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Pre-RTR Sunset. Already, many attendees have arrived. It was the largest number of
participants since the first RTR in the Winter of 2011 (Quartzsite, AZ) 1/10/17
Note: Click on photos to enlarge. |
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Most every morning for the 10-Day RTR event, Bob Wells (the organizer)
would teach a seminar. Before each 10 AM seminar, folks would offer
services, items for sale, request help, and make announcements. 1/11/2017 |
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Afternoon seminars were offered on a variety of topics. Here is a saguaro cactus and a rainbow
showing off after the Living Out of a Small Car Seminar. 1/14/17 |
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On nice evenings, groups, large and small would gather around the campfires
dotting the desert. Here is the group I hung out with. 1/15/17 |
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| We had some good conversations ... but sometimes we would just quietly stare into the fire. 1/15/17 |
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| Good memories. 1/15/17 |
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| The last colors of sunset. 1/18/17 |
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| Looking east the the sunrise. Looking west at the same time below ... 1/20/17 |
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| Looking west at a rainbow at the same time. 1/20/17 |
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| I needed 2 frames to capture to whole rainbow. 1/20/17 |
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| Raining ... this photo taken through the windshield just before night fall. 1/20/17 |
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During the last night of the RTR, we gathered around the main campfire.
Although the RTR is primarily a boot camp for new nomads, and an opportunity
to see old friends again, we have also adopted an end-of-RTR-celebration
called "Burning Van" 1/21/17 |
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| The "van" to be burned is actually a wooden cut out. 1/21/17 |
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| RTR attendees are encouraged to sign and make brief comments before it's burned. 1/21/17 |
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| It's burned to a specially-written RTR song for the occasion. 2/21/17 |
Every winter I look forward to the
RTR. I've made life-long friends and am always amazed at the generosity and helpfulness of those who attend.
Hi Suanne. Thanks for the photos and recap. It was great to meet you at the RTR. We hope our paths cross again! Elaine and Ming
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to finally meet you both. Safe travels!
DeleteGreat pics and review. Can't wait for next year's.
ReplyDeleteAnd it'll even better with you there! Love you s'tar!
DeleteGreat pics, Suanne! It was nice to finally meet you after following your blog for so long.
ReplyDeleteThanks! One big reason for going to the RTR is to meet up with folks. I hope you make it next year too.
DeleteHi Suanne. Are you making it to 2018 RTR. Terry and Lucy
ReplyDeleteYes. Wouldn't miss it!
DeleteHey Suanne, I have seen you all over YouTube. Is this the right format to drill you with questions? I retired a while ago and all this Prius car camping looks really interesting but I am not an adventurous sort.
ReplyDeleteIf you have lots of questions, it's probably best to contact me directly. There's a place to do so in the right column. (I apologize for my late response. I just found your comment and others waiting for approval that I didn't know I had.)
DeleteSuanne, I saw you interviewed by a fellow camper and then came to the blog. What a special blog it is and what a special lady you are! I am a solo traveler--tent, small trailer, and now experimenting with my Kia Soul! You are an inspiration and I think I may have to get a Prius! I’ve tried to catch up, but am wondering what you mean by being “full time” now? Will you not be going back to Washington anymore? Your place there looks idyllic and makes me very homesick. I’m a Washington Native who has lived somewhere else for years now, hence the road trips.
ReplyDeleteI have family and dear friends in WA; so, I still spend a significant amount of time there even though I'm a full-timer now. Our house and property did sell to someone who fell in love with it. I have wonderful memories of that place that I carry with me. Thank you for coming to my blog and the best to you on the road. Suanne
DeleteThanks for the update. I’ll check in again for inspiration. I’ve watched dozens of videos by now, and yours still stands out as the best, (personally and technically--including the blog) for me. You are a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet. I'm so glad you found the videos and this blog helpful. Suanne
DeleteHey Suanne,
ReplyDeleteI read you purchased a Toyota Rav4 to camp in, is that correct?
If so can you talk about why the switch?
Many Thanks
owner 2008 Prius 140,000 miles (BEST car ever!)
Jeff
Hi Jeff, About a year ago I decided to replace my 2004 Prius, with 232K miles on it. Little things started to wear out on it (electric door locks) so that I didn't want to chance having it out in the backcountry when something big wore out. So, gave it to my SIL/grandson who continue to enjoy it, and purchased a replacement. I did a lot of research and decided on another Toyota hybrid, newer used, with low miles. I looked at a 2015 Rav4, Prius V, and another Prius liftback. All 3 had approximately the same amount of sleeping length in back, with the Rav4 and V havng higher roofs, thus more storage but lower MPG. I decided to go with another liftback and am happy I did since I love to put on the miles. Like you, I think the Prius is the best car ever! Safe travels.
Delete