To our family, friends and followers……………….The End.
Wouldn’t that be funny if we were to end it that way? Doesn’t it pretty much tell you everything in a nutshell anyway?
I’m pooped and wanna go home
Yes folks, we have come to the conclusion that this chapter in our lives has run its course. We now realize that although it has been rewarding, it’s not the lifestyle for us. No regrets, lots of cherished memories and wonderful experiences. Quitting full timing in an RV wasn’t something we decided overnight, but once we agreed we weren’t going to do it anymore, we’ve had a great sense of peace about it. We still plan to travel, see new places and have adventures but not from an RV .
Sunset when we were at Grand Isle Louisana
We plan to head home to Medical Lake Washington in the next couple months and settle down in our little house. We’re looking forward to doing the things we were one time tired of doing (like mowing the lawn), and are excited to just settle down again. Still Lovin’ life and looking forward to whatever comes next.
We are all so blessed with options in life and the freedom to change our paths
We’ll continue to post about our travels, adventures and life lessons, hope you keep on following along.
The day began and ended with birthday wishes, hugs and lots of love, who could ask for anything more! It was a great day, and the best part was that I got to spend it with loved ones.
The guys singing me happy birthday, so cute
Papa came over in the morning bearing 4 snack size snickers and said one for every ten years. We took one out of the wrapper, put a candle in it and the guys sang me happy birthday.
me before my Snickers wish
Later in the morning Mitch surprised me with a treasure hunt, which is one of my most favorite things. I followed clues that lead me to new notes, each one containing a voucher that I can cash in with him such as a romantic candle light dinner, a massage and a whole day of him waiting on me. The funniest part is that he put expirations on each of them. Why put expirations on each voucher? Well, the first hunt he ever did for me was 7 years ago on Easter and I have yet to cash them in because I’ve saved them for just the right time… Ok, I just love knowing I still have them to cash in.
an overflowing basket of my favorite candies!
We headed out for a night on the town, but first we made a stop at Starbucks to get my free birthday coffee, a yummy iced caramel macchiato. It got me fueled up for my shopping spree at Kohl’s. I had gotten two 10-dollar vouchers in my email that expired on my birthday. It was the perfect time because I also had a 30% off. Believe it or not I got a hat, a scarf and a knit top for a total of $9.80, saving a total of $82.20! Best shopping deal ever!
Cashing in on my Kohls coupons!
For dinner we stopped and picked up Cindy and met Alice at Olive Garden for a deliciously fun time.
Turning 40 with one of my most favorite friends! Life is good.
Since I have such a love of hats, I thought it would be great to bring a couple for the girls to wear too.
Making memories and capturing the moments
It was good fun and I think I would like to make it an every year birthday thing, where all my peep wear hats for my birthday gatherings, we all know I have enough for everyone to wear. Yippeee.
My one and only
When we made it back to Cindy’s I was totally surprised when I saw all the decorations that Mitch and Cindy had put up to celebrate my special day.
Check out all the decorations!
The thoughtful gifts, the cake, and all the warm wishes from everyone is so very appreciated!
Yes, there are 40 candles
Thanks for making me feel so special, my wonderful friends and family!
Traveling up the 101 from California to Oregon was beautiful, wet, windy and windy (two words spelled the same but with different meanings is called a heteronym! I learn something new everyday).
Papa just loves the giant red wood trees
Heading north in California we were in awe of the beautiful San Francisco bridge and saw Alcatraz from a distance, we had no real thoughts about the bridge that we were on, until we went through the toll. To cross the bridge it cost $20 because of our travel trailer. Yikes, be prepared if ever traveling with an RV to pay more for toll booths.
so long sunshine and cows, until next time
Our days began to mesh together as we traveled from town to town going north as the third day came around and the rain wouldn’t let up.
Driving up the 101
We did have the opportunity to stay at Harris Beach State Park in Oregon for a night and took the dogs for a walk in the rain. We hope to visit the coast again, no matter what the weather’s like, it’s gorgeous!
Walking down to the beach on a trail at Harris Beach State ParkMitch with the dogs at Harris Beach State ParkView from the top at Harris Beach State Park
Unfortunately, Walmart isn’t very accommodating when it comes to overnight stays in RV’s along the 101. One night we ended up finding an empty parking lot off the road and just hoped no one would wake us in the middle of the night telling us to move on.
There are herds of wild Elk just grazing on the side of the roadThe storm got so bad at one point, foam from the ocean hit our windshield
A highlight of our travels up north was meeting up with our friends, Kelly and Jerry at Depot Bay to have lunch at Mazatlan. The food was delicious and the view of the ocean was wonderful. We were so excited to stop and visit we forgot to take any pictures but having some hugs from home, refueled our spirits and helped us to keep on driving in the 60 mph winds that was rocking the RV like crazy.
Beautifully stormyfollowing the creek as it flowed into the ocean at Beverly Beach State ParkCreek flowing into the ocean at Beverly Beach State Park
We were going to stay at Beverly Beach State Park but the wind was blowing so bad, it was terribly wet and we were really ready to just get to our destination to Portland and stay at Champoeg State Park.
A rainbow at the end of a bad storm as we near our destination
We recouped for a couple days after all our driving only to have to move again due to space availability and length of stay. Thankfully we got to see Mitch’s sister Cindy, and my friend Alice was kind enough to offer us a place to park, unfortunately we couldn’t fit through her drive because of our height.
On our way to scout some RV sites with Cindy
We’ve encountered more than our share of no’s since arriving in the Portland/ Vancouver area, when it came to letting us stay at one site with the camper and trailer. Many have said that we would have to pay for two sites, doubling our costs. It has been challenging to say the least. Thankfully we found Van Mall RV Park in Vancouver and they were willing to let us squeeze into one site. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those parks and the people who have allowed us to stay in one site at their park!
We arrived at Oakhurst, California on Monday afternoon the 10th of February and decided to stay at High Sierra RV and Mobile Park. It’s quite, it’s quant, we have the whole RV park to ourselves, and we’ve loved the weather.
Creek that runs by our RV site
Although we’ve only stayed for three nights, the town of Oakhurst is on our list of favorite towns.
High Sierra RV Park
Everyone we encountered during our stay was friendly and personable; it’s a bigger town, with a small town feel and a welcoming attitude. We chose Oakhurst because of it’s location to Yosemite, but recommend it because of it’s own attributes.
I ‘ve had a love of waterfalls since I can remember, even before I knew that they put off negative ions that create a relaxing effect and before I ‘d ever seen one in real life.
Bridalveil waterfall in Yosemite
Waterfalls rock!
Yosemite Falls
A coworker Mitch worked with told him about a phenomenon that occurs in Yosemite for only a few weeks in February. To experience God’s awesome light show, referred to as nature’s firefall, water needs to be flowing from Horse Tail Falls and the sunset not obscured by clouds.
Horsetail Falls on El Capitan at sunset
We spent most of our day in awe.
Papa soaking up the scenery
Every corner we turned once we arrived in the Valley was awesome.
Half Dome in Yosemite
What an amazing and majestically inspiring experience.
View of El Capitan, Bridalveil and Half DomeYosemite Post OfficeView from a picnic area in the Yosemite ValleyCalm weather allows for a great reflection
I was beyond excited when we pulled over and saw the handful of people standing around in a field with their tripods set up, and camera lens gazing at El Capitan.
Horse Tail Firefall
I walked directly to the nearest white bearded, kahki-coated, camera carrier to confirm we were in the right location.
The crowd gathers for the nature show
I could have started dancing right then. After scouting out the best spot to take pictures, I did a bit of jumping up and down, clapping and smiling from ear to ear. As we stood and waited for the next hour, we chatted with our neighbor firefall fan named Thomas, who drove up from LA and was staying a week to get pictures of the fall from different angles. As the sun began to set, the chatter quieted and the melodic clicks of cameras began.
It was only for just a minute, and for all the pictures I took, I wanted to take thousands more from every angle. Only after the sun had set, did I realize how cold it was, and how many people had arrived to capture to moment. It saddened me that there was no clapping or dancing to commensurate the event, but since it was my first time I was trying to show some self-reservation.
No worries, since yesterday we started a firefall fan club, there is currently two members, Mitch and Myself. The next time we are in Yosemite for the magnificent firefall I plan to cheer and clap to show how honored I am to be a part of a breathtaking moment in time and not keep all my gratitude for the moment bottled inside.
Photo I took on the drive home, it reminds me of a painting
We are now heading towards Brookings, Oregon, a place we have wanted to visit for a couple years, but Yosemite will always remain in our hearts.
Goin' Road Trippin' 