Lake Powell

The adventure began and seriously changed when I drove from Prescott Arizona to Lake Powell with a clogged full black tank (da shitter) Tried to dislodge the matter but had to call the professionals.

The weather had been ify the first week in April. When I knew the opportunity was prime I set out one morning to kayak Antelope Canyon.

I will not go into the details of finding out that my dear darling Tony had died 16 days past his 50 birthday. Too personal, too much still to except that I am unable to call him on the phone.

Prescott Arizona March 2015

After busting me derrière leaving my old life behind I needed to regroup why not Prescott Arizona to start with?

Seems like so long ago and not just last March (2015). The scenery of my life has changed. I continue to change with it.

Just a wee bit over 8 months ago I began the journey of life on the road. An idea of where I was going but not a clue as to what I was in for. My worst day on the road this better than my best day sitting around the house watching tv. Even with its challenges I find myself loving it more and more.  traveling around exploring, having adventures. Then you find a spot where you say "Hey, maybe I could hang here" Either the fates allow or it is simply not the right time. I am happy where I am now. Came for a week and new I would be back and happy to hang my hat for a spell.
John Mayer sings it so well in a song called 3x5.

Loving Life on the Road

Pleased to report that one month into this journey of living and traveling full time I have zero regrets. I do not miss owning (or it owning me) a traditional home. The way it all came about I figured it had to be fate. I was not prepared to list my home yet, knowing full well I had way too much stuff to liquidate but my real estate friend said she would come over and take pictures and show them to some folks from California who were interested in buying a home in Surprise. This was January 16th the day after my birthday. Three days later I was signing a purchase and sale agreement. From there on it was full tilt boogie to get everything gone and moved on. I had considered getting a storage unit but in the end when I looked around my house I knew there was nothing there I could not live without. I did however place two of my favorite pieces of art in the good home of two dear friends.
I was fortunate that the new owners of my home liked my style and purchased it furnished and decorated, that saved me so much hassle. As it was getting rid of everything else was non stop work for the 5 weeks I had to complete the task. Happy to say I lost a wee bit of extra poundage in the process, by March 5th when I pulled out of my driveway for the last time my pants were practically falling off me and the bags under my eyes could have filled that extra space. Exhausted as I was it was all worth it. I feel so free!
During this time my Airstream underwent her own transformation and honey she is perfect for this new lifestyle. I never could stand the darn dinette, had been wanting it gone and replaced with a super sexy sofa for years. Camping at the annual New Year's Eve rally I casually asked Michael Luta who had completely redone his and his wife Nikki's 1972 Airstream if he would be interested in a new project, days later my trailer was in his driveway getting her new look. This is before I even knew that in just weeks I would be making her my permanent rolling home. I simply could not be happier as I sit and write this in my cozy rounded snuggle spot where there once was a desk that got very little use. My super awesome love pup is happy in our new digs also, we can both comfortable live in this small space. Yesterday was the first time he did his get all crazy run around bouncing off the walls because we're going bye bye and it was hilarious the way he made it happen, jumping from the sofa to door and back again in perfect repetition, I just stood back and laughed. He is the very best companion I ever could hope for on this adventure. We are quite literally happy campers.

Traila done!

Traila with dinette removed.

One of my favorite design additions to my traila is the built in wine rack, it is spectacular, just incredibly difficult to photograph. So the solution is if you want to see it come see me!

Cheers.

The B is back!

Had an Elton John moment there. Hard to believe two years have passed since I last updated my wanderings. Much went on during that time, some not so good, some truly amazing. Guess I lost my way there for a spell but I am back now, with a smile on my face, peace in my heart, ready for new adventures. I hope you come along for the ride cuz honey I have something pretty spectacular in the works.

First let me introduce to those of you who have not met him my new amigo, compadre, super handsome love pup Dickie. We found each other on August 11, 2013, he was a retired fancy show dog who needed a good retirement home and I was simply a girl who very much needed some furry love in her life. When I adopted this oh so special boy he had not been a "pet" he lived in a crate in a back bedroom with 4 or 5 other Shiba Inu's, he didn't really have a name but the title Grand Champion San Jo's Saijoo Go. Sorry but that just did not work for me, I thought about for a few days nothing seemed to fit so I started calling him Dickie because if you haven't lived with a Shiba Inu then you don't know dick, ha. From the first time I saw his photo online I knew he was my boy and is he ever! I have found the perfect traveling companion, my boy loves the traila life. If we are home for more than 3 weeks we both get the road itch and off we go. In the past 16 months we have had some awesome adventures. Now my happiest moments are a nice quiet campground preferably on a lake, pup by my side, reading a book, listening to music and watching nature do its thing, throw in a good kayaking session and this girl is in such a state of bliss nothing else matters.

Ventura Beach

Lucas the Dane & His human John, Main Street Ventura.

Santa Barbara Harbor

Riding along the coast

Fabulous dry camping

One of the things I love about traveling to the Central California Coast is when I'm rolling down the 101, take that curve in Ventura and there it is the beautiful ocean. Instant attitude adjustment. Suddenly I forget I just drove 3 and a half hours threw some of the worst traffic in the country (Burbank you can suck it). It's like coming home.

This trip I decided to stay someplace I hadn't been before Ventura Beach Rv Resort. Loved the location! Time to park the truck and take to two wheels. Main Street Ventura is less than a mile away and the bike path rides you threw Emma Wood State Beach and along the ocean past other dry camping spots. Gorgeous views and a good workout too. I stayed here for a week.

Saturday morning, up at the crack, I send my darling friend Meredith a text, didn't wanna call too early, asking her if she'd like to join me for an afternoon of Airstreams and lunch. I had seen Paula Poll at Modernism, she had her amazing Airstream, revamped by Uwe on display. Paula told me about the Vintage Airstream Rally at one of my favorite spots Ocean Mesa at El Capitan happening that weekend. I didn't want to be apart of the rally, these folks go all out and I needed some down time but I sure as shit wanted to go by and say hello. Lucky for me Meredith had the time to spend the day with me. I adore Meredith, she is so kind, so mellow and a dear dear friend. Spending time with her is time I cherish. So I make my way to her home in Santa Barbara, say hello to her two pooches and two children Drew & Taylor, then we're off. First stop the Vintage Rally, then lunch at a fabulous spot for some Mexican food and of course a Sangria, then strolling the used bookstore where we both found books we were looking for. Being a Seattle girl if there's a fresh fish market anywhere close by I am there! Meredith turned me onto The Santa Barbara Harbor Fish Market, oh my. What is better than your pick of fresh fish and being waited on my handsome fish dudes...um not much. It was a wonderful day.

Sunday morning I rode to Main Street for a coffee and to simply sit and enjoy the vibe and people watching. That is where I met Lucas the Great Dane and his human, John. Those of you who know me well know I loves me the Danes, my absolute favorite breed, I can't get enough of them. Well, not so much that I want another one in my bed for 11 years (Miss you Hannah P!). I get my Dane fix where I can.

Monday was shopping day. I discovered that the Camarillo Outlet Mall has an AG Jeans store, these are my favorite jeans so even though I'm not a huge fan of shopping I couldn't resist getting jeans that retail for over $200 at a discount. While I was at it I threw in a new pair of corral colored wedges that are to die for, I go from 5'3 to 5'6 or higher just by putting them on, love it.

Then the bummer comes, the freakin' flu, no bueno. Tuesday morning I go for a nice long bike ride along the ocean, get back to the traila and my lungs are killing me. Yeah sure I smoke but that doesn't effect my exercise, usually. Then the sneezes kick in, the cough starts up and I'm a gonner. Time for some R & R and I know just the place to do it, booked at week at the luxurious Ocean Mesa at El Capitan, visiting there for the Vintage Rally reminded me this place is a slice of heaven and just what I needed at this point in the journey.

Modernism Week ~ Just an excuse to hang with my girls

At the lovely and talented Kristiana's booth.

Deco Liner

Alison!

Time to make a beeline for the state line, leave Arizona behind and head for California. First stop Desert Hot Springs and the Tamarisk Mobile Home & Rv Park. The park got a new name this year "The Barking Dog Trailer Park". For those of you who don't know I Can Not stand yippy little dogs and the people who let them bark non stop without consideration for their neighbors. Case in point the idiots who are renting the house next to mine in Surprise. I won't get into that now because it'll just get my riled up and I won't want to go back home unless I know they've been evicted (fingers crossed). So I pull into Tamarisk, a place Virginia & I discovered last year and were happy with, well our decent little spots from last year were occupied and the new spots, oy, less than desirable. My space was a recent construction zone, a mobile home had been there for many years and torn down within the last week and no one thought to clean it up, so I did. I borrowed a rake from one of the residents and spent the morning raking the sand free of all sorts of crap, cigarette butts, nails, pieces of wood you name it, only thing I didn't come across was used needles...thank goodness for small favors. Sadly there was nothing I could do about the litter of Yorkie/Chiquawa mix puppies that were my annoying little neighbors, yip yip yip. You know me of course I complained but par for the course with people with pocket yippers I was basically wasting my breath. I won't go into my usual rant about irresponsible pet owners, damn they piss me off!

Onto the good stuff. Virginia showed up and the fun began!

Kristiana & Greg were already set up at Happy Traveler Rv Park in Palm Springs and Alison had her lovely private crash pad in town also. It was time to go to town and meet up with them for sushi and strolling in Palm Springs. The weather was perfect, I forgot to mention it was 87 degrees when I rolled into Desert Hot Springs earlier that day, toasty. There was a street fair happening that evening, one of my favorite things is strolling street fairs, all the goodies and people watching is fabulous.

Saturday is the annual Airstream event put on my Rich Lurh from Airstream Life Magazine, Kristiana has one of her lovely trailers there every year and of course her amazing silver jewelry. Virginia & I went down on Friday to check out where it was going to be and see a preview. Miss Kristiana was slaving away in the heat, getting organized for the next day. I had seen an episode of Samantha Brown's travel show where she visited Palm Springs and one place caught my attention a restaurant and bar called Melvyn's, I had to go. Turns out Melvyn's was right up the street from where the Airstream event was, kizmet! I didn't have to twist Virginia's arm to stop in for an afternoon (well almost noon) cocktail and snack. Two fabulous Cosmo's and shrimp & lobster cocktails set us back $50 then we got smart and realized our Airstreams have full stocked bars, back to the traila's we go for a soak in the mineral pools and chillin' out Barking Dog Trailer Park style. I love my time with Virginia, she is an amazing woman and such an awesome friend. This trip I finally got to meet her other half, Vince, he showed up late Friday night after I was snuggley tucked in bed but Saturday afternoon we did the town up starting with the Airstream showings. I have to give props to the people who put their fabulous trailers on display. My trailer could never be that clean and I would cringe at letting a thousand or more strangers into my space in a day.

In all it was a wonderful weekend with friends I adore. Virginia & Vince left on Sunday then the winds came to Desert Hot Springs, I was in for many days of blowing, yuck. At this point I'd been on the road for well over a month and needed some serious sleep, that is just what I did for the better part of two days. After a couple days of down time I needed to escape and hit the local casinos, just so my mom wouldn't be rolling in her urn at the thought of her daughter being that close to casinos and not giving them a go. Needless to say I lost my ass but had a good time doing it.

My plan had been to stay in that area for a week longer but the winds and the barking dogs did me in, I couldn't take it anymore, I packed up and despite the Santa Ana winds made my way to Ventura Beach. Nothing can keep me when I am ready to move on down the line!