As a lot as we’ve relished viewing state and nationwide parks, mountaineering and biking and seashore going for walks on our epic RV highway vacation, absolutely nothing tops time expended with good friends and loved ones alongside the way.
We have managed to link with folks we have not viewed in many years and make some new close friends alongside the way. Just one nice lady from Spokane gave Leslie a fused glass heart immediately after a limited, but sweet conversation about Spokesman-Review colleagues Dan Pelle and Colin Mulvaney, who encouraged her photographer daughter, Amanda Smith. Tiny planet, certainly!
Listed here are a couple of our beloved recollections from this chapter of Our Grand Tour:
Just after missing the holiday seasons collectively the past yr, celebrating Christmas with our grownup kiddo was definitely great. We feasted on Memphis BBQ from Rendezvous while savoring the amazing look at of the Pacific Ocean from our perch at the Malibu Beach front RV Park.
And talking of Malibu, we definitely appreciated viewing with Gary Blevins and Laurie Summers Blevins, who are Going Cellular visitors and were parked there for a few days for the duration of our holiday keep. Not too long ago, we achieved trustworthy readers Gayle and George Brown from Cheney at Bullard’s Seaside Point out Park in Bandon, Ore. Thanks for expressing hey. Hope y’all enjoyed the relaxation of your time on the street.
Leslie’s sister, Laurel, manufactured the journey from Pasadena to Palm Springs in January to commit a pair days roaming all over the desert. That included a go to to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park and a extremely awesome hike all around the attractive oasis at Indian Canyons.
In New Mexico, it was a enjoyment to reconnect with John Sale, former photo editor at the S-R. He and his wife Deb retired in Albuquerque and have turn into experts on the trails in the region. Although there, we have been addressed to a hike out into the nearby desert hoodoos and didn’t see another soul.
When tenting at Usery Mountain Regional Park close to Phoenix, we had our good friend Tahirih about for meal. It was excellent to capture up and have a food on a heat day in November. That sunny weather conditions is just one of the factors Tahirih relocated from Seattle a several decades back.
Leslie’s BFF from college or university times, Leita, and her husband, Dave, created the trek from their household close to San Diego to cling out with us at San Elijo Condition Park in Encinitas. Seared prosciutto-wrapped dates and grilled salmon was on the menu at the campsite, accompanied by a great deal of laughter and a heaping assisting of nostalgia.
Just up the 101, we were thrilled to reconnect with John’s BFF from higher college days. Randy and his companion, Kathy, moved to San Clemente a few of yrs in the past and it was a address to see their new dwelling. They even enable Leslie mess up their big kitchen area to make roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, a food she just cannot quite pull off in the little property on wheels.
In the Bay Spot, our pal Janie McCauley came out to the coastline for a attractive lunch. We have regarded Janie since she was a cub reporter in the S-R sports activities section. For much more than 20 decades, she’s been shining brightly for the Related Press in the Golden Point out. She exudes an infectious good spirit — a single that has served her land interviews with some of the greatest athletes of all time, from Steph Curry to King James. Wow!
Past week, we had been welcomed again to Washington state by John’s cousin Tom and his extended loved ones in Longview. It felt so good to be “home,” sitting around the supper table, passing roasted asparagus, baked salmon and Halibut Olympia. Many thanks for cooking for us, Faye! They also permit us park the rig in the driveway, serving up the best compliment. Bringing our own accommodations helps make us the ideal houseguests.
