Well, you might be wondering what happened to ‘The Round-Up’ once we got home…
We thought the Round-Up would be a great finish to the season, reviewing how we’d managed as a new couple on a pretty extensive camping tour, in a not very big camper and we also intended announcing exciting new plans for the next seasons (South America and then on to Central Asia…). Unfortunately, it seems Mindi and I are good travel partners, but once the travelling was done, things somewhat fell apart, with each of us torn towards different priorities. The upshot is, we are no longer a couple, so now this blog will be Bill’s Exciting Adventure!!! Oh, go on, live with it!
Since getting back at the end of October, I’ve hardly been in the camper – but the few times I have, has revealed some pretty serious structural issues. Basically, it appears that the back end of the camper – the bit that doesn’t sit on the bed of the truck – has come loose and cracks are appearing where cracks shouldn’t be. No doubt this is as a consequence of probably one screw in 4 throughout the camper having backed out – so everything is basically on the move. When the camper is on the truck everything bends one way, when it’s off and standing on it’s own jacks, they bend the opposite way!
For the time being, I’ve decided not to pay too much attention to the problems with the camper – since I’ve committed to building a roomful of cabinets and bookshelves for my daughter Abigail – which is basically a full-time job for no income! On top of that, we’ve just invested in a new rather large (and yet to be delivered) shed (16×40’) which will become my new woodworking shop. On top of all that, I’ve made some major improvements to my cottage – new windows, new heating/AC and a new bathroom! It’s been pretty hectic!
I am working on plans (dreams) for the coming season however – which will probably start late due to the projects list and fixing the camper – hoping to get away in May but more probably in June. With it being that time of year, heading to Canada seems to be a good idea – with possible targets of St. John’s in Newfoundland (a place I wanted to sail to) and Caniapiscau – in the northern reaches of Quebec, well off the beaten track. Depending on how it’s going, I Might then head west on the Trans-Canada Highway towards the Rockies – I did so enjoy the Rockies… Alternatively I could cut it shorter, come home and complete a few more building projects before taking off west again during the winter months… Another crack at Quartzite during the RV show and maybe a hiking/camping tour around the Grand Canyon would be fun…
Plans laid in the sand at low tide – we’ll see what develops. I’ll be travelling alone, but always open to meeting new friends along the way!