Day 60 - Back in Canada and home.

The usual coffee then a quick tidy up, hooked up the RV and on our way home today. At the Silver Reef Casino Gas Bar the diesel was $2.29 US a gallon so we topped up the truck... lowest price we've seen the whole trip! 

We then had a quick thirty minute drive up to the Peace Arch Border Crossing. From the truck border turn off, we were the only vehicle on the road... it seemed a bit eerie actually. On arrival at the nexus lane, we found a completely deserted border crossing... not a soul in line. We drove up and had a great conversation with Officer Fitzpatrick, who gave us a nice welcome home to Canada, a short speech on the mandatory quarantine requirements now in place and after declaring our excess liquor, sent us on our way.  I have to say, probably one of the best and strangest crossing ever. 

Kelly made a reservation for the ferry based on the BC Ferry website... over height loads had a possible wait. On arrival it was obvious that there was no wait. About 50 cars on the upper deck and 15 vehicles on the lower deck.

Ferry...lots of room today!

We stayed in the truck and watched some video's on the iPad. The 1:35 trip went quickly and we offloaded back on to Vancouver Island. In 20 minutes we arrived home to Brentwood Bay, 60 days after our departure. 

Although we came home a month early due to COVID-19, we had a great time on the trip.  We look forward to returning to the desert next year (if the star's line up) and finish visiting a few spots that we had to pass on. We had a taste of a variety of places and will decide on just were and when we will return.

Thanks for following the blog... hope you found it of some interest.

Day one of Quarantine starts now... and yes, it's nice to be home!

KM's today: 81
Total Trip KM's:10279 plus one oil change.
Temps:Low 6ºC High 11ºC   

Day 59 - Beach House Visit

Kelly had coffee ready as I showered and then I made some lunch (sandwiches) while she showered.... team work! 

We were on the road at 9 am and quickly on to the I-5 northbound. The regular traffic was light aside from the trucks... lots of trucks! We made good time through both Portland and Seattle with several Rest Area stops along the way with a fuel stop at Tulalip Chevron.

Seattle

We arrived at the Porter's Beach House in Ferndale at 2:30 pm and set up the RV after jockeying it into the "RV" spot. It went well and we soon had a cool beverage in our hands... along with a nice agate each from the beach! 

First visit to the beach House for our new rig.

We checked out the place and everything was in good order. Dinner tonight was steak with sage potatoes & beets.  Once again very good.

Tonight's sunset capped off a great trip!!

 We watched a bit if TV with Survivor on at 8 pm. Couple phone calls and then hit the rack. Tomorrow we cross the border and head to the ferry (both will accept us... we checked!) then start our 14 days of self isolation.

KM's today: 507
Total KM's:10198
Temps:Low 4ºC High 11ºC  

Day 58 - Back to Oregon

We woke up at 6:30 and got moving... coffee, shower, toast and then packed up, hooked up and on the road at 8 a.m.... pretty good I say!

The I-5 was right next to the park so it was quick freeway access for us. The drive up went well but as we climbed up towards higher elevations near Mount Shasta, the temps dropped and the snow started to fly. It never went below 1ºC and the roads remained wet through the crossing of the mountain passes. 

Summit views!

Ten minutes after the summit view!!

 Once we got through the pass, the weather improved to blue skies and a mix of rain etc. We made great time heading north and saw some beautiful scenery on the drive.

Nice weather now!

We ended up cancelling our reservation at the Passport America RV Park in Springfield and headed farther north to the Phoenix RV Park in Salem, Oregon. Kelly was on the phone and had things sorted very quickly. This will give us an easy drive to Ferndale, WA tomorrow.

We checked in to the RV site via an "RV Package" in the mail box... no social contact at all!  It's a nice park with plenty of greenery at each site. Once set up we headed over to Walmart and picked up some DEF for the truck and a couple grocery items. Another stop for some diesel fuel to top off on the truck and then back to the RV for a well deserved beverage. (or two!)

Spaghetti is on the menu tonight as Kelly worked her magic in the kitchen. We took advantage of the data plan and Facetimed with Hartley in Sechelt, BC for an update on their adventures with the new digs. All good!  

We relaxed with some TV.

KM's today: 675
Total KM's: 9691
Temps:Low 1ºC High 11ºC  Rain, Snow... ya back in the Northwest!
 

Day 57 - Oranges to Olives

Up and at it this morning knowing the trip is coming to an end... coffee, showers, then we hooked up the rig and left Orange Grove RV Park at 8:50 am sharp! :-)

Our route took us up HWY 99 through Fresno, Modesto and on towards Sacramento, CA. A fuel stop first then we stopped at Costco in South Sacremento as the store is right beside the highway and features a quick entry & exit! They had a line up outside the store but it went pretty quick... within 10 minutes we were in the door as they controlled the number of people going in. Limits on some items but the shelves were fully stocked with the exception of toilet paper & paper towels. We stocked up on some meat items and other "stuff".  30 minutes and we were out! (it worked out to $13 a minute cdn!) sheesh!

Back on the road we jumped off HWY 99 and joined Interstate 5 for the drive northbound. The highway was very quiet north of Sacramento and at just after 4 p.m., we drove into Corning RV Park and parked amongst the Olive trees.

All settled in.

We set up and then did a quick tour of the town's main street, filling the truck for the morning departure.  We cooked up some smokies on the BBQ and then vacuum packed all the meat. Surprising how much room we have in our fridge! 

We will head to the Shamrock Villiage RV Park (Passport America again!!) in Springfield tomorrow with a stop at the Beach House in Ferndale the day after. (We had hope to stay in a state park but they are all closed in both Oregon and Washington now.)

This will split the return into equal drives for the most part. We may spend a few days at the beach house depending on weather & other factors. Not sure yet.

KM's today: 647
Total KM's: 9016
Temps:Low 10ºC High 21ºC  Windy in Corning

Day 56 - It's over - Homeward Bound

While we sat having our coffee this morning, the discussion centered on the "enjoyment factor" of the remainder of our trip. With a little over a month to go before our planned return, we considered closures of restaurants, pubs and public areas where crowds may gather.  Yes we could certainly continue "camping" but the enjoyment side of it was going to be taking a beating. The social interaction is part of the experience and it has now been removed.

We both agreed that the "vacation portion" was now over and we were in a transitional phase of increasingly unknown factors that will effect the remainder of our trip.  We both came to the conclusion that, once again, we should head towards home.

We showered, packed up, hooked up and departed the RV park in Quartzsite at 09:50. They gave us a refund for our missed days and wished us a safe journey home. Once on HWY 95 northbound, Kelly called our next couple reservation spots and cancelled, then made a reservation in Bakersfield for us. All done in 5 minutes.

HWY 95 between Parker and Needles

The weather was nice with temps up to 22ºC as we traveled north on 95 through Parker on up to Needles and then west on 40 to Barstow for fuel. On to 58 to Bakersfield where we pulled in to the Orange Grove RV Park at 4 pm.  Traffic was light for regular vehicles but there were lots of trucks on the route.

We unhooked the RV and I took the truck over and gave it a much needed bath! I then topped up the fuel and came back to the RV for dinner and a cold, and much deserved beer!

Kelly spent the time wisely and finished off her Featherweight cover. Here is the end result.

Looks great!

We are now planning our return route and stops on the way northbound. I suspect we will be up well north of Sacramento by tomorrow afternoon... not sure.  We are planning a couple days at Valley of the Rogue State Park.... if we can find space.

KM's today: 594
Total KM's: 8369
Temps:Low 11ºC High 22ºC Scattered cloud and then rain later in the evening in Bakersfield.

Day 55 - Bike/Fly/Sew

After our morning coffee, I got the bikes off the rack and set up for a little spin around town.  Our fellow Canadian neighbors packed up, hooked up and hit the road back to Quesnel, B.C. as their winter in Arizona had come to an end. 

We rode the bikes along several bike paths and quickly found ourselves in town. A quick stop at the Hi Jolly monument for a picture and then into the residential/seasonal neighborhoods that surround the north part of town. Lot's of "winter" type places that support RV's, off road vehicles and the like. I suspect the summer heat drives all but the hardiest folks to cooler climates.

Hi Jolly Monument

Details

 We cruised by the Community Center (which was closed), the main park and then the RC field. A great day to fly and not a soul in sight!  The short 10k bike ride ended at the RV as I decided to put my plane together and get some flights in. Batteries charged, plane put together and I was off to the field while Kelly went to work on her Featherweight cover.

Great flying day!

I had the place all to myself:-)

I put in some flights at the deserted Quartzsite field and had a nice relaxing afternoon all by myself.  I packed up and returned to the RV Park. Kelly was sewing up a storm so I prepped some snacks and a cool drink. A bit of cleaning work on the RV and it was time for dinner. Left over leg of lamb, potato's & asparagus.

Dishes done, some TV, a game of crib and then off to the rack. Planning a trip to Parker tomorrow and hopefully pictures of Kelly's finished custom Featherweight cover!!! 

KM's today: 4 
Total KM's: 7775
Temps:Low 11ºC High 24ºC
 

Day 54 - Palm Canyon & Covid Concert

This morning I beat Kelly out of bed and got the coffee going. A sunny day once the blinds were raised:-)

Once again the world news regarding COVID-19 is dominating the TV. Lots of closures of restaurants & businesses with whole cities locked down to combat the spread. We reassessed our situation and although we had strongly thought about returning early, once we considered the fact we would be stuck at home with no contact, isolated for 14 days, it just seemed better to stay in the heat of the desert, enjoying both the the area and freedom as best we can.

We contacted our medical insurance provider and confirmed full coverage until the end of April. We also contacted the regional park and RV park that will host us over the next two weeks and they are open and expecting us. So we will ride out the "storm" in camping "isolation" and continue our journey.... wherever it may lead.

Today we loaded the chairs into the truck, grabbed the cooler of drinks & snacks and drove south on HWY 95 to Palm Canyon Road. We then drove east on a gravel road for 10 km into the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and the base of Palm Canyon. 

Prickle Pear Cactus in bloom

Wow!

Kofa entry.

Amazing views!

More!

 It was spectacular! The pictures do not do it justice! We hiked up the trail to view the last place in the state where these native California palms grow in their natural habitat. It was a steady climb but very manageable. We passed a couple folks who were all very courteous and kept our social distancing :-)

Looking towards the west.

More great views.

Once near the end of the trail we could easily see the palms although taking pictures had it's challenges. We returned to the parking lot (only a few cars were there) and then drove 50 meters down the road to a pull out. We had our lunch/snacks right there... it was amazingly quiet and peaceful. 

Lunch in the desert. Amazingly quiet!

On the way home we topped up our water jug with fresh purified water (5 gal/$1.00). Once home, Kelly worked on her project while I studied my eyelids :-)

Leftover meatballs & rice for dinner.

Tonight's sunset

After dinner we loaded up the iPad & Laptop and headed to McDonald's to steal some fast internet. Shelley and Doug from Kelly's band put on a one hour show call "Covid Concert" from their livingroom. The wireless worked for the most part but I had to use some data for the last half... it all worked well aside from some technical issues during "production" :-) 

A big THANK YOU to them for an hour of entertainment!

Live from Victoria!

We grabbed a fudge sundae at the drive through and headed home. TV & blogging finished off the night. 

KM's today: 96
Total KM's: 7771
Temps:Low 11ºC High 20ºC