The Magical 2010 tour of The LUV Shack!

The Reasons To Take a New Path May Be A Fortune Cookie Away!

The fortune read, “Now is a good time for you to explore. Take a vacation.” It fell out as I was changing purses and I studied it with anticipation. We were going on a road trip and I did need to explore—Man, did I! Sometimes it pays to keep those little fortunes. I once kept one in my wallet for 5 years.

Our view from Antler RV park, Lake Shasta, CA

Glenyan RV park, Ashland OR

So we headed out in our travel trailer ( the LUV Shack) to places known and unknown for a road trip.  Our little trip hit some rough road right away. Turn signals and propane tanks were on the fritz. So our road trip took some side trips, like to Cousin Gary’s RV Repair. Now we have a new propane tank which has promised to behave.

We have traveled around 500 miles. We have boondocked for the first time in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Boondocking is basically free camping. The boondocking rules tell you to keep a low profile; you just sort of slide in at dusk, pull the curtains, stay quiet and wait for morning. I thought it would be a little like skinny-dipping in the clubhouse pool when I was twenty-something, but sadly it wasn’t like that alI. I considered sleeping in my clothes.

Walmart on the other hand was a cultural experience all on its own. Whole families with cut off sleeves, toddlers being raced in shopping carts and shirts for $4. They have an abundance of items. What they didn’t have after a long day of driving was cold soda,beer, or ice.

Ashland was our next stop. We had made reservations to see a musical titled “WHO DUNNIT!” and reserved a spot at the Glenyan RV Park. Let’s just say that sometimes the pictures of RV parks don’t match the real experience. We did get a beautiful spot by a creek with lots of great music from the water. And we had lots of water, because it rained and rained and rained. We stopped for dinner and our waiter had the audacity to tell us that we were sitting in the sunshine capital of Oregon and that most likely we had brought the rain with us. I wanted to yell, “Liar, liar pants on fire!” On the other hand, the play was wonderful, funny and entertaining. The theater was in an old Baptist Church, which was fun. Not that Ashland couldn’t use a few, good Baptists, preferably vocal ones. Still, I say God would love that the old place was still keeping people smiling.

The next morning we headed out—of the rain. The minute we crossed the state line to California, the rain stopped, just like God had turned off a faucet. I guess he figures if you have to travel on roads that look like something unearthly has been chewing on them, you shouldn’t have to endure rain a well. That is my take anyway.

Lake Shasta was our next stop. It’s soft grasses; eucalyptus trees and wild flowers scent the air, along with pine, water and diesel. Some of my favorite smells. The lake is lapis blue and sparkling. It is up 50 feet this year. Making it a good year to be in a boat. They rent everything from the humble canoe to the houseboat for 20. It is quiet here, except for the occasional party boat or the grounds keepers getting ready for Memorial Day. We are lazy and take naps in the heat of the afternoon and read in the morning. Life is good.

Yesterday, we went to Burney Falls, a spectacular place that Teddy Roosevelt once called the 8th wonder of the world. Pat and I had lunch at “ Chatty Kathy’s Restaurant” Pat made me buy the T-shirt. Pat thought that was funny. I am still looking for “Chatty Patty’s”, but so far nothing comes up on the Garmin.

There is a point in your vacation where you just sort of smooth out. There is a shift and the “ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh’s” begin to roll out of your mouth without thinking. We have hit that place and we are being shamefully lazy.

Today we have done little besides hanging out, doing a few chores on the RV, checking out cabins and houseboats for future trips. Pat & Carmella are napping away in the cool trailer cabin. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Tonight we are getting together with a couple who we met from Coos Bay, Oregon. He is a fishermen like the ones on the TV show,”The Deadliest Catch”. In fact, he knows a few of the guys on the show. He is headed to Dutch harbor  for 6 months after this trip. So for all of you fans out there, we will let you in on the real skinny. I have my questions ready… look for the next post.

Meanwhile, I will sign off  with ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

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