We left Fountain of Youth last Saturday for our workamping summer gig, and headed straight to the coast. Just in time for the California poppy bloom!

After enduring a week of near triple-digit daily temperatures out in the desert, the cool Northern California coast climate is a shock to the system.

There’s something about leaving the comfort and routine of a location that shakes up your world. Everything is different. Figuring our way through it is a never-ending puzzle. Sometimes it’s frustrating. But this lifestyle is a constant learning opportunity.

You never know what to expect around the bend.

This kind of sudden change just makes me feel more alive. Despite some unpleasant surprises like an electrical issue in the RV, I’m digging every minute of it. The situation is the boss once again, reminding us that we are just minions in this crazy game called life.

Living, Working, and Dreaming Around COVID

Despite Covid creeping into every aspect of our life over winter, we had a great time at our usual spot out in the desert. I got some dog sitting in, and it was sooo nice. Riley is an awesome, rare breed of German Shepherd. She’s mellow but spunky, friendly but not overbearing. Active but has an off-switch.

It made my winter to have a dog around for a few days. This dawg is exactly what I want in our next pup.

Even better though are her humans, Martha and Ralph. Nearly 13 years ago their three-legged Shepherd named Codie Rae brought us together, and we’ve been friends ever since. They’re RVers now too. It was a blast to hang out in the warm (often windy) desert sunshine. Covid can’t take that away!

We even had a full moon memorial service for our dogs, collectively known as The Oaktown Pack. Now the ghosts of Codie Rae, Travis Ray, and Austin Ray are part of Wyatt Ray’s memorial spot too.

Of course I’m gonna miss my family.

Being able to see my sister, mom and extended family more often than usual was nice.

Mom is doing great as a solo gal, thanks to all that my sister is doing to keep mom busy and engaged. I also dog sat my sister’s crazy Doodle, Marlo. She’s a good girl.

Then there was a reunion with my glamorous friend from L.A., Monina. She and I used to dance on American Bandstand in the late ’80s. If you’re reading this blog you’re probably old enough to remember Saturday mornings with Dick Clark. Yeah, that was us. She danced well enough for Soul Train, but I sure didn’t (and still don’t)!

We had some good times in Hollywood and L.A., living la vida loca at the clubs. One reason I never wanted kids was because I was afraid they’d do the crazy things I did back then! My mom surviving my teenage years in L.A. is proof of her strength.

Summer workamping and staying in one place is the only thing to do this year.

Now that we’re back on the road, this lifestyle is a shock to our bank account. Have you seen the fuel prices in California?

We’ve got a long ass drive ahead to get to our summer workamping job in Portland. I’m sad that the Trans Canada Highway adventure has to wait, but we work too hard to flush so much money down the toilet. Record setting fuel prices require extraordinary measures. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited at the thought of staying in one place all summer.