Omaha

I arrived home yesterday afternoon. It feels good to be home...I did a happy dance when I walked in the door...I do love my home. And Danny moved back home from the UNO dorm...sweet! 

When I am asked the question, what did I like best about my trip, I'm not sure of the answer. I think part of the answer is simply that I did it. And then it was about the adventure...I loved the newness of every day. Most of all though, it was about being immersed in nature, hiking and biking in these amazingly beautiful places, and living in my RV in the middle of it all. I stepped out my front door and saw the ocean, a river, a lake, a redwood or giant spruce...those moments were full of awe and an overwhelming sense of peace. 

So now what? I'm at a time and place where I can do whatever I want and live where ever I want....I think I'll take the summer off and ponder that answer. :)

Happy Mother's Day to all my dear mom friends. 

Wishing you all great adventures, 

Watson

Denver

Spent all day yesterday trying to get to Denver. I left Grand Junction at 9 in the morning and got about 60 miles down the road to find the Interstate closed down. Highway patrolman shot, the suspect was shot and killed...all on the interstate. Both directions were closed. I was in Glenwood Springs...just before that gorgeous canyon and I found myself a little spa. I settled in for two hours and got the best manicure and pedicure I think I've ever had. And great conversation with Mom, Winnie, who owned the spa and her daughter Heidi. The freeway opened about 4...for about 4 minutes I was rolling along and then came to a traffic jam and a 2mph crawl...so I took a picture of my toes. A little blurry...not easy to photograph when I'm driving. 

Finally the traffic started moving and as I was driving through Vail, the snow started. By the time I got over the pass and to Frisco, it was a near white out. I pulled off at Frisco and hung out in the Safeway parking lot...were all these things a sign that I should turn around and drive back to the coast? 

Finally, the snow lightened up and I made it to Denver about 7. 

Turned my RV in this morning...4637 miles I drove. Had lunch with Julia and then a bike ride with my brother...a great day. On my way to Omaha tomorrow. 

I let you know when I arrive. 

Peace, 

Watson

What Does 80 Bucks Buy in Grand Junction, CO?

Riddle me that Batman...80 bucks in Grand Junction buys you a visit from a really nice guy named Matt who's a locksmith who is still working at 11PM. Cuz, you see, I walked out of my RV to sit and enjoy the moon, and those double crossing locks of which only one locks from the inside...so I of course unlocked that one to get out...oops, gotta unlock the other from the outside...confused yet? I was. And I'm sitting there and I think...hmmm wouldn't it be terrible if the door locked? Why did I even have that thought in my head? So, yeah, I try to open the door and shit! I am locked out. But I got a beer and my cell phone...not all is wrong with my world. And I got real nice neighbors, David and Wendy, who also happen to be the park hosts...whew! David and I attempted to break in...nope. So I googled locksmiths and the first one I got hold of referred me to Matt. He was here in 30 minutes and until he arrived, I hung out with David and Wendy and watched Jimmy Fallon...nice. And to top it off...Matt said he didn't take credit cards, so check or cash...and of course I've got no checks but I said, "I'm pretty sure I've got the cash." After Matt finessed the lock, I check my wallet and count out all that I have: 3 20s, 2 5s, and 10 1s...once a banker, always a banker...I know what I got in my wallet. Hahaha! 

Kevin got really pissed cuz he was locked inside...and being a stuffed deer, he doesn't get around  real good...and well, he didn't have beer. So, anyway, he now thinks he should be the key keeper. Hmmmm...really Kev? You got stuffing for brains too dude. But here he is, holding onto the keys like he's the man. 

So, yeah. Grand Junction...it was a helluva drive today from Boise and until my adrenaline spiked with the lock out, I was damn tired. Severe weather circled around I80, so I had to take the southern route. It SHOULD be an easy drive tomorrow...going straight to Denver to park my RV in front of Jim and Anne's. I return it on Friday morning and then the gig is up...wow. What a long space trip its been! 

Peace, love, and don't get locked out! 

Watson

Boise Idaho

Drove all day and landed in Boise, ID in a little RV park. Says mountain views...um well, over the neighbor's RVs I see a glimpse and on the other side I hear the freeway. No matter, I'm so freakin tired I could sleep right on the freeway. Went through Washington and Oregon and just into Idaho today. Really beautiful...Washington winery lands and Oregon pines...snow capped mountains. Sweet. 

Not sure where I'll land tomorrow. Probly near Grand Junction, CO, but just further up I70 is Glenwood Canyon...one of my favorite places. 

Cheers and good rest.

Watson

Seattle/Renton for the Night

Left the lodge this morning and arrived in Renton for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Allex and Steve are cooking. Nice! Had to clean the RV when we arrived...traveling with Allex aka Pig Pen...is traveling with a cloud of dust and piles of clothes everywhere. I still love you Albert! 

Kev and Quirrel sat by the lake before we left this morning. They made friends with a couple ducks and invited them into our room. Seriously...

I start my return trip tomorrow. Believe I'll be staying in Boise ID. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Watson

Crescent Lake Lodge

Here's the picture of Allex that I couldn't add to my last post. Cape Alava.

We did a bit of drinking, walking, and eating in Port Angeles last night. So did Kevin and Quirrel. They caused trouble everywhere we went. Finally, we made them sit in the RV. Bad Boys. Allex has a great photo of the two of them yuckin it up...technical difficulties...I will attach it tomorrow. For now, here they are, acting like lil angels in our room. 

It rained all day again...and since Kevin and Quirrel were pretty well hung over, we decided to eat and shop for the day. Ate breakfast at the New Day Cafe...a big thumbs up for the omelettes and potatoes. Went to Sequim (pronounced skwim) and after shopping we had lunch at the Baja Cantina. Pretty good tacos and fresh guacomole...but best of all was the description of this dessert. Wow...who knew a dessert could be dramatic and sexy?

We are staying at the Crescent Lake Lodge tonight. The mist in the hills tonight is very cool. 

Back to Seattle/Renton tomorrow. And Tuesday, I start my drive back to Denver. Wow. These weeks have gone by so quickly. I would love to have had 2 more weeks...maybe we never have enough time to do everything we want to do. Well, no matter, I have loved every moment, every place, every character. I am such a fortunate soul. And here's a picture of my fortunate daughter in a pretty new dress. 

Good fortune to all. 

La Push

We skipped kayaking due to rain, rain and more rain. Went further west on the peninsula and hiked 3 miles from one of the Ranger stations to Cape Alava for the tide pools and whale watching. Allex swears she saw two whales...that's her story and she's not changing it. Here she is celebrating. (Well, stupid blogger.) I'll try to post it later.

We had a visit on the beach from a doe and her two babies. They just came walking by us and hung out about 10 feet away foraging for food. Pretty awesome. 

So this part of the peninsula is the furthest northwestern spot on the contiguous United States. Awesome.

I also received my first National Park stamp yesterday! I know Michael, you're proud of me, yet disappointed....how many parks did I drive by without stopping? 

We had dinner in Forks last night at the In Place...fresh seafood. Eaves dropping on conversations can be pretty hilarious. Lets just say we heard conversations such as, "the Fork's Cafe? I wouldn't even let my dog eat there" and "I want that burger burnt, no cheese, no veggies, just the bun" and the chef came out and said, "maam, this ticket says you want your burger burnt. Do you mean well done?" "Nope, I mean burnt. Make sure that thing is dead." Hahahaha. I thought Al would blow up trying to hold in her laughter. Forks, so much more than "Twilight". 

Spent the night at the Quilleute tribe Oceanside Resort. Beautiful place. Another surfer paradise. 

But it rained all night and the bathroom skylight (yep, got one) started to leak. And it just kept raining all morning. So we drove back to Port Angeles and booked a port side room at the Red Lion. I'm kicked back, watched the derby, watching the ferry going to and from Victoria, Canada, and the Coast Guard ships coming and going. Very nice. 

Stay dry my friends! 

Watson

Seattle to Elwah River

Yesterday, I was supposed to meet Allex in downtown Seattle where she lives near Pike's Place Market. The garage she had made arrangements with tried to take $100 from me for an overnight stay...no way. So, after driving up and down the hills of downtown, I gave up and met up with her in the suburb of Renton where her boyfriend Steve lives. We piled in Steve's 1965 Galaxy...sweet...and he took us out for pizza at the Rock in downtown Renton. Allex and I sipped dirty martinis and then had an original "bucket" of rum. Yum. Walked over to the World of Beer and drank an Irish Death. The trivia contest was in full swing and a song came on that Al and I sang at the top of our lungs...The Way by Fastball...pretty sure the dude next to us is the only person who got that question right, courtesy of us. Piled back into the Galaxy and had a nice fire in the backyard. 

Drove to the Olympic Peninsula today and drove through Port Angeles to Lake Crescent. What a beautiful place. 

We are now camped near the Elwah River for the night. Kayaking tomorrow on Lake Crescent and then on to Lake Ozette. 

I fell in love with Washington when I crossed the bay from Astoria. It just gets better the more I see. 

Peace, love, and safe parking to all. 

Watson