Summer is upon us . . .

 
It is good to be back in the Pacific Northwest where they don't NAME their storms!  Needless to say, we had more than our share of weather drama on the way west.  We experienced 20 inches of rain in 24 hours, got whipped around in 60 mph winds (no, we didn't drive on those days!), froze the rig (and us!) with ice and snow, and cooked in 90+ degree heat - - all in the month of March!!!!  Poor Kermit-the-Tahoe and Kodi-the-trailer were slightly confused by all this, to say the least . . . never mind the rig's passengers!

Now that we are back in Washington, we're enjoying time with family and reconnecting with friends.  The work camping assignment we've taken on is really great.  We docent at the Forks (WA) Timber Museum 24 hours each week, where we're meeting folks from all over the world, and use our free time to explore the Olympic peninsula.  What a treasure!  Forks is located right at the edge of the Olympic National Park and the only real rain forest in the US, where they count the rainfall in FEET, not inches - - about 10'+ each year.  Well, it is a rain forest after all . . . !  (However, since we arrived at the end of April, we have received only about three inches of the wet stuff.) 

This small town is all about the 'trees', and is on the route of one of the premier scenic loops in Washington state.  The area all around the Olympic National Park is a treasure chest of natural wonders.  This part of the country has it all . . . from lakes and rivers . . .

to rain forests and beaches . . .

waterfalls and beautiful sunsets . . .

and, of course, recreation opportunities too numerous to count, as well as all types of wildlife to spy upon . . .

(Marian Blue - - this one's for you!!!)




Oh, and did I mention that there are LOTS and LOTS of trees!

And, yes, there is MOSS in the rain forest . . . Ha!  With this much rain each year, it is pretty much everywhere!

We've decided to stay here for the summer and fall this year, and go back to our 'on the road' RV adventure at the beginning of the winter season.  We'll head to the sun belt areas in southeast California and western Arizona and soak up the rays in the desert environments.  (Of course, I intend to have my camera at the ready 24/7.  Might even get portraits of some of those desert 'critters' if I'm lucky - - and quick!)  Next spring, you'll be able to find us revisiting north central New Mexico.  Didn't get to spend nearly enough time there when we were passing through.  LOVE that area!


In the meantime, if you are visiting the Olympic peninsula, stop by the Forks Timber Museum and say 'hey'!  We'll be here just taking in the 'aaaaahhhhhh' of this amazing place.

 

So, the end of the 'official' winter found us still in Florida, enjoying the panhandle area, which the locals refer to as 'southern Alabama' - - same food, same southern hospitality and same thick southern accents.  After spending time in all the areas of this state, it was quite different in the northern region.  Yes, they do have beautiful beaches.  Some would even say the 'best' beaches can be found in the north - - far less touristy, for sure! 

Same birds though . . .










 
We did find that weather drama can certainly be an issue all over the south.  We dodged no less than SEVEN(!) tornadoes during the winter months in Florida, as well as all manner of severe weather.  Jeeesh, El Nino, enough all ready!
  
Alabama showed off some amazing gardens, and after visiting these show places, I even found a new 'ride' on which to explore any number of back roads!!

 

  




Helmet required . . .

Our final gulf coast stop was New Orleans!  We were finally blessed with some great weather for our very brief time there, but never knew sooo many people could visit one city during a non-vacation time.  Whew - - that gave 'crowds' a new definition for us!  Wonderful historic city. . .

Heading toward the Ozarks in Arkansas, we raced to Vicksburg, Mississippi in an attempt to outrun yet another severe weather system.  This time, we were stranded for eight days waiting for clearing.  We stayed safe, but were surrounded by flooding, severe thunder storms and more tornadoes.  Yikes!  At least Vicksburg provided much history to entertain (when we could get out.)  The Civil War-era structures and battle fields are really amazing!!

When the floods receded and we got to the Ozarks, we were blessed with some beautiful scenery.  Would like to see this area during the fall color season, but loved what we saw in the spring time.
   

Since we're slowly headed to the northwest for the summer, and we couldn't really identify any scenic back roads across the high plains, we took to the interstate and joined the truck parade across Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle.  Then, surprise, surprise - - more weather drama!  After being towed off the freeway due to a broken transmission (ugh!), we found ourselves in a 60-mph wind storm - - for three days, followed by a brief snowstorm.  I think all the dust in Oklahoma found its way into our trailer!  I'm still picking grit out of my teeth - - a problem when one smiles a lot.

The Texas panhandle helped us get over the weather and transportation drama with some spectacular park lands.  Of course, I have no words to describe what I see when visiting New Mexico!  The colors - - just 'WOW'.   And, in Arizona, the Painted Desert left me speechless as well; hard to do, as those who know me will attest to . . .

We'll be spending several months in Washington while we volunteer as docents at a museum near Olympic National Park.  Looking forward to some family celebrations and reconnecting with our northwest buddies, before getting back on the road for some snow birding during the upcoming winter months. 

When we get back on the road, you'll hear from us once again!  In the meantime, happy and healthy days to each and every one . . . and I hope you have enjoyed following my 'ramblings' so far. 

Still in Florida and still waiting for the wonderful winter weather we've heard so much about!  We experienced record-breaking heat (with the humidity to go along with it) in December, and since then we've had lots of cold winds, below zero temps, dodged FIVE January tornadoes that passed by too near us, and, oh, did I mention the very heavy rainstorms?!?  I guess I'll chalk all this up to the super El Nino that is making itself known everywhere, because everyone we talk to down here says the same thing, "this is NOT normal Florida winter weather."  At least it has not snowed, but I probably shouldn't mention that and tempt fate!!!  And, for me at least, the best part of a cooler than normal weather pattern is that it is too cold for all the creepy critters to be out playing!  Whew!  Just the other day I saw a picture and article about a 15' Diamondback Rattlesnake caught down here.  Yikes!  Come on cold weather!!!

Even with all the weather drama, this is truly a unique area.  The beaches and wildlife are amazing.

 

   We've been having great fun taking in all the cultural activities that are so numerous in this neck of the woods.  The Thomas Edison laboratory is just as it was when he was working there, and we were fortunate to be in the neighborhood when a wonderful music festival took place, bringing in musicians from all over the region for some incredible pickin' and grinnin'.

And, of course, I couldn't resist making some images of all the things these folks do so well!

It has been a real pleasure to be able to visit some outstanding public gardens and see all the plant life that is normally dormant in other regions at this time of year.  The flowers and exotic plants make you feel like you are in a jungle in some far-off location.

 

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We've been surprised at the differences in the local populations in the various areas of this state.  The locals in the southern part of Florida have totally different lifestyles and ideals from those folks who live in the panhandle areas, where some consider themselves to be more like southern Alabamians (is that even a word???  Not sure, but I'll use it like it is!)  While staying in the northern/panhandle region, we've had many opportunities to hear serious southern accents, been blessed with that amazing hospitality and friendliness that really does exist in the south, and had wonderful southern comfort food usually found in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas.

 The Florida scenery continues to delight and amaze us.  Very exotic, and so very different from our home base landscape in the pacific northwest.

Normally in these blogs, I have some unforeseen RV lifestyle lessons to pass on from our experiences on the road, but luckily, this time things have been pretty quiet and uneventful in that department.  No, we haven't 'learned' it all, but I do think we are making progress!  Ha!

When we leave Florida we're going to be heading toward the Ozarks and the mid-west before turning back west.  Our summer destination will be back in Washington for several months where we are going to try our hand at work camping - - in our case, we'll be museum docents!

I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures and seeing the photos we post.  We'll be writing more as our journey continues.  Until then, take good care.