05/13/2025
“Many of you asked to see our full adventure, so here it is—14,000 miles, six weeks, snow, beaches, friends, and family. From Yosemite to Banff, it was unforgettable. Full story and photos below!”
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10237998808369673&type=3
14,000 Miles in Six Weeks!
On March 17, I left for the West Coast alone, beginning a solo adventure to visit Somya and Fox🦊. Night one I slept in western Ohio after visiting Tom from Koma Drums, then continued through the Midwest, spending a night in Arkansas and then another in Albuquerque (after a solid workout and shower at Planet Fitness). On Thursday I stopped at the Grand Canyon and finally pulled out the camera and made a few exposures. Friday, I drove through the desert to Joshua Tree and hiked some trails before sunset, then drove to LA to see Somya and Fox🦊. I met Somya’s new boyfriend, Billie, and started planning a snowy adventure with Fox🦊 to Yosemite. With a storm warning in place and temps in 12 and 14°, I was counting on the RV’s propane heat to keep us warm.
We drove into Yosemite through a blizzard. The Southern entrance was closed for blizzard conditions so we rerouted to the Eastern side and made it in just before closures there. We might’ve been snowed in—but what a magical place to be stuck. It was Fox’s first real snow. We had snowball fights, made ramen, and cozied up under blankets with the propane heat humming. The next day, more snowball fights (he kept score—and won), a visit to Tunnel View, and exploring Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point was closed, but what we saw was stunning. The second night was 14° so we tested sleeping without heat—Fox, the little generator, kept us both warm!
Day three: time to thaw out. We left Yosemite and made it to Avila Beach. Sun, surf, and sleep on the sand. Next day we cruised down the coast, swam in Santa Barbara, and returned to Somya’s for a few days. We hiked the Hollywood Hills with Angela, Fox🦊, and Strummer the dog, and spent hours wandering the Getty Museum.
Before leaving LA, I had breakfast with Billie and I visited my old friend Sam Ronn. We met in Vietnam and have been close for over 50 years. He showed me his enclosed yard fence lizard—one of his many quirky pastimes. From there, I headed to Pinnacles National Park, where I hiked among the cliffs and saw California condors, once nearly extinct.
Then to Santa Cruz to visit Bill Laich, and his lovely wife Linda. Bill and I have been besties since junior high school and served two tours in Vietnam together. The three of us made our usual trip to Manuel‘s Mexican restaurant as well as to an ice cream shop where they still serve Polar Bear ice cream recipes from the late 70s. Bill has a Winnebago Solis similar to mine and he moved it to the street so I could pull up in his driveway close to the kitchen and shower. I’m sure the three of us did some selfies together, but none of us can find any to post lol 😝
I hung out with Rick Paynovich for a couple days, we had lots of laughs together and caught up on stories.
I met with Jeremiah (Phil Merkle’s son) to play Sambala, a game Phil created in the ’70s. I got to meet his wonderful wife Marisol as well.
While still in Santa Cruz I also drummed with Matt from Drumskull, had dinner with Thom and Linda Atkins, and—like clockwork—ran into Arbor, who I seem to bump into every time I visit. Hard to leave, but Bill and Linda plan to visit me in their Solis this summer.
Next stop: San Francisco to pick up Swee at the airport and end my solo stretch. We stayed overnight with Esa, wife of my late Vietnam buddy Ray Cotter. After a great Japanese brunch, Swee and I headed north to Humboldt County and the towering redwoods. We camped by the Eel River, then visited my old friend Patty McGuire, who I hadn’t seen in 45 years. We met her partner Z, who gave us a breakfast tour of the area and seemed to know someone everywhere we passed. We helped Patty to make one of her famous chocolate cakes for a birthday party but in the end we decided to eat it instead and take something else to the party. 😃
After the birthday party we headed to a fundraiser hosted by Ascha, another long time friend of over 50 years. She was previously married to Crow. and gave me his contact info.
The next day before leaving, I visited Crow at his mountain cabin, where he lives with Missy, a fantastic cook and talented bead artist. Crow, a master leatherworker, showed me his work before we stopped to see Ascha again at her lovely home on the way back down the mountain.
After another dip in the Eel River, we explored Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then made the steep, wild drive over the mountains (RVs not recommended )to Mattole Beach—camping on the remote coast under tsunami warning signs and howling winds. The next morning we crossed back through lush, rainforest-like terrain to Hwy 101, then up the Oregon coast.
Crossing into Oregon felt like a relief— I was never so happy to pay $3.50 a gallon rather than $5-$6 at most California stations.
We lingered along the scenic coast, photographing beaches and staying two nights near Brookings. Then we drove to Port Orford, through Corvallis, and on to Hood River for more exploring and photography.
We met up with Aileen in Portland, a friend I hadn’t seen in 26 years. She gave us a great city tour—roses, rivers, and delicious Indian food. We parked and slept in her lot before heading north again.
We explored the Olympic Peninsula, collecting clams, feasting on fresh oysters right off the beach, and photographing Lake Crescent at sunset. I even jumped in! We camped in a forest of moss-draped pines, then returned to Port Angeles for the ferry to Victoria—writing this as we wait to board.
After leaving Vancouver, we drove the breathtaking “Highway to the Gods” through BC and into Banff. I’ve never seen a place that rivals Yosemite—until now. The glaciers, the light, the silence—it was otherworldly. We stayed in Banff several days, photographing with both pro gear and iPhones, savoring the early-morning crisp air and absence of crowds.
Leaving was hard, but Yellowstone was calling. We crossed into the U.S. and drove through Calgary to Big Sky, then entered Yellowstone in another snowstorm. We photographed bison up close in blizzard conditions, and
camped by the Madison River. We saw a wolf as well as lots of bison all throughout the park. The North eastern side was closed For the winter season but we explored a lot of the park that was open— it was beautiful beyond words.
We boon-docked one last night on the northside and woke up to beautiful panoramic views. We stop many times to photograph and take it the views before heading home. After 14,000 miles in six weeks, with Swee joining for the final month, it’s time to return. I hope to see all (or some!) of you soon.
