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“When words become unclear, I shall focus with
photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with
silence.”
Wandering
re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and
the universe.
71% of the Population believes in global warming, while the other 29% are still trying to resolve the "Earth is Flat" debate
"Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So
throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade
winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
Reduce Recycle Reuse Restore
"Thousands of
tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out
that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity;
that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of
timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."
'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a
big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'
"Around the Next
Turn is Where Our Adventure Begins"
"No one traveling on a
business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive"
"Not all who wander are lost"
"On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of those who waited, and while waiting, died".......
"Your job won't take care
of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch"
"God, Family & Friends.
With a Little Beer Drinking"
"Life is too short to waste
time hating anyone"
"The Sure Sign of Life is Death. Why Else Would humanity Thrive So Hard To Leave Its Mark on This World" - Unknown
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” - Samuel Johnson
“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” - Moorish proverb
“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” - John Steinbeck
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” - Lin Yutang
“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” - Samuel Johnson
“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller
“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things - air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky - all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” - Cesare Pavese
″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” - Moslih Eddin Saadi
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” - Freya Stark
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” - Bill Bryson
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.” - Charles Dudley Warner
'Life isn't fair - but it's still good' ~ Anonymous
'Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about' ~ Anonymous
|
Readers Comments In the past few years, we've loved hearing from our readers and never knew they'd be so kind as they've been. When we first started this site, we thought we'd have a few friends and family members following along from our home town while we traveled the country living full time in our RV. Throughout our journey, it's been amazing to us how many people have contacted us to show their support. Not just from our home state of Michigan either, from all over the world!! Most just wish us "Good Luck", while others have suggested tips on problems we had talked about in one of our blogs, and some have shared some of their own mishaps while on the road. If nothing else, we both feel very humbled knowing we have been an inspiration for others. I would hope that when reading our Blogs, like minded individuals will understand that a trip like this isn't that hard to achieve. Like Cindy's quote says at the top of the page, once you realize our insignificance and how small we really are, those everyday pressures seem so exaggerated. Thanks to all who have contacted us, as we love to hear from anyone who has read through our site. Whether you agree with what we're doing, or think we're the whack jobs some claim us to be, let us know. Believe me, you're not going to hurt our feelings. Besides, like my kid sister Amy used to say, "What ever you say bounces off of me, and sticks to you like glue" Here are some of the great comments we've received from around the country ********************************* So glad to see you back online. Many of us have been worried about you during October absence. I dropped you an email two years ago when we were in Idaho and you were in Yellowstone. However, you were busy making a quick exit due to weather. Have really enjoyed your postings and the daily trials and tribulations. We just got back from 10 days with daughter and family in Cape Canaveral. We are from Missouri and travel in a Class C. Hope to someday see you back on the road. Charlotte Neville *********************************
Hi, my name is Liz, I live in Riverside, CA. I
recently launched a Kickstarter project (linked in my sig) that has a
similar feel to what you guys are doing, and a gentleman by the name of
Chris Couse recommended I get in contact with you guys :) *********************************
After looking at a lot of blogs since October 21,
2011 and reading as much information as possible, I find your site to be
the best. As my blog shows, I am in the process of filtering information
and trying to decide what type of RV to buy. Like you, I am wanting to
boondock more than anything but with THREE dogs (2 bassets & 1
bloodhound). I cannot tell you the amount of hours I have gone back and
forth between Class A's, Class C's and travel trailers. ********************************* Hello Pat and Cindy, I am happy for both of you and wish you well with your travels. I have bookmarked your site and forwarded it onto my other camping buddies. If you ever intend to be in this area (Northeast PA) email me and I will try to help you out. I am glad you decided to put this online and I look forwarded to seeing where you go. Take care and happy traveling. - Ellen Hoffman - Pennsylvania
Hi Cindy & Pat, Good luck on your travels. Found out about your adventure from the Sunline Owners Club forum and have been following your blogs. I’m envious. What you’re doing is something my wife and I dream about doing some day. But with 3 kids in college next year, it may be a few years before we can do it.
God bless you both and
may your travels be safe. I’ll be reading your blogs. *********************************
Hello Pat & Cindy, I
teach 2nd graders in Mooresville, NC. Race City USA. In order to
help students learn the states and different places that tie into our
N.C. Standard Course of Study we ask parents, friends, and relatives to
send us postcards from the states visited. This excites the
children and they want to learn. When that child receives a postcard at
school from someone they know, well , words can't express the joy they
feel. We trace the US on butcher paper and have the students glue the
states with colored tissue paper. Once we receive a postcard, we read
the note plus the information about that state and find it on the map.
The postcard is then stapled to the board with a string going to its
state. *********************************
Hey there
Pat and Cindy,
I've been
reading your blogs and following along with your journey for about a
month now. It seems like I know you without ever even meeting you!
My wife Denise and I live in Phoenix Arizona. We currently have a 28'
Alpenlite Aspen travel trailer and a Chevy Avalanche.
 A
lot of the things you guys say and do are so close to how Denise and I
are, it's kinda funny. When I first started reading your blogs, I
thought, what a great idea. Then as I read more, I thought, why don't
we do this also? I really like how you set your minds to it and made
your trip happen. We are starting to talk about what it would take
for us to be able to hit the road, with you guys as an inspiration.
I will be
writing more later, but in the meantime, I have a suggestion for your
website. Have you thought of putting some sort of map on the site
showing where you have been and what roads you traveled? There may be
something you can use on Microsoft's
http://maps.live.com where you can create your own pages. Be sure
to try the "Bird's eye view" stuff!
Anyway,
all for now. Have fun in Nashville!
Don and
Denise
********************************* Cindy - I felt a little guilty when I read that Pat made you drive the train. Since I KNOW Steve told him how important he thinks it is that I share while driving our rig. You know what else? It seems like as soon as he turns it over to me, the nice calm road situation is automatically over and I find myself driving through something obnoxious like 5 lanes of traffic around Boston, or through Conn. where they don't have rest stops! FYI....We've enjoyed our new kayak on the New River in Virginia and at the local yucky Blue Marsh lake. Wilderness Systems seats are fantastic! Thanks for the tip Pat. Have a great trip! Pam (aka QUEtSE) ********************************* If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop me an email. We’ve been camping a long time and have taken a few 5+ week trips, so have some ideas what it’s like to be on the road for an extended period of time. We traveled with our cat and dog also. Which reminds me, if you travel through PA at any time, PA state parks don’t allow pets in their campgrounds. That’s another thing we found out the hard way. Got kicked out of one at 9pm at night. I know you’re not headed that way now, but it’s good to remember. - Hutch *********************************
I just started
following your "journey". Its a neat idea, and I'm really enjoying it.
However, we're wanting to camp near Savannah sometime during the winter months. I saw you stayed at River's End. Why there, instead of the state park campground on Skidaway Island?
From the pictures in
the campground guides, and on-line, it looks like the campers are just
parked helter skelter, and practically on top of one another. We opt for
a little more space when possible. *********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy! As I look through your gallery I have images of Pat running around, jumping around, up on top of the trailer, falling into streams, lying on the ground --- and click, click, click with the camera...makes me smile and kinda chuckle a little. Looks like its been an adventure already. It's nice to live vicariously through the internet and your travels. - Julie *********************************
Hi Pat & Cindy!
Just checked out the website - very nice! Great job on the format
and I like the individual blogs. Welcome to the road and let us
know if there is anything you need. Looking forward to seeing you some
day! :) *********************************
Pat & Cindy - We just
wanted to let you know we leave Kigoma on Wednesday and Dar es Salaam on
Friday and should be stateside into O'Hare Airport on Saturday. *********************************
EMAM,
Reading of your travels on the Sunline Club site really makes me wish we
weren't stuck in the snows of Lewis Co., New York. We are planning a
trip to South Carolina in April and had checked Oceans Lakes Campground
out on their website. How is it? ********************************* Pat - Like your cool modifications. Where did you get the "Mount" for your TV in the bedroom of your trailer? How much did it cost ? Happy Camping !!! Sunline1 ********************************* Okay, I enjoyed your blogs until I read the new ones. I wanna see dolphins and pet manatees!!!!!! (Insert whining voice here.) We did get a good laugh out of Cindy's tick stories, although it did just make us miss you guys and your crazy antics a lot more. We are a little bitter that you are away from us and in the warm weather so we decided that we are NOT going to knit you guys scarves, so there! (Though I will knit a lil' something something for the dogs cause it's not their fault that you dragged them away from us. ;) Till the next time. Love you guys. Sara and Jess - Michigan *********************************
Were you on Hwy 49
around Magee, MS Saturday night??? ********************************* Hey Cindy, I am so excited for you guys on this amazing life adventure! I will follow your journey through your site and I wish you guys the best of luck. Wish it was me!!!! Pat's photography is amazing. Well guys.....have a great time and I will keep in touch. Much love, Ana - Florida ********************************* Hi! I stumbled across your website on a link from some photos you posted on the Photography on the Net forums (POTN). I have spent the last hour enjoying your adventures and dreaming of the day when I can follow in your footsteps. Congratulations on making the decision to live your dream! I’ll be following along until I can cut myself free from the daily grind and become a road warrior myself! - Becca from New Hampshire ********************************* Hey guys! I saw your truck and camper at Sam's Club this afternoon in Memphis. Just thought I'd would say "Hey" - Thomas Dayton Jr. - Tennessee ********************************* Hey Guys, I was checking out your cool website, and reading Cindy's blog and so forth, and thought it was really cool. I like how you're traveling around to different places, seeing the country, and enjoying life and all it has to offer. You and Cindy sound like really cool people, so I thought I'd see when you might be heading to the Mid-west again. If you've never been to Minnesota, it really is beautiful, cold, but beautiful, and since my husband and I just moved here, and don't have anybody to hang out with, maybe you could come and see how beautiful Minnesota is, and we can drink some beers. So I'll be looking for you to come this way. Sincerely, Tish (everycocktailsamemory) Smigiel *********************************
Hey, Wanted to let you
know I saw you guys on the Zilwaukee Bridge on Friday the 27th of
July. It put a smile on my face and made me want to hang out the
window and scream "Hello"
I refrained. Must have been my hangover. Hope you had a nice trip
and I look forward to spotting you again soon on
the road.
Happy August to you and yours. Dana - Michigan *********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy,
I saw in your blog this morning that you’ve had some run ins with ticks.
We use Front Line on our dog when we travel. If you’re not
familiar with it, it’s a liquid that you put on between the shoulder
blades on the dogs back. Just thought I’d pass that on to you.
Sounds like you’re having a great time, I’m envious. Glad the suggested
route worked out for you. ********************************* Hey Guys! We just got back from a trip to Vegas. We took 2 days (not nearly enough) to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and to Mt. Zion National Park in Utah. If Mt. Zion was not on your list of things to do...I suggest you consider it! Great hiking and amazing scenery! We stayed at Mt. Zion resort and met a couple that is traveling like the both of you are. They travel for 6 months, and work 6 months. They were at the resort working...the girl did the check in and the guy was in charge of the ATV tours, campfires and other "guy" stuff. You should definitely consider going to Zion! Although we didn't make it there, I heard Bryce Canyon is amazing too. That is only about 2 hours from Zion. Good Travels ~ Amy, Michigan ********************************* Hey guys, Wow we just heard the news about your guys' trip from Ana in Lake Worth, and checked out your site. That's f-ing rad, guys! I can't believe you guys are doing this as we finally decided (with great pain) to sell our trailer and settle in a home. We'd love to keep in touch and let us know when you will be in SoCal so we can hook up. I'll be checking up on your site for updates. Take care, Frankie *********************************
Hi There, It’s
the Brit with nice teeth!!! It was really fun to meet you guys
this evening. We are very interested about your travels and we will be
logging onto your website often to see where you are and what you are up
to! When you get up to Washington Sate, please get in contact if you
need pointers on where to go as I know my brother would be only to happy
to help out. We look forward to seeing you again soon. *********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy!
I stumbled upon Every Miles a Memory today. I'm amazed! As a long time
Milfordite and Red Dog regular (I was playing pool and shakin' my butt
there Wednesday as a matter of fact), I salute you! I grew up in the
General RV family and now own a business in Whitmore Lake called JP's
RVs
www.jpsrvs.com
I'm kicking myself for not getting to sell to you but I'd love to
support you in your travels. The photographs are amazing! I spent the
morning at Monticello (I've always wanted to go..) cheers to you! I'd
like to put a link on our site if that's alright with you. Let me know
what you think! I'd love to hear from you! ********************************* Hello Pat and Cindy, Just read your RV web site and the story of following your dreams. Great stuff! I admire your willingness to look at adventure, risks and just go for it. Your treasure chest of memories will be overflowing for years to come. Keep on trucking! - Dick Garcia "Still Diagonally parked in a Parallel World" ********************************* Well hello Pat and Cindy!! I am very envious of your adventure....Jim (my husband) and I plan on doing exactly what you are doing when we retire............. We are actually going this weekend to look at some travel trailers. I just have one question......................WHY IS MY PICTURE NOT ON YOUR WEBSITE???? hahahahhaha. I hope you both are doing well and it is very interesting to read your blog!!! Micki - Michigan ********************************* Pat & Cindy, I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful site! I also was shocked to know that you had just stayed at Buttonwood campground (Mexico, PA) a few weeks before us. We just happened to stay there for the first time last weekend and are heading back there again this weekend. I am pretty sure we had actually passed your camper at some point. I remember saying to my husband look at that camper with the graphics. Then when I saw your post on RVNet I took a look at your site.
You truly are living a dream of mine and I
hope to some day be able to do the same thing. I have so many questions
for you but I will be brief for now! I was looking over your expense
report and you only list income one month. Are you strictly living off
of savings and from selling the bar or do your sponsors help support
your travels? I apologize if this is very personal questions. I am very
young as well as my husband and I hope to be able to become full time
before I retire. Once again thank you for keeping my dream alive by
letting me and so many others see into your lives and how you accomplish
this dream!
*********************************
What an inspiration
your story is!!! I just read about it in the Milford Times. If you are
still in FLA, there is a secluded beach & great open air bar on the gulf
side in between Spring Hill & Weeki Watchee called Pine Island. It's
amazing to watch the tide go out & see the beach get bigger & bigger by
the minute......and the sunsets are just as amazing. ********************************* Pat & Cindy, Hey guys My name is John. My girlfriend friend Katie and I met y'all in Cedar Key around mid March at the Raw Bar (we were the three college students). That infamous night is documented very well in both of your blogs. I just wanted to say it was very nice meeting both of you and we really enjoy your website. It has already given us some vacation ideas for the summer. Anne Marie Island and St. George Island look like very relaxing places to kayak and fish. I am a fifth generation Floridian and have never been to either. Anyway just wanted to stop in and say "Hi" and let you know that Katie, Brian and I enjoy your website and look forward to updates in the future. - John *********************************
Hi Guys,
Perhaps like most of your e-mails you probably get, you don't know me
nor do I know you except for what I've read in both the Milford Times
and now your web site (my wife told me to check it out, she said that I
would like it). *********************************
Checked out the
website, I saw all the pictures and read the blog. Matt and I really
enjoyed meeting you guys and I thank you for spending money and time in
my state. I will follow ya'lls journey as it goes. I wish ya'll good
fortune and hope ya'll will keep in touch from time to time. Let me know
if I can be of any assistance. ********************************* Hello Fellow campers...
Maybe I should
say extreme campers as we are just newbie's compared to you two. ********************************* Pat and Cindy - Hope you are doing well and enjoying your travels. I often think of you guys and wish you well. Tony, Milford, Michigan *********************************
Hello, I found
your blog through a site called
RVThereYet
This site has posted a long list of RV blogs, including
yours and mine as well. I've clicked on a few of the links there and
have enjoyed reading some of your recent posts. I particularly like your
photography. *********************************
Occasionally, I have
been checking in on you both. Looks like your having a blast! I'm Very
envious. Only eight more years before Dave & I can dream of such.
We went camping last week with our son and the two dogs and thought of
you often. With our 2 big puppies 73 lbs and 53 lbs it was near
impossible to get around. I too, am now very slide-out envious. I was
ready to go batty after a week. God Bless you for traveling this way all
the time. Tell Pat I really enjoyed his baby wipe story! LOL.
- *********************************
Hi Pat, Thanks for
the picture and the tips. Your sites look very professional. ********************************* Just wanted to offer you the opportunity to make a little fix that might help those who are interested in Cages Bend…. Cages Bend is in Nashville and Graceland is in Memphis. This is listed incorrectly in the places you have been. I am not trying to be critical, just know that you put a lot of effort into your site and want it to be as good as possible. Sincerely, Jeff in TN. *********************************
Pat & Cindy,
It was a pleasure visiting with both of you this weekend. We thank you
for attending our festival and hope that you enjoyed yourself. If there
is ever anything we can do for you down here please don't hesitate to
contact me. *********************************
Howdy Pat n Cindy! Sounds like ya both are having a great time in your
exploring. I try to keep up with your blogs when I am sitting around in
a truck stop somewhere. Sounds like you are enjoying them "coonasses".
LOL!! Most that I have known are pretty funny people. *********************************
Hey Pat & Cindy, we
meet this weekend at White Oak Lake. Just got home and looked up
ya'lls website, really enjoyed all the things the both of you are
writing about. I'll be sure 2 keep up with the both of your
travels. May God take care of the both of you on your travels &
keep you safe. Danny - Arkansas ********************************* Pat, I just gotta say, in all sincerity, I think it is really, really awesome what you guys are doing. I can only wish that when I'm your age (Old A@#...) that I can do exactly the same thing. I looked through almost all of the pictures and read a bunch of the blogs. That's really, really cool. I'm jealous and proud at the same time. Tell Cindy I said hi and that I miss both of you guys. Good luck and stay in touch. Dan - Charleston S.C. *********************************
Hey Pat
and Cindy, It's John
from Milford. Great concept. Reminds me of something I did in college. ********************************* Hi Pat, I love your website and all the mods you have made to your truck & trailer. I would love to be in a position to travel as much as you do. Maybe when the kids are on their own, I'll get to spend more time away. I am currently building almost the exact same bike rack for my trailer tongue and was wondering how the horizontal support bars for the bikes were made? Would it be possible to get a picture with no bikes mounted on the rack? This is the only part I am still struggling with. Thanks in advance if you can help me out! Mark Melton - Springfield, IL *********************************
Hey Pat and Cindy, I
hope this finds you well and happy. I have been following this journey,
as much as possible. It really sounds like a great trip and your
writings reflect that. You really need to see the west and northwest. I
hope you make it that far (I think you might want to stay out of
Kansas!). One of my best memories was when we (Liz and I, Luke and
Josh) drove out to California and back. Luke liked the mountains
and Josh fell in love with Vegas (go figure). We are really blessed to
live in such beautiful and diverse country. ********************************* Wow man, thanks for such a great write up! I hope I can live up to what you think it is. Glad to hear ya digging the tunes. Once again thanks alot. Jaryd Lane - Louisiana ********************************* I have read some of your site. My wife and I envy what you are doing. Thanks for the advice on hauling the kayaks. Just wondering if you have any opinions on what type of kayak to get. We will mostly use them for exploring local lakes while we are camping but maybe try a few slow rivers around home. Why do you have three of them, is one a tandem? Have you tried a tandem? From what I have heard most people seem to think that it is easier to paddle separately rather than in a tandem. Thank you - Tater *********************************
Hey, just wanted to say "Hi" and find out some of
the new adventures you may have been on lately. I hope this email finds
the two of you doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
You guys are awesome; just to let you know that everyone misses you guys
and the great job you did with the Red Dog. I will definitely check out
the adventures you guys encounter. *********************************
Howdy y'all!
Just sitting here catching up on your blog and watching the wings just
lose in OT. For sure gonna be a tough series!! Happy Mother's Day
(belated now) to ya Cindy. Still sounds like ya both are enjoying your
time exploring. I am enjoying learning all the stuff that I am missing
by passing thru all these places! LOL Sheeeesh.....Is there a tick
problem out there or what????? Y'all take care!! especially trying
to get that "great" shot of the waterfalls!!! lol ********************************* How you guys doing? Love reading about your adventures. Great job! Keep up the great work and the pictures are wonderful. Sandy W. - Highland, Michigan *********************************
Got there on a
Thursday, Dan greeted me with a beer at the Tiki Bar, and what was
supposed to be a 1 night stay turned in to 3. I had a blast and made
some great new friends. Thought I'd share some pics. I'm really looking
forward to your Bonnaroo pictures and blog. I've tried to make it the
last couple years, but just hasn't worked out. Have fun! ********************************* Hi Guys, Been watching your travels - Looks like you are having a great time, at least mostly, saw how mad Cindy was at you on the river - don't worry Cindy, when Jack taught me to ride my motorcycle I had the same kinda situation. Be good, Deb ********************************* I was just saying that I was living (Pat’s) other dream of sitting on my a_ _ and designing houses for a living. Craig and I are both very envious about the traveling you are doing, we had always said that we would love to do that if we had the money. Take care and stay in touch. I will keep myself updated through the web-site, it keeps me laughing especially when you use the wrong wipes!!! Lisa & Craig Auburn Hills, MI ********************************* Hello there!! It's Ronda from last night. I just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was meeting both of you last night. We had a great time. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us and letting us live vicariously through you for what most of us (or maybe just ME) would never be brave enough to do!!! :~) Thank You!! *********************************
Hey Pat, I hadn't
been on your site in a little over a week and just read your blog for
May 15th. I enjoyed reading about your uphill/downhill climb, especially
"For those of you that don't have a Turbo Diesel, you'll never know
the sweet sound the whine a turbo makes when it's really working hard." ********************************* Hey Pat, Log on to the Ford Truck web site and go the F-250 Forum. That's the bible for your truck. I probably have more info for you but first things first. I would change the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. Some say every year, but you could rack up lots of miles in a year. Also, doesn't your truck have a spin on transmission filter? If it doesn't, add one, it makes it easier to drain and refill trans fluid your self. (I like to save money). Transmissions are VERY costly to fix and or replace. Don't get lulled into disregarding it. Check out this site www.ford-trucks.com ~ Bob, Texas *********************************
Cindy, You make some great points in your article about Wal-Mart. *********************************
Pat & Cindy, I
have no idea who either of you are (yet) but I drove by you today on my
Harley on Poplar Ave. in Memphis. I couldn't help but notice your
vehicle and trailer, and was really surprised to see such a young couple
in the cab (I guess you usually see retirees in RV's). The
kayaks also kind of suggested a high level of activity. Anyway, I
noticed your website and made a point to remember it and send you an
email. I have just glanced at your website, but it looks like you guys
are living the dream! Anyway, welcome to Memphis and have a safe
journey! *********************************
Hi, We are
parked in the Allegro Bus in front of you at the Dancing Eagle Casino/RV
park. We are from the UP of Michigan and looked up your story on the
web. *********************************
Hey Cindy,
That is the title of a documentary from PBS' Frontline. It's been a
while since I've seen it, but I think you will find it interesting, if
you get a chance to see it. It deals with how Wal-Mart does business
with it's suppliers. I'm really enjoying the web site, and
although I believe in, and will defend your right to have and speak your
opinion, I like it better when you rip on Pat. *********************************
Hello, Please visit
www.chinalaborwatch.org
and search for Wal-Mart stories. Remember
that your tax dollars probably built your local Wal-Mart
store. Yes. Really. Thank you for
sharing your views and experiences and for being brave enough to
include your email address in your rant.
Please shop responsibly. Fair trade is not free. Becca
- Michigan
*********************************
I've
recently discovered your blog via RV-Net.
I live in Brighton, MI and have enjoyed reading about your adventure so far. We kayaked down
the Pier Marquette river 2 years ago and LOVED it! We are campers, too,
with 3 kids 16, 14 (both girls) and 6 year old boy and a camping mutt
(ridgeback/lab mix, 115 lbs.) ********************************* Hello there, we're San Diego
area trailer folk who look at the RV-Net
site quite often. We saw some of your posts and we've been following you
along on your journey. Great stuff. If it
weren't for the four hungry little mouths, we'd love to be doing the
same. *********************************
Wow, I
just went to your trip site, and I'm very jealous of what you're doing.
My wife and I love road trips and are hoping to do something similar
when we're a bit older and our kids can travel... If you don't mind me
asking, are you making money somehow while on the trip, or is it all
funded ahead of time and just a trip until you need to make more money?
Either way it sounds awesome, and we aspire to do something similar in
out future. How do you find living on the road like that? I've grown up
doing similar things with my parents on boats... My wife and I prefer
the road to the ocean simply because the issues that come up are easier
to handle and less expensive (but still not cheap). Thanks Ben ********************************* Hi Mr. Bonish, I read some of the stuff on your site, and just wanted to tell you how admirable that is. I've been drooling over getting one of those VW camper vans (Westfalia), get a Verizon internet account, plug the card into my laptop & go. All the Best, Bruce ********************************* Nice to hear from you folks and thanks for the nice words in you diary. Keep in touch. Bill Vienneaux, Wayward Wind Gallery & Studio, Wisconsin ********************************* Hi Pat & Cindy, It was nice to meet you up in Cascade Falls this past week. I am the one that is afraid of heights and you were kind enough to take our picture with the falls in the background. We happened to stay at the Cove Point Lodge, where you had your picture taken in the oversized chairs! Good luck on your journey!!!! Craig, Minnesota ********************************* Came across your website on RVNet...in the mods section. Your website is very interesting! Thanks for sharing. Sandy *********************************
What's up
with Cindy's Blog? We need the chicks perspective too! I Have been
jonesing for a couple months now. *********************************
Thanks
soooooooooo much for the postcard from Canada ! Awesome. I was soooo
excited. Thanks again. The kids were thrilled. We talked about how
others can help with our education! *********************************
Hey guys,
Don and Denise Wessel here. *********************************
I enjoy
reading your story’s and travels. I am a single dad and I take 6 weeks
off each summer to travel. We travel in a 16ft travel trailer. This
summer we went west to Montana and saw some interesting places.
This next summer it will be to the East coast. I would like to
create a website as I believe I have a lot to offer to single parents.
Any suggestions on how to start a web page would be appreciated. *********************************
Hi Pat & Cindy, thought I'd
drop you a line to tell you how much the wife & I enjoy your articles.
So well written & interesting. Although we did rent a 40' diesel pusher in which we spent more time with break downs and less time on the road but met so many great people, we would do it again in a minute. We did make it as far as Glacier Park in Montana to enjoy the 4th of July & the fire works, but our hope was to make it to the Pacific to enjoy them in Oregon. We planned on taking 3-4 weeks or whatever it took.
Anyway wanted to let you
know how much we do enjoy your writings and look forward to your next
article and pix. That's it for now & keep having fun and be
safe. *********************************
Pat and Cindy: The picture on your site is
great and it is up on our bulletin board. We get MANY emails and calls
for replacement laces describing stories of little puppies who chew
laces up. *********************************
Well I finally found about an hour (which
only touched the tip of the iceberg) and checked our your site. You two
are having too much fun and isn't that what life is all about. I can
tell that both of you are very intelligent (I hardly know Pat) other
than saying hello to him once while visiting the Red Dog Saloon. You've
put in a lot of info, great pictures and VERY well written. I will
forward it on to a few of my RV friends and I'm sure they will learn a
lot more about your adventures. Be safe and take care. God Bless you
both. *********************************
Pat and
Cindy, *********************************
I'll keep tabs on
your trek from time to time. We've traveled extensively throughout the
west, but not recently. I anticipate beginning to head west again in
'09. Perhaps our paths will cross sometime. Meanwhile, I'll travel
vicariously through your adventures. ********************************* Hi Pat & Cindy, Looks like you guys are having a blast ! Steve & I just got back from a week in Los Angeles visiting our son. Hated the concrete jungle, loved the weather, and we did some hiking in Angeles National Forest. If you get to that area and like to hike, it's awesome. Pam ********************************* Pat & Cindy, Sounds like the road trip went pretty good to Texas! I have been all around that area, but never thru that town. Yep....ya should have listened to your wife about the tire. loool Great to hear you put your triangles out and pulled off the road a bit. I get pretty ticked off when people do not pull into the left lane for a broke down motorist. Especially when I get over and what do ya know....an impatient driver passes me on the right!!
Yep....there is lots of cotton in Texas. My grandma used to pick cotton
south of Dallas. My one uncle was actually born in a house where she was
picking it. lol *********************************
Hey Cindy and Pat,
Looks like you had a great time at the races, and you probably got the
heck out of Texas just in time to avoid the ice storms. Sucks about the
blowout, but congratulations on keeping your good outlook even while
changing the flat. ********************************* Pat, I think what you and your wife are doing is both courageous and probably inspiring to thousands of people out there who will visit your website and realize that having personal freedom is basically just a personal decision that once made, is one on which you will never wish to go back. I fulltime also and keep enough food and supplies in this thing to last 6 months in the wilderness if need be, and enough cash stashed away to live worry free for a year, and it's amazing how liberating it is not to have to be beholding to anyone for your survival. The way we are living, I suppose, is almost anti-ethical to the American model we have been programmed to follow, and websites like www.everymilesamemory.com are bound to encourage a few fence sitters to make the leap themselves into a world where you decide how life is going to be and then live it that way. Talk to you later! Ron www.desert-photography.com ********************************* Hi Pat & Cindy, I have enjoyed following your trips for about a year now. How wonderful you guys must feel every morning in a new place.
If and when you get to
California, I have a few places you must see and enjoy on your kayaks,
Channel Islands National Park. Not all of L.A. is concrete, northwest of
the city is Ventura County and it is our own little paradise. I have
made it to about 35 states at one time or another, but not all in
one trip like yours. I will continue to follow your trip and story
online. Thank you for the entertainment, its fun to read. My wife and I
are raising our nephew who is 7 yrs old and we just got back in to
camping. We just bought a 2008 Wilderness 280 and we love it. Camping
with all the frills is the only way to go. ********************************* Keep thinking about you guys and following your travels but I'm terrible at writing. Your names came up lots over Christmas and everyone mentioned how much they missed you both! Your blogs and pictures just keep getting better and better! Have a happy and safe 2008 and enjoy every minute. As if you aren't! Sandy & Bob Walker, Highland MI ********************************* Hey Pat and Cindy, Happy New year and have a great 2008 Merrill Mudd. Highland, MI ********************************* Heres a website to get you excited about Alaska. They offer a free guide but I am not sure where they could send it to you guys. But Lots of good info. I think I found this site before my last trip to Alaska. www.northtoalaska.com Take care, Julie, Michigan ********************************* Hello Pat & Cindy, Been following your trek for sometime now and reliving a few old personal memories from a 1970 five month bike hike ala Easy Rider. The demands of living on the open road are mostly behind me although Judy and I still "hook up" for a pull down the trail every now and again, sans the motor bikes. I do envy your adventure, but not the daily challenges of living with what can be packed on the machine. But then I didn't have to worry about power, PC's, cell phones, black water or a hard shell. Lucky me! I'd like your opinion on a Sunline unit. I want to replace my Yukon, and after reading your comments have been looking at used Sunline's, specifically the 2363 and or 2499. We typically pull south to FL for a 3-4 week mid winter break. Otherwise we use local State and National parks in the NE. Our 20' Yukon pulls like a dream but the jack bed is a nightmare. We also have a 32' HR that's a bear to pull and mostly stays parked (our seasonal unit). I do like the 2499 layout. My only concern is towing stability (TV's a 2500 Suburban). The 20' Yukon never sways with the dual cam hitch. The HR always dances in a light breeze. Since you have had more experience that most of us will ever see, your opinion is worth its weight in gold. And when you make your next eastern journey give us a shout. You've got a friend in PA.
George &
Judy Hauck *********************************
Hello Pat and Cindy, ********************************* Hey Pat, I began camping a few years ago in a popup. You are probably way more experienced than me now going full-time. If you ever come back to the east coast (I am in NC), I'll list some of my favorite campgrounds. Here is another site I am part of. A lot of users have upgraded from pup to Travel Trailers, so it is still useful if you are ever in the south. http://www.sepuc.com/forum/default.asp On this same site they talk about Mayberry campground. Mayberry is home of Andy Griffith. It was based in Mt. Airy, NC. I live about 30 minutes from there. Anyway, there is a new campground being formed. Here is a link on it. I have not been, but I bet in a year or two it will be nice. http://www.sepuc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4350 I see that you went to Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach, but I like Lakewood best. It is expensive in the summer though, but we just love it. I am going twice this summer. One of my most favorite places to camp is Oconee Point in South Carolina. It is an Army Corp of Engineer park near Clemson, SC. There are several campgrounds there, but Oconee Point (not Oconee State Park) is my favorite. Only has water/electric sites and a dump station, but it is only like $20/night too right on the lake. Just pure beauty.
Another
Army COE park is located about 45 minutes from me in Wilkesboro, NC
called Bandits Roost. Same price, but sites are not as good as Oconee,
but is still nice. Larry Lambert, North Carolina ********************************* Pat, I just read on Cindy’s blog that you guys are in Scottsdale... You HAVE to go here; www.papagobrewing.com It is in one of those nasty strip malls, so try to not judge the book by the cover, but once inside, I know it is right up your alley. You can be just as much at home whether you are a hippy who drove up in your VW bug to the yuppie who rode in on your $1500 bike and your still wearing your bike shorts inside, to the intellectual in the corner playing Trivial Pursuit... but all who enter have one thing in common; they like good beer. Enjoy... Mike - Avondale, Arizona *********************************
Hey, just found your
website, looks like a very interesting time. We also have been to
Bonnaroo, 06 & 07. Look like we will be attending this year also. If you
are ever in the north west (Washington) part of New Jersey give us a
call…… ********************************* I don't know where you're at right now, but if you're still near the New Mexico/Texas border, you MUST go to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I worked there as a ranger out of college and it is one of the most least visited National Parks in the nation. All kinds of Apache Indian/Cowboy/Pony Express history, AMAZING mountains, crazy cool trails and there will be no one around, I guarantee it. It's border line magical; at least google it!! Later, Brett - Dirt Bag Designs *********************************
Hey Pat & Cindy, Happy New Year, hope
every thing is good. I just wanted to say hello! I enjoy your website &
emails, and wanted you to check out a bud's website about his trip to
Alaska on his motorcycle! The web site is
www.daledres.com Good Luck & Wish
you both the very best New Year.
*********************************
I am a friend of Bryan
Champagne, of
Champagnes Swamp Tours in Louisiana. Since your visit with Bryan
last spring, he told me all about you two, and I have been visiting your
website ever since then. I just had to say how much I enjoy
"following" ya'll around the country. You guys are living out my dream,
and maybe if I'm lucky, one day I'll be able to do the same. ********************************* Seen one of your posts on RV.net and I just wanted to say Hi.. and tell you how much I LOVE reading your web page and your journal..... I have been following your page now for quite sometime... I love all the crazy things that you and Cindy do.. Some of the places you take that camper and truck amaze me..LOL I follow another couples page also.. And I will tell my husband about some of the travels you guys do.. He will say.. "Now is this the crazy couple that you are talking about or the other couple?"....LOL I love your adventuress spirits...I love your pictures... If every thing goes as planed my husband and I are planning on full timing in the next 3 years... (or maybe sooner) Full Time Wanna Be *********************************
Hi, this is Joe from
Tucson Wal-Mart. ********************************* Hi Pat and Cindy! I was introduced to your site from a post on the hybridexplorer.com site. How lucky you are to be able to do this! I live in Missouri and our family goes camping quite alot. One place we visited last summer that you might find interesting is the boyhood home and museum of Walt Disney in Marceline, MO.
I'm not sure how many
people realize that he lived here and that Main Street USA at the Disney
parks was modeled after Main Street in Marceline. We enjoyed this
camping trip and I thought you might like it also. There is a really
nice state park near there called Pershing SP. You can check it out at
mostateparks.com
*********************************
Hey love your web
site and thanks for the help on the Canon web site, only now I have dirt
some where in the camera, ah bugging me a lot. *********************************
Nice pic of the red
motorcycle with the hot chick. Also, thanks for picking up other
people’s trash. I feel guilty sometimes that Denise and I don’t do this
more often, and not just when we go camping. ********************************* Hi I am Leslie and I live in Capac, Michigan. If you were to buy a trailer today (now that Sunline is no more) what would your chooses be. Thanks ********************************* Hi, the happy hour wasn't very happy tonight. My favorite friends weren't here. You have only been gone for hours and what a vacuum. You two are a great couple. You leave a great impact on people where ever you go. I hope you found a great place tonight and will find better places in the days ahead. I am looking forward to crossing paths again. The King and I, Mesa Arizona ********************************* Hello, I saw your answers to questions on one of the websites (RV talk maybe?) and a link to your website. Appears you’re the “go to” experts for solar as you have been living it for awhile now.
Thanks in advance for any information. I have researched and researched
and called various suppliers but of course they all want to sell me what
they are carrying. I figure I could get an unbiased opinion from someone
that’s probably tried many different setups and is currently “off the
grid” right now. *********************************
Hello Cindy, I read, with interest, your blog. Your tale of the back
roading was funny, but I do believe some what in error. The part where
you indicate your
********************************* Hello Pat & Cindy, First off, I want to thank you for hours of enjoyment reading through your website, I just discovered it last week. Like many, I too envy you. My wife, 2 kids and I only spent 52 nights in our 21 foot TT last year and had a blast. 30 days of it was in one trip out east, we didn't quite cross paths. I am sure you have a couple thousand people tell you where to go by now, but you never know. If you are heading to Vegas and need to get out of the steel & concrete canyons check out this place only 17 miles from the strip, but its a pretty wild/massive chunk of weird looking rock. You National Park pass is accepted and it has $10 camping and biking. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association Also 55 miles east is the Valley of Fire
Enjoy Baja, you got more balls then I, but like you say there is safety in numbers, especially if some speak Spanish, that will make all the difference. Thanks,
Jeff Its 4:00 Happy Hour somewhere ........ ********************************* Hey man I seen your rig on the site, I also checked out your website, very cool pics, the best was the Arkansas Class C/5'r RV. Man I admire both of you for what you are doing....let me know if you come through Oklahoma, I am in Tulsa, I can prob meet you peeps, take care and keep that PSD rollin'. Joe *********************************
Hi
Pat, Thank you sooooo much for the compliments in your email. ********************************* Just got the word that Vegas closed down for a couple days to restock the bars. Anything to do with the Bonish and Smigiel group being in town? Can't wait to hear about Mexico. Weather sounds even better. Sandy Walker - Highland, Michigan ********************************* Hey There! I had no idea you guys were doing this. My friend, Ken, who talked your ears off the other night in Vegas, told me about your trip and website. What you are doing is great. If you want to make a stop in Denver or the mountains of Colorado, give us a call. Just introduce yourselves as the Vegas Dancers :)
I
was asked a couple times why I asked you down to our table. Well, I'm
not sure why. I knew we had plenty of Vodka and I certainly didn't need
anymore. You looked like you could use a boost. I hope it worked. Cindy
certainly is a good dancer. I hope you had fun and I wish you luck on
your journey. *********************************
Good morning! I came across your website today and sat and read it. I
love it and it was very informative. We have a Sunline Travel Trailer as
well and we love it. In reading your website, I read that you have met
my brother, Carl Kern. When Sunline closed down, he left for
Chalet RV which
is in Oregon. I sure do miss him, but hope to catch up camping with him
sometime, someday. *********************************
Hi
Pat, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful
review you posted on my Amazon page. I truly appreciate your support.
Thank you for taking the time to do so. I also enjoyed going
through your website and exploring the wonderful, exciting life you and
your wife are leading. Fantastic! *********************************
Pat, one of the coolest things about RV traveling is that you can change
your mind in a minute and go somewhere else (kind of like sailing) I
just saw
that story and just had to be that annoying friend that reminds
you of the dangers. But remember, I like to sail alone so I really
shouldn't be offering advice about heeding warnings, but it is best to
be prepared. *********************************
Hello, I wanted to thank you so much for those wonderful pictures.
They are great and so is your website. I really liked all the
pictures and blogs. *********************************
Just a note to let you know that I have been following your adventures
and have been suffering from mass jealously. I too was in Vegas this
past weekend for the Shot Show and wished I could have stopped by and
asked a few questions about full timing. Hell, I would have provided the
beer. Anyway, thanks for posting all the information for those of us who
are still dreaming. *********************************
Hey Pat,
There are a lot of things around here in Vegas. Lake Las Vegas at night is good
if you want to do long exposures or HDR. Of course the strip.
Redrock Canyon is a must. Also go to Calico Canyon which is the first
canyon (and road) east of Redrock. ********************************* I was reading your site and you guys rock!! Summer after next I'm taking my (will then be 16yr old) son on a 2-3 week stretch. From Louisiana to Cali and circle back through the middle states. Flipstyle - New Orleans *********************************
Pat & Cindy,
I happened upon your site via
POTN (Canon). You are living many
********************************* Hi, just seen your pics of you guys in the hot springs, Where in NM is that? My wife and I were in Albuquerque and looked for spots just like this.. We only made it to a place called Tee Pee Rocks..lol Thanks, Nick, San Diego ********************************* Hi! I've been following your travels for several months, and I have to say you two seem to be having an incredible time. When I retire from teaching in 8 years I hope to do the same, probably in a fifth wheel. Anyway, I thought I'd pass on another full-timer's blog that might help you with preparations for Mexico. You might already know about him, but "Tioga George" seems to be having a marvelously "bad things" journey. I can't imagine doing what he's doing, but I guess it goes to show you that becoming one with the culture has many advantages. Here's the link to his site: Hope it helps! I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures south of the border! Laura Maydahl *********************************
FYI, people here are
raving about Cindy's recipe for Kraut and Basa soup, easy and good!
I thought you would like to know, ALL the girls where I work go to your
site a lot. They all want to travel and have fun but are stuck in
an *********************************
Hello, I was
surfing the net and found some pictures you did of the
Red Bull Last Man
Standing; great pictures!!
I would
like to get into professional photography. Any recommendations on
cameras? Brands? I see you used a Canon 1D, not sure of the cost? Also I
was wondering which program do you use to write your name on the photos
so people can’t copy it. ********************************
Pat and
Cindy, Great write-up of the Vulture Mine, and great pics! I'm
sure that Denise and I will make it up there sometime, since I really
like that kind of stuff as well. ********************************
Hope you
guys are having a safe & fun filled trip to Mexico. Don’t
drink the water, drink Dos Equis! Here’s a sign I ran into on my
weekend wandering with the camera. Probably won’t see any of these
in Mexico. This is in Highland Forest, a half hour south of
Syracuse, NY. ********************************
Pat & Cindy, I just wanted to say thank you for reminding me of how much
I enjoy working for the forest service, primarily for meeting very nice
and warm
Its like we have known you all of our life. I don't like goodbyes but I do like "Until we see each other again." So there comes a time we have to part, but as long as it is only a short time, then so be it. Just remember you are always missed because you have made an impression not only in our lives but with everyone you meet. Take care and be safe, we'll see you again. Jim with his two sons Justin and Jared - Camp Ground Host at Salt River, Arizona ******************************** Ha! 34, and I had you pegged for at least 64 and granny with too much arthritis to handle the off road bumps!! You inspired me to delve further into your website and Wow! you guys are doing some cool stuff. Doing it right in my humble opinion. In fact we have lots in common: I turn 34 in April and my wife Amy is just a few years older at 37. In 2000 we sold almost everything we had and bought a 36' sailboat that we lived on for four years. Two years at dockside in Florida and two years traveling the Caribbean including 10 months living on the island of St. Croix. After selling the boat and returning to the states we discovered the wonders of overland travel. I think the four of us are definitely of the same mindset and inspiration! I look forward to getting to know you guys better. Brian McVickers - Overland Journal Magazine ******************************** Pat, I see where you are coming over to San Diego/Santee this weekend. We have just finished the second of 3 storm systems to come into the area. The last one is supposed to come into the area late on Saturday and go into Sunday.
Coming over I-8 once you get up the hill you most likely will hit some
heavy wind (50 to 80 MPH) about Jacumba that will stay with you until
you get heading down the hill after Pine Valley. They do have times
where they close the Interstate to high profile vehicles. If you could
get up over the mountains before Saturday evening you might have an
easier trip. ********************************
Pat &
Cindy, If you need a campground near the Awning place, here are a
couple choices that are about 2-4 miles from where you need to be in
Santee ******************************** Hello, we just got home from the Wavehouse and the boys are so tired. It was nice meeting you and I wish you the best on your journey. The boys are excited about the pictures. Thank you so much. Best wishes Barbara - San Diego ********************************. Hello Pat, Hope all's well with you guys, especially after hearing the weather reports for rain, snow and wind forecast for the westerly coast. On the brighter side, you can always hang out somewhere for a couple days, play or drink gin, and do other stuff like drive each other crazy. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the info, and also for the blog. Just remind your sponsors that your blog has led us to Sunline and other sites of interest. We're watching and reading as your events unfold. Be well, be safe. George & Judy Hauck ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy, I was sitting next to you at the Wavehouse yesterday and we shared some brief conversation. I'm sorry I never properly introduced myself to either of you, my name is Karin Wehsener. You took some great pictures of my kids and my nephews. Before logging onto your website I had told a few people I've run into about what you are both doing.
Sold everything and packed up to travel around for 5 years. Everyone
thinks its the coolest thing. I think most people think or dream about
embarking on an adventure like yours but don't actually make it happen.
Congratulations on being doers. ******************************** Hey Pat, hope you and Cindy are doing well. This is Kevin (# 6, Cindy will know what I mean), I met you guys at the Wavehouse where you took pictures of my little boys (Right) on the boogie boards. We are all back home in Orlando to find cold weather today and 30's tonight, just can't seem to get a break. Work calls, talk to you soon. This is what Deke and I do for fun....
******************************** Sweet that your making it to Baja man, that whole place is near and dear to my heart. Make sure you have a full set of spare tires with rims, check your cell phone coverage, buy all your plastic beach shit in the USA before you cross, and bring a couple solid 2x8 planks for when you get stuck in the sand. Oh yeah, and watch out for the Federales at the checkpoints, they'll rip you off (but not everytime) so watch them while they inspect your rig, don't just stand off to the side and wait for them to finish, they hate dogs too, so that will help you get through the checkpoints quicker. And make as many pot brownies as you can ahead of time:) - Brett - MI ******************************** Wow it sounds like you two are having a great trip. I have kept up with all your stories while in Baja. A little sand trick if you get stuck again is to put water in the tire track and let it firm up a little and then drive out. Take Care - Darrel ******************************** Hey Pat! It was nice to finally meet you last week and I'm glad I was able to help out a bit. Have a great time in Mexico and be safe! Mike - San Diego, CA ******************************** You guys are just having too much fun! It's almost too tough to read your blogs every night knowing I have to go to W O R K the next day. Stay Safe, Don - Arizona ********************************
Hi
Pat and Cindy, Love the web site!
Got back to Napa yesterday. Had a great time talking to you and
your friends at Ana's Bar in Playa Santispac. If you make it to
Northern CA, your more than welcome to stay in our field. Hope you
have a wonderful adventure in Baja. ",oh ya" stop having so much fun and
up date your blog:) ******************************** Hey guys! Mexico sounds great!! Cindy, your pic with the Mexico sign is very cute (you look skinny, bit--) Keep safe, miss ya, Love ya, bye - Sandy, Michigan ********************************
Hi
Pat, Thank you so much for the support, it means a lot. When you
come through Arizona, it would be a pleasure to meet you both in person.
Sounds great! I know Friday was an emotional day for you both, but I
think it's impressive that you found the time and took the effort to
share your blogs with everyone. Powerful stuff, and I enjoyed reading
them. ********************************
Pat, I'm the bearded park ranger who spoke to you when you stayed at
Riverside Park Campground, Scottville, Michigan during the summer when
you were headed south. ********************************
Pat and Cindy, Hey there you two! How have you been? It looks like you
are having a ton of fun on your travels. This is Danielle from Comerica
in Milford by the way. I just saw Pat's parents the other day and they
were talking about your website. So I asked for the name so I could take
a look. I love the site! It is cool being able to read about your
travels and see all the amazing pictures that you have taken. Both of
you look great and happy. Hope everything goes smoothly on this next
trip in Mexico. ********************************
Hey,
There is a guy on the web that I found that has a pretty good checklist
for what to do when you are ready to leave camp.
Here is the link, it may come in handy ******************************** How many ways can you say AWESOME? Could you ever have imagined your life would be like this? Your blogs so often remind me of little things we have seen or done somewhere in the world. I'm jealous!! You can't believe what memories you are creating now. When you are on your next life adventure, you will look back in amazement at all the things you really did or took for granted. All the things you have done and the people you have met change you forever! The world will never be the same for you. Keep up the good work! Sandy - Michigan ********************************
Just
wandered on to your site when I was looking for a motorcycle carrier for
the rear of a travel trailer. I was wondering how yours was working out.
From the blogs it seems like a good way. ********************************
That is
so awsome!!! I envy you two, But I am glad you are having the time of
your life. You are Blessed! Thanks for sharing your good times
with us. ********************************
I have been in more than half the states, and camped in more than a few, but your trip kicks ass! I am 50 now and still spend at least one or two weeks in a sleeping bag every year. I had a pop-up, but now its mostly on the bike with a tent or in the back of my truck.......Good to see you are living and not just alive, have fun - Billy
Hey
Cindy, Hope your having fun in Baja! I am so envious and wish I were
somewhere, anywhere! I hope you both write a book when you are finished.
What a great experience. Tell Pat I said hi and have fun for us! ********************************
Cindy has mentioned a couple of times how much she loves the new
Weber
Grill. Which one do you have and what makes it special. I am looking at
replacing my $29 portable gas grill with the Weber but depending on
whether I get the 100 series or the 200 series, I am looking at $100
more or $200 more. ******************************** Hi, my name is Lydia, and I was just checking out your blogs. Thanks for the info...I wrote down several of your Arkansas camp recommendations. I thought I would add a couple of campgrounds that are our favorites here in FL & GA.
My
husband and I live in St. Augustine FL. I was born and raised in
Jacksonville, FL -- Barry was born in St. Pete and was in a military
family who moved all around and finally settled in Miami when he was in
grade school. We love to camp, and just bought a new Fun Finder about a
month ago. We're "nesting" and ready for our first trip next week to
Gamble Rogers SP. From the sound of your reviews we like similar things
relating to campsites....i.e., cleanliness, shade, dog-friendly folks,
day-trip possibilities, etc. So, with that in mind, here are a few you
might want to check out next time you're in the area.... ********************************
Whattup y'all? Asunción Sounds awesome!! Alot of Baja sounds great
to me. The beach is where I belong!! I wish ya' luck in getting the
property. I have always known about the rule of Mexican citizens can
only buy property. Good luck with that Spanish thing too!...LOL I know a
few things, but listening to them talk.....ufff...they talk it sooooo
fast!!!! ********************************
In
reference to your blogs: (Thursday April 17th 2008 The Nightmare of
Wiring Money to Mexico)
Yep- I think he was the one who woke me in the middle of a dream at 1am
sleeping where the black top turns to gravel road on the way back to
Turtle Bay. ********************************
Just wondering if you guys made it back across the border OK. I read
your latest updates and think that’s pretty cool that you are buying
land down there. Now Denise and I will have a place to squat when we
retire! ********************************
Hey guys! You Rock - I don't really know how I found your site to
start with, but I have you in my favorites now and check in every couple
days to see what you're up to and where you are! I think I first started
reading up on you the morning Pat tore your rear scissor jacks off!!
Sorry to bring that up guy, just wanted you to know where I came
in....... ********************************
Hi,
I have been reading your blogs for about a month now. Have enjoyed them.
I read about
This Product some time ago. Do not know how good it is. ********************************
Just
spent the last couple days getting caught up on your blogs. You guys
rock! I just got done with a couple road trips in the trailer over the
last couple months
Met a really great girl while I was staying at Tybee Island and we did a road trip up the Gulf Coast of Florida and it made me think of you guys at the beginning of your journey. What a blast. Anyways, I wanted to say hi and let you know the whole Baja trip just looks totally awesome! Oh, and the girl I met from Savannah is a teacher so we're planning on a trip out to Lafayette this summer based on your really good review! Travel safe, Ron ******************************** I have just started following your adventures in Mexico..about 2-3 weeks, linked from RV.NET. Got a lot of catching up to do. But love what I have read so far. I have read most of all Mexico but not the previous 2 years or so. Good luck on your traveling adventure. Dreaming of the day when I can travel with my TT/RV. I still have a 13 year old daughter, 17 year old son, and a 24 year old daughter who is a graduate student at home. She is planning a wedding as I type.. March 09.. BUT I have enjoyed exploring your website and reading about your south of border adventures.
I
will be reading previous blog pages as I get time from the corporate
world.. You take care and have a great adventure. HOPE Cindy gets all the red meat she can handle these next few weeks... Randy in North Carolina ********************************
Hi
Pat and Cindy, Chuck here from
Wahoo RV
Center in San Jose Del Cabo , as a fellow Michigander, I would like
to let you know that we have the largest stock of repair parts for RV's
in Mexico and if you are still in Los Cabos and if there is anything you
two need for your trailer to make your trip go smother, please let me
know. If you are in San Jose just stop by and say hi. Chuck Schmuck from Howell, Michigan ********************************
Hi
Pat, I am a fellow Sunliner. We both have our own businesses and have
been planning early retirement. We would like to travel around the
country for a couple of years before we relocate to Idaho. ********************************
Pat &
Cindy -- I found your blog linked from the
Oliver
website. ********************************
Pat and Cindy, Glad you made it to Yosemite!! What.....you didn't go for
the ultimate, the Half Dome hike. We did the Yosemite Falls a few times.
It always makes me wonder, that in these times, the Gov't will still let
us hike trails like that. One day they will not let hikers on top of
Half Dome. ******************************** Hey Pat and Cindy, I was just looking at some campers on the net and found your site, hope to have time to read everything this weekend. Can't wait until I am able to follow in your footsteps. My wife and I have done several month long trips in our Arctic Fox travel trailer and I can relate to most of what I have read. One thing that I read that caught my eye was that you would like to carry more water than what the trailer holds. After boondocking several times and needing more water myself I broke down and bought a 50 gallon barrel and carry it in the truck for back up. My setup works well because I don't need a pump, I just installed a garden hose fitting. I hope you guys have a good time and are able to do this for as long as you like.
Ken and Darci Guise ******************************** MAN… I can not get over your pictures. Those pictures in Monument Valley are just out of this world. How do you get such beautiful colors in the pictures.. And do you by any chance give out any GPS locations of that spot that you were camping in. I think that I have told you before that HOPEFULLY in 3 years my hubby and I will be full timing… I have been following your page from the very beginning. And I keep thinking that I am going to have to remember or look back on your web page to some of these locations. But I have a feeling that might be hard come three years from now. I think that I should start keep a journal of future places that want to go camp at. I have enjoyed your blogs so much, I check everyday to see if there is any update. Happy Traveling… Hope to meet you some day on the road. Laura ********************************
Pat and Cindy, Love your
Mono Lake Images! ********************************
Hi
Pat & Cindy! OMG! We had such a fantastic Utah experience, loved
it!
******************************** Hi Guys! I just love your site and make it a habit of checking it every day. Pat, sorry to hear about your injury and the crimp the fuel prices are nailing you guys with. I worry about the future of "fulltiming" with the soaring prices but just like everything else, we will have to cut in other areas and adapt. The question is, how far can we go? My wife Sue and I are about five years out from hitting the road if the market improves. We will be young enough to enjoy it and hopefully have enough resources to fund it. I don't know if I could just "stop working". We are both interested in work camping for a site and dollars. I could see working three days a week and having four off. That would make the finances work just fine. To still see the country and beyond, Maybe a month in one place then move on.
Keep up the great site and have fun! ********************************
Thank
You - I've just started trying to get it together for my
adventure. ********************************
Here's More
Info on the Badlands by a fellow traveler. Looks like he was in that
area the same time you were. ******************************** Hi Pat, Cool interview on N.P.R. (you sound taller on the radio J) – thanks for sharing it. Enjoy your summer in Michigan and time with your family. Tom & Mary ********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy, ********************************
Concerning the
NPR interview......Very cool. You sounded nasal-ly, do you have
allergy problems right now? ********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy,
******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy! I had a few free minutes here at work, so I got caught up on your blog. I had a good chuckle about the "race" home on I-75. You didn't mention that I won. LOL! Just kidding. My camper is a handful over 65MPH, but the boat pulls great at 70mph.....triple axle trailer, triple disc brakes and no sway. My wife (Julie) and I would like to hear some of your stories, so we're game for a night of drinks. We just need a little notice so we can arrange child care. Sometimes we use our camper for "backyard camping" and then use the dump out at Proud Lake Rec. area off of Glengary just west of Wixom Rd. Just a thought if you guys need a dump station....yearly State Park sticker is $24.
Talk to you soon, ********************************
Hi Pat & Cindy,
Since you are here in MI now check out the fabric shopping bags
at Meijers. They are only $1.00 each and they
are great! I switched over to them about 6 months ago. They are big &
sturdy, a great deal for a buck! BTW I take them into all the
grocery/drug stores & no one seems to mind the Meijer logo. ********************************
Your
green living comment reminded me of an article in
another blog I read a few years ago.
I think Andy is still RVing but he slowed down on posting. ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy, Thanks for updating your web site. I know things have changed and prices are high. Hope all is going well with you and still really enjoy reading your site. I have went back over it a couple of times and seems like every time I read it I find something that I missed before. By the way, I love your bumper sticker. One of the guys I work with is from Detroit and he really liked it. Hope you get to continue on your journey and write about it so folks like me can still see the world. lol. Glad Cindy found ya'll a place to work on and fix up. Hope you sell it and make a bundle off it. Well, working is killing my reading time so I better get back at it.
Take care and hope all is
well with you two. Keep up the good work. ********************************
Pat, thanks for the reply,
I know how busy you two are trying to make some money to hit the road
again. How soon do you think it will be? ******************************** Greetings, I stumbled onto your website while looking up my old friend Morgan, who owns and runs Ghost Town Gear, in Jerome. I read some of your entries and love your style. Cheers, Steve Grimes ******************************** Hello, As a person with dreams of RVing full time when I retire 8-10 years from now, I love the details and stories on your website. I’m wanting to do the same thing, no plans, etc but with a couple ATVs vs motorcycles. I currently have a 11.5 foot truck camper, but have been looking into travel trailers for more room. I really prefer dry camping over pay sights. In my past travels, only 6 different states, I have seen a couple of campgrounds limit people on size of their RV. Have you run into any situations that would restrict you? I’m considering a Forest River Sandpiper 291RL that is 30’5’ long and a General Coach 26RLS that is 30’8” long. I’d hate to have to go to a campground and be turned away due to length. Although both are 30 and a half feet long, the campers themselves have stickers that say 26RLS and 291RL on the sides. I personally have been to one campground that would only allow 26 foot or less in. I’m wondering if one would be allowed in and the other not due to perceived length differences due to the labels, 26 vs 29. Have you run into many/any situations where you couldn’t fit with a trailer? On a side note, both have 51/52 gallons of fresh and black, but the 291 has a sweet 108 gallon grey tank vs the 51 grey on the General Coach model. From your readings, grey size seems pretty important. I have 46 fresh, 35 grey, and 40 black in my truck camper now and they seem to work about a week with two people. Your comments on lacking grey capacity is helping steer me towards the 291 model. Thanks Lorne 11-10-08 ******************************** Hello Pat and Cindy, I just recently discovered your blog(s), but you'll never guess how! I am a fellow RV traveler who has blogged my travels for the last three years Here.
I
recently started to track visits to my blog using the free (beta)
services of So, I pulled up that search, and of course - found your blog, and more pictures of my favorite little bartender from Ana's! I have visited Ana's and Zulema for the past two years, and was there just a week or two prior to your visit in March!
Check out my blog if you have the time - and I'll be checking out yours!
Right now, I travel mostly with my truck camper, but in less than 2
years, I hope to be on the road most of the time in my new 5th wheel!
Maybe we will see you down the road sometime! ********************************
Whew was I glad to see the recent update, I was beginning to worry about
you guys! After following you for about a year or so, I feel like I know
you both! That, and I was worried that you were no longer living my
dream ;). ********************************
HI!!! I don’t remember how I got turned onto your site; I believe
it was from the RV.NET site while looking over the forums. You have no
idea how much I wish we could be in your shoes, but the funny thing is,
after reading over the first part of your story, we’re almost in the
same shoes (up to a point). Cathy and I are 9 years apart, we’ve been
together for 4 years now, and we met in the bar I was managing and
haven’t spent too much time apart since then. Now we work together,
she’s my boss; she’s been working here for 17 years! ********************************
Pat and Cindy, Thank you for sharing your
beautiful photos of Baja. We have a home in El Cardonal, just North
of Los Barriles, and I am always trying to get some good photos for our
home there. Yours are much better than any that I have ever taken and
will look great around our home in Baja. Thanks again, Milinda Smith 12-15-08 ********************************
Merry Christmas to you and Cindy, and to your family! ********************************
Merry Christmas to you two. Be safe in your
travels!!
Tony Gioia - Milford 12-2008
******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy! We were very pleased to hear from you again. We truly enjoyed following your travels last year and were disappointed when they ended. We are glad to hear you have plans to start again. Kathleen and I have been down again for Oct. and Nov. but flew home to a cold snowy Calgary winter to spend Christmas with family. We return on Jan. 5 and hope to find new places to visit this time in California. You inspired us to move around more than ever although our budget is quite limited. Our Canadian dollar is doing poorly this time but at least the fuel prices have dropped considerably since last year.
We
stopped at the "Pebble Beach Resort" for one night in November to find
Jim is still host. The place did not seem as homey as there were some
unusual people "crazies" there. Gene and Darrell have not returned but
we plan to visit Darrell at the RV park he was at last year before going
off to California. Hope you do well selling your condo so you get back
on the road soon. ********************************
Hello, I’ve been reading your blog and I find it very interesting. I was
trying to read the expense report. That’s something that I’m very
interested in since I don’t have a lot of money. Your expense report is
very hard to read because you have to continuously scroll right and
left.
Hi
- I have recently found your website and have spent a good amount of
time reading your blogs and other info. Congrats on that photo going in
the Baja Calendar! Lovely shot :) We are headed to Baja in about three
weeks time. First time down there and really looking forward to the
experience. Yup, I am a tad nervous but think we can do it alone and not
in a caravan, despite the many warnings and people that say we are being
silly to travel down there with all the problems... Annie www.anniesroadtravels.blogspot.com 1-3-09 ********************************
Since you are going to be working in a National Park this summer, you
might want to read a few of the books by Nevada Barr. She is a Park
Ranger and has written a series of mystery book---her main character is
Anna Pigeon. Her books take place in different national parks. The one
High Country takes place in Yosemite where Anna Pigeon is working
undercover at the Ahwahnee Hotel so it talks a lot about the employees.
Have a good one - Diane Trotter - Baja, Mexico 1-18-2009 ********************************
Happy New Year Pat and Cindy!!!!!!! I miss daydreaming of all the great
things you are seeing. When are you hitting the road again??????? ********************************
I'll try to keep this short, something it appears that none of us are
good at....phew, there's a lot of stuff at your website!
This should be it - It was a response to Mid-Ohio's $50 golf cart
/ATV fee. $50, unless it has a license plate. OK, I have this old
Festiva laying around, the picture is what happened, a convertible
Festiva. Put about 100 miles on it in a long weekend there, never left
Mid-Ohio property (Thought that was THE real plate? It is a Festiva
plate, but not for that car (shhh!), I wouldn't drive it on the road
like that). Took it there for the Runoffs two or three times, fun. And
the ex- ********************************
Hi, My
name is Bengi. I found your website last year shortly before you headed
home. I have enjoyed reading of your adventures and you have inspired me
to upgrade to some better camera equipment. Nothing as advanced as yours
but I did get a Nikon D90. ********************************
Sue at the Red Dog told me you guys are heading for the warmth of the
sun..........have a fun and safe trip........are you heading south or
south west? Did I ever ask you if you have seen Moab Utah?
Supposed to be mountain bike USA HQ Amazing, amazing
place........could barely wrap my mind around the myriad rock formations
etc etc..........so different from the Midwest, anyhow, have a good
journey to the sun........Rick Russell 2-11-09 ********************************
Hi Pat &
Cindy, It seems a life time ago that I e-mailed you. It was about
kayaking the channel islands. Just want to say my addiction to your
adventure and fun reading can start again. Hope your second leg is great
fun and as always may it be safe. ********************************
Hi
Pat, Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that I am glad to see
you back on the road again. Loved the start up of the trip... ********************************
Hi
there, we enjoy reading about your adventures. I have a suggestion
though. Could you please put the most recent post at the top of your
blog? It is sometimes annoying to have to go all the way down to the
bottom of the page to see if anything has been posted. If there is
nothing new then I have wasted my time and need to go elsewhere. Most
blogs are done with the recent posting at the top. ********************************
'When we realize our insignificance in this world,
********************************
Hey Pat, Great to see you guys back on the road again, sure you are both
very happy about it! May you find sunshine and warm temps soon! ********************************
Ok, just this one last time, and I’ll stop. That is just toooooo funny about your rain, cold, and snow adventures over the weekend! We had a beautiful weekend, and the rest of the week is looking pretty darn good as well. Glad to hear nothing bad happened driving in the snow. Hurry up and get to a warm place, will ya?
Don Wessel, Phoenix Arizona 3/2/09 ********************************
Man you missed a nice weekend - Sunny mid 80's and a little bit of a sun
burn, but hey what adventure is there in PERFECT weather. It didn't take
2 trucks and 2 tractors to get out of our driveway. ********************************
Found your cards in the
Columbia Mine, and thoroughly enjoyed your I did feel a bit light-headed when I came out. - Mike 3-9-09 ********************************
Hi Pat and Cindy!
Just got thru reading the latest adventures and it is hilarious!
Sounds like the best weekend ever and lots of fun. At least you have to
admit Southerners know how to have fun. LOL ******************************** Hey Cindy! Happy Friggin Birthday! Hope you had a good day and evening. Now this is the part of the year that I am only 7 years older than you! I just turned 50 on March 24th, and let me give you some advice from a geezer: Take care of yourself and stay healthy. Things tend to start falling apart in your 40's, and you're going to need all your health to make it into your 50's. I haven't done a bad job of it so far, but there are things I wish I would have done back then to be healthier and happier now. Don & Denise Wessel 4-24-09 ********************************
I visit Every Miles
A Memory frequently and have gotten a lot of pleasure from it.
You both have a writing style that makes your site fun. ******************************** Pat, here is the link to a site I think you and Cindy would enjoy reading. This man is riding a motor cycle with a side car attached….his passenger a great Pit Bull named Spirit, across the United States…….a bit kooky, rambling and somewhat hard to understand at times but at others very profound. He takes the most wonderful pictures which I am sure you would enjoy. I told Pat about this blog that I have been reading for sometime now when he told me you intended to go to Texas. I don’t know how long they have been on their journey; I caught up with them in Texas and I have so much enjoyed reading of their adventures. Ara and Spirit made a trip through Texas and I was just mesmerized by the pictures he took.
You will have to, if you are interested and have the time, go back
through his writings and find his Texas trip. He just came through
Carlsbad Caverns and is now in Utah. He posts most every day and I can’t
wait to see what he is doing. Regards, Evelyn 4-24-09 ******************************** Wow, just spent the last couple hours catching up on you guys adventures. Glad to see you on the road again. I really enjoyed the March blog as I did a similar route last year with my girlfriend in my 23' TT. Great time!
Anyway, spent a couple of fun days at his place partying with him and his guests, then headed up through Steinhatchee and on to St. Marks where we spent a couple of days. Got to know some folks at the local watering hole and I must say, quite the interesting crowd! If you ever get back that way, you can't miss Wakulla Springs. The boat tours they do are just amazing! Almost the highlight of the trip.
Anyway, we left St. Marks and continued on to Apalachicola and ended up
spending 3 days on St. George's Island. That was the highlight of the
trip! Unfortunately that was all we could fit in with our time off work.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know someone else out there is enjoying
your adventures! I'll leave you with a couple pics of Dan, hope he's
doing well... ********************************
Nice to see you are back on the road again where you belong. We
are still doing some occasional mine exploring (www.undergroundexplorers.com)
deepest so far was 650 feet of pure vertical ladders in Joshua Tree
area. ******************************** Hi Folks! After many years hiatus we're getting closer to returning to camping. We're currently considering buying a 21' or 25' (not sure yet) Bigfoot TT. We've been gleaning tips from sites like RV.net, but yours is spectacular. Many thanks for taking the time to share your tips with everyone, including us newbies. We want to do a minimum of 3-season camping and do lots of stays "off the grid." Your suggestions about conservative water use, solar power and battery recommendations are terrific.
Anyway, you probably have a site counter and notice all the hits you
get. You probably wonder if someone uses your ideas, or if they do, why
they can't say "thanks" for sharing everything. Well, this is one couple
that wants to say thank you. We'll continue to use your site for
reference as long as it's available - it's very informative. Thanks
again. Take care and Happy Travels! ********************************
Hi
Pat! It looks like you're almost there. I'm glad because Jeff will not
stop bitching to me about how slow you're driving across Kansas! Bummer
about the bar falling off. I guess you'll be camped for a while and it
won't matter. That's your weight distribution bar isn't it? Can your
truck handle all that tongue weight without the bars (and with all the
gear you have in the bed)? ********************************
Pat, You better hope that Cindy is not pregnant! LMAO! If you really
pissed in her drug test cup, being as it a drug test for a Federal Job
you could get fired before you even start. Of course they might have a
good laugh. ********************************
I
stumbled across your website through
POTN and have come to the obvious conclusion that you guys are
living the dream. The wife and I hope to be following in your footsteps
(tiretracks?) someday soon. The volume of information that you have on
your site is a great starting point for those of us that hope to someday
pack it all in and hit the road. ******************************** Very Impressive Smugmug site, over 10,000 Pics WOW!! Looking forward to meeting you in Yellowstone this summer Rob Daugherty - The Vest Guy 6-14-2009 ******************************** So, Cindy, are you holding your breath in this picture, or are you actually that skinny? Also, is Pat standing on a curb or something? He looks taller than I remember him being…
Don Wessel - Arizona - 6-22-09 ******************************** Hi Pat, It’s me, Joe Borri. I wrote Eight Dogs Named Jack, the book that you were kind enough to post a review about on my Amazon page. I was there today and thought back to that time a couple years ago, that it was nice of you to do.
Just
wondered how you and your wife were doing on your trek, what was in the
future. Hope you’re both well. It’s tough in the D. I switched to a
studio in Atlanta after 19 years at Skidmore. ********************************
I
love your blog!
********************************
Pat, just had some time to look through your blog, and wow am I
impressed with the photos! You must be in hog heaven!! (Since Cindy is
now Talking with God, and getting signs of you peeing in the camper...LMFAO!) ********************************
I
have been stewing on a dream about doing what your guys are doing!! I
came across your site by the way of smugmug, I was looking for some
pictures of
Bandelier NM and did a search and found your pics. I would consider
your pics the best ones out the ones I looked at!! I would like to spend
some more time perusing your site when I get back from my trip!! Headed
to Bandelier tomorrow, then Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion with my Dad.
Have you been to Big Bend NP yet? Wow that place is cool! ********************************
Hey Pat, From your blog entry today, I REALLY have to wonder if
you guys will be able to hold out for the season!! I've been following
you for a couple years now, reading the blogs, checking out the great
pics, but even though we are not personally acquainted I know how much
you hate the corporate world and the nonsense that goes with it! ********************************
Thanks for taking time out of your breakfast the other morning to talk
to us. Thanks for also including us in your blog. I guess I was rude and
forgot to introduce my wife, whose name is Becky. I was telling my
in-laws about your website and that you were in the park and they
thought it was absolutely amazing that we met up. They couldn't stop
talking about it for the rest of the trip. ******************************** Pat, Holy crap man, I just read your latest update! Sounds like you are in one of those "another shitty day in paradise" situations. To be honest, I was wondering how long you two would last up there, which is why Denise and I wanted to come see you in June rather than later in the summer. In my opinion, you guys are not meant to work for others. I know you work hard, and try to make the best of situations, but if those things are not asked for or appreciated, then you may as well not be doing them. Try to find something else to do for money that makes you two the bosses!
Come on Pat,
you and Cindy are clearly pretty smart people with tons of personality.
Think of something! I hope you two come to some resolution for
your problems. Don't go getting depressed or anything. Remember, there
are people out there that still envy the crap out of you guys. Don Wessel - Arizona 7-7-09 ******************************** You guys have a lot of pro environmental quotes on your site for which you are to be commended. My question is "Why do you have this one? It is totally non-environmental? 'Earth First, We Can Mine The Other Planets Later' I also wanted to tell you guys that of the sites I have seen, you have the best BY FAR fulltime RV site. Super information. I'm working on RVing. Right now I drive and stay in hotels. Need to change. You also mention a company I work for in one of your updates - Patagonia. Thanks for the plug. Peter K Noone - 7-7-09 ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy, I just read your blogs and was not at all surprised by your decision. For something that sounded so good to begin with, it sure did not live up to the promise. I don’t blame you guys at all. I wonder how long of a contract this firm has to manage the facilities in Yellowstone? Maybe things will change for the better in the future. I've worked for the same company (a very large international company) for 36 years and still work 1 day per week as a consultant. All corporate America is not bad. Our company motto is “Make Money, Have Fun and Respect People”. For most of my career they have tried to live up to that. With the downturn in the economy, some tough decisions are being made and I see some changes that I dislike due to some of the leadership changes, but it is still a good place to work. You guys are survivors and I know you will land on your feet with your integrity in tact. Maybe you should come back to Arkansas
Best wishes, ********************************
Hang in there and don't forget to breathe! You only have 2 more weeks
left and if you feel like you are about to go postal you can always make
it 2 days, 2 hours or say "See ya' bye." ******************************** Hi Pat & Cindy! I am really enjoying reading your blogs, and have several of my friends hooked on it also! I can only speak for myself, but I think it is great that you are blogging about what it is REALLY like working there, and expressing your gripes and groans as well as all the upsides! I also feel that Cindy should be updating her blog, and letting it all out! This is your life right now, and it isn’t all positive, as much as everyone would like it to be. There is nothing wrong with blogging negative stuff, as long as it is the truth and not vindictive, and I just can’t see either one of you doing that. Your website is “Every Mile’s a Memory”, and these are your memories…so get them in print so you remember them (if nothing else, so you don’t make the same mistake twice)! I don’t know if you have read the magazine “Outside”, but it is one of my favorite magazines because of their “real” journalistic style. They don’t edit, and they don’t sugarcoat. They print their interviews more or less verbatim, and in my opinion the journalistic impact is far greater.
Yeah,
the swear words are left in (ALL of them), but that is LIFE, and you get
to know the subject so much better when reading the articles. I get a
lot of that feeling from your writing, and I really enjoy it. So Cindy,
save Pat's ear and do some blog venting !!! ********************************
Pat, Billy Young - 7-8-09 ******************************** Hi! I can't believe after years of bookmarking photographic blogs I found your blog through a link on Aquapac, but I am so glad I did!!!!! While I plan on spending hours of vicarious joy browsing your site, I think you are the people to ask this one looming (and much researched but still yet un-definitively answered) question: what tele-photo lens should I rent to take to Alaska?
I
have a Canon Rebel (but will prob have upgraded to the 50d by the time I
go) a Sigma wide angle and the "Bigma", but I really want to "reach out"
and get some good wildlife pics. Would you recommend the Canon 400 f/2.8
IS USM, or something else? I will deal with size, weight, anything else,
as long as I get good clear shots! ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy! Sorry to hear that things are still "corporate minded" even in the Parks System. Just wanted to say "Thanks" for sharing the in's and out's of work camping. Like you said in your blog, I think it appropriate to give both the positive and the negative sides of it.
Was hoping that you guys would get to make it thru the summer to show
some of the beautiful fall pics, but as it is going I am afraid it would
not be worth the stay. Best wishes on which ever way you decide to go
and thanks for letting all of us out here tag along for the ride! Life's
too short to pass up! ********************************
Hi
guys , Sorry to hear about all that's going on. 1st off, if all this
crap is causing
This was he and his wife's 2nd year back. She worked in the same store
as him ( sports store) they were part time and had days off to go out
and photograph, they loved it and said they would be back the next year.
I think what I am trying to say is When one door closes, another opens.
******************************** Hi there, you met my husband, Ron, in the employee parking lot the other day. I just now looked up your blog to see what you had to say and the pictures you have taken. I just wanted to make a comment on your job here at Yellowstone.
These are temporary workamper jobs, granted, you said you'd stay the
summer, but, you didn't bargain for the fact that they lied to you. It's
not like you have to stick it out for a promotion or anything, it's a
temporary job! If what you signed up for isn't what it is in reality,
don't stay! There are a lot of jobs out there looking for people to
work, especially now, with the college kids going back to school.
She seems to like this one better, but, then, she's not working in the
restaurant like you two are. The friend we're staying with, Gail, this
is his fourth year here, but, he works for the Yellowstone Association
in the book stores that are found in the Visitor's Center and he loves
his job. Have you even considered working for Walt Disney World? We've
had lots of friends who have worked there and some of them have been in
food service. ********************************
Guys, I just read Pat's post from Thurs...things sound a little
tense and rightly so, you have both made some big changes.
"The
Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Not that I think your marriage
is where ours was...but more importantly, it will bring you two even
closer (not that a 29 ft trailer can't do that ;) ********************************
OK, well, I've read your blog from Saturday.....and just read Cindy's
from Sunday, and it SOUNDS like you 2 are getting back on the same
page!! I agree with you on the IRS and how we really get screwed over if
we are industrious in life and make a profit!! I would use that credit
line if I had to, and figure out how to pay it back later.....not your
wife's way of thinking I know! John - 7-12-09 ******************************** Hey there! I just spent some time on your website and you are REALLY REALLY GOOD! Just saying 'hi' and would love to shoot with you if you're ever in Vegas. Hope to learn a lot from you or at least pick your brain sometime, thanks! Cameron - Colorjunkie -7-12-09 ********************************
Pat and Cindy, You want to sell photos? You mean I'm supposed to
be BUYING these photos? I've been stealing them just as fast as you put
them up on the Internets! ********************************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT! ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy: About 18 to 24 months ago, I wrote to you with questions about trailers. In the past month, I've "retired," we've sold our home, bought a truck, and recently purchased an Arctic Fox 25P. We are following in your foot steps and we even hit Yellowstone this past week to break in the trailer after testing the systems in Casper for 10 days so that we didn't have any surprises after leaving the dealer.
After just a short time, Robin and I are already forgetting what day it
is. We're now heading for Forest Service land around Philipsburg, MT
where we can do a bit of dry RVing. We also had a couple of solar panels
put on top so that we could be off of the grid as much as possible.
Great wildlife photos on your blog. We spent an evening on the road
between Tower Junction and Cooke City and were rewarded with fewer
people and lots of wildlife. ********************************
Cindy, It was a pleasure meeting you at Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
Thanks very much for purchasing a copy of my first book "My Cowboy Hat
Still Fits". Also thanks for the positive feedback on the book. ********************************
Just so you know..... the
phrase 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' comes from a
Rumpole was also made into
a TV series by the BBC in the 80s (I think),
starring Leo McKern. I have the books, the audio books, and the DVDs.
So, I guess I'm a Rumpoleaholic. My mother in law has a sweatshirt with
She Who Must emblazoned on it. So, if you search on the internet, you'll
probably find something. ********************************
Hey Guys,
I enjoyed reading your blogs and
viewing the great pictures. My wife and I have been traveling around the
west since May in our TT visiting some of the National Parks. ******************************** Hey Pat, Bob Mostue here again, I saw your mention of trans temps today and wanted to add my 2˘. I would say the easiest thing to do would be to Install a trans temp gauge first in order to know what's going on temp wise. You want to keep the temps 200° or below. If there's a town around You could get a elec. temp gauge cheap and screw the sensor right into your transmission test port. Very easy. And cheap. The exhaust thing is much more Money and you would need a place to install it. I know because I did it and had to ask my friend to help because someone needs to guide the down pipe While it is installed from the bottom. All that is going to do is lower your exhaust temps. Not the trans. If you had a exhaust temp gauge that would Help but if you take it easy on the throttle you will be alright. As far as the fan coming on more often, I cant answer that but I remember my 7.3 used to come on all the time and it was no big deal. Your engine has a much different fuel system so you need to ask a 6.0L guy about that. The reason I talk about the trans is that they really like clean and cool fluid. What ever you can do to accomplish that you avoid a expensive trans repair. IN fact, I added a spin-on Filter and a extra cooler on my F150 and disconnected the line going to the radiator and my temps stays below 180° pulling my TT. The fluid does not need to Warm like the engine so don’t worry about lower temps in the trans. Keeping the fluid clean and cool is the magic formula for long trans life.
I never in my whole
Life have ever had to have a automatic trans worked on.
But --- That’s just me. ********************************
I hope you enjoyed
your hike up Mt. Washburn. That was one of the highlights of our trip in
July. It is one hell of a hike though. My lungs were on fire. Of course
it didn't help to watch my nieces and brother in law RUN up the hill. He
was wearing flip flops to really rub it in. I know what you mean about
little shits running down the hill tearing stuff up. We had two go by us
on the way down. Mouthy little kids too.
********************************
Hey Pat , how are you ? ********************************
That was TOO funny about the guy with the axe sitting outside. I
actually laughed out loud at work when I read that. I would do the same
thing in that situation! ********************************
Pat, I picked up the seat pad this morning. I will put it in the mail
tomorrow. I was just reading the
list of stuff you take when you go hiking. ******************************** I am retired and considering doing what you guys have done..but it's a little scary, being a single female! Your blogs are fascinating and full of info, and you have some beautiful shots! (I have the 40D and 50D and a bunch of lenses too). I'm dying to see more of the west. IF you get back to Tennessee, look for Fall Creek Falls State Park. Very nice campground and many waterfalls and trails, nature museum, deer, etc. You would not regret it. I think I just need a good shove to get into traveling, lolol. Karen 10-4-2009 ********************************
Hi
Pat & Cindy, ******************************** Pat, Colleen and I had a blast riding with you and Jim in Moab. Well tomorrow we are back to work with that lame 9-5 job, wish I had your hours:-) Travel the world, have a blast, and take some pictures! I loved the write-up you put on your blog and wonder if you mind if I post some of it on some message boards such as KTMTalk and few others. Of coarse I would link your web site. Also if you do any slick editing on those photo's, please drop off a copy in the mail box. I am going to work on a video from the helmet cam and use some of your pictures in it, but I need to look over hours of video from the week we were ridding down there.
I
also meant to give you a few buck for the photos, but forgot with all
the stuff going on, so we donated a few bucks on your web site. Give us
a call if you are ever in the St Louis area. ******************************** It was really cool to meet you guys in San Rafael. You have an inspiring story that most of us envy. Pat it was great to stay up solving the issues of the world, glad that we had that time. I really wanted to at least fill the tank on your rig to donate something to your endeavors. If you are ever in the Utah again and you need a place to crash or re-supply please let me know, my house is plenty big enough to accommodate the two of you and your dogs and the door is always open to good folks like you.
Good
luck and I hope you can continue your trek for a long time to come.
********************************
Hi
Pat and Cindy You are living my dream. I hope to get on the road in a couple of years with a similar truck and trailer setup. I have a GMC Duramax 3500 crewcab and a 28’ travel trailer and 3 KTMs, I can’t take all of the bikes I know.
You have
given me some good ideas on things like the solar system. What is the
approximate cost of the solar system? How much water do you carry? ********************************
********************************
Hey, I couldn't help but notice your truck. It has a unique look.
Very rugged, extended mirrors, dogs hanging out the window. ******************************** Hi Pat and Cindy, I am happy for you in your new adventure, I am sure you will put you stamp on it and make it into something real special. I can't wait to see it. After you sent the 45 lessons in life, I thought I should send you a pic of my new ride in front of my log cabin. It is a hoot. Darrel, Prescott 12-20-09
********************************
Hello Pat and Cindy,
********************************
Hey Pat & Cindy, ******************************** Did you ever go to Mesa Verde? It is one of my favorite places. A storm came and knocked the power out when we were there so we didn't get to see the all of the things in the museum. I have been following you since you left Mich. I live in Southern Mich. God bless. Sondra Raymo - 1-18-2010 ******************************** Pat, It’s Jim O’Reilly from Milford checking in. I ran across your blog accidentally a couple of weeks ago and have been following your project in the keys. I have yet to get through your entire blog but it kept me awake all night last week catching up on your adventures.
In
your latest entry you mentioned that you were going to the
Overland Expo
in AZ in April and I thought I may ride out and see you. One of my
colleagues and I were discussing attending the Expo but if your going to
be there I may take it more seriously and begin planning the trip.
For Christmas I rode out to Death Valley and camped out in the desert
for a few days to clear my head. In the desert you have to drink your
beer in the morning when it’s cold and save the whiskey for the night. I
have a Yosemite ride and a Moab/Arches/Zion/other cool Utah National
Parks ride set up for the fall of ’10 and there is a nice Montana ride
in July but that is a haul. ******************************** Every Miles A Memory Need Unlimited photo storage- FREE Trial of Smugmug
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We
live east of Cleveland Ohio and spent a year looking for an R
Hey
guys, just wanted to send you a quick email. I've been keeping up with
both of your blogs on a regular basis. I took a trip down to my
brother's in Hilton head around 3 weeks ago towing my 23' trailer. Was
planning on shooting down to a good friends in West Palm and decided to
take a little detour to Cedar Key to check out Castaways. 
daughter
was afraid and you and her walked, is very hard to believe. I have seen
that young lady drive thirty tons up and down hills, with no shocks. See
enclosed picture. All kidding a side. Having met your daughter and
worked with her, I think she is a terrific young lady and you can be
very proud of her. You and Pat did good!
If
you end up coming through 
a
folks dream,
friends
like you and Cindy have become. 
Got
a forward from a friend of mine....Jim Ryan, from Moab....
and spent some time at Tybee Island Campground and
shot down to Cedar Key to spend another couple days at
I
am not a full timer yet, but have managed to spend 2-3 months traveling
each winter in the south-western US and Baja - and blogging along the
way.
patio umbrella? In case of rain of course. Christmas lights on
the tassels really grabbed attention at night. I race a Festiva in the
HP class, by the way, that's why I had a spare car around.
Left
Cincinnati on the way to Savannah via a night in Ashville. Spent some
time with my brother in Hilton Head, then a couple of nights in St.
Simon Island, GA. Decided to head on over to Cedar Key and managed to
get in touch with Dan. He seemed to be doing ok, had met a girl that he
was in love with that had been a guest. She lived in Europe though! Not
sure how it all worked out but he seemed pretty happy. I know he wanted
to get out of Cedar Key though. I'm kind of bummed he's gone. Any idea
on where he headed? 
and
came across it. Anyway, I can see that it is going to take me days to
look through your site. You have a lot there and I can't wait until I
get a chance to look it all over.
