Travels and Travails (TIMELINE)

As we were getting ready to leave Sin City, we had a little adventure we’d just as soon NOT repeat. EVER. For a couple evenings, I had been hearing a sort of “scratching” noise, but could not identify a source. And it was windy most days, so the sound COULD HAVE BEEN something rustling outside.

Our stay in Vegas commenced with arrival at the CLARK COUNTY SHOOTING RANGE. This place was recommended to us as a replacement for the Dishonest and Unethical RV spot that we had booked in town. And, it turns out, the recommendations were SPOT ON, much as the shooters are (mostly) spot on at their stations!

Sitting parked is often an excuse to make a dent in the “non-priority” To-Do list; and Galveston 2020/21 was no exception. Well, kinda an exception…since a couple HIGH-PRIORITY items reared their ugly heads to occupy most of my attention!! Our last 100 miles before arriving in Galveston surfaced a MAJOR issue with the Air Brake

We’ve now spent almost 2 months in Galveston. We posted almost a month ago about holidays and Sushi and Brake Repairs; It has taken almost another month for enuf “stuff” to happen to justify a post.  In the meantime,  we’ve done a lot of Beachwalking and Brewery-supporting, with a measure of Ad-Hoc-Al-Fresco Dining. One of

Moving onward and upward from Irmo, SC., we decided to make a stop in Charlotte, NC. One of the fastest growing US metropolitan areas, and with an RV Park well within the city limits, we decided a few days of urbanity would be just perfect for us. Elmore’s RV Park is a weird little place

We are, as disclosed previously, starting 2020 with the grand circuit of the Carolinas. We’ve never been in the area other than driving through it, and people say really good things about it. So, we pointed RV WHERE YET North and moved slowly (the only way we CAN move) in that direction. We knew we

As you well know, if you have been reading these pages with ANY regularity, we don’t put a lot of effort into anything that one would call an “Itinerary.” We generally make big, broad “Quadrant” projections, and see what happens out of that. For example, “Alaska in 2019.” Or “The Canadian Maritimes” in 2018. BUT,

We have just spent ANOTHER significant holiday with THE MOST DELIGHTFUL people imaginable. These are the McNicolls, who are related by marriage (Liz’s Brother’s in-laws). They have graciously welcomed us into their home and to their holiday table three times, now – XMAS twice and Easter once and we are grateful for their generosity and

If you aren’t in the mood for an old-fashioned political discussion, please stop now – we want you NOT to be mad at us and hope you will keep following our adventure.  I have avoided doing this for over 2 years. But the last 30 days have been particularly ugly and partisan and my tongue

Well, Liz and I successfully survived our first “dry camping” experience at the Bluebird Quartzsite Rally (more on the rally later). First, to explain that “dry” descriptor to many of our non-RV friends, who might think we just spent 2 weeks without alcohol (???!!!). THAT could not be further from the truth! There were plenty

Leaving NOLA, our first stop was Houston, Tx. Here our plan was to visit Barbara and Jacob Leon for a meal and conversation. We met the Leons at conferences over the years, mostly overseas. Every time we think of them, we remember a very humorous dinner in Rome involving a very gregarious waiter/con artist who

Well, Liz returned from New Jersey, and we were determined to do NOLA right. That was to begin with a visit to the WWII Museum and/or the French Quarter (weather dependent). And speaking of weather, that brings me to the particular FIRST we have experienced this week, which we hope never to repeat. It rained

We chose the inland route to travel to Melbourne, which brought us to a delightful little town recommended by both hosts…Beechworth.  Not much here,  really,  other than everything one needs.  A Brewery with excellent Pizza.  A homemade Ice cream AND a Gelato place. An excellent Bakery.  A friendly AirBNB and time to walk.   After a

As we continue our stay in Sydney, we are starting to do things that you might not get to if you had only the “usual” time available – it’s what’s great about “retired” travel vs. vacation travel. For example, we took a ferry to Bondi (been there and done that before). Then we walked from

Our stay in Sydney commenced when friend Peter Campbell met us at the apartment he had arranged for us. We knew this was located at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli from advance discussions with Peter. What we did not fully understand was that this was to be a quaint apartment in an old

Well, the day the Wilsons have been looking forward to finally arrived! The Harrises Left!!! (The whooshing sound you may have heard and may have been reported on the local Cyclone-warning network was their Collective sigh of utter relief). The washed-out roads were still washed out, but Kevin was DETERMINED to ensure our exit. There

Can’t Escape Politics (Click Here) As mentioned previously, we cannot be on a “vacation” since we are not working. This is just our life, now. SO, “Kiwification” should not be confused with “Kiwi Vacation.” Instead it concerns how we are becoming embedded at the least, and incorporated in some ways into Kiwi Culture. There are

After our great experiences in Central California,  we continued North to Santa Cruz.  There,  our friend Phyllis arranged for us to park in the overflow area of the Pasatiempo Golf Course,  where she lives.   With all the rain they have had here,  “Overflow” is the perfect word!  But at least currently high and dry. During our

Weather still sucks as we left Palm Desert,  but begins to improve as we get a little north of Los Angeles.  We decided to stop for the night at Carpinteria State Beach between Ventura and Santa Barbara.  WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE.   Again,  hard against the ocean beach.  Although with the pounding surf and cold weather, 

We  made it across Arizona and NM.  It rained off and on throughout this desert.  Then we spent some time with friends in San Diego.  Our friends, Stefania and Jim, arranged a street parking permit for our RV and we were able to find a spot about 200 yds from their apartment.  It was great to

As we’ve wandered,  we have covered more than a few ecosystems and cultures across the southern USA.  Here are a few of our observations:  OT ALL WALMARTS are the same!  Yes. It is true. We are quite the experts on this subject, now.  Walmarts in general WANT us to stay overnight in their nice, big,

After 4 nights,  we decided we are weary of wilderness. We need some commotion.  Maybe a siren.  Some exhaust fumes!  So we left the park and headed towards El Paso.  Our first thought was to stop there overnight on the way to Tucson to visit friends.  The folks in the RV across from us at

  We spent 4 days at an RV Park (more of an RV parking Lot) hard against the Rio Grande River.  While the RV Facilities were probably the plainest we have seen including many Walmart parking Lots,  the surrounding area is SPECTACULAR.  Now,  we are Midwestern flatlanders.  The desert is something new,  as are mountains

We are purring down the road.  OK,  maybe “purring” is the wrong word.  Perhaps “Roaring?”  “Clattering?” On the road begins with dinner with friends.  First in Lafayette, LA with LC Cambre.    LC is a very resourceful prince of a man.  He produced an exquisite meal entirely with a toaster oven and a microwave!  His main

Tuesday 3 Jan. We left Gulf Shores,  but not without drama.  Monday afternoon there were Thunderstorms and torrential rains training over us for hours.  No problem…Blackhawks on TV.  Just hanging out feels kinda good.   Then,   DURING THE Blackhawks game (Winter Classic),  a TORNADO WARNING.  Phones Simultaneously sounding the alert,  followed by a crawler and tone

Waiting for the Airbag Part to arrive for the bus,  we took full advantage.  New Year’s eve we drove the Clown Car to Mobile.  There we spent the afternoon at  Battleship park.  The centerpiece is the Battleship USS Alabama, which is open and there is a self-guided tour…really excellent.  There is also an Airplane museum