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“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…
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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…
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“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,…
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“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…
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“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!!!…
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“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.…
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“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…
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“Yellowstone” by N&J.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (Oct 23/13) – The drive to Yellowstone National Park is filled with anticipation of what to expect, the vast array of natural wonders, nature’s history in full display… whereas Canada has many wonderful national parks, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park created in 1872. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery What captured the eye most of all, was the devastation from two decades of wild fires that have destroyed 75% of the parks 2.1 million acres of forest. It is overwhelming in the least. Although nature is quickly replacing the void with new growth… the emptiness is startling.…
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“Happen Chance” by N&J.
West of Cody, Wyoming (Oct 22/13) – Having learned along the way that the best maps and source of info is at the State Information Centre, N&J make sure to stop everytime they cross a state line. Eager to learn about the vastness and uniquenes of Wyoming they are told not to miss Thermopolis. A unique town centered around a natural hot spring, being the largest in North America, it is truly stunning. Located within Native Land, a treaty was signed entrusting that the Hot Springs would be free to everyone… and it still is. N&J were thrilled!!! After a hot soak, completely relaxed and clean they continued on to…
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“…Dancing Through our Heads” by N&J.
The Black Hills of South Dakota (Oct 21/13) – While cruising down the highway at Gizmo speed, N&J were afforded the opportunity to read countless (seemed like thousands) of billboards expounding the virtues of WALL DRUG. “Coffee 5 cents – 120 miles to Wall Drug”, “Free Ice Cold Water – Only 78 miles to Wall Drug”. What the heck is Wall Drug??? click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Well, after arriving in the town of Wall, South Dakota (just outside the Badlands), N&J finally discovered what all the hoopla was about. This small, quaint town of a few hundred has it’s own historic…