Chapter 12 The Return Trip

We had traveled all the way to the Pacific Ocean and now it was time to return to Little Rock.

We did have such a good time!

 


The plan was to slip out of L.A. After rush hour when everyone was headed in not out of the city and it worked with the exception of a bottleneck near downtown.

Just on the outskirts of Los Angeles we were on a rise of the freeway and on the other side was a widow making pot hole that we met at 70 mph. BOOM!  Dave has a great sense handling a vehicle and took us to the next exit to check out the trailer. A lesser crater broke the undercarriage outside of Memphis before and was rebuilt stronger so, this would be the test of the new work.

It was fine! NO DAMAGE AT ALL! I did a little celebration dance right then and there!  However, it did dislodge the refrigerator which fell halfway to the floor dumping it's contents. It could have been worse!

We dropped in on my dear friend, I loathe name droppers, but this would be the exception, because she's my hero and because she's my friend, America's Sweetheart, Dorothy Hamill. I was a fan since childhood and when she began her adult skating camp on Nantucket Island years ago, I was beyond excited. I found her to be as lovely as everyone perceives her to be. Over the years, I have come to know she's a deeply caring person, drives like Mr. Magoo, and has a great sense of humor.

Dorothy lived my Olympic Dream for me as my parents didn't support my skating, or each other for that matter. I worked summer jobs and baby sat to earn funds for skating club lessons. Having alcoholic parents keeps you out of the house and my sanctuary was the ice rink. I kept a picture of Dorothy in my backpack from Time Magazine with my skates and when things got bad as they often did, I would take that creased picture out and say, "If Dorothy can do it, so can I." I knew I was never going to the Olympics but I did become show skater in the chorus of Ice Follies and Holiday On Ice. I still followed Dorothy's skating career, which lasted longer than most, and when word was received she started an adult camp, I was there.

My favorite skating jump is the Axel, flying forward up into the air, rotating, and landing backward. So, when asked what my dream come true would be that first year of camp, it was to do an Axel side by side with Dorothy.

She was just coming out of chemo for breast cancer and skated over to me and said, "I'm sorry, Billie but I can't do an Axel anymore." I was so embarrassed, I didn't think, it never occurred to me, that she wouldn't be able to....

But the second year of camp, in the same way, she skated over to me and said, "If you want to do an Axel together, I'm ready." That's how generous she is. Having worked 6 full weeks to get the jump back only to do one with me. She made my childhood dream come true, simple as that, and I remain eternally grateful. You know, that day will forever be embossed in my memory. I held it together the rest of the day, but when I got back to our lodgings, I sat on the end of the bed and cried like a baby.  Not because of my dream coming true, but because of her caring generosity toward me.  Little insignificant me.  I understood the sacrifice, work, and pain it took to get that jump back.  I would later come to know, it was the last one she ever did.

On the way to her home in Palm Springs we drove through the largest wind farm we had ever seen. We shared a breakfast together, did some vintage shopping, and gave Dot and her husband John a tour of our little camper. I think they thought we were crazy! I would have agreed with them!  But we were given a trailer book as a very thoughtful gift..... so maybe not. Our visit was all too brief and we headed out with Lucy (my doggie) in the window and the two of us waving goodbye. 

We were going to Carlsbad Caverns with a side trip to Roswell, NM just for fun. The turn off near El Paso to head north was very near to Alamogordo, NM where my grandfather was a deputy on horseback in his youth. We came in a day or two behind a sleet storm that left the roads clear but with a ribbon of chat down the center. As is the nature of people, everyone wanted to pass, and when they did, it would throw the chunky pith into our path. So, we played this game, when a vehicle came along side us, we would slow down quickly to avoid the dermabrasion that was coming...... all the way to Carlsbad. 
  
The night was spent in a soggy little campground ( more like the Last Resort ) but if it had been warmer, it would have been a mud hole. It's funny now, but when we woke up in the wrong side of town, we were glad to leave!  It was cheap. We found out, in life and in campgrounds, you generally get what you pay for but sometimes with life on the road, you get what you get.

The next morning, we were dirty but not as bad as when we picked up the trailer in Colorado. But still, Sprocket was not as shiny in her pictures....

I love a good cave tour but it has to be pretty. What Carlsbad lacked in eye appeal, it made up for in size. It's huge but mostly beige, and a lot of it. It was biting cold with the wind outside but it was warm in the cavern.

We did not know what to expect in Roswell but let's just say the UFO stuff has been great for business. It's a bustling little town but we did not have to wait in line for the UFO Museum, if that tells you anything....

Navigating our way from Roswell to an identifiable freeway took some doing. Driving state roads at night was a challenge. More challenging was finding decent food to eat. It's really bad when you see a Subway Sandwich Shop and cry to the heavens, "Thank you, Lord!"  That is until you see the sandwich maker and are sooooooo thankful they have to wear gloves.......
 pausing here for your mind to paint the picture.......
Then, you are forced to ingest said sandwich, breathing air that smells like a radioactive dry cleaners. I'm telling you, oil drilling is an odious endeavor as is rounding up cattle for transport. Just a couple of the posy patches we partook during our return progress. 

Remember the slogan, "See America First"? Somehow "Smell" didn't get into the ad campaign.

Texas is one big state. You can drive all day and still be in it. And the abundant lack of scenery is copious! 

We made it!  3,000 plus miles of adventure and we lived to tell the tale! Things were definitely looking up.
After a brief rest, I would begin planning to attend our first BIG vintage trailer rally. 

I had joined a group called Southern Vintage Trailer Friends and there was an event scheduled on Tybee Island, GA late April with over 100 trailers in attendance. I could not wait to go!

Chapter 11 That's One Big Hole In The Ground

The Grand Canyon, and it is exactly that, Grand. I'm not sure if I had preconceived notions of this spectacular sight but nothing really prepares you for it's scale and majesty when you see it for the very first time. 

We came in from the east as the sun was setting. The colors were amazing, breathtaking, and awe inspiring. Our little caravan stopped at several overlooks in progress to the campground.  It was going to be very cold that night around 19 degrees, a great time to test our insulation! 

The two of us dined that evening at The El Tovar Lodge which was decorated in its holiday finest. Another Harvey Hotel on the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe rail lines.  I can hum the song now.....
And, of course, Dave died. 

We stayed nice and toasty in our little trailer with just a small space heater. That, and our heated water hose. Something other campers had yet to discover...... like the rented mini motor home across from us. Who needs an alarm clock when some newbie is beating on a frozen water hose at 7am ?

Later that morning, we saw the Grand Canyon in bright daylight. The interpretive center was beautifully done. I was impressed people from all over the world were there. We would walk and hear a myriad of dialects everywhere we turned. It was truly a beautiful morning. 



On to Kingman and down to Lake Havisu to spend Christmas with my cousins. 

 

We finally arrived late in the day to one of the many campgrounds along the Colorado River. Mission, Texas had introduced us to a demographic we had no idea existed. Migratory Retired People. They were in Lake Havisu by the droves all huddled up along the water. My cousins are thrifty people but this seemed austere even for them. At your site you had electricity and water but no sewer. There was a dump station. So, at some critical point, all these rigs had to void their holds. There was a regular circuit to navigate and back to your spot. I did not like this. I prefer full hookups which is humorous when making reservations for our 10' Shasta which needs 50A service.....

We were definitely the center of attention! My cousin Judy and I prepared the best Christmas dinner which was topped of by Judy's Mom's, and my Great Aunt's, pineapple cream pie. Thanks, Aunt Wilma. Lord rest her soul.

My Great Aunt Wilma was one of 5 sisters who all were born in Arkansas and left for Oregon after WWII. She was one of the kindest and most generous persons in my life. And could she ever fry chicken! Every time I break out my electric skillet, I think of her. You know, in a small town, there's always one person everyone knows and loves? Wilma was that person in Coos Bay, OR. Born with a severe cleft palate that wasn't repaired until her teens, she was teased miserably. She worked in Food Service all her life most notably The Snappy Service Cafe downtown.  Everyone's got to eat and everyone knew Wilma. There was always a hollow sweetness to her voice and a generous smile. People just loved her. And so did I. There was always a box of toys for children visiting her little mobile home at the trailer court where she lived.  I was partial to the yellow and black monkey 🐒 

I wonder if my love of trailers started back then?

        
 This was our Christmas setup in Lake Havisu

We hugged Don and Judy and headed for Malibu. We drove through the Mohave Desert and learned a valuable lesson. Gas up before you enter because the gas station in the middle of the desert knows what it has..... a cornered market. We've never spent more on gas in our lives!  After the initial shock wore off, it was amusing seeing people's reactions to the price at the pump. One guy actually kicked the machine! Plus, you had to pay in advance and they kept your driver's license until you were done!

We had some serious road experience by now but nothing quite prepares you for Los Angeles traffic towing a trailer. People will flip you off just for having the absolute gall of being on the highway! Never mind we were going the same speed, one guy just didn't want us in front of him and he was "forced" to go around us.

Whatever.

He'll probably die of a coronary. Campers are relaxed people, that is when they're not negotiating 12 lanes on the 405.

We drove by the Hotel Angelino off Sunset Blvd.  I smiled at the memory of our special time there while Dear Dave was recovering from liposuction and having his posterior plumped thereby increasing his assets.

Not that I haven't had work done, I have been undergoing renovation for a while now...

He was dismayed, as he got older, his butt went flat and his pants wouldn't stay up. Always a fixer, he was off to fix this. We stayed at this hotel during the healing process and one particular day Dave had to go for a follow up appointment. Gingerly, we took the elevator ride down. When the doors opened, we found ourselves in the middle of a film production in the lobby..... "CUT!!!" the director hollers. It was like the parting of The Red Sea only without, you know, Moses. Everything stopped and fell silent that is except for Dave's soft whimpering as we slowly but deliberately shuffled across the lobby stepping over cables and enduring the prolonged gazes of beautiful young actors in full makeup with frozen expressions of dumbfoundedness. It was not unlike the extended slow motion scenes in The Chariots of Fire. As we made it through the door, I heard the director yell, "Show's over, places people!" as Dave face planted in the rear seat of the taxi.  

Truth is always stranger than fiction.

We motored our way through Santa Monica and up the PCH ( pacific coast highway) *trying to sound local* to The Malibu RV Resort. Such a beautiful place on the hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Excitedly, I assembled our whole holiday setup as we were spending a few days.

It wasn't long before the Trailer Peepers showed up...

We saw Into The Woods at The El Capitan Theater with all the costumes from the film on display and we went to the Chinese Theater.

Oh, and Dave Died.

The next day it began to blow and rain. We came back to a campsite in shambles. 

Note to self : Don't ever setup next to the ocean and go off and leave it. 

Fortunately, a very nice man from New Zealand in the next site had taken it upon himself to partially dismantle our things when they began flapping in the wind. He and his wife had flown to Houston, Texas to pick up a custom motor home, driven it to L.A., and were awaiting a ship assignment to ferry it across the Pacific, then fly back to Christchurch to pick it up. Who does that?! These folks, apparently. 

Why was I surprised? I happen to know of at least one couple who keep a show trailer and tow vehicle on both coasts here in the U.S. so they can avoid the towing back and forth when they go to trailer rallies. 

We enjoyed Afternoon Tea at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel

And when Dave saw Nick Cannon's diamond loafers...he died.

I had fun in the sun one day skating with my good friend Randy Gardner, one half of Tai and Randy of World and Olympic fame.  He's a stitch! He calls me his Donkey Girl Scout... ;)

 

     

 We had a wonderful dinner at Goeffrey's in Malibu

            And another at Crustacean in Beverly Hills

      After a wonderful time in Los Angeles, it was time

                             to head for home....

Chapter 10 "Go Westward Young Trailerites!"

It was late December now and we were itching to go!  My cousins sold their spot in the Piney Woods of Texas in the town of Carthage ala "Bernie" fame or infamy I should say. With their summer house in Vancouver, WA, Arizona was closer and they decided to winter there. We would see them before they went to explore Quartzsite and Yuma. They were looking for a place to land and we would catch up them in Lake Havisu.



This would be a Route 66 trip!
The Grand Canyon, The Painted Desert, The Impact Crater, Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, we were going to do all of it and more.





Off we went to chase the setting sun. First stop, Amarillo, TX






We arrived late and the next morning went to see The Cadillac Ranch which is very near I - 40.




I was taking pictures when Dave asked, " Where do you want me to stand?" I paused.    "Why don't you lay on the ground, you know, like a crash victim!", I blurted. 
A personal note here...... my Dear Dave is always up for anything, will do anything, and will say anything.  But no cursing, he's known as Disney Dave. He wouldn't say poop if he had a mouth full.....


One time we were in the checkout line at Walmart and this toddler is wailing constantly taking heavy breaths and screaming relentlessly. Everyone is irritated. Everyone. It was late, too late to have small child up and he was screaming, "I want this, I want that, I waaaaant !!!!!!" Dave finally had enough and began crying and screaming just like the child. Well, let me tell you, the kid shut up and the parents snatched him up and left. That's Dave.

I snapped the picture. Dave hopped up and excitedly said, "This is going to be my thing!" "What is?" I said, confused. "You know  "A Thing" dying is going to be "My Thing".  "What?!", I said a little louder. "When we travel, I'm going to die in different places, the more funny and inappropriate, the better!" He explained with a grin. 

"Oh. OK", I said flatly. I'm really not surprised...... but I'm wondering 🤔

With that, Dead Dave was born and it became his "Thing"








Dave's "Thing" was solidified when the Japanese tourists nearby were pointing and laughing and one by one began flopping on the ground taking pictures of each other.

True story.

Off to "The Land of Enchantment".........





New Mexico is beautiful and I had a very specific reason for spending the night in Albuquerque. A trailer. At Enchanted Trails RV Resort. This resort has a collection of vintage trailers that rent as overnight lodging and one of them was a 1956 Yellowstone two door, 23 feet.


I was thinking about buying a bigger trailer....

FOR SHAME!!!

We had just gotten all the bugs out of this one, I know.  We had altered the garage for it to fit inside, I know.   We loved our little trailer, I know. We risked life and limb to make all this happen!  I KNOW!

I was getting really tired of setting up and breaking down the bed. Yep, that's it. The bed.

Remember what I said about the first trailer you have is not the one you keep. Well, that wasn't going to be me!  Until, it was. I could have two trailers, I thought. Oh, but then we would have to choose.....  I have met people that have as many as 17 trailers. Yes, you heard correctly. For one thing, we didn't have room for two. I have always wanted our trailer at the house so I could play in it anytime I wanted. So, I would be very careful, make a list of priorities and always remember that just like in life, in trailers, just because you go looking for something it doesn't mean you'll find it.

I had done my homework, narrowing the choices down to a Yellowstone or a Boles Aero, like these were available to be picked off some 60+ year old tree just because I was searching. 





The Yellowstone at Enchanted Trails RV Resort was a beauty. For rent but not for sale ( I know, I asked ) which made our discussion about it pure conjecture. In the end Dave thought it too big and I admitted it might be too heavy. We haul with a Nissan Frontier, our second one, and did not want to upsize our tow vehicle. The Canned Ham shape was our favorite which limited our choices. The Boles Aero would be lighter with it's aluminum frame as opposed to the Yellowstone's wooden supports. 

Our conversation about the possibilities evaporated the miles. 

We drove through western New Mexico and it became really windy. I mean steady what felt like hurricane force winds. Nothing will suck gas faster than a truck towing a trailer, pull into a headwind going faster than you are well, the needle just drops.... quickly. Gas stations are few and far in between in that part of the country and we were dodging tumble weeds when we pulled in. 

The wind was so forceful, it was twisting the roof over the tanks on its poles like a hula dancer in Hawaii.... We pushed hard against the doors to get out and the wind slammed them shut. Clinging to each other we shuffled leaning against the force of high velocity air into the building.

I rushed to the counter exclaiming, "The wind is so bad the roof over the pumps is likely to come down!  It's dangerous!" Texting blue haired nose ring girl glances up bored saying, " It's aaaaaalllwaaaaayys liiiike thiiis....." and went back to fingering her phone.

Oh. Well. Okay. What did I know? I was new to these here parts. 

We borrowed the facilities in the largest, tackiest, roadside gas station / tourist trap with more junk on display than the dime toss at the county fair.
Back into the kite flying night we trod leaning practically 45 degrees getting back in our vehicle. The next morning would find us in Winslow, Arizona.





We had lunch at The La Posada Hotel, a Harvey Hotel just like in the movie "The Harvey Girls" with Judy Garland! We took a wonderful trip to The Painted Desert where I took a picture that would find its way into the Tin Can Tourist's calendar.





Yes, we stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona such a fine sight to see.....

The Impact Crater was very intriguing considering we had flown over several times but standing on the rim gives one a whole different perspective. It's one big hole in the ground!

And, Dave died. 

We had dinner that night at a restaurant whose neon was way better than it's food. 

Off to the Grand Canyon!  We had traveled within 90 miles of it when we first brought Sprocket home. I saw the turn off sign by Flagstaff, AZ and it pulled at me. Dave saw my expression and said, "We'll be back soon with our trailer redone."

That was today!