Gold Park NV

Liz Meyer This is truly an interesting ghost town - interesting and truly a ghost town - in fact, all that I had been told about this place, that it had a rustic saloon and outdoor bar-b-que food service, turned out to be a bust. Everything was closed and padlocked. I drove around the town, which was truly an image of another era, then turned toward home. "The Girls" and I are in Beaty, NV tonight. Some trips are better than others...this was not one of the better ones, but the camping is great!

Amargosa Opera House

Liz Meyer Believe it or not, I have attended a performance here. It was a one-woman show, but when that actress is Marta Beckett, it is a worthwhile show. She is gone now, and there is a memorial to her here. About ten years ago my friends who I call "the Posse" took me on a week-end road trip that included a stop at Amargosa Springs, half way between Death Valley and nowhere. It was here that Marta Beckett pursued her acting dream. To Google her is worthwhile. As I passed through Death Valley Junction, as it is now named, my memories of that wonderful trip were rekindled.

My Wild Child

Liz Meyer My two kids were easy to raise...actually a pleasure. I now can sympathize with some of those parents who don't have it so easy. Cinda (short for Cinderella because she is living "happily ever after") is a rescue dog, and I love her dearly. She is my "wild child". Her strongest characteristic is her hunting instinct. Within a half hour of making camp she comes in with goo all over her, and smelling like the nasty thing she had rolled in. Fortunately I carry enough water to handle the washing that ensued, since we will all be sleeping together on the bed. Her next outing brought her back, covered in cactus. Are we having fun yet? Actually yes we are...it is beautiful out here!
love, Liz

My "Escape Hatch"

Liz Meyer My "Escape Hatch" really looks more like a van – my van! When things get so hectic I have to remind myself I'm retired and that I have choices, it is time to get away. Today is my first stop - A desert wilderness on the Cal Baker Road toward Las Vegas. Tomorrow I will continue on to Las Vegas, take the 95 NW to the mining country. Gold Park NV is a ghost town that Beckons me. The picture is my view as I write this - how could one not love the desert?

Driving a Model A

The best answer to "How do you drive a Model A?" Is, "It's tricky".

Last night I dreamt  I was driving my Model "A", and when I awoke, I knew it was time to get her out and give her some exercise, so I decided to drive her to church.  There are a number of steps to get ready: turn on the gas, check the water, gas and oil, make sure the Advance Handle (that balances the spark plugs, I think) is on "off", the gas handle is at "off", the hand brake is off, etc.  When I remember everything, she works.  When I forget something, she doesn't .

I was successful in getting  there, but in leaving Church, with now a lot of bystanders, I forgot to choke it, and I couldn't get it started.  After a lot of "advice" about what could be wrong, I finally remembered to pull the choke one time, and she started right up. 

Driving into Stater's to get some groceries, I was aware of different people watching this old car.  As I was entering the store, a young boy, about 10, came up and shook my hand, saying, "I like your car."  When I offered to give him a ride in the rumble seat around the parking lot, his eyes got wide and he nodded enthusiastically. With his Mom's grateful permission, we all walked back out to the car, opened the rumble seat (to his wide eyed amazement) and off we went.  I'm not sure I completed the whole check list, but we drove around the Stater's parking lot just fine, with several people cheering us on.  After the ride, the boy's mother, in tears,  told me that his dad was on his 5th deployment, and that I had made their day.  She took pictures to send  to Dad, and heartfelt hugs went all around.

Like I said, driving a Model A is tricky...you never know what to expect. 

Sent from my iPhone

A Stormy Day on the Lake

A Stormy Day on the Lake

Lake Huron, like all the Great Lakes, is known for the fierceness of her storms.  Today the lake is roiling in a summer storm, which is tame compared to her winter storms. It is awesome to watch the turmoil outside from the comfort of the great room in the Main House.  This old house ( a Sears and Roebuck kit house built in 1909) has weathered these storms for 108 years!

The boathouse, also about that old, is not faring as well.  Winter ice forms around the cribs and docks, then when the currents move under the ice, it leaves a tremendous weight hanging from those timbers.  We are having two different dock builders come out to give us estimates for a complete restoration of the cribs under the boat house the the docks. We are already shuddering at the projected cost!

Fairy Houses

Fairy Houses

The magic of living in a forest is dwelling with gnomes, fairies, frogs, and all of nature.  A few years back we built gnome homes, and this year we each built a fairy house.  Neighbors on the island all come down for an annual pot luck dinner when we are here, and they were the judges to pick the best fairy house. Pictured is my house, called "Climbing high".  It won a close second place, behind Hannah's "Beach Front Fun House", which featured a teeter-totter, slide, flowers, and other such amenities.  This morning Hannah and I ran into a young deer on our path from the cook house to the main house.  We think she was looking at our fairy houses.

A Birthday Toast

A Birthday Toast

Angela prepared a special toast with blueberry reduction and champaign (for the grown-ups - sparkling water for the younger ones) and we all gathered on the beach to recount all the many years of family gatherings here at Hatch Haven for my birthday.

This is a poignant year at age 73 to observe how the mantle of responsibility is changing.  Angela and her kids are now handily running the boat, and I can just enjoy the ride.  I am impressed watching Angela launch, gas up, change out the battery, and Captain the boat, while David and Hannah, fresh from sailing camp, handle the lines, the docking and departing. Up until this year, without Jeff here, those were all my responsibilities, and before that, Dave's. A bittersweet passage.

We Made It!

What could be better than waking up on my 73rd birthday than this view out of the Main House of Hatch Haven? Nothing!  Angela, David and Hannah met Ada and me at the airport at 9:45 last night, and drove us back to the Island.  Even in the dark, we had to explore the whole place - our respective sleeping rooms with fresh wildflower bouquets arranged by Hannah, the Guest House, Main House, and then to the Cook House with its newly painted kitchen and new sink.

Not There Yet!

The travel plan to get to Hatch Haven was to drive to Phoenix on Wed. August 2, meet up with Ada and fly early Thursday morning. Due to bad weather in the Midwest, our 6:00 am flight was delayed an hour, causing us to miss the connection to Sault Ste. Marie.  No flights were available on that connecting flight until late Saturday night.  So back to Jeff's house in phoenix for another 2 1/2 days! We enjoyed the extended two day visit with Jeff, Lauren and Katelyn and we played Rummy cube, to simulate our Island activities, had we gotten there!

The long haul home

We spent last night in Coeur d'Lane Idaho and we are camped tonight in a delightful National Forest campground about 50 miles east of Idaho Falls. We drove over 400 miles, through Montana mostly. The speed limit in Montana is 80, and the roads are excellent. We stopped for lunch near an alfalfa field and let the dogs out for a run. They went bounding out in grass over their heads and it took over half an hour to find them!

This will probably be our last cool night. With 900 miles to go, we start the long push for home.

Liz Meyer

Point Roberts

As small towns go, Point Roberts, Washington is one of America's best kept secrets. In 1864, when the United States and Great Britain made an agreement to draw the borders of Canada and the United States along the 49th parallel, nature provided one small glitch – a point of land about 9 square miles big, attached to mainland Canada lies just below the 49th parallel. This small town, surrounded by water on three sides and Canada to its north, is Point Roberts. One has to go through customs to enter.
Most of the residents keep a boat in the well-kept marina and travel to Seattle or the San Juan Islands from their town.

We took the night Ferry from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island over to the mainland of Canada and drove down to Point Roberts late at night. The next morning we found the place so enjoyable we changed our schedule and drove around enjoying the parks, views and the town.  If one loved the sea, this would be the town to retire to.

Sent from my iPhone

Whale watching!

While the folks in 29 Palms and Phoenix were suffering with record heat, we were getting dressed to stay warm and dry on our all-day excursion around the discovery islands. What a day it was! We were fortunate enough to run into two humpback whales frolicking off the southern point of Quadra Island. For 15 minutes they would dive deep and come up breaching, swim around slapping their dorsal fins, which were bigger than I am, blowing a spray from their blow holes, and doing it all around our little boat! Wow! How do you top that?? Well, the day didn't end there. We were able to stay down wind of a grizzly bear and get quite close to him on the shore, also a black bear, a small herd of elk, and lots of eagles. We had a picnic lunch on the porch of a small country store on the remote end of an island and all day long enjoyed spectacular waterfalls and scenery. This day was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Quadra Island B.C.

Liz Meyer From the porch of Fred and Kristine's house, the view is breathtaking- all day long we can watch the eagles fishing and lots of seals sunning on the rocks at low tide. To the west the distant mountains are snow covered, then nothing but green trees in between. To the immediate West is a privately owned island that is inhabited by only one family. This island is the sanctuary for the Eagles that fish right below us. The currents in this inland waterway are amazing as the tide ebbs and flows, there are amazing water flows with whirlpools and strong currents. We leave within the hour for an all-day boat trip around these islands in search of whales, bears, and whatever we may find. Stay tuned.

Best Dad Ever!

Liz Meyer There is a reason I inadvertently call my son Jeff by his father's name "Dave". Like his dad, Jeff is intelligent, fun loving, kind, and very wise.
On this trip I have watched him get up an hour before his daughters to walk the dog, get their breakfast and organize camp. This whole trip was planned by him and every detail has worked out well ( except when I tried to find a campground in Portland) he is patient with his girls but also very engaged in teaching them and giving them wonderful experiences. There are no guide books on how to be a great dad, but you know one when you see him. Happy Father's Day to all the other great Dads. Love, Liz

Olympic Forest National Park

Liz Meyer Driving for miles in a forest with every imaginable shade of green, alongside a lake shining every shade of blue, under a sky of blue with white puffy clouds, and all of it spiked with bright sunlight made the 30 or so mile trip into Sol Duc Hot Springs campground a most pleasurable journey. We count ourselves fortunate with the sunshine, because, looking around, the prevalent moss covering everything hints at the amount of rain that occurs in these parts. Looking up, the height of these pines makes one dizzy. To be sure, we have left the desert behind!

A rainy day in camp

While there is a hot weather warning for 29 palms, I am sitting in my van, under a blanket, with the heater on, and rain outside. The weather isn't perfect all the time, regardless of where you are. We are in an RV camp in Pualsbro, Washington. The region is an historic logging area, founded in the 1800s. The town is charming. Letting the weather dictate the day, we slept in and went to a Norwegian bakery in town for a late breakfast, bought supplies, and came back to enjoy a quiet afternoon in camp.

With lots of time for reflection, I smile at my blessings of good health, my wonderful van, and the opportunities they both offer me for adventure. A special aspect of this trip is traveling with my son Jeff and his two girls, Lauren and Katelyn. They are great travel companions. We will pack up and travel again tomorrow, still heading north.

Liz Meyer

Back in the forest!

Liz Meyer Ahh....camping - i'm back in love with it! An easy drive yesterday brought us to this campsite next to Bainbridge Island, Washington. The island has a delightful little town with a major ferry service across the sound to Seattle. We are camped in a redwood forest with beautiful trees and ferns. We plan to stay three nights here, so we arrived in time to set up a comfortable camp. Later today we will take the ferry into Seattle for some sightseeing. Life is good!
NOTE: if you are interested, the address to my blog site is: liz.meyer.920.vango@blogspot.com. Signing up will assure you get each blog.

Portland

Not every day of a camping trip is stellar. This day ends with the hope that we never have another day like it! It started in the beautiful National Forest near Shasta with the only sounds being the waterfalls nearby. With our day's destination being a campground near Portland, I decided to be helpful and search for one, so that we could set our GPS coordinates for the day. Googling "RV campgrounds - Portland OR" gave me a list from which to choose. Only one had a rating (4 star), so I picked it. It's name was "caravan studios", a strange name, which should have been my first red flag. The second red flag should have been it's address – in the middle of Portland. But how could google be wrong? Hitting Portland at 5 o'clock put us in the nightmarish rush-hour traffic, searching for a campground that turned out to be a theater in the middle of the city! Thank goodness for the radios that Jeff and I communicate with, or we would still be looking for each other in that city! We fortunately found each other and a parking lot big enough for Jeff and his trailer and my van to pull in to recover from the trauma, and decide on Plan B, which was to keep on driving up into Washington, adding more hours on to what already was a long day! We finally found a park with one space left, which we were able to squeeze both our rigs into. Instead of waterfall sounds we will be sleeping tonight with the sounds of I-5 just across the wall! On a brighter note we are safe and all's well that ends well – sort of. Good night! Liz

Liz Meyer

McCloud, CA Lake

Liz Meyer The rain chased us, faced us, and skirted us all day, but in the end we were rewarded with a perfect camp site, just short of Shasta. Upon entering the campground, we were enticed by signs to the "upper falls" and the "lower falls" of the McCloud river. The picture is of the lower falls, not so impressive after seeing the Rogue falls west of June Lake. It is cool and beautiful! Love, Liz

June Lake

Have you ever seen a flying crane? Not the bird type, but helicopter type. Wow! What an impressive machine! After settling in to our campsite at June lake, we drove west up the canyon to find that the June Lake ski resort has been converted into the staging area for this behemoth helicopter. Designed to attach and transport big tanks of water for firefighting, it is now being repurposed to carry big equipment up the mountain ridge to try and contain a waterfall gone rogue with the heavy spring runoff. The waterfall is immense and clearly outside the limits of its normal range. Down below where we were, both sides of the road are swamped with runoff, rarely, if ever, seen before. There is still a lot of snow up there and warmer weather coming.

We had a great day, we have a delightful campsite at Oh Ridge, and we are now settling in for an early start tomorrow.
Love,
Liz Meyer

Corn Springs

Liz Meyer Recent rains and a balmy February made this an opportune time to go desert camping. Forests of ocotillos, in full green; hillsides covered with red barrel cacti; robust smoketrees in the washes, and an overall hint of green on the desert confronted me on all sides as I left I-10 and began the 8 miles of dirt road that ended in the Mecca that is Corn Springs. Petroglyphs tell of a thriving oasis in times passed, a dying oasis indicates a hard modern era.

What a perfect place to camp! Although thousands of cars pass by the Corn Springs turn-off on I-10 every day, one can find nature and solitude just 8 miles away. I am camped right on the ledge of the main canyon wash. Three older men are the only other campers, so I went over and introduced myself and the dogs to them, and they offered me a beer 😊. It being only three P.M., I declined, but told them I would bring a glass of wine and join them this evening. They like dogs.

Life is good. Love, Liz and