This is REAL Barbecue

Hungry and wanting to try some good southern barbecue - this was rated high on Yelp.  Right off the interstate - as the sign says.  Exit 87 BBQ.  If you go too fast, you'll miss it.  And we weren't disappointed.  Great ribs, beans and slaw.  Welcome to Tennessee!

The mascot at the entrance:

THIS IS HOW THEY ROLL IN TENNESSEE!

On The Road Again...

It's been a long dry spell for me and my Blog.  Boo-Hoo.

Started way back in June.  Computer issues.  Non-stop.  Just ended with a SECOND restore to my MacBook Air.  Complete wipe of my hard drive...twice.  Almost didn't make it.  Not sure what that would mean but - GIVE ME A BREAK!

So much to say now and catch up on.

Left Illinois in the big bus today at about 2:30 pm.  Arrived in Effingham, Illinois (about 200+miles) about 6:30.  Nice ride, clear skies, sunshine - and early darkness!

I'm back.  Stay tuned...tomorrow heading to Tennessee.  Then Alabama and final stop where the bus will be "based" for a couple months in Florida.  Sunny Florida.  I hope.  See ya' Illinois!

Yes, you can see from the picture it's definitely the end of fall in Illinois...and it's time for all of us that want to run away from winter - to head south!

This was a great first stop!  If you look at the picture below there is a lake at the end of the road.  This would be a fun campground in warmer weather!

The RV...or the house on wheels!

This is what we do!  

Some folks have asked me if I'm writing a blog - or suggested that I write one.  I've declined from posting the site on Facebook...not sure I'm ready to do that.  But I'm going to share my link with a few more folks that would love to see pictures of the bus.

It's been an interesting "ride" so far.  We traveled this summer from Illinois to Colorado and then north to Washington state.  Other posts cover some of those experiences.  This one is just for the bus. It truly is an amazing vehicle and it's very, VERY comfortable to "camp" in.  Of course this isn't camping so please don't blast me for using the word "camp."

I will say, however, nothing beats pulling up in the woods, opening the windows and falling asleep in your king size bed!

Day 1 - leaving Northbrook, getting ready to hook up the CRV

Don selected an easy hook up!

Ready, set, go!

With the sides out...lots of room in the "living" room

The "cock pit"

Dining area

The kitchen

A partial view of the master bedroom-king size bed

This vanity is outside the bedroom, sink #1

Sink #2 in bathroom, with toilet

No explanation needed

Shower, and a small "tub" 

Kitchen sink "hidden" here

Micro/convection

Another view of the living room, notice TV above the driver area

Living room couch/extra bed

Stove top - two burners

A work area

Full size refrigerator

Walking Among Trees in Canada

One of the highlights of our visit to the ranch in Sumas, Washington was an afternoon drive over to Vancouver, Canada.  Choosing to be outside and enjoying warm weather, we decided to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, located in Northern Vancouver.

There were two attractions at the park we wanted to enjoy.  First, the Suspension Bridge and second, Treetops Adventure.   There were gardens, a restaurant, a gift shop (of course) and lots of lovely paths to walk, too!  There is a You Tube video of the suspension bridge if you would like to hear more about it.

At first glance I thought walking across the bridge would be a piece of cake.   Like maybe a "cakewalk!"  My first try across the bridge was not too good.  I surprised myself with my reactions.  Once I stepped down on the bridge, I could feel it swaying up and down and back and forth.

We had waited in line (very popular tourist spot) and when it was our turn to start down the stairs and on to the bridge, I could feel the bridge wiggle beneath my feet, it felt like it would break apart and I would fall down.  I took three or four steps forward, grabbed the rail on the side and stopped dead in my tracks.  Frozen.  Couldn't move...and I started to panic.  

I CAN'T DO THIS!!!! 

I decided to turn back...and didn't mind saying so to everyone behind me!  "I can't do this!"  Now, I'm pretty adventurous and willing to try something new...but the swaying back and forth of the bridge and the bumpy feel of each step forward was scary.  We turned around and headed for the steps leading back off the bridge.  

We walked around the park enjoying the beauty of trees and gardens.   I thought long and hard about the experience I was missing crossing the bridge to the other side of the park.  We paid $30+ admission...and I decided I wasn't going to let my fear get the best of me and not enjoy crossing over the river.  We got back in line and before I knew it, we were back on the bridge.  It still was a little scary, but I convinced myself that if all the people ahead of me and all the people behind me could do it - so could I!  There were people of all ages crossing along with me - young and old!

I think I can...I think I can....

Before long I was across and feeling pretty darn happy that I decided to get back on and cross over.  Halfway across I tried to look down and see the river below...but quickly decided I really didn't need to do that - I knew the river was down there - why look?  It wasn't a quick walk across...the bridge is 460 feet long and 230 feet above the river.  It took about 10-15 minutes to walk across.

Next on the visit was an excursion around the treetops, the Treetops Adventure.  Walking up a couple of staircases, thru the park, we arrived at the top of the stairs and the walkway that would lead us around the trees, to enjoy the Treetop Adventure.   This was truly amazing!  

The view from the top was fantastic!  This walkway in and around the trees was much more stable...and steady.  I was more comfortable walking around from tree top to tree top.  In between there were little platforms around the tree where we could stop and catch our breath as we walked from tree to tree.

Definitely a big tourist attraction in the area - but it was worth it! When do you get the chance to walk high in the sky between trees?  

Happy Road Wanderings

Roaming around the country is fun.   You might ask, why is it fun?  Well, first I would say you have to LIKE driving.  Not sure where I got my passion for driving but I LOVE it!  I don't tire of wondering where I'll go next.   In the spring of this year I was fortunate to drive from Illinois east to Rhode Island.  South to Georgia, West to Texas and then north to Illinois.

Over the summer I enjoyed a road trip from Illinois to Colorado, north to Washington State and then east to Illinois.  I was curious about the number of miles this involved so I started to track the miles.  To my surprise, the total miles came to 11,458!  Now, the last couple of thousand miles I can't claim I drove myself, as I was sharing an RV trip.  But I was the driver part of the time.  And, regardless - can you imagine traveling 11,458 miles on the road in the first half of a year?

Well, I can - and I did.  And you know what?  I'm ready to do it again!  Yup.  Again.  The last road trip traveling from Washington state to Illinois was not a relaxing trip.  There was a schedule.  Things were waiting for me in Illinois and in Rhode Island.  I needed to get back.  And along the way in the rush to drive east, there were so many small towns that I wanted to stop and explore.  I promised myself there would be another road trip.  A trip when I wouldn't have a schedule, when I could wander thru towns, relax, travel small country roads, enjoy more local culture and history and just smell the roses!

I got side tracked here.  The point I wanted to make in this post was how much I absolutely LOVE seeing friends and family along the way when I travel.   On the road from Colorado to Washington our drive took us thru Salt Lake City.  My sister Gail's son, Jess, lives in Salt Lake City.  I never met his wife, Sarah.  And I knew Jess and Sarah had two daughters Sophie and Maya.  From the day I started thinking and planning this trip I hoped I would be able to see Jess again and meet his family.  What a thrill it was to arrive in Salt Lake City to meet them.  We met for dinner - even tho it was a little late and I know Jess and Sarah are VERY busy parents with a new baby!

Sweet baby Jonah James McCarron

Jess and me

Jess, Sarah, Maya, Sophie and baby Jonah McCarron!  Love, Love, Love!!!!

For me, this is one of the thrills of my travel. I hear the call of the open road all the time. I'm so thankful to have incredible family and friends to enjoy on my adventures!

Thank you to Jess and Sarah for a fantastic visit. I hope our paths cross again - soon! You can be sure if I travel thru Utah again you'll hear from me wondering if we can enjoy another visit!  I loved meeting Sarah and enjoyed my visit with Sophie and Maya!  

A Wedding AND visit to Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beautiful bride and her parents

The Chapel

Let the party begin!

This guy is the next groom and lovely lady is the next bride!

Arriving in to Beaver Creek

The drive from Denver to Beaver Creek on Route 70 is not a long drive - but it's going over mountains and thru tunnels and thru the Rocky Mountains.  It's an absolutely gorgeous drive!  

Paul and Diana were married in a lovely mountain chapel.  The reception was in "Beano's" Cabin, in the Beaver Creek Resort - which is accessible by the Beaver Creek shuttle.  We were escorted from hotel to church to reception and back to hotel by bus shuttles.  It was nice NOT to drive and figure out where places were and where to park.

Andrew was best man for his friend Paul, and he did an amazing job with his prepared speech.  Dancing followed dinner and a great time was had by all.  

THE Campout - W O W - Sumas, Washington

Entering a little piece of heaven!

This is a working ranch! How lucky to be invited to spend a week and enjoy the Hammer family "Campout."  Don's daughter, Geri - and her significant other, Shawn - welcomed us and helped us feel right at home with all the Hammer friends and family.  This is a yearly event in August, rain or shine.  The family plans and prepares and cooks and cleans up.  There are tents, fifth wheel trailers, pop up tents, and a few RV buses!  We had full hookups at our site, there are showers and toilets available for folks that simply arrive with a tent.  It is an absolutely gorgeous site, maintained and groomed to perfection!  We had no idea what the week would be like.  We were so excited when we drove down the driveway and saw where we would be parking for the week!  Truly, this property is a little piece of paradise!  

In our RV, we had windows open each night, lots of fresh air, sunshine and best of all - no internet or phones every day!  These pictures tell the story of our fantastic visit in the woods.  We enjoyed every minute of every day!

First morning Shawn cooked breakfast in the camp kitchen.

This is the "dining room" or picnic area on the property.

Another view of the picnic area with tables nestled all around.

Great swings for swinging to the sky!

Kiddos were well taken care of on the property with lots of choices for play areas!

Yes, a REAL boat in the play yard...adventures await!

This driveway leads up to the top of the hill, to the home of Jerry and Lurline Hammer.

Shawn and Geri (Don's daughter) will build their ranch home on this site.  This is their little cabin at the top of the hill.


This is one of the highest points at the ranch.  There actually is a cellphone signal here...and you could get in touch with someone if you really needed to.  This little building has the most incredible view of the mountains and on a clear day you can see mountain tops in Canada!

Jerry has antique tractors and vehicles along the entryway.

Welcome....

As you enter the property this is the first pond.

Many, many varieties of trees along the entry road.

Not only were there RV's, many folks arrived and set up tents in the wooded areas.

There were three of us in RV buses.

Saturday, the main day of the weekend Campout, there was a car show.  These are Jerry's cars.

Another view of the eating area.

This pond is complete with slide and rope swing.

A walk up the driveway you see pictured earlier take you to their primary residence.

Geri and I walked around the back of the property and checked out the patios.

Nice view of the Hammer home at the top of the hill.

View from the back patio.

We watched the sun go down following dinner.

More patio areas 

Saturday evening's feast...salmon and cod on the grill, all cooked by friends and family.

All family members get in the act of taking care of the property or helping.

Jerry and Lurline on Saturday afternoon.  Jerry celebrated his 80th birthday!

Wagon rides Saturday for the families.

Fun for kids of all ages! 

Geri's sons, Jordan and Ezra

Saturday afternoon was in full swing with lots of cars and folks attending the Campout.

Another view of the boat "playground"

No fires this weekend - too dry!

The family recognizes Jerry and words of welcome to all.

Shawn's Dad Jerry and his lovely wife Lurline.

Geri's oldest son Brian entertains.

No trip tot he woods would be complete without an excursion in the woods on an ATV.  Shawn escorted us into the wild...and it was an amazing adventure!