Like I promised, fall is here. The van is set up for camping and I take off tomorrow.
First stop, Seattle for a weekend with my writing coach. When she realized her downstairs apartment was available for the weekend, she invited me to come stay. Four other memoir writing women will join us on Saturday. We have been zooming for months now, sharing some of our most intimate, joyful and painful tales. After learning each of our stories, I would say we make a group of some strong, resilient women. We have cried and laughed together virtually. I’m guessing the laughter will magnify as we physically come together.
Then to Olympia to visit Taj, who I cared for as a child. She is now a grown woman and holds special place in my heart. Her mother is like a sister to me. They are both family.
From there I plan to drive down the coast. The beauty is, from Olympia there is no agenda. Just me, my camping gear, books and pen and paper.
Happy camping everyone. Thanks for reading.
Tag: Camping
Fall is My Favorite Season
Fall can’t get here soon enough. Aside from it being my favorite season, it will be the end of summer travelers, the heat and smoke and my schedule will settle down.
Missoula has been run over with people from all over the place, making for increased traffic, prices and more unattractiveness. We had one of those stupid (yea that’s my opinion) party vehicles that people pedal while drinking. It went up and down our main street at five mph, people yelling like a bunch of newly released convicts, attractive!
The river was packed and littered. The cost of hotels tripled. Locals can’t afford increased rents much less buy a home in this most unfair market. I haven’t floated the river this summer.
My schedule has been full with pet/house sitting, doing some childcare and cleaning Airbnbs. It’s been good for my pocketbook but my soul could use a little down time.
Come fall I’ll get my van set up for camping, find a body of water and get to camping.
And get back on track with writing which has taken a back seat in the midst of busyness.
Thanks for reading.
I’ll Never Say His Name Again
Life is good when you find the perfect campsite. Stayed last night in the Sawtooth National Forest. I had my own private spot by a babbling brook surrounded by quacking Aspens. Not cell or internet. The smoke is here now though.
Woke up in the night and couldn’t stop thinking of the 45th’s comments about war veterans who died or came back injured. I’ll say this to him:
My father served this country. Two uncles died in war, one was a POW and came back pretty messed up. My brother was sergeant in Vietnam. His friend, Mr. Green Jeans, was killed right before his eyes. He saw things we don’t talk about it.
You call these men losers and suckers! I will never say your name again.
Goodbye Dolphin, Hello Sienna Van
Bye, bye Dolphin, hello Toyota Sienna. I kept loving the Dolphin and wishing it to be what I wanted it to be. But alas, a cylinder went and it needs an entire new engine. That’s when I faced reality! It’s been sold to a Toyota mechanic. In it’s place, I have a Toyota Sienna van.
The Sienna will be perfect for weekend camping trips. I’ll remove back seats, set up a bed, pack camping stove, all camping supplies (bear spray) and off we’ll go. The ability to be in solitude in nature is my saving grace.
Just so happens, I have a friend looking at Siennas for camping purposes. She has sent me links to some great companies that do conversions. ie: Contravans
I probably won’t get all fancy, start small, put in a roof vent for sure. It’s always fun to look at websites and Youtube to see what can be done.
The Sienna was perfect for bringing a load of my stuff from Montana to Oregon. Will have to go back for one more load.
Happy Camper
Thanks for reading!
Thinking ahead
Some of you know I have a Toyota Dolphin motorhome. I love it, it needs a lot of work. During downtime, youtube has been a source of entertainment. I came across this Renovated Toyota Dolphin
Aubrey, who redid this Dolphin is living the life I’d love to live. And she has a dog. I found her on instagram, Adventures in huck phinn. She has put some miles on Huck Phinn. Presently, she is in Baja.
Little roamer , lives, travels and works in her dolphin. Her dolphin is the same layout as mine.
These two have got me dreaming about this lifestyle. It could be my tiny home for when I am not house/pet sitting. Kevin, here in Eugene, does restoration on campers. He did some work on Finny, my dolphin. We’ve chatted. Finny has dry rot and other issues. May not be worth the time and money to fix her up. Meantime, Finny and my stuff, are in Montana. Thinking I’ll at least use Finny to get my stuff to Eugene, then assess the situation.
This is once everything opens up a bit. Presently, travelers who arrive in Montana, must quarantine for 14 days.
Comments, suggestions are encouraged and welcome. Know anyone who does camper repair?
Happy camping!
Fscottwrites 