Westward, Ho!

It was time to find the west coast. For sure, the east and south hadn’t been very kind to us.

The trip west from Louisiana to Texas was two long days of driving and one short night in a noisy truck stop.  It doesn’t take much to entertain me, so I enjoyed the driving days, looking at the mesas and boulder hills of Texas. We blew through El Paso as quickly as possible. We had not received any warnings this year about passing too close to the Mexican border, but we are not ones to take chances. Selling everything we owned and hitting the road notwithstanding.

We did take the time to stop at the Sonora Caverns in Texas, just off I-10. These caverns have unusual features, like the beautiful stalactites that hang from the ceiling of the cave like white Christmas trees.















Unlike in most caverns, gravity does not seem to be a major factor in the development of these limestone features. Very delicate growths seem to sprout every which way. The most amazing to us was the one that looked like the tail of a fish projecting from the wall.

Balmorhea State Park in western Texas that we stayed in had a large natural spring pool. The pool maintained a temperature of 23C (74F) no matter what the weather. Original thoughts had been that it would be a great place to swim when we got there. That was before the temperatures in southern Texas plunged to just over freezing. We did wander around the pool, testing the water with our fingers and watching the little minnows inside dart around. There was another young couple that had the same idea, but took it a step farther and wore their swimsuits to enjoy the warmth of the water. I don’t think the young lady lasted more than a couple of minutes. The fellow stayed a little longer, but did say that it was not worth the swim. Even with the minnows nibbling at his toes.

We wish we had been able to take more time in Tucson. It looked like a very interesting city from the interstate, but we were booked into an Arizona state park halfway between there and Phoenix and we were running late. As it was, we ended up parking in the dark, which is just not a best bet scenario. The planner of the family had been wise enough to reserve a pull-through site, which is relatively painless. Except that with no one at the gates when we arrived, we were unaware that there was no water at the campsite. They do have water available to fill your internal holding tanks before you get to your spot, but it is outside the camping area. Not willing to wait until the next day with no water, we pulled out, filled our tank, and then reparked. Something that would have been painful if we’d had to back in.

The next morning showed us what a beautiful area we had landed into. There were small, hiking friendly mountains on both sides of us, one of which had an unusual peak formation. Historic mention of this peak notes that it was a landmark used for early travellers crossing the desert.  As we were having a rest day after our long drive, I can happily tell you that we did not climb it.

 At first look, it seemed like there was no wildlife around the campground, but after I sat quietly at the picnic table for a few minutes, several different types of birds and a curious chipmunk came close by me looking for food. And so did a Junior Ranger, except instead of food she was looking for someone to fill in a survey. Drat. Even without phone service I can’t get away from these things.

At least it was getting warmer. As we headed towards the weekend Christmas shopping traffic of Los Angeles, the sun was shining and reflecting off the fancy luxury cars around us. We arrived at our destination at the edge of the Pacific Ocean before nightfall, and parked on pavement right beside the beach. 

Between the trailer parking and the sand there is a “multi-use trail”.  They certainly couldn’t label it anything else, because to be more specific would have taken three or four signs. The paved trail was used by bikers, sightseers, dog walkers, inline skaters, joggers, strollers, fishermen, family groups, teenage skateboarders, and surfers of all shapes and ages. The only stipulation was that nothing motorized was allowed. We took our own bicycles for a spin and never did find the southern end of this trail. We did find a beach volleyball park and a fishing pier, and watched a couple of hundred southern California surfers bobbing away in the waves.

Across the road from our beachfront parking lot is a state ecological reserve. The local community worked very hard to prevent new development of this area and to rehabilitate the damage done by previous “progress”. And judging by the amount of birds and evidence of wildlife, they did an excellent job. Unfortunately it is surrounded by busy roads, and almost impossible to access by foot. With the official sign of “No Ped Xing” facing us at our exit, our only options were to either walk a mile north to an intersection and then back down the other side, or to drive, crossing into their parking lot almost immediately after leaving our park. All in total of 0.5 KM. It made no sense to me, but drive we did. And then we walked around the reserve with dozens of other birdwatchers before driving back across the road.

Despite the traffic noise outside our door, we have enjoyed this beachfront camping. We love the people watching, the many activities, and we have friends nearby. But we have only one more beautiful pacific sunset left to watch before heading off to a new destination.

Now, it is “Northward, Ho!” for us.

W

Cruising

The sea gods smiled on us.

Weather-wise, it was perfect.  Calm waters, and warm and sunny for every day but one of our cruise to the Caribbean.  It couldn’t have been any better.

For us, it started just outside of New Orleans, in the RV park where we left the truck and trailer. We had pre-booked a taxi to pick us up about an hour before we were due to embark. But we were so excited, and hubby had planned everything so well, that we were ready two hours early. The cheerful taxi driver dropped us at the cruise terminal, where we were surprised to see a huge crowd of fellow vacationers being funnelled into an airport-like security screening lineup. If we were early, why are all these people here? And many of them were repeat cruisers. It turns out that the buffets and bars are open well before the staterooms are scheduled to be occupied. We could have been there an hour ago!

It was sundown when we pulled away from the cruise terminal, closely followed by a big Carnival ship. The lights of New Orleans were stunning against the sunset.  All evening we meandered down the Mississippi River, winding our way to the Gulf of Mexico.  Our cabin was cozy, slightly smaller than a hotel room, but since the bathroom was twice the size of the one in our trailer, we were very comfortable.

We spent the first two days of the cruise at sea, and alternately explored our environment and relaxed. We enjoyed the hot tubs (adults only) and watched giant chess and checker games played on deck. The red line going around the chess board is the jogging track that circles the upper deck.The options for activities are endless, from lounging by the pool with live Caribbean music, to several scheduled aerobic classes throughout the day, to Sudoku and crosswords offered all day in the library. They entertain us with participation in game shows, dance lessons, and a nightly show in the theatre – the last of which we saw little as it often started at the same time as my bedtime. I even missed the chocoholic buffet because it opened at 9:45pm.  How unfair!

Our first port of call was Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We had no shore excursions planned, but since hubby had sprained his ankle during a solitary game of basketball, a trip ashore to find a pharmacy was in order. We ended up taking a “taxi tour” with a very knowledgeable young driver who was happy to explain the history and economics of the island while showing us the sights.

The next day, the ship anchored off Grand Cayman. We shuttled over to the pier about an hour or so before our snorkeling excursion so we could stroll through the town. Everything near the pier was expensive, but we indulged in ice cream anyway – 2 single scoop cones came to $16.00!




For our tour we were led onto a 3 level boat with 50 other people ready to get out of the heat and into the water. The top deck was open to the sun, with bench seats and snorkeling equipment. The middle level had chairs, tables, and drinks, and from the lowest deck you could look through the glass panels on the bottom of the boat to watch the fish and reefs go by.  Except that we didn’t go very far.  After shoving off, they tethered the boat to a buoy not 300m away where an old wreck had sunk.

Obviously no one had drowned in that event, as just one wave could have taken you into shore. But the fish were beautiful to watch, even the barracuda that startled me, and we really didn’t care where we were as long as we were snorkeling.  Later they took us a little bit farther out to a reef. Again, not very many more meters out. Our shuttle from the cruise ship was twice as far as the entire distance to the reef and back. At least we couldn’t complain that we spent all our time getting to the main event.

Unlike our next shore adventure, in Mexico. When the cruise ship tied up to the pier on the little island of Cozumel, it was hot, muggy, and cloudy. We had opted for the Tulum Mayan ruins tour, but they were located off the island and on mainland Mexico. As we were being loaded, along with 200 or so other people, onto a sleek and fancy double decker ferry to the mainland, it started to rain. Hard. Nobody wanted to sit on the open upper deck in that, so they all crowded into the lower, enclosed, section. Those calm seas we sailed in all week are not very calm at all when you are looking at them from inside a much smaller vessel right at sea level. As we set off, we immediately experience a lot of rocking and rolling. Blue bags are being passed around with great haste. If someone put up their hand to get a bag, everyone seated nearby threw their hands up too, trying to attract the steward’s attention. Get that man a bag! Now!

The trip lasts about 40 minutes and we all gratefully got off the boat, pouring rain or not. About a quarter of us get loaded onto a bus and shipped south 60km along a good highway. Our tour guide is a Mayan descendant who seems totally convinced that the ancient Mayans were influenced in their architecture and sciences by space aliens. It makes for an interesting ride. He stops our bus at a Mexican mall before taking us on to the ruins. Hubby is looking for a walking stick of some sort to ease his limp, since his ankle is still sore and swollen. Nothing at the mall, but there are vendors outside the ruins selling clothing, obsidian, and woven cloth. There are canes, too, but that is just not macho enough, so he snags one of the vendors and convinces the young lad to sell his “reaching stick”, the one they use to get higher clothes items down. I don’t think the fellow believed he was serious, but still, on the walk to the ruins, hubby had a walking stick.

We wander around the ruins carefully following the paths. Climbing these ruins is prohibited as they are getting worn from use and in some cases crumbling. There is a large temple right on a cliff by the ocean and several smaller structures nearby, all with faint carvings and non-rectangular doors.  Iguanas seem to inhabit the grounds and the buildings, some scurrying quickly in front of your feet when you least expect it.

The traveling time was much longer than the time we were allowed to look around. Soon it is time to find the buses again and return to the ocean. Our tour guide fills the riding time by playing a video of scientific discoveries proving alien influence on earth.  Some of us even stay awake for it. Then it is back on the Ferry from Hell, but at least the sun had come out and it was hot. The top deck made for a much happier ride, especially because they were selling beer up there.

When the cruise ship leaves the pier, it is finally affected by the rougher seas. We toddle off to supper, dancing 3 steps to the left, then 3 steps to the right, zigzagging down the halls. But I never once spilled my wine.

One final day of relaxation in the hot tubs, mixed with repacking everything we brought (minus the wine), and it is time to leave the ship. You could get coloured luggage tags that correspond to a specific debarkation time so that not everyone tries to push out the door at the same time, but since we had just 2 carryon cases, we opted for the “carry your own suitcases and leave early” choice.  When we got down to the main lobby, it seemed almost everyone took that option, many of them lugging huge suitcases and lots of bags. The lineup went past the lobby, circled through the halls and came back to the lobby on the other side. At least the line kept moving and we were off the ship in half an hour. Not through customs, but that wasn’t really anything to slow us down.  Bags weren’t checked or even x-rayed. They just wanted to make sure you were supposed to be coming back to the USA.

It was a bit of a shock getting out on the streets of New Orleans. Far from being the warm, southern city we expected, it was cold and damp. We thought we had shaken those single digit temperatures when we left Florida!

The sea gods may have smiled on us. Once we were back on land, it was the North Wind that was laughing.

W