The Orient Express International Luxury Caravan: 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... ;)