No bus, but I already have my first trip in mind

yugogypsy · Post by **yugogypsy** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:25 am

Hi Folks,

Was talking to a pal of mine in Redondo Beach CA yesterday on the phone and he asked when I was going to come down.

Well I got to thinking that the Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful, and that is where his place is -business, not home www.austinworks.com if anyone is interested in old Austins.

I've got a buddy here who always wanted to go to California with me, so that's where I'm going to go, a nice slow, easy, trip from here, I've even had a professional trucker tell me that.

No need to hurry either, just enjoy the ride and get there a little at a time.

Whaddya think Gang???

Lois

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:07 pm

The trip down the coast will be awesome! I've been doing it all my life. As far as "urban camping" anywhere near Los Angeles.....good luck! People don't take too kindly our kind there.

yugogypsy · Post by **yugogypsy** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:32 pm

My buddy down there will probably put us up, so no problems there, and I don't intend on a wild paint scheme, so we should be acceptable.

After California, spend some time in Oregon, my cousin is in Eugene, so I'll post when I get there, so those of you in the area can maybe get a chance to meet my pal and I.

Right now it's all in the planning stage. We don't plan to wander too far because we'll be needed here at times, but every so often we'll take a little get away.

Lois

rlaggren · Post by **rlaggren** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:25 pm

Beautiful trip. Hundreds of places to ooooh and aaah over; get out and walk a bit.

But you might want to nail down a few stopping places and a strategy ahead of time. Some parts of the coast highway don't have lots of room or options - just tiny towns with EXPENSIVE B&B's - no Walmarts or reststops. Heading inland are some _really_ winding roads and it takes an hour or more to get to the central highway. Along the way you _might_ find some friendly old hippies but there are just as many new-rich types and some really bad and paranoid "alternative farmers" especially up in norther California. Some nice state parks along the way but we've always paid - don't know what their over night-on-the-beach policies are.

Also pay attention to fuel. There is fuel available w/out too much problem, but not always just around the corner.

That's not to put you off. It's not a hard trip and there are lots of good people and places along the way. Just, like I said, no Walmarts.

Rufus

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:37 pm

There are some REALLY nice and very cheap state parks along the Oregon coast. As you get into Ca. there is a casino in Trinidad that has free parking with water hook ups too...it is right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean ....simply BEAUTIFUL! That casino also gives you free $ for signing up...and they have a pool tournament! I think I was paid about $500 to camp there last summer

dburt · Post by **dburt** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:18 pm

Get a list of US Fed parks on forest service land, sometimes you will find them in the most unlikely places and you can camp there for little or nothing. The state parks are also good, even county owned parks are around too.

Years ago when we used to spend time on the Oregon coast each summer with the kids, I found several US Forest Service parks with nice campgrounds that were not advertized like state parks are. And I even found a couple of county or city owned parks too.

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:40 pm

sounds great lois,have fun, its nice to get out once in a while, now that i dont have a real job ,we have been on the road more, did fla a few weeks back ,planning to go up to pei in a week , its nice to have a house sitter to take care of things, going to put some miles on the old bus . steve

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:49 pm

I second, third and fourth all the above. Get on the road that goes along the coast (101?).

The Humbolt redwoods are something to be sure to see, too. Drive through the tree!! Went through there first time about 20 years ago. It was the first truly religious experience I had felt for many years to that point. Beyond description. One of those things like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite and others - you can look at the pictures, see the videos, and listen to people talking about it. Every one of those things is great and can be amazing, but once you see the real thing, all those fall into the category of "woefully inadequate" to describe.

yugogypsy · Post by **yugogypsy** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:58 pm

I'll be doing all the things you guys suggested, as well as getting travel insurance, BCAA (covers me with AAA) and Good Sam memberships before I go anywhere.

I really would like to see and meet some of you that are along my route, which I will post when things are finalized.

My friend and I are both Artistic, and would like to know how to hook into any craft fairs and things going on, to help keep us moving, and I plan to start saving NOW for this trip-which may be 2 years down the road.

We plan a very simple rig, quietly painted, possibly a fold up porch on the back for relaxing on, or an awning. (Lot's of big old travel trailers to salvage awnings from up here)

Space and storage is going to be a big consideration because it will be a small bus. We don't want anything too awkward to park.

But we do plan to have a lot of fun

Lois

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:34 pm

This is what Lois has in mind as far as a small Dodge bus.

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 11:15 pm

Rudy wrote:This is what Lois has in mind as far as a small Dodge bus.

Oh! That's a standard van so no problemo regarding parts! I thought she meant one of the bigger older ones. My bad!

yugogypsy · Post by **yugogypsy** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:50 am

I ain't dumb, only one of me--don't need big bus, don't need big gas bill either

Lois

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:04 am

Rudy wrote:This is what Lois has in mind as far as a small Dodge bus.

i like it ,twisted monty.did you buy it, i was hoping for a ff pw bus

Jones'n4chrome · Post by **Jones'n4chrome** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:29 am

yugogypsy wrote:I ain't dumb, only one of me--don't need big bus, don't need big gas bill either

Lois

Umm...I think my Crown will get better MPG then a Dodge van.
If you find one with fuel injection it might be better then the one I had. I never got better 11 MPG.
A small bread van with a Cummins 4bt would do much better I think.

yugogypsy · Post by **yugogypsy** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:48 am

No splummer, can't buy diddly until I pay off a big fat Visa bill incurred by having my well pump replaced and buying new fixtures for the bathroom, only to find the wiring in this house is hosed and I'll be fixing it for years and I can't sell because I got 3 stinkin half-sibs that won't come out of the woodwork and say they don't want the property--can't even damn well probate.

Yes I am on a rant-didn't sleep well

Lois

NOMADICISTA