The Breakdown

view out our window in Bishop

I knew it was coming...I anticipated it, but long .......long.....long way off into the future. As I have said in previous posts, my Mom and Dad traveled for 12 years, FULL TIME, in a small living space known as a fifth-wheel. I would absolutely marvel at the fact that they could fit what was left of their entire lives accumulation of possessions into a space that measured maybe 8' by 34". They started with a pretty fancy big one, and gradually moved into smaller ones, but there were no slide-outs in their early adventures.

After an almost mystical and amazing adventure on the coast at Pt. Mugu, we left for home so we could get there before the incoming snow storm that was forecast for Fallon. We got as far as 3 miles south of Bishop. BAMMMMMMMM!!!!! The breakdown began. The Dodge Ram 2500 that we "Oh so CAREFULLY" decided on when we knew that we wanted to travel across the county, hopefully many times, decided to take a turn of it's own. Down the path of breakdown. After finally finding someone who would come out and tow us on Thanksgiving eve at 7pm, we landed in the Kmart parking lot. Not as bad as you might think. We spent five days there, one of which was Thanksgiving. We watched as that day turned to Black Friday and the multitude of shoppers filled the parking lot. We made friends, we actually even ran into someone I used to work with 20 years ago who had also broke down on the north side of town.

5 days later, we finally made it home on Sunday, thanks to some very helpful friends, Charmaine....who came and picked us up at Topaz Lodge, (did you know that tow trucks can't pass the border??? and another truck from Reno had to come and meet him) and Dan O. who loaned us his pickup to go the three hours south to pick the trailer back up.

So what did we learn;
1. You can plan all you want, but stuff happens.
2. It's ok to sign up for AAA and Good Sam and anything else you can think of. Why? See # 1
3. Always be prepared. Thankfully we had full propane and water tanks, plenty of food...and oh did I mention a Starbucks and Kmart within walking distance.
4. If you have to do it, make sure and break down in a really great little town. Bishop was filled with thrift stores, coffee shops, antique places and great bike riding. We lucked out on that one.

But the most important thing I took away from this part of our adventure, I really can spend 14 days (or more) in a small enclosed place with the man I have been happy to have around for the last 40 years. Yep, I guess I can see now why Mom and Dad had it figured out.

Sunrise, Pt. Mugu

I am an early riser, but not usually an early..."out of the house" riser. Different story when this guy is right out your front door waiting to greet you every morning. Feeling blessed and thankful. 

Good Morning Pt. Mugu.

 

Pt. Mugu at sunset

Each evening, as I watch the sun set on another day at the beach, I wish that I had captured it just a little more so I could mark it in my memory bank. Tonight I grabbed my camera and walked the mile or so down the beach road to a point where the birds gather. I wait......and watch.......as they settle in for the night. The sun sets on the horizon, the winds are gentle and the quiet is just what my soul always needs. The ocean meets the wetlands. The day meets the eve. The shorebirds find their nest for the night. Memory bank full.

Mt. Whitney bound

Mt. Whitney, rising to 14,497' is the tallest point in the contiguous United States. Not one to be able to climb to its top, at least at this point in my life, I can sure park myself at its base and marvel at its beauty. The drive in was easy, the roads passable and well maintained, we set up camp at the Tuttle Creek Campground outside Lone Pine. Quiet and peaceful there were only two other camps set up in the massive park. Hiking was over large boulders and down massive washes, and the sounds of the creek lulled us to sleep at night. The stars filled the night sky as we listened to the coyotes off in the distance. A beautiful start to a southern trip.  

graffiti as art????  art as graffiti???

creek side that we parked along

 hope to return some day in the Spring and see the wildflowers in all their glory

 between a "rock and a hard place"

 this is the guy that got me here, thanks Bob

Fungi Perfetto!

Last Thursday, my last day as owner of The Flower Tree, was one of those life changing events. So where does this "always a garden girl" choose to go on her first week as a "part timer". To a nursery of course. Bob and I packed up the apartment and off we went. My good friend Melissa who owns Every Bloomin' Thing in Susanville has been my mentor, partner in travels and very dear friend for the last 12 years. She had just returned from a three week trip to Italy, so over a fabulous dinner and some amazing vino, we viewed the many photos and a couple videos from her journey.

Right now I want to talk fungi though. Dinner tales. Mel has been growing this giant oyster mushroom for awhile now. She has already taken many cuttings off of it, and there are new starts on it now as well. I think this little kit may be on my Christmas list this year.

Get the recipe from Ms. Martha here, 

Roasted Potatoes and Mushrooms with Taleggio Cheese

 the SIZE of this thing was amazing!!

added some extras for contrast

some people bring back souvenirs of Murano glass or silk fabrics from Italy~  Mel.......cheese, olive oil and wine. We substituted this Pecorino, a cheese made from sheep's milk, for the Taleggio. The entire outside was crusted with peppercorns and it was layered throughout. Melted up beautifully in with the fungi....yummmmmm!!

Mel, a certified foodie, always comfortable in the kitchen

long walk before dinner just as the sun was setting, it was a beautiful way to remind me that I will have plenty of adventures to fill my time 

Maiden Voyage

This was the maiden voyage for what is now known as "The Apartment". Bob and I spent months and months and MONTHS trying to decide what we wanted to do with part of our upcoming re-started life. He retired in May, after 31 years of military/federal service, one of our businesses sold this month, and we knew that the time would come when we wanted to just set out and explore this amazing country of ours. ....and so begins "The Maiden Voyage".

I came to the realization over the last few months, that much like you hear in life, you sometimes really do end up being a lot like your Mom. Lucky for me I had an amazing and encouragingly kind soul for a Mom. My Mom and Dad spent 12 years full-time on the road before they settled in the little house on the river behind the nursery. It was some of the best years they ever had in their life's, and marriage, and I always marveled at the stories and photos they shared of their travels. We owned an Airstream for years, but always found it while ~ WAY up there on the COOL factor, it was WAY DOWN there on the practical side. Hence we didn't use it very often, other than short trips out to the desert close to our home. After stepping inside and trying out what seemed like 1000's of  different styles of RVs over the last year ~ we hit the right one. We are set. We are going. Often. Join along, I promise to show you some sites that may seem a little off the beaten path......after all.......I will be traveling with Bob.

Lake Tahoe, up to this point in my life has been one of my "go to" places to relax and reflect. When we planned our first trip in the apartment it was to go to Susanville, Ca. But I came home last week and Bob said, "How about we take it up to Tahoe for a day or two and make sure we have everything we need before we head off for a big trip" ....really....was I going to say No!

Couple of hints for the future....check the weather and come prepared. While we knew there was a slight.....storm forecast for the area we didn't really expect to wake up to 5" of snow on the ground. But all worked out for the best. It showed us that we could really spend three days in close proximity and survive. We still got in some walks, but the bikes never made it off the rack. It was a great first trip. The first of many!

 the BBQ grill didn't get much use...but it sure was pretty the next day

  Came home to find that Fallon also received the first white blanket of the year. I spent some time out in the garden cutting the last of the summers blossoms.