Oceanside RV Resort
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2007
1
34
Trip End
Apr 28, 2009
Saanichton,
British Columbia,
Canada
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
While at Fort Myers during the Christmas holidays, we took an airboat tour in Everglades City. We were disappointed at not seeing more than a few alligators but the mango groves were interesting in a kind of grotesque way. After the month in Fort Myers, we spent a week in Manatee Springs State Park. In the end, the rumour about swimming with the Manatees was erroneous. We didn't even see any Manatee but we did snorkel in the springs with an assortment of fish and there was an abundance of other wildlife in the campground.
The next month, we booked into a campground outside Tampa in a city called Thonotosassa. From there we took a day trip to a hydro plant. The Manatee migrate upriver seeking the warm water generated by the hydro facility. We saw dozens of them there. Other day trips included Clearwater Beach, bike rides through county and state parks on our newly acquired second hand bikes, Tampa's RV show (the largest in N. America) and numerous flea markets in the area. The latter are huge!
We drove to Ocala for some warranty work and passed by John Travolta's residence. We didn't stop in. We met up with some fellow travellers from Washington State in Mexico Beach FL for a few days (the March's and the Colflodt's). We had wanted to take in Topsail Hills State Park for a couple of days, which we did on our own. The reports that it is the best State park in the US were not overstated. Due to inclement weather, we did not see a great deal of the area but the park was impressive with full facilities including cable offered in the campground. We rejoined the WA group in Foley AL after a drive through the lovely area of Destin and Walton Beach. From Foley we all moved on after a few days to Picayune MS. From here we travelled down on a day trip to Mardi Gras. The parades were like nothing we had ever seen! We had lunch on Bourbon Street with our Washington pals. New Orleans was quite an experience but there is still much evidence of the Katrina devastation. Gary managed to find the one and only microbrewery in New Orleans, Crescent City Brewing and he sampled a pint or (6)! We split off from the WA group from here.
By the beginning of March we were in Rockport on the Texas Panhandle. The weather was sunny and warmer. We visited the Aransas Wildlife Refuge where we were entertained by even more species strange to us: alligators, armadillos, possums and many bird species. The Oyster Festival in Fulton Beach was funky and began with yet another parade. Like Mardi Gras, they also tossed beads to the crowd. Another day trip took us to Port Aransas (where Gary found - guess what ?- another micro brewery), Corpus Christi, Mustang Island and N. Padre Island. It was spring break and therefore well populated with young people. The surf swimming was great. We spent (3) days in San Antonio but again hit some poor weather. We toured the city: Alamo, River Centre, River Walk and a tour boat on the river. The downtown area is beautiful; new and old.
The next leg was not so much fun. We had (4) one-nighters in a row: (2) in Texas and (1) each in New Mexico and south eastern Arizona before arriving in Casa Grande AZ for (2) nights. This is one of our favourite haunts. We also are very fond of Ehrenberg AZ where we next had a very restful (5) nights. We had previously been to both of these so did very little sightseeing. We moved on to Pahrump NV, which is outside Las Vegas, for a week. We met up with the Bell's from Victoria (actually Gabriola Is. now) and spent a day with them browsing the strip in Vegas. We had been to Mexico in January and February of 2008 with the Bell's. Another couple that had joined us in Mexico was also in Pahrump, the Knight's. Some of the sites included Red Rock Canyon and the world famous Sherrie's Brothel. Five of us took the tour of the brothel and all found it educational and surprisingly up scale.
It was now time to start the trek back to BC. We drove through (3) States to arrive in Saint George UT for one night. We really liked the area and plan on returning to have a more thorough look. We had (4) more one-nighters after Saint George. Our intention had been to do some boon-docking (dry camping) but the temperatures were way too cold. We woke up to 6" of snow in Nephi UT but the worst was crossing the mountain range in Utah just south of Salt Lake City. The roads were icy and the wind was strong. Temperatures ranged from 71 F. down to 31 F. in one day during that portion of the journey. The other one-nighters were Wells NV, Boise ID (where we stayed in the driveway of fellow campers we had met in Rockport TX - Hope & Dave Ayres) and then the Walmart in Pendleton OR. Here we had a Canadian "Happy Hour" with (4) other like-minded couples, all fellow campers, all from BC.
Our intention had been to spend only (1) night in Moses Lake WA but Gary unfortunately, came down with violent stomach flu. We cooled our heels an extra day crossing into Canada on April 9th. His flu actually lasted (4) days and then Carie's (4) days began. By this time we were in Osoyoos where we remained for (2) weeks. As were over the flu but still a little green around the gills, there was not much wine tasting happening. We moved up to Winfield (Kelowna) to spend (4) days with the Knight's during which time they toured us around Mission Hill Winery and Kelowna waterfront. They introduced us to "The Bread Co." restaurant where we all had an outstanding lunch. We also joined them for a family barbeque and met their 2-year old granddaughter and brand new grandson (who was born on April 1st, Carie's Dad's 86th birthday).
Our last night on the road, we spent in yet another friend's driveway; Carol & John Davy in Sardis. We had not seen them in a while and had some catching up to do. They are Drew's Godparents and we all started as Montessori parents in 1976.
As of April 28th - exactly (2) years to the day from when we initially checked out of the house on Patterson Road and into Oceanside RV Resort in Saanichton - we returned. We will remain here until about the end of October. At that point, we leave for parts unknown - well, somewhat known. We plan to spend the following (6) months in CA, AZ and possibly NM.
Although we have no regrets and thoroughly enjoyed our (19) months and 60,000 km. on the road, we intend to travel a little less in future. We find that we are a tad road-weary. We look forward to reacquainting ourselves with our Victoria "family" and plan a long, leisurely summer staying put. Having said that, Carie is flying to Ontario to see her parents on Saturday, May 9th for 2 ½ weeks. Other than that and a week at our timeshare starting June 14th, we will be here in sunny Saanichton and would love to see anyone who cares to venture to site #18. You can reach us at 250-208-1383 (Gary) and 250-896-6775 (Carie) or of course, by email.
Comments
great to read another one [not the last?]
guess I'm not the first to read this - however thank you both so much for all your detailed 'blogs' - now I'm looking forward to a face-to-face visit
cheers,
Suzanne
great to read another one [not the last?]
guess I'm not the first to read this - however thank you both so much for all your detailed 'blogs' - now I'm looking forward to a face-to-face visit
cheers,
Suzanne