastic show in the High Sierra. Snow is still on the mountaintops, melting and creating waterfalls everywhere you look. Trickling ones, roaring ones, gentle brooks that feed the meadows. And slow, wide, meandering ones. You think you have seen the best. But then turn the corner and your eyes pop because you encounter something even better. A mountain, a budding tree, blossoming flowers, or wildlife.
Get out and GO!
Many of you have mentioned to us that we are living your dream; to go around in an RV or travel trailer and see the country. Ken and I would both say DO IT! Do whatever you can and drag your children along too. Weekends in a van or months in an RV. Do it. You will not be disappointed. The world is big……
Always grateful. 👫
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been our favorite National Parks so far. I hope our photos do it some justice.
If you enjoyed our blog and photos about Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and want to follow our blog, be sure to subscribe below with your e-mail. We will notify you whenever there is a new post.
We bid adieu to the Spring Mountains in Las Vegas and pointed The Burrow northward on Nevada highway 95 to the Comstock Load, Virginia City, Nevada.
Last year, we were delayed in Las Vegas while Ken recuperated from pneumonia, so the push was on to get to the Pacific Northwest a little earlier using a new route. Our RV, a Bigfoot, is habitable to 17 degrees-below-zero. But our snow driving experience is limited since we are Floridians. Give us alligators no problem. Four kinds of poisonous snakes, got it covered. Five species of poisonous spiders and enough mosquitoes to carry you away, (shrug) it’s all good. But snow? Yikes! We crossed our fingers hoping we were not moving too soon.
The drive was a delightful surprise. Highway 95 is good road through the desert, with little traffic and fewer towns to slow you down. The beautiful, snow-capped mountaintops of Yosemite towered on the horizon as we made our way north. We stayed for the week at a quiet State Park in Dayton (just down the road from the famous Bunny Ranch) where we had easy access to Carson City (the state capitol), Virginia City (Comstock Load), Lake Tahoe and my favorite activity…Steamboat Hot Springs.
Carson City, Nevada
How many times have you heard about a town, or place, and it did not interest you to visit? Since we started RV’ing, I feel like my mind has been blown. The little towns and historic places in our country are amazing. Seeing them is a privilege that I hope you have already experienced or will soon have the opportunity.
Capitol Bldg. French Crystal Window
Carson City is of course, the capital of Nevada. So, our first stop was the capitol building tour. Built in 1870, it is the second oldest capitol building west of the Mississippi and is adorned with beautiful architecture , a museum on the second floor in the old senate chambers, and an interactive display in the state supreme court room. An interesting fact is the building was condemned but subsequently restored in 1979. We meandered the Kit Carson Trail through downtown historic homes and businesses, while Ken reminisced about, as a young boy, reading Kit Carson adventure novels and how exciting it had all seemed. We enjoyed a lovely spring day, and had a really, really, good lunch at Gather.
Passive activities like touring Carson City, are good but give us an adventure, give us something we love to do, or give us something we have never done before, and it’s a permanent memory. One of my best memories was during a visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas. To me, a nice long soak in a hot spring mineral bath is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I am excited to be heading into one the most active regions for hot spring activity that produces them (read, Volcanoes here).
Steamboat Hot Springs
Steamboat Hot Springs was right in our path so it was my pick as a “must do”. Established in 1857, the springs are piped into a building, listed on the historic register. The menu includes all types of spa treatments, but we opted for a one-hour couples soak. Being able to do this together is one thing I really liked about their menu at Steamboat. In Arkansas, they segregated the baths and massages.
We arrived, eager for the experience and were asked if we would like to include aromatherapy, then shown to our private room. The building is set up a lot like an old roadside motel. Each bath is in a private room entered from an interior hallway and is decorated in a color theme designated by a stained-glass window. You may choose you room color at reservation time, and we choose the blue room. It included a shower, changing bench, towels, cool towels for your face, and a giant tub. The tub had plenty of room for two people, I could practically swim in it. The attendant explained the faucet system, and then, left us alone.
“Heaven, I’m in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together bathing, cheek to cheek.”
What a great experience we had. If you get to this area, we highly recommend the hot springs experience. Check for a Groupon to see if you can snag it at a discount. We found out — after we got there — you can bring your own bath essentials, like soaps, or bath salts, or snacks, or drinks. Wow! If only we had known. We could have bumped this experience up a notch. Oh well. Next time.
Virginia City, Nevada
Our next visit was to Virginia City, what could be considered the proverbial 1800’s mining town in every western film made and home to the first major discovery of silver in the US…The Comstock Load. It was easy to imagine the bawdy, bustling, booming town that made Virginia City famous. Perched at six thousand feet high on Mt. Davidson, it commands stunning views and still retains the ambiance and charm of yesteryear. Ken and I have been fortunate to tour other historical towns, but this one seems to resonate with the excitement and gaiety that was present in its heyday; almost as if the walls are imprinted with the past residents’ lives.
Chandelier in the Virginia City Tourism Bldg.
Step Back In Time
Walk down the board sidewalks, and the muddy streets, with horses tied and patiently waiting, while their owners entertained themselves with women, or drinks at one of the many saloons, comes to life. You can picture the men made wealthy by silver and gold, dressed in their finest, attending a private club for supper with a beautiful woman on their arm or entering the bank for a meeting. And in your mind, you see the trappers coming in from snowy mountains to socialize and sell their pelts. This is where Mark Twain first began his writing career, publishing news stories in the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, and where others, people notable in banking, mining, and politics got their start. Also, it’s the city that Bonanza’s brothers, Ben, Hoss, Adam and Lil’ Joe rode in to for supplies.
Bucket of Blood Saloon
Virginia City was an interesting and pleasant visit to our past, preserved for our future. We recommend a visit here but plan plenty of time. And make sure to have a drink inThe Bucketof Blood Saloon, notable for the many bloody miners’ fights.
Ken and I were disappointed to miss Lake Tahoe as it was only about twenty miles away but I’m sure we will visit this area again. Our travel style is a mix of unscheduled stops combined with more lengthy reservations so sometimes we just don’t get to linger in an area before it is time to move on. You take the bad with the good. Ken is better at moving on than me.
Travel Tips for Nevada Highway 95
If you are wondering about traveling this leg of Nevada highway 95 with your RV, we were comfortable the entire way except for a few high wind areas. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before leaving Amargosa Valley as gas stations are scarce along the way. Also notable on this route, is the town of Hawthorne that houses the largest munitions depot in the country. You can see the ordinance bunkers stretching for miles and miles through the desert. There is a free museum dedicated to all things munitions. Lake Walker, just north of Hawthorne, is a nice spot to pull out for a quick lunch or an overnight. Oh…. And there is a sizable herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep inhabiting the area. We saw them climbing rocks along the lakefront. Fortunately, we didn’t run over any of them. Not one.
