Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvouz 2019 WRTR

Soon after returning to Desert Hot Springs, 

I loaded up the van and headed out for Bouse, Arizona

and the Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous!

It was a wonderful experience,

and so nice to meet up with good old friends!

I stopped at the Rise N Shine Bakery for Coffee and Cakes.

Then on to Bouse to set up camp:

Suanne did a kick-ass job!

I did little talk on Bathing in Your Van.

It was fun and we laughed a lot!

Happy to be back in the desert!

Ran into some good old friends:

Merle Crocheting Away!

 Mustang Sally and Nelda

Debbie - also crocheting!

And then there were the sunrises. . .

Several of us traveled back and forth between WRTR and the set of the new movie that was being filmed based on Jessica Bruder's book, "Nomadland," starring Frances McDormand.  It was fun to hang out and be a part of such an awesome project.

https://www.indiewire.com/2019/02/nomadland-first-look-frances-mcdormand-chloe-zhao-1202043624/

Soon, I had to travel to Hanford to care for my mom,

so I didn't make it to RTR this year,

but the WRTR was wonderful!

Tillamook Meetup 2017

July 2018

I spent the last several days at the Tillamook Meet Up 

which was held at the Tillamook Airport RV Park.  

It felt like a big family reunion 

with so many wonderful friends to reconnect with!

I arrived on Sunday afternoon. 

Two rigs were already there. 

By the next day, people began arriving.

Gary and Izzy from Southern CA

Bob from New York

Jane and Marty were there

Satyavati

Merle from Beaverton, Oregon

Bob and Suanne were there

Mustang Sally from Florida 

Pat from Portland

Christy

Kenny, Pat, and Sally

Lora from Florida and Debbie 

Karylee was there, ready to party!

There were no workshops, no meetings. 

It was just a group of like minded folks 

reconnecting, relaxing and having fun!  

There were conversations about everything you can think of 

having to do with this lifestyle.

The RV park was right next to the Tillamook Airport 

and we were able to spread out nicely in the big grassy field.  

There was a toilet and garbage dumpster and water.

There were a variety of rigs there, 

from schoolies to Roadtreks to vans.

Jane and Marty brought a birthday cake and we celebrated Jerry's birthday.

Everyone was so excited to see Jerry and Nelda! 

Chocolate!  YUM!

 There were showers available at the local YMCA for $1!

 Jane and Marty bought an EZ Up at the local Goodwill and buddy I was happy!

I don't usually burn, but that sun was HOT!

 I ended up leaving a couple of days early because I was sunburned.
I couldn't stand another minute of crispiness!
People will stay "until" they're ready to leave. 

It was a lot of fun and I'm so happy I attended!
I'm looking forward to reconnecting with a lot of these folks
at the Women's RTR in Quartzite in January
and at the regular RTR.

I'd really like to find a group of folks
traveling around the Pacific Northwest this summer,
once I get my van sorted out.
After spending $1500 last week getting a new computer put in,
the damned TRAC lights are going on again,
this time telling me the Traction is OFF.
In addition, I woke up to no turn signals yesterday.
So I've got an appointment with the Toyota folks in Hillsboro
tomorrow morning.

Yesterday afternoon, I left the Tillamook Meet
and traveled up to Seaside.  

I stopped for some yummy fried oysters along the way!

I parked at The Cove for the night. 

There is a stretch of parking in front of some apartments,

so I took a chance.

I had a nice quiet night,

 and this morning I'm sitting in Starbucks, 

enjoying a cup of coffee 

and looking for a shower and campground for the night.

Life is good!

Hope to see you on the road!

Love, 

Annie

Cibola and Van Problems

A few days back I was driving back to Scaddan Wash from town and my car just seized up and stopped, as though I was slamming on the brakes . . . but I wasn't.

The guy behind me started honking his horn and it pissed me off enough that I got out, went to his window and loudly explained, "I DID NOT PUT ON MY BRAKES!  MY CAR JUST STOPPED SO HOLD YOUR HORSES AND I'LL TRY TO GET IT STARTED AND OUT OF YOUR WAY!"

He sheepishly apologized. I got back into the car, started it up, and drove on. But the Tracking System light stayed on.  A few days later, at Cibola, after a trip into town, the check engine light, the Tracking System light and the VCS light all came on together.  I did some research online and this appears to be a common issue with these Toyota Siennas, so I'm not TOO concerned.

I have an appointment in Blythe tomorrow to have the "fluttering sound" checked. I've also researched that and am hoping it's something minor as well, as it ALSO seems to be a common issue.

Cibola has been pretty some days, but windy as hell most of the time, and frankly, I'm weary of being wind-beaten.   I took a walk yesterday over at the Wildlife Refuge. It was nice walking through the cottonwoods and on the way out I saw a couple of coyotes.

 I was a bit depressed yesterday. I have learned we form "families" when we're living this lifestyle. We meet folks, camp with them, get to know them, and it's REALLY difficult to say goodbye!

I've grown fond of Vern and Merle, almost attached, and was feeling like I'd better move on for a few days before it just got worse. I think Merle felt it also, because she headed out this morning for Wickenburg. And I plan on just driving back to Parker once my car is fixed tomorrow. So Vern will be on his own for a day or two. I'm hoping both he and Merle will follow me to Parker Strip, once we have a few days alone, though, because I'm going to miss both of them like crazy!  Vern makes me laugh... constantly, and Merle and I have told each other our deepest secrets, which has created its own type of bond.

Last night, Merle and I sat out around our coffee can fire. It burned a good hour and a half before we got cold and put it out.





Today, I'm packing up and getting ready to go.

Sad...

But wishing Vern and Merle Happy Trails and hoping to see them down the road.

Love,
Annie