Didn't make it too far today as the trailer brakes started to cut in and out, coming down HWY 101 along the Hood Canal. So, we have stopped off at the Little Creek Casino so I can figure out what the problem is. Likely a poor connection somewhere. It's not a bad stop anyway, for $15, they allow dry camping in the dirt lot out back for 3 days. Not many rigs here this time of year.

The fall foliage made for a pretty drive along the Hood Canal in Washington State today. Here is a dashcam screen grab.

We made it past Portland and into Oregon today just as the rains hit again. Overnighting at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Here is a photo from a new Reolink Wi-Fi security camera I'm testing out for review. I got the trailer brakes fixed. Big thanks to people who posted past experiences and advice. Turned out to be chaffed wires inside the axle tubes. Replace the back one and no luck, then the front, and it did the trick! I'll post a video about the fix soon. Cheers! Ray

Ray and Anne,
It is a nice photo of your escape onto the MV Coho. It's our turn on Jan 02, 2024.
You mentioned a casino stop on the way through WA, and I wanted to let folks know about another great overnight stop is the Seven Cedars Casino, near Sequim, about 30 minutes south of the MC Coho terminal. This casino's RV area features pull through RV sites, some with power and water, all are on concrete, and easy to navigate. The best part - FREE ! This may have changed, but last winter, that was the case. One has to sign up for their frequent guest card, again free and no obligations attached.
We have found this location ideal for anyone using the MV Coho [ferry], either for staging before catching the ferry, or those coming off the evening sailing.

Thanks for the tip. We have stopped there several times over the years but haven't been since they added the RV spots. How level are they? I remember the lots being pretty unlevel.
I'll add an update about the Port Angeles Walmart. There are now no overnight parking signs put up. I asked about it at the customer service, and they let us stay one night. They told me the signs went up due to people abusing the overnight parking staying too long and making noise.

Ray,
I was able to use my auto-levelling feature [lifesaver !], but I would estimate needing about 2" of height adjustment on the downslope side. I have 2 1/4" thick cedar planks that I used on the southbound trip, before I got gutsy enough to use the levelling system in manual mode.
On both trips, we did see some van life folks using the first tier of their yellow "Lego blocks", but not sure if that was sufficient or not.
Cheers, and safe travels.

It's a messy day weatherwise in Oregon as some strong fall systems move through, so decide to stay put rather than drive in the wind, rain, and thunderstorms. Would have spent money pushing the trailer into a strong south wind anyway. Rest day!

Filled up the tank before we leave Oregon tomorrow. Wow, what a difference in fuel prices versus back in BC! $3.79 a gallon for diesel. Which, if my math is right, is about $1.35 or so a liter in Canadian bucks. When I last filled up on Vancouver Island, diesel cost $1.98 CA a liter. But we are heading into California, so the discount will be short-lived. :) But booze is cheaper! Maybe the Ram can run on Jack Daniels.

Hi Ray and Anne,

I started my trip by crossing the Detroit/Windsor Ambassador bridge on November 1. Easy crossing and was allowed through in under 30 secs of questions.

Currently I'm near Las Cruces, New Mexico with very comfortable temps ... and lots of sunshine.

This year my brother and SIL will eventually meet up with me (probably Christmas in Yuma). They are unsure about boondocking and will be staying in RV campgrounds on their travels. Once they figure out a lot of the campgrounds pack in the RVs like sardines, they may see the light.

https://flic.kr/p/2peux79

https://flic.kr/p/2peux79

Cheers,
Steve

First day of the trip south, it didn't rain. Yay! We did our usual travel day, left Seven Feathers Casino in Oregon, crossed the Siskiyou mountain pass, up past Mt. Shasta, and down to Redding CA, where we will overnight in a Camping World parking lot. Was mostly sunny, and the fall colors in southern Oregon were gorgeous this year. Especially around Grants Pass. Mt Shasta didn't have as much snow as the last few times, but still stunning when you see it appear. Glad to feel the warm sun and 21C (70F) temps in Redding.

Nice! we made it to northern California today, great to feel the warm sun after a lot of rainy weather. :)

Well, this is not something you do every day! Anne and I caught a ride on a friend's grape harvesting machine the other day. I got some video footage of it in action coming soon. :)

We were back on a boat yesterday. Anne got to pilot a high-powered jet boat that a buddy down here owns. Chaparral Vortex 500 HP Twin Jets. He took us out for a blast on the San Joaquin River system on the delta near Stockton, California. What a ride! Anne has never driven a boat so fast. That boater smile was back on her face.

We have been on the road for two weeks, so I thought it was time for an update video of what we have been up to. Highlights include a ride on a grape harvesting machine and a jet boat on the San Joaquin River near Stockon, CA. Quite the opposite speed-wise, but both were fun!

Made it back to the desert today with a beautiful drive over the Tehachapi Pass near Bakersfield. Was quite windy today but all behind us, so the Cougar trailer got a good bum push over the pass!

Back at one of our favorites in the southwest, Death Valley NP. Photographer heaven for Anne. We have found the week after US Thanksgiving is a great time to visit. Mild temps are 19C today (66F), and it is not busy in the park at all. We are in the Sunset dry camping area, with no generator area, and are the only RV. Even the main area only has just a handful. $14 a night. It's a great place for a base to explore from.

Left Death Valley yesterday to camp in another spot with epic vistas, Snowbird Mesa in southern Nevada. Getting around Vegas proved to be a crap show, though. First, I missed the off-ramp to the 215 ring road. That sinking feeling when you realize you should be on the ramp you are going under. So, I thought, no problem. I'll just follow my GPS 95 and get on I15 to Salt Lake at some point, but then find there is major construction going on, and they have closed ramps, etc. So we double back and get back to I215 east and then get I15 north at the outskirts of Vegas. All clear! Not A fire on I15 has closed it, and we must route through Vegas Speedway and huge traffic gridlock. But we did make it to our picturesque location before sundown and set up on time for happy hour. So all's well that ends well.