Spring Break

 

We have seen and done SOOOO much since my last post. 
If you follow us on Facebook, you will have seen a picture version of our adventures. 

After Red Rock we set up shop in an RV park in Bakersfield, California.  Not our normal M.O. I know.  But we were there for two reasons; take care of some business, and meet up with our friends Shabumi. 
 
We met them in 2013 in Marathon and instantly clicked. On their way up the intercoastal last April on their boat (Shabumi) they stopped in St. Augustine and we showed them the nation's oldest city.  A great time was had by all.  So, when we knew we were headed out west we contacted them and made plans for Spring Break.  I am so glad we did!

We had an action packed week criss-crossing the central part of California.

The first stop was Morro Bay.  And it was the first time we had seen the coast since visiting Hub's mom back in Texas.  
The Cali coast did not disappoint.  From driving through vineyards, stopping at the James Dean Memorial, coastal fog, to scoring the last campsite at the State Park, the drive getting there proved to be an amazing experience.  

Once we set up camp we visited Morro Rock and beach.  We were greeted with insane inlet breaks, fog horns (not as common on the East Coast), playful sea otters, and sand dollars everywhere.  
It's incredible how different the west is from the east.  But for this sea-loving family it felt so good to breathe in the briny air.   
 

We woke up early the second day and, after a scrumptious breakfast prepared by Chef Hubs, we all hopped into the Shabumi van and traveled north on 1.  We stopped at Moon Rock Bay, San Simeon State Park, an elephant seal area, had a picnic on a random beach (which was amazing) and finally hit up Morro Park on the way back.  Afternoon cocktails were had, then dinner out~ finished by stories by the fire. 





 
 

And... we were just getting started!

The second leg of this trip took us to the Sequoia National Forest.  But not before we stopped for a wine tasting in one of the many vineyards in Paso Robles.  We saw lots of happy cows along the way... and a few factory farms too.  We drove through orange groves while admiring the mountains waiting for us in the distance. 
And true to traveling with Shabumi we landed a nice campsite at the foot of the mountains next to a river.  It was warm and breezy.  The kids LOVED it.  There were wide open fields to run and play while the grown-ups enjoyed a little more wine, this time with cheese.  
After our repast, the kids (and dads) went to the river to swim.  The moms enjoyed the quiet :).  
Another early morning led to a breathtaking day.  We piled into the van and went up into the park proper (something we could not have done in the RV).  And wow.   Just wow.  





There were moments when Coco would just stop.  My girl who is ALWAYS moving and SO noisy was stunned.  It was such a beautiful thing to see her overcome in that way.  I was.  Hubs was.  But she really got it.  All of it.  She let the whole experience wash over her.  It's one of those memories that I will always hold in my heart.  It was also one that I only took a mental picture of.  I've learned on this trip that not everything can or should be documented.  It needs to be felt.  She felt it and it's now part of her soul and it's going to be with her forever and I am so grateful that we got to share the experience.  
 
 
The last stop on the itinerary was Yosemite National Forest.   It was a CRAZY drive with so many twists and turns that I was sure Hubs was going to stroke out.  But he handled it like a champ... like always.  We didn't have a campsite (because there weren't any available) but Shabumi rolled the dice and won.  Someone didn't show up for their reservation.  Score.  I will say we never would have rolled those particular dice.  It's not the way we travel.  But, I have to say we probably should in the future.  I talk about being open to possibilities... well they get it in a way we don't.  So taking it in as a lesson~ trust the universe even if you can't schedule it.

Yosemite was everything that you think it would be.  It was grand and spectacular.  There is no way you can truly experience it's majesty in only a couple of days.  But a couple of days was all we had.  

It did remind me a lot of the Grand Canyon in that there were SO MANY PEOPLE!  I had no idea. Getting up early helps.  You have the trails all to yourself. Or, if you go off the most popular trails (like Hubs and Shabumi Hubs did later in the day). 

The Lone Star State Part 1

Our first stop in Texas was League City (just outside of Houston).  Not the normal stop for the average road-tripper, but we were visiting Hub's mom. 

She took us into Galveston where Hub's spent some of his formative years.  It was FREEZING the day we went... We still managed to check out some of Hub's old haunts.  A lot of the places we saw weren't exactly like he had remembered.  Hurricane Ike changed the landscape substantially.  When the town rebuilt, they upgraded in places. 

  Galveston Bay is host to the oil tankers in and out of Texas City.  We tool a quick look, but left quickly as the wind was howling and we had all turned into popsicles. 

While it was great to see family, we were glad to get out of the hustle and bustle of the greater Houston area.   

We took our leave on another rainy, cold morning.  But by the time we made it to our next destination, Guadalupe State Park (just north of San Antonio), the sun was out and the mercury was rising.  It turned out to be a gorgeous couple of days there.  We finally had some elevation and terrain.  Hub's got some serious mountain biking in.  I was able to finally get my mat outside again. Coco and I hiked up and around the Guadalupe River.  She earned a Texas Junior Ranger badge.  
***Guadalupe State Park has a fantastic interactive Discovery Center for kids. They offer many different hands on activities and exhibits.  I highly recommend the park for families.***
  

After Guadalupe River SP was Lost Maples Natural Area.  But first we had to get there.  
It was the first time the good ole RV Airabess had to climb up and with the pedal to the floor she really doesn't have that get up and go.  But she does have some serious momentum going down.  It was by far the most exciting road we have traveled. 
Hubs and Coco loved it.  I did too, after I had a mini anxiety attack during the roller coaster up, down, and around through Hill Country. 

We were parked in the valley and there were cliff outcroppings on both sides.  For this Florida family it was a thrill to have to look up at the landscape just outside our window.  

Lost Maple offered the highest hiking elevation yet at 2500 feet.  Coco was a champ and made it up the steep and rugged inclines with no complaint~ chatting me up the whole way.  Once to the top we got our first really impressive vista.  
At night the sky was a blanket of stars that, even aboard S/V Airabess, were brighter and clearer than we have seen so far.  That alone is worth the trip. 

We are currently in San Angelo and the weather has turned.  There is snow predicted next week... not really something we wanted to see on this trip.... but we will roll with it.  After a couple of days here we (think) the Monahans Sandhills before an extended stay at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park (the highest peak in Texas at 8700ish feet). 

I'll post more pics soon.  Loading them with out enough bandwidth is PAINFUL!

Florida

After a fantastic couple of weeks spending time with friends during Christmas, we are on the road.  

Our first stop was O'leno State Park. 

We weathered our first storm on RV Airabess after hiking 6 miles around the Sante Fe River. 

Two days was plenty there so we moved onto Manatee Springs State Park.

Friends joined us for the weekend. So we set camp for a full week. Hiking, manatee, buzzard rookery, deer, fireside antics, and late night conversations rounded out our time there. Also, lest we forget, no booze sold on Sunday. A very entertaining beer run ensued. Ha!

So glad Lea and Larry joined us. Can't wait to do it again! 

Coco always loves it when she can get in the water. I really think she's a mermaid. 

Then back on the road. A very, very foggy Big Bend Scenic Byway. Hard to take in the scenery when you can't see it. Oh well, we'll take what we can get... And stay off the interstate. 

Currently hanging out at St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park. I can see why this place would be a big hit for the area in the summer. Unfortunately for us it's pretty chilly in January.  So no frolicking in the waves. We have been able to do some serious beach combing though.  So, no complaints here. After living at the beach and on a boat I can appreciate the wintertime beach landscape. Its no less beautiful. It's really quit peaceful. 

We are on our way again in the morning. Headed west. Ready to be out of Florida, but trying to keep our drive time less than 3 hours, so a couple more stops in the panhandle.