An ancient motor home and an even older Cessna take us to various camping
spots. Although we are now at that stage where comfort matters, for
airplane camping we still do occasionally break out the tent and sleeping
bags [ 2012 Update: The '74 motor-home has been
upgraded somewhat to a 1988 model (made by Executive, a company now
out-of-business) that is considerably more elegant inside but still not much
compared to the modern rolling palaces with their multiple slide-out
expansions). The 1965 Cessna was
destroyed by
a windstorm and was replaced by an elderly (1970) Bonanza A-36 which has been used for a couple
of camping trips but isn't suitable for the more demanding back-country. ]
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By Land - the Sportscoach
This old (1974) motorhome is worth every penny of the $2500 it cost. It's
taken us all around the Southwest and nearby Mexico. Not elegant but adequate. |
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By Air - N8514S
A 1965 Cessna 182, one-four-sierra has taken us into spots the ground-bound
rarely visit. |
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Winging it - Springhouse, BC
On our way to Alaska. |
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When Plane Camping - Tents
With just two in the plane, we can carry enough junk to be comfortable. Good
weather is a plus, however. |
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D at Shelter Cove
The northern California coast. Breezy but beautiful. |
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Lighthouse, Shelter Cove
No longer operational, it now serves as a photo op. |
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Eating? What Else?
We never miss a meal, no matter what the venue. |
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Too Many Cooks?
This involved a large salmon, four or five cooks and an old truck wheel as a
fireplace. It came out delicious! |
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Mountain Lake, Idaho
Idaho has Alaska-style backcountry but is a lot closer! |
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Idaho
Rugged mountains give way to a large rolling valley. |
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One Way In - And Out
This is what we pilots call a one-way airstrip, due to that large pile of
dirt at the far end of it. |
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Quality of Facilities Vary
Most are better than this, but any port when in need. |
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Solvang
An old Danish settlement in Southern California, it is now a tourist trap and
retirement area. |
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Good Friends, Good Times
We enjoy the sun in Solvang, CA with friends Pat & Paul and Sharon & Dale. |
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Call This Dancing?
I don't dance. But with enough lubrication, I will get up and shuffle around. |
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Who Let This One In?
The old Sportscoach is not always welcome in today's snootier RV parks. We
lean toward government parklands for our overnights. (The nicer coach next to us
belongs to our friends Albert & Luanne) |
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Scotty's Castle, Death Valley
A must-see in Death Valley. Scotty teamed up with an east coast millionaire
to build this truly unique complex. |
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Scotty's Castle
In the pre-cerntral air days fireplaces and thick walls were the way to go.
Scotty also installed some ingenious evaporative cooling measures. |
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Leftovers, Scotty's Castle
When the government acquired the property, a lot of stuff came with it.
Hopefully, this will be preserved and restored someday. |
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Teakettle Junction
A landmark crossroads in back-country Death Valley. D has found a teakettle
better than the one we have, but it won't come free. (Just joking, we actually
added one) |
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Miner's Shack
Looks like he put a bit too much tension on the prop. |
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The Racetrack
Another unique place. Under certain wet and windy conditions, the rocks
apparently blow along the surface of this dry lake. No one has ever actually
seen this happen. |
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Charcoal Kilns
Located high in the mountains near Death Valley, these were used to make
charcoal from the forests, which have mostly been cut over now. |
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Armagosa Opera House
Marta Becket, a dancer and performer, has for decades put on a one-woman show
in this desert crossroads opera house, assisted by her long-time companion
Willit. |
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Interior of Opera House
Over the years, Marta painted a complete audience on the walls of the opera
house. Sometimes she performed to a house empty but for these paintings. |
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Willit
Marta's companion and the man who keeps it going.
Update: I believe Marta's
last performance was in February of 2012, although at this writing she is still
with us. Marta was born in 1924. |
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Marta Signing Autographs
Our neighbor Al Carlson gets an autograph after the performance. It was too
dim for successful photography during the performance, unfortunately. |
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Monument Valley
Here's yours truly during one of our swings through the Four Corners area. |
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