Pacific Coast, California, Spring 2022 The drive along the Pacific coast is hard to beat for scenic beauty. Every twist and turn of Highway 101 opens onto another vista of rocky cliffs dropping down to meet blue-green waves and foamy surf. Add spring flowers and towering redwoods to the mix, and it’s unbelievably stunning. Last year, this was some of our most memorable scenery and we were looking forward to a repeat visit with more time to explore the redwood…
Arizona to CaliforniaMid to late April 2022 From Albuquerque, we dipped into Arizona to spend a few days at Lake Havasu. We camped at the state park, which turned out to be a much better location than Cattail Cove, where we stayed last year. This park was much closer to Lake Havasu City, with better amenities and things to do. We got the van serviced at the Ram dealership, did some trip planning, and relaxed near the water for a…
Texas to Utah and ColoradoMarch 2022 We left Louisiana and headed west toward central Texas. The areas around San Antonio and Austin have lots of history to explore. Potter’s Creek Corps of Engineers campground on Canyon Lake is a good base for visiting nearby San Antonio missions. The Potter’s Creek campground has lovely views of the lake with places to stroll and some very colorful sunsets. There are several breweries nearby. (Always a good thing.) One afternoon, we drove to…
Mid to late February 2022 Care-A-Vanners We had been mulling over the idea of volunteering during our travels. Most of the opportunities we had come across required a commitment of several months – a bit too long for us. We read an article in Escapees magazine about Care-A-Vanners, which is a Habitat for Humanity program for travelers like us. The Care-A-Vanner builds require a shorter commitment, usually two weeks. Sounded good to us. We applied and signed up to work…
Early to Mid-February 2022 From Carrabelle, we went to Florida’s Panhandle, returning to Fort Pickens campground in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We’ve stayed here before and it always feels like coming home. This time around, it was a bit chilly, with rain and wind that cut down on our beach walks and bike rides. But it’s still Fort Pickens, with its old timey feel, great sunsets, and lovely shore birds. This time, we were fortunate to meet up with…
January 2022 We took a break from the road to regroup and make some travel plans. It’s been cooler here than we’d expected, but we’ve managed to do some van maintenance, get a jumpstart on campground reservations, and see some local sights. This is off-season on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Our Airbnb is a condo in a marina complex. In the summer, I’m sure it bustles, but it’s quiet in January. Frequently, we’re the only folks around and our van is…
Late December 2021 to January 1, 2022 We bounced around Florida during the last few weeks of 2021. We returned to some favorite campgrounds and visited some that were new to us. At O’Leno State Park, we hiked the familiar trails along the Santa Fe River. O’Leno is one of Florida’s earliest state parks. You can still see hallmarks of the CCC’s construction, especially in the stonework. The camp sites are small and wooded, which goes along with its old-timey…
The holiday season marks the end of one year and the start of a new one. It’s a good time to gather your thoughts about the year that’s wrapping up, and also to think about what’s ahead. We really stayed on the move in 2021. We traveled in a giant loop around the perimeter of the country, covering about 35,000 miles. It’s worked out well for us to stay at a site three or four days, and then move on….
November 2021 Daytona, Florida On our way to Daytona, we spent one night at Anastasia State Park. With beach access, lots of places to hike and bike, and campsites stashed in the woods, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. It’s also just outside charming St. Augustine. Our reason for going to Daytona this time around was to visit my Aunt Gayle Bolles. It’s been ages since we visited in person. I’m so glad my cousin Linda encouraged us…
Late October – Early November 2021 Huntsville, Alabama Traveling in a compact motor home brings the opportunity to go a bit off the beaten track. Many state parks were built in the 1940s, when camping rigs were smaller and sites were nestled in the woods. The sites are usually spacious and set further apart. We really like these campgrounds, even though the amenities may be a bit behind the times. The Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville, Alabama is one…