Sad (but exciting) end of a three year trip

Posted on by Michele

Well, this is it.  This year we decided to end the trip, sadly – for various reasons, most of which were recent job changes and the pandemic plague of the Coronavirus.  The last thing we wanted to have this year is to be traveling in the Airstream and have everything shut down and no place to live.  No open campgrounds, no house to go home to.  Can’t have that.  So, after almost exactly three years on the road, it’s over.  For now.  We will travel again soon, because it is super fun – and we love it.  But for now, a new house in Montana has been purchased and staying put is at hand.

See the final leg of our journey HERE

Round Two – North to Alaska

Posted on by Michele

Round Two – North to Alaska

When we decided to extend our trip beyond the initial 12 months, one of our first thoughts was that we wanted to go up to Alaska again this summer.  But this time, we’d do it a little differently.  Last summer we bolted through Canada to make it to Anchorage in time for me to fly all the way back to DC for a meeting the first week of June.  So this year we are taking our good sweet time and trying to enjoy the ride!

We love our Airstream – Marvin has been a fantastic home for us for the last year.  But pulling the trailer all the way to Alaska last year was a bit stressful.  No issues or problems – but not knowing how the roads were, or what the ride would be make it a bit daunting.  So if we were going to head to Alaska again this summer would the Airstream make the trip with us?  If not, what would we do?

Meet Bullwinkle…

The Cirrus was one of the very first trailers we ever looked at – and from day one we thought it was way cool.  Perfect for weekend trips, more nimble and off-road friendly than the Airstream – we thought a truck camper would be the perfect home away from home for us for the summer.  So a few months ago when we were in Arizona we picked one up, and Darryl drove it to Colorado to be stored until last week when we made the equipment switch!

Not to worry – Marvin is safely tucked away in storage taking a well-deserved break for the summer.

It’s pretty cool… but it is TINY!  It has been kind of like starting all over again… when we first sold the house and tried to cram everything into the Airstream we had NO idea where anything was stored for weeks and every cabinet and drawer was overflowing!  After a few weeks (and a few reorganizations) it got better – but those first few weeks were stressful!  Same challenges this time – we brought way too much stuff AGAIN!!

And of course, this time, there are 2 ½ of us – counting our new furry companion Xena!

We have been in the trailer for just about a week and I guess you could say we are all adjusting – new truck camper, new puppy, and lots of new adventures to be had.  Look out Alaska… here we come!

GRAND CANYON – South Rim

Posted on by Michele

Visit to the Grand Canyon, South Rim – Visiting the Grand Canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list.  It is amazing to stand on the rim and think about the 100s of millions of years it took to carve this huge hole in the ground.  The Grand Canyon is nearly 10 miles long and almost a mile wide at its widest point.  And with over 4,000 feet elevation change from the rim to the river, it makes for some awesome hiking.  If you’re up to it.  The hike from the South Rim, down the South Kaibab Trail to the river, camp at the Bright Angel Campground, then hike back up the North Rim to the visitor center can take up to three days.  So, strap on your pack and go for it.

If you come in from the East off Route 89 and Route 64, you will enter the park at the Desert View Visitor Center.  There you will find the highest viewpoint on the South Rim at 7,461 feet, as well as the Desert View Watchtower.

Click HERE and scroll down to April 14 to see more photos – and coming soon, our first video in quite some time.