This song triggers great memories of an earlier time. For those of us who lived in a harsh climate, it also sang of a place far away from the cold and snow.
Flash forward 47 years and it is time for Betty, Bailey the dog, and me to have out own type of California dreaming: our next satisfying retirement RV trip starts today! Golden State, here we come.
Because of the distance and time available, our trip to Portland last month was by plane so the RV has probably started to feel somewhat neglected. Since our 3 week trip to New Mexico and Texas several months ago and a quick 4 day trip to the White Mountains in June, it has been sitting on the side yard, feeling ignored. My oldest daughter and her family did borrow the RV for a 2 night-3 day trip to Flagstaff in July, but otherwise, nothing.
That changes today. We are headed out to the Palm Springs area, then wandering on to Paso Robles and Morro Bay. The route home hasn't been picked. We may head for Flagstaff for a few days. Or, if the weather has become too cool in the high country, then we will take a more southerly route through Quartzsite. That is one of the best parts of this type of travel: we have a map, a GPS, and a directory of RV campgrounds. We will let our mood and the weather determine where we travel.
In another chance to turn a blogging friend into a real friend, we plan to meet up with Pam, a regular commenter who lives in the Paso Robles area. We are anxious to get together and exchange stories. We also have a list of the best wineries to visit, courtesy of Early Retirement Tamara.
Bailey has never seen the ocean so our time around Morro Bay should be fun to watch. Will she leap in or scurry away from the waves. We will see.
This will probably be our last trip this year in the RV. After our return in the middle of the month it will be time to perform all the end of the season maintenance and prepare for next year. We have a major, 11 week trip planned for mid June until Labor Day. This will allow us to miss almost three months of the Phoenix summer heat.
Look for regular posts on our progress, along with Betty's photos. We are learning a new photo editing program which will keep us busy.
But, for now, I am behind the wheel of the RV while California Dreaming.
How exciting!!!!!! Do you know yet where your longer summer trip will take you? How fun to plan adventures...!!We will want to see pictures and Ken and I like hearing about your maintenance and repairs on the RV-helps us figure out what we want to do as far as testing it out..I have my eye on a tiny CASITA to try,maybe..we shall see.. just a few short months till we're done working..
ReplyDeleteAssuming the national parks aren't still closed by next June (!) we will be going to Zion and Bryce Canyons, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier National Park. Then, to Portland for a month, and finally 2 weeks to get home through California (particularly the Redwoods and Northern CA) and Nevada.
DeleteWe had plans to stop at Joshua Tree National Park on our current trip but it is closed due to the government shutdown.
I just got late word that Mike and Tamara Reddy are going to be so near us this Saturday they will be stopping by with a bottle of wine....another example of great timing!
We have a friend with a Casita. He loves it.
best of luck to you and Betty. Sounds like a great trip, says one who is sitting her at work! Hope the weather cooperates, and looking forward to seeing some of Betty's pics, especially from the coast on Rt 1. Always looks great.
ReplyDeleteWe are facing very strong Santa Ana winds this weekend. I thought that was a summer time only phenomenon but obviously not. You can bet on pictures!
DeleteA little California dreaming might be in order - flurries in our forecast tomorrow! Are you kidding me! Planning a trip to your warm, sunny Arizona over Christmas! No California dreams but a little Arizona dreaming will fill in the months between now and then! Happy travels!
ReplyDeleteSnow flurries in Alberta in early October...are you ready?
DeleteIt depends on where in Arizona you are headed. Flagstaff will be snowy and cold, Sedona no snow but chilly, Phoenix/Scottsdale anywhere from 50's to 70's. Every once in a great while we get a cold snap with flurries around Christmas...locals love it and tourists hate it. But it melts within 4-5 hours.
Maybe we should get together for a hot toddy! Betty and I will be in town for the holidays.
Bob, be sure to walk Bailey on the Morro Bay boardwalk beginning at the Coast Guard station (lots of parking). You can walk out to the "Rock" and then around to the beach. We often walk our dogs there and enjoy watching the otters, sea lions, and people in the water at the end of the bay.
ReplyDeleteI was born and spent the first 30 years of my life in California. Lately, in part because of my first grandchild, I have begun to watch homes in a neighborhood I like near San Diego. Right now the tax situation does not seem favorable to us. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteMorro Bay and San Luis Obispo are great places to visit. Eat breakfast in the cafe at the Madonna Inn just to look around.
Madonna Inn...no relationship to the singer, right?
DeleteWow, loved the youtube of the Mamas and the Papas! Brought back a lot of memories. And the clips that showed the deep snow, covered cars etc gave me a chill. It's all coming our way too soon. Fortunately we'll be able to escape 2 months this year. Not to sunny California, but a closer destination in Florida!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip. California is beautiful country, and we plan to visit sometime in the not too distant future. Have a great time. Will look forward to seeing pictures and hearing about your adventures!
Pictures and stories of the trip will appear with shocking regularity.
DeleteBoy oh boy, that's one of those songs that cuts deep to the nostalgia bone. Anyway ... ya bringin' your surf board?!?
ReplyDeleteIt won't fit inside, so we will make do with the surfboard on the painting by the kitchen sink.
DeleteHave a great time -- glad you are enjoying your RV. We will soon make the trip back from MN to AZ in ours. Like you, the route home hasn't been chosen. Each time is different -- great fun, right?
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year we talked about Skyping, but other events intervened. Perhaps an "eyeball QSO" is in order when we both get back to AZ.
Like many others here, enjoyed the videos (and your blog). Travel safe.
It is fun to not over plan a trip. We have reservations for the first 12 nights o but only a general idea of how we are going to get home.
DeleteAn eyeball QSO (ham radio talk!) would be great.
California Dreaming, a true way for an Arizonan to live!
ReplyDeleteTry to put A Kansas stop on your way to or from in your next big States trip. We don't have an ocean, but we do have a lake!
Say hello to California for me!
My brother lives in Kansas City so an RV trip that way will happen..maybe on our way to New England for a summer. Oh, there I go again, already thinking of a new 3-4 month trip!
DeleteHope you have a great time and that all the closings don't affect you too much. We'll get our social security but I feel for all my federally employed friends (of hwome there are many). I'm reserving most of my travel for the spring when I'll need to escape the Denver cold.
ReplyDeleteI think Joshua Tree National Park, which we passed yesterday, is the only one on this particular trip. Yes, those paying the real price for the Congressional stupidity are those who are losing paychecks. Even if they eventually get back pay, that doesn't help much right now when money is needed today, not at some vague moment in the future.
DeleteMy SS check should be in my account next Wednesday. I am certainly expecting it to be there!
As many have noted, stop paying Congress and this issue resolves itself overnight. Not going to happen.
Have fun! Looking forward to more photos from Betty!
ReplyDeleteb
Sounds like you have a fun trip planned! I lived for several years back in the 80's in San Diego, but never saw much of the coastline north of there. My travels took me up Interstate 5 north, unfortunately (and south to Tijuana, but that's another story for another time LOL)
ReplyDeleteA birthday present from my dad in the 60's was tickets to a Beach Boys concert, so the video brought back some fond memories!