A number of people have recently asked me where I’m heading from here. Clearly, I’ve fallen in love with California’s coast. For the spring season I'll be in California, Arizona, and Utah-then back to California.

After this weekend at Morro Bay, up by the Hearst Castle, I'll be heading east to the Mojave for a couple days, then up into Nevada to see the Hoover Dam. Then east and south some more as I drive back towards Phoenix for a week-long visit over in Mesa, Arizona with my kids. They've rented a big house with a pool and spa for Tom and Charlie's birthdays. March 17th and 18th. We'll be together for that week.

Have your eyes glazed over yet? No? OK. After the week with the kids near Phoenix I'm solo again up to The Grand Canyon, then on up into Utah to do the Grand Circle of Federal Parks up there: Zion, Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley and Moab.

After that, I lead-foot it back into California, because I have a three-week date with Yosemite, last couple weeks in April, and first weeks of May.

And that's as far as I have planned. I know that I want to mosey up the coast of California, stopping often in beautiful places. But no schedule, as I head into the Pacific Northwest of this beautiful land.

I'm having a blast. And finally getting some writing done. Life is good. I've camped at at San Clemente, Hobsons County Beach Park, and two visits to Doheny Beach near Dana Point. Then I had to leave the coast because I was unable to make a reservation for a weekend anywhere along the coast. That's how I ended up in Wheeler Gorge with the nocturnal knocking raccoons,. (see previous post).

Right now, I'm in Carpenteria, California. Loving it. And am spending the weekend up at Morro Bay before I really, truly have to leave this beautiful coast and drive east towards Nevada. Because I’m loving this coast so much, I’ve blown off Death Valley with her blooming wildflowers, and The Mojave Preserve—Bah! I’m just over the desert for now. Spending a week in Mesa with the kids, so will have more of that environment soon, anyway. It’s so interesting, this life on wheels; I can dial up whatever bio-zone I want. I’m becoming spoiled!