Vinny VanGo has completed the first circumnavigation of North America, and we are back in California for a month of November, well not John he is off to Philly to do his annual Eagles game with the siblings. He made it as far as San Francisco where we spent the evening with Brynn and David and then had to have Paddle Boy to the airport for a 6:15 am flight.
I continued on visiting more friends and having California adventures.
A spent the week with my Radler camping girlfriends beginning at Pfeiffer State Park at Big Sur.
This area of California has the most incredible ocean views and I had never been this far South on infamous Rt 1 before the closure that’s been going on for years due to cliff slides.
It is on my way here that I had stopped along a pullout and happened to notice the exhaust pipe to the generator was hanging and luckily we had gotten a set of wrenches for the valve repair job in Wenatchee so I was able to remove it.
Pfeiffer Falls Hike right from the campground with a bit of cool off was in order.
Buzzards Roost Hike through shady redwoods to an exposed sunny ridge with a panoramic view of the ocean, Sycamore Canyon and the Santa Lucia Mountains was a bit warm even on this November Day. The Radlers were having a week-long reunion at Gertrud’s house.
Monterey Bay Fisherman’s Wharf was the first destination as we were part of the welcoming back to Monterey this historic “Western Flyer”. Some call it the most famous fishing boat as it depicts the 1940 expedition to the Sea of Cortez that was written into a book by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.
Luckily the small fleet of yacht club sailboats did not crash into the flawless showy vessel of the celebration because it sure seemed like they were going to do so. It was an afternoon of music and fan-fare and there was even a suitable tiny house on the bay for living small like we do in Vinny.
Just Another Monterey Monday and off to the Aquarium where we saw an exquisite array of marine life.
Between the octopi, fish, otters and other sea creatures we were so wowed by this incredible display.
Point Lobos State Park has an amazing trail system to hike along the bluffs and experience the mighty pacific waves crashing against the cliffs on the especially beautiful day.
On the way back, Carmel -By-the Sea by sunset where the houses have names and there are no numbered streets for a square mile.
Elkhorn Slough was on the burner for our final day in the Central CA as the weather was superb.
The paddling was exquisite as we saw an abundance of harbor seals, sea otters, pelicans and other sea birds.
I was San Diego bound, as I am headed to Jenny and Mackie’s House in Vista. Here Vinny would have a complete workover in Carlsbad including new rear brakes, oil and filter and transmission fluid changes. He endured his first full-timing adventure unscathed although John became quite the YouTube Repair guy as he replaced holding tank valves, refrigerator clasp springs, generator exhaust pipe, and toilet valves. Although, while at the Blackwood Penitentiary he had a bit of a run-in with a saw blade.
John would return to LAX from Philly and we stayed with Jaz and Tony for several days. Of course, the reunion of John and Ziva and Duke was quite emotionally charged. We enjoyed this relaxing time in Ventura between bike riding to Emma Woods State Beach,
Breweries and John taking the dogs for multiple walks each day.
We made a quick trip up to Ridegcrest where we would meet up at the Flight Line Tap room with friends and Gloria shared her signature Curry Katsu and Pineapple Buns. John had wanted to take Duke out into the desert hills like he had so many times, but as luck would have it there was rain the entire day. Oh well, I did a bit of wandering the town and ended up at Maturango Museum which is where I was inspired to write one of my first songs “The Maze of Life”
Thanksgiving Week was between the feasting in Vista and more Southern California adventures as Caroline took us sailing into Mission Bay.
No load motor boats are allowed around in Sail Bay for the most part. John remained on this boat at all times even though I have capsized small sailboats in both lake Saranac NY and Jamaica.
Caroline said the type of boat we had is impossible to capsize. I would have brought a paddle with us because getting back into the dock would be a bit overwhelming at my experience level. One can rent all sizes of boats from the Aquatic Center at the Bay.
Mission Bay SUP provided another beautiful relaxing day
before a gourmet cast iron seared steak dinner at the Kelly Condo in Vista complete with homemade ice cream.
I got all my photos and writings safely archived onto my Dropbox for the day when the traveling adventures and blog ceases and I can remember all these adventures. Time with family and friends has really got me quite behind with my postings and as we get ready to fly to Maui this morning, we have already spent 2 weeks on the Big Island with our girls and significant others. I got to get a move on it.
We are totally thrilled with going for another go-round as we have a 2024 spreadsheet that has several camp reservations. We will concentrate on the East next year as we head to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, and Prince Edward Island. Of course, there is New England and we hope to pass through during the Fall next year. For now it’s Hawaii and Vinny gets a bit of a rest!
Travels with Vinny VanGo 