We said good-bye to our friends Shabumi and proceeded to white knuckle our way out of Yosemite. It was the worst drive ever for Hubs. Twisting, turning, up and down to get out of the Sierra Nevadas. The scenery was incredable, not that we could appreciate it because it was also so treacherous. RV remember.
After smoking breaks and one lane bridges we found a sweet spot outside of Sonora on lake to stop for the night~ Tuttletown Recreation Area. Still dry camping. But found the sun again after being in the mountains. And there was not a single person around. It was a nice treat after so many people in Yosemite.
Coco and Hubs scavenged for rocks (we have so many rocks from so many places) and found sticker burrs like tacks. We are still picking them out of our shoes weeks later.
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).
RV Airabess is creeping her way along the southeastern coast of the U.S., Next stop Texas to spend some QT with Hub's mom.
So far the topography has been pretty much the same, though EVERY place is completely unique and special. There have been some stops that we were glad to pull away from and others that we were sad to leave behind.
Ironically we live in a moving home... but we really don't drive that much. We pick the next destination and the best way to get there (scenic byways always beat out the interstates) then go. Once we arrive we don't drive at all. I think we might be driving less than if we had jobs and responsibilities.
The 'destinations' we've passed so far are along the path. The ones that we miss, we will either hit up on the way back to Florida, or make a special trip later on~ sans the kiddo.
Once the temperature starts to rise we will start heading more north and continue west. Both Hubs and I have lived in Florida most of our lives, though we have traveled beyond the Sunshine State, and we are ready to see and experience mountains and desserts and canyons and whatever else is waiting for us.
In the interim, we have hiked and biked and played games. We have had structured 'school' and a whole lot of what can we learn today 'school'. We've laughed. We've read so many books. We've combed the beaches. We have become acquainted with this other version of the life we 'planned'.
Currently residing in Louisiana just outside of New Orleans. Not too keen on the idea of navigating NOLA in the RV, we might not get to the heart of the city. But you better be sure there are beignets in our near future. As well as an authentic King Cake.... it is Mardi Gras season after all.
The view changes as we go. There have been a few days when it was so foggy we could barely see past the bumper, others were filled with sparkling ripples thanks to the sunshine along the Mississippi Coast. We've driven through cotton fields, underwater tunnels and one fire. There have been a several times we laughed out load at the silliness we encountered and been taken aback at how cheep gas is right now (really had no idea).
I can hardly believe that it's only the beginning!
