The Time In Between Trips

Ok, so the tally from loop one, in conjunction with some of the states that we saw on our trip of two years ago in the "first RV", is 42 states that we have seen - notably missing are 5 states of the deep south, North Dakota, Alaska and Hawaii. We will be going to Alaska in July, and Hawaii in September. We also have seen 4 provinces and will see two more (PEI isn't a province is it? If so that would be one more...) I'm thinking that the south will have to wait for another year! First loop we did over 11,000 miles...

Been home for a couple weeks now, and getting ready to head out to "Phase II" of trip with Delilah, leaving Barbara behind to do some of the work stuff that she needs time to make happen. Planning on taking off on Thursday the 14th, with D, wherever we go... It is looking like I will stay somewhat local for a few days - perhaps Big Bear, and maybe even meet up with some friends and the wife in Palm Springs on Sunday, before wandering off somewhere else for a few days. Then next Friday, the plan is that I will pick up the-ex-girl-next-door Kim and her two kids, and then make the central coast/SLO/Monterey/SFO/California Delta trip, returning on the 28th or so.

Has been an interesting few weeks, since we know that our "return to normalcy" is only a brief one, prior to our next departure. We have had time to do many of the things that we thought that we would, and not enough for others - funny how things like folding clothes always get pushed to the bottom of the chore stack...

Still managed to have some adventures along the way. One of the reasons for having come back when we did was to be at the wedding of Laura and Micheal, which was up in Fallbrook at a place called "The Grand Tradition" which was really a nice event and location. Then, we were able to visit with some friends to re-connect a bit, stop by my parents, and have a little fun time alone.

Over this last weekend, we went to the Corona Ren Faire on Sunday. Nice venue - it is the only Permanent Ren Faire in So Cal, so has some nicer buildings. Smaller place, friendly folks, and very walkable. They actually allow free "dry camping" (no hookups) there, which was a nice perk.

Then on Monday, B, D and I went to Disneyland, and plunked down the cash for the annual pass (mid grade version), so we'll be spending more time in the Magic Kingdom. Turns out that RV parking is only $13, and is right next to the tram to get in, which works really well for Delilah in terms of returning to the RV to nap mid day. I will probably sneak there during my upcomming stint with D.

I have had time to stop in at SeekTech and do about a week and a halfs work there, to get another piece of the digital video recording puzzle completed (another schematic and Printed Circuit Board or PCB). In particular, designing a PCB is somewhat meditative in a way - making the wires flow together, uninterrupted, fitting the parts together in a rational pattern like a puzzle. Since we couldn't get our child care folks to take her for the two weeks, Delilah has been at work with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and has gotten quite good at sleeping under my lab bench...

Then also had some time to fix a few things on the RV, replaced a cover for the refrigerator exhaust which had cracked with age and wear, got some replacement locks for the outside, and a spare key or two. The "Check Engine" light that came on briefly during the last day or so of the return trip has turned it self off again (some day when I'm near civilization and it's on, I'll have someone look into it).

I have also had some time to work on a book idea of my own, though no time to think on the Web Site as I had originally prognosticated would be my creative outlet.

The words, they come in fits and starts,
little pieces, little parts...

Stay tuned...