I spent a great deal of my young adulthood following the Grateful Dead around the west coast. On Fridays I would load my car with friends and random camping gear and head out. We would land wherever and sometimes sleep on the side of the road. It was so much fun! There is nothing I love more than getting in the car and driving to a destination unknown. Unfortunately, Larry really, really does not. Larry was in the army for 20 years and said he did his camping there. He has no desire to ever camp again nor does he like road trips. He likes to fly to far away places and stay in swanky resorts. That is fun but kind of reserved for special occasions. I want to see every corner of this country and the best way to do that is on a Road Trip!
When I sold Jam part of the deal was that I got an RV. So in April 2015 we bought a class B Renegade Villagio and have since put on over 12,000 miles traveling around the West. And by “we” I mean “me”. After our first overnight trip, Larry was out. He does not like small spaces – so I was on my own. I won’t lie, I had a few panic attacks before my maiden voyage. But before I knew it I was rolling down the road feeling bad. Tunes and solitude… Two of my favorite things. In fact, after about 8,000 miles I finally decided on my RV’s name: Bird. Birdsong is one of my favorite Grateful Dead songs and I do love to get up and “fly away” on a road trip.
I began my travels while we were still in Portland heading to Long Beach, Washington. I stayed there a couple of days and then went north up the coast to Seattle where I caught a ferry (in Bird!!) to Whidbey Island and spent the day sightseeing. From there I made my way up to Anacortes, Washington and camped on the water. On my way south I went on a Twin Peaks pilgrimage to Snoqualmie Falls (RVs get front row parking FYI!) then got slice of cherry pie and a damn fine cup of coffee at the Double R Diner (now the Twede Cafe) in North Bend. Heaven, I tell you.
By the time I got home I was hooked on traveling by myself. Over the last year Bird and I have gone to Tahoe, the California coast many times, Zion, Dallas and everywhere in between. Now I am going for the big enchilada! The whole USA. I turned 50 a month ago and decided that this would be my present to myself. Fortunately I am married to the world’s most understanding man. I plan to leave on September 1, 2016 and be home for Thanksgiving.
I built this website for several reasons. First, because I am hopeful that people will want to hear not only about my trip but also the crazy notions rumbling around my head just dying to spill onto a page. Second, I hate when Facebook friends over-post – especially when doing fun things while I’m stuck at work. I don’t want to be that person. Finally, I really do enjoy writing and actually have the time and opportunity to do just that. So that is The Lolo Down. Hope you enjoy the ride!
The Lolo Down 