This is a love letter to camping and campers. The kind who go state parks, especially. As opposed to rv parks. Those folks are nice people, too, but at a state park there are dogs who are welcomed by the official order of things. There are people who enjoy finding kindling on site and splitting campfire logs into fire-starting size with hatchets they brought from home. There are kids on small bikes racing down the paths and laughing in the darkness as the campfires burn and the smoke drifts across the park. People are on their way from Canada to DC , or they’ve just come from Denver , or they’re escaping from the California wildfires. They come with Kayaks, or bikes, or dogs. They are happy. I’ve never met a grumpy camper at a state park. They are eager to meet you, to find out where you’ve been and where you’re going, or to talk about your dogs, or their dogs. There are always dogs. Sometimes there are big groups of campers, school kids or church groups or family reunions, or sometimes there are solitary campers in their hammocks and tents, or couples who have rented a camper, or a retired couple who have a camper large enough to carry all their possessions and then some. But mostly there are people who just like this lifestyle, who spend weeks or months traveling around the country and reveling in the beauty that is there for the looking. They are good people. So, standing outside at night with my 2 puppies, Looking at the moon while being surrounded by these fellow travelers, I feel so happy. And so lucky to be alive in the company of these strangers in a state park, somewhere in America.
All posts by Victoria Keith
Glacier National Park Roadtrip September 2014
September of 2014 marks my 70th birthday and, to celebrate, I went to Glacier National Park with 2 long-time friends from Hawai’i–Elisa Johnston and Esther Figueroa, who flew to Seattle from Hawai’i and Jamaica, respectively, and we took an adventure-filled trip to Glacier NP, Montana from Sept. 7 through 13. The only surprise this time was the snow–which only made the whole thing more spectacular.The snow made me slow down a bit, but didn’t affect the handling of the Airstream, and for that I must give a big shout out to my VW Touareg, a real champ of a tow vehicle. We expected the snow to hamper our visit, but as it turned out, it accentuated the beauty. We couldn’t see it all in a week–will have to go back again soon!
A highly recommended destination!!!!
I will just add a few photos here, as I have sent out a Picasa album link to most of my “followers” and friends. And my apologies for waiting so long to send this out…it is now July, 2015!
Now speaking Airstream….enough to get around! Last chapter!!
I may be giving away too much in the headline. After all, does one ever really know everything about anything? No. But, dear blog follower, I am happy to report: the state of the Airstream is good. It has survived several trips now, some of them shared with friends who had never towed an Airstream before, but jumped right in and did beautifully.
In March, having left the Airstream in Seattle for the winter, I drove with my friend Byron from Maryland, along with our 2 dogs, to Seattle with the intention of bringing the Airstream to Kentucky for a few months, to nose around in my own neighborhood.
We spent some time waiting for mechanical issues to be resolved with the Airstream and the tow vehicle, but eventually left Seattle on April 15 or so, and headed South.
Turns out Byron was a natural tow-er. She just had a sixth sense about the whole operation, so it was nice to have someone to share driving with. And the dogs also got along, a bonus. We took our time and headed through the west, down through Utah, where we stopped for the Great Salt Lake (what is left of it!)
and Promontory Point, where the railroads met and the golden spike was driven, and then into the red rocks of Zion National Park. Spectacular scenery. Dogs not allowed in park, so they spent the day in doggie day care!
And then on to the Grand Canyon (where it was snowing lightly)!
Then had to stop at Cadillac Ranch in Texas to see those buried and heavily graffiti-ized cars sticking up out of the earth.
We happened to arrive in Oklahoma City on the 20th anniversary of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. Very moving scene of remembrance going on there.
And it wasn’t all paved highways! Some interesting detours were made; and as a sweet last stop bonus, we stayed the last night at the Tom Sawyer RV Resort, in Arkansas, on the shores of the Mississippi River!
What a beautiful sight, both sunset and sunrise illuminating this immense river. And Memphis right on the other side.
So, finally, we arrived in Kentucky, no problems, and glad to be home. So were the dogs!
I have not learned everything about driving or caring for an Airstream, but I have gotten over my initial intimidation , and found that, once behind the wheel, and taking it slow and easy, it’s a thrilling way to travel. All the luxuries and comforts of home are right behind you. Whether camping in a national park or an RV park, or a Walmart parking lot, or just an out-of-the way road, it instantly feels like home!
There is a lot left to see in this Airstream, and as long as I’m able, I will be out there on the road, seeing beautiful things! Thanks for following the blog!!! and Happy Travels to all of you.
Victoria
Airstreaming to Yellowstone: Day 2-9: More Fortunate Events!!
Day 2: So there we are, celebrating the arrival of the VW Touareg, and the safe return of our two hardy souls who had gone back to fetch it. We manage to collect our scattered possessions and crew and load up for an almost full day of traveling to our next campsite in Montana–Lewis & Clark Caverns, halfway to Yellowstone.
Everything ready to go, we hitch up AS to Touareg, and as a last test of readiness, check the turnsignals and brakelights on the AS. Yes, all ready to go and—-no turn signals, no taillights! Cannot travel without them. Somehow the Touareg is not reading the AS electrical signal–the plug worked fine for the truck, but not for the Touareg!
What to do? Once again, intrepid thinking on the part of our vehicle chief (Mike) who got VW Spokane to agree to see us right away–followed by the Sprinter, since we had no lights and had to have cover from the rear! Long story short, spent day at VW!! (rest of group went shopping at Winco! Supplies & snacks always needed!) The VW people wanted to order expensive parts which could arrive the next day. Our car dealer back in Kent said to take it to a trailer shop–they would know more about towing than VW. So we did both–ordered the part AND went to the trailer shop.
But that meant another night in the campsite…luckily they had a space for us!
Kids are getting restless, so are adults. But next morning, turns out those guys know what is what and immediately replace a fuse and Bingo! we are working again. They give us a spare, just in case. On the Road again! Jubilant! Then, after 15 minutes or so, Sprinter phone call: lights are out again.
Fortunate event #2: Mike has an adapter for the electrical plug. He hasn’t used it yet because it wasn’t needed. But now he connects it, puts in the spare fuse, and Double Bingo!! we are fixed. And no more problems for the rest of the trip!! That’s just working out the kinks, unfortunately it had to be done on the road, but who knew the truck would blow a line?
YES, another night spent in Spokane…this time at a KOA campground, which was shoulder to shoulder and nary a tree in sight! We decided the kids needed a break and took them off to a nearby amusement/water park for 4 or 5 hours, which may have been the highlight of the trip for them!
It’s basically all smooth sailing from here on in–we’re 2 days behind schedule, so we have to cut Yellowstone short by 2 days. Still, we do as much as we can, have great campsites there, see all the incredible steam vents, geysers, mudpots, bison & elk we can cram in…and turn around and head back. Stop at Beavertail Hill State Park coming & going, fish in the river, build a campfire, and all the other things that camping in the “real” woods is fun to do. All in all, a great time had by all.
Family experience not soon forgotten!
P.S. The Airstream has been left out of the drama, because it was never a problem! It did everything it was supposed to and did it well–I am a little more advanced now in my driving and parking skills, and look forward to the next adventure–hopefully in September, Glacier National Park, to celebrate my 70th birthday!
But with a smaller crew!
Aloha everyone and thanks for following our Fortunate Series of Events!! Following photos are strictly beauty shots of Yellowstone–if you’ve never been there, it is a MUST SEE!!
Victoria
Yellowstone or Bust!! Day One of our Adventurous Journey (a series of fortunate events)
Kids, food, bags, Spam Musubi and camping gear go into Sprinter. We even have a trip book with our route for each day and camping reservations!
We have 2 campsites to hit before arriving for our 4 days at Yellowstone, and 2 more sites on our way back. We have the red truck hitched to the Airstream,the pop-out tent on top of the truck, the Sprinter loaded, and last-minute group photos to celebrate the great beginning of this long-planned trip! We are excited!
We travel a couple of hours, stop for lunch in the quaint rodeo town of Kititas, stretch our legs and head out for 2 more hours to the evening campsite. It’s 2 p.m., everything looking great! But, like many good plans, they go all crazy!! As we are midway up a very steep and long incline, the truck suddenly loses power! I am driving! Mike says “pull to the shoulder” and just as I get onto it, steering and brakes lock up. Slam on parking brake and we all jump out, black smoke billowing from hood. See oil pooling under the truck.
We had blown an oil line. Mike says “that’s it” for the truck. We call a tow and try to figure out Plan B with cars/trucks whizzing past at 80 mph.
We do reflect that it is so lucky it didn’t happen while going DOWN the hill….would have been a different story altogether!!! And we are lucky that there is a rest stop only 1/2 mile ahead.(Fortunate events #1 and #2) We then disconnect the truck from the Airstream and the Sprinter takes the kids and Suzy to wait it out under a shady tree at the rest stop. Sprinter comes back and we hitch the Airstream to it. We head out,8 of us, Mike driving the Sprinter. The tow is great,the kids are troupers, and we are on our way!
Truck stays behind with Katie and Jesse who ride back with the tow truck driver to Kent. It’s midnight when he drops them off…they sleep for a few hours then pick up my new 2010 VW Touareg, which I had bought only one week earlier and is sitting in Katie’s driveway. That is Fortunate Event #3!! Since it was bought to tow the Airstream! We had taken the truck for its tent and storage space–but the Touareg came to our rescue that day and all the rest of the trip. Katie and Jesse drive it straight to the campsite next morning! We are looking a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies with our beautiful vehicles and personal stuff strewn about the campsite, having come in late the night before and barely getting tent and food set up before crashing. But it’s the dawning of Day 2, we survived and prevailed over Day 1, and we are still excited!! So far, not too far behind schedule….if all goes well! To be continued!!!!
Airstream Arrives at Pacific Ocean!!
Greetings!! many have inquired about the continuing adventures of the Airstream. Thank you! Two weeks ago school finally let out, and Katie & the kids & I took our first solo trip in the AS!! (i.e., without the help of Katie’s man Michael Ball)
We drove westward to the Pacific! Arrived at Ocean Shores WA on Friday after 3 hours of driving…found the campsite…and were told we would have to take a “back-in” site, as all the pull-throughs were full! So, we used our mirrors, and hand signals, and just plain eyeballed it, and managed to (relatively) easily negotiate the back-up!!
Great cheers went up. We then proceeded to do all the miniscule but often challenging tasks associated with setting up–connecting all the right hoses to the right inlets and outlets, the electricity and gas switched on, the awning deployed, and the chili pepper lights strung.
Thence we proceeded to the ocean to watch the evening sun sink into the water. We had to wear several layers of clothing and jackets, because the wind was quite cool!
But kids had a great time next day horseback riding on beach and riding pedal-propelled dune bikes near the surf. Great fun! and then more of the same until time to return, and happy to say we had no problems along the way with driving, hitching, or Airstream. Not so hard with just a little practice.
We are eagerly anticipating our next trip, which will be July 19-28 to Yellowstone National Park, with 10 of us in all, the entire extended family. Hawai’i contingent will include Katie’s Mike and his son Jacob; Amie, Oliver & Jesse & Jesse’s mom, Suzi, and of course on this end, Katie, Brooke, Dylan, & yours truly. Camping on way to and from Yellowstone, and 5 days at Yellowstone itself. Should be a great roadtrip! Will Keep you all posted.
P.S….decided to spring for the perfect vehicle for towing the Airstream — for me, that is! — found a great deal on a used VW Touareg — and soon I will be able to drive it myself with friends on trips, without having to borrow Mike’s truck! So we will have 2 vehicles, and more freedom of movement. AS will be stationed here in WA when not in use.
That’s all for now, folks!!! Photos of Ocean Shdores included below (or wherever they end up!)
Speaking Airstream: Day 3: The Trip
Hi Folks,
After driving around the neighborhood with Mike, practicing reversing & hitching/unhitching, I felt a little more ready to tackle The Trip! We loaded up the Airstream with everything we could think of, picked up the kids from school and headed out for our first camping expedition! We chose a park near Mt. Rainier & Mt. St. Helens- 2.5 hrs. away – so we could get some good hands on driving experience in the real world. Turned out the road to Randle was narrow and winding, and with a definite rise in elevation! Mike drove the first half, and I the second half, which put me squarely in the winding twisting road section! Mike sat in the passenger seat with an eagle eye on the rear view mirrors, which I had to check every few seconds as well, and he gave me stern warnings about veering across the white line on the side of the road. The lane was so narrow!! But luckily did not encounter anyone walking along the road or any cars parked there, it being a mountainside, and so we made it safely to the campsite, which to my great relief did not require any backing in. It was a pull-through site, and I pulled in and we left it at that! No fine-tuning. Good enough! And thus began our wonderful adventure…emphasis on the adventure!~
We first luxuriated in the indoor heated pool and hot tub at the site…(this is one of those membership camping spots) and then turned our attention to food! We had bought a portable propane grill which could hook up to the trailer’s tanks…but it turned out the hose that came with the Airstream did not fit our grill, so…we cooked hot dogs indoors, in a frying pan! We then turned our attention to showers and discovered no hot water! An unsuccessful hour later we called our troubleshooting number (another membership thing) and we were guided into a valve turn on the water heater and voila! hot water. Then the water pressure was too low, and that had to be figured out, as well as how to set the furnace (because yes it was getting cold and of course rainy!) And then, finally, about 10 pm, all systems were GO and we were warm and dry. Had a lot of fun learning to hook up the electrical systems, the black water hose (sewer) and the fresh water hose, then purging the whole system and packing it all up upon departure. It did rain a lot, but that was OK, because we did what we came for—we drove, we learned all the operating systems within (the hard way!)
, and then, having not quite conquered the beast, but at least succeeding in jumping on its back, we packed up and headed back home. Two days felt like a week, but in a good way.
Moral of the story: I need more training! Mike has been driving big rigs for years, but I am still a neophyte. I was strongly urged by him to get some lessons–one has GOT to be able to maneuver this thing in tricky situations, and also MUST be able to reverse into small spaces! Our storage is nearby, which is great, but until I can back it into its stall, it might as well be a million miles away. So I hope to get 2 days of driving instruction this week, before I leave Seattle area! I also need a camera mounted on the rear of the Airstream so I can see behind me. But, lest I forget to emphasize the really important thing: this is fabulous!!! I love the feeling of having the means of comfortable existence right behind you, going wherever your heart desires!
To be continued! Check out our photos! (somehow I got this messed up, and photos are up there. Oh, well. Aloha, everyone! Will let you know how the driving lessons go!
Vicki
Speaking Airstream: Day 2: Hitch Meets Post
Learning Airstream!
Hi folks!
Most of you know by now that over the holidays I bought a new Airstream trailer while I was in Washington. And you know that for 2 long months I have been waiting to actually put wheels to the road and live the fantasy. So here I am, back in Washington, starting out on the long voyage of discovery—that is, learning Airstream! It is a language all its own!! I am about to learn how to drive a very large truck which is to be the tow vehicle, and then learn to hitch that truck to the trailer, and then to drive the truck with the trailer behind it, possibly having to (horrifying thought) back it up! Not only that, but there are 1001 things dwelling inside the trailer that need to be understood and operated! all kinds of technical jargon to be learned, and great anxiety to be overcome before climbing behind the wheel and taking off down the road.
But this blog will record my progress on all of the above. I plan to post weekly and hope that each week brings some small step toward learning the language. This week, Katie, Mike, Brooke, Dylan & I are going to do some intensive hitch and tow training, some on-the-road practice in a Walmart parking lot, and then take off for our first camping weekend somewhere here in Washington. A 3-day maiden voyage, trial run, or what have you—we are all very excited to learn this thing and to begin to enjoy it! Please check in now and then to see how we are doing! With fingers crossed, and with much aloha to all,
Victoria
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