I get word from Barber RV back in Ventura that my parts are due to arrive on Tuesday, and I have an appointment to go “up on the rack” first thing Wednesday morning. So I decide to break camp at San Simeon continuing north with the intent to make Monterey my turn around point for my long weekend getaway. I have no reservations for Saturday night, but figure I can always come inland a few miles and book some “highway hotel.” Continue reading
Yet another reason for my road trip, I had booked space in San Simeon State Park far in advance to be guaranteed of a place to park for Memorial Day Weekend. Had I cancelled that space due to the Winnie repairs, I would have lost both booking fees and cancellation penalties, consuming the majority of the refund. Since the reservation was for the “primitive” campground (Washburn, dry camping on the grass with no hook-ups,) I figured I could get by with pitching my tent there. Continue reading
So, things have been moving slowly here in Santa Paula, California, Lemon Capital of the World. But at least they are moving. My new frame rail extensions have been ordered from the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa. Once they arrive, the local Winnebago dealer in nearby Ventura, Barber RV, will be doing the repairs. Many said “just have it welded,” but Continue reading
No, that’s not a Beyonce’ cover. But Bey doesn’t have the lock on the old platitude, “When life gives you lemons….make lemonade!” Which is just what I have been trying to do while navigating the emotional roller coaster of repairs to my home, my transportation, and my worldly possessions, all rolled into one. Continue reading
The Channel Islands National Park is one of our least visited parks in the National Park system. Ranger Erin at the beautiful Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor tells me that of all the visitors that come to the center, only 10% actually travel by boat to set foot on the islands, as one need go no further than the mainland Visitor Center to get their National Parks Passport Stamp. Of those 10% who do take the boat trip, only a lesser percentage Continue reading
After multiple phone and email conversations with friends and family, all who said “GO! You will be sorry if you don’t!” I boarded the Island Packers boat the next morning bound for Santa Cruz in the Channel Islands, knowing if I couldn’t quit stressing over needing to address the Winnie repairs, I could always come back early. Continue reading
Just 15 miles inland from the coastal town of Ventura is a cool little “mountain valley” town, Ojai, pronounced “OH hi.” The little town is nestled in the Ojai Valley, surrounded by 5,000 ft tall mountains…well, “mountains” according to coastal standards. Wikipedia describes it best, “The city’s self-styled nickname is ‘Shangri-La’ referencing the natural beauty of this health-and-spirituality-focused region.” Continue reading
Hanging around north of LA waiting on my upcoming Channel Island getaway has given me time to explore the area, specifically Ventura County’s cool and “mostly affordable” (at least by SoCal standards) Regional Parks. But there are a couple of tricky rules that could potentially cause a snag. Continue reading
I always had a soft spot for the Reagans, but not for reasons one might think. Back in the early days, my Mom and Dad both bore a striking resemblance. Their heights and weight were an exact match to the Reagans. Dad had thick wavy brown hair and could fill out a suit and tie with panache, while Mom had the 80’s “brown football helmet hair,” Continue reading
I have a terrible memory, as I am reminded every time my 87 year old mother prefaces a bit of family history with “You don’t remember???” I can’t remember much about any of my “formative years.” But what memories I do have are vivid. For example, I still remember exactly where I was on August 8, 1974. Continue reading