Van-Tramp adventures 2015
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Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/olympic-national-park-hurricane-ridge/
A planned getaway into Hurricane Ridge, a part of Olympic National Park, resulted in a frustrating drive behind a 25 MPH (or less) driving couple that refuse to use both their mirrors or any turnouts. I was finally able to pass them in the last few miles remaining of the 17 mile road, but by then my blood was near boiling. Kerri kept me sane and calm [enough] to stop my ‘having a word’ with them as we entered the Visitor’s Center to get my obligatory lapel pin for finally being able to visit Olympic National Park proper, my 70th National Park visited.
After avoiding the road rage incident, Kerri and I took to the trail leading out to Sunrise Ridge. I’d love to make it sound like some 12,000 foot climb, just to justify the amount of panting and sweating I did, but it was not. Only a few hundred feet in elevation from the Visitor’s Center at best making it clear just how out of shape I have become in the past year.
Kerri, in a previous visit, was unable to make the final few hundred feet due to her vertigo. On this visit she completed the hike started two years ago. Low hanging clouds blocked the view for most of our time on the trail, but we did get in a few sights on our return trip.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7131-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7132-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7139-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7148-1024x577.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/olympic-national-park-hurricane-ridge/
A planned getaway into Hurricane Ridge, a part of Olympic National Park, resulted in a frustrating drive behind a 25 MPH (or less) driving couple that refuse to use both their mirrors or any turnouts. I was finally able to pass them in the last few miles remaining of the 17 mile road, but by then my blood was near boiling. Kerri kept me sane and calm [enough] to stop my ‘having a word’ with them as we entered the Visitor’s Center to get my obligatory lapel pin for finally being able to visit Olympic National Park proper, my 70th National Park visited.
After avoiding the road rage incident, Kerri and I took to the trail leading out to Sunrise Ridge. I’d love to make it sound like some 12,000 foot climb, just to justify the amount of panting and sweating I did, but it was not. Only a few hundred feet in elevation from the Visitor’s Center at best making it clear just how out of shape I have become in the past year.
Kerri, in a previous visit, was unable to make the final few hundred feet due to her vertigo. On this visit she completed the hike started two years ago. Low hanging clouds blocked the view for most of our time on the trail, but we did get in a few sights on our return trip.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7131-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7132-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7139-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_7148-1024x577.jpg[/img]
B and C
Well-known member
Van-Tramp said:
Just try to remember life is a journey, not a race. It is amazing how much more you can see if you slow down a little. I don't much care to make a drive looking at the back of another vehicle either. Back off a ways and enjoy the vistas (and lower your blood pressure). I might on occasion resemble the turtle depicted (used to be the rabbit); but I am older now and have figured out I see more the slower I go and I let the younger, no time to lollygag crowd rush by. I do use turnouts, a good reason to get out and see something most of the time or just stretch my legs. It seems someone told me the rule is to pull over if there are 3 or more vehicles behind you. I normally pull off for 2. I used to destination drive too and missed so much that now later in life I am having to retrace so many steps because of the "I got to get there now, I am out of the allotted time for the trip" that I missed a lot. I guess I will be driving to the RTR as a rabbit next January and it will be interstate all the way. I cannot leave until late on the 4th.
Keep posting. I immensely enjoy reading your posts.
Brian
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Port Townsend
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/port-townsend/
Since meeting and getting to know Kerri – way back in Jan of this year – she has been telling me about how much she loves Port Townsend, Washington. So much so that we even planned our Alaska trip to return into the lower-48 via Washington just to spend a few weeks here.
[img=474x296]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7081-1024x639.jpg[/img]
Left to right; @Bodeswell_vw, @Malimish_Airstream, Aluminarium.com, & us.
The first week was spent camping at the local Elk’s Lodge with fellow Alaska travelers @Malimish_Airstream and @Bodeswell_vw as well as meeting up with Leigh and Brian of Aluminarium – whom I refer too as my Airstream-parents (although I believe both are younger than me) since they introduced me to all these silver-banana folks. I have not seen Leigh and Brian since we parted ways back in Arizona back in February. We had the run of the place for the majority of the week. Everyone in the group took the time to do a little sharing on IG here, here, here, and here… and so do did I.
As you may have already read, Kerri and I ventured off to visit Hurricane Ridge, Fort Worden, and Dungenous Refuge while based at the Elk’s Lodge. This did not leave a whole lot of activity to do once we moved to the Marina where we spent two two weekends and one work-week camping along to waters edge.
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7232-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7234-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7225-1024x577.jpg[/img]
Mid way through the work week my Nephew (Cameron) and his girl (Jacqui) of @_FollowTheWind came all the way from Southern California to pay a visit. It has been two years since Cameron and Jacqui started roaming about in their van, and the entire time we have been just missing each other in our trips. It was a blast to finally get to hang out with them while on the road. A fair share of story-sharing, eating, drinking, and lap-sitting (from Moose of course) took place. The two even got to get out on the water with the kayaks.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7231-1024x682.jpg[/img][img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7176-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7213-1024x682.jpg[/img]
It was not until the final full day that we got ourselves into the water and paddled out to the Point Wilson Lighthouse which spent each evening winking it’s white and red lights at us.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7250-1024x577.jpg[/img]
In the end I found myself liking PT more than I thought I would. While the RV park environment is nothing special, the town is. There are no big-brand shops in town, all are local and unique. From the Rose Theatre where we watched Listen to me Marlon in the Starlight Room on a date-night with Leigh and Brian, to the underground restaurant Cellar Door where we had a fine meal and drinks before walking to Siren’s Pub to have a few more while watching the ships float by in the drizzle and darkness of the night before staggering home together.
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/port-townsend/
Since meeting and getting to know Kerri – way back in Jan of this year – she has been telling me about how much she loves Port Townsend, Washington. So much so that we even planned our Alaska trip to return into the lower-48 via Washington just to spend a few weeks here.
[img=474x296]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7081-1024x639.jpg[/img]
Left to right; @Bodeswell_vw, @Malimish_Airstream, Aluminarium.com, & us.
The first week was spent camping at the local Elk’s Lodge with fellow Alaska travelers @Malimish_Airstream and @Bodeswell_vw as well as meeting up with Leigh and Brian of Aluminarium – whom I refer too as my Airstream-parents (although I believe both are younger than me) since they introduced me to all these silver-banana folks. I have not seen Leigh and Brian since we parted ways back in Arizona back in February. We had the run of the place for the majority of the week. Everyone in the group took the time to do a little sharing on IG here, here, here, and here… and so do did I.
As you may have already read, Kerri and I ventured off to visit Hurricane Ridge, Fort Worden, and Dungenous Refuge while based at the Elk’s Lodge. This did not leave a whole lot of activity to do once we moved to the Marina where we spent two two weekends and one work-week camping along to waters edge.
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7232-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7234-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7225-1024x577.jpg[/img]
Mid way through the work week my Nephew (Cameron) and his girl (Jacqui) of @_FollowTheWind came all the way from Southern California to pay a visit. It has been two years since Cameron and Jacqui started roaming about in their van, and the entire time we have been just missing each other in our trips. It was a blast to finally get to hang out with them while on the road. A fair share of story-sharing, eating, drinking, and lap-sitting (from Moose of course) took place. The two even got to get out on the water with the kayaks.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7231-1024x682.jpg[/img][img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7176-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7213-1024x682.jpg[/img]
It was not until the final full day that we got ourselves into the water and paddled out to the Point Wilson Lighthouse which spent each evening winking it’s white and red lights at us.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7250-1024x577.jpg[/img]
In the end I found myself liking PT more than I thought I would. While the RV park environment is nothing special, the town is. There are no big-brand shops in town, all are local and unique. From the Rose Theatre where we watched Listen to me Marlon in the Starlight Room on a date-night with Leigh and Brian, to the underground restaurant Cellar Door where we had a fine meal and drinks before walking to Siren’s Pub to have a few more while watching the ships float by in the drizzle and darkness of the night before staggering home together.
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Cape Flattery
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/cape-flattery/
The work week was spent at Hobuck Beach Resort in Neah Bay with the only real outdoors activity being the 3/4 mile hike out and back.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7269-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x255]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7273-1024x550.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7281-1024x682.jpg[/img]
[img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7262-200x300.jpg[/img] [img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7285-200x300.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/cape-flattery/
Two years ago, when I was in this area, I chose not to come to Cape Flattery partly in frustration after the 2013 Government shutdown prevented me from seeing Olympic National Park. As it turns out it seems to have worked in my favor. This time around there was no shutdown (although it was highly possible again) and I got to make my first hike out to Cape Flattery with a someone-special, making it a much more enjoyable and memorable experience.
The work week was spent at Hobuck Beach Resort in Neah Bay with the only real outdoors activity being the 3/4 mile hike out and back.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7269-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x255]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7273-1024x550.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7281-1024x682.jpg[/img]
[img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7262-200x300.jpg[/img] [img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7285-200x300.jpg[/img]
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Hoh Rainforest
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/stupid-hoh/
Home this week has been the Minni Peterson Campground, right down the road from the Hoh Rainforest portion of the National Park. Not only is it free camping, it is quiet and mostly unused at this time of the year. A great spot to hop into the National Park for a hike or two, and that is exactly what we did on our first full day here. I’d show you the amazing scenery but I failed to load my camera with a SD card so I got nothin’. Kerri did snap a few and posted them on Instagram
I snapped my fair share of the views around the home-site but I feel like I dropped the ball not having some photos within the park itself.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7289-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7292-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7296-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x354]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7301-1024x764.jpg[/img]
On a personal note; I am officially tired of the rain and cold surrounding the Olympic National Park. Last week it rained nearly every day. This week started us off with a few days of heavy rain, but the past two days have had some clear skies up there above the trees. Sure, it is a beautiful place exactly because of all this moisture, but I need sunlight and warmth to survive… like a snake. Sssss damn-it!
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/stupid-hoh/
Home this week has been the Minni Peterson Campground, right down the road from the Hoh Rainforest portion of the National Park. Not only is it free camping, it is quiet and mostly unused at this time of the year. A great spot to hop into the National Park for a hike or two, and that is exactly what we did on our first full day here. I’d show you the amazing scenery but I failed to load my camera with a SD card so I got nothin’. Kerri did snap a few and posted them on Instagram
I snapped my fair share of the views around the home-site but I feel like I dropped the ball not having some photos within the park itself.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7289-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7292-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7296-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x354]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7301-1024x764.jpg[/img]
On a personal note; I am officially tired of the rain and cold surrounding the Olympic National Park. Last week it rained nearly every day. This week started us off with a few days of heavy rain, but the past two days have had some clear skies up there above the trees. Sure, it is a beautiful place exactly because of all this moisture, but I need sunlight and warmth to survive… like a snake. Sssss damn-it!
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Astoria Oregon
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/near-astoria-oregon/
Two full weekends and the work-week in between. That is how long we stuck around the Astoria area, specifically Fort Stevens State Park. Fort Stevens was our base camp to explore the area, and explore we did.
Our first destination was to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, my 71st National Park, where I immediately found out that I forgot to bring my camera’s SD again! Seriously, what is wrong with me that I forget the most basic of equipment to chronicle my travels so I may remember them longer than 16 seconds?
The visit lasted only long enough to grab my lapel pin, hike out to the old fort, and down to the river, before we returned to Washington State (just across a bridge) to Cape Disappointment State Park., but not before picking up my SD card (and Moose) from camp. Here, we hiked up (because the parking lot is no where near the building itself) to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center – which did a better job showcasing the expedition than the National Park – and took the tour before setting out on the trail to see the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
[img=260x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7307-260x300.jpg[/img]
The work week settled us back into a routine that we lost a few weeks back; going for short hikes each morning before the work day and visiting the town of Astoria a few evenings to enjoy the food and drink that it has to offer (as well as getting to see The Martian [I read the book first, much better]) which somehow included oysters each visit. Oysters make her so happy I tolerate the slimy things on the table where the most definitely do not belong.
The State Park offered a plethora of trails leading to a variety of places. We had the choice of hiking out to a small lake, an ocean beach, the old military fort, or just through the rain-forest that covers this part of the land… so we did them all. Over the course of the week we racked up some nice mileage, burned a few extra calories, which even the dogs got to enjoy.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7313-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7319-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7333-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7356-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7359-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7336-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7339-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x473]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7348-1024x1022.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/near-astoria-oregon/
Two full weekends and the work-week in between. That is how long we stuck around the Astoria area, specifically Fort Stevens State Park. Fort Stevens was our base camp to explore the area, and explore we did.
Our first destination was to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, my 71st National Park, where I immediately found out that I forgot to bring my camera’s SD again! Seriously, what is wrong with me that I forget the most basic of equipment to chronicle my travels so I may remember them longer than 16 seconds?
The visit lasted only long enough to grab my lapel pin, hike out to the old fort, and down to the river, before we returned to Washington State (just across a bridge) to Cape Disappointment State Park., but not before picking up my SD card (and Moose) from camp. Here, we hiked up (because the parking lot is no where near the building itself) to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center – which did a better job showcasing the expedition than the National Park – and took the tour before setting out on the trail to see the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
[img=260x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7307-260x300.jpg[/img]
The work week settled us back into a routine that we lost a few weeks back; going for short hikes each morning before the work day and visiting the town of Astoria a few evenings to enjoy the food and drink that it has to offer (as well as getting to see The Martian [I read the book first, much better]) which somehow included oysters each visit. Oysters make her so happy I tolerate the slimy things on the table where the most definitely do not belong.
The State Park offered a plethora of trails leading to a variety of places. We had the choice of hiking out to a small lake, an ocean beach, the old military fort, or just through the rain-forest that covers this part of the land… so we did them all. Over the course of the week we racked up some nice mileage, burned a few extra calories, which even the dogs got to enjoy.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7313-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7319-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7333-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7356-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7359-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7336-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7339-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x473]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7348-1024x1022.jpg[/img]
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Lewis and Clark Historical Park – Fungi hike
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/lewis-and-clark-historical-park-fungi-hike/
On our final day in the Astoria area, Kerri and I returned to Lewis and Clark Historical Park for one last hike in the area. The original plan was to take the Fort to Sea trail, but we didn’t get too far down the trail before full distraction took over. The sheer amount of mushrooms along the trail warranted – demanded – our attention, and since Kerri is quite the mushroom hunter, we spent our time doing just that. And though I have no taste for mushrooms – at all – I have always enjoyed photographing them…
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7368-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7406-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7365-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7366-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7388-1024x682.jpg[/img][img=474x268]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7375-1024x578.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/lewis-and-clark-historical-park-fungi-hike/
On our final day in the Astoria area, Kerri and I returned to Lewis and Clark Historical Park for one last hike in the area. The original plan was to take the Fort to Sea trail, but we didn’t get too far down the trail before full distraction took over. The sheer amount of mushrooms along the trail warranted – demanded – our attention, and since Kerri is quite the mushroom hunter, we spent our time doing just that. And though I have no taste for mushrooms – at all – I have always enjoyed photographing them…
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7368-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7406-1024x576.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7365-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7366-1024x577.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7388-1024x682.jpg[/img][img=474x268]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7375-1024x578.jpg[/img]
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Newport, Rogue, and Yaquina Head
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/newport-rogue-and-yaquina-head/
On the way South, along the coastline, we stayed a single night in Newport, Oregon, at the Marina. It was an impromptu stay, partly to prevent a drive through the greater Portland area, partly to avoid the silliness of Portland’s laws and partly to keep Kerri on the coast for as long as possible – it makes her smile. It also happened to work out well to find a welder who would fix a cracked weld on the truck’s hitch, preventing a major tragedy.
That evening we walked the short distance from the trailer to the Rogue House of Spirits to sample a few of the local bottles (Kerri did not leave without a couple 750ml samples in hand) then off to the Rogue Brewery where we tried a few stouts and ate a dinner way too large for the both of us.
In the morning we set out to have the weld fixed first thing then off to the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, which I must say was pretty darn outstanding. Stopping in at the visitor’s center we decided against taking a guided tour of the Yaquina Lighthouse due to the long wait (and my laziness). Instead we kept it simple and generally saw the sights which included the lighthouse, a family of seals relaxing in the cove, and a pod of wales in the distance off the point. If I had more time I would surely have loved to spend it in this park.
[img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7433-e1446482225902-200x300.jpg[/img] [img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7450-200x300.jpg[/img]
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7443-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7427-1024x577.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/newport-rogue-and-yaquina-head/
On the way South, along the coastline, we stayed a single night in Newport, Oregon, at the Marina. It was an impromptu stay, partly to prevent a drive through the greater Portland area, partly to avoid the silliness of Portland’s laws and partly to keep Kerri on the coast for as long as possible – it makes her smile. It also happened to work out well to find a welder who would fix a cracked weld on the truck’s hitch, preventing a major tragedy.
That evening we walked the short distance from the trailer to the Rogue House of Spirits to sample a few of the local bottles (Kerri did not leave without a couple 750ml samples in hand) then off to the Rogue Brewery where we tried a few stouts and ate a dinner way too large for the both of us.
In the morning we set out to have the weld fixed first thing then off to the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, which I must say was pretty darn outstanding. Stopping in at the visitor’s center we decided against taking a guided tour of the Yaquina Lighthouse due to the long wait (and my laziness). Instead we kept it simple and generally saw the sights which included the lighthouse, a family of seals relaxing in the cove, and a pod of wales in the distance off the point. If I had more time I would surely have loved to spend it in this park.
[img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7433-e1446482225902-200x300.jpg[/img] [img=200x300]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7450-200x300.jpg[/img]
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7443-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7427-1024x577.jpg[/img]
Silver
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- Aug 17, 2011
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[quote pid='162715' dateline='1446584127']
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7368-1024x575.jpg[/img] http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7406.jpg http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7366.jpg I love mushrooms !http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7388.jpghttp://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7375.jpg
[/quote]
[img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7368-1024x575.jpg[/img] http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7406.jpg http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7366.jpg I love mushrooms !http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7388.jpghttp://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_7375.jpg
[/quote]
highdesertranger
R.I.P HDR
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
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very nice Van Tramp. great pics. highdesertranger
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Thanks all. I got myself behind in the postings so I had to make a batch of posts today.
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Completing the loop
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/completing-the-loop/
It’s been a long week of driving. Since leaving Astoria we set on driving each evening, after work, to arrive in the Bay Area by the weekend. Newport was just the beginning with numerous stops plotted out along the route. We could not drive far on any given day, but as long as we drove each day we would arrive on schedule – actually two weeks ahead of schedule.
After Newport the first a stop was a scheduled one at AM Solar to remedy the battery charging issues that have popped up in the recent months. The appointment was first thing in the morning so we spent a night at the Valley River Mall. It was peaceful enough to wake early and arrive at AM Solar at 8:30am where it took half the day for the repairs.
Luckily, with a waiting room and free Wifi, the workday was not too interrupted and by evening we were on our way down I-5 to the Gold Hill Moose Lodge. I had stopped here for a week two years ago so I knew it would be a great place to hang out for a night and the following work day. This is where I happened upon Moose as well, nearly 2 years to the day. The evening consisted of a few drinks in the Lodge, explaining to the Moose Members that we full-time travel and work online (it’s always the same question-and-answer) then we settled down early for the night, waking too the sight of Mt Shasta right behind us (pic on blog post)
Again we stayed put for another day of work then set out at 6PM to put in a few more hours of southern migration. This time we stayed at a rest area right off the Interstate, arriving fairly late in the evening. Not really the best solution, but we parked well out of the way of the rumbling trucks and woke to a surprise visitor (seen below). We officially crossed into California during this drive.
Anderson, CA was our next night’s stop to stay another night at a local Moose Lodge. The standard questions and answers were asked and answered as we shared a few drinks (and pizza) with the locals. Another work day was spent here and off we went at 6PM for a but more driving Southward. It was here that the realization came to me, that if we kept up at this pace we would be driving *through* the Bay Area on Friday night after our work, and that is a bad idea. We were just a few hours north of Sacramento and out destination was the South Bay. This meant, I-5 to I-80, to I-680 and a whole lot of commuters would be doing the same. A quick discussion resulted in a change of plans which detoured us to Cache Creek Casino for a Friday overnight stay in their parking lot.
This allowed us to do the final 160 miles through the heavily congested areas on Saturday without commuter traffic. Here we camped at Sanborn County Park for a single night so Kerri could see her Grand Mother and Aunt before we made another long haul back up I-680, I-80, and into the foothills and Grass Valley where we currently sit.
It has been 7 consecutive nights (just over 1000 miles) of driving in the dark – something neither of us prefer to do – followed by work days and/or visitation. I welcome the three weeks of stationary life where I get to meet Kerri’s family and friends. In a few weeks, the roles reverse as we go back down I-80 to spend a week with my family who Kerri has not yet met.
By the way, this completes a full loop for me (and Kerri too). I left Northern California on Jan 1st of this year and have just returned. Check out this crazy loop (and all this year’s adventures)
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/completing-the-loop/
It’s been a long week of driving. Since leaving Astoria we set on driving each evening, after work, to arrive in the Bay Area by the weekend. Newport was just the beginning with numerous stops plotted out along the route. We could not drive far on any given day, but as long as we drove each day we would arrive on schedule – actually two weeks ahead of schedule.
After Newport the first a stop was a scheduled one at AM Solar to remedy the battery charging issues that have popped up in the recent months. The appointment was first thing in the morning so we spent a night at the Valley River Mall. It was peaceful enough to wake early and arrive at AM Solar at 8:30am where it took half the day for the repairs.
Luckily, with a waiting room and free Wifi, the workday was not too interrupted and by evening we were on our way down I-5 to the Gold Hill Moose Lodge. I had stopped here for a week two years ago so I knew it would be a great place to hang out for a night and the following work day. This is where I happened upon Moose as well, nearly 2 years to the day. The evening consisted of a few drinks in the Lodge, explaining to the Moose Members that we full-time travel and work online (it’s always the same question-and-answer) then we settled down early for the night, waking too the sight of Mt Shasta right behind us (pic on blog post)
Again we stayed put for another day of work then set out at 6PM to put in a few more hours of southern migration. This time we stayed at a rest area right off the Interstate, arriving fairly late in the evening. Not really the best solution, but we parked well out of the way of the rumbling trucks and woke to a surprise visitor (seen below). We officially crossed into California during this drive.
Anderson, CA was our next night’s stop to stay another night at a local Moose Lodge. The standard questions and answers were asked and answered as we shared a few drinks (and pizza) with the locals. Another work day was spent here and off we went at 6PM for a but more driving Southward. It was here that the realization came to me, that if we kept up at this pace we would be driving *through* the Bay Area on Friday night after our work, and that is a bad idea. We were just a few hours north of Sacramento and out destination was the South Bay. This meant, I-5 to I-80, to I-680 and a whole lot of commuters would be doing the same. A quick discussion resulted in a change of plans which detoured us to Cache Creek Casino for a Friday overnight stay in their parking lot.
This allowed us to do the final 160 miles through the heavily congested areas on Saturday without commuter traffic. Here we camped at Sanborn County Park for a single night so Kerri could see her Grand Mother and Aunt before we made another long haul back up I-680, I-80, and into the foothills and Grass Valley where we currently sit.
It has been 7 consecutive nights (just over 1000 miles) of driving in the dark – something neither of us prefer to do – followed by work days and/or visitation. I welcome the three weeks of stationary life where I get to meet Kerri’s family and friends. In a few weeks, the roles reverse as we go back down I-80 to spend a week with my family who Kerri has not yet met.
By the way, this completes a full loop for me (and Kerri too). I left Northern California on Jan 1st of this year and have just returned. Check out this crazy loop (and all this year’s adventures)
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Dog-iversary
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/dog-iversary/
[img=145x197]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/100_9500-755x1024.jpg[/img]
Today is the second anniversary of Moose and I finding each other in Gold Hill, Oregon while camping at the Moose Lodge (hence his name). He was just 3 months old at the time he found me (pictured) but has grown up so much in these two years. You can view more images of Moose on his About page or simply scroll down for my favorites.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0375a-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0709-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x288]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Moose1-1024x623.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_3658-1024x682.jpg[/img]
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/dog-iversary/
[img=145x197]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/100_9500-755x1024.jpg[/img]
Today is the second anniversary of Moose and I finding each other in Gold Hill, Oregon while camping at the Moose Lodge (hence his name). He was just 3 months old at the time he found me (pictured) but has grown up so much in these two years. You can view more images of Moose on his About page or simply scroll down for my favorites.
[img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0375a-1024x682.jpg[/img] [img=474x266]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0709-1024x575.jpg[/img] [img=474x288]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Moose1-1024x623.jpg[/img] [img=474x316]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_3658-1024x682.jpg[/img]
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Nuttin
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/nuttin/
The title pretty much says it. It has been a full week of nuttin’ doing, at least in the adventure department. Instead we are hanging out in Grass Valley with Kerri’s parents (which are quite nice I might add), eating home cooked meals, taking the occasional hot shower and dodging falling limbs (image below). It seems we brought Washington’s rain to California as well. Can’t really complain about it either since California is in such dire need of any rain fall. In fact, the dumping of our gray water right onto the ground is seen as a public service around these parts, since it came from Oregon. Anyway, we linger here for another 10 days, enjoying the sounds and weather of the Sierra foothills, before heading down into the Bay Area once again for my side of the family.
[img=474x712]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7489-682x1024.jpg[/img]
This limb fell on day-2 and came within a few feet of hitting the Airstream… and the dogs.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7485-1024x576.jpg[/img]
PS – Moose has gotten no less than 8 ticks (5 in one day) since arriving here. His only other ticks in his life came from California as well. There is something wrong with this place.
Update – two more ticks this morning.
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/nuttin/
The title pretty much says it. It has been a full week of nuttin’ doing, at least in the adventure department. Instead we are hanging out in Grass Valley with Kerri’s parents (which are quite nice I might add), eating home cooked meals, taking the occasional hot shower and dodging falling limbs (image below). It seems we brought Washington’s rain to California as well. Can’t really complain about it either since California is in such dire need of any rain fall. In fact, the dumping of our gray water right onto the ground is seen as a public service around these parts, since it came from Oregon. Anyway, we linger here for another 10 days, enjoying the sounds and weather of the Sierra foothills, before heading down into the Bay Area once again for my side of the family.
[img=474x712]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7489-682x1024.jpg[/img]
This limb fell on day-2 and came within a few feet of hitting the Airstream… and the dogs.
[img=474x267]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_7485-1024x576.jpg[/img]
PS – Moose has gotten no less than 8 ticks (5 in one day) since arriving here. His only other ticks in his life came from California as well. There is something wrong with this place.
Update – two more ticks this morning.
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
Changing plans
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/changing-plans/
Yesterday as Kerri and I were driving down the highway we started discussing the possibility of drastically changing our route (planned more than 18 months out). One of the great things about this lifestyle (living on the road) is that you can change your plans on a whim. After a night’s sleeping on it, we both agreed that it would be more enjoyable to make the proposed change; to include Baja Mexico instead of heading to New Orleans.
We both had our minds set on New Orleans, but with my son graduating this upcoming year we had a pretty tight schedule plotted out. We would have been driving every week for the first 5 months of the year, barely able to relax, to make the deadline. We had already discussed slowing our pace so we could more easily explore each area we live before moving on to another.
[img=648x405]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/proposed2016.jpg[/img]
Our original plan through September 2016
The new plan would include me flying out to Colorado in December to grab my van and bring it to California so we can take it into Mexico – not the Airstream. Yes, it is much smaller – it is half the size and with twice as many people and dogs as it is intended – but the van gives us greater freedom of movement and more places we can camp in Mexico. It would also blend in with the locals (and police) a bit more than a shiny, expensive, Airstream. We can camp when we want and when we need more room we can always rent a room – or cottage – for less than a week’s stay in an RV park in America.
[img=639x400]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/actual2016.jpg[/img]
The revised plan through September 2016
This would reduce the number of miles in our route by roughly 2000, give us two full months to explore Baja, and more time to get to Colorado for Timmy’s birthday and graduation. It will be a nice send-off for the van too, as I foresee it as the last trip the van and I will take together.
http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/changing-plans/
Yesterday as Kerri and I were driving down the highway we started discussing the possibility of drastically changing our route (planned more than 18 months out). One of the great things about this lifestyle (living on the road) is that you can change your plans on a whim. After a night’s sleeping on it, we both agreed that it would be more enjoyable to make the proposed change; to include Baja Mexico instead of heading to New Orleans.
We both had our minds set on New Orleans, but with my son graduating this upcoming year we had a pretty tight schedule plotted out. We would have been driving every week for the first 5 months of the year, barely able to relax, to make the deadline. We had already discussed slowing our pace so we could more easily explore each area we live before moving on to another.
[img=648x405]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/proposed2016.jpg[/img]
Our original plan through September 2016
The new plan would include me flying out to Colorado in December to grab my van and bring it to California so we can take it into Mexico – not the Airstream. Yes, it is much smaller – it is half the size and with twice as many people and dogs as it is intended – but the van gives us greater freedom of movement and more places we can camp in Mexico. It would also blend in with the locals (and police) a bit more than a shiny, expensive, Airstream. We can camp when we want and when we need more room we can always rent a room – or cottage – for less than a week’s stay in an RV park in America.
[img=639x400]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/actual2016.jpg[/img]
The revised plan through September 2016
This would reduce the number of miles in our route by roughly 2000, give us two full months to explore Baja, and more time to get to Colorado for Timmy’s birthday and graduation. It will be a nice send-off for the van too, as I foresee it as the last trip the van and I will take together.
mockturtle
Well-known member
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- Mar 28, 2012
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My dog was infested with ticks last spring in Rogue Valley, OR. He is on Bravecto now--just one tablet every three months and it keeps both fleas and ticks away.
Van-Tramp
Well-known member
He had a total of 12 ticks on one week even though I used Frontline on him.
mockturtle
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2012
- Messages
- 1,510
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The Bravecto killed all the ticks in just a few days. I'm sure he had about twenty at one time. I plucked them off and threw them in the toilet. I've never seen so many ticks! I mostly found them before they swelled but some were as round as my little finger.
