(note : I have to learn a bit about how to layout that blog) We left Vancouver yesterday, April 18... and it didn't take that much to hit some snowfall... I would say 1 hour East of Vancouver. At that time it was too warm and the road was clean and not too much problem to deal with.
Highway 5 from Hope to Kamloops, pavement could be improved but it was sunny and really nice... snow all around.
Heading to Golden... the clouds are soon here. It look like the winter has decided to stay around, he might enjoy the scenery.
And for some obscure reason he decided to hit hard. Snow Storm. In the Rockies. Steep climb and down. Slippery condition. Everything you just want to live pulling an Aisrtream or anything else but here it's about AS.
The snow is pack on the road and the driving condition start to be really tough. Though it's to late to go back to Revelstock and even if it wasn't there is no way to make a uturn without getting stuck in the snow... So we kept going. We are not alone. Good thing, when you feel stupid of a decision it's important to figure out that others are at least as much as you.
Anyhow the sun set... almost dark... and a long line of small red line start to show up. The traffic is stopped. In the middle of nowhere, between snow, a lot now, trees, a lot but like always. With Diane we feel safe... if we have to stay overnight the AS will be no trouble. As far as the batteries would last.
After an hour the traffic go back to business. Slowly but surely. We won't sleep in the mountain. Golden is about 35 km away. Downhill. The drive become better. Wet but no pack snow.
Golden... Thanks Woodall's, again inaccurate infos regarding a campground... I wonder sometime if we are unlucky with woodall's but I don't count how many time we've been stuck because of that guide. The campground we were thinking to stay is closed.
We look at each-other : we may sleep on the road. Not the mountain this time.
We park with the 18 wheels. And hope at -15 that both propane and batteries will last. It takes quite a while for the AS to warm up. After an hour the structure start to make those cracks... She warms up.
The night will be fine.
I want to do a special section regarding the AS makeover. Not that we did anything on her... Mother nature did. The front protective panel carries each an ice protuberance. 3' long. See the images. Crazy!!!
Lot of weight too. And no way to put them down. I hope for better temp... I won't be heard. The following day, after a good warm night and a Tim Horton coffee, and this time I didn't had to drive it was just there, we go back on the road. Hwy 1 from Golden heading to at least Calgary. The sun shine and the temp drop.
By the way I love my country - Canada. Sometime I want less winter when I am driving... but that was fun!
Here I am, this is diane by the way, just few sentences to say I definitely enjoy my airstream life, full-timer!!
I won't repeat what dave just said but it's so amazing to travel with sweet home behind us, my baby I should say.
And if I may give my point of view to some women wondering if they would be able to take this U turn in their lives,
Just Go For It !!!
and you may so much love it.
If ever someone told me before I would camp with a trailer and enjoy it as much as I do, I would have said "you're kidding me, my dream is a house"... right !!! I've been through that and now give me a place that I can't move and I may say there is so much to see, to live, to learn, to enjoy... and the list may never end. Everything is so simple when you want to make it.
Wally Byam .. one regret I didn't meet him but I guess fellows we still make his dream come alive and that's the airstream spirit.
Let's just say I'm not the only one to enjoy, Arthur our 10 years golden retriever, Tara 5 years old Coton de Tuléar, and our little hamster love it too (Well as far as she's concerned I must admit she doesn't really see any difference, still running like crazy although in the truck on a bad road!!), but boy the dogs when it comes to meet new friends, leaving 20 degrees sunshine and then getting out the truck and rolling over in the snow.. they just love it!!! So go for it and you won't miss any kind of walking closet or huge tub you use once in a while anyhow...
One life, one chance so far to meet our dreams and be who we want to be and not what we think we are by what we accumulate.
Tow Safe fellows. Right now in Calgary with this beautiful airstream heading south tomorrow : U.S. towards Jackson, Ohio... my dream among others visiting the AS factory, depending on mother nature as you got it... to follow. thanks for reading and hopefully see you on the road some day.
diane
Silver Palace: An American Travel Adventure
