70Daze July 15th

Up early in the morning, a fiber bar and mango juice wake up. The pack up chores and truck clean out accomplished while listening to the awakenings of mother nature. And it's time to head on down the road. A road that makes want wish they were in a Jag roadster instead of a pickup. But a fun drive none the less.
Up too early to catch breaky in the mountains so i head on down to the flatland's for a MickyD coffee, egg white delight, and some wifi time to check mail and download. Then it's off to the Napa Valley, Sonoma and the B&B in Calistoga, Ca.. Since check in is not until 5pm, it's a wandering journey around the wineries, gardens and streets of the beautiful people.

 Chefs of Napa Gardens

 And of course a visit to the Geyser

 he's waiting for his carrot treat, and the opportunity to reject a $2.00 apple from the feed the animal stand

 The famous mud, will it work magic on my bod?

The wait is over and it's time to head to the B&B for check in, a much needed shower, a picnic supper of canned fish and fresh fruit from my cooler stock, and a good book. No TV no Internet, Life is good.

 View from my picnic table. 

70Daze July 14th continue

Fires continue to affect my journey, but at last i have reached Death Valley. It is hot 112 but no worse than the Iraqi days of old. And the scenery is awesome in a strange way.

The fire has destroyed the good camping area, and the other one is bleak. Consisting of slots cut in scrub brush. No facilities except two porta johns. With many warning signs of rattlesnakes and wildlife dangers. Since i am alone and the campground is deserted, i opt to move on. to Yosemite. Perhaps it would have been smarter to stop in one of the KOA campgrounds i forge ahead, enjoying the ride and the passing scenery of small towns falling apart as so many residents have moved to the big cities. Leaving the bones of yesterday to return to dust.
Yosemite and all it's beauty arise ahead of me and dispite the odor of fire and smoke. It is such an awesome drive. I find that my camping spot has gone to someone else due to my late arrival, and I'm told to keep checking as i go up the mountain. But i am too late so when i get close tothe top, i opt for a night in the truck cab. Parked in a byway, next to a trash container with a beware of bears sign and a picnic table on a rock shelf. Good for a late night snack and a lesson about getting doors open from the back seat at 2am.

70daze tour ---The Road

Off i go headed towards Death Valley and odd spot along the way. Soon find that Nevada gas prices makes California prices look good. And their bad roads sure are still the same, narrow and crappy. Hmmmm. Soon the skyline of vegas is gone, and the prison of Indian Springs. and the magic revitalized Creech AFB comes into view, high fences and drone hangers. Have replaced tho old Army and A/F of nuke the desert day's, and much of the base side of the town is blocked off and abandoned, left in place buildings and RV & picnic areas. On a stretch lined with jersey barriers and warning signs. Only the samll casino has been left UN-siezed. There went my breaky stop under the pines.

No more picnic stop here, Thanks Gov.                              On and forward we go headed for the fine little village of Nipton, Which as it turns out rarely has anything open, including the Motel?  I did arouse the curiosity of one live person who got his raptor fired up and drove the 75 feet to where i was, to let me know these facts. When i asked for directions to the ghost mine, he was dumbfounded to learn there was one close by. Time to move on.                    

No ghost mine to be seen today, road closed to all but residents due to fire fighter vehicle traffic. No worries, i'll catch the next open pass, which as it turns out is Tioga pass. So it's cross road time just outside of Hawthorne/ Walker lake area.with a short travel interruption of a drive by Cat House tour in Chyrstal. Then onward to the pass.with a short stop in Benton for a tailgate meal.

Supper and the downhill side of Tioga Pass 

Not a very exciting drive so far,  but pleasant enough to enjoy. Are you bored yet? next up Death Valley and Scottys castle. Where my plans get change again. Life is good when your a flexible flyer.

.

70daze tour July 9th

Next up an oversleep morning, a realization that not all was packed. Due to a good deed punishment. Seems  that while packing, the interruption to report to a realtor that the house they were selling on my block had lost a lot of roof during the night winds. A frustrating action that required communicating with less than knowledgeable people. I forgot to pack my cameras.

Which required the borrowing of one and a side trip to my sons house. Which turned out okay as I got to hug grandson and receive a humph, grrr from a grumpy granddaughter, along with a love you bye.  A short camera instruction, a quick visit with son and daughter inlaw. More hugs and off I go into the dawn and traffic of 8am Phoenix traffic.

Next up sugar free coconut cream pie and coffee at the pie shop in Black Canyon.

  http://www.rockspringscafe.com/index.html

Then on to a pic and photo opp. on old route 66, and a visit to the Deer Farm, and the biggie? Bearzona.. 

Plans to make it to Nipton,Ca for first night camping go out the window, as does the camping at Davis Camp in Bullhead city which is full.  So for $10.00 more I get a room at the Pioneer Casino, for the night and a bucket of shrimp dinner  to finish off my 16 remaining W/W points.

 

This blog site used to be so easy to manage. But now that the GEEKs have improved it, it kind of sucks.  geek motto, if it works, change it.So the pics are out of order, and some wull be sideways no matter what. Life goes on, smile.

70daze tour

It all begins well this 70daze tour, the truck is gassed, the list of do’s is complete, everything is loaded. Let the journey begin.

First off a visit down memory lane and a stop by the BOAT, where I have experienced a good meal or two, and on one occasion a life experience. The boat  started out  as a restaurant in the early seventies, and after many changes. Morphed into a titty bar/pole dancer  and life training center, for  young girls, yuppie dreamers, baby G.I.s and  men and women admirers of fem bods

.

As the day approaches

Hard to accept that i have made it this far down the trail. I was hoping for 30, passed by 40, graying at fifty with dwindling hair, tried to retire at 60. Went off to war, distant oil fields, new islands, many new travels in and out of country. Retired at i think at 69. And now preparing to start my trip to the beaches of California, and any eye catcher along the way. For my 70th. All have to do is live 17 more days, drive a lot of wandering miles, buy a bottle of mimosa, and find a beach spot to sit, sip, and watch the sun come up.

If the fates don't interfere, that will mark the beginning of a new journey. The day to day life of being, the march to the unknown sunset. Anticipating the new, the living, the adventures, may it all be seen thru childlike vision. For i would rather see the porch, than to sit on it long enough for anyone to think i belonged there.

 I’d rather be the ship that sails-And rides the billows wild and free;
Than to be the ship that always fails-To leave its port and go to sea.
I’d rather feel the sting of strife,Where gales are born and tempests roar;
Than to settle down to useless life-And rot in dry dock on the shore.
I’d rather fight some mighty wave-With honor in supreme command;
And fill at last a well-earned grave, Than die in ease upon the sand.
I’d rather drive where sea storms blow, And be the ship that always failed
To make the ports where it would go, Than be the ship that never sailed.
Author Unknown