I’ve been a fan of Jimmy Buffet’s ever since I went to see him and his band, The Coral Reefer’s, at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in the early 1980s. As I recall, we even had a ‘reefer’ (or three) in preparation for the concert. By we, I mean Tom Lovering, his Aussie buddy, Trevor, and me. It was a guy’s night out. Cheese Burger in Paradise and Son of a Son of a Sailor are still floating around in my mind. As is Margaritaville.
I’ve been thinking about another one of his songs from that era, Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude, over the past three months I’ve been taking a break from blogging. These lyrics in particular struck a chord:
Oh, yesterdays are over my shoulder,
So I can’t look back for too long.
There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me,
and I know that I just can’t go wrong
with these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes…
I could hardly blame you for thinking, “At 78, there is a lot more over Curt’s shoulder than there is waiting in front of him.” But Peggy and I don’t view things that way. Life is an adventure to be lived— one day at a time— for as long as you can. So, when Peggy casually mentioned to me a few weeks ago that she was ready to wander again, I was right there with her. We did that in 1999/2000, taking a year off from work to travel extensively in North America for a year. And we did it again in 2008 when Peggy retired. That time it was for three years.
There is something incredibly freeing about life on the road, as many of you who read this blog know from your own travels. Each day brings something new to see, to experience and to learn. Everyday life and concerns fade into the background. While we have travelled using just about every mode of transportation possible over the years (minus the four-legged type), our North American road trips were accomplished in two different Pleasure Way vans, Xanadu and Quivera.
Our goal this time will be to do a more thorough job of exploring North America than we have in the past— traveling relatively short distances to the next interesting/beautiful location, settling in for 1-3 weeks, and exploring the surrounding country. It will require a slightly different approach. We are buying a small trailer and have already bought a new pickup to pull it. The trailer will serve as our base. The pickup will serve as our exploration vehicle. It even comes with 4-wheel drive and off-road capacity! The trailer is designed for either living in campgrounds with hookups or boondocking (living off the grid) with solar power.
As for our schedule, we have yet to decide how long we will be on the road each outing before we return to our home base. Neither have we decided where each trip will take us but we are thinking warmer when it is cold up north and cooler when it is hot down south. Both Canada and Mexico will be included in our plans depending on conditions. Our goal will also be to avoid some of the worst problems associated with global warming. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted as our plans develop. And, of course, you will be invited to travel with us as I blog along the way.
Wandering through Time and Place 
That is a gorgeous interior. I hope you and Peggy have many happy adventures together! 🙂
Thanks! We sure intend to. 🙂 We are veterans of the open road and have always loved wandering. –Curt
It makes me envious. The most we ever took our trailer out was for three months, and now our trips get shorter and take less time each time. But perhaps the difference is now we stay in motels [or maybe we are just older than we were 😀]. I recall at the end of a long day, saying let’s go home and meaning the trailer. I hope you and Peggy have the same feeling.
I look forward to reading about your new adventures.
I’m pretty sure that we won’t have any trouble identifying our new trailer as ‘home away from home’ Ray. 🙂 Quivera felt that way but it was both transportation and home. I think this arrangement will give us more flexibility.It will definitely be a new approach to travel for us. Needless to say, we’re excited. Thanks. –Curt
Would like to catch up with you in your present home before you set off into the unknown. Let us know if there might be a to good date and time to visit.
Hey Don, Peggy and I will hopefully pick up our new trailer next week and will then take it out for a spin for a week or so to work out any bugs. Tentatively, the 29th or 30th might be a good time to shoot for? –Curt
Cant wait to read about your upcoming adventures! What an amazing trailer.
Thanks, Gerard. We’re excited. Hopefully, we will pick up the trailer next week. –Curt
I am so happy for you!
Thanks, Cindy!
Wow! Serious upgrading going on 😀 Looking fabulous. Hope the trailer doesn’t get delayed. I guess a bit if practice reversing might be in order before you head off… Quivera certainly had a facelift before heading off for pastures new.
For sure, AC. The trailer is supposed to come in in the next two weeks. We’ll see. 🙂 Quivera has found a really good home. –Curt
Oh wow, that looks amazing. I can’t get Poor John interested in a caravan so I guess it’s still tents for us.
Once you’ve tried one, they become addictive. 🙂 Before our first Pleasure Way, I thought the same way Poor John does, Peggy. It doesn’t have to be big. –Curt
I wouldn’t say ONLY 22′, Curt. That’s plenty of living space, especially for off-road. The trailer is beautiful!!
Thanks, G. Actually, we agree. 🙂 There will be more space than we had in Quivera. –Curt
Have fun!!
What fun! We love meandering the lesser traveled roads in the U. S., sometimes with very little idea of what we hope to see. If you’re in Tennessee, let us know. We can swap ideas or maybe meet you.
Above all else, relish the fact that you are able and willing to hit the road again. Best wishes for safe travels!!!
Thanks, Rusha. You will definitely be on our ‘must meet’ list when we travel through Tennessee! Much to share, I’m sure. 🙂 –Curt
Drive safely and take lots of pictures!
Love your set-up! How is traveling on the road theses days? Has COVID affected how you guys travel? Love your posts, keep it up!
Thanks, William! We’ve wandered with a minimal amount of hassle since we are traveling by RV and use the same Covid cautions we use at home. We are also both vaccinated and will get the Moderna booster as soon as it is available. –Curt
So happy for you, dear friends. Our theme song whenever we climbed into our rig was always “On the Road Again”. Enjoy the journey! (I’m guessing I’ve provided you with an earworm for the day.
Laughing, Leslie. Peggy and I always sing ‘on the road again’ as well. Thanks. –Curt
We let our Pleasure-Way go in 2018 and went back to our third small trailer the next year. We’ve made four cross country trips in vans and two with trailers. Vans were great for trips with a destination, but trailers are best for exploring.
That’s pretty much the same conclusion we came to, John. We put 250,000 miles on our two Pleasure Ways and enjoyed every moment of it (including two trips up and down the Alaska Highway). But I am glad to hear your experience. Thanks. –Curt
Such an exciting adventure! I like the idea of settling into a spot and exploring. Wonderful to hear that Canada is in the plans! Hope to see you at some point during a reasonable season of the year.
For sure, Sue. My blogging friend Alison just told me I have to make it to Vancouver. 🙂 Canada will see a lot of us. No surprise that I am excited. It will likely be spring before we can begin the full adventure. In the meantime, we plan to do a number of practice runs.:) Thanks! –Curt
Canada will be awaiting your arrival. Lots of fabulous things to be seen in the Vancouver area to be sure.
I was there once, years ago Sue, and it reminded me of San Francisco. I’ve been fortunate to spend a fair amount of time in Canada and Mexico over the years. Very different, but I love both of them. 🙂
Oh I love this. A whole new adventure! I do of course expect to see you in Vancouver next summer or there’ll be trouble!
Alison
Peggy says… If they’ll let us in. 🙂 BC is one of my all-time favorite places to go. I’ve only been to Vancouver once, but I remember is as being very beautiful. Thanks, Alison! –Curt
Wonderful news Curt and Peggy! This is going to be SO MUCH FUN! I’m glad Quivera is going to a good home and looks so dashing for the trip to the new owners. I can hardly wait to see what adventures you two cook up. You’re making me look forward to 78! ❤
Hi Crystal… Laughing. Be sure you fill in the time between now and 78 with lots of adventures. 🙂 I know you will. We are raring to go! Hopefully the trailer comes in this next week. We want to take it for a spin in Eastern Oregon, or if the weather is nasty, then along the coast. –Curt
Next week is soon! Either way the weather sends you, I am looking forward to seeing your new traveling home. How fun that both of you have the same drive to have adventures, and the same readiness to have a temporary house on wheels.
It does seem that we were made for each other, Crystal. I’ll let you know when we get up near your place!
I read your post to my husband, Curt, because the travel bug has bitten. Because of family obligations we’re limited to a week or two, but the PNW has so much to explore within a couple of days’ drive. Now you and Peggy are traveling in style! I can’t wait to piggyback on your adventures!
We could easily spend months exploring the Pacific Northwest, D. We often escape to the Oregon coast. Even a week can provide an amazing break. Fortunately, most of our family obligations involve spending time with our kids and grandkids. Our travels should enhance that. 🙂 Fun that you shared my post with your husband. –Curt
Happy Travels.
🙂
Sam Taggart
I love your sense of adventure and sense of style Curt. Wonderful!!! 💖💖
Thanks, Cindy! We are so ready to hit the road again…
Can’t wait for your shakedown trip!
Totally envious as you know we also are looking at this mode of wandering. 9Having a few more medical issue holding us in place right now…insert grumpy face here)
The 150’s offer enough power (and you can see over traffic down the road well) and the trailer offers a parkable base and can unhitch so the truck is able to run alone to do things. We love the murphy bed concept. This interior looks pretty comfy and useable. All of these are so difficult to find – glad you grabbed one!
Cheered your van found a new home with someone that will appreciate it. Looks like a great spotter in that passenger seat HAHA
There are so many new adventures waiting for you guys – anxious to travel along
Onward!
The open road beckons for sure, Karen. The trailer and the truck should make a perfect match, especially if we can figure out all of the electronics. It’s like driving a computer. Soon it will all be routine, however.
Benny was set as the passenger!Not sure how good he will be in helping Terry back up the van. Especially if he sees a squirrel or cat. 🙂 Whoops! –Curt