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“Yosemite !!!” by N&J.
Yosemite National Park, California (Sep 14/14) – A wonderful place to visit. High expectations, high elevations… the eastern park entrance at Tioga Pass topped out at 9,980’, truly a long climb for Hobbes, thankfully the temperature was moderate. Coming in to Tuolumne Meadows the tall grasses reach out welcoming those who enter, and in awe… inspires one to continue on. John Muir, a Scottish-born American environmentalist (before it became popular), spoke of “going to the mountains is going home”. For N&J this quote speaks volumes. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery The first night was in the High Sierra at Porcupine Creek, a…
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“Honeymoon Suite” by N&J.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada (Sep 07/14) – Hobbes adorned with “Newlyweds” on the back window, “Love”, “N+J” on the sides… passerby’s honk, and others intrigued stop to hear the love story. Excited to share the fairytale over and over again like it is the first time… never tiring of the smile that it brings to people’s faces. New found friends along the road eager to hear more… every detail pronounced. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery The “Honeymoon Suite” while attracting much attention, affords the newlyweds definitely more privacy and no room for guests (couch-surfers… LOL! ). When the moment arises to find a…
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“Decompression & Healing” by N&J.
Pyramid Lake, Nevada (Sep 03/14) – N&J exited Burning Man (BM) earlier than planned (on Saturday evening before the burning of the man); N took ill with significant dehydration, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain and drop in blood pressure leading to an ambulance ride (yes Burning Man has everything!!!) to the ‘Rampart Medical Facility’ on the Playa. The ‘MASH-like hospital’ inside a maze of tents, air conditioned, a multitude of doctors & nurses (all volunteers working 12 hour shifts around the clock), the quality of care was excellent. No medical card required, no credit card, nothing… only place in the USA with free medical. N received 2 litres of intravenous…
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“We Got a Burning Desire” by N&J.
Black Rock City, Nevada (Sep 01/14) – Yes that time has rolled by again… Burning Man 2014 (BM). Last year was the first time for both N&J attending BM (as friends)… this time they are more than that, waaaay more than that, they are married!!! Preparations well under way, Hobbes has been readied for the journey, all systems go… BM clothing & costumes, tents, playa survival gear such as vinegar, eye drops, dust masks, and cases of baby wipes are stuffed into every nook & cranny. Thank goodness they have the small trailer (Calvin) to take on the extra load. The last trip to Black Rock City in Nevada was…
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“Honey! …would you look at that Moon!” by N&J.
Ross Lake, Wa (Jun 24-Jul 07/14) – Honeymoon to be remembered… Nope, not what you think. Considering N&J invited half of the entire free world to join up at N’s secret place to go camping after their nuptials. And no one let them down, they came in droves. No complaining from N&J though, all had a blast. The weather was hot & sunny, the lake was refreshing, the nightly campfires, the BBQ’s… what is there to complain about. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Most special was that N’s young nieces Haley & Addison stayed with us for almost the entire 2 weeks.…
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“Our 2 Minutes of Fame” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Aug 16/14) – What do they say about having your ’15 minutes of fame’? …well this should only take you 2 minutes to read. N was contacted a short while back from a chap who writes for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) wanting to do a story on Westfalia camper vans, the people who live the life, what it all means. Check out the story at this link to learn more about the ‘van’ N&J love to call home. http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20140813-dont-call-it-hippie-van *** BBC link currently broken, attempting to update ***
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“Tied & Knotted” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Jun 22/14) – A signature summer day on Canada’s west coast in Vancouver, the first day of Summer Solstice, the weather gods smiled grandly for N&J. The skies were blue, a gentle breeze blowing fresh ocean air, English Bay waves lapping onto the shore… it was to be a wedding day to be remembered. Yes N&J tied the knot. After meeting exactly one year to the very day, what started as a casual ‘Westfalia’ friendship, turned into a lifetime of companionship, travel and commitment to each other. On their initial journey N did her best to dissuade J from liking her too much, but eventually she came around,…
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“GEEEZ… It’s Really Hot!!!” by N&J
Huntington Beach, CA (Apr 26/14) – Departed San Fransisco driving south on Hwy1 (the coast route), fantastic seaside road with gorgeous ocean views… a visual overload. A great trip for Westfalia vans, slow pace of traffic (not a freeway), more relaxed form of travel. Passing through Santa Cruz was a chance to drop into Van Cafe, a VW camper van paradise for parts & camaraderie; and to pickup some Westfalia stuff. As the journey continued, came into Monterey, also visited Carmel by the Sea located next door to Pebble Beach… Mecca for the golf community. Overnighted at a quiet desolated pull-out along the ocean… click on pic to enlarge –…
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“Streets of San Francisco” by N&J
Santa Cruz, CA (Apr 18/14) – Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco is always a wonderous experience. Approaching from San Rafael, north of the SF, driving through the hot & dry hills, then onto the bridge… instant climate change!!! Hot to frigid cold, dry to ocean moist, resulting in windows fogging & the panic to turn on the AC (It’s already on!?!)… open the windows to resolve. This bridge is HUGE!!! The view of the ‘City by the Bay‘ is beautiful as N&J make their way across the bridge, the blue white-capped waters of the ocean entering under the bridge, it all is so enticing… drawing you…
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“Is This Really Something to Whine About?” by N&J
San Francisco, CA (Apr 13/14) – Heading eastward, away from the Pacific Ocean brought on a different feel in the air. No longer that ‘fresh salty scent’ of the sea, the climate became much drier (and warmer). As N&J entered Napa Valley, the prime US wine growing area, the land became adorned with what one could describe as ‘ribbons of green’ rolling over the hills & across the valley floors… wine vineyards for a far as the eye could see. Quite overwhelming to the unsuspecting… There are hundreds, probably thousands of wineries to choose from in Napa. No way N&J could sample them all (OK, OK… N was willing to…