#5 Dec 2013 Siskiyou Pass into California

One of our concerns was getting over the Siskiyou Pass in southern Oregon into northern California. We had heard stories ranging from ice and blowing snow to no problems. We also tried to comprehend the topography of the pass. The road goes way up, then levels off for miles, then goes way down. Now we know that is exactly what happens. We are used to Rocky Mountain passes which go up then down without miles of plateau in between. Ralph’s comment was that he was either “full brakes” or “full fuel”. Mount Shasta dominates the plateau view for many miles much like Mount Baker in the Lower Mainland and Mount Rainier in Seattle. We had a beautiful clear day and no problems on the pass.

We stopped in Redding CA at Redding Premier Resort ($43 USD) with great service and sites again. The next day was our first sunny one and we soaked it up. Our next stop was in Patterson CA at Kit Fox RV Park ($39 USD) where we setup then walked across the street to stretch. We went into “Stewart & Jasper Orchards” store where Billy, a local character, started chatting while we were drinking local wine.

Let’s sit down and learn! He talked about local viticulture and agriculture and gave us an insight into what we had seen beside the highway and wondered about. Some of you may know that Ralph really, really enjoys pistachios. We knew they are grown in California. Now we know they grow on trees and we had likely passed many on the road. Well, we had to purchase some local ones and check them out. Ralph is now in pistachio heaven!

We had heard about Windmill Farms. As we approached Mojave CA we saw hills and valleys full of many sizes and shapes of windmills. This left us with more questions than we could formulate.

That night we stayed at Sierra Trails RV Resort ($24 USD) in the wide open Mojave Desert. We enjoyed the sunset and the first full moon of our adventure.

We started talking to the fellow in the next site. He is a widower about our age who has a home in southern California but has traveled the last 18 months in his motorhome. Prior to that he rode his Harley around the US and eastern Canada for a year covering 25,000 miles! He gave us lots of info about California and helped us picture where we would be traveling.

We averaged $40 USD per night which was more than we hoped to spend but we stayed at convenient parks which are usually more expensive. They were all pull through sites which meant no unhooking of the Suzuki, therefore, saving us time and energy.

Our five days of travel took us from:

familiar wet, cloudy coastal scenery to

the maze of cities around Seattle to

the maze of highways around Portland to

flat, irrigated land to

foothills and Siskiyou Pass (which at 4300’ does not convey the steepness of the road)

more foothills into flat land then

high desert and mountains then

more flat land, forever, it seemed.

The GPS keeps us on the right track and saves a great deal of time looking for highways and RV parks. Technology is usually Ralph’s interest and my frustration; however, the GPS is my BFF (after Ralph).

#4 Dec 2013 This is Really Happening!

One of the reasons we moved to Surrey 15 years ago was to get away from snowy, cold winters. The ‘wet coast” rarely gets snow and even more rarely in early December. If we needed any more incentive to head south for the winter it started to snow December 9th. Then it warmed and froze and the roads in the RV park in Surrey were too icy to escape with the RV.

December 13th the roads were safe and we declared everything was put away someplace and we could close the slides. About noon we arrived at the border with some trepidation about the questions we might be asked. This was our first extended trip into the US and we hoped we had every possible answer ready. The border guard only asked 3 questions:

Where are you going? Everett WA

Are you going to leave anything in the US? No

When are you coming back? Mid March

Now That Was Easy. (No trademark infringement on Staples, I hope.)

I experimented with our Magellan GPS which is programmable for RVs. We enter the size of our unit and it guides us on roads where we will fit. A very comforting feeling since we have not driven any of the roads ahead with a large RV. When we are towing the Suzuki we can’t back up so we really want to know where we’re going.

We had a reservation in Everett WA at Maple Grove RV Resort ($49 USD) and arrived mid afternoon. This was our introduction to very friendly, helpful staff in RV resorts. Welcome and can we help with anything? We asked where to find a good supper within walking distance and were given directions to a great Mexican restaurant. After we setup we stopped at the office to re-confirm the directions to the restaurant. One of the ladies in the office was just going off duty and offered to drive us to the restaurant. What great service. We celebrated the first meal in our adventure with great food and Mexican beverages. The next morning when we checked out the same lady was in the office and asked if I had a margarita with supper. I held up two fingers and everyone in the office cheered.

When we are travelling in good weather we try to have a light lunch in the cooler and stop at an interesting viewpoint or rest area. Now that is even easier. We stop at the same places but only walk back to the fridge and pull out whatever looks interesting – leftovers or crackers and cheese, etc. That has become our travelling pattern with only 200 to 300 miles a day. We plan the next day in the evening and with the GPS pick an RV park.

On our second day we drove south through dense fog which blossomed into a fabulous sunset. It lasted forever and kept getting better just as our new lifestyle will do. We stopped in Coburg Oregon at Premier RV Resort ($44 USD) and again great people. As many of you know we enjoy a glass of wine now AND again. We bought a bottle of Oregon wine ($24.00 USD) and realized how much we have been sheltered from retail prices when Ralph was making our own local wine and beer.

#3 Jul-Dec 2013 We had a new home. Now to get ready for the road!

We had a new home. Now to get ready for the road.

In July we packed what we thought we would need in the RV, picked up Lindsay and headed for Jasper. This would be practice for our new lifestyle. Dave and Danica met us in Jasper and we took everyone on a trip down memory lane. What a great time as we visited places that were highlights of Ralph’s and my early years together. Of course the perfect weather on our trip on the Columbia Icefield Snowcoach was truly a mountain top experience.We showed our family the original yellow Snowmobile from the 1960s and 1970s. The modern red Coach even has our name on it - too bad that doesn't translate to $$.

We re-visited Pyramid Island which has always been our favorite picnic spot and soaked up the peace and tranquility of the lake and mountain.

Our RV was a huge success as we had most of the comforts of home but none of the responsibilities. There was lots of learning as we setup and leveled the RV on a very uneven spot. We were also leaving a trail of fresh water as the overflow hose was not at the correct angle. That was one of many small problems we encountered and had to resolve when we got home. We made a few return trips to Chilliwack for repairs and added Sirius radio to keep us entertained as we travel.

We also “upgraded” the license plate. Ralph has always initialed documents with RWB and he is the ONE and only.

All the back and forth for repairs and upgrades were stressful as we were both working full time and sorting through our “stuff” in preparation for our next downsizing. We made many trips to our storage unit and donations of household goods and clothing (no more work clothes required).

We both gave our retirement notice for November 15th. Now we had a specific goal and planned to be on the road about December 10th. The pressure was on as we had to meet our deadline to be out of the apartment December 8th. We took the last load out at 2:30 AM that morning!

Ralph’s replacement at work took over officially November 1st so he didn’t need to be at work after that date. I, however, passed November 15th and worked most days until December 5th. By that time we were speaking to each other, BUT, very carefully. We were so tired and wired that anything would upset us but we survived - both of us intact. Once everything was out of the apartment we focused on where to put/stash/hide the items we “thought” would be the necessities of our RV lifestyle.

#2 May-Jun 2013 Now the Details

Now the details and negotiations between us could start.

We want to stay in provincial/state parks and RV resorts. Our “camping” was always in natural parks where we could see the stars and smell the trees. Now we are older and want some of the comforts of home – like electricity to operate the microware and make coffee. We learned that some parks/resorts can’t accommodate rigs over 40’ so that defined our length.

Now diesel versus gas. That was a big question that required much debate and negotiation between us. Diesel rigs are $20,000 to $30,000 more than gas. On a diesel pusher (engine in the rear), the entrance door is usually located in front of the steering axle which means access is across the foot well of the passenger (me). That doesn’t feel convenient when we are using the rig full time. Gas it would be. PS Ralph still wants his diesel with air suspension and brakes but no lottery winnings in sight.

Now what age of vehicle? The price of older units was tempting but Ralph always asked about technology and what might go wrong. We would live in this unit full time for a few years and cover many miles.

We talked to friends and RV dealers until we had a general idea of the vehicle we hoped would suit our plans. One Saturday in May we visited a dealership in Chilliwack but they had nothing that would suit us. Sunday morning there was a message on the cell saying a unit had come in with great possibilities for our requirements. Out to Chilliwack again. We put a deposit on a 2008 38’ Georgetown XL by Forest River with only 4400 km. It had not even been inspected by the shop so it was out to Chilliwack again Monday evening for a test drive. We drove it onto the freeway and back on the next exit. This is IT. Three trips to Chilliwack and we had a new home.

Next came the towed vehicle. Would we pull it on a dolly/trailer or flat tow it? Our current 2007 Toyota Yaris could only be towed on a dolly. We knew the vehicle history but it has low ground clearance. We want to go off the main roads and see more remote areas. Now, what vehicles can be flat towed and have more clearance? After much research to gain ideas Ralph phoned a car dealership. The first and only vehicle we saw was the right one. We have a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara that is towing behind us very easily. We sold our Nissan van and Toyota Yaris. Now we could begin to see the future.

#1 Aug 2012 - Apr 2013 In the Beginning!

We had no idea what RETIREMENT? would look like for us so let’s keep on working.

BUT our friends kept leaving and going on their retirement travels until so many were retired that we couldn’t keep track of who was going where and when they would return. When we did see, talk, email, Skype them they were seeing a world that we wanted to explore.

These thoughts must have been circulating sub consciously until August 2012 when we were in Alberta and Saskatchewan visiting family and friends. As usual we were on a very time limited schedule. How could Ralph and Linda afford to travel and not be restricted? Retirement could be full time RVing. Yes, let's sell our townhouse and hit the road!

That would take a big commitment on our part but we had done it before. In 1978 while living in Canmore AB we signed on with CUSO to move to Papua New Guinea for 2 years. We sold our mobile home and furniture then put personal “stuff” into storage. Dave was 4 and Kari 16 months when we flew to the other side of the world. We have never regretted the move or the experiences.

September 2012 we started with a garage sale and continued getting rid of “stuff”. We were both ready to let go of most of our possessions.

We updated and staged the townhouse and listed it January 2013 and accepted an offer a week later. April 1st (no fooling) we moved into a rented apartment. That would be our next downsizing as we researched the RV lifestyle.

From 1974 until we moved to Surrey in 1999 we had always camped with a small trailer. We knew we needed a bigger unit but what would that look like. Ralph always had a BIG dream about owning a camperized bus but we had not won any lottery. Reality check. With over 4 decades in the bus industry Ralph can repair and drive a bus but my vision would not allow me to drive a large vehicle. I wanted to be able to drive a vehicle in case of an emergency. That eliminated a pickup and fifth wheel so we started exploring motorhomes with a towed vehicle. What length, age, manufacturer, price would work for us?