2018 November Return to East Coast

  Return to East Coast CA to SC

After a few days of visiting Mary's home Mary and I get ready leave again to go East back to South Carolina then Mary will fly home. Larry and I investigated his car that a mechanic told him the camshaft was bad and discovered a loose motor mount.  Yeah, it's not to believe everything a mechanic says! 

 

1st day's travel was all driving we went through Phoenix Arizona and a Casa Grande we stopped for the night found an Elks Lodge and got propane apparently, we had run out this is the 1st time I've ever read completely run out a propane and it took 4 and a 1/2 gallons to fill the tank whoeee. 

 

First 2 days of travel there was a high headwind all the time, the Rialta handled very well but fuel consumption was great.  

 

Tuscon, short during tour of old town then over to Saguaro National Park.  Nice exhibit and driving tour of Saguaro Forest. I had visited here years before during spring when cactus was In bloom. 

Petroglyphs

 

You can see the skeleton of the saguaro cactus. Looks and acts like wood.

 

 

Catching up with Pat Jones RV friend from Natchez Trace tour) in Deming, NM we toured the Deming Museum.  

Rooms included, Old Timers Association (original settlers), doll room, Indian area, Bataan, China, art gallery, train, laundry, wagon, law office, saddles, geode, rock shop, Stetson, carriage, automobile, fire trucks, military room, Hispanic, lace and quilt, sports legends, future farmers America, bells, Czechoslovakia, oriental, photography equipment, medical instruments,   

Great museum, so much to see in such a little town.  

 

 

Stopped in Mallisa for late lunch, early dinner.  This is where I stopped before, a former stagecoach stop turned restaurant, Billy the Kid and others had been here.  Cute town square.   

 

Making miles to San Antonio for it is flat and empty.  Will not make it until late tomorrow so see how many miles can make tonight 

 Alamo 

 

 

 

 

Riverwalk

 

 

 

San Francisco house, Garyville, LA 

The twin towers each side of the house were water tanks 8,500 gallons, piped to the house, then the were no drains so buckets caught the water used and was carried out.  

Owner was a free man of color, owned 89 slaves.  Sugar plantation.  House had brick floors where when flooding occurred Scholls simply drain out.  

 

 

Interesting thing was seeing the Jars in floor used to keep dairy and eggs cool.  

 There was no indoor photography allowed so not too many pics here.

 

New Orleans French Quarter 

Daytime without drunks or too many tourists is a great time to visit.  Found parking and walked following the izi app we found in Solvang. Great tour, learned history and inelegant places.   

Burbank Street roads are under construction, and you have to cross several times to get down the street.  Mary of course found several things to purchase.  I did find a gag gift for Tanya.  I know she will be surprised... 

 

 

 

The architecture of the buildings is unchanged since I was here last, I did not see anything that hurricane Katrina left, but also, I had only visited once many years ago.  

 

Voodoo museum

 

 

Went to the cemetery and learned that you are required to have a guide to enter now??? So, we look for a place to eat before leaving New Orleans. Cajun Mike's for a classic po'boy sandwich, Tom has an adventure in the men's room when a woman steps out of the toilet stall and surprises the both of them. She apologizes and they share the sink to wash hands together, as she leaves, she says "thanks for sharing with me". 

 

More long empty road this time much greener than the Texas desert. To pass the time we listen to more audio books, seem to have difficulty in selecting ones that do not irritate. Mary is enjoying looking at the Live Oak trees with Spanish moss, Tom is getting anxious to end the trip as his mind goes to the next event of getting ready to go back to work. 

 

Savannah, GA and used the izi travel app, pretty cool to cruise the streets and listen to descriptions of the houses along the way. Parking is sometimes tough to have the time to wait for the audio to complete. I think that if I used a bicycle to do the audio tour it would be more enjoyable. Have to talk to Tanya about that and see if she would ride a bike too. 

 

There was one place where they were setting up for a movie, there was fake snow and 1920's cars on the road. No actors no signs saying what film it would be. Pretty neat to stumble upon it! 

 

Charleston, SC

 

Spending the evening catching up with Doug and his family there next day take Mary to see some of the sights around Charleston, SC.

Tuesday Tom had a little business to take care of then we went to Fort Moultrie, decent walking tour of a Fort that had served in Revolutionary, civil, WW1, WW2. This fort and Fort Sumpter played major roles in the civil, WW1, WW2 wars. Although you do not hear much about it, it was definitely good that we saw it today for tomorrow we go to Fort Sumpter.

 

All Doug's family except Doug came along to see Fort Sumpter the ferry boat ride allowed us time to sit and chat while looking at the scenery then touring the fort itself was fun.  Watching my 2 grandsons exploring the fort was especially cool to me.

 

 

 

We also did a driving tour of the haunted homes in Charleston.  Using the izi app, we drove through the streets and stopped when we came across a haunted house and the app told us all about it.  Really cool!

 

Doug's off work so we met at a Chinese buffet and off course I am overstuffed.  Going on home I realize my 3-month trip is really over. I fly back to MD tomorrow morning to spend some time with Tanya before going back to work in December. The Rialta will winter over in SC at Doug's and be there for the next trip.

I wonder where the next adventure will be? It is such fun seeing new places and after this trip of 11,985 miles and having someone along the entire way to share things with has been quite a memorable trip. This blog and many more pictures are reminders of what a great time it has been. From now on anytime I talk to Mary or Tanya we have things to remember and share all over again. Thank all of you for sharing my travels with me, hope to share more with you next year.

 

 

 

2018 November OR to Southern CA

 Oregon to Souther California

 

 

Sooner or later, something is bound to happen – blew the transmission! Amazing that after all of the heavy grades we pulled that a short heavy grade did us in. Maybe I did not check levels or temperatures enough, a few times the transmission temp got over 200 with the highest at 240 but what I am aware of this only affects the frequency of changing the fluid, ah well things happen.

Fortunately, we were in Astoria, OR and having left brother Bob’s home near Portland it could not happen at a better place. So instead of living in a hotel for 2 weeks to get transmission rebuilt we were lucky enough to have brother Bob’s hospitality for a while longer.

Occasional fishing trips, helping around the ranch, even went to the theater with Bob and Bunny! The two weeks went fairly fast, Mary and I both had a head cold to beat all head colds during this period as well. It could not have been in a better place!

So, after 2 weeks the Rialta is ready to go again, and we set off to resume our trip. Having made travel adjustments, we are skipping Olympic National Forest this time. We head south to stop in and see Mom and Bob’s fishing partner Patton then get on the Redwood Road at Grants Pass Oregon.

Camping inside a Redwood Forest is much different than we have ever done. It was DARK! The trees are so tall it blocks sunlight more than I have ever experienced before. Cool and damp it did not set too well with me.

 

 

These trees are so amazing, huge 250’ high 20-50 feet wide just awesome. After considerable miles seeing all these amazing trees it begins to be just a bit normal…. Many “Groves” we dedicated to different people, some had walking paths, we took one and it was very interesting to walk along the giant trees, we took some great pictures of us next to some of these trees and their roots.

Seaside there was a lighthouse on an island where only during low tide could you walk across to access the island. Standing near the sand to cross over we both were taking pictures and a wave came in and caught Mary! Soaking her shoes and up to her knees, she was not happy.

 

Time to move inland and visit sister Jean near Sacramento! The road inland was not too difficult, we left Eureka and cut across to I5. Ter where it joined was a billboard for a restaurant with RV parking, staying the night there we had breakfast in the restaurant to pay our dues so to speak.

Visiting Jean and catching up with family is always good. I had not seen Jena and family (Jeans daughter) since 2005 when Nita and I had traveled west in the RV. At that time Jenas oldest daughter Alaura had ridden with us to Las Vegas where Jean picked her up. We stopped in Yosemite National Park along the way, it was great reminiscing with her about how that trip was very special for the both of us.

Friday night we all got together at Jeans house to see everyone. So many voices going at the same time made it a little hard for me to hear any one person, Bob looked over at me and said “this is why we moved back here” I felt very happy for both Bob and Jean to be able to spend time with their grandkids.

Bob, Jean, Mary and I toured San Francisco on Saturday, driving down Lombardo Road the twisty winding street on a steep hillside, visiting Chinatown, Fisherman’s Warf, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge. So much the greater to do this with family.

 

 

 

 

Leaving Jeans on Sunday we head back to the coast to resume our trip. Monterey has its own Fisherman’s Warf where I had visited in 2005. Great to be back with a different member of my family – Mary. Found a great fleece jacket with hard shell on the other side for both me and Tanya at a great price.

Tour of Winchester Mystery House. WOW an architect would go nuts here!

Continuing down the California coast and passed the Military Foreign Language school where Tanya interviewed for a job.

 

The coastal road on this stretch has a sign that says windy road next 63 miles, yes, it is very accurate, I remembered that in 2005 Nita had lain down on the floor of the RV because the road rails were not very high and sometimes not there over a cliff along the road. Beautiful scenery of the coastline with rocky beaches and the waves crashing on them, occasional beaches and once there were Elephant Sea Lions laying on the beach soaking up the sun.

 

Arriving at Mary’s home in Southern California Mary is torn between ending the trip and being home. Both Larry and Mary were both happy and sad to be back together again and the end of an adventure. She had a great time and saw so many places and people she has an adventure with her brother that she will never forget.

I also have had a great time sharing these places and people with Mary. It had never occurred to me that one of my siblings would spend this much time with me and be such a great travel companion! It has also learned how much more enjoyable traveling is when you have someone to share it with. You do not have to be married and your spouse along, there are many interesting people in the world to share experiences with.

 

 

2018 October Pacific Northwest

 Pacific North West 2018

 

 

Craters of the Moon National Monument is a winding drive-through you can stop for volcanic rocks to see several places where a cone where lava with the wrought from the Earth but not in a dramatic fashion so the shapes in and texture of the rocks are different than what you normally see from a volcanic eruption. It's pretty interesting taking walk up and seeing a small side of a tiny crater which a tiny Volcano was pretty cool there was some caves there too with some bats, but it was late windy and cold, so we chose not to go in them. On down the road we stopped at a lodge to camp for the night - cheap camping at $15 they were having line dancing going on, so Tom had a good time out there just checking it out and then we had dinner at the elks club bar before we hit the hay just exhausted.

 

Stopping to seize Shoshone falls in Twin City Idaho was magnificent sight of steep cliffs. My 1st thought was just like the Grand Canyon! it wasn't as a magnificent as the Grand Canyon, but it had the steep cliffs and rocky outcrops to view, imagine the grandeur when spring thaw and the water is flowing over the top of the falls and just cascading down the cliffs, I could imagine in which you see sprays of water so beautiful.

  

 

Breakfast at Idaho Joe's was extremely good they had a buffet brunch and breakfast brunch buffet, and the cook was a very entertaining and explain to me how he learned to flips his eggs or his crepes and practiced 1st with a piece of bread flipping it and then toasting it and then as he got a little better than he would be put beans in the pan and practice his flipping. So, yes as Mary said I know you're going to be to practicing that Tom

 Touring the Fort at Twin Citys with a great docent.

 

 

For 400 miles we had been hearing a whining noise coming out of the engine so I self-diagnose and thought it was the alternator. while near town and picked up of alternator found one and went on down to Mountain Home Air Force base there, we put the RV on a lift and crank it up there then take the belt off and while the alternator seems fine I didn't feel anything wrong. But the idler pulley was very rough.  The problem while the RV was on the lift Tom did not check very clear and as I lower the lift it came down right on top of the toolbox and crushed it.  The shop was pretty nice to me and said they were only a year old and will only charge you a $100 for the for the crushed toolbox. All fixed engine sounds great got new tires from a when we are in West Yellowstone so we're ready to roll late in the day 5 o'clock and we got 200 more miles to make for today to be on time for the airport airplane flight Tom gets Monday afternoon.

 

Arriving at brother Bob's home in Oregon City, OR Tom flew out for a meeting and Mary spent more time with Bob and his family. After Tom returned Bob and Tom set up a new generator for the RV, cool, much quieter and less vibration.

 

Deciding to go north and see the Olympic National Park Mary and I head out with the first stop at Astoria, OR.

 

WHOOPS the transmission quits! Saturday and only one shop open and they do not work on VW's. Checking availability in a small town for services when things do open on Monday, I decide to call Brother Bob and see if he had access to a trailer to tow the RV back to Portland. Yes, he did and came and got us returning to his house we wait for Monday to see what can be done.

 

Mary and Larry (husband) and Larry sends such a cool message:

It’s day 29 if the social experiment!

My wife left me a month ago to go on a once in lifetime RV road trip with her brother Tom. They’ve been to Vegas, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington. I’ve never been to a city park much less the all the big national parks in those states. I’ve managed to microwave one or two of the year's supply of homemade single serve pot roast, teriyaki or barbecue chicken and lasagnas she made before she left me ALL ALONE!

With the cat. I’ve managed to feed the cat, change the litter box, take the trash out, water the plants and flowers, do laundry, vacuum, clean the toilet, sweep and mop the bathroom and kitchen floor thanks to the post stickers she left me throughout the house including one reminding me to go to work.

I knew things were LOOKING GRIM when I awoke this morning to a foul smell, and the cat was sleeping on my chest with its ASS on my chin. And to add to my despair Maryellen “the wife” finally called to tell me they have extended the trip for a couple weeks to backtrack from Portland to Washington to add Olympic National Park, before taking the coastline back to her brother Bobs and then to Yosemite and her sister Jeans house. I should be fine there’s 6 months' worth of food in the house and she’s been managing all the finances from the road. Tv, computer, electric, insurance etc. I should be fine; I’ll just walk around the house following the cat looking for “the wife.

I love and miss you, Maryellen!! have fun stay safe and remember, I forgive you.

❤️??????

 

2018 October Yellowstone, Fishing MT

 Yellowstone NP

Yellowstone national park.

It was untimely for us that many of the campgrounds were closing for the season.  Several nights in a row were spent searching for a campsite.  This did not allow us the leisure we had wanted to stop and spend more time at each location.  We did get through most of the things to see in Yellowstone and had a great time.  I had visited here around 13 years ago but it was still different and enjoyable I am glad we came. 

 

Mary seeing this for the first time truly loved everything.  Did not see bears but many, antelope and bison.

 

The trees were in first bloom of fall colors.  I learned that the grasses change colors too, soft yellows and reeds are the predominant colors on grasses.

 

Watching many different geysers of different colors and activity is so cool.  Once more the feeling of mankind is so small in the universe.

 

 

 

Parking in a campsite one night I was seeing up the camp chairs and heard a hissing noise.  The rear tire had seemed to separate from the rim, this concerned me for we were 8 miles from West Yellowstone.  We broke camp and went to town right away.  There was plenty of places to get air as we looked for a tire shop.  It was a Saturday, and everyone was closed.  Stopping at a NAPA auto store they knew of a place that had opened that Monday and was open on Saturdays.

 

This place was so great, they put the spare on, found a trailer tire that would work and helped me order 2 tires. Feeling uncomfortable with the old spare on, we limited ourselves in our travels. 

Sunday, we toured the west Yellowstone Museum while waiting to meet brother Bob. We met up with brother Bob, Mom and Bob's family also Patton and his wife (Bob's fishing buddy)

 

 

 Lunch and catching up we were all smiles.  Caravanning to Big Sky, MT where Bob had rented a large house, this is the first time in a month I have slept inside a house.  Kind of nice waking up warm and toasty.

 

 

Three days of guided fishing with w different guides we were able to fish the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone rivers.  Beautiful country, colors in the landscape,  snowcapped mountains in the distance, oh so nice!

 

 

 

The drive to each river had wonderful views and the conversation of fishing and countryside is an experience I will remember.

 

The guide would take 2 people in his right boat and 2 people would use brother Bob's raft. I was able to convince brother Bob to let me row the raft to let him get some fishing time in. I actually enjoyed rowing for it allowed me to look around at the landscape more than when you're fishing.  You tend to watch and read the water for your casting and forget to look around at the beautiful countryside. 

 Knowing you are on some of the world's most famous trout streams that are also available to common people is exciting. Famous fly fishermen from all over the world have finished the same waters.  Of course, you need to catch fish as well, no problem we all caught fish and had a great time.

 While the fishermen were out fishing Mary, Mom, Jan, Cheryl toured Yellowstone, so Mary was able to enjoy the park more and spend time with Mom.

Last day of guided fishing and my personal best for this trip of 7 fish.

 

Tomorrow we all leave the area, Bob and Mom to Sacramento, Patton and Cheryl home in Oregon, Jan takes a detour home to Oregon, Mary and I to Oregon and Bob's house for a rest while I fly east for a quick business. See you on the road!