Red and Blue

McMinnville Oregon.  

Been here a week visiting with friends and shopping for a new-to-me truck.  Big Red is a fine machine, but the fifth wheel  I’ve been asking him to pull is near the top of his abilities and he is 17 years old.   He is officially retired.

Introducing  Ramses.

  
He is a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 ¾ ton with a Cummins Diesel engine.  I’m told by guys who know these things that Ramses will pull Liberty “as if it wasn’t there.”    I don’t know that yet, as I’m still trying to get the hitch installed.  I won’t go into the long sad story in detail. The RV shop mis-quoted (under of course),  didn’t include all the required parts, etc.

I filled Ramses tanks today for the first time.  OMG!   Pump shock.   The trip computer indicated 708 miles to empty and that does NOT take into account the 30 gallon auxiliary tank.   Full tanks on Big Red were good for 240 miles.  I think I’m going to like diesel just fine.

On the bright side.  Today it didn’t rain and it was a comfortable mid-70’s day.   Oregon is a beautiful state, especially when the sun shines.  If you haven't been, try to visit.   

For my desert friends I’ve included this pix of a county road crew cutting down trees that grow so fast they cause problems with power and phone lines.
In this area of 4 feet by 10 feet I counted 15 different plants – growing wild and free.   All that rain creates unrelenting green.

Yosemite National Park...at Last !

Back, way way back in 1960, I wrote a report for school on Yosemite National Park.  Been reading about and watching documentaries on this park ever since.  Yeah, I know.  It’s about time I managed to visit.

Met a few challenges enroute, but last Wednesday  Liberty, Big Red, Thorn and myself pulled up to the entrance.   Paid my $10 and became the proud owner of a National Parks Senior Pass.   I’ve been eligible for several months, but was determined to make the purchase ONLY at Yosemite.  

El Portal Entrance.  Looked very Small!

May is earlier enough in the travel season, that I should have no problem getting a camping spot.  Or so I thought.   Brain damage apparently comes with retirement.  It was all the ranger could do to keep from laughing out loud when I innocently said “I’d like a camping spot for a fifth wheel for two days.”  
“You mean for tonight?”  she said politely.
“Yes. Please.”   Here is where her professionalism kicked in as she patiently pointed out the list of names a page and a half long of people like myself who were hoping to get lucky.  No room.

Okay.  So at least I’m here and I’ve already spotted Bridal Veil Falls


Yosemite Falls

This red wing blackbird posed 4 feet away as if to say “Take my picture!”

Now all I have to do is find a place to park for the day and use the free park shuttle bus to get visit the rest of the sites, and the trailhead to make a lovely day hike closer to Half Dome.   The keepers of Yosemite have worked hard to maintain its natural beauty.  Minimum sized roads, tiny little parking lots tucked into trees.  It only took an hour to find a spot big enough that I could park.  Whew.  Off to the bus stop – I’ll go straight for half dome.  Backpack, hiking stick and dog in hand I see the bus approach. 
“Sorry lady.  Dogs are not allowed on buses.”

Still.  We can walk anywhere we want, along handy paths… packed with tourists and bicycles (honk honk passing on your right.  Beep beep passing on your left).   Thorn tangles in the walking stick and eagerly tries to greet everyone he sees with a lunge and a leap.    Tiring and a bit dangerous, the plan is scrapped.   Back to Liberty.  It’s okay, I think.  I did see some of Yosemite and another visit can be planned.

On the way out of the park I spot a place with parking, right in front of El Capitan.   A big meadow perfect to let an energetic puppy burn off some energy,  lots of photogenic views for me.

So I have crossed Yosemite off my Bucket List.

Companion and Rocks

I’m not alone on this trip.   

Introducing Thorn, my Australian Cattle Dog.*  He is just over 3 months old, a member of my family since March 4th.   As you can see he is adorable.
Of course, he is the best dog on the planet, when he’s not trying to chew up, jump upon, or pee on something he shouldn’t.    But actually, the breed is known for intelligence and he’s showing signs which keeps me hopeful.
At Slab City he was entertained for over 20 minutes with an empty box.    Nothing keeps him interested longer, as he is busy and at full speed until he collapses to recoup.  

Right now his company is a lot of work, but I foresee that he will become an ideal traveling partner, offering companionship, and protection.  He already listens when I talk, especially if I’m not requiring him to change some action he is intent upon!

*Some of you may have heard this breed called Queensland Healer, Blue Healer or Red Healer.  All are the same dog.

Vasquez Rocks Park

Located in Aqua Dulce, CA.   This area is well-known, and continues to be, a popular area for filming by both Hollywood and television.

One reason for having this spot on my must visit list is several episodes of the original Star Trek were filmed here.   Some of you who are Trekkies might remember  “Fridays Child” or “Arena”.  

The other reason is that I simply love  rocks.   From the ones I pick up and take home as souvenirs, to the huge one’s  to marvel at how nature shaped them, all are wonderful to behold.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Traveling and...

Travel for 2012 begins.  And stops.  And starts.

But let me start from the beginning.  I left AZ on Thursday morning.  Temp in the 80’s already. Destination The Slabs.  Driving east on I-10, enjoying the scenery, Savage Garden CD playing.

A sudden banging, rattling.  Slowing, then stopping and pulling over as far as possible I get out thinking that something has fallen off the truck or camper.  I walk carefully around.  Nope.  Everything looks as it should.   Hmm, must have run over a bit of road junk I hadn’t noticed.   Start up the truck and immediately realize I have no steering.  Very NOT good.   The side of Liberty (my fifth wheel) is maybe 3 feet from the traffic lane and rocks alarmingly with each passing semi.  

A call to AAA.  Please allow a commercial here.  Best $55 I ever spent.  They will come and tow you,  or provide whatever service you need.  For traveling, if you don’t have it – you should. 

I had a long hot hour to observe that the side of  I-10 is liberally littered with bits of tires. 

The Toe Truck (no pun intended, that is the name of the company) arrives, a special one that can pull both Big Red and Liberty.  The trip into Blythe, CA is hot as the toe truck has no air conditioner and open windows don’t help.  But I’ve been rescued and am heading west.  
Bulldog Emergency Auto Repair takes a look and points out the broken pulley on the power steering pump which caused other pulleys to fail and of course the serpentine belt.    $900 and change.  Parts won’t arrive until 8:00 am the next morning.  

Day Two.

It’s hot.   A hot wind does not help.  The camper is an oven.   A very long day.   Finally at 2:00, Big Red is repaired.   It takes me 45 minutes to get him hooked to Liberty (a long boring story about angles).  I'm Anxious to be on the move, but the shop owner recommends waiting for a couple hours until the heat begins to wane, thus easier on equipment.  I realize he’s right.  Two long hours sitting in the shade at the park.  AC feels good as we head,at last, SW on Hiway 78.  It’s a beautiful drive, that takes longer than it should as I need to keep stopping for photos.  So much easier to do when flying – no need to stay on a road in your own lane!

Deserts DO have dunes sometimes!

We arrive at Slab City at 8:00 pm and align Liberty so breeze will flow through open windows and doors – it helps some.   Sleep is possible but not comfortable. 

Day Three.

I’m here to get set up with solar so I can be free of hookups.  Mike’s Sun Works comes highly recommended, but I’m still amazed at how he and two crew,  smoothly install all the needed bits.  
 
I now have a 140 watt solar panel, converter and inverter.   I can look at the display on the wall and watch my batteries charge!   I can flip a switch and plug in whatever I wish.

Day Four.
Dawn.  On the road and heading north on Hiway 111 then northwest on 210.   I miss the turn to I-5 and realize it when I see an exit for Aqua Dulce.  Oh well, make the best of it.  I take the exit and enjoy a lovely afternoon exploring Vasquez Rocks Park.   But that will be another blog entry, later.

Ended the day with my first Boondock – in a parking lot of a closed Burger King.  Located conveniently next to a huge apricot orchard – the perfect place for a lovely walk  before settling in.  It’s seventy-something  - just right.   I was not alone, truckers and others have found this spot as well.    Just proves that Hiway 99 needs rest stops.  I spotted one between Santa Clarita and Fresno and it was closed.

Day Five.


My how time is flying.  Today I’m going to Yosemite National Park.  I will wake tomorrow with mountain views.   My plan was to drive north to Merced and then turn off for the park.  But going through Fresno, and talking on the phone, I spot a sign “Highway 41 North – Yosemite”.    Spur of the moment I turn to this new route and am enjoying  scenery much like Texas Hill Country, then the Sierra’s begin.  Just past Oakhurst, I see smoke billowing behind me and thinking the truck has overheated, immediately turn into a pullout.  (There are many along 41 as it’s a 2-lane road with lots of grade and curves).   I’m about to open the hood, when a gentleman who pulled in behind me runs up and says “Your truck is ON FIRE!”    He announces he’s a retired fireman and asks if I have an extinguisher.   I grab it out of Liberty and he does the honors.  Flames from under the engine are out.   Two firetrucks arrive, the guys crawl under the truck and announce it’s transmission fluid that was burning and still dripping. 

Three firemen and George, form a consensus

Another call to AAA.  But it seems I’ve used up my “allowed number of tows in a year.”  Geesh.  The tow costs $80 which is not as bad as expected, and I’m delivered to Sam’s Transmission and Automotive, in Oakhurst, a shop that comes high recommended by all the firemen and the CHIPS officer that arrives.  All is all not as horrible as it sounds.  Rescuers are kind, and friendly and this overnight outside a garage comes with comfortable 70’s temps and mountain views.   It’s to be another $700 to fix the blown seal on the transmission and to re-do the serpentine belt which was put on incorrectly by Bulldog Repair in Blythe –don’t go there folks!

Day Six.
Early.  Beautiful morning.  Slept like a baby in coolness after watching a movie on Netflix.  Don’t know what the day will bring, or how long I’ll be here awaiting completion of repairs, but I’m open to what will come.    Life is after all, an Adventure.