Full Circle & Summer Plans
We’re back in San Diego and thus back to being official beach bums. This is where our journey started over 5 years ago and for that reason it’s always a bit strange to be back here. We love this town and will always love this town, but we feel both completely at home and completely disjointed when we stay here in the RV. In the years we’ve been on the road nothing has changed, or rather nothing seems to have changed. While our lives have been rich and varying it feels as if the earth stopped spinning here at “home” and the people/places we knew those five years ago are almost exactly where we left them. I mean even the barrista at our local coffee shop is the same guy!
It makes our journey seem almost surreal. Did we really leave? Or did we just transport into a parallel dimension and jump right back again?
Thankfully we do have a bit of grounding to help us remember our “real lives” in the form of good RV friends (and awesome photographer/bloggers) Hector & Brenda (with doggie Angel), as well as the dynamic duo of lovelies Russ & Todd (with doggie Frances). Together with these intrepid voyagers we have been re-discovering and re-tasting San Diego in all it’s funky/beachy/foodie/beer/sightseeing glory. Seen with old eyes and new the town has opened up to us again and re-affirmed why we love her so much. MUCH blogging is coming on that, as well as links to many of my old San Diego blog posts (and believe me, I have many), but that’s for the future.
We’re also taking this month to attempt some much-needed RV repairs (we’ve not had a working microwave/convection oven since October!) as well as clean-out/re-organize our RV and complete a few other knick-knacks. Plus we are basking in the modern miracle of full hookups which means unlimited running water {{gasp}} and thus the ability to wash all the extra blankets and miscellaneous items we’ve been neglecting during our boondocking time. Sometimes hookups are cool.
In the meantime we’ ve been organizing our summer travels. This project has actually been in the works since around December which, as those of you who’ve read my planning travels series know, is the time we usually start planning our year. The details are still somewhat “jello”, but all the big holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th etc.) have been nailed down and the overall itinerary firmed up. So far we’ve devised a pretty cool mix (if I may say so myself) of old favorites and new experiences. Here’s the line-up:
Northward To Oregon
It’ll be no surprise to our regular readers that we’re headed back to Oregon this summer. Our month here will be up around the 3rd week in March at which point we will slowly start our migration north. Our general plan is to do a portion of the coast followed by (potentially) a portion inland although we’ve not quite decided yet which way we’ll go. Most of this route will be new (for us), so should be lots of good blog fodder here. Our goal is to be in Portland by ~mid-May at which point Paul is flying home for his niece’s graduation.
June will be something completely new for us, an extended trip to the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon. The mountains in “Little Switzerland”, as this area is known, have called to us for years and we’re finally going to see what they’re all about. I am SUPER excited about this.
Westward To Lighthouse Hosting
July and August we’re going back to Cape Disappointment as Lighthouse Hosts. Again, no surprises for regular readers. This spot totally absorbed us last year and we’re looking forward to an extended stay this time around so we can totally immerse ourselves in the area. This will also give us a prime beach location with perfect weather to pass the travel craziness of summer.
Left At Albuquerque
In September we’re changing our usual plans entirely. In past years we’ve hosted at Cape Blanco which we truly love and adore, but this year Paul’s dad is coming out west from FL in his RV. So we’ve decided to give up our coveted lighthouse spot and spend the month traveling ~1500 miles or so meet him at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, something that’s been on our “list” for many, many years (see Hector & Brenda’s post of their experience last year). This pace of travel is waaaay faster our usual pace, but it’s too special an opportunity to pass up. We’ll hit three or four interesting & new spots on the way over and will do some longer drives in-between to make up for it.
Winter South
Once into the late fall/winter months we’ll track back somewhere south so I can fly home for the holidays. The Grand Canyon and San Diego may both be on the path here, although nothing is firm yet.
That’s the “grand reveal” of our year. Any of you folks have good tips for the Wallowa’s? Favorite dog-friendly hikes? Are you planning to visit the lighthouse? Do you have a favorite driving route from Portland to Albuqueque? DO comment below….
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We stayed at Wallowa State park 2 years ago. Wallowa lake is gorgeous! The state park was crowded, but lots of grass and trees. Joseph is an awesome little town with lots of art galleries, and fun little shops. As far as a hike, go up the canyon from Wallowa lake. There is a trail there that goes to a beautiful waterfall. Doggie friendly. We took an evening drive up another canyon out of Joseph that was amazingly beautiful. We really like that part of Oregon, and got off the beaton path to see some great places.
We’re booked at the State Park, so I’m glad to hear you liked it. Cheers for the tips on the hikes!
I second what Mary Hone says. Great tips.
While you’re in the area it’s an awesome day trip to drive the road to Hells Canyon. I forget the name of the place, but you drive up and up to where there’s an outlook tower, from where you look down one mile to the Snake River at the bottom of the canyon! Very worth while trip!
This area has so much to offer that you’ll likely be picking out the best and what’s most feasable for you. You’ll not see and do it all. And some of it comes down to how far are you willing to go daily for your excursions.
Great to hear you’ll be at the Lighthouse again. I was there Two weeks ago. Maybe I best try another weekend this summer so I can buy you two a couple micro brew beers for all I’ve lesrned over the years I’ve been following along. 🙂
Oh yeah Hells Canyon…ANOTHER of those spots that’s been on my list for years. I hope we can make a day-trip up there, although I know it won’t be nearly enough. It’d be great to see you in Astoria, plus the lighthouse will (hopefully) have started it’s restoration.
Nina
Hells Canyon is an easy day trip from Wallowa Lake and Joseph, if I recall correctly. It’s been a number of years ago since I was last there. It’s easy to get the info on maps of the area, or digital map services.
And yes, Astoria is close to Cape Dissapointment so it would be fun. As you’ll ne there for 2 months, I’ll keep a thought in mind for that. I want to spend some time in the area this summer anyway. 🙂
I think you should go by Yellowstone on your southbound haul!
I can’t deny we’ve thought about it. Our main issue will be time (we’ll be going really fast with only a few days at each stop) and the fact that we can’t bring doggie on trails in the park. Plus given how big the park is we can expect to be gone long hours. I do want to experience it at some point though. Tough decisions, tough decisions….
Nina
And it doesn’t smell so good, either…
Hmm, that balloon festival has been on our list but we kept missing it and yet again will miss it this October :(.
We’ve missed it for years too. I am SO excited to finally be able to participate! Hopefully I can give ya some inspiration to hit it next year?
Nina
Joseph is a lovely town — it was one of our first stops when we started our full-time journey in June 2013. There’s a wonderful artisan chocolate shop, interesting bronze sculptures all over town, a sweet little farmer’s market, and beautiful hiking in the Wallowas. Don’t miss nearby Zumwalt Prairie and the gorgeous summer wildflowers! Looks like you have a fun spring and summer planned. 🙂
Sounds perfect. We’ve heard so many good things about that area, so I can only imagine we’re going to love it…and June *should* be a good time to be there. Are you going back to Lopez?
Nina
Yes, we’re going back to Lopez — we can’t resist! We’ll be there July/August again as interpretive hosts. Then a slow journey cross country to Florida for the winter. Time flies, no?
When you visit Wallowa Lake and Joseph, take the tram at the SE corner of Wallowa Lake and hike the trails at the top of the mountain.
Nice tip. Cheers.
Nina
The Balloon Fiesta is amazing. It is so worth changing your normal plans and going. We went the three years we lived in Albuquerque and can’t wait until we full time and can get back there. I read Hector & Brenda’s posts and they give a lot of really good advice. The traffic is horrible so I definitely recommend that you stay close to the park and walk, bike or ride a shuttle.
We’ve booked with the Boomers, same as Hector & Brenda did, so we should be within walking distance of the fields. Can’t wait!
Nina
Excellent advice! We stayed on the outskirts of town towards the west but were able to ride our bikes over to see the balloons each morning. Lots of other folks were doing the same!
I’m really interested in the time between august and October. The weather is great just about everywhere, so no matter where you go it will be enjoyable.
We are excited to be taking one of our sons and his family in our RV to the World cup women’s Soccer in Winnepeg in June.
So true. I always say that Sept is the best month anywhere. Those late summer/early fall months are my favorite times of the year.
Nina
I have been reading your blog for a year now and this is the first time I have ever posted, a little shy:) I just want to say that we went to the Balloon Fiesta last year and it was a true bucket list item. We have an Airstream and stay with that group. We will be there again this year as well. Already getting hooked. Hope we get to run into you there, will be in the shinny trailer:):):):)
Sweeet! I’ve heard the Airstream crew has pretty prime parking area. Great to hear you enjoyed it enough last year to go back. I’m SO looking forward to it.
Nina
Drop by Morro Bay for a couple of days on your way north. Great fishing village with Morro Rock marking the bay entrance. Great fish to eat, great weather and a lot to see in the area. I recommend the Cypress RV Park. Small, but great location in town. Make reservations in advance. Three block walk down the hill to the Embarcadero. Polly will love the six mile beach walk down to Cayucos.
Luke
Currently in Phoenix
Loooooove Morro Bay. Been years and years (pre-RV) since we went. Cheers for the park recommendation. We may well stop there.
Nina
If you’re coming through Taos, we’ll be there.
Just love Taos!! We may well stop there depending on time constraints.
Nina
Envious! Never got to the Albuquerque balloon festival!
Your plans sound terrific. Yay, I get to vicariously follow along 🙂
I imagine there is some comfort in finding things that haven’t changed when living the nomadic life. San Diego is a pretty sweet spot to return to each year 🙂
We will be visiting the lighthouse in late July so I’m excited to see you are returning this year!
Awesome! Look forward to seeing ya at the lighthouse.
Nina
I’m disappointed! 😉 We were hoping the Wheeling It gang would come spend some time in our fabulous boondocking spot this summer!
Your spot is always on our “list”. We actually had the best of intentions to make it up there this year, but the balloon festival changed everything. We’ll make it one day!
Nina
Great post of your plans for the year. Our plans are still mostly jello. Wife Rebecca has been retired for almost two weeks! And twin granddaughters due in May. We want to escape central Texas heat and travel north and west in July, August, September. Seattle to San Francisco in September sounds wonderful. Safe travels everyone.
Jello plans work well. New Mexico is not far from TX and is a great spot to escape the summer heat, especially up by Taos area. We went several years ago and simply loved the State Parks there.
Nina
Sounds like another exciting year for the two of you. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the Wallowa Mountains. They look beautiful. See you two soon!
They’re one of Oregon’s “seven wonders” and are supposedly just gorgeous. Been wanting to go there for so long. See you soon!
Nina
The Wallowa Mountains area is on our list. Didn’t quite make it there last summer so look forward to your posts about it. We really enjoyed the Balloon Fiesta. You should definitely sign up to crew, but I’m guessing that is part of your plan?
We’re definitely thinking about crewing. The Boomers have a connection for crew which we can participate in.
Nina
I feel exactly the same way about life back ‘home’. It always feels a little strange and as if it’s a playlist stuck on shuffle.
It does, doesn’t it? Seems so surreal.
Nina
You asked, so here goes.
At the Wallowa’s, I suggest leaving the RV and putting on your backpacks for a few days. Numerous in and out trips or spectacular loop trip options. Usually hiking in the Oregon high country in June is tough due to snow, but this year (snow pack sucks) is likely to be different. However, the always hungry mosquitoes will still be out in force (don’t let them carry Polly away…). (Let me know if you need gear as I can likely help you out.)
Enterprise, Joseph, and Wallowa lake are the popular spots. So to get away from the madhouse of that area, you might consider the Lostine Canyon. There are a number of F.S. campgrounds up there, just not sure if you would fit. But you can boondock at the Salt Creek Summit Snowpark (no permit required that time of year). It’s just a big parking lot, but no one will be there and you’ll have sunshine rather than the shade of Wallowa Lake State Park (perhaps more of a winter consideration as the State Park is pretty darn dark in the winter months).
If there is still enough water (questionable this year), rent a raft in Minim and float down to Troy. About a three day, very easy, float (one, easy to miss, rapid. Be mindful of rattlesnakes though at some of the camps (they quickly leave if you just give them a little time).
Another option in the area is to head north through the Zumwalt Prairie. While the mountains are all the rage, you will find solitude up there. Further north, toward Troy, you should be able to find camping along the rim of the Snake River canyon (too many hunters in the Fall, but should be empty in the spring).
I suppose you could drop down to Lewiston (Idaho) and take a Jet boat trip up the Snake…not my thing as I prefer to raft down, but I guess some folks like it.
Lastly, we have friends who live in Enterprise who know the mountains like the back of their hands (he has been a wilderness ranger there). So if you want even more details, I can hook you up with them.
So there you go. Ask and you shall receive.
Outstanding! Excellent recommendations!
Nina
Looks like a fun itinerary! We will miss you @ Cape Blanco in September, but perhaps we will catch up with you guys someplace in AZ or CA during the winter.
It was a super tough decision to give up our Sept Cape Blanco spot, but we’ll be back.
Nina
Where are you staying in San Diego? We just arrived in Santee and will be here until late March.
We’re in Mission Bay RV Park.
Sounds like a full schedule. We live in Rio Rancho, just NW of Albuquerque, and we chase crew for a balloonist when we have time. We would love to meet you when you are here.
Oh! The balloon festival has been on my bucket list for a long time. But should it be done with a group or on our own. Choices, choices. Thanks for giving us ideas to dream and plan for.
Toni
The biggest plus to doing it with a group is to get close to the main action. Plus some of the groups have relationships for crewing. There are many solo options too of course. I’ll learn more when we’re there and will report thoroughly.
Nina
One of the fantastic things about the event is that everyone is close to the main action!
Hmmm…Portland to Albuquerque. We went there from Tacoma which is pretty close…our route was through Boise to Salt Lake City and Moab Utah then south through Durango CO to Albuquerque. Very nice drive…good roads, nice campgrounds in SLC, Moab, and Durango…highly recommended.
That was one of the routes we looked at. We’ve driven Boise->Salt Lake a bunch of times and may try to see if we can take an alternative route. Moab is awesome of course and we couldn’t go wrong going back there.
Nina
Come through Lovely Ouray… the real Switzerland of America 🙂 then do the grand triangle tour, Ouray to Silverton to Durango to Cortez to Telluride and back to Ouray. There is enough to keep you busy for a short or long while, and we’ll host a hike and BBQ, with growlers of local beers…
Box Canyon Mark
OH we loved Ouray the one time we were there a few years back, and I’ve heard so many good (crazy? hardcore?) things about the hiking directors over there LOL. I would love to do it and get a chance to hang with you guys. If we make it part of the route you’ll definitely hear from us.
Nina
Hi Nina and Paul,
Thank you for sharing your lives on the road and your plans for the coming year. We’re still buried in snow in New Brunswick, Canada. This week the temperature is forecast to rise to the freezing point for the first time since Christmas. I walk past (with snowshoes) our RV each day on my way to the bird feeder. Your upbeat personalities and wonderful writing style are the perfect combination to add warmth to an already much too long winter. Thanks!
Barrie
Brrrrr!! That sounds sooooo cold. I’m glad I can bring a bit of warmth into your lives even if it’s just psychological. Spring can’t come soon enough.
Nina
As you get closer to Balloon Fiesta time, we will have to make plans to meet up somewhere in Northern New Mexico. You will love the fiesta. It is amazing and a definite must see. We’ve been three times in the 10+ years we’ve lived in NM. Excited to hear you will be in our neck of the woods.
I’m so looking forward to it. Also very much looking forward to being back in New Mexico. We thoroughly enjoyed that state the first time we passed through and have always wanted to go back.
Nina
Hi Guys, Well we finally joined the ranks of full time RVers about 3 weeks ago. We will be heading north for the summer but will have to return to AZ for the birth of our 4th G-Baby in July. It’s going to be hot. We have started a group on Facebook and a simple blog both called “Nomadic RVers” We hope to see you on the road sometime.
http://nomadicrvers.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/craigdh57/?fref=nf
Congrats on going fulltime! Sounds like you’ve already got some good plans in the works. Best of luck & joy on the road!
Nina
Yay! So excited that you’re going to the Balloon Fiesta! It was one of the best events we’ve ever attended. Hope to make it back again someday.
You guys wrote some great blog posts about it too! I’ll be referring back to all my blogger friends when we get there.
Nina
Hi – question for the experienced Full Timers. About how far in advance do you need to make reservations at RV parks/campgrounds? I know a lot depends on time, place, etc. But do you find most are filled up in Summer and Fall so it’s best to make reservations early? We’re starting Full timing the first of August and have about a month of stops figured out (Boondocking and Passport America stops) but we want to spend the winter months (Nov-March) in a southern RV Park – so just wondering how far in advance reservations should be made. Most charge a deposit so we don’t want to make reservations too far in advance in case plans change. Any advice to us newbies would be greatly appreciated!
I’ll be in Idaho June/July then Oregon/Washington in July/August/September so I’ll have to make sure to connect with y’all!
Sounds like a great “jello” plan. Maybe you’ll slip into the North Rim of Grand Canyon on your way to NM.
Maybe….I’m thinking it more likely that we hit the south rim after the balloon festival, but if we do hit the north rim I will most definitely be looking you up! Would so love to see you in your part-year “home”.
Nina
Greetings…my husband and I have the set up already (F450 and 5th wheel), but both of us are still working stiffs for a few more years. Over the past year, we have been following your website, dreaming and gaining useful tips about boon docking.
One of our other side hobbies (besides traveling) is hot air ballooning, and yes, Fred decided to attend this year’s ABIF. He will also be helping with the gas balloons. We are looking for crew, so if you are interested, please let us know. It is a fun time and your camera will get lots of use.
Looking forward…
Fred and Christel.
Hey guys,
if you are beer snobs make sure you check out THE brew bub in the region: Terminal Gravity in Enterprise. After a hike or a bike ride or whatever the beautiful setting on the little creek and the really tasty beer will make your day.
AWESOME! Always good to know where the best local brewery is!
Nina
I’m just catching up on blog reading but loved hearing about your future plans. We actually drove from the Oregon coast to Albuquerque at around the same time last year that you are planning on this year — though not in an RV. We spent a few days each in Portland and Eugene, then enjoyed a couple of days on the stunning Oregon Coast. From there we dropped down to Crescent City, Calif. to see the redwoods for the first time ever (jaw-dropping!), then east to Redding for some bicycling. From there we raced pretty quickly across Nevada to Salt Lake City, where we spent a couple of days and visited with a friend. From there, we headed south to Durango, CO for a few days visiting with other friends. The foliage just north of Durango was absolutely mind-blowing, so you may well be in for a treat when you make your trip if you’re in the area. From there we headed south to Albuquerque for five days. The Balloon Fiesta was one of the highlights of our traveling lives, and I know you’ll love it too! There are plenty of posts on all the places we visited on our blog if you care to look in the Sept/Oct. 2014 archives. Have a wonderful summer and beyond!
Sweet route! Cheers very much for the details and especially the tip on fall colors. I’m so looking forward to the festival!
Nina