Dispatch #34
Stay-Cationing (N 34.280864, W 119.309938)
We are currently heading west on CA-126. This morning was a frenzied affair of last minute packing, repairs and resupplying the RV before heading out for Ventura. There was a palpable change in focus and relaxation level as we locked in to our familiar routines of preparing the Jayco, the Jeep, and the bicycles for departure.
It has been wonderful being home.
Almost as soon as we returned from the big trip, however, it began raining for what seemed like a week straight. But for the past week or so it has been gorgeous. We were able to spend Kim’s birthday riding bikes at a local beach, and were also able to have an al fresco Thanksgiving since the weather was exceptionally warm and pleasant.
Remember that strange orange blimp that was following us several weeks ago? It reappeared above our home this past week. I can’t tell if it’s chasing us, conducting surveillance, or merely encouraging us to get back out onto the road and continue the race!
We are grateful to live in a place where if you look to the east, you can see fresh snow in our mountains, and if you head west you can experience an 83 degree beach day. It’s amazing to think that some of the places we left recently are now being hammered by polar vortices, cold, rain and snow. In fact, I remember having many conversations with fellow RV’ers from cold weather states who were preparing to “winterize” their rigs. This is an exacting process that requires completely clearing out water lines, sewage lines, hot water heater, and black and grey tanks. It also involves introducing antifreeze into the system so that plastic lines and tanks do not crack when they freeze.
If the procedure is done incorrectly, it could potentially cause plumbing breaks, leaks, catastrophic flooding and basically ruining your entire RV. They also have to ensure that rodents will not get into their rigs during the months of winter storage.
Thankfully, since we live in Southern California, we have never had to winterize and/or store our RV’s for the winter.
We spent today walking around downtown Ventura and experiencing a Maker’s Fair (where people who create things come together to sell their wares) as well as the vibrant (and closed to traffic) Main Street. We spoke at length with a business owner from Night Owl Cidery about the fact that the city council has voted to keep the Main Street as a pedestrian walking mall, which is great. This is unlike Santa Barbara, which apparently is re-opening State Street after making it a pedestrian mall during COVID.
Since Ventura is only about an hour or so from home, we have spent much time here in the past, and will continue to do so, especially as long as they keep Main Street car free. In addition, we have come to really appreciate and enjoy the vibrancy of the Ventura downtown area. There are great restaurants, breweries, the cideries, museums, a stellar botanical garden, and at least two great music venues. We are having such a good time, that we added an additional day to this short trip.
On Monday, we will splurge and have a mobile RV detailer come to our campsite to wash and wax the rig, which is still covered with thousands of miles of road grime and smashed bugs from the big USA trip.
Basically, it is important to remember that no matter where you are-whether it is a block from your house or halfway around the world, you can always meet new people, see new things, and have new experiences if you are open to them.