A descriptive look at traveling and full-timing with our second RV, a fifth wheel toyhauler.
Laura and Sasha started this adventure in April of 2005
for a two week vacation in a truck camper.
Laura & Sasha's Excellent Adventure!
Happy May 1st: There are bunches of pages that are done, lots of work and lots of fun.
OK, it has been a while, yes I know. It is now April 9th, and I am starting up again working on the website. It is tough when the internet is not going strong, makes it tough to work on. And of course, lots of pictures in regards to Death Valley and others. So while I have time, I will do it.
February 13th: We got back from Death Valley and man, do we have pictures. They will be up shortly. We then had a hike on Saturday (Sasha led) and I just did some other stuff. Mostly working on the website for sure, getting the next year up and ready. Now we just have to get everything loaded.
But at least January Pictures and Expenses are done. Soon I will have the February Pictures up.
We are right now in Death Valley National Park, from Monday February 6th to 10th (or so). We are camping and we decided to go to Stovepipe Springs for a nice shower (it is 2/8 - we have gone a few days without, and in a small tent lets just say it is a little interesting.)
OK, I realize it is now February, and I am messing up all of my sheets. I need to get 2012 set up. One of the major things that was happening in January was that I wrote a class called Astronomy for Interpreters. Excellent class, with lots of good vibes, and a second class happening in February and a small star party happening in March! SO I have a bit of catching up to do during this month.
HAPPY NEW YEAR From Laura and Sasha living the good life in the Las Vegas and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
So I have been a little lax, but there is a reason! Really and truly there is! I have been working on a program to give to the Staff at Lake Mead National Recreation Area about Astronomy using the materials from my online and Acadia NP Workshops. I will be giving this class in January so I have to write it up, get all the materials for it, and learn how to use the telescope as well. ACK but it is enjoyable as well.
I have also been getting a couple of emails from folks asking me to give people references, proposals, and referrals. So I have been working on them as well. And there are a few forums where people are asking for information and help, and especially during this time of the year, I like to be able to help folks. So there is all of that.
And then finally, we have been going on some amazing hikes. Sasha has been doing it more than myself, but still, I have to get them into the website. So Check out November and Decemeber for some more great pictures and explanations of expenses.
The old page is now on Year 2011, in case you want to check it out. I also have the Year 2011 Expenses up now. This year was more expensive than last, which is weird. I will have (hopefully) explanations about it soon. But I am hoping 2012 will be cheaper but I doubt it.
Happy picture first, sad news second. A park ranger in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State was gunned down on New Year's Day, January 1st around 10 am PST. While Sasha and I did not know her, being part of the National Park Service, it is a close community. But it is not just that.
She grew up in my home town of Westfield, NJ. She was in the Marching Band and graduated from Westfield High School in 1995. She worked at the C & O Canal National Historical Park in Washington DC area, while her Park Ranger husband worked at the first park that I was at, Prince William Forest Park (you can see our adventures in that park back in 2007/2008). While I never worked with them (they were there back in 2004-2005), there are just too many similarities with her background and mine. They lived in Loudon County during their time in Washington DC while we were living there too!
While there was tons of news about her, I found the best one at Officer Down website. Also, from one of the rangers at Mount Rainier National Park: "From Lee Snook, MORA park ranger: Here's an update for those who wish to make donations to Margaret and Eric's family. I spoke with Key Bank this morning, and contributions may be dropped off at any Key Bank branch. Donations may also be mailed to Key Bank, P.O. Box 159, Eatonville, WA 98328. Checks should be designated for the Margaret Anderson Donation Account. Thank you all for your support!"
I plan on donating. I was trying to see if I could set up a PayPal fund, but while I guess I was able to do it last year, this year it is not working. I do not want to do fees for Donations! So Sending your own check or going to a Key Bank would be greatly appreciated by me, a fellow park ranger.
There is a news release from the Park, as it will re-open on Saturday, January 7th: Mount Rainier National Park re-opens.
January 16th: I have gotten the expenses done for 2011, so check them out. I think one of the reasons the expenses were higher was because of food costs. We had to pay more for food that was gluten free, and had to get rid of some food. We also went to naturopathic doctors who would not take the insurance, not that a regular doctor would either, but we are healthier because of those expenses. You can check it out on the expenses page.
I have been working pretty hard on the training class that I am giving in a little over a week. And as you notice, the new pages have not happened yet for 2012, but they will. I just wanted to get the expenses dealt with first. Thanks for your patience!
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