Blog #38 - North Carolina, Ohio, New York

Christina Ballas September 13, 2023

Although we ended our Scamp travels in February 2023 it has taken a while to post this last Blog entry! Our final stretch of this nine month journey took us through Durham (NC), Cincinnati (OH), Fredonia (NY), and on to our ending destination of Buffalo (NY) where our current stationary home is located. This portion of our traveling also included our last night in the Scamp, appropriately being in a Cracker Barrel parking lot with the coldest evening yet. Definitely time to get home!

A frosty morning at Cracker Barrel in Lumberton, NC. I cannot express how thankful we are for Cracker Barrel to continue allowing overnight campers to stay in their lots. Knowing that this company provides the opportunity for weary travelers to safely take a break was truly priceless. Throughout our entire journey we encountered only one that refused (Sacramento, CA) and that area was pretty sketchy. Oh and the Peach Cobbler - Yummy!

After warming up from the frigid night we headed towards Durham, NC for a quick visit with Steve’s relatives (Joel, Margrit, Glen, and Isik). They have patiently waited for our stopover, being towards the end of our long adventure! We both love this area of North Carolina and have visited several times - maybe a future location for us to set up house?

Back to Cincinnati, my previous home for almost 20 years! It was heartwarming to see my eldest son and good friends again - I have missed them all so much. Their encouragement to take on this adventure was incredible and keeping in touch helped to sustain me through some difficult days. A huge thank you to my dearest friends Theresa and Todd for opening up their home for us and the Scamp, it was an amazing week. Unfortunately we did not take many photos, too busy just gabbing and catching up!

**Fun Fact - Governor Mike DeWine spoke at Breton’s Virtual Covid Graduation ceremony from Miami University.**

**Thank you Theresa and Todd - Love you!!**

**Breton - The Eldest - One of my most favorite human beings!**

We have finally arrived home in Buffalo, NY - Nine months, thirty states, four Canadian provinces, and 40 thousand miles later. An experience of a lifetime! Scamp currently has a temporary home in Fredonia, NY with Steve’s brother. After a few months rest, clean up, and minor repairs I am hoping to sell the Scamp in the spring - she will be ready for many more adventures with a new owner. Thanks everyone for the encouragement, advice, technical help, phone calls, messages, comments, and for following along!

Thank you Jen for this awesome map, representing all the states that the Scamp has traveled to. It started many conversations throughout our adventure! The sticker representing our time in Canada started off a beautiful red and silver, but like us it became a bit worn down!

**Scamp is having a much needed rest. Thank you Paul for housing her until she finds a new home!**

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moon shinin'?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind?
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind” - James Taylor

“If the world comes to an end, I want to be in Cincinnati. Everything comes there ten years later.” - Mark Twain

“There’s a certain vibe in my hometown; Buffalo is a city that has no illusions.” - John Rzeznik - “Goo Goo Dolls”

Link to Steve’s music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fW5lsWiZG5TcOlhukK4pu?si=2NngXMjoR7mUJLreexbIAw&utm_source=native-share-menu (Let me know if you are interested in purchasing a CD/$10)

Blog #37 - Georgia & South Carolina

Christina Ballas June 4, 2023

With the eastern weather becoming drastically cooler we made the decision to quickly work our way back to our home in Buffalo, NY. Managing the colder daytime temperatures was enjoyable, however, the further north we traveled the nighttime hours consistently began to drop into the 30’s making it uncomfortable to sleep (and get out of bed in the morning!!) in the Scamp without a heat source. We planned a few quick stops to see Savannah (GA) and Charleston (SC), both full of beautiful architecture and of course painful histories that should not be forgotten.

Overnight stay at Coastal Empire Beer, Co. (Savannah, GA) via Harvest Host! We met a lovely couple parked behind us traveling the country in a van and enjoyed delicious beer with interesting conversations!

**Savannah was beautiful with with its cobblestone streets, landscaped parklike squares, notable historic buildings, and numerous ghostly tales!**

Moon River Brewing Company is located in one of the oldest, most historic and genuinely haunted buildings in Savannah. A few past hotel guests included War of 1812 hero Winfield Scott, the Marquis de Lafayette, the first three Commodores of the United Statues Navy, and naturalist James Audubon.

**A stroll down River Street traversing dangerously steep staircases, cobblestones, bustling water views, and of course sampling some delicious pecan pralines!**

**Even though our day was short in Savannah we took in the flavor of this historical city and hope to return one day. I even found Mr. Wonderful (sorry Steve)!**

After our quick day in Savannah we headed to our final Harvest Host overnight stay - Tideland Brewing, located in Charleston, SC. We plopped ourselves down on one of their comfy couches, made a plan for our next day’s visit to charming Charleston, and had a quiet night sleeping in the parking lot!

**Tideland Brewing, Charleston, SC. Harvest Host was an amazing addition to our travel journey and would definitely recommend!**

Charleston, the oldest and largest city in South Carolina, was established as Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England. In addition to abundant southern hospitality, historic homes (including Rainbow Row), and plenty of ghost stories Charleston also has a painful past. The city was a key port responsible for the sale and transport of enslaved African Americans to all other major cities in the U.S. Although we enjoyed exploring the beauty of Charleston, knowing the fateful history of thousands of lives was always on my mind.

The City Market is a historic market complex in downtown Charleston. The market stretches across four city blocks through a continuous series of one-story market sheds. I was glad to hear that humans were never sold in the City Market. Unfortunately you did not need to walk far to what is named the Old Slave Mart which is now a museum.

**This church is named for Philip, one of the 12 Apostles, who was born in Galilee and died a martyr in what is now Hierapolis, Turkey.**

**Charleston Harbor mansions and The Battery seawall.**

A few more parting photos as we prepare to leave Charleston. It was a lovely one day adventure that has been on my list of cities to explore. Our next quick stops will be Durham, NC and then Cincinnati before heading back to Buffalo - hopefully before the next big snow dump. Thanks for following along!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Savannah is amazing with the town squares and the hanging moss and the French Colonial houses. It's brutally romantic.” - David Morrissey

“There is no city on Earth quite like Charleston. From the time I first came there in 1961, it’s held me in its enchanter’s power, the wordless articulation of its singularity, its withheld and magical beauty. Wandering through its streets can be dreamlike and otherworldly, its alleyways and shortcuts both fragrant and mysterious, yet as haunted as time turned in on itself.” - Pat Conroy

Blog #36 - Florida

Christina Ballas May 7, 2023

A brilliant cloudless blue sky welcomed us to Florida, hooray! We were both looking forward to the warmth, sunshine, and all of our Florida plans: feeling the soft sand once again under my feet, hearing the soothing sounds of ocean waves, visiting Tampa to spend time with Landon and Steve’s cousins, being kids again at Universal Studios, and exploring St. Augustine.

**Arrived in Florida - first stop Pensacola Beach. We soaked in the sunshine and then took a peaceful nap in the Scamp. It was a little cool with the breeze, however we did not mind at all!**

Our home for the next few days was graciously provided by Steve’s Cousins Joel and Sarah. It was awesome meeting their family (including Priscilla and Elvis - the family dogs), sharing stories, seeing Harper’s soccer game, and taking a beautiful pre-spring day walk around Lettuce Lake Conservation Park!

The hardest part of my travel journey was not hugging my children for almost 10 months. It was an amazing day when we headed out to meet Landon in Tampa! Our time together was filled with: meandering the River Walk, streetcar rides, checking out Ybor City, cocktails and appetizers at Columbia Restaurant, and a trip to St. Petersburg to explore the Salvador Dalí Museum.

Ybor City, Tampa; an historic neighborhood just northeast of downtownTampa, was founded in the 1880s by Vicente Martinez-Ybor and other cigar manufacturers. This area was populated by thousands of immigrants, mainly from Cuba, Spain, and Italy.

**Colombia Restaurant first opened in Ybor City over 115 years ago and is known as the oldest restaurant in Florida.**

The Salvador Dalí Museum, located in St. Petersburgh, FL, is home to more masterpieces of Dalí than any other museum in the world. We each went our separate ways to take in the magnitude of treasures at our own pace and then stopped for tacos!

**Farewell to Tampa and Landon - we will be back!**

On to our next Florida stop, Universal Studios!!!! Going to Universal was in our travel plans from the conception of our voyage. As I get older twirling all around and upside down becomes even more nauseating, however I am not ready quite yet to give up the fantasy provided by these amazing rides. We challenged ourselves by completing both parks at Universal in one day - mainly because we were determined to explore both sides of Harry Potter! They only way we were able to accomplish this feat was to stay one night at the least expensive Universal Hotel in order to have early entry into the park. It was absolutely worth it - photo dump below!

**We had to laugh - we went to The Buena Vista during our stay in San Francisco!**

Our final stop in Florida was an unexpected add on surprise. We needed a stop for overnight and found a Cracker Barrel near St. Augustine. Before settling in the Scamp for the night we spent the day walking around this city, founded in 1565. We learned that St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. Now that was a lot to take in!

**Castillo de San Marcos - the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.**

We ended our day in St. Augustine at Georgie’s Diner. It has really been amazing when circumstances just appear along the way of our travels. After we were seated I started to observe the photos on the walls. One in particular caught my attention - see below. It turns out that the owner’s wife was from Buffalo, NY!

That completes our visit to Florida. It always surprises me, as I write the blog, how much we pack in during a short amount of time. We start our travels north now with our next stay near Savannah, Georgia. Thanks for following along!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Florida is a golden word…The very name Florida carried the message of warmth and ease and comfort. It was irresistible.” – John Steinbeck

“I hear it’s hot in Florida. And it’s raining here tonight. But the sun’s gonna shine tomorrow. And I’m gonna do alright.” – Elton John

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Blog #35 - Louisiana

Christina Ballas April 6, 2023

Louisiana’s history is both historically culturally rich and sadly tragic. Spanish, French, African, and Native American influences are intertwined in the food, music, architecture, and language. The colorful culture is preserved within strong Creole and Cajun traditions alongside appalling stories of slavery. We spent some time: learning about plantation life, trying local delicacies, exploring New Orleans, checking out alligators, and listening to a bit of Jazz.

**Our first stop - Rosie Jo’s - for some traditional Cajun fare. Steve had the Crawfish *étouffée* and I went for the Shrimp Po’ Boy.**

As ugly as some history has been, my hope is always that knowledge for a better future can be learned from the past. With its plantation economy, Louisiana was a state that generated wealth from the labor and trade of enslaved Africans. We decided to visit two plantations, both very different in architecture, but with the unfortunate commonality of past of slavery.

**Kent Plantation House** is the oldest standing structure in Central Louisiana and currently located in Alexandria in Rapides Parish. The original home, moved to its present site in 1964, was filled with artifacts from the plantation’s time of operation. Built in circa 1796 by enslaved people this was an authentic Creole plantation that gave some insight to southern plantation life between 1795 and 1855. Seeing the preserved opulence and wealth of the plantation created by the unimaginable history of slavery was overwhelming to me. The stark contrast of those living and working on this plantation can be seen in the photos below.

Houmas House, referring to the native Houma people who once resided in the New Orleans area, possibly had a different story. Located in Darrow, just outside of New Orleans, this sugar planation once had the largest number of enslaved individuals in Louisiana - almost one thousand.

**Houmas House Plantation** - Antebellum architectural homes were built in the southern American states around thirty years prior to the American Civil War; approximately between the 1830s to 1860s.

Check out Steve playing the 1901 Baby Grand Steinway at the Houmas House! https://youtube.com/shorts/PNnW85AXCnc?feature=share

Our tour guide stated that John Burnside, an Irish businessman: purchased the already established Houmas House Plantation in 1857, freed his slaves in 1858 prior to the Civil War, gave them parcels of land to own, and started to pay for their work. John Burnside was nicknamed “The Sugar Prince” having eventually attained the largest sugar empire in the South. It has been written that he was among the first former slaveholders to continue his sugar business through paid labor.

I felt emotional upon leaving Houmas House with the knowledge that perhaps in this instance, at this plantation, the chains of slavery had been broken. I wanted to confirm the story and after some research it appears little has been written about this event. Descendants of those previously enslaved still live on nearby land that was supposedly given to their predecessors by John Burnside.

On our way to New Orleans we stopped for some more Louisiana lunch fare. Unfortunately we missed the Jambalaya (all sold out at a Jambalaya restaurant?), but enjoyed tasty Rice & Beans and Gumbo!

New Orleans - We were beyond grateful to have a nearby Harvest Host that allowed for a three night stay in their parking lot, giving us time to explore New Orleans. The food and beer at Faubourg Brewing were icing on the cake! We had an amazing time exploring the city; Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee, the Garden District, riding the streetcars, visiting cemeteries, and walking down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter..

**The one item on my New Orleans list was to have beignets. There was no escaping the residue of powdered sugar all over, providing evidence that we devoured these yummy treats.**

We began our New Orleans streetcar adventure to visit the Garden District - loaded with opulent historic mansions. I found a Garden District walking map via Google which helped with identifying some famous resident homes such as author Anne Rice and Sandra Bullock.

Author Anne Rice passed away from complications of a stroke at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California on December 11, 2021, at the age of 80. She was to be interred at the family mausoleum at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. Her home is currently for sale in the Garden District.

We hopped onto another streetcar to visit cemeteries located just northwest of downtown. New Orleans is at or below sea level, resulting in a high water table in the soil. If a body or coffin is placed in an in-ground tomb in New Orleans, there is risk of it being water-logged or even displaced from the ground. For this reason, the people of New Orleans have generally used above-ground tombs. The graveyards are referred to as “cities of the dead.”

The French Quarter - Fun times listening to some music and taking in the scenes of Bourbon Street. We left before the nocturnal party shenanigans started, although didn’t escape a stranger from throwing those colorful plastic beads around our necks!

On our final day in New Orleans we took a swamp tour to check out some local wildlife. We did not have high hopes for seeing alligators due to the chilly weather, but luckily there were a few out and about. Funny tour guide stories, a few Snowy Egrets, raccoons, and wild boar rounded out the tour!

We had a busy stay in Louisiana before heading on to our next destination, Florida. I have been waiting ten months to hug my youngest son living in Tampa! Before arriving we first had to drive through Mississippi. We did not stop, but Steve caught a photo of the sign. Thanks everyone for following along :-)

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Abandoned residential homes are common in the area—often the casualties of severe damage from hurricanes—but what I find fascinating is the mettle of the Cajuns we encountered and befriended. They may lose their roof and be forced to abandon their home, but it is a near surety that they will remain in the same area, raising a family. There is great cultural pride in these resourceful people, and it is evidenced by the tenacity of those who face the power of Gulf hurricanes every year, and yet remain.” -Mike Correll, Abandoned Sulphur, Louisiana

“I guess I feel that I was following my instincts, and at the same time being guided by the best. I became totally intrigued with Louisiana - the people, the food. It is a part of my life. Everything that has happened for me since moving here has just been icing on the cake.” -Emeril Lagasse

“Half of my family has a deep-rooted connection to the South and Louisiana, and for me, New Orleans is one of our most precious, historic communities: visually, emotionally, artistically.” - Sandra Bullock

Blog #34 - Texas

Christina Ballas February 6, 2023

Texas is an enormous state so grab something to drink and a snack for a big blog photo dump! I have been fortunate to have met many of Steve’s relatives scattered about the country with quite a few residing in Texas. We decided to take advantage of our travel circumstances and planned about a two month stay to visit with Steve’s relatives and spend the holidays with his mom. During our time we took a few road trips to check out some sights!

First stop in Texas was in Lipan to visit with Dale (Steve’s cousin) and Garland for a couple nights. The weather was beautiful so we took a few walkabouts and caught up on life.

After dropping the Scamp off in Greenville (Steve’s mom’s house) we took a last minute scheduled trip to Houston, TX and spent the night with Steve’s Cousin Ben before jumping onto a cruise ship in Galveston. We were able to find cheap tickets and the port was drivable so we went for it! After months of living very minimally we thoroughly enjoyed some pampered time on the ship. Our overnight in Houston was full of cousin stories with amazing home cooked meals. If you are interested in ginormous fish tanks check out Ben’s YouTube channel called Reef Beef Podcast. You can watch his latest episode at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y17p9wupLCg

Upon return to Greenville, TX we planned out a future three day excursion to include Austin, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio. It was fun to just take the car and not tow the Scamp - traveling became much less complicated. We packed in our sightseeing and basically ate our way through these amazing cities!

**Beer, Honky Tonk, a little Two Step instruction, and Chicken Shit Bingo at the Longhorn Saloon! After all that excitement we headed out for some big TX BBQ!**

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Fredericksburg, located in Texas Hill Country, was founded on May 8, 1846 by German immigrants under the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. Interesting architecture, tasty German fare, and Blue Grass entertainment made for a fun adventure!

**I had to make at a stop at Woerner Warehouse - recommended by one of my favorite YouTube friends!**

**The Alamo - Battle during the Texas Revolution that occurred from February 23 to March 6, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas. It ended in a decisive victory for Mexican forces over Texan volunteers.**

**Lunch, a lively serenade from three amigos (thanks Steve!), and dessert at the Historic Market Square, San Antonio.**

**A sarcophagus possibly containing the ashes of the Alamo occupiers - historians believe it is more likely that the ashes were buried near the Alamo.**

Thanksgiving was spent with Steve’s family in Greenville which included his Mom Shirley and Cousin Mark. We were thrilled that Steve’s Aunt Nancy, Uncle Bob, and Cousin Ellen also drove down from Arkansas to celebrate with us. There was much joviality, food, and wine!

I decided to fly back to Buffalo to visit family for Christmas while Steve stayed in Texas to be with his mom. My three week Buffalo trip turned into four with the immense snow storm creating havoc. We were fortunate to maintain electricity and had plenty of food to remain sustained after all of the shoveling!

**Quilt by Shirley Cotten! She spends many hours making quilts for family, friends, and donations to the community.**

**Holiday doggie pics: Jack, Berkeley, and the Doyle’s new puppy Charlie! Let’s go Buffalo Sabres!!**

Although we have been in Texas for quite a while the time has passed by quickly. I learned about quilting from Shirley. Steve got to make a big fire and dig a long drainage trench ;-). We saw our first (and hopefully only) land crayfish. Mark spent hours on Rav 4 maintenance (Thank you, Cousin Mark!!). We were awakened each morning by neighboring roosters and cows. I ate plenty of donuts. There were a lot of laughs and fun shared with Shirley and Mark. [Steve: Thanks, Mom!! :-)]

We have been traveling the Scamp Road for eight months now with just a couple more to go before returning to our new home in Buffalo and are thankful to have been able to spend this much time here with Steve’s family - they will be missed. On our way to Louisiana!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas” – Davy Crockett

“Only Texas could turn defeat into a legend–and a song, and a tourist attraction, and a major motion picture.” ~Rosemary Kent, speaking of the Alamo.

“For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.” – John Steinbeck

Link to Steve’s music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fW5lsWiZG5TcOlhukK4pu?si=2NngXMjoR7mUJLreexbIAw&utm_source=native-share-menu (Let me know if you are interested in purchasing a CD/$10)

Blog #33 - New Mexico

Christina Ballas January 30, 2023

New Mexico - with our allotted travel time we spent just a couple of days driving through New Mexico on our way to Texas to visit Steve’s family. Our NM adventure started with an overnight stay at the Hotel Luna Mystica (a magical vintage trailer campground), then on to Taos, and ended with an incredible drive through autumn foliaged Aspens!

**At the Motel Luna Mystica you can rent vintage camper accommodations or bring your own vehicle. We watched an incredible sunset with other guests in teepees, tents, and campers!**

Taos, NM is the home for more than 80 galleries and several museums. The Taos Art Colony was created from artists attracted by the culture of the Taos Pueblo and northern New Mexico. Although we did not get to visit I was fascinated to read that the Taos Pueblo is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States, occupied for nearly a millennium!

Hanging out in a Taos public parking lot VERY early waiting for businesses to open - 32 degrees this morning in the Scamp at Hotel Luna Mystica. Read the fine print on the parking sign below carefully, LOL!

As we finished our drive through New Mexico Steve and I both commented on the glorious Aspens along our route. The reflected sunshine and wind created twinkle lights from the yellow leaves. The days have gotten colder with the nights and mornings in the Scamp increasingly more uncomfortable. It is time to head further south to Texas for visits with Steve’s family and warmer weather. Sending hugs to all of our family and friends - we miss you!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“We were in the shadow of the mountains, the light was cool and quiet and no wind was stirring. The aspen trunks were slightly greenish and the leaves were a vibrant yellow.” -Ansel Adams

Blog #32 - Colorado

Christina Ballas January 22, 2023

Our next location, Colorado (meaning “colored red”), is referred to as the “Centennial State”. I was fortunate to have visited my parents when they resided in the Colorado mountains many years ago and Steve also visited this magnificent landscaped state with his mom in 1991. There is just something about Colorado that makes my spirit feel good. We did not travel north to the rockies this trip, but did make pit stops in Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.

For over 700 years the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde, surviving on hunting, gathering, and subsistence farming. Pueblos were built on the mesas starting sometime after 650. By the end of the 12th century construction began of massive cliff dwellings. It is thought that following a period of social and environmental instability driven by a series of severe and prolonged droughts these dwellings were abandoned and the residents moved south to locations in Arizona and New Mexico.

Durango, CO was the perfect image of an old west gold mining mountain town and home to the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. During our limited time there we explored the town’s shops, visited the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum, and rambled along the Animas River Trail.

**Our isolated boondock campsite on the way to Durango. We woke up to below freezing temperatures, the coldest so far on our adventure and beginning stretch of uncomfortably frigid nights.**

**Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train**

**The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum offered a comprehensive and fascinating history of railroading, transportation, and mining with people from around the world.**

A perfect autumn day in Durango! The Animas River Trail took us through Rotary Park, the Durango Fish Hatchery, and the Durango Botanic Gardens.

So long Colorado, we have such wonderful memories - rolling on to New Mexico. Thank you to everyone still following along as we continue our journey!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“You don’t need missionaries in Colorado: you got Colorado.” -Trey Parker

https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm - Mesa Verde National Park Information

Blog #31 - Arizona

Christina Ballas January 15, 2023

Arizona - again! Upon recommendation from a well traveled friend we decided to visit the North Rim area of the Grand Canyon. It worked out splendidly since this possibly lesser travelled entrance was closest to Utah providing us with majestic views without enormous crowds. Our final stop in Arizona was Horseshoe Bend before heading to the Four Corners Monument for a mandatory photo opportunity!

Grand Canyon National Park, located in northwestern Arizona, provided colorful and diverse gorge views down to the Colorado River. Our day started at the North Rim with breakfast in the Scamp - cold morning! We spent several hours hiking, taking in the exhilarating views along the trails, and filling our phones with plenty of breathtaking photos.

Horseshoe Bend, located near Page, AZ, makes a wide sweeping curve via the Colorado River. Hiking to The Overlook was about .6 mile and the view was inspiring! We followed the rules for viewing - my stomach dropped seeing others go beyond the fencing close to the 1,000 foot drop off to the river below. This emphasized that selfies could turn deadly.

After a pleasant overnight in the Page, AZ Walmart parking lot we headed out to the Four Corners Monument. In 1912 government surveyors found where the states of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico came together - the only place in the United States where four states meet at one geographic location. After some obligatory photos we spent time exploring the incredible Native American artwork displays created by local artisans. The area is rich with indigenous heritage which includes the Navajo, Hopi, Ute, and Zuni.

I know what you are thinking, “Wow, a short blog!”. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for following along with us on this incredible journey - next stop - Colorado!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“If there is a point to being in the canyon, it is not to rush but to linger, suspended in a blue-and-amber haze of in-between-ness, for as long as one possibly can. To float, to drift, savoring the pulse of the river on its odyssey through the canyon, and above all, to postpone the unwelcome and distinctly unpleasant moment when one is forced to reemerge and reenter the world beyond the rim-that is the paramount goal.” - Kevin Fedarko - The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon

“There will never be a photograph of the Grand Canyon that can adequately describe its depth, breadth, and true beauty.” - Stefanie Payne, A Year in the National Parks: The Greatest American Road Trip

Blog #30 - Utah

Christina Ballas January 8, 2023

Utah, the 15th state on our incredible journey, is nicknamed “The Beehive State”. Our plans included visiting both Zion and Bryce National Parks as well as squeezing in some needed library time. We have spent many hours in numerous libraries across North America throughout our travels, allowing Steve and I time to work on projects needing reliable WiFi. Most of the blogs have been created and posted from libraries and Steve continues to study data science for future job opportunities. In the past many years I had gotten away from the library scene (with information so readily available on the internet) and have truly enjoyed checking out various “archives of information” across the country.

**Views from our site at Quail Creek Campground.**

Zion National Park was the home of the Anasazi civilization around 1,500 B.C. The Zion Canyon was carved over millions of years by the Virgin River and is approximately 2,000 feet deep. Although we did not have time for Zion’s most famous hike “The Narrows”, we did manage quite a challenging trail named “The Watchman”. The early day was already warm and the trail was narrow and steep, however well worth the climb. The views were breathtaking and Steve found a sadly deceased tarantula!

Allowing ourselves only one day to explore Zion we jumped on the park tour bus after our morning hike to see a bit more. We rode the bus to the end of the line and hiked along the “Riverside Walk” which ended where “The Narrows” hike began. It was a beautiful trek, although next time we will be prepared for the more challenging hike into the canyon!

It’s a new day = a new adventure = Bryce Canyon National Park! Our drive to Bryce was on a perfectly gorgeous fall day complete with brilliant sunshine, clear blue skies, autumn foiliage, and crisp cool air.

Once again we allowed for only one day to explore a humongous national park so we hopped on the park bus at the visitor center and rode out to the furthest stop on the route, Bryce Point - elevation 8,300ft. We then spent the rest of the day hiking back to the visitor center and were stunned by all the beauty and fantastic geology this gemstone of a park provided. It was an intense day, the hiking was long, steep and exhausting, but the views were just fantastic!

**Overlook at “Inspiration Point” - The Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called "hoodoos") found anywhere on Earth.** **We took some time to allow this grandiose landscape soak in and then headed along the “Rim Trail” to continue viewing these mystical formations.**

We decided to detour off the rim and work our way down into the canyon, via the Navajo Loop Trail, to get up close and personal with the “hoodoos”. We overheard discussions about the difficulty of the trail, mainly being you can go down on the way in or reverse and go down on the way out. Clearly there was no avoidance on the “up” portion and there were various opinions regarding which strategy was harder. We of course took the more challenging direction and had an exerting uphill climb out. This has been the only hike on our entire journey that we ran out of water before reaching the end of the trail. What we experienced on the trail was phenomenal.

We had an incredible time in Utah and as with every state we have visited longer stays would have been beneficial. However, leaving places to still explore will hopefully bring us back! We will be moving on (actually back to) Arizona - love to our family and friends.

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Stepping out onto any lookout, you are invited to connect with an amazing example of some of the most unusual terrain on this planet, making you feel as though you are stepping foot on the edge of another world.” -Stefanie Payne

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” -Anita Desai

Blog #29 - Nevada

Christina Ballas January 1, 2023

After Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park our initial travel plans were to remain in California and head into Death Valley National Park. Unfortunately many of the roads leading into the park were closed at that time due to flooding damage so we needed to reroute. This is where our traveling to Arizona and Nevada became intertwined. Our adventure first took us through southeast California and into Arizona to visit the town of Oatman. We then drove to Las Vegas, NV to check out Sin City and Redrock Canyon National Conservation Area.

**Overnight at a California Highway Rest Area - The next morning Steve saw another patron walking his horse!**

**We had to jump onto Route 66 for some breakfast. Check out those gas prices!**

We learned about Oatman from a fellow traveler and decided to check it out. This small town was full of wild west character…and wild burros! These small donkeys descended from the burros of miners arriving in Oatman searching for gold. Although the burros on the main street were friendly we were warned not to approach any outside of the town due to being untamed and ornery.

We decided to set up camp that night just outside of Oatman on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. In many cases this allows for free camping which is a plus for us! One of my favorite activities out west has been viewing the incredible sunsets. They are truly picturesque. Surrounded by “moon rock” - we had a peaceful evening.

Finding ourselves with an extra day we decided to visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada. Although I still have anxiety for unplanned overnights the benefits of flexibility include incredible opportunities that show up with changed plans. Red Rock was an amazing experience. We traveled the 13 mile scenic drive with very few visitors, spectacular views and hiked trails seeing pictographs and petroglyphs - fascinating!

Next stop - Las Vegas! Although neither Steve nor I are gamblers were were both excited to see the spectacle of Las Vegas, a buffet of opportunity to overindulge. We were able to reserve a parking lot space at the Circus Circus Casino’s RV Resort, happy to have electricity, bathrooms and a shower. Funnily I really dislike clowns and this was our marquis, lol!! We had a great time exploring the city by foot and the Las Vegas Monorail.

**Circus Circus Hotel and Casino - Fun Fact: Circus Circus' mob dealings partly inspired the 1995 film Casino.**

**After setting up the Scamp we managed a short stroll to the Sahara for tacos and were fascinated by the photo displays.**

The next morning we walked miles in extreme heat to get a photo of this sign! The rest of the day we explored (by foot and monorail) many of the iconic casinos and resorts we had heard about. They were quite opulent!

**The Las Vegas Monorail is four miles long.**

**The MGM Grand - Fun Fact: Largest casino in Las Vegas, about three football fields in length full of slot machines and table games.**

**Mandala Bay Resort - Fun Fact: Was renamed after Rudyard Kipling’s 1890 poem “Mandalay.” The poem romanticizes life in colonial Burma (now Myanmar).**

**The Luxor Hotel and Casino - Fun Fact: By volume, it’s the largest atrium in the world which includes the casino, restaurants, IMAX theater and show venues.**

**Excalibur Hotel and Casino - Fun Fact: Was featured in an episode of the animated TV series South Park.**

New York New York Hotel and Casino - Fun Fact: Due to errors made by the stamp designers for the Liberty Forever Stamp, the Statue of Liberty that resides on the stamp is actually the replica that is found at New York-New York in Las Vegas.

Tropicana Las Vegas - Fun Facts: The Tropicana became the target of a mob skimming operation in 1978 and the Las Vegas sequence of *The Godfather* was filmed in the Tropicana.

The Bellagio - Fun Fact: There are 125 staff members who work to keep the conservatory vibrant all year round.

**Ceasars Palace - Fun Fact: There’s no apostrophe in “Caesars.” Jay Sarno (one of the founders) believed the resort should be for everyone, not just Caesar.**

**The Flamingo - Fun Fact: The 1964 film *Viva Las Vegas* and the 1960 version of *Ocean’s 11* were filmed at The Flamingo.**

**Just a final few photos from our short stay in Las Vegas.**

We were saddened to hear that on the morning we left Sin City a man stabbed eight people on the walkway across from the Wynn Hotel, killing two show girl models. We were fortunate to not witness any violence during our time in the area. I was surprised to see all of the activities and accommodations geared to families and bringing children to Las Vegas. I truly see this destination as a place for adults - a vibrant spectacle and fabulous city for entertainment but be cautious. Next state - Utah!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Las Vegas is the boiling pot of entertainment.” -Don Rickles

“I only ever play Vegas one night at a time. It’s a hideous, gaudy place; it may not be at the end of the world per se, but you can certainly see it from there.” - Robin Williams

“There’s just no quiet in Vegas.” -Barry Manilow

“Las Vegas’s the only place I know where the money really talks - it says, “Goodbye”.” - Frank Sinatra

Blog #28 - California Part 3 - Heading East

Christina Ballas December 15, 2022

Due to travel time constraints we decided to leave The Golden State coast after San Francisco and head towards the interior and south eastern areas of California. We have learned along our journey that it would not be feasible to see every amazing park, city, museum, restaurant, and activity recommended to us. We forged and followed our own path, including some suggestions from others, seeing as much as possible along the way. Ever since the beginning stages of this adventure Steve was determined to visit Jeff Runquist Wines outside of Sacramento so that would be our first stop. Upon advice from a favorite YouTuber the decision was made to skip Yosemite National Park and instead visit Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, which were amazing!

Jeff Runquist Wines, located in Plymouth, California (Sierra Foothills), had a very different vibe than the wineries in Napa. No reservations required! We quickly realized that our preference was for the unpretentious, peaceful, laid back, and personal experience at Runquist. Years ago Steve tried a Runquist Petite Sirah that was memorably delicious. Being able to visit the actual winery, taste other incredible wines with our knowledgeable and chatty hostess, devour olives from the property, and meeting Jeff’s wife Margie made this a favorite stop! More information here: https://www.jeffrunquistwines.com

Located in Amador County - The region’s rolling, sun-drenched hillsides, warm daytime temperatures, and volcanic, decomposed granite soils provide ideal conditions for producing top-quality wine grapes. Although we only had time to stop at Jeff Runquist Wines there were about about 40 wineries in the area to explore!

The next leg of our adventure landed us in Kings Canyon National Park and at one of the best free campgrounds - just outside the national park (inside Sequoia National Forest). If you are ever in the vicinity, and do not need hookups, we would highly recommend Convict Flat Campground. Our time there was relaxing, surrounded by sky scrapping granite rock and shrubby Yucca covered mountains. Each morning the sun would peek over the top and slowly heat up our calm cool basin oasis. The still morning skies were cloudless and brilliantly blue. Sounds included just a few squeaking birds and infrequent cars passing by on the upper roadway.

**Convict Flat Campground - Sequoia National Forest**

Staying at Convict Flats made it incredibly convenient to visit Kings Canyon National Park. Once again the immense beauty provided ample photo opportunities of huge mountains and deep canyons formed by glaciers. Located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas we were able to experience the magnificent mountain views (and fewer crowds) without going to Yosemite.

**Stopping for a cup of morning coffee on our way out of the canyon.**

Kings Canyon National Park is also home to some of the world's largest stands of giant sequoia trees, primarily located in Grant Grove. We had to check them out!

Steve and I both decided we had not had enough of big trees, so next stop was Sequoia National Park! I had to look up the difference between redwoods and sequoias, both seemingly having the same qualities. Redwoods are the world's tallest tree with more slender trunks and live on the coast. The giant sequoia, growing in subalpine region of California, is the largest tree in the world by volume and has an immense trunk with a very slight taper.

**Free camping on public land - Sequoia National Forest**

Sequoia National Park is known for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on earth by volume. The General Sherman tree grows in the Giant Forest which contains five of the ten largest trees in the world!

You can see in the background remnants of recent forest fire. Unplanned fires cause immense devastation, while controlled fires are created to nurture positive regrowth. Periodic fire produces a healthy grove.

**Our first hike in the park had inspiring views!**

Our second hike of the day was a bit more adventurous. At first I said, “NO WAY!” After gathering up a bit of “ when would we ever be back here again” and combining that with encouragement from a hiker just returning from the summit we decided to go for it. We both made the right decision, hiking the Moro Rock Trail. A concrete and stone stairway leads over 350 steps to the top of Moro Rock, in total only about .5 mile. Definitely not for anyone with a fear of heights. The panoramic views were stunning!

After a hike back to our car, and a little rest, it was time to see more giant sequoias! We visited the Giant Forest Museum and had to get pictures of some pretty impressive tree roots alongside the road. I final hike for the day took us to see General Sherman, the world's largest tree, measured by volume. It stands 275 feet tall, and is over 36 feet in diameter at the base!

**General Sherman and a final few memories of our time amongst the giants!**

This was the final installation of the California story. Big State = Big Blog. We are headed towards Nevada! Love and hugs to all our family and friends - we miss you <3

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination.“

“Kings Canyon is a rival to Yosemite.” -John Muir

“A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Blog #27 - California Part 2 - San Francisco

Christina Ballas December 4, 2022

We took advantage of our traveling time and spent four incredibly exhausting days exploring San Francisco by train, trolley, boat, and foot. The multiple fun modes of transportation gave us the opportunity to; camp at a fairground, ride the BART, traverse the waterfront and hills of the city, escape to Alcatraz, visit Chinatown, and walk about Berkeley. This city on the bay offers so much to see, we were only able to scratch the surface - a return is definitely warranted!

Being an incredibly expensive city we were very fortunate to have procured a reasonable camp spot at a fairground about an hour train ride (BART) from San Francisco. Riding the train in and out every day was a blast. The station was just a short drive from the fairground and Steve was awesome at figuring out the system. Lucky for us at the time we were visiting train fares were reduced to half price, hooray!!

Four quiet nights at the Alameda County FairPark. Our very reasonable fee included electric, water, and showers! Riding the BART (San Francisco’s commuter train system) was great after a little bit of learning curve!

Day #1 - San Francisco is chock full of amazing views and places to explore. Our first day into the city was delightfully spent; walking the piers, viewing the California Sea Lions on Pier 39, stepping into the past at the Musee Mécanique, devouring oysters and clam chowder at Capurro’s, sipping original Irish coffees at The Buena Vista Cafe, stopping in at Ghirardelli’s, and hiking up the street of San Francisco to view Lombard Street.

**Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA**

**Steve’s amazing California Sea Lion Photos at Dock 39.** It is believed that sea lions have chosen to haul out at PIER 39's K-Dock because there's plenty of food nearby and their natural predators (white sharks and orcas) do not typically feed in the bay. We were captivated by the number of sea lions, their interactions, and the funny sounds they make!

**The Musee Mécanique - located on Fisherman’s Wharf - is an interactive museum of 20th century penny arcade games and artifacts.**

**Capurro’s - Oysters and clam chowder - YUM!**

Per my mom’s suggestion - one of her favorite haunts - we stopped at The Buena Vista for their signature Irish coffee. The cafe’s most famous achievement; introducing Irish coffee to America. If you are interested in reading about that history here is the link; https://www.thebuenavista.com/home/irishcoffee.html

**Ghirardelli Square - Obviously I was too distracted by the deliciousness of all the chocolate to take any photos of Steve!**

Lombard Street with eight tight switchback turns in 600 feet of road. Famous worldwide - around one million cars drive down it every year! We took in the fabulous views on our hike up.

Day #2 - We were so fortunate to have incredible weather during our time in San Francisco and our second day did not disappoint as we took the ferry to explore Alcatraz Island. The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military prison. In 1934, the island was converted into a federal prison which finally closed sin 1963. Check this out for more Alcatraz information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz_Island

**Most famous Alcatraz Inmates - They left out just one - see below!**

Day #3 - San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America. We decided to climb aboard a trolly to check out this vibrant section of the city.

**The world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco.**

Day #4 - Our final day we had the BART chauffeur us to Berkeley to check out this historic college town and walk the University of California at Berkeley campus. This meant a lot to me - in 1968 my mom brought me to Berkeley at the age of three as she peacefully protested inside of People’s Park. Compared to the 1960s and 70s Berkeley has become less politically active, however the official university mascot is still Oski the Bear, who debuted in 1941!

Obviously San Francisco needed its own Blog! We are now packing up the Scamp and heading towards the eastern side of California, catch up with you all there!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“San Francisco has only one drawback – it ’tis hard to leave.” -Rudyard Kipling

“Anyone who doesn’t have a great time in San Francisco is pretty much dead to me.”
- Anthony Bourdain

“You know what it is? (It) is a golden handcuff with the key thrown away.”
-John Steinbeck

Blog #26 - California Part 1 (North and the Coast!)

Christina Ballas November 27, 2022

California - Approximately 163,696 square miles, the third largest state by area! I have been to The Golden State a few times. Once on a wonderful adventure with my two boys as we traveled to San Jose, San Francisco, and Sonoma. I also lived in Palo Alto when I was just a wee three years old while my dad completed his Post Doctoral Fellowship at Stanford University. My memory falls short of those days so I was thrilled to be able to visit again, especially the places my mom remembers fondly. While in Northern California, and along the northern coast, time was well spent; attending a beautiful long weekend wedding, exploring the Redwood National and State Forest, stopping in Eureka, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, and tasting some delicious wine in Napa.

The beginning of my California adventure actually started while still staying in Oregon. Having not seen one of my dearest friends since leaving Cincinnati I was over the moon to attend her daughter’s wedding in San Diego. It was fortunate for me that I was already on the west coast and able to easily fly in for a beautiful long weekend celebration. Steve and I were planning on only going as far south as San Francisco with our journey, so the opportunity to visit San Diego, share special time with my amazing friend, and celebrate such a wonderful occasion was amazing! Merci beaucoup to Theresa, Todd, Kristen, and Clayton - Bravo!

**Amazing family with a wedding full of beauty, laughter and love!**

**Upon our exit from Oregon Steve and I had to be inspected before setting our Scamper wheels into California. Apparently since we had New York plates they were looking for gypsy moth evidence.**

On our long drive to see Redwood National and State Park our camping locations included Cracker Barrel, Walmart, and a free casino parking lot - only the finest glamping! We made a short stop stretching our legs to see Crescent City and the ocean along the way.

Redwood National and State Forest - an experience to remember. If I knew anything previously about Redwoods it was that they were very big and very tall. Until I was surrounded by these magnificent trees I didn’t realize how minuscule those descriptive words were. As we started our slow drive through the park I was truly overcome by the height and quantity of Redwoods. The route was eerily quiet, very few travelers this time of year, and we were both in awe of these enormous trees so close to the roadsides. We decided to take advantage of some extra time and pulled over for a peaceful rest among the magnificence. The first sense that hit me when stepping out of the car was how mysteriously quiet it was. Except for a car or two that passed during the next several hours there was no sound. The air was cool and damp. Various shades of textured browns and lush greens surrounded us. The canopy and denseness of trees prevented too much sun from peaking in. We were comfortably swaddled by this grand forest. This was magical and we both knew our time here was beyond special.

We were able to squeeze one hike into the forest before heading back over to the coast. The trail was quiet, with just one passionate tree hugger sighting (see photos) along the way. We allowed the experience to quietly soak in - just us and the Redwoods.

Continuing south on the 101 we took a break for some ocean shenanigans and made a quick stop in Eureka. This currently quiet quaint town was past tourist season and provided wonderful victorian and historical eye candy!

Driving from Eureka to reach the Pacific Coast Highway 1 intersection was a tedious slow moving adventure. The narrow, twisting, sharply curved 101 along this portion was precarious, especially with the Scamp. Needless to say no photos were taken during the drive, however I’ve included a map with the crazy road below.

Once we finally made it to the Pacific Coast Highway 1 the first item of business was to pull over to have a few moments of solitude and relaxation from the strenuous drive. Not a bad view - let the sunshine in!!

After two more overnights - another casino parking lot and a California Highway Rest Area - we arrived safely in Napa. We wanted to check out “Buena Vista Winery” (my mom had been there years ago) and take a walk about the city of Napa before heading to our next destination - San Francisco. Thanks for following along - see you soon!!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“I love driving; driving along the California coastline the best drive in the world.” -Al Jardine

“I’m not really a Hollywood person. Not that I don’t like L.A., but I’m just a Northern California guy.” -Clint Eastwood

Blog #25 - Oregon Respite!

Christina Ballas November 11, 2022

After months of consistent travel we were looking forward to quality time visiting with Steve’s Cousin Carole just outside of Portland, Oregon - finally exploring this alluring state! Our days happily involved: laughing, sharing stories, listening to music, thrifting, creating a tinfoil swan, delicious meals, visiting another Harvest Host location, a short excursion to Eugene, and hiking around dazzling Crater Lake National Park. One month was definitely not enough to see it all so another visit will need to be scheduled!

HH#8 - Blue Heron French Cheese Company - Our first stop in Oregon provided us with delicious cheese, jam, cute animals, and a great place to camp right next to huge wild blackberry bushes bursting with fruit - delicious!

Music and artistry runs deep in the veins of Cottens, including Steve of course! Check out his music on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fW5lsWiZG5TcOlhukK4pu?si=2NngXMjoR7mUJLreexbIAw&utm_source=native-share-menu.

If you would like to purchase a CD ($10) let me know!

Over the years I have been witness to their many talents from instrumental, singing, artwork, writing, and culinary skills. We were fortunate to spend time throughout our visit to Portland checking out amazing local talent, including Cousin Carole herself singing with “Joe and the Wheel Monkeys”!

**“Joe and the Wheel Monkeys” - featuring Cousin Carole!**

We were able to take an overnight excursion to Eugene, having an amazing whirlwind tour guided by Craig, a college friend (and another amazing musician!) of both Steve’s and Carole’s. Our tour included a walk about the University of Oregon, a quick drive through Eugene, and a gorgeous evening stroll. We were surprised to learn that many of the scenes from Animal House were filmed in Eugene, including the famous cafeteria scene (photo below) located on campus. On our drive back to Portland we passed a very overladen car - guessing they were returning from Burning Man which had just ended - LOL.

Our time in Portland was wonderful and reminded us of the luxuries provided by being stationary with modern home amenities, loving family, and supportive local community. Thank you so much to Carole and John for their hospitality! Just a few more happy photos before heading south to visit Crater Lake, Oregon!

Our final destination in Oregon was Crater Lake National Park. Of course it would not be a travel blog for us to not include photos from yet another forest fire drive through. On the way we camped overnight free of charge (out of season) at Walt Haring Snow-Park and Campground. This spot was lovely and we were even able to get a short hike in before another chilly night in the Scamp.

**Crater Lake National Park - Too many spectacular autumn photos to choose from!**

Our final night in Oregon was spent sleeping in a Cracker Barrel parking lot - thank you CB for allowing overnight campers! Before hunkering down for the evening we caught a couple of amazing post rain photos. Next stop - California - Somewhere Over the Rainbow!!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Portland, Oregon won’t build a mile of road without a mile of bike path. You can commute there, even with that weather, all the time.” - Lance Armstrong

“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Blog #24 - Washington State

Christina Ballas November 2, 2022

I am writing this Blog describing our Washington state adventures while relaxing at a free campsite surrounded by sky scrapping granite rock and shrubby Yucca covered mountains. The sun is just starting to peek over the top and will soon flood and heat up our calm cool basin oasis. The still morning sky is cloudless and brilliantly blue. The sounds are just a few birds squawking, infrequent cars passing by on the upper roadway, and Steve working on the Scamp. We have a full day ahead of us but this moment is heavenly. A sneak peek pic from this site for a future Blog :-)

The first leg of this big adventure, driving to Alaska and back down to the Lower 48, was very thought out and detailed. I knew where we were going to be staying every night with a combination of reservations and arranged time with family/friends. Our plans became much more fluid after leaving Vancouver, B.C. and entering Washington. Since I am an extremely nervous, anxious, and overly detailed human my preference is to have all of our overnights planned out. The most difficult part of this new leg for me has been trying to let go of the pre-planning and being more flexible - learning to flying by the seat of my pants. I have a long way to go in learning how to be spontaneous. Thankfully Steve is more comfortable with figuring out last minute arrangements!

In order for us to have this amazing adventure we have had to manage our finances frugally by alternating our stays at: campgrounds, family/friends, free camping spots, overnights in store parking lots/casinos, highway rest areas, and now utilizing Harvest Host (HH)! Harvest Host is an organization in which members pay a yearly fee ($80 with discount) and local businesses that permit free overnights on their properties with the expectation that you will purchase around $20 worth of their merchandise. We have thoroughly enjoyed using Harvest Host so far which you will see below!

HH#1 - While in Washington we took advantage of several Harvest Host locations. Our very first HH stay was at Sampson Estate Winery in Everson, WA. Although a bit off the beaten path we had a delicious time tasting a variety of products and purchased a bottle. The view outside the Scamp presented us with the beautiful vineyard and we were among just a few other guests for the night!

HH#2 - Keeping with the wine theme our next HH stay was at Eagle Haven Winery in Sedro-Woolley, WA. We had such a fun time! The wines were yummy, there was a guest speaker, hors devours, and we met a couple of amazing single traveling women each towing their own campers!

HH#3 - Traveling onward to Strawberry Fields Alpaca Ranch in Arlington, WA. Our knowledgable HH host provided us with our own private camping spot overlooking the farm. We had a tour seeing many alpacas, visiting the shop, learning a bit about the owner, and Steve even fed a few of his new friends. We were amazed at how quiet the ranch was with very little noise from the animals. We had a peaceful night’s sleep!

We spent the next day exploring nearby Seattle. During our short visit we: navigated the Metro, explored Pike Place Market, rode the Monorail (built in 1962 for the Century 21 Exposition) to see the Space Needle, and took lots of photos! Although I do enjoy a cup of Starbucks the line to go into the original store was several blocks long. We opted for an amazing cup of coffee at another nearby local coffee shop and ended up with amazing and relaxing street view seats.

HH#4 - After seeing Seattle our next HH overnight was at Reed’s Sweet Wines in Tacoma, WA. Although we do not go for the sweet berry wines our stay was fabulous. The owners were very welcoming and graciously opened up their property to us. We purchased a set of tasting samplers and walked about the grounds eating berries off of vines, admiring the beauty of the gardens, and really enjoyed the fruity wine tasting.

Olympia, the capitol of Washington, was our next day trip. Such a picturesque small waterfront city. We enjoyed our walk about here and Steve had many opportunities to feast on wild blackberries, apparently an invasive species.

HH#5 - Honeysuckle Meadery in Rainier, WA - This small business owner gave us the opportunity to sample some delicious Meade and provided a secluded woody overnight campsite. Our Jack of All Trades host not only shared his extensive knowledge, but also dropped off two amazing fresh brewed “to go” cups of coffee (created from his own roasted beans) the next morning!

HH#6 - I can’t say enough positive comments about Harvest Host. Having the opportunity to visit local businesses, meeting new people, and staying in safe environments has been amazing. Next stop - Stone City Farm. When we arrived our initial greeting came from the cutest resident Labrador puppy along with one of the older herding dogs! Our afternoon and early evening was spent lounging outside with the owners discussing their goats, property, and local politics. Steve enjoyed eating dropped fruit from an enormous plum tree as we learned about goat yoga and why farming chickens may be a bad idea!

HH #7 - Sandstone Distillery located in Tenino, WA. We obviously chose our Harvest Host locations relative to what we would like to purchase! Our host was amazing and chock full of history and information regarding hand crafted distilling. The varied spirits were very interesting and we also had the opportunity to try non alcoholic Sipping Vinegars. We learned that this small business made hand sanitizer for the local community during Covid which was a huge help during the crises.

Washington is a HUGE state. We headed up the west coast to camp at Kalaloch Campground located in Olympic National Forest. I found another happy place for me on the majestic shores of Washington. The campground and beach were again beyond spectacular: beautiful views, the most marvelous sunset, sand dollars, and happening upon the “Tree of Life”. I could have stayed much longer!

Moving on to the northern coastline of Washington where we spent two nights at 7 Cedars Casino in Sequin, WA. [Travel Tip: Many casinos allow overnight parking for campers, sometimes up to three nights. You may need to register with the casino upon arrival but it is free!] We do not gamble so we typically either purchased drinks, dinner, or morning coffee. This particular location also had electric and water hookups!

We were able to unhook the Scamp at the casino and took a hike in Olympic National Forest. The drive to the trailhead was questionable and we almost turned back several times. The Rav4 made it and we were happy to see other hikers on such a remote trail. That being said it was a difficult trek - 1.5 miles UP hill and then the hike back down straining the knees. Happy we did it - a beautiful, lush, and magical place to spend time outdoors.

Another long Blog! At this point I will be blogging about each state as we continue on this journey. Next on the itinerary is Oregon where we are looking forward to spending a month with Steve’s cousin just outside of Portland. Sending love to all our family and friends - we miss you!!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“A yawn is a silent scream for coffee.” - Coffee shop in Olympia

“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hands of man.” - Unknown

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” - Anita Desai

https://harvesthosts.com

Blog #23 - Vancouver, British Columbia

Christina Ballas October 10, 2022

Sometimes you arrive at a place that fills you with the immediate desire to live there. Steve and I both had that feeling in Vancouver, British Columbia. We loved this city and all of its amazingness: ocean views, mountains nearby, excellent public transportation, walkable, bike friendly, bustling with activity, amazing restaurants, packed with cultural diversity and electric vibes. Vancouver is the largest of British Columbia’s cities - and the most expensive! We were fortunate to procure a spot at Capilano River RV Park just across the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

Our first day into the city we walked across the Lion’s Gate Bridge and explored on foot - estimated about 18 miles. Due to very sore feet we chose public transit options - with some walking - for the rest of our stay!

**Chinatown for lunch and a peek into Dr. Sun Yet-Sen Park.**

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**Conquering Vancouver’s pubic transit. For just $11 for a day pass you can ride both the bus and train - our recommendation. Steve safely navigated us around!**

**Ornate Train Station - We found some famous stars and of course an Irish Tavern while exploring.**

Recommended by several people, we visited the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology. MOA’s extensive collection comes from around world including the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas - with a focus on Indigenous and local communities.

**Vancouver has the longest uninterrupted seawall walkway - over 17 miles - with amazing views and interesting sights along the way. I could watch the seaplanes take off and land for hours!**

Stanley Park and a few final images from this amazing city - so fortunate to have all our days be full of sunshine. We hope to be back again with much more to explore here. Tomorrow we cross back into the states to continue our journey through the Lower 48. Love and hugs to all our family and friends!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“You don’t need an inspirational quote. You need chocolate and coffee.” - Mink Chocolates sign

“I grew up in Vancouver, man. That’s where half my style comes from.” - Seth Rogan

https://vancouver.ca

https://www.capilanoriverrvpark.com

https://moa.ubc.ca

https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx

Blog #22 - 11 Days to Vancouver, BC

Christina Ballas September 18, 2022

It is hard to believe our time in Alaska has come to an end. Just one more overnight outside of Tok and we will begin our journey through the Yukon and British Columbia on our way to Vancouver. From Valdez to Vancouver will be 2,112 miles in eleven days. Leaving is bittersweet. We have had multitudes of adventure, glorious scenery, wild life, new friendships, and memories to hold close to our hearts of this most beautiful state. However, there have been difficulties to overcome such as torturous mosquitos, nearby forest fires, many rainy days, floods, treacherous road conditions, and unfortunately Steve being ill from Covid so far away from home. We do hope to visit again - although driving may take second seat to flying in!

**Lakeview Campground Teslin Nature Preserve - Our final night in Alaska was beautiful.**

Welcome back to the Yukon! We spent three nights in Whitehorse (two overnights at a Canadian Superstore parking lot and one at an official campground) catching up on laundry, showers, and library time.

We celebrated our last night in the Yukon with the cheapest Canadian wine we could find. Our regular cheapest American wine was $40! The glasses were hand blown by a young Yukon artist, Tyson Isted, that we met on the road.

**Posted in the outhouse at our final Yukon campground, Caribou RV Park in Whitehorse. LOL!!**

I have made a 'few’ previous complaints in my Blogs about the Alaskan Canadian Highway between Destruction Bay, Yukon and Tok, AK. Well the road was the same on our reverse trip. I have driven it twice now, enough for my lifetime, and felt the need to write my own amateurish poem about this experience as we finish the Alaskan Canadian Highway. None the less - worth every moment of the drive to see Alaska!!

“Ode to the Shitty Road to Tok” - Christina

A warning to traveling folk - This shitty road to Tok is NO JOKE!

Starting your drive from Destruction Bay - It’s the worst of the AlCan Highway.

East to West, West to east - This portion of road is a beast.

Potholes endless and so big - You could possibly damage your precious rig.

Endless frost heaves on the road - Continuously bounced our precious Scamp load.

Sections of dusty loose gravel - Will make your tested nerves unravel.

Passing vehicles won’t slow down - Rocks hitting the windshield making you frown.

Slamming your car brakes - And cursing what the F@*#! sake.

At times the road may be straight and smooth - But only briefly so don’t be fooled.

Not for the faint of heart - Pay attention and drive smart.

The road conditions can get dreary - And you certainly will get weary.

Your skills will be tested - So be cautious not bested,

By this shitty road to Tok.

After leaving the Yukon the next leg off this journey took us down the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37 through British Columbia. This road was a breath of fresh air; primarily in good condition, low traffic, and picturesque. Via the Cassiar we; stopped at Jade City, stayed overnight at Boya Lake Provincial Park, camped at Meziadin Lake Provincial Park, and visited Stewart and Hyder.

**Although the Cassiar goes through British Columbia, 37A breaks off to Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.**

**Boya Lake Provincial Park - BC, Canada - We saw a Loon, no picture though!!**

**Boya Lake Provincial Park - BC, Canada - Boya Lake lies within the traditional territory of the Kaska Dene First Nation who still hunt and trap in the area.**

**Jade mines are located in the area. We saw impressive jade sculptures inside the shop, just a bit out of our price range!**

While camping at Meziadin Lake we took a day trip to Stewart which is located in British Columbia and then continued on to Hyder which is actually in Alaska. Along the 37A route (this is the only road to Hyder and it ends there) we saw Bear Glacier, stopped for internet and coffee in Stewart, visited the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation site, drove up a perilous mountain road to see Salmon Glacier, and dined on fresh Halibut fish and chips.

**Bear Glacier - The glacier was part of the closing scene in the film "Insomnia" with Al Pacino.**

**Stewart, BC - Covid devastated the small towns of Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK. Many of the businesses are still shut down.**

**The only road to enter Hyder, AK is through Stewart, BC. With the border closed during Covid Hyder was basically shut out and isolated for almost two years.**

**Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is located in the Salmon River valley near Hyder. Brown (grizzly) and black bears can be observed fishing for chum and pink salmon. We did see bears!**

Salmon Glacier - Located outside of Hyder - is 16 miles up the worst mountain road I have driven on in my life, full of humongous potholes slowing the car down to one mile an hour, fallen trees on the road from continuous rock slides, and rocks in the road. There were a few times I wanted to turn back, but we persevered and the top of the road provided the most stunning glacier views. Was it worth the drive? We made it back down so I believe it was!

Our next layover was spent in Prince George - staying in a Walmart parking lot for 4 nights, working at the local library, and eating at Denny’s (we are now eligible for the senior meals there, LOL). After Prince George we drove the final 10 hours to Vancouver - stopping for a few amazing photos along the way and wine tasting at a pretty vineyard. Next Blog = Vancouver. Love to you and thanks for following along with us!

Lake Duffy (on way to Vancouver) plus a stop at Fort Berens Estate Winery.

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Our task must be to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” - Aristotle

https://jadecity.com

https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/tachila/

https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/meziadin_lk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart,_British_Columbia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyder,_Alaska

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev2_038787 Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon_Glacier

Blog #21 - Alaska Part 4 - The Kenai Peninsula Part 2 and Valdez

Christina Ballas August 26, 2022

The last Blog was immensely long so I am finishing up the Kenai Peninsula area here (Seward) and also including our visit to Valdez. Both of these locations provided landscapes beyond expectation, wildlife, interesting information, catching up again with road friends and meeting new ones. We have seen a lifetime of the most spectacular scenery throughout our one month of exploration of Alaska, full of extraordinary experiences we will cherish.

Seward, known for being the beginning of the historic Iditarod, is situated between snow topped mountains and the Gulf of Alaska. The landscape, formed by glaciers, was breathtaking. Nearly forty glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield! The best way to see this area, Kenai Fjords National Park, is by plane or boat - we chose boat - and it was a rainy day.

**Fabulous views from our Seward campsite - even a photo of a dear friend’s cruise ship in port!**

**Kenai Fjords National Park - Covers 669,984 Acres on the Kenai Peninsula.**

**Kenai Fjords National Park - Kenai Fjords National Park was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.**

**Kenai Fjords National Park - The park is bordered on the west by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and on the south by Kachemak Bay State Park.**

**Kenai Fjords National Park - The grounding of the oil tanker *Exxon Valdez* in Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989, produced extensive contamination of the Kenai Fjords coastline.**

**Kenai Fjords National Park - Holgate Glacier off Aialik Bay - Flowing outward from the Harding Icefield.**

**Humpback Whale and some lazy Stellar Sea Lions - photos courtesy of Steve Cotten!**

They found us (lol) - Old Road Friends and New Road Friends! Delicious local halibut and salmon plus a few more photos to round out our stay in Seward. Steve spent some time chasing the seagulls away from our delicious bounty, lol.

**Exit Glacier - just outside of Seward - one of the most accessible valley glaciers in Alaska.**

Saying farewell to the Kenai Peninsula was a difficult task. I fell in love with every bit and thought it would be the final most beautiful place I would see in Alaska - until we begin our trek to Valdez! Up to now I had decided the most beautiful drive on our adventure was the route up to Jasper National Park through the Canadian Rockies (which was truly fabulous). The road to Valdez was the icing on the cake - unbelievably picturesque and full of glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, and rivers.

**Driving to Valdez - So many glaciers to to admire!**

**Stopped to take in some of these unbelievable views!**

**Views from our picturesque campground at Blueberry Lake State Recreational Site, about thirty minutes from Valdez.**

**Views of Bridal Veil Falls and Horse Tail Falls (below) within Keystone Canyon outside Valdez.**

**Creepy unfinished train tunnel.**
“This tunnel was hand cut into the solid rock of Keystone Canyon and is all that is left of the ‘Railroad Era’. Nine companies fought to take advantage of the short route from the coast to the copper mines at Kennecott. However, a feud interrupted the progress. A gun battle was fought and the tunnel was never finished.”- from “The Iron Trail” by Rex Beach

**We made it!** During our stay near Valdez we: visited the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery, toured the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum and the Valdez Museum, spent some time at the library, and of course had a pint of local IPA!

The Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum contains one of the largest collections of Native Alaskan art and artifacts in the world. Maxine Whitney moved to Alaska in 1947 and procured items as she traveled to Native villages. The collection includes natural history of Alaska, Alaska wildlife mounts, ivory (walrus) and baleen pieces, masks, dolls, and fur garments.

Solomon Gultch Hatchery - Mission is to ensure sufficient numbers of wild salmon return each year to increase the harvests of both sport and commercial fisheries in the Valdez area, plus provides the opportunity to see Steller Sea Lions and bears! We unfortunately did not see any bears.

Steller Sea Lions near the hatchery. A fellow traveler let us know the the “rock” in the photo below was actually a Stellar Sea Lion, she did not move for quite a while (apparently stuffed with fish!)

**The Valdez Museum preserves, presents, and interprets the heritage and culture of Valdez.** In 1973, Congress approved the plans for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline with the terminus at Valdez. On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef, causing the largest oil spill in North American history. As a result of the spill, thousands of birds, sea otters, and other wildlife died and hundreds of miles of beach were oiled. Some species have still not recovered from this disaster.

Good-bye Valdez - an amazing end to our Alaskan adventure! We will stop for one more overnight outside of Tok, prior to the Canadian border - before starting the long drive through British Columbia to Vancouver. **Miss you all!**

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Oh! What’s that white spot out there? [gets binoculars out] Oh. It’s just a rock. Another F%#@! rock.” - Steve Cotten

“Oh! What’s that brown spot out there? [gets binoculars out again] Oh. It’s just a stump. Another F%#@! stump.” - Steve Cotten

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seward,_Alaska

https://www.alaskacollection.com/day-tours/kenai-fjords-tours/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai_Fjords_National_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holgate_Glacier

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/blueberrylksrs.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_Glacier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worthington_Glacier

https://www.valdezalaska.org

https://www.valdezalaska.org/discover/around-town/fish-hatchery/

http://www.mjwhitneymuseum.org

https://www.valdezmuseum.org

Blog #20 - Alaska Part 3 - The Kenai Peninsula Part 1

Christina Ballas August 11, 2022

Alaska is full of breathtaking scenery, however our visit to the Kenai Peninsula was over the top and a memory to be cherished. I love the smells, sounds, and aura of the ocean (or really any body of water). The ocean fills my soul with happiness and I feel my best when I can be nearby. Mountains have that effect too and we were not disappointed with the opportunity to see more! Throughout our stay on the Kenai we spent time in Cooper Landing, Homer, and Seward. We were able to catch up with new road friends, explore Alaskan oceanside towns, and savor delicious seafood!

**On our way to the Kenai Peninsula - Resurrection Bay**

On our way out we made several detours. First was a quick pullover to see if there were any Beluga whales in the bay outside of Anchorage. We found out later that we missed their migration, however the scenery was worth the stop. Then we popped into Girdwood for lunch and homemade scrumptious cinnamon rolls (upon a recommendation from one of our new road friends - thanks Brenda B.!). Girdwood is home to Alyeska Ski Resort, however once again the rain and low clouds prevented us from seeing the best views! We also stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (refuge for sick, wounded, and orphaned animals) where we discovered that they named their porcupines after candy bars: Twix and Kit Kat! LOL

**Girdwood, AK - Delicious Cinnamon Rolls and the Alyeska Ski Resort**

On to the Kenai Peninsula! The drive again was spectacular and our first short stops were; City of Kenai for coffee, Transfiguration of Our Lord Church (Russian Orthodox), Anchor Point Beach to see Bald Eagles, and the Norman Lowell Gallery - amazing variety of artwork!

**Just a few of the 300 paintings in the permanent collection Alaskan artist Norman Lowell. This gallery was a magnificent compilation of his work.**

After setting up camp near Cooper Landing for a couple of nights (where our campground was very wooded, green…..and wet), Steve found some fairly fresh bear evidence nearby so we remained vigilant. This is a huge destination for fishing, the salmon were running, and the surrounding rivers were hopping!

Hiking was a must so we took a five mile rainy trek to Russian River Falls and were thrilled to see a mama brown bear ramble down a wooded trail to the river, quickly catch a salmon, and hastily climb back up the steep slope! Just goes to show no matter the climate in Alaska you still need to put on the proper weather gear and get out there to see the astounding nature this state provides.

We took time to visit the Cooper Landing Information Center/History Museum and the local library. Steve discovered at the museum that in the 1990’s someone shot a bear (skeleton was on display) and the bear was used as a part of the school curriculum to teach the students about bear awareness for an entire year! The library was a small quaint log building, perfect. They even had a selection of free books which I took advantage of - Alaska tales!

Homer Alaska - Halibut Fishing Capital of the World - and our first chance to stay right on the beach (at Homer Spit Campground). The City of Homer is located on Kachemak Bay. The Homer Spit is a long strip of land that extends out into the bay with restaurants, shops, art galleries, rocky beaches, and camping. We had a fantastic mosquito free time during our four nights on the Spit: trying our first halibut (fried, ceviche, and the best fish chowder ever), catching up with more of our road friends, and cruising out to the small town of Seldovia. Did it rain ? Of course it did!

**View of Kachemak Bay from our campsite.**
**“. . . Mountains come out of the sky, and they stand there!!” - “Roundabout”/YES**

155BD6A3-8B20-4F89-9936-274F1615BABD 2.JPEG

We took a cruise out of Homer on The Rainbow to visit Seldovia, a very small town only accessible by boat or plane. On the ride out we saw many sea birds (including Puffins!), Harbor Seals and Sea Otters. The ocean views again were dazzling!

**Termed a “raft” when Sea Otters congregate in this formation. Steve’s phone camera can get great close up shots!**

**Tufted Puffins - There are also Horned Puffins in Alaska**

Seldovia (about 300 residents) is only accessible by plane or boat and located 15 miles across Kachemak Bay from Homer. This secluded town was originally inhabited by Russians seeking Sea Otter pelts and timber to repair ships.

A few farewell shots from our campground in Homer - an area full of fun and surprises! Our final stop on the Kenai Peninsula will be Seward, prior to heading on towards Valdez. That will need to wait for the next Blog! Love to you all.

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“Even if you dropped your phone or camera on the floor it wouldn’t take a bad photo in Alaska!” - Shop Keeper in Seldovia

Alaska - by Norman Lowell

Alaska…endearing and fulfilling land - rugged-gentle, calling me to capture her. I wander through the mountains and glens with points and pack upon my back; fill my eyes and feast my soul and paint my way across the land - The echo in the valley resounds, “Who is being captured?--captured?”

In Alaska I have found - The chilled, thrusting strength of mountains with the fragile flora at their feet. A “face of earth” with ages of cold pressed between the towering walls of stone, winds that chill you quickly to the bone and make you wonder, can this cold and piercing feeling e’re be told?

I do not see this land without the touch of warmth and refinement, for skies and water can be set ablaze with gold and amber while the slopes above brighten into russets and even scarlet hues. And there is the softness and fineness of the snow and clouds that’s hard to capture.

Alaska! A land of ruggedness and strong, course as though sculptured in relief; the remainder like the ‘broken line’ left for man to see and shape.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai_Peninsula

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_Landing,_Alaska

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lowell

https://www.normanlowellgallery.org

https://www.homerspitcampground.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer,_Alaska

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seldovia,_Alaska

Blog #19 - Alaska Part 2 - Anchorage and Surround

Christina Ballas August 3, 2022

After departing Denali we took a much needed break from dry camping and booked three nights at Big Bear RV Park in Wasilla, just outside of Anchorage. This was the Taj Mahal of facilities, Alaskan style. We have mainly camped in locations without water, electrical power, flush toilets (or any toilets), and no showers. This place had it all, including a laundry room with affordable washers and dryers. Although parking the Scamp right next to the bathrooms is typically not our first choice we were thrilled to have actual flush toilets, sinks with soap, and paper towels - located right outside our door. The bathhouse was spotless and our showers were hot! After spending many cold, wet days on the road this little piece of camping heaven was just what we needed to recoup. After getting all cleaned up we made a camp version of Shepard’s pie, which warmed the heart and soul, and enjoyed a local IPA. Of course it did rain during our stay there, but this is Alaska!

We decided to take a hike at Independence Mine State Historical Park, about an hour drive from our campsite. During its time of operation this mine recovered over 150,000 ounces of gold between 1936-1943, operating year round. We could still see snow on the surrounding mountains and imagined how difficult it must have been to live there throughout the winter season, although inside, the mine remained a constant temperature throughout the year. On our drive up the mountain we were warned of avalanche danger - just one more of nature’s curveballs in this already treacherous terrian. Even though it was another rainy day the scenery was beyond spectacular with misty panoramic views of lush hillsides, abundant vibrant flowers, and distant snow capped mountains.

It was incredible to see this timeworn piece of history. Buildings which created the “town” for the miners, and some families, have been maintained by the park system and offered a glimpse into the lives of a working mining community. The eerie vibe was definitely ‘ghost town-like’, especially with the foggy misty conditions that day!

The dilapidated mining structures had long since collapsed and the mountain surface was covered with rusting debris and rotting wood. The intention of the park is to allow for the remaining artifacts to wither away naturally. Steve actually noticed a piece of iron from a steam pump that was manufactured in Buffalo, NY and General Electric produced the batteries for the locomotive ore train! We loved exploring this decomposing landscape, possibly termed “industrial antiquity(?)”.

On the drive back down the mountain we stopped to admire the beauty of the Little Susanna River which descends from Mint Glacier. Fun Fact: Recreational gold mining is permitted along the river. Dust off those old gold pans and let’s go!

Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, was next and also about an hour from our campsite in Wasilla. We decided to stop at the The Alaska Zoo (showcasing Alaskan Wildlife), had lunch at the 49th State Brewery, and walked around the city.

**Just a few of my favorite photos from the zoo - mostly taken by Steve - Wolverines, Bald Eagle, Musk Ox, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Polar Bear, Christina and Steve!**

710DF818-F348-4DDB-9ED3-611AD21BEFCC 2.JPEG

**View of Anchorage Port from the 49th State Brewery**

Every region we have visited so far in Alaska has been amazing with each different in landscape and what is available to explore. Our photos cannot truly represent what we have been able to experience, natural beauty beyond words. My heart has always been drawn to the ocean though so our next destination, the Kenai Peninsula, should be the icing on the cake!

Coddiwompling “To Travel in a Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague Destination”

“I like to think the miners looked up and sighed when they emerged from the maze of tunnels and saw the moon rising as bright as the gold they blasted from the unwilling rock, gold that kept their families from the cold. I like to think one or two stooped to pick a handful of berries for their children while they followed the moon’s light down to the boomtown they called home, berries as ripe as the full moon now spilling its light like honey from a spoon.” - Tom Sexton

https://www.alaskarvpark.net Big Bear RV Park

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/indmine.htm Independence Mine State Historical Park

https://www.alaskazoo.org

https://www.anchorage.net

Blog #38 - North Carolina, Ohio, New York

Blog #37 - Georgia & South Carolina

Blog #36 - Florida

Blog #35 - Louisiana

Blog #34 - Texas

Blog #33 - New Mexico

Blog #32 - Colorado

Blog #31 - Arizona

Blog #30 - Utah

Blog #29 - Nevada

Blog #28 - California Part 3 - Heading East

Blog #27 - California Part 2 - San Francisco

Blog #26 - California Part 1 (North and the Coast!)

Blog #25 - Oregon Respite!

Blog #24 - Washington State

Blog #23 - Vancouver, British Columbia

Blog #22 - 11 Days to Vancouver, BC

Blog #21 - Alaska Part 4 - The Kenai Peninsula Part 2 and Valdez

Blog #20 - Alaska Part 3 - The Kenai Peninsula Part 1

Blog #19 - Alaska Part 2 - Anchorage and Surround

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