Getting Away

Getting away from it all does not have to be difficult, or expensive!

As a travel agent in the late ‘80s I took advantage of an opportunity to travel throughout Europe on a double decker London bus that had been converted into a motorhome of sorts complete with kitchen and bunks. I became known as the “token Yank” while touring with a group of Australians and New Zealanders who had come to the “Mother Country” to work, save, then hit the road on an extensive tour before heading home. 

This mode of travel provided ample opportunity to get to know my companions and share stories of our lives back home. In one particular conversation in Florence, we talked about how Americans save all their lives in order to buy new luggage and a wardrobe in order to spend 2 weeks on the vacation of a lifetime. They shared with me how in Europe vacationing is built into their annual plans. In some countries, Germany for instance, 6 weeks off each summer is not uncommon, along with many days if not weeks during other parts of the year.

I had to agree with my European friends; we Americans don’t relax very well.

Is it really that difficult to get away? Granted, most of us are constrained by the allotted time we are given through our employers but how can we make the most of that time and escape from the tyranny of the urgent that so often plagues us during our staycations?

One option depends upon our ability to get away on short notice. There are constant “last minute” vacation opportunities that offer incredible value and may only require a quick drive to the nearest major airport or cruise terminal. Cruising, for instance, provides an ‘all-inclusive’ experience ranging from one to 7 days and longer. Deeply discounted staterooms for a 4-night excursion at $159 per person is one recent offering. Land packages to the Caribbean including hotel, all meals, entertainment and transfers to and from the airport can be very affordable.  Even European vacations can be enjoyed at rates much less expensive than might be expected. One European River Cruise company is currently offering free airfare out of Atlanta along with free round trip transfers to and from the airport to the ship.

So, the key to is to take another look at getting away. An advocate to help you, to be on the lookout for the deals on your behalf can take the stress away from having to keep up with the best offerings out there. Get to know your local travel agent. They are compensated by the hotels, land package suppliers and cruise lines and can provide an invaluable service to their clients. Stop into their retail location and share your dreams of travel. The right travel consultant will take good notes and be on the lookout for you as they receive news of the latest deals that arrive via email on a daily basis.Then, all you have to do is choose your location, how you're going to get there and be on your way!

Jon Harvill

Jon is the Franchise Partner with Expedia CruiseShipCenters-Greystone located in the Village at Lee Branch between Moe’s and the UPS Store in Birmingham, Alabama. He constantly fights the urge to get away!

and then it snowed. . .

There are those surreal days one remembers all of his life. Mine are where I was when John Lennon was shot, where I was on 9/11 and what happened on Tuesday, January 28  which is now being referred to by some as Snoblivion 2014.

The day began with consensus by the weather predictors: a light dusting of a half-inch or so for Birmingham. Those south of us would feel the brunt of this one. There was a level of decision making that had to be done at the Harvill house - will there be school? do we have enough bread and milk? . . .basic stuff that usually ends up in a trip to the store and another day in class or at work.

then it snowed. . .

I was at the house when it began and since I saw my first real snow at 19, I always find myself impressed with the frozen stuff anytime it descends. But, since it would only be "'a dusting", I could enjoy the weather and get on with my workday. Then it started to stick.

After a stop at the local UPS store and bank, I began my usual trip back over the mountain toward the house. The 2-lane road was backed up from the road that leads to our subdivision. No progress in sight. So, turning around through the crunch of snow gathering around my wheels I head toward 280, the highway that becomes my Plan B.

I quickly learn that, while it is my only option, it's going to take much longer than the usual 3-minute shot to the house. The 4-lane is moving at a snail's pace. The snow is accumulating. And, as if I'm the only one with the idea, I take a shortcut which only places me in the queue with 40 other cars whose drivers had the same unique idea. The short of it is, it took me 2-hours to get home. Slow, yes. But at least the road was passable.

When I arrived at the house, Tessa and Jonathan had been a bit concerned. Having thought I had done my due diligence in texting, I realized that by saying I was at the local bakery (as a landmark), they thought I was stopping for coffee. Stress was present. We talked it through and realized we were all a bit anxious. . .

As the afternoon progressed, it looked as if Beth would be spending the night at the school. Parents were unable to get to their children to bring them home. Our school/church became a shelter for the night. Beth would eventually have 9 of her 3rd grade students with her for the duration. Stories from around town were emerging about abandoned cars, people walking across town from those abandoned cars to try and make it home for the night. Some of the students committed to a 50-minute walk from the school to our house where a warm shower and food awaited.

Tessa, Jonathan and I had sought to capitalize on what was left of the passable road to get gas, pick up what groceries we could, then head back toward the school to pick up those who were heading our way. Got the gas, got some food and turned back toward the house only to find Hwy 119 BARELY moving. What had seemed like a quick jaunt home turned into another hour of delay. The black ice was forming and we began to slide intermittently. At one point, I wondered if we were going to slide into the drain at the base of an embankment. The Harvill kids were fully aware of my increasing anxiety.

We eventually made it home and greeted the students who had arrived before us. A few more would arrive later. After taking inventory of the cabinets and fridge we decided upon grilled cheese, nachos and spicy bean dip. All were fed as night fell.

Our 1st Polar Bear Club experience was hastily organized. I say "Our" only because it took place at my house; I had absolutely no intention of participating beyond documenting the event with my iPhone. Here is the clip: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203205209794073 

Following an evening of hanging out in the theater room, random surrender to sleep, blowing up air mattresses and a late night journey somewhere into snowdom by the guys, we settled in. Beth and I texted our individual states of the union and said goodnight.

By morning, Beth was on her way home (thanks to Alan Thompson!) as, one by one, the guests here made their way to the living room to watch and discuss the news headlines from the 1st Birmingham weather event of 2014. We will be stuck here without work and school at least through tomorrow. This has become the next surreal event that will be talked about for years to come. . .

Day 11-Los Angeles

We stopped for lunch at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank-the oldest standing Big Boy in America. This place has significance for me as it was the only place Mom and Dad would take their 3 energetic boys with reasonable confidence we could eat and not distract the other diners. That and the relish they put on the Big Boy burger made this a must stop for our noon-time meal.

I was concerned about parking the motorhome in the parking lot behind the drive-in and drive-thru. Friday is the day for the weekly classic car show and in anticipation of the influx of participants and observers, the parking directors were in place. They welcomed us into the lot and guided us to the back of the lot where another attendant directed us to an end spot and placed cones around the RV. Of course he came by the window to confirm that we were all eating here. We exited the rig and walked past the gathering classics, entered the full eatery and were quickly seated.

We ordered and discussed the order of the sights we planned to see. Warner Bros. Studios, Walt Disney Studios, the Brady Bunch house, The Wonder Years houses, the Foster's Freeze in Hawthorne, California where Brian Wilson was inspired to write Fun, Fun, Fun and, finally, the Beach Boys monument at Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson's childhood home.

The studios were close to the restaurant and, as soon as they were seen, we plugged in the next address found on Google and headed in the direction of the next locale. The Brady Bunch house's current owners built a fence around the front of the property to keep the tourists from looking in the windows. Next was the Wonder Years houses that held special significance for all of us as a beloved show in the Harvill household. The “Arnold's house” looks just as it did during the show except for the color. The landscaping is the same and the basketball goal attached to the garage in the back is in place.

We wondered how we might get a group picture with our best attempt to simulate the Arnold family picture from the opening credits of the series. When we pulled over beyond the house and got out, we were greeted by a neighbor who was pulling out of her driveway. She rolled down her window and, with a bit of sarcasm, said, “Really? A motorhome? That's subtle”. She then offered to take the picture we had hoped for. She told us where to find the locations for Winnie Cooper's houses (the house from the 1st episode before her brother was killed in the Vietnam War and the house used for the rest of the series). She also told us about George Clooney's house used in the 1st season of ER. We didn't go there. Tessa sat on the curb of the Arnold house as Winnie did in the opening credits of the show. Perfect! We took pics of Winnie's houses then headed toward Hawthorne. Tessa found the address for the American Horror Story house which turned out to be relatively on the way to Hawthorne. Tessa met and talked with 4 locals who were also fans of the show. We took pics and resumed our drive to Hawthorne.

We couldn't find a place to park at the Foster's Freeze so we continued on toward the street of the childhood home where the Wilsons along with their cousin Mike Love and friends Al Jardine and David Marks created the image of the Southern California surf culture and dominated the charts leading up to and, in ways, beyond the British Invasion. After shooting a few pics, we headed to the 405 freeway toward Mission Viejo. We arrived around 8 and brought in enough stuff to make it through the night. We were wiped out. We talked with Mike and Trish about our road trip and fell into bed grateful for what we had seen and done yet also looking forward to our re-entry into reality.

Tomorrow: down time with family and friends!

Day 10-Malibu

With laundry done and the temperature rising, we returned to the motorhome and began the familiar process of preparing to move on. We pulled out a little later than expected and began our drive toward the California coast with the ultimate goal of watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

We could feel the heat pouring through the window that affirmed the 102 degrees we read on the Weather Chanel app. We never left mountains even as we neared Los Angeles. We placed our trust in the Maps app that guided us around the multiple freeway routes and led us to Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. Traffic on the freeways was generally light for Thursday rush hour until we hit PCH at the Santa Monica pier. We turned right and joined the throng of drivers heading up California Highway 1. The homes and views of the ocean were varied and beautiful. The collective wealth as seen in the homes and autos was obvious.

After miles made slower by the traffic, we arrived at the Malibu Beach RV Park that sat across PCH from the rolling waves of the ocean. The after-hours manager waved us over and I parked on the uphill driveway in front of the general store that was just closing. Hummingbirds, 6 or 7 of them, were fearlessly feeding on the source of sweetened water suspended from a small tree outside the makeshift office of our campsite registrar.

We followed the road around the loop and backed into our ocean front site. The ocean waves rolled in as we connected the utilities and sounded as if a freight train was rolling by. When realizing they were the waves of the Pacific I looked forward to opening the windows and sleeping with the cooler air and constant crashing of the water across the highway.

When I found the RV park on the internet, the reviews mentioned the seafood restaurant that adjoins the park called Malibu Seafood and Patio Cafe. Located down a trail connected to the park, the venue offers fresh fish to take home and a menu filled with entrees to take up to the 2-tiered patio overlooking the sea. We enjoyed the fish plates as we took in the sights around us and reminisced about the journey we were completing. On the way back we crossed PCH to walk a little closer to the beach. We wouldn't trade anything for the sights we've seen but we all thought it would be nice to stay here for a coupe of days.

Sleep was sweet. We awoke to overcast skies and a few drops of rain. After our morning coffee we walked over to the store to pick up breakfast for Tessa and Jonathan and see if there was a t-shirt I couldn't live without. Yep, found it.

As we left the park we drove south toward Santa Monica to begin our trek back to Mike and Trish's via Bob's Big Boy for lunch as well as locating a few houses from the TV shows we grew up with.

Day 9-Lake Mead

Day 9-Lake Mead

The heat was turned on for a bit this morning to take the edge off of the cool fall-like weather outside. We left the camp and headed south for Nevada. We have become familiar with mountains of all kinds as they have been our companion since we entered the Mojave desert last Wednesday. In our short jaunt through Arizona enroute to Nevada after leaving Utah, we drove beneath massive walls of desert mountain, the tops of which we could not see from the windshield of the motorhome. We were enveloped by these red, brown and grey stone structures for what must have been 5 miles or so, and then they were gone as we entered open road again. Jonathan later commented that it's not that mountain views have become routine or not fascinating, they have become familiar. 

We could feel the heat rise as we descended down toward Lake Mead. Beth found an RV spot located inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area with a water front view. We drove through downtown Vegas past the strip to Lake Mead, about 30 minutes outside of Vegas and used our newly acquired National Parks Annual Pass to gain entry (this entry officially 'paid' for the pass. We now have the remainder of a year to use it for entrance to any National Park.). Upon arrival, the temp was 102. The registration office/store was closed but had envelopes posted on a board outside the entrance with available slots and prices. We chose a lake view. The Ranger told us that Lake Mead was way down and while we would be as close to the water as a motorhome could get, the water would be far away. Sure enough. The water was way down. But, wow, what a view! The water and its surrounding mountains are amazing. A few boaters and jet-skiers are still out as are a few swimmers on the beach below us. 

Lake Mead was formed by damming the Colorado River with the creation of Hoover Dam, a 726-ft
high structure which remains the Western Hemisphere's highest concrete dam. Begun in 1931 and completed in 1936 using over 5000 laborers, Hoover Dam's concrete is 45-feet thick at its crest and 660 feet thick at its base. According to the official Lake Mead brochure provided by the National Park Service, "the finished dam held enough concrete to pave a 16-foot-wide, eight-inch-thick road from New York City to San Francisco".

This is by far the nicest RV park at which we've stayed. The spots are clean and level with concrete pads for the rigs (Good find, Beth!). I hooked up the power so we could make a plan for the night while the motorhome A/C chipped away at the high temp outdoors. We were all tired and hungry but anxious to get a look at the Strip. We changed clothes and headed back toward Vegas. Las Vegas Boulevard eases you into sensory overload with the older hotels on one end that block by block give way to the masses of themed high rises, lights and people. We could not find a place to park so I drove through while Beth, Tessa and Jonathan formed their first impressions of the famous street. 

It was time to eat. The only place I felt I could find a place to park was at a huge outlying hotel/casino that boasted a great deal on a t-bone dinner. We pulled off the highway, found a spot to park amongst the other RVers and walked across the vast parking lot in search of the restaurant. The eatery was among a cluster of venues that included a pasta diner, sushi and steakhouse and others. Not knowing what to expect concerning the surroundings or quality of food, we sat down to order. Matthew, our waiter, once he came over, was polite and very professional. Check. He asked for drink orders, we gave it all! He brought the salads in generous portions. Check. The entrees were cooked to order. Check. The meal was good for all. Check. In short, dinner was really good

We drove back to the Lake, hooked up the utilities and settled down for the night. By the looks of Tessa's book and lack of bookmark this morning, she must have finished reading it sometime in the night. Jonathan has a few pages remaining in his book on the life of Walt Disney (shocker!) that he says he'll finish before Disneyland on Monday. 

The air has not quit running as I sit here drinking coffee. We're going to do a bit of laundry before driving over Hoover Dam then head in toward Malibu on our last night of this, our fantastic motorhome adventure. 

Day 8-Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole

We tore down camp early and exited Yellowstone through the South Enterance. Our plan was to quickly pass through Grand Tetons National Park on our way to Salt Lake City and, ultimately, Malibu. I had forgotten tht we have 2 nights before Malibu so that will take the pressure off of the 17-hour commute.

I find it difficult to form words that adequately explain my first impressions of the Grand Teton mountain range. At 13,775 feet, Grand Teton rises forcefully and majestically out of the earth and dominates the skyline along with its surrounding peaks. The only comparison I can think of that I have seen is the Austrian Alps. They say that the Rocky Mountains, of which the Grand Tetons is a member is actually higher, but the alps rise more quickly so as to appear of greater altitude.

We stopped at the Jackson Lake Lodge to catch the view of Grand Tetons from the 60-foot window of the hotel. Wow! As with the Grand Canyon, the sight of this range creates a spontaneous sort of reverence. We will post pics but I fear they cannot do justice to the sight in person.

We also found ourselves captivated by the wifi signal that allowed us to catch up on our communication! It has been nice to shed our dependence on modern technology if only for awhile,  but it is also convenient to be able to quickly communicate through our various digital outlets.

We stopped in Jackson Hole for some quick exploration and to grab a bite to eat. The town of Jackson, Wyoming sometimes mistakenly called Jackson Hole, Wyoming carries some significance to me as the location where as a 5-year old on an overnight stay enroute to a camping tripYellowstone, I learned to swim. The valley surrounding Jackson is believed to have been named by trappers descending the mountains into what seemed like a hole. We entered a couple of shops
then settled on a local eatery overlooking the square. The corner borders of the square are entered
through arches made of antlers gathered when the local elk and moose shed them each year. The antlers are solid and fall off as opposed to horns which must be sawed off and are hollow.

After lunch we headed back to the motorhome and began our drive across the Wyoming wilderness back into Utah for the night. Throughout the drive we saw what looked like unfinished and unconnected fences along the sides of the road. The gas station attendant in Kimmerer, Wyoming told us that they are to keep snow drifts from covering the highway. I told him about how we in. Alabama deal with 1-inch dustings of snow in Alabama. He. Was neither amused nor impressed. He said that snow can fall as early as September and still be on the ground as late as June!

Since we didn't have a reservation, we decided to pull in where there was a decent RV park that had wifi so Tessa could continue her online Western Civ class. We found that park about an hour outside Salt Lake in Coalville, Utah. All utilities,limited cable and wifi for $29 a night. Now that's travelin'! I turned in early to try and get rid of a headache that I think is being brought on by hours behind the wheel. Complaining? No Way!

Tomorrow: 7-hour drive to Las Vegas.

Day 7- Upper and Lower Falls

Day 7-Upper and Lower Falls

We collectively decided to adjust our schedule for an earlier start today which meant we would have to shower the night before or get up early enough to get ready, strike camp and hit the road. Our plan was to see the sights early and get back to camp for some down time.

The falls are located in a section of the park called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The highway leading to this spot was familiar as we had driven it coming into the park on Saturday. Vast valleys carved by Yellowstone River with its clear steadily flowing water supported lone Bison and an occasional herd. 

There is no indication of either falls as we followed the signs to the smaller parking areas that were filling up as we entered. The National Park Service planned the parking well as there is typically a short walk to the main site with trails that took hikers desiring alternate views deeper into the woods.

The first sight of Upper Falls is one of those Wow! moments. Thousands of gallons of water patiently but forcefully drop ??? feet from the Yellowstone River into the waiting basin below creating a stampede of mist that churned like foam from a massive crashing wave. We took the quarter of a mile trail to the left of the main viewing sight and was afforded closer views of the falls. On the way down the trail we came across a very healthy groundhog lying on the branch of a fallen tree. He seemed  comfortable and not in the least bit intimidated by his audience. At the first lookout our view of the falls added a rainbow at the head of the mist that afforded good picture and video opportunities. The foliage along the trail was unique as varieties of plants, flowers and wild grass with the ever vigilant tall pines combined to make individual gardens of color that were pleasing sights unto themselves.

The short drive to the Lower Falls led to another small parking lot that was efficient but beginning to fill with cars, RVs and tour buses. Each had their designated areas with the inevitable traveler who found a place for their car

in a section of the lot set aside for larger vehicles. After a couple of trips around the zoo we found our place and walked up to the main viewing area. This spot is known as Artist Point and affords 3 views of the falls, canyon and river. At first glance, Lower Falls looks very similar to Upper Falls except for being viewed from a farther distance away. The surrounding canyon however is formed by what looks like sulphur deposits from unknown geysers somewhere nearby and thus clearly distinguishes itself from its cousin upriver. The viewing platforms were built to look as if they were natural formations, stairs included. Everyone was jockeying for camera position, ourselves included which made for a bit of congestion that, for the 1st time, made us ready to click the pic and get out of there.

Time passes quickly here. By the time we were on the road back to Fishing Bridge the clock was inching toward 1 PM. We drove past our turn off to make a quick stop at the Yellowstone Lake post office so Beth could buy stamps for the post cards she would send to her incoming 3rd grade students. On our way back to camp we pulled into the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center to see what it offered. The building was completed in 1931 in  traditional mountain construction with stone foundation and exposed beam frame. Inside housed a museum with stuffed birds, fish and wildlife indigenous to the area. Two Rangers were available for information related to the park in general and the Fishing Bridge area in particular. The. Museum store provided the usual fare including bear spray which the Ranger said he was required to carry.

The Fishing Bridge area hosts the greatest concentration of Grizzly and Brown bear in the park. The Ranger said that he had not seen a bear in the area in a few weeks but had heard that there was a bear in the RV site (where we are staying) yesterday. He also told of 2 encounters with bears that hit close to home. Once while hiking, a bear attempted to enter his tent while his friend woke up in a 3-sided shelter with a bear licking his head for the salt. When he awoke he looked up into the creature's eyes. They had a 2-second stare off before the bear turned and ran.

 Back at camp we attached the utilities, lowered the canopy and set up the folding chairs outside. After a lunch of Chicken Pot Pies,Tessa and Jonathan set up their ENOs. As a parent, I am always looking for generation defining trends. The ENO (hammock) culture seems to have a life of its own, at least in Birmingham. Suspending the airborne sleeping bag between 2 trees affords a great place to relax and in the case of J and T, to read. We all took it easy until our late dinner during which we talked about life and the days ahead. 

We have agreed that a positive aspect of motorhome living is that we spend time together that in Birmingham, while in same house, find ourselves distracted by other interests and demands. The flip side of constant closeness is that it can be difficult to have your own space. We also agreed, though, that the positive far, far outweighs the negative.

Our agenda for tomorrow calls for an early departure from Yellowstone as we head south to the Grand Tetons for a quick look before heading out for our drive that will ultimately bring us to Malibu. The pressure is off as we have 2 nights and 2 and a half days to get there.