Prologue.... the Big Beastly Adventure Begins

This has been a hectic few days.  After his arrival on Tuesday, Prince remarked that it was a waste of “wheel estate” to leave the Beast parked in Nui’s driveway.  And so began a 3-day marathon of list making, frantic packing and ultimately the decision to just fling everything moveable from Nui’s condo into the Beast and head out on Friday.  Before they left, Prince told Nui she had one more job to do – remove the stitches from a wound on his shoulder.  A pair of cuticle scissors, some magnifying glasses, and a bit of whiskey and the surgery was a success.  At least so far.  We arrived at Park Canada and immediately had to go set up for Festival Polynesia.  Prince was assigned the job of polishing the coconut bras – a task he thoroughly enjoyed.   For the next two days, poor Prince had to sit through dozens of Hawaiian and Tahitian dances performed by young, nubile women who were being judged by two Polynesian experts, Babe and Buddy (more to follow)  Unfortunately, we couldn’t let the world know about his South Seas adventures because Park Canada doesn’t have Wifi or much of anything else except maybe dogs.

The Beast lies in wait.... we started loading the R.V. between little bouts of rain(apparently that's how things are here in B.C.). Medigas delivered my extra oxygen bottles so now I don't have to worry about power outages.. I can breath easy..haha. Our spot is booked Monday night at the R.V. park attached to the Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington Washington. I hope I have better luck there than I did in Vegas and Atlantic City. I'm sure it will be great and I will win the proper amount of money to put gas in the beast.. that's the plan. Tomorrow we leave for the Festival Polynesia. This will be fun!!

The Prince Has Arrived!

Prince Porketta has made it to Vancouver, thanks to the tender loving care of the people at Air Canada.  Just as he touched down, the clouds parted and brilliant rays of sunshine descended on our rain-drenched city.  An omen?  A portent of things to come?  Are those angels I hear singing in the distance?

The Prince and I wasted no time in accelerating our training for the Big Beastly Adventure.  We immediately set forth to resume our vigorous schedule of marathon sitting and food consumption.  Of course, we also rigorously continued our efforts to maintain adequate fluid levels which, as we all know, will keep us from making bad decisions.

Our loyal readers will be pleased to learn that we are in top form for this Trek and truly feel that we will be able to travel 1.6 hours per day, as scheduled.

Another bad habit I have to conquer

Who is the genius that put the RV's emergency brake in the exact same spot as where the clutch should be?

Having driven a standard shift all my life, my automatic reaction is to step on the clutch whenever I start to slow down.  Needless to say, stepping on the emergency brake really slows you down in a hurry. 

Good thing I bought a lot of bungee cords - I'm going to have to tether my left leg at the ankle so I can't slam on the "clutch" and send poor Prince out the windshield.

No Longer a Virgin TOAD Puller

I had to bring the Beast from storage to my place yesterday - which is about a 1.5 hour drive away. I've never driven the Beast more than 20 minutes in any direction. I've never towed ANYTHING. (okay - one little 10 gallon honey wagon, but that doesn't count)

I was going to drive at 5 a.m. to try to stay clear of traffic. However, I figured that I have to learn to deal with everything, so I strapped on the TOAD, managed to get on the freeway without incident, drove through 2 narrow construction zones, one very long bridge, several curves, up long hills and through thick Saturday afternoon traffic. Other than almost taking out a car at the off ramp, the worst part was the last 50 feet. I forgot about height and scraped the side of the RV against low hanging trees. And I had to unhitch and back up to make the last corner before the driveway.

I have discovered that I have a very heavy foot..... it was hard keeping the Beast at a steady 55 mph.  It (that is, I), kept pushing to 60 to 65.  Unfortunately, I found out that this makes it really hard to slow down when you're going downhill.

But all in all, it was a good day. Nobody died, although a few probably came close to having heart attacks.

A Word of Caution

It is well known that I am 100% responsible for the weather within 100 miles of my immediate vicinity.  And not in a good way.

We have been tracking things for over 25 years.  I don't think it's a coincidence that the heat wave ends less than a day before I get to Sudbury..... every single year!  I don't think it's random chance that droughts that make headline news end on the day that I arrive in a foreign country and the downpours continue until I'm through the security gate on the return trip.  And is it a surprise to anyone that temperatures drop to record cold within 20 minutes of my arrival anywhere?

So, Prince, to answer your question on what clothes to bring:  my answer would be skis and thermal undies.  I've already bought a heater.

Only 1 week to go!!

Only one week to go before I squeeze my over sized derriere into Air Canada's undersized seats. That along with my portable air concentrator doesn't leave much room to wiggle (if I felt like wiggling in a plane)
I'm always a little concerned that the bottom will fall out of those little turbo-props but I suppose they know what they are doing.
So, what do I pack??? Shorts or snow pants? t-shirts or hoodies? sandals or mukluks?  What's the weather in Montana in June?  To add to the challenge Air Canada charges per bag so my cheap Aeroplan flight may cost me the price of a charter if I bring everything I may need haha.  I imagine they sell clothes in the States so maybe I'll just bring enough to get me going then deal with it as it comes.  Since Harper (our Prime Minister) changed the rules, I can bring back as much stuff as I can afford...ok so that's not saying much but maybe after we stop at a casino I'll be able to afford to bring back more... That is my strategy!!

Woohooo..the last hurdle has been jumped (figuratively speaking of course) Air Canada has approved my flight to Vancouver with my oxygen concentrator so I'll be breathing like the rich people while being comfortably ferried across this wonderful country. The Big Beastly Adventure starts in just 9 days. Any suggestions or advice is appreciated.

This RVing thing is going to take some getting used to

Well here's a 'duh' moment for you.  I've been dithering about how I'm going to get the Beast from Chilliwack to my place, across 4 different single-lane construction zones, and then get it out to Tsawwassen so we can stay in it during Festival Polynesia.  My concern is that I didn't want to park it in an old folks' home driveway with the generator running for 3 days.   Here's where the "DUH" comes in..... I finally started wondering if maybe, just maybe, there was an RV park in Tsawwassen.  Sure enough - there's a really nice one only 8 minutes from the Festival venue!!!  RV parking appears to be an art in itself, it seems.... and I'm no artist.

Spring training in Florida is done

I had a wonderful 2 weeks here preparing for the Big Beastly Adventure across the northern states. Wow, can you imagine...Vancouver B.C. to Sudbury Ontario in only 25 days!!  haha
I like the hints that were posted here, particularly the one about putting a clip on the steering wheel to remind ourselves to lower the antenna or other pre-flight checks that are needed. Thanks.
So, I have sat and enjoyed beverages, ate at many restaurants, some good, some not so good. I got some sun and a bit of a burn so I'm ready for tanning but i don't think that will be a time waster in the northern states in June.  Going back to Sudbury for a couple of weeks to do the cold weather training.  I have to be ready for anything.
Only 23 days until I fly to Vancouver.... This will be fun!

Banging and Rattling Down the Road

I think the most exhausting thing about driving the Beast is the NOISE everything inside makes!  Banging, rattling, shifting around.  I'm beginning to suspect I'm doing something wrong.  Maybe I shouldn't drive with 2 wheels in the ditch.

I don't have a lot of stuff, since everything I own for camping is stored in my trailer in Northern Ontario.  Maybe once the cupboards are stocked, things won't rattle around so much. 

With 27 days to go, there is still so much to learn:  how to work the Satellite dish; figure out what the inverter does and how to use it; figure out how to open the awning; fix the TV antenna; figure out the water purifier unit; and, best of all, learn how to tow a car when the biggest thing I've ever towed is a semi-full honey wagon.  All part of the experience.  By the time we get to Wenatchee, I expect to be an expert. 

Prince may want to get some prescription tranquilizers in the meantime, though :-)