Ivoryton, Connecticut Day 21 (GA533)

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 5,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

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The motorhome is parked at Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Desert, California. I’ll depart from here December 19th.

 

 

 

Since my RVing life is changing (see above), I’m starting to re-visit previously visited places. So rather than constantly re-blogging past entries, I’ve decided to do something different.

  In 2011-2013, Mary and I did a 682 day, 12,679 miles in the motorhome and 8,000 miles in the Bronco, circumnavigation of the United States, which I called The Great Adventure. I called it so because other than my oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation in June in Connecticut, I didn’t know where we would be going or when we would be there!

So, unless I do something really different and unusual warranting a new blog entry, I’ll be posting entries from that trip.

This entry was posted June 28, 2013…

 

 

 

 

The motorhome is parked at my son’s home where I’m expected to remain until July 17th visiting with my family.

 

 

Mary is back at  her home in California readying for a family reunion. She has a tentative return-to-me-date of July 16th.

 

 

A few days back while driving my grandson to a baseball game, I came across this pretty cove…

 

 

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across the road and downstream…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying pretty coves is another joy of the full-timing lifestyle!

 

 

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Connecticut. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

 

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

 

 

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

 

 

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

 

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! MARY WROTE A MANY GREAT BLOGS…SO WHENEVER SHE PUBLISHED A BLOG POSTING THE SAME DAY THAT I DID…YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ HER BLOG BY CLICKING THE BELOW LINK! DO IT NOW!

Mary did not post this date.

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is sunny and 71 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of California. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

“Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.” –James Madison

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

Seaside To Florence, Oregon

 Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.
I’m currently in my 22nd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

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Yesterday I drove the motorhome 169 miles from Seaside to Florence, Oregon. The entire trip was on U.S. Highway 101 which has lots of twists and turns, ups and downs, took five hours.

 

I’ve driven the Oregon Coast numerous times over the years. The below photos are from past years…

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m parked at Thousand Trails South Jetty RV Resort in Florence, Oregon.

 

 

 

 

The entrance…

 

 

 

 

My camping spot…

 

 

 

 

And the usual dinette window photo…

 

I’m expecting to depart here if 4-5 days.

 

 

 

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PHOTOS.

 Forecast for today is mostly sunny and 65 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer! The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Washington. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap. http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 700 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://get.google.com/albumarchive/110455945462646142273?source=pwa

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2017

Lake Shastina – Weed, California

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 22nd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

---

Yesterday I drove the motorhome 85 miles from Anderson to Weed, California.

 

Along the way I passed by Lake Shasta. I cannot ever remember seeing the water level so high. The drought is over…

 

 

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few more miles up the road Mount Shasta is looking good…

 

 

 

 

I proceeded thru Weed, California (population about 3,000). About five more miles and I parked at a free campground along the shore of Lake Shastina. It’s my first time here…

 

 

 

 

Here’s the usual dinette window photo…

 

 

 

And here’s a 180 degree view from the top of my motorhome…

 

 

 

Here are some other photos I took. Note the building on the top of the hill…

 

 

 

 

Here’s a better view…

 

 

 

 

 

And the trees in the lake…

 

 

 

 

And the hammock between the trees…

 

 

 

 

About 6PM…

 

 

 

 

5:15 this morning with a light rain…

 

 

 

 

Only about five miles from Interstate Highway 5, it proved to be a very quiet and peaceful stay.

 

 

 

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PHOTOS.

 Yesterday was cloudy and 78 degrees. Forecast for today’s expected destination is cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and 75 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of California. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 700 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://get.google.com/albumarchive/110455945462646142273?source=pwa

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2017

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK-HURRICANE RIDGE

Glaciers still survive on Mount Olympus, but fast melting has certainly affected the area.

Normally at this time of year, this vast ridge is snow-covered. We enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful drive up to Hurricane Ridge even so.  Olympic National Park has a fantastic film about the flora and fauna, the rainforest aspects, the water shed and natures balance. Once neglected, “…nuthin’ up there but stunted trees…” made it possible to save species known to exist only  here, the marmot is one.  Unfortunately, people have introduced invasive species, the natural predator, the wolf is gone, black bears are gone and deer have to be thinned. Maybe someday, the predators can be reintroduced.

Two major paved trails, Hurricane Hill and The Meadow were available. We chose the Hurricane Hill trail, from which you can see Vancouver and the entire sound. We got to within an hour and a half of the top before it got too steep for us. There are many trails, unpaved, off the two main ones for avid hikers and back packers. And, many deer. We met this one on the trail walking toward us, quite unafraid.

She simply walked around us…

…and returned to the path behind us.

As we hiked, the mountain to our right as we climbed, is a mountain that gets less rain on its western slope.

I spotted a Christmas tree.  It looked as though someone took the time to add silvery glitter to the top of the tree. It sparkled in the sun. Could it be ice? Or…?

A close up reveals the source. It is sap. We noticed this sap on several trees after this one.

As we hiked in a strong breeze, we noticed the wind sculptured trees. We warmed and I peeled my hooded sweatshirt off and wrapped it around my waist.

This lone alpine blue bell was on its last bright show.

It was a beautiful day to visit. We enjoyed a little over four hours at the park. If you go, bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch.

As we drove away, we saw another herd of deer along the road. Several are out of sight in the bushes.  If you want to see all of my pictures, click on the link below.

2014-9-8-Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge

CANOEING, AND THE HIGH STEEL BRIDGE

The morning before cousin Bob arrived, Melissa invited me to go canoeing on nearby Lake Kokanee.

It isn’t a very big lake, just right sized, with smooth as glass waters.

She steered and we both paddled. I brought my small back-up camera and didn’t realize the lens was spotted.

I learned to paddle and she likes canoeing better than kayaking. She finds the stroke relaxing and easy to enjoy.

We were surrounded with beauty. The lake has picturesque little inlets.

The weather was beautiful, perfect for photos.

Kind of like an abstract painting.

We saw two boats in this quiet floating painting. Perfect. The lake does not allow motors.

Then yesterday, David and Melissa took us for a scenic drive, through Shelton, Potlach, and on to Hoodsport and above to view the High Steel Bridge.  I think we traveled, north, south, east and west. My sense of geography and direction are not to be depended upon. We stopped here,  hoping to get a glimpse of Mt. Rainer.  Can you see it?  Neither could we. It was totally under cloud cover, but what a lovely little valley.

I caught a glimpse of a little spot of fall.

We probably spent an hour on the bridge, trying for the perfect photo of this deep canyon, with a thin stream of falls to one side.

The Skykomish River forged this deep canyon eons ago.

A triple fall replenishes this portion of the canyon. On everyone’s lips, “We should come see this canyon during winter.”  Of course, the falls would be  spectacular.

We kept taking picture after picture.

But who can question mother nature’s plan.

We returned to the site and enjoyed our last meal together and said our goodbyes, with promises to meet again soon, now that we’ve gotten to know each other. And, I’m sure we will. I’m so grateful we were able to re-connect with cousins, meet Melissa and their little dog, Toby, and enjoy new adventures.

 

 

GATEWAY TO THE COLUMBIA GORGE

Troutdale advertises itself as the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge with a huge metal gate at the entrance to town. It guides you onto Historic Highway 30, which at one time was the only way East from the mouth of the Columbia. Now there is an interstate. The scenic drive is typified by sheer cliffs, overlooks, many waterfalls, steep, narrow, twisting  roads in some places.

Vista House sits at the crest. It gives panoramic views of the area and the only “rest stop” with bathrooms. It is dedicated to the memory of Samuel Lancaster, the chief engineer of Highway 30 who overcame tremendous obstacles both political and physical to replace the Columbia Trail with a hard surface road so that millions of us can enjoy the “Poetry and drama of God’s spectacular Creations.”

There isn’t much parking space for motor homes on the various pull outs to its scenic wonders and hikes. Jim hesitated driving into this spot because you couldn’t see far enough ahead to know if you could get back out. The warning on this road is no vehicle over 50 feet long. We are 46 feet with the tow. On the trip we saw one other very small Class C motor home.

The view upstream from the crest.

The first falls was Latourell, I was lucky enough to get from the window. No available parking for us here.

At Bridal Veil falls, I hiked the steep double back trail down to the bottom of the falls. It you go, realize the trails make the walk easy enough and benches for resting on the way back up are strategically placed.

This falls comes down in layers and ripples like a river before it hits bottom.

The falls we wanted to see most, Multnomah, is the second highest year-round waterfall in the U.S. It plummets 620 feet against some beautiful basalt water formations. But, the parking area  was crowded and we couldn’t get off the narrow road enough to walk back to it at any spot. It was just a lucky shot I got out the window. There is a beautiful picture of it at Wikipedia with a daring bridge and both tiers showing. You can check it out at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multnomah_Falls
My point is, if you go, take a car, not a motor home. There is a visitors center here and you could spend some time just drinking in the freshness and beauty of this site.

Again, no parking available at Horseshoe Falls. I caught a shot of it with my head out the window. A woman walking by said to me, “You are the picture!”  We both laughed. One thing about this road, you must drive slowly. It was tight and narrow for the motor home but after Jim’s trip to Central America, nothing daunts him.

In a couple of places the basalt  hung over the road and appeared like it would hit the top of the motor home.
We drove on to the Bonneville Dam. More on that tomorrow.