2019

The best Gatlinburg and UP Michigan trips with grandkids

The worst putting trailer away for winter storage the season is to short

Best ....a few days in Key West

Worst...having to leave the Keys.

Best was 3 wonderful weeks with the TT in several locations across Saskatchewan.
A family reunion, reconnecting with many cousins I haven't seen in years, the peace and quiet of various campgrounds, nestled in amongst the trees.
Day trips to just wander by the lake, sightseeing way out in the countryside with hardly a soul in sight. Visiting quaint little towns and enjoying all they had to offer.
Meeting friendly people both in and out of the CGs. We were invited to a weekend party in the site across from us. They had several instruments among them, and performed an impromptu jam session. It was all wonderful.

The worst was right at the end when we were packing up to go home.
Nasty storm clouds looming overhead, I was hurrying to put everything away and hitch up before the imminent rain struck. Backed the truck up to the TT, was cranking it up to drop it on the hitch and the jack collapsed, sending the nose of the trailer crashing to the ground.
Meanwhile, the rain started. And rain it did. Torrential downpour, and I spent the next 2 hours trying to pick the nose of the trailer up off the ground and get it on the hitch. Bottle jack and lots of wood blocks, finally got it done, but not before I was soaked to the skin.
We were many hours late leaving, had an 8 hour drive to get home, and pulled in very late in the evening.

But it was a great trip all in all! Life is good!

Quite a few bests - our RVing friends rallying together to take care of us after my wife had surgery; being able to stick around Orlando so my daughter could shadow a professional photographer for 4 or 5 weeks; and just being together as a family.

The Balloon Fiesta continues to be a top event for our family:


My worst was damaging my truck while backing into an impossible to park at spot (for a 44' fifth wheel, at least). I had 5 people all speaking French at me, telling me about a fence I could see and made me forget about a light pole. First damage while parking in 8 years of RVing.

Here's the spot:

Too many rainy days camping. It's highlighting the need for better internet setup

To more adventures in the Sierra for all.


Tuttle Creek, BLM campground near Lone Pine, CA, on a cold day

Worst - All the generators running endlessly at Pismo Beach SP

Best of 2019... our annual summer week in Pagosa Springs right on the San Juan River. Six days of exploring southern Colorado on my Indian motorcycle including the trip to the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad for the all day ride between Antonito and Chama.



A close second was a week in Angel Fire NM riding our Rzr including a run up to the top of Greenie Peak {11,300'} out of Red River.

Worst event was the blowout on westbound I-10 109 miles from the Colorado River last October. Spent 2.5 hours in the dead zone on the shoulder when the drivers side outer dually grenaded doing over $4,000 damage to the wheelwell. Having a spare ready to go saved our butt's.

:C

Last April, ran into a storm in Grand Canyon - S Rim ... got some awesome storm
photos, camped in the snow for a few days. Beautiful, with storm clouds settled in the canyon.

Ran into a snow storm a few days later, had to turn east over I-70 in the snow. Took the loooooooooooong grade down toward Denver in the snow at 45 mph in 4x4 with truck camper. Lots of cars and trucks speeding past 65 mph plus, some of which we spotted later off the side of the banks waiting for a tow truck.

Best: Trip to Michigan's upper peninsula with a group of old friends.

Worst: Didn't have one.

Most entertainment: The guy with the huge, shiny new TT who spent the better part of an hour trying to level up on a paved, pull thru pad. Probably would have taken about ten minutes, but his wife was helping...