Roadrunner Reflections: 7 Years on the Road

Last year I don't think I ever got around to jotting down some thoughts of what was going on in my mind and soul and heart during year 6.  I decided I'd give it a shot this year to try and quantify how great of a year it has been. 

Sometimes the words and thoughts just flow out like a stream of consciousness, other times it is a bit disjointed.  Hopefully you can get the just of how we feel about being on the road the last seven years.

In a few words:  wonderful, exciting, interesting, gratifying, expensive, fun, educational.

A day doesn't go by that Pam and I don't comment on how very grateful we are for our health, this time or our lives and being able to do this together.  It is special in many ways and being able to do this with Pam makes it even more so.

At this stage of the proceedings, e.g. passing through 63 years old, we are well aware of the finiteness of things -- of our own mortality.  We have seen too many pass from this life and some who now are not in good health.  We are also understand our life on the road will not last forever.  How long?  Don't know but we are going to continue to try to enjoy it as much as we can for as long as we can.  

It always is a bit sobering to us when we hear of folks who have 'hung up the keys' and are now off the road.  And every one is different, all have different motivations and situations.  But at some point all had that wonder and fire and big eyed look and quick smile as they told stories about their RV life.  Even if only for a few months or a few years doing this is special.  When we think about when our days ending 'on the road', we get a bit sad and know we are not read to stop; this is where we need to be.  

We do not tire of seeing family in different parts of the country.  We don't tire of moving on and moving down the road to meet up with old friends and new friends.  Sometimes we've stayed only a day or a few days in a place.  Other times it's been a week or a few weeks. During other periods in the last seven years.  So far the long stays have been near our kids depending on what was going on in their lives.  

There are still parts of the country we haven't seen much of and others that we keep going back to.  We'll get to see some of the new places hopefully in the coming months as we continue on to California and see more of the Sierras and then up the Oregon Coast again.  And we want to spend a little time in the Midwest seeing more of the RV country visiting factories and such before we head back to Virginia for a few weeks in the fall.  

Finances are something everyone deals with.  Everyone's finances are different.  Some workamp, some stay in one location for five or six months to reduce costs -- all of us have to manage our finances and see what works for us.

        For us, year seven has been the most expensive so far.  I think one of the challenges for us is how to manage our finances and not make any 'unforced errors' as in bad financial decisions.  Somethings are unforeseen and we just have to work our way through them.  This past year - the last 12 months - has been the most costly for US dollar wise.  We budgeted $6000 for RV and Car Maintenance and spent over $15,000.  Yikes!  Obviously we can't keep that up.  Hopefully that was an anomaly and we look forward to meeting or being under our budget this next year.

Social media has really been a big part of our experience in this journey, especially blogging.

During this last year I came to the conclusion that our reasons for blogging are changing and now I am doing it predominantly to keep a record of some of the thoughts and places we have been.  Don't get me wrong, we am very thankful for those that offer comments and a word or two.  And I really look forward to them.  

        Another big deal and huge benefit of 'putting myself out there' is that we get emails from people we never met.  And they actually have asked about things, about my opinion of this or that.  To me, that is very rewarding and a real bonus to the effort.  If we can help folks along the way that just makes it all a little more worthwhile and I look forward to that.

Blogging is an interesting hobby and I don't know too many people who are regular at it and don't play catch up.  Most people who blog don't feel as if they are current and caught up.  I just goes with the territory.  

We ask ourselves the same question as we did when we contemplated full-timing:  Why do we want to do this? There are many reasons. We love camping and seeing new places and people.  Traveling is not the same as traveling.  Seeing new hotels is not the same in our mind as seeing new campgrounds. But beyond the camping and friendly people we meet is the sheer wonder of this country.

        Seeing America has been an education.  Or at least the start of one.  Being an observer of life across the country in big and little communities has been an eye opener. We like seeing new sights and learning about history.  Little museums are the best!  The tidbits we learn are better than books.  It takes us back to the old days and we can imagine what it was like to live like our parents and their parents.  That is fun!

        This lifestyle IS an adventure; you never know what you will find.  You never know what challenges you will face.  Although there are a lot of predictable and plenty of things that we find as familiar in new places. We think it is a privilege renewing friendships with folks and family and meeting new people.

        Going to a new place doesn't phase us.  We like to learn about each new location, and sometimes we like seeing a lot in a short amount of time.  Our rythmn changes sometimes and that's ok.  Others may want to 'Slow Down'. Each to their own.  There are so many ways to do this.

        Another aspect of this adventure is the simple notion of being on a road trip.  And the fact that we love driving that bus!  It's a nice thing to drive, has very comfortable seats and a big windshield.  Pam loves to drive it too so another benefit is that we can change drivers and get a quick nap and go 5-6 hours each day.  After that, it gets pretty tiring.  I know others don't drive that long but each to their own.

      

An unexpected benefit of this is that sometimes we have a chance for redos.  By that I mean we may get to see some place once but then followup and get to see it a second time in more detail. I feel like we did that this last year in a couple places:  Utah, Colorado and Florida.

        For example, our goal last summer was to see St. George, Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Arches and a couple of other places in Utah that we've wanted to spend a little more time in.  The Arches and Moab, UT we have seen before, but we got to see them again and stay at a different campground which added to the experience.

        We also got to see the old pueblo ruins of Mesa Verde and the Rocky Mountains and Estes Park and the Garden of the Gods.  And Pikes Peak.

        We've been to Florida quite a few times but this winter we were able to see new places and meander around through the Central part of Florida more and also become familiar with campgrounds in the Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale eastern part of Florida. For us to be able to go to these places and to live this lifestyle -- it is invigorating!

        Seeing new things and meeting people continues to be interesting and exciting.  A few days ago we learned where the name Ozarks came from -- the French.  Aux Arc meant 'bend in the river'.  Over time, those along the banks of the Arkansas River turned 'Aux Arc into Ozark'.  It is not life changing but intriguing to learn more about different parts of the country.

This lifestyle has a certain quality of life that fits us.  Unpretentious, humble, interesting, different, challenging at times.  It used to be a bit overwhelming with all the systems and stuff to learn and getting used to the constant variety of change going on.  Every day is different.  But we have hit a rhythm and look forward to what tomorrow brings.

So that's a recap and some thoughts on our 7th year.  I know I'm a bit 'all over the map' but we love doing this, plan to continue, and hopefully meet you down the road somewhere and be able to hear about your experiences.

Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chroncles!

Roadrunner Financials - June 2015

Roadrunner Recap
We spent one of the best June's on record visiting a major portion of Utah.  We started out at Mesa Verde and saw the cliff dwellings, then moved over to Monument Valley and took a jeep tour.

Next we traveled to Page AZ where we saw Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Vermillion Cliffs, Grand Staircase, Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

We spent a week in Orderville UT and took day trips to St. George UT, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon.

We stopped in Torrey UT to see Capitol Reef National Park before moving on to Arches National Park in Moab UT.  Then we stopped at Fruita, CO to see the Colorado Monument SP.

We ended up the end of the month at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park in Loveland CO.

It was probably the most scenic and spectacular month we have spent in our six years on the road.

Here are our stops:

• A. Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA - Cortez Colorado
• B. Gouldings Campground and RV - Monument Valley, UT
• C. Lake Powell Campground - Page, AZ
• D. Mt Carmel Motel and RV Park - Orderville, UT
• E. Sand Creek Campground - Torrey, UT
• F. ArchView RV Resort and Campground - Moab, UT
• G. Monument RV - Fruita, CO
• H. Riverview RV Campground - Loveland, CO

Good News Areas We Are Under Budget

We were only under budget on a few areas and overall we spent a lot on campgrounds and internet.  I called Verizon and adjusted some things but it was quite a shock to be over that much.  

Biggest Expenses
During the summer high season in Colorado and Utah we found ourselves paying more than we like at a lot of the campgrounds.  I just have to remember that we will make some of that up in the coming months when we stay at military bases and at free places like Joan and Mike's (Pam's sister) in Tennessee.

We spent 172.13 on shirts and souvenirs while visiting Monument Valley, the Northern Rim and the Arches National Park.

Large One Time Cost Item
The biggest expense for the month was getting new Michelin tires for the Honda.  We called ahead to the Walmart and ordered them so they would be there when we arrived.  It turned out to be $649.61 which was cheaper than what we have paid in the past at Sam's Club for the same brand.

Monthly Average
Not much to average here since it is only the first month of our 7th year on the road.   

As always, if you think this spreadsheet might be useful I'd be glad to pass it along at no cost.  Just let me know.

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!

Time in Zion National Park

To help me remember a lot of the places we have been in the last six weeks, I found this map that helps.

In the middle of the map is Mt Carmel which is where we stayed.

From there we went to Zion National Park five times.

The first day we arrived at our campground in the mid-afternoon.  We decided on a game plan of getting up early and driving the 12 miles over to the Visitor Center at Zion which is near the 'far' entrance on the outskirts of the town of Springdale.
We were on our way and out the door before 7:00 AM and the gate to Zion was not yet manned.

We entered at the East Entrance scenery was immediately struck by the beauty of the park.

I took a few photos along the way but the first time in the park we wanted to get to the Visitor Center and ride the shuttle through the Canyon.

We rode the entire length of the Canyon to the Temple of Sinewawa.  We then got off and took a short hike up to the Narrows and Slot Canyon.  

It was cool, the trail was well maintained and it was a leisurely walk.  Since it was fairly early in the morning, we almost had the place to ourselves for a while.   

After our  hike, we boarded the shuttle and then got off on every stop on the way back down.  We tried to look around and take some pictures absorb some of it.  It was really something at every stop.

Weeping Rock, the Grotto, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge -- there is really a lot to see.

On another day, we drove over to St. George UT and did some shopping.  The quickest way there was through Zion so we enjoyed that.  We also spent some time in Springdale and had lunch at an outdoor cafe.

The town is a bit trendy with lots of upscale motels and it reminded me a little bit of Sedona, AZ.

On thing I want to remember is the Mt Carmel Motel and RV where we stayed.  It was a quaint little place with 7 motel rooms for rent and the campground next to it with 8 sites.  They were a little tight but I liked the place, the price and the friendly people we met there.

Right next to us were a foursome from the Buffalo, NY area.  And I met Paul and his family from Pennsylvania.  They had a bit of a reunion with family, some of whom stayed at the motel so it was very convenient.

Our last visit to Zion, Pam dropped me off near the Museum and she went down to the Visitor Center.  She then took a hike along the river while I rode up to the top of the Canyon to the Temple of Sinewawa.

It was all uphill from the start, but it was very pretty.  I enjoyed the ride back to the Visitor Center a little more.

This was our first trip to Zion and I hope we get the chance to come back.  There is way more to do there and it is one of our favorites.

Four That Made Monument Valley Famous

I remember seeing pictures of Monument Valley long before I knew it was Monument Valley.  I suppose I saw images of its beauty in westerns and cowboy movies.  Not until this summer did I learn more about the place and how it became so well known.

When we visited a few weeks ago, I learned we get to enjoy this beautiful place because of the efforts of some key individuals that helped bring 'the West' into our homes:

• Harry Goulding 
• Josef Muench 
• John Ford 
• John Wayne 

Here are some brief notes of four people that made Monument Valley famous:

Harry Goulding was a veteran of World War I and was a sheep inspector for the U.S. government. It was during his time traveling through southwestern Colorado, southern Utah and Northern Arizona that he developed a love for Monument Valley, the Navajo people and the wide open spaces.

He married his girlfriend Leone (whom he called "Mike") in 1923 and they moved to Monument Valley.

Harry and 'Mike' Goulding - 1939

They were able to homestead 640 acres, became sheep herders and started Goulding's Trading Post.

With the Depression in the 1930's the hard life there got harder.  Harry heard that Hollywood director John Ford was looking for good locations to shoot Westerns.  Harry was down to his last $60 and decided to try to get John Ford to come to Monument Valley. In 1938, Harry and Mike went to Los Angeles with photographs of Monument Valley taken by Josef Muench. It was Muench's photographs that got Ford's attention and the director agreed to film in Monument Valley.

Josef Muench first saw Monument Valley in 1935 and was a professional photographer.  He and Harry Goulding became good friends during his many visits.

Photographer Josef Muench

At Harry's request he put together a collection of 8 x 10 photographs of the spectacular Monument Valley that Goulding showed to director John Ford.

Muench devoted his whole life to photography and loved Arizona.  He made over 160 visits to Monument Valley and over 200 to the Grand Canyon.  Later his photography was a centerpiece in Arizona Highways magazine where he worked over 50 years.  He also traveled extensively and photographed around the world:  Africa, Alaska, Asia, Canada, Colorado, Europe and Hawaii.  He said, "My camera is my constant companion"

John Ford was directing western movies when Harry Goulding found out that he was looking for some good locations.

Director John Ford

When John met Harry Goulding and saw his photographs of Monument Valley he was convinced it was a good place to film some Westerns.  A few weeks later, shooting began for the movie 'Stagecoach' in Monument Valley.  Hundreds of crew and support staff made their way to nearby Kayenta, AZ and Monument Valley, adding much needed income to the locals during the Depression stricken area.

John Wayne was Ford's choice in the starring role for his movie 'Stagecoach'.

John Wayne in 'Stagecoach'  

He was on location in Monument Valley for that and some other movies made there including 'Searchers' and 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.  'Stagecoach' was a hit and elevated John Wayne into stardom.  He had been on screen for nine years previously and his career was languishing among the lesser known 'B' movies.   

Now when I think of Monument Valley I will remember these people and their roles in its history.  In the museum at Goulding's Trading post, a note John Wayne wrote to Harry Goulding said something to the effect "We both know how much we owe to this place..."

And we owe a lot to them for helping us see more of the beauty and history of the West!

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!

Some Time in the Arches National Park

The Arches National Park was great the first time we saw it and equally great to see this time around.  Last time we stayed at Dead Horse Point State Park but this time we stayed at Archview RV Resort and Campground Campground.

We got a site on the front row and could see the some arches in the distance which was very nice.  The campsite was in the newer area and even though we were a ways from the Office, the campground wifi worked great.  

Not sure what bug we picked up but for the first couple of days here near Moab, Pam and I both felt a little puny so we didn't get out and hike as much as we thought we would.  We did take a couple of rides through the National Park and stopped at the major photo observations points.

The Vistor's Center is another one of the first rate facilities.  It does a good job of providing some great information displays and has a top notch introduction / orientation video.

Lasal Mountains

Park Avenue

Balanced Rock

Turret Arch

North and South Window Arch

Double Arch

The Delicate Arch requires a bit of a hike and I went over early on Father's Day morning.  Early as in I left the Roadrunner before 5:00 AM and drove 40 minutes over to the trail head.  I was not alone on the trail before the sun came up.

It was dark, but there was still enough light to see the trail.

As I neared the trail end up near the Delicate Arch, I saw the early-early birds already there.

About 20 minutes before sunlight, I got to the top and snapped up some shots.

They say the best light bounces off Delicate Arch at sunset.  But I'm still glad I made the hike and got to see it in the morning.  It was a good way to start the day!

While see the Arches, we also went over the the National Park campground.  It definitely is not one for big rigs but looked like a great place for tents and smaller trailers and campers.

Camp Host Quarters

RV-Dreams founders Howard and Linda Payne were camp hosts here a number of years ago and it is where we first saw some intriguing pictures of this place.

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!