Hot Tubs, Truck Swaps & Swallows: Tales from the Homestead

Well, it looks like it's been a month since Mr. Bailey and I returned to our Alberta homeland!

As soon as Bailey realized where he was, he tore around the house—up and down the stairs—checking out all his favorite perches, lookouts, and hiding spots.

 While there is no snow upon our arrival, there are still plenty of freezing overnight temperatures, so the first thing I had to do is to winterize the 5th wheel.  It seems backwards somehow, winterizing in the spring and de-winterizing in the fall ...

Naturally, I had to head over to the neighbour's fire pit with a beverage to catch up on all the local happenings and share updates from our travels.

It was nice to find the snow gone when we got back—but that didn't last long!

Bailey, who was born in Yuma, wasn’t too sure about this cold, wet, white stuff. When he finally got brave enough to walk on it, he bolted straight to the 5th wheel door, hoping it would whisk him back to sunny deserts and sandy beaches!

 One of the big bonuses of being home is the hot tub on the deck. It offers welcome relief from the chill and snow, and it’s the perfect place to watch the returning migratory birds as they make their way back to the area.

One of the first tasks on my list was to sort through five and a half months of mail that had piled up over the winter. I stay in touch with my mail delivery lady in the spring, just to make sure there’s still room for a few more bills!

When the weather allows, I start shifting gear from the ‘winter camper’ (the 5th wheel) into the ‘summer camper’ (the truck camper). The propane heater makes the move, along with various tools and equipment. I was happy to find that the lithium battery wintered well, and it was installed back into the camper.

Whenever Bailey is outside, he always goes to the 5th wheel door and asks to be let in. It’s where he’s spent most of his life. After a quick inspection inside, he’s content to head back out again.

The time has come for some big changes. My old 2008 GMC Sierra has been a reliable companion for 17 years, never letting us down and never burning a drop of oil. But with 604,000 km on the clock, how much longer could it go on—with the kind of mileage we rack up? It's taken us from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, to Alaska twice, three times to the Gulf Coast of Texas, and every winter down to Arizona and California—always hauling the camper or pulling the trailer. I hope it finds a new home on an Alberta ranch or farm, where it can haul cattle to market or bales to the feedlot. In semi-retirement, it should have many more years left.

All cleaned out and hitch removed, Bailey puts his final paw prints on the roof!

 

We found a very nice replacement—at pre-tariff pricing, no less. It comes with more tech than the space shuttle and more cameras than a movie set. I’m pretty sure it should include its own IT support person! But we’re gradually figuring it out and are amazed by all the features. I’ve had camper tie-downs installed and got the old camper mounted—ready for summer travels.

Got some camper tie-downs installed, and put the old camper on to get ready for the summer travels.

The neighbourhood rodent patrol is officially on duty!

'Tis the season—Bailey has even taken up watching hockey from his front-row seat.

Fire season is upon us again. Just last week, a wildfire broke out about 5 km away. I sat on the deck watching smoke rise as helicopters bucketed water and bomber groups worked the perimeter. Several helicopters and crews I’ve worked with were out there, doing their best to contain it. I could only see the smoke and aircraft from my spot, but I listened to the action over the radio. The whole area is under a fire ban, but a recent cool rain has helped, so that fire is no longer a concern.

 

Ever since I retired for the second time (from Forestry), I’ve "volunteered" to help out short-term at fire lookouts, tanker bases, or camps when they’re shorthanded. The first year, I spent time at two lookouts in the Peace River area. No calls yet this year, but they assure me I’m still on the list!

 

In addition to the ‘rodent control’ team, my mosquito control squadron of cliff swallows has returned to their condos under the eaves, helping keep the mosquito population down. I don’t know how to tell if birds are happy—but they sure look glad to be back.

Despite a few nice days here and there, the weather hasn’t been all that tempting for camping. That gives us time to get the new truck properly outfitted and fully transition into summer mode. Here's hoping the weather turns soon!

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From Ocean Breezes to Rainy Roads: Bailey and I’s Journey home

 We drove right across northern California, from east to west; from Nevada, over the Sierras, to the ocean.  On first arrival, the weather was still wet and unsettled, so as expected, the first night with the ocean view was windy and wet.

After that, however it was mostly sunny and warm with only occasional breezy times.  All my preferred spots here are very close to the road, but traffic during the day is light, and almost nil at night.  And any sounds from the road are easily drowned out by the sounds of the surf.

 

Another great spot to spend some time beachcombing, and enjoying the sun. 

Japanese fishing float washed ashore.

Canada Geese are nesting on the nearby offshore islands, and Osprey are out morning and evening looking for some fresh seafood.

Unlike the beaches on Padre Island Texas, these ones tend to have more slope, and none of that rock hard sand that makes driving on the beach so easy.  So - I was quite surprised to find this couple and their vehicle tucked into a little spot at the base of the cliffs, just barely above the high tide line!

Their vehicle may have been 4wd, but pretty sure they would be trapped there at high tide, and possibly getting very wet if the tide was unusually high, or with high surf.  To get to that spot from the road also required crossing a small freshwater stream on the beach.  Certainly not a place I would go, or stay, even with a much more competent vehicle!  Hope they made it out OK?

Bailey was in his element, stalking the grass like a little lion, his tail twitching with excitement at every rustle. It was a far cry from the dry, sparse desert sands we’d left behind, and he was clearly loving every moment of it.

After a full week enjoying the warm weather, beautiful ocean breezes, the smell of salt water, it was coming to an end.  The forecast was for rain, and more rain in the coming days.  With no desire to get wet, or be stuck inside, it was time to move on.  And move on we did.

 

With the wipers running non-stop, we continued northward up the coast, bypassing several of our favourite overnight camp spots because of the rain.

 

Our only stops were for fuel the next couple of days.  Very impressed by the full video screens at a couple of Native run gas stations in California.  And some of their prices were better than those in neighbouring Oregon, which is typically cheaper than California.

Bailey has this traveling thing figured out—just sleep the day away and wake up to explore a new area.

We turned inland at Portland, and the weather improved somewhat, away from the coast.  One night was spent waterfront along the Columbia River near Roosevelt, on the Washington side.

From there, it was a long days drive to the border, where the crossing was quick and uneventful, as usual.  We hit one short section of slush passing through Kootenay National Park, but otherwise, the roads were bare and dry all the way, which isn't always the case.

It was nice to find no snow in the yard at home, unlike in 2018 - below!

Photos from 2018 - above, and below.

 

It took Bailey a minute to realize where we were, after 5 1/2 months on the road, but he soon was tearing around like he was possessed, up and down stairs, bouncing off the walls, and perching on his favourite lookouts!

For me, it was nice to be able to watch hockey on a big screen, instead of an iPad mini, and my hot tub on the deck was very much appreciated!  Starlink was also re-activated for the summer season, both at home and on the road.

Nice to be home for sure, but after a couple days, Bailey wanted to get back into the trailer!

Maybe he's ready for some summer travels soon!