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We're BACK & On The ROAD again… Let the adventure BLOG's begin…, again HOG TALES 'n TRAILS revisited AGAIN & AGAIN…
" The cure for ANYTHING is saltwater-sweat, tears, or the sea" "A Smooth Sea, never made a skilled sailor" -Swami's Cafe, Oceanside, California ~Fittingly above da urinals
We're in SEDONA, Arizona now, but more on this later…
It seems like only yesterday, actually July 2015 that we were last writing our blogs and back, finishing our Northeast travels. Last August we actually had camping reservations in Glacier and Yellowstone Nat'l Parks. But, acting responsibly for a change (can you imagine!!), our home in Escondido, Ca. wasn't selling so we made the fateful decision to head on home and 'get it sold' before we were to journey out again. Well, with many kudos to Connie Malkiewicz, our realtor and friend for over 30 years, we got it done end of April '16. Left 'homeless' we saddled up our Rig and moved to the beach in Oceanside, Ca. for two months - well 'somebuddies' gotta do it, so we did… Said our goodbyes, including to Gary's 94 year-old mom and "flew the coup" on June 1st. Homeless for the first time in 36 years-so whose counting!!
So, what have we been doing during this 10-month travel hibernation, you might ask? Well lots and time sure seemed to travel fast - too fast!! First and foremost, maintaining our home in selling condition for all the 'showings,' and also packing, college, some traveling again and reconnecting with all our wonderful friends and family.
Oh, and with the little free time we had, we were daydreaming about getting back 'On The Road' wanting to finish what we started-that's getting to all 49 states (Pontoons & Sails on RV's just don't seem to work), Canada and ALL National Parks. So far-14 months, 34 states, and over 30 national parks and counting…
COLLEGE?? You heard right. We both attended our local community college for two semesters. Laura's rigorous studies included Jewelry Making-noteworthy here, is her first x-posure into the world of TOOLS and this, on the heals of her learning to drive the 'Big Rig' (56 feet long, including tow car), -wow! 'A tool wielding women weaving through traffic with a Big Motorhome -Now, that's some woman!!… Then there's Gary's foray into the 'more challenging then his veterinary studies', new academic path of filling his Cerebrum and flexing his neural pathways with classes on Fine Woodworking Craftsmanship.
TRAVELING?? "Really guy", haven't you done enough-enough is enough all ready." Well, no!!:
November '15 was visiting our son Mitch, who was finishing up his study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa. Along with Laura's adventurous mom, Janet, once there we just couldn't pass up an opportunity for a few Safaris-South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Fantastic, unbelievable and unfathomable for Gary, on just how up close and personal we routinely got to TNTC wild animals, including all the prey species. A trip of a lifetime… Gary did ask a guide, half-jokingly, if he could go for a run out in the bush. The response, "yes, but ONLY once!!"
November '15 was also Thanksgiving near Philadelphia with Laura's brother, David, his wife Lisa and kids, Mitch and Penn Family members.
April '15 was our traditional Passover in the "Big Apple" with Laura's brother Art, his wife Ilene and kids, Mitch, and again the extended Penn Family members.
While there, among many activities, we visited none-other than General Grant's Tomb- a National Historic Memorial site. Ulysses S. Grant, 1822-1885 and our 18th Pres. "He looked so much like a completely ordinary man, and what he did was so definitely out of the ordinary, that it seemed as if , he must have had profound depths that were never visible from the surface" Those interested, can read more about this very very remarkable and compassionate man. By the way, "Who's buried in Grant's tomb?"- Quote made famous by Groucho Marx. NO ONE is buried, Grant and his wife are 'entombed' there above ground…!
We also visited the Hamilton Grange National Historic Memorial in Manhattan (really!!), the home of Alexander Hamilton. Mr. H, or even Mr. T, as he was the First Treasury Secretary of the US, was the chief staff aide to Gen. G. Washington, founder of the nation's financial system and founder of the Federalist Party - the world's first voter-based political party-just to name a very few of his many accomplishments!!
HOGS again-this isn't just a bunch of bologna: One early morning while out walking our dog, HOP (three-legged wonder) at the RV Park in Oceanside, Gary was surprised to see a leashed Pig (about 150#'s) cruising around the beach area. Well, as a pork loving, but never eat'em veterinarian, Gary had to strike up a conversation with the owner. Among other things, they were from Iowa - the state most famous for Hog-mania. More Pig's Tales below…
BTW, as we've said before, on the RV we can carry EVERYTHING we need, but NOT everything we want and we actually like it that way. The space on-board for Clothes, Shoes and Hobby Gear all have to be negotiated. This leads us to 'Domestic Space Wars' and negotiations a plenty - but in the end, Gary has indeed learned that - "A happy wife, means a most happy life, Amen!!" No need to say anything more (or less.)
First stop on our journey SEDONA, Arizona. Russ and Grace Pratt, remember our newlywed friends from Maine? Laura, the matchmaking YENTA, set them up over two years ago and they came here to celebrate Grace's Bday. So we surprised Grace at dinner at "Enchantment," a beautiful hidden-away Inn in Sedona. We spent a couple of wonderful days with them touring around the town and trails.
SEDONA is a really great place to visit, and we MIGHT also consider living here when we next buy a home WITHOUT wheels. For us, Sedona pretty much has it all: Stunning beauty, a small town of 10,300 folks with just a couple of stoplights, neatly surrounded by untouchable National Forestry land, 4500 foot elevation with you guessed it-abundantly fresh mountain air, over 300 trails virtually right out your front door, very outdoors-minded folks, great food, great art, great Yoga, and great culture.
"Crystal Bowls On the Road" enthusiastically played by Laura, joins up with Yoga to create some extreme relaxation in several classes while in Sedona. We've found the Yoga instructors in most towns readily embrace Laura and her 'singing bowls!'
HOGS revisited again & AGAIN... Gary's childhood friend, Bill Zlottoff (BZ as friends call him, but I started calling him BG for 'billy goat'!!) lives here in Sedona with his beautiful wife Marcie of 43 years, (BTW 5 kids and 7 grandchildren and he's Gary's age!!). Bill is a golfer, but also a hardcore Trail Runner, 45-50 miles a week for the past 30 years, on hilly rocky trails at elevation. But, Gary also takes great pride in being another hardcore runner and endurance athlete of 46 years and he's still 'running' strong. Well, BG consistently 'kicked his butt' (for now that is!!) on many of the trails in Sedona, including the HOGS -Hog Wash, Hog Heaven, High on the Hog and the Pig Tail Trail. Gary had to endure as BG trampled those Hog's leaving Gary trailing behind, who, watching in amazement and admiration, was left slogging through the few pork chop stragglers remaining. Go, figure… And, if that wasn't enough bacon, while driving home one night in Sedona, a real live PIG moseyed across the street right in front of our stopped car. What is it with the Gallerstein's and their HOG ATTRACTION magnetism???
KIDS: here's a really brief update on our kids
LAURA; lives in the eclectic and gentrifying neighborhood of North Park in San Diego. She works in the HR department of a Human Imaging Center. She has lots of great friends and is really enjoying life. Most importantly, she is a wonderful and beautiful person!
ERIC; also lives in North Park. Along with his childhood friend Jacob, they started Mastiff Sausage Company (ground HOGS) three years ago and it's 'bursting at the seams.' In 2015 they won 'SD Food Truck of the Year' and the 'SD Sausage Fest.' A few months ago they opened their first 'brick and mortar' location in the Liberty Station Public Market. In about two months they'll open their second location in the North Park Beer Company. Eric works really hard, but makes time to also enjoy a wonderful social life.
MITCH; will graduate Northeastern U. in Boston next June with a degree in Chemistry. He has spent considerable time in research, but has decided to pursue a career in the Business-side of Science. He'll return home in two weeks after having traveled through Southeast Asia with his girlfriend, Rachel, for two months. Like his parents, he definitely has the 'travel bug.'
THE TRIMMINGS: Next destination is celebrating Gary's mom Sally's 95th Bday on June 28th in Oceanside, Ca. So, after a change in plans, we will be driving the Motorhome back to SD for 5 days to celebrate. ALL the kids are joining in. Our return home route will include stays in Flagstaff and along the beach in Paso Robles- more about this in the next blog. After SD, we're resume our odyssey and drive up to Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas for the summer!
Future floggings, no no, we mean bloggings, will not need to be this lengthy— so we'll all benefit!
Best to all our family & friends
Happy Hog Trails and love to ALL OF YOU
Gary & Laura
PS: Please write back to us-we'd love to hear from you!! There's a spot for comments in our email/blog
PSS: Photo album is coming
- comments
Diana Acton Sounds GREAT!!! Love Sedona too!! Good for you Laura & the singing bowls! LUV U & MISS U!! ;-D
Pattie Keller Sedona is so beautiful. I can see you guys living there, and close for visiting. Enjoying your CD Laura!
Mary Findley So glad to hear your home sold and an update on your travels. I still hear the bowls sing when I'm out near the herb garden. What a blessing you bring to so many. Happy happy trails!
Carol O'Neill So happy to hear of your adventure from one die-hard traveler to another. LOVED SEDONA--lived there 14 years.
Karen S. Yasgoor, PhD FABULOUS!!!! ♡♡♡ K and S
Bob Irmiger Thanks for the blog updates. Wishing you safe travels and adventures.