The Sun Does Shine in Calfornia

We spent two days traveling down Big Sur to Arroyo Grande. It was foggy, misty, and dangerous driving most of the way. However we had a beautiful evening on Jean’s birthday. Our campsite was in a state park with a dark redwood grove a few miles from the ocean. That evening the fog rolled back and we got to see a sunset like no other. I’ve attached a couple of my photos of it.

Norman and Janet have given us a terrific welcome in Arroyo Grande. Last night we went to a wine tasting at Claiborne and Churchill Winery then dinner at a little Italian restaurant within walking distance of the house. Stayed up late talking and slept late this morning. Today is a lazy day under gray skies.

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Living In Confined Quarters

Rain and cool temps means spending more time in Picasso. Two of us and all of our gear (some of you know we don’t travel light) make for crowded living quarters. Jean’s current mantra is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Unfortunately, sometimes the person who is using something doesn’t remember where it came from, can’t fit it back into the hole, or thinks they have found a better place. That means lots of searching. I’ve emptied the kitchen cupboard of dishes, pots, and pans twice looking for something. This morning it was the tea kettle, which was way in the back.

The other thing about Picasso is that it has 5’10” of head room. I am 6′ tall. The shower door is about 5′ high. The shelf over my part of the bed is 3′ above my head. As you might imagine my bald pate gets a bruising. Then there are the counters, shelves, table, etc. that were designed as tightly as possible so as to maximize storage. That minimizes moving space. In addition to being 6 feet I am not in danger of being nicknamed Slim. My elbows, hips, knees, shins, and ankles are black and blue from introductions to these various pieces of our interior design.

It’s all for a good cause. Today start gray and foggy in CA. Where was the vaunted California sun? We didn’t find it until we crossed the coastal range into Salinas where we stopped for the night. Tomorrow, upon the advice of our friend Norman, we are going to explore Hway 1 down through Big Sur. Others have advised against going down there with a trailer, but what the hell…we’re on an adventure.

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A Very Wet Day

We awoke in Eugene this morning to a steady rain/downpour. After 40 minutes outside taking down our trailer hookup I was soaked to the skin. My Seattle rain jacket gave up after about 30 minutes. I told Jean that this may have been my worst morning in the last 10 years. Jean was packing the inside of the trailer, so got spared much of the wetness. We got in the car and headed south without drying off.

This picture is a few hours later when we stopped at a rest stop. It is no longer raining, but I am still wet to the skin. With the car heater running I am at least warm wet.

This day also involved going through the Siskiyous with intermittent rain, big trucks, steep grades (both up and down). The down grades are the scariest due to the trailer sometimes trying to drive the car down the mountain. I kept it in second gear and no more than 40 to maintain control and had no problems. Going uphill was keeping the RPM down and going 40. This was only on the steepest grades (5% or greater). Otherwise we maintained a steady 55 most of the day. The second picture is the driver concentrating on the road.

Tonight we’re camped in another Premier RV Resort in Redding CA. It has similar amenities to last night, which is why I can post using the free wi-fi. Tomorrow we hope for a dryer start and sunny weather before the day ends.

Paul

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In Oregon

This evening we’re set up at Premier RV Resort in Eugene Oregon. It’s not our usual rustic camping. We have electricity, water, sewer, wi-fi, cable TV, an exercise room, a rec room, a free morning newspaper, and a continental breakfast. It only took us 40 minutes to set up, then we took a walk to explore the grounds. Now it’s time to relax in Picasso with a glass of wine.

This is a comfortable end to our longest day ever towing Picasso. We went about 150 miles. This morning we left Lacey and drove through sunshine, rain and fog intermittently all day. Presently it is not raining in Eugene, but I expect that to change momentarily. We are told that the next two days promise to be the best weather in the Siskyous for the last two weeks. Therefore, we’re looking forward to a non-freezing, cloudy and rainy day tomorrow to Redding.

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We have lift off!

We finally pulled out today and are on the road to warmer climes. As the French Canadian fur traders used to do when leaving on a long trip, we only went a short distance today to pack up and get out. They used to go 1-2 miles and make camp, which enabled them to determine what they forgot. We have discovered a few things, but nothing important enough to drive 65 miles back home to get them. We are so thankful for great friends to whom we have turned over our house. It is in good hands.

There are some mixed feelings about this trip.  Retirement has made us comfortable at home. Our art studios are in good shape and we have everything we need there. On the other hand we love to travel. The thought of being in a warm sunny place for the winter is great. It’s an adventure!

Tomorrow to Eugene!

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Not going to beat the next storm

It appears as if Seattle is going to get a big rainfall in the next couple of days. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to get out of town before it arrives. Picasso is just about packed, but there are a couple of events that Jean wants to attend this week. The good news is that the long range forecast shows good weather in the Siskyous over the weekend, so we may be able to get over the pass on our first try.

Yesterday I built a plywood travel case for our solar panel. We think there will be enough sunshine in the southwest to use it. Previously we carried it on Picasso’s bed, but that doesn’t work when you’re on the road every day and don’t set up the solar charger when you camp. We needed to store it in a way that can stay set for a few days until we get to southern California.

I’m checking on fruits and vegetables that can go to CA. Washington isn’t on the excluded list for most items, but they all are subject to search and seizure (if they find little critters on them). We will probably limit what we travel with to what we need to eat the first couple of days and stop in Redding to buy fresh food.

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Visits with friends

One of the things I’ve learned about retirement is that I no longer have many people to talk to all day every day. Now it’s just the two of us. Jean has developed groups of friends and activities during her 3 retired years. Now I will need to do the same.

Had a wonderful visit with friends yesterday. Mary Beth dropped by and brought a surprise guest, Bob. We had lots of fun showing off our artwork (mostly Jean’s), talking about how wonderful retirement is, and sharing travel plans. Tea and scones were enjoyed by all. (I made the Mrs. McNab’s scones, a wonderful recipe.) It was a great afternoon.

Last evening we had a tasty dinner at friends Mark and Candace. Jean will never let me forget that I asked for seconds on the fennel au gratin. (I have maintained for some time that I don’t like fennel.) Wonderful conversation and sharing of our mutual retirement adventures was capped with pineapple upside down cake, a comfort food from our past.

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Busy Day Preparing to Leave

Today was another day of making final preparations to begin our winter trip. It seems as if something new presents itself each day. A week ago I would have said we had thought of everything, but that would have been an error. Several trips to stores today to pick up last minute items.

Another challenge has been writing the handbook for our house. When strangers are going to occupy your space you must remember all those idiosynracies that have become invisible to you. You know what I mean – the water heater that must be treated just so, the refrigerator door that doesn’t like to close tight every time, the one function on the dryer that doesn’t work, etc. Our illustrated handbook is now up to six pages.

Also today we confirmed the first three camping places on our trip. They have campsites for us if we can get through the Siskyou snows. Today was a whiteout on Siskyou Pass. Hopefully it will not be so next week.

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Trip Preparation

It’s Monday and I don’t have to go to work! Retirement is underrated.

Yesterday we took the winter blanket off Picasso and began to stow things for our trip. What fits? What will we need? What can we do without? Weight and space are factors. It’s quite an exercise…sort of like moving to a very small apartment. In the process we decided that our knives are really dull, so bought a knife sharpener and I spent an hour sharpening knives. That’s the sort of thing that happens when you go through everything. We didn’t plan to sharpen knives before leaving.

Also we talked to a friend who will be staying in our house while we’re gone. There are still some lists to make about the house. Maybe I’ll work on that today.

Although the sun has been shining intermittently we are anxious to get to warmer and sunnier climates.

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Jean in Art Exhibition

Today we delivered Jean’s painting “Lost Light” to the Blue Horse Gallery in Bellingham, Washington for their New Perspectives exhibition which will open December 1. If our Washington friends get the opportunity to visit this juried show during December, please post your comments. Unfortunately, due to our travel plans we will not be able to see it and we would love to hear what it looks like.

The Blue Horse Gallery web site is at: http://www.bluehorsegallery.com/ for directions.

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