Log 5: Rocky Mountain RVing--Aug-Sept '00

Log 5 of Albion (and other travels)




This is another collection of selected e-mails during our RV trip through the Rocky Mountain States during the summer of 2000. These were sent via our cell phone hooked up to the computer. Again, these have not been completely edited for sentence structure or grammar, but merely relayed here for the convenience of our friends.


7/12/00 Subject: On the Road Again--Wyoming

We've been traveling now for about a week and a half, but it's time to take a bit of a break and keep in touch. Thought we'd never actually get on our way, but finally did get out of town on July 2nd. We stayed long enough to join some of our cruising friends help some other cruisers, Bub and Faye (Okoke Chak Chak), celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary...and what a great party it was! Made it all the way to Hood River the first day where we met my brother and wife for dinner and a nice catch-up visit. Then it was time to get serious and get some miles under us. We headed east to Idaho and then on to Yellowstone. Many years ago we made the trip from Portland to Yellowstone overnight...we took a little longer this time spending a couple of days in Idaho along the way. Then, three days seeing Yellowstone along with all the other hoards of tourists. Once we left Yellowstone, the pace seemed much more relaxed. We spent several days at an RV resort below Jackson Hole (Thayne). We even had time to dust off the golf clubs and play a round at the park we were staying in.... ugh!! Are we ever rusty... actually we both did manage a few good shots, but never put enough together on any one hole...so our scores will remain our secret. We went for a delightful raft trip on the Snake River. It was just us, a river guide and a family from Holland. The three little girls were so much fun...they didn't speak a word of English, but conveyed their excitement and enjoyment of the trip perfectly. Then we headed further south and east into Wyoming, dodging some thunder and lighting storms and exploring areas along the way like, Fossil Butte National Monument. We enjoyed a full day in the Flaming Gorge area of the Green River. I think we really enjoyed it much more than Yellowstone due to the lack of people and the diversity of the geologic areas. We have followed much of the Oregon Trail (going the wrong way, I guess) and have crossed the Continental Divide so many times we have lost track. Today, we spent some time seeing South Pass City where most of the pioneers passed through the Rockies on their way to the Oregon country, the California gold fields, or Utah and the great salt lake. We are still in southeastern Wyoming (Rawlins), but plan to head into Colorado probably tomorrow. There is so much there we want to see and then on to Utah and some of the national parks we got snowed out of last spring. Sure hope the gas prices hurry up and drop a little!!! Well, that's what we are up to, would love to hear from all of you to know what's happening with you. Keep in touch!
Molly

7/22/00 Subject: Colorado Springs

We are in Colorado, right now in Colorado Springs. Had planned to spend about four days here, but have already extended our stay to eight and may stay even longer. We really like it here. It is a beautiful country and lots to do and see. We spent a night in Fort Collins and had dinner with friends from Portland who Brent used to work with, then three days in the Denver area seeing Rocky Mt. National Park. We visited with some cruisers we had met in Puerto Vallarta who have an RV park near the park. Also toured the US Mint...no free samples. Couldn't pass up the Molly Brown House and also the Coors Brewery...free samples there! Here in Colorado Springs, we have been to Garden of the Gods, top of Pikes Peak via the COG Railway, Air Force Academy and had a chuck wagon dinner at Flying W Ranch. We may take in the Renaissance Festival today. Still on our list to see is Cripple Creek, some fossil beds, Seven Falls, Will Roger Memorial, Olympic Center, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, Cave of the Winds, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, etc, etc, etc, also need to find time to kick back and relax. After we leave here, we will spend a while longer in other areas of Colorado, and then move on to Utah. Weather has been warm...although every afternoon there is a thunder and lightning storm. Had a real good one in Denver. Rained like I have never seen it rain in Oregon. We were in a Wal-Mart lot and it quickly became a lake. There were flash flood warnings everywhere. We were quite happy to be snug in the RV and did not venture out into the storm. We have had storms here every day also, but so far nothing like the one in Denver. There are updates on the TV as to where the severe conditions are, and we grab the map to determine what county we are in. We have so far managed the whole trip in Wal-Mart parking lots, or Coast to Coast parks. We are in a real nice C2C camp now just a few minutes north of Colorado. Springs. It's called Colorado Heights Campground Resort and is an undulating forested park with open areas, swimming pool and hot tub, trout pond, miniature golf, and movies every night at the clubhouse. If you're ever in the area make sure you stay here. So far everything's working great. That's about all the news from here. Keep in touch.
Molly

8/3/00 Subject: Still in Colorado--Montrose

Still in Colorado, spent over a week in Colorado Springs. Really liked it there. Lots of things to do and see... and a beautiful area. We are at least back on the west side of the Rockies now, but not yet out of the every afternoon thunder and lightning storms. Little wonder that the whole western US is mostly ablaze. We get very little rain except up in the mountains, but you can count on a good lightning show every day. It's been hot also. Can't remember a day under 90 degrees. Heading south tomorrow as the fire is finally out in Mesa Verde N.P. and it will be reopening. That was one of our must sees this trip. Not sure what we will get to see in Utah as there are lots of fires there also. Played golf today. Argh!!! Perhaps it was the altitude, but I really don't think that was the problem. Looks like there has been some good weather back in Oregon. I'm feeling the need to get back and get to the coast...there's just not a lot of water here. Spent a couple of nights along the Arkansas River at Texas Creek and that was nice. While staying there we went back into Canon City and took a train up the Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River. Later we went up to the top of the canyon and Brent took an aerial tram across the Gorge, I walked across the bridge! From here we drove up the backbone of the Rockies through Leadville (Molly Brown's stomping grounds) and down through Vale to Glenwood Springs. We made a day trip up to Aspen from there with the car and had lunch. Next day we drove the RV to Grand Junction where we were going to spend the night, but decided to go on south to Montrose. Another car day trip was up Gunnison River to visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison N. P. (just recently named by Clinton). We also made a car trip over the hill to Silverton (an old gold mining town) and really enjoyed it.Guess that should catch your up on us. Keep in touch. Love,
Molly

8/10/00 Subject: Moab, Utah

Finally made it out of Colorado...the "must see" Mesa Verde became a "won't see" at least not this year. The park reopened briefly last Friday. We drove down to the area on Friday...only to notice a big plume of smoke over the park. We drove up to the entrance gate to check it out. The woman there assured us there was nothing to worry about as that fire was outside the park boundary and did not pose a hazard. If anything did happen, she said there would be at least a 24-hour notice to evacuate. She noted there were huge traffic jams as it was the first day they were re-opened and there were no entrance fees. That didn't appeal to us so we opted not to go into the park that day and decided to wait a few days while seeing other things in the area. Fire, it seems, knows no boundaries as that fire did indeed invade the park and they had to evacuate that afternoon. One can only imagine the frustration the firefighters must have had with the roads jammed packed with tourists. We were quite happy not to have been part of the chaos! The park is now closed again until further notice. While there in Durango, however, we decided to take the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge steam train up through the gorge and back. So we got to see Silverton again and a beautiful (albeit sooty) train ride through the San Juan Mountains. We spent the night at an Indian casino RV park and entered Utah the next day with a stop at Four Corners. I got to put my foot on the corner of four states at one time! Utah is much different than we found it last year when it was snowing. We are in Moab right now. This year, it is HOT! We spent a night in Blanding and saw Natural Bridges...no snow this year. We spent the last two days seeing Canyonlands N.P....WOW! So far, this is our favorite place. Every bit as impressive as Grand Canyon, but without the hoards of tourists. From here we will go further west to Capitol Reef, Escalante, Bryce and Zion N.P.'s. Sure have appreciated the geology courses we have taken to have just a tad bit of understanding how this all came to be. Guess we are getting ready to hit the road again. Am told I need to practice driving a bit more and learn to hook up the toad! Gotta go!
Molly

9/5/00 Subject: We're back!

We are finally back in Oregon...spent about a month in Colorado and then another month in Utah and Nevada. We are official residents of Nevada now...hopefully to save some $$$$. Saw most of the national parks we wanted to, except Mesa Verde. It was still on fire. It was probably the one we were most looking forward to seeing, but will have to wait for another trip. We really like Colorado and are looking forward to going back again. Next year, though, I think we may go to Alaska while my niece is still there. Brent has a boat delivery this next week from Bodega Bay to Astoria. He is planning to leave on Thursday AM to drive down and leave there maybe Friday evening. Then it should take three to four days to get back.
Molly

Log 4: Mexico--Season 1--'99-'00

Log 4 of Albion (and other travels)

These are the selected e-mails sent back to family and friends from our sail down the Coast of Baja California and into Mexico. It was our first trip into a third world country by boat and the anxiety ran high.

11/18/99 -- 12/13/99 Subject: Chula Vista to Cabo San Lucas

We're off! Five boats headed out for our adventure down the Baja coast into Mexico. After topping off our fuel tanks and crossing the San Diego bar, we got a call from Jasmine Isle, who left early because of their slower speed. They had engine problems and were going to have to turn back. Since there wasn't any wind, they were just rolling around and couldn't make it back in. So Albion, being the faster cruising boat, took them into tow and would catch up with the rest that night in the Coronado Islands. Jasmine Isle could not get a slip at the police dock, so we had to tow them halfway up the bay to another anchorage. It was determined then, that we would not be able to make it back out to the Coronado's that night and decided to spend another night in San Diego, and catch the rest of the boats in Ensenada the next day. In Ensenada, we all met up again and checked into Mexico. To our surprise, Kim and Chris on Jasmine Isle drove down to Ensenada with another Portland couple. We all had a great reunion and enjoyed the best fish tacos in Mexico. Since Reprise and Seadater had gotten to Ensenada early and checked in, they decided to head south. Tica and Albion had to wait until Monday to check in and then leave. Our first anchorage that night was below Punta Colnett, a very rolly anchorage. The next was after a day trip down to the Bahia San Quintin anchorage. There Molly and I anchored and were waiting for Tica. But they got a lobster pot line in their prop, and we had to go out and tow them into the anchorage. We spent the next day (Thanksgiving) anchored and relaxing and had a great dinner on Albion with Tica. We met another boat (Cyrene) that joined us for the rest of the trip down the Baja. The next anchorages were down to Punta Baja and then an overnight to Turtle Bay. We spent two days in Turtle Bay refueling, eating local foods, and meeting new friends. Then it was off to Punta Asuncion, Bahia San Hipolito, Bahia Abreojos and then another overnighter to Bahia Santa Maria. We spent two nights in Santa Maria, exploring up the lagoon and snorkeling. The next stop was just around the corner into Puerto Magdalena Bay and Man-of-War Cove. There we topped off with fuel again from the Port Captain and chartered several pongas with him to take a bunch of us cruisers up the bay to San Carlos......a real town with phones and ice cream. And we ate more local cuisine (lobsters again!) and had several boat parties with new cruisers. From Mag. Bay, it was another overnighter to the real culture change of Cabo San Lucas; para-sailers, mega-yachts, cruise ships, and big hotels. We took a buoy off the Hacienda Hotel for $10/night and had a great view of the beach and short dinghy ride into the harbor to town. We checked in here, went through immigration, and got our 10 year boat import permit. During that last leg to Cabo, our battery was loosing charge even with the engine running. We concluded, with Jan & Alan's help on Cyrene's , that it was the alternator regulator. We ordered another one from Downwind Marine in San Diego and Jasmine Isle's parents would stop on their way down and pick it up. We would just have to rent a car and drive halfway to La Paz to get it......just another adventure.

12/31/99 Subject: New Years in Cabo!!

Well, we didn't make the weather window in time to head to Mazatlan and we were comfortable here where we knew where things were.....so we decided to have a quiet dinner with friends, go back to the boat, open a bottle of Champagne, and toast the new year in watching the fireworks on the beach from our cockpit. The new alternator regulator is in and working, but the Link10 meter (that reads what is going on with the batteries) has not come up to full charge yet??? And now our engine temperature gage is reading hot??? I've checked all the logical possibilities (good water in, good water out, engine is actually not hot, so we're thinking it's just the gage (we hope). We will know when we start off to Mazatlan!!! Maybe it will be a short trip and we will be back here in Cabo for a little longer. The cruiser personnel are changing around here. That's an indication that we've been here too long (almost three weeks now). Some of the friends that we've made down the Baja coast and camped out here with, have left for other ports and new ones have come in and taken their place, but it's hard to replace "originals". Our typical day here starts with the morning Canadian/Baja SSB net at 7:00am. We listen for weather and check in ourselves...."still here in Cabo". One of the net controllers is another good friend here that we met in Mag. Bay. Then it's breakfast, do the dishes, get the dinghy in the water, and put the motor on the dinghy. By then it's so rocky and rolly because of fishing boats leaving, jet skis buzzing, and ship tenders running past, that we have to head to town to relax. We generally head to the internet cafe to check e-mail and then go to lunch. It's a nice challenge to pick a new place each time, trying something new. We may wander around town looking into shops...not buying of course, no room! We have taken little side trips like driving to Los Brillos for the new alternator regulator, bus trip to San Jose del Cabo, or a day snorkeling at Lovers Beach. But mostly we then head over to the pool at the hotel, lay around reading, swimming or taking a shower in the poolside outside shower. We may have a margarita or two, and then it's about happy hour, so we get dressed, and head for the hotel cocktail lounge where a lot of the cruisers meet just to un-wind and tell of the days activities. After a few more margaritas and chip & salsa, we all head out for dinner....again trying to fine a new place. Then it's late enough that we head back to the boat, take the motor off, lift the dinghy back on the deck, and check in to the evening "Portland" SSB net at 8:00pm. Sometimes (not very often) we get back in time to check in on another frequency at 6:45pm to see if we can reach Summer Rose back at Tomahawk Bay Marina and see how things are going. We have used that avenue to get messages back to the kids on occasion. Well, it's time to head to town.....a new cruise ship has just arrived and we have to get some things at the grocery store for the Sea of Cortez crossing, and of course get this sent! We wish you all a very Happy New Year for 2000!! We will try to keep in touch with our adventures and trials and tribulations (which aren't many), and you try to do the same. When we have access to e-mail, we love hearing from all of you.
Brent & Mollyf rom Cabo Internet Café

January 1, 2000 Subject: Mazatlan

On January 1, 2000, the first day of the new millennium, a beautiful sunrise came up over the Cabo San Lucas arches. It was also the first day of our new adventure across the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan, 200 miles. We weighed anchor with Tica and headed East. The motor started running hot, so we slowed down, tried to find out what the matter was, but eventually shut the motor off and sailed with good wind all the way to Mazatlan arriving the next day about 5:30pm. On the way over, we were in contact with Richard and Anita on Moonshadow. They told us that our marina was about 8 miles north of the old harbor, which we were then heading for. As we arrived outside the entrance to the harbor, several dinghies full of Portland cruising friends were there to greet us and show us the way in. Upon docking, it was a welcomed reunion and party! It was like Tomahawk Bay Marina, G-Dock, all over again because 5 of us were all on the same dock again, except Albion which was right behind them all on the next dock.Mazatlan is a great city. It is easy to get around by a very inexpensive bus system, you can find almost any part you need for the boat or they can make it, there are many fine restaurants for dining, and there is a very exotic old town with the Central Market, Cathedral, theater, and many many shops. Another Portland cruising friend knew a doctor here, and every year he has a big BBQ. This year we were all invited out to his place for the pig roast and dancing. The cruisers at Marina Mazatlan also are busy arranging many parties, activities, and trips. One trip we signed up for was a bus trip to El Quelite, a small old town up in the hills behind Mazatlan. They are known for their cheese making and cock farms. While there we also took a house tour with the Mayor, had a great lunch, and watched an ancient Aztec ball game and rodeo. We stayed in Mazatlan until February 16th, then headed South another 200 miles to Puerto Vallarta. As we were making final preparations to leave, a friend of a friend (Miriam) needed a ride down coast to Chacala to help out on a Homes-for-Humanity project so we gave her a lift. Our first destination, however, was a small off shore island called Isla Isabela that is a bird sanctuary with a small scientific crew camped out on it. After an over-night trip, in company with Wes and Karen on Caprice, we anchored off the island and went ashore to explore and take pictures. After spending two days there exploring, snorkeling, and relaxing, we headed back to the mainland to anchor in Bahia Matachen. The next day we went around the corner into the San Blas estuary and anchored. We went ashore, checked in, and met Captain Norm and his wife Jan. They helped us with options for check-in since Miriam was not on our crew list when we left Mazatlan.....no problem!San Blas was one of the first shipping towns in old Mexico and the object of the poem about "The Bells of San Blas". They also have a great Jungle Trip up the estuary. It was one of the best trips we've every taken. Our 4-hour trip lasted 6 hours after the guide found out Molly and I were birders. We added many birds to our life list and the guide even caught a small Crocodile for us to take pictures. At the end of the trip, he came out to our boat. Molly gave him a Spanish Translator, since he was enamored by it during the trip, and he gave Wes and I a Crocodile tooth necklace. We also went on another trip while here to a coffee plantation. San Blas is also well known, however, for their bugs......the "No Seeums" but you can! They are horrible and the bites itch, swell, and last for weeks. Karen really got bit, and we all decided that 4 days was all we could stand. We then headed for Chacala, another small beach village where we were taking Miriam. We anchored there one night and then on to La Cruz in Banderas Bay. While underway, I discovered a leak in a return fuel line. Caprice was several miles ahead of us, but came back to stand by while we made a temporary fix.

February 29, 2000 Subject: Paradise Village Resort

Banderas Bay is a very large bay with several resort communities located around it, including Puerto Vallarta. We were heading for Paradise Village Marina and Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, about 8 miles North of Puerto Vallarta. Paradise Village is, in our opinion, one of the nicest resorts in Mexico for Cruisers. We have access to pools, showers, tennis courts, restaurants, zoo, cable TV at the dock, and a shopping mall. A great place to spend several months! Jeanette, Terry and Travis flew down to spend a week with us and enjoy the Mexican sun after leaving the cold rainy Oregon winter. We went on a tour vessel snorkel trip out of P.V. to Los Arcos and enjoyed watching the boat parade for the Banderas Bay Regatta. They brought several boat parts down from the states, including a new return fuel line. Only a few of the Portland Cruisers came down to P.V.; Moonshadow and Reprise, and of course there was Caprice who we met back in Chula Vista and became very close friends. Two of the great activities at Paradise are Tequila tasting parties on other's boats, and dock potluck parties every Wednesday night. This is great living!!! One of the most notable Tequila parties was on Caprice when about 14 of us cruisers jammed in this small rounded cockpit of their 31 foot boat. There were so many aboard, the bow was out of the water. We made an inland bus trip with Wes and Karen to the town of Tequila where they in fact make Tequila from the Blue Agave. We stopped at an ancient Aztec ruin, a lava field, and toured the Sousa Tequila plantation and distillery. Our friend, Al Mirati an ODFW co-worker, came down to visit us in Paradise. We had a great time showing him around Puerto Vallarta, then he helped us take Albion back up the coast to Mazatlan and flew home from there. We spent almost 6 weeks in Paradise Village and then hopped up the coast returning to La Cruz (had dinner with Portland cruisers Nancy & Herman from Sea Tern), to Chacala (had shrimp & lobster dinner with Monte & Barb from Reprise), to Isla Isabela, and then the over-night sail back to Mazatlan.

April 21, 2000 Subject: Back in Mazatlan

After a few more parties, introducing Al to some more of our cruising friends, he was off to Portland again. During our stay, we took another marina sponsored bus trip to Copala, another small village in the Sierra Madras' behind Mazatlan. We toured the town and all had to sample their famous banana cream pie for lunch. The rest of the time in Mazatlan was spent getting Albion ready for the hot summer storage in the marina. We contracted with another cruiser that lives in the marina and watches boats for the summer. She will wash it, make sure the bottom is cleaned, anti-cockroach stuff is fresh, check the batteries, and disconnect the power if an electrical storm comes through. We also leave extra mooring lines available for an emergency. After a week of preparation, we flew back to Phoenix and picked up our car that Tom and Sue had left for us at the airport and headed for Tucson to visit Nada and Dorsey. Then it was off to Mazatlan again, this time with the car, to bring a bunch of our stuff back to the RV.

5/11/00 Subject: On the Road Again!

Here we are, back in long pants and sweatshirts! Was warm (hot) in Arizona, but now we are in Chula Vista and it's on the cool side. We had a nice visit last night with Portland cruisers Tom and Sue, Earl and Donna, Brian and Laurie, and Fred and Kathy. Also, a couple we cruised the Baja with, Cyrene, are back here now having left their boat in LaPaz for a couple of years while they earn another cruising kitty. Have to go to the fabric place here and get some material for the RV windows and some more for the boat. Then we plan to head up the freeway and spend a few days in Thousand Oaks with Lynda and family. Looks like it is still raining in Portland. Guess we won't be able to avoid that. Driving to Mazatlan and back was no problem. The road is really good..four lanes all the way. We were even understanding most of the road signs by the time we got to Mazatlan. There are several inspection stops along the way for agriculture and drugs....we discovered that as soon as we rolled down the window and found ourselves staring at an army guy holding a semi-automatic weapon, every word of Spanish we ever knew was suddenly erased from our brain! Actually, once they determined we were gringos and couldn't communicate with them, they would wave us on through! The border crossing and customs was not a problem once we finally figured out what we needed to do and where to do it. We had to turn in our car permit and visas, and also we had the Mexican customs officer sign our list of equipment that we were taking off the boat to be returned again this fall. Nancy and Herman told us about that so we would not have a problem next fall and have to pay import tax on any of it. We had a very short visit with Nada and Dorsey as they were in a rush to head back to Portland also. We were loading the RV as they were loading the u-haul with golf cart and stuff. Will be seeing them back at the coast this summer, we hope. We don't know what our plans are yet. Have to check in with the taxman and get that done. It's good to be back in the RV...feels like home. Doing my own laundry will take some getting used to, but I will adjust! All for now,
Molly