I know, that’s a pretty cliche title. The truth is, I’ve never dreamed of California, at least that I’m aware of. So it surprises me that, after a year and a half on the road, we’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Golden State.
In our travels we’ve visited 15 states so far and yet, for some reason, we keep returning to California. Last fall we spent a month in San Diego so we could be near Tara. We took a lot of day trips during that time and discovered the Palm Springs and Borrego Springs areas. We liked it there so much that we returned to camp with friends after spending the holidays at the ranch. And now we’re sitting right next to the Pacific Ocean. Who knew there was such diversity for RVers?
The story so far… maybe four or five more in 2016?
I lived in California when I was a child; in Davis, Bakersfield, Wasco and Long Beach but I don’t remember much at all. So there’s that and lots more for us to see when we return. It’s going to be a while, though, because we’ve got big plans and it’s time to hit the road!
I’m always a little hesitant to write about future plans, as if putting it out there will somehow set our plans into stone or jinx them. RVers are fond of saying that traveling plans are made in Jell-O. That’s kind of goofy and cliche, but it’s just so true! No matter how much planning and intent goes into the future, it’s still all wiggly and jiggly and prone to falling apart at the slightest provocation.
We certainly experienced the Jell-O phenomenon last year when, at the last minute, we changed our direction of travel in the fall from Maine to California. And yet, that’s one of the great things about this lifestyle. We can literally make a U-turn and head the other direction if we suddenly have a change of heart. We can go places that weren’t even on our radar a month ago… or last week! On the way to California we detoured into the Colorado mountains to join a group of friends for a while before continuing our travels south. This is true freedom!
Anyway, tomorrow we’ll be packing up and leaving our oceanside spot to begin our slow mosey north on Highway 101. We’ve got nothing in particular planned for the next few weeks except a few stops to visit friends. We’ll spend a few days in Seattle and Bellingham to see Zoe and Zac (yay!!) and get ourselves prepared for our next big adventure: Alaska!
2016 is gonna be epic, well over 10,000 miles. Go Scoopy!
I can’t even get my head around this trip to Alaska because it’s just so epic and kind of scary. There are, you know, giant mosquitos and bears and maybe some earthquakes and stuff. And road signs written in Canadian. I don’t know what all there is to be nervous about, but we’re just going to dive headlong into it and hope for the best. In other words, exactly what we’ve been doing. 🙂
Scary stuff!
We’ll spend four months or so on this incredible journey before heading south to the ranch in Texas for the holidays. In between Thanksgiving and Christmas we’ll travel to Ireland to visit Steven’s family, and while we’re there we decided why not hop a two-hour flight to Norway and poke around for a few days? Maybe drive the Atlanterhavs Road? Maybe see the Northern Lights? Who knows?!
Atlanterhavs Road – I would drive Scoopy on this road. LOL!
So that’s it. That’s our big plans for 2016. Unless, of course, we make a U-turn.
UP NEXT: Elking it up the coast
2016 will definitely be epic, just for the Alaska trip. Throw in the rest and Woo Hoo, wish I were joining you. I can exactly feel your fear and nervousness about Alaska. That's exactly what I thought. But once we got over the border and on our way north, the fear melted away. It all becomes clear in the moment. When you get there, you will understand. You will be fine!
I totally remember how you described the day before you went across the border, like you weren't prepared enough, like you were going into the abyss. And it turned out fabulous for you guys, we're hoping it does for us, too!
You're going to love it and I can't wait to see it through Steven's camera.
He's pretty excited, as you can imagine! I wonder if the Internet infrastructure has improved since you guys were there? Time will tell . . .
Let me make a suggestion, you really should take the Cassiar Highway in one direction anyway, it is spectacular scenery and saves you driving a lot of the route twice. I have been up it a couple of times with our motorhome and there is nothing there that is daunting at all. When you get to Dease Lake, stop at the RV Park there and take a side trip with your toad to Telegraph Creek. Make sure Steven has lots of memory cards for that trip, he'll need them.
You will be in our 'neck of the woods'.. Hopefully we will be able to get together!!
We are planning on it, but we haven't decided when. Thanks for the tip about the drive to Telegraph Creek. Steven will be prepared!
Yes! We'll stay in touch and see if we can set up a rendezvous!
Wow, looks like fun! Alaska is in our plans, but not for several years. We'll enjoy following along with your adventures.
We loved our trip in 2006 and so will you.
You'll have to study up on your Canadian – I've heard it's complicated 🙂 Sounds like an amazing year full of unique experiences – even if there are u-turns I'm sure it will still be epic!
haha, I'm pretty sure there's an app for that, eh? (See what I did there?)
We're sure looking forward to it! Hopefully do some boondocking along the way!
Lots to love about going this year, Laurel. Fuel prices and exchange rate being at the top of the list. With El Nino, perhaps better weather? Time will tell…