Delayed

Several inches of snow demonstrates the benefit of the
window visors.  They allow me to open the windows about
an inch for ventilation, letting air in while keeping the rain
(and snow) out. 
I got mine on ebay for less than $50.  Installation was easy.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my questions about which topics to address next.  I've taken a few pictures and outlined some blogs.  But, have yet to put together a full article that's ready to post.  As a preview, I included a couple of pictures here showing the window visors I installed on my Prius RV. 

Lately my time has been spent supporting my husband who is fighting kidney cancer.



Picture from current ebay listing



I hope to get back to this blog after the holidays ... maybe sooner.  In the meantime, I'll be helping John decide on his long-term survival activities and preparing for Christmas with him and our family.



To follow our family blog, including John's health issues, go to http://suannejohn.blogspot.com/. 

Debriefing ... More Posts to Come

 This is the first blog I've ever done.  I've liked it as a central place to share my traveling adventures and a bit of my emotional healing.  It's nice to have it as a future reference of what did and didn't work for me.

Grand Tetons.  One of my favorite pics.

I now want to do a bit of debriefing before I loose my memory of the details.  But, would like to know if there are any particular topics of interest that you, the reader, would like me to address first.  If so, leave a comment or email me and I'll make it a priority post.  Here are some of the topics I'm considering:

• - Ventilation in the Prius (how I used the car's AC while sleeping, screen installation on back passenger windows, awnings on side windows ...)
• - Food (eating on the road without a cooler, food preparation before leaving, costs, eating out, 12v appliances, stoves ...)
• - Overnighting (preferred sites, where it felt safe, favorite places, pros and cons of sleeping in my car ...)
• - Security (which self-defense devices used, actual set up in car ...)
• - Clothing (what did I bring and use, what did I bring and not use, what do I wish I had brought, washing clothes where and how often, how did I pack, how much room did my clothing take up in my car ...)
• - Bathing and Bathroom (how did I wash up and how often, how did I use the bathroom in the middle of the night, how did I maintain my privacy ...)
• - Walmart (why did this department store chain play an important role on my trip, pros and cons ...)
• - The not so fun times (boo boos, what I would change -- places, supplies, routes ...)
• - Favorite times (where I want to return, nice surprises, most useful stuff I brought with me ...)
• - Emotional Healing (daughter's death, self as counselor, pet's death, physical journey mirroring emotional journey, self-definition, where ever I go there I am ...)
• - My Future on the Road (more places to visit and roads to travel, replacement vehicle specs ...)
• - Any other ideas that you submit ...



Another favorite picture. 
Rio Grand, Big Bend NP



Unfortunately, my husband is facing some medical challenges.  So, if I'm unable to travel more this year, I will stifle my wanderlust for another time. 



FYI:  I've reorganized the archive of my blog posts according to the date of my visits, instead of by the date in which each blog was posted.

Olympic National Park, October 17-19

View from back porch at
Hurricane Ridge

I took off for Olympic National Park on Sunday, going over the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma to Port Angeles on the Peninsula.  I visited the Visitor Center on my way to Hurricane Ridge.  The weather was beautiful, the view amazing.  Then, I drove to Rialto Beach on the west coast and arrived as the sun set, overnighting at Mora which is about a mile inland.

Rialto Beach at dusk

The next morning, I went back and visited the Elwah Valley and Sol Duc Hot Springs.  My favorite part going through the old growth forests.  It felt like sacred ground, like I would hear Gregorian Chants at any moment.  From there I went to the Hoh Rain Forest to overnight next to the Hoh River.  

Flock of pelicans at La Push's First Beach

I got up early and hiked the Trail of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest ... beautiful, other-worldly.  I was there as the first shafts of light came through the trees and onto the trail.  I then drove further south and explored the Queets and Quinault Rain Forests where I'd love to come back to spend more time. 

Lake Crescent

This park whole park needs more time.

 

Sol Duc River

Hoh River at Campsite

Very large stand of moss covered Maple Trees

One super large,
fallen maple leaf

First shaft of morning
light on Trail of Mosses
in an old growth forest

Old Growth, Hoh Rain Forest



Mushroom



Mushrooms



And more mushrooms



Moss at Hoh Rain Forest
Visitor Center



Autumn color next to Hoh River



Big Cedar Tree & Prius RV



Ruby Beach



Quinault River



Graves Creek Road
Quinault Rain Forest



Roosevelt Elk near Quinault River

originally posted 11/1/10