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Archive for June, 2009

“I can smell your gray water”

26 Jun
Our backyard at the San Francisco RV Resort

Our backyard at the San Francisco RV Resort

After a wonderful but hot week in Arizona, we arrived in chilly San Francisco on Saturday.  While we have preferred public parks on this journey,  I had done some research and knew that private resorts would be our better (but more expensive) option for getting into and out of San Francisco.  We chose the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica, California, for its somewhat convenient location to public transportation.  The private resort was really just an expensive parking lot.  But, it offered incredible coastal views and we enjoyed amazing sunsets every night.

Our cozy slot #21

Our cozy slot #21

Chris did an outstanding job backing into this tight space.  The parking lot…er…resort, however, was within walking distance to a grocery store, restaurants, and a much needed barber shop for grizzly Chris.  Most importantly, the property is kept clean and has some nice dog walk areas.  This was our home for the week.

I am very far behind on my entries and do apologize!  It has a been a full week of conference events for Chris and I was able to tag along for some of it.  We arrived in San Francisco on Saturday and went straight to the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco.  While we have preferred public parks on this journey,  I had done some research and this resort offered the most convenient location for Chris to get in and out of the city for his conference, which began on Sunday.  This was our first private resort…er…parking lot.  It really is just an expensive parking lot.  But, it offers incredible coastal views and we chose a parking spot with an ocean view.  Chris did an outstanding job backing into this tight space.  Our neighbors are so close that I could probably reach from my window and through their window.  The parking lot, however, is conveniently located to a grocery store, public transportation and some restaurants, which is also nice.  And, most importantly, the property is kept clean and has some nice dog walk areas.  This will be our home for the week.

Sunday was my first full day alone in my aluminum abode.  I was excited but a little wary of the day.  I was without internet and sitting alone in a parking lot.  After cleaning and doing laundry,  I got up the courage to hook up the sewer hose on my own.  I had dreaded the moment but was desperate to empty the gray water tank (gray water is sink and shower water, not to be confused with the “poo” water, known as black water).  So, I waited until our neighbors left to hook up the hose.  I didn’t want anyone around just in case the water exploded all over me, which I expect every time we go through this process.  I hooked everything up and slowly released the water into the designated sewage hookup.    It was a satisfying moment.   I strutted back into the Airstream with a grin on my face.  I stood proudly inside staring at the gray water’s green status light and enjoying my accomplishment.  Suddenly, a knock on the door.  It was the resort employee telling me I was missing a necessary connection to the sewer at that park and he could “smell my gray water.”  Words I never thought I would hear in my lifetime.  He was very nice about it…but my proud moment was gone.  I purchased the connector and hopefully no one else smelled my gray water at that park.  Ah, the life of the novice Airstreamer.

Chris rippin' it up!

Chris rippin' it up!

The rest of the week has gone well.   We have departed the city as the conference has ended but may remain in California for a few more weeks.  Last night we landed at the incredibly peaceful Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park outside of San Jose, where Chris finally enjoyed some quality ripstick time…at last.

 

Fiji, Costa Rica, and a Wal-Mart Parking Lot

17 Jun

After departing Canyon Lake, TX on Saturday, June 13th, we faced a weekend full of driving.  Several people warned us that the drive through Texas would be dull and flat.  It was indeed flat but I don’t think either of us found it dull.  It was all new landscape to us and we had satellite radio channels to keep us occupied (a major necessity for long drives).  While I wanted to attempt my first towing experience, the high winds made the drive challenging and I passed up the opportunity.  I promise, however, that I will attempt to drive this thing eventually.

We decided to get off of I-10, travel north and pick up Route 66 for a change of scenery and the route looked like it had some interesting side trips.  On Saturday, we made it to Carlsbad, New Mexico and parked at a Wal-Mart for the night.  Sunday marked our five-year wedding anniversary.  For previous anniversaries, I had the pleasure of waking up in exotic places like Fiji and Costa Rica.  This year, to celebrate five wonderful years, nothing says exotic like a Wal-Mart parking lot.
We continued our journey on Sunday driving through Roswell, NM (home of UFOs), Capitan, NM (home of Smokey Bear), and then picked up Route 66 in Albuquerque, NM.We had tentative plans of stopping in Grants, NM for the night but Chris was still wide awake and wanted to continue our journey.  We finally stopped for the night in Winslow, Arizona at the Homolovi Ruins State Park (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/HORU/ ).  The campsite was nice and the desert night sky was excellent for stargazing.

Leaving Albuquerque, NM on Route 66.

Leaving Albuquerque, NM on Route 66.

We continued our journey on Sunday driving through Roswell, NM (home of UFOs), Capitan, NM (home of Smokey Bear), and then picked up Route 66 in Albuquerque, NM.   We had tentative plans of stopping in Grants, NM for the night but Chris was still wide awake and wanted to continue our journey.

We finally stopped for the night in Winslow, Arizona at the Homolovi Ruins State Park.  The campsite was nice and the desert night sky was excellent for stargazing.

Sunset at Homolovi Ruins State Park

Sunset at Homolovi Ruins State Park

We stayed at the park until Chris finished his work on Monday and then we departed in hopes of making it to Lake Havasu, AZ, where we wanted to spend the rest of our week.  On the way, we stopped in Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ.  Flagstaff, AZ was a nice surprise for us – we were both really impressed.  We had fabulous pizza in Williams, AZ although it could be that we were just hungry after dining on Ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches the entire weekend (just like my exotic meals in Fiji and Costa Rica).  We didn’t make it to Lake Havasu but instead to the luxurious site of a Cracker Barrel parking lot.  While not the ideal location, we always appreciate free sites.

Buckskin Mountain State Park

Buckskin Mountain State Park

Finally, the next morning, we made it to Lake Havasu only to learn that we couldn’t get internet with our Verizon wireless gadget.  Not a good situation.  All was resolved eventually and Chris was able to work, but it made for a frustrating morning.  We finally found our next campsite, Buckskin Mountain State Park, the best yet, which sits on the Colorado River and has beautiful mountain views all around.  After the challenges of the morning and a long weekend of driving, cooling off in the Colorado River was not a bad way to end the day!  Looking forward to the week ahead with temperatures soaring up to 114 degrees.  (But, don’t worry, it’s a dry heat.)

 

You want to do what?!?

15 Jun

My husband is notorious for his crazy ideas-it’s what I love about him. Nothing is out of his reach or impossible. For me, everything is impossible, so I admire his ambition and courage and I have had some amazing adventures because of him. That being said, every now and then I have to seriously question some of these ideas. Is quitting our jobs and moving to South America a good idea when we’ve never been there? Is buying a farm in southwestern Virginia wise when we know nothing about farming? These are just a sample of questions I have asked on numerous occasions in the last few years. So, you can imagine my response when Chris said, “Hey! Let’s sell all of our belongings, buy an Airstream, and live on the road!” Of course, I did my typical response of, “You’ve truly lost your mind this time, Pokrana” because we had never been in an Airstream nor do we know anything about RV living. His Airstream idea seemed immature, crazy, impractical, and surprisingly, irresistible. While I had fears, the excitement of it all buried those fears quickly and I was onboard with this idea. Approximately 160 sq. ft. of aluminum bliss and the country as my backyard…who wouldn’t go for that idea?


The idea started in January. By April, we were the proud owners of a 2008 Airstream International CCD 23’. By the end of May, we had sold the majority of our belongings and had put the rest in a storage unit. During these few months, our family and friends asked the same questions: I’ll take a moment to answer each briefly:

Why?
Why not? Chris has the great opportunity to work from anywhere (providing there is internet). He travels a lot for work so I might as well be with him, right? It seems like a good time in our lives, especially since I just finished graduate school and we recently sold our home. Lastly, we crave adventure and the open road.


For how long?
Indefinitely, I suppose. Or, at least until we get tired of this lifestyle.


When will you ever settle down and have children?
Hmmm….eventually. Don’t worry!


What about your dogs?
They like a good adventure and will be joining us. (If Buddy’s barking gets us kicked out of campgrounds, we may have a dog up for adoption.)


Have you lost your minds?
To some, probably. To us, not yet. But, living in this small space may take us down that path. Only time will tell.

On June 1, 2009, after a whirlwind five months, we departed Blacksburg, Virginia and set off for our new adventure. Since I am late starting this, here’s the summary to date:

  • June 1- 4 – Stayed with my parents at their home in Villa Rica, GA. While Chris worked out of his Atlanta office, I went to Six Flags with my mom and nephew and rode all of my favorite childhood rides. It was a blast!
  • June 4-6 – Headed down to Florida to establish residency but just barely. Here’s a shout out to the kind DMV folks in Marianna, FL who stayed late on a Friday to process the drivers’ licenses. My stupidity caused us to walk into their office at 4:56 p.m.  While in Florida, we stayed at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, FL, which had clean facilities and nice campsites. As novice RV owners, we encountered a few embarrassing moments but our camp host kindly answered our questions. When water is not coming out of the city water pump, pull the lever up harder. Who knew?
  • June 6 – Drove to Beaumont, TX and “boondocked” at a Cracker Barrel. Along the route, we made a worthwhile stop at Coffee Call in Baton Rouge, LA for beignets and iced coffee.
  • June 7-13 – Drove to Canyon Lake, TX and have stayed at Potters Creek Park for the week so Chris could work. The week has been incredibly hot with temperatures in the high 90s. Highlights of the week include a great night out with friends in San Antonio and a relaxing kayak trip around Canyon Lake. The campground is clean and spacious and offers a beautiful view of the lake. The challenging part has been the distance from any stores, laundry, etc.

So, there’s the trip so far. We continue to learn new things about RV living daily, if not hourly.   Stay tuned!

 
 
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