-
“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 –…
-
“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…
-
“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…
-
“California Dreaming” by N&J
Calistoga, CA (Apr 8/14) – It has been a whirlwind few months for N&J since returning from their inaugural ‘epic’ trip, lots has happened… the Blossom of Love, the Tragic Accident, the Engagement, the First Christmas & a new (new to N&J) Westfalia “Hobbes”. With just over 2 months until N&J’s big day, no better time to escape the big city & head south for… California!!! Visited the quaint little town of Astoria located on the mouth of the mighty Columbia River on the north-western tip of Oregon State. Beautiful historic townsite with many interesting shops, pubs & restaurants. It was here that J surprised N with a new Trek…
-
Introducing….Mr. Hobbes by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Jan 2014) – Or simply HOBBES as N&J call him. After the disasterous (almost annihilating) event last November, when a UPS truck blew a stop sign, crossed Hwy 10, across their path that resulted in the tragic loss of their precious EMILY (N’s Mom’s dog) and the destruction of N’s beloved GIZMO…. they are excited to announce the ‘new’ addition to the family. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery He is a beauty!!! After a long search looking for just the right Westfalia that would be a tribute to GIZMO (who sacrificed his life for N&J). Found HOBBES lounging in Portland…
-
“An Engaging Topic” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Dec 25/13) – As N&J look back on their ‘epic’ journey across the western part of the US & Canada… traveling the open road, landscape passing before them, excitement at every turn, connections along the way, not wanting their journey to end… little did N&J realize that the time shared would be so profound. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Sharing a lot of time together in close quarters for almost two & half months… much to most of our reader’s amazement, they traveled this journey as ‘just friends’. “What… nothing happened?, not even a little bit?”. Nope. Nothing. Nada. Well,…
-
“Emily” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Nov 29/13) – It is incredible to think of the endless possibilities of chance that dot our lives along the ‘road of life’. During their 15,000 km journey N&J amazingly had ‘lady luck’ or ‘good karma’ following wherever they went. Yes, a few mechanical problems cropped up from time to time, nothing insurmountable, never jeopardizing our safety & security. Always careful when on the road, both keeping watch for hazards or errant drivers. Yesterday ‘life’ was altered, never to be the same. Traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 in Delta, British Columbia while enroute to a family event in Surrey a wall of brown steel suddenly appeared coming from…
-
“See Cruise” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Nov 21/13) – Itchy feet, ants in their pants… call it what you like, but N&J really needed to get away from the big city (yeah have only been back a couple weeks). So pack up Emily (N’s mom’s dog), revved up the newly rejuvenated Gizmo and took a ferry for Vancouver Island to visit N’s aunts. The Giz, after doing 15,000 km needed some extra care & attention; seems like a rock smashed the fuel expansion tank located in the passenger wheel well allowing water & debris to pollute the tank and clog the gas filter. Problem resolved, Gizmo has lots of get up and go now!!!…
-
“Dog Daze” by N&J w/Emily (guest canine blog poster).
Vancouver, BC (Nov 10/13) – No sooner are N&J back in Vancouver, helping people move, providing Gizmo a day at the spa, visiting friends & family, opening mail (a LOT of mail!!!), renting out condos, answering emails, paying bills, laundry, house sitting… dog sitting. Here is what Emily says about N&J: “The doggie treats abound and the food flying through the air…. my servants sit patiently waiting on the couch yearning for the slightest bit of attention. I throw out small glimpses of hope and I see the glee in their eyes and at just the right moment I perform an abrupt about face putting my ‘royal rump’ towards them.…
-
“On the Way Back Home” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Oct 28/13) – The wheels pointing west and sights set on getting closer to home, through Idaho and Washington States, eventually crossing the border into Canada at Nelway (north of Spokane, Wa) into the Kootenays. With tempered smirks upon their faces, anticipating the challenge facing us at the border, we gleefully reply to the border agents inquisition. The windows of Gizmo covered with ‘hippy’ writings of “Peace, Love, Burner Van” and a set of elk antlers on the top of the roof… what a sight! click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Needless to say N&J were completely searched (well maybe NOT…