We just passed our four month mark of full-timing in our 2008 23' International CCD. When my husband came up with this whole plan in January, I thought he was crazy. I asked (often), "You want to sell everything? Are you insane?". Then, one day, sitting in my cubicle, I thought, "Hmmm...actually, he might be on to something." So, in May 2009, I finished graduate school, quit my job, and took on the huge task of selling our belongings. Our furniture left our home in no time thanks...

Serrano Campground is a great camp site on Big Bear Lake. Part of the San Bernardino National Forest. October is perfect time of year to camp here. We stayed Friday and Saturday night. Blue skies. Warm sun. Cool, crisp mountain air.

Late afternoon Friday we took a short drive into Big Bear Lake Village. Explored local shops, like Simply Irrresistible and The Leather Depot. Then, a great dinner at Sweet Basil Bistro...desert was warm mini donuts with butterscotch, chocolate, and raspberry...

Visited relatives in Vegas, special occasion. We stayed at the Oasis RV Resort. Very convenient location for us. Full hook-ups. Nice pool. Store. Internet. Even full bar. Mostly parking lot...but with a few grassy areas, good spacing, and very well maintained. If you're staying in Las Vegas...great RV site.

Not much in Blythe. Hot, hot in summer. Even the KOA was a bit disappointing, cause enjoying the Colorado River was nearly impossible...held hostage by a couple families that staked-out entire access area with enormous day tents. Still, the drive from Phoenix to home was just too long, so we decided to stay...half way point. The KOA did have a decent pool, which we enjoyed. And we did discover the China Garden Restaurant nearby, which made for great take-out in the Bambi...does not get much better...

In Scottsdale, we stayed at one of our favorite hotels: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. It's pet friendly, and summertime rates make it affordable. Beautiful surroundings and pool. Great room and staff. Staff helped us find convenient place in employee parking lot to park the Bambi.

After spending time in the pool, we enjoyed dinner with relatives at nearby Pure Sushi. Then finished off back at the hotel bar, enjoying a night cap on the balcony looking out over the desert...

A majestic place on our trip...Catalina State Park, inside the city of Tucson. Can you believe that?

Lots of highway construction on drive in...and, summer heat...but when we arrived, at near sunset...heaven!

Jack rabbit, road runners. Great ranger station. Just a beautiful place to camp. And the view...spectacular.

On long drive to Las Cruces, south on US-25, we stopped briefly at Elephant Butte Lake State Park and drove through the town of Truth or Consequences...just could not resist names of either.

In Las Cruces, we stayed at the Las Cruces KOA, where we delighted in one of nicest pools on this trip. We enjoyed local Mexican food, winetasting at St. Clair Winery & Bistro, and charming Old Mesilla Village.

Sad to say, but at least on this trip we did not find much to be excited about in Albuquerque. We tried to explore the Historic Route 66 section along Central Avenue downtown, but could find little of the charm described in our guide book. Next, we visited Old Town, which was nice...listened to a local outdoor band, shopped a little...purchased our first bunch of hot dried peppers. But mostly, choose to stay at our campground, the Bernalillo KOA.

Just to be on safe side, I did replace...

http://www.streaminalong.blogspot.com/

Well, five nights in the Bambi and we were ready for night in a hotel. Plus, we were celebrating a wedding anniversary. So, kinda last minute, we checked out Santa Fe hotels in our Lonely Planet Guide...Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque. Top of list we found within walking distance of historic district: Inn on the Alemeda. Made call and they had dog friendly room available. Booked it.

Parking was a bit of challenge, but managed (thanks to small size of Bambi) and then we checked into...

Flagstaff also had great trees and landscape. We went to the Grand Canyon, or as my teenage son calls it : "the big hole in the ground" . I had been there many years ago, but Steve & Stephen had not. We rode the train there from the depot. The increased elevation was fun to deal with while walking the trails, as was the heat (100f). The train ride was fun, but our steam locomotive broke down about 45 min. into the ride up and they had to send the diesel to take...

Durango is a great little town. Downtown is fun to shop. We rode the train (Durango to Silverton), it takes like 3 hours each way. The scenery was spectacular, well worth the fare. The train at one point was tilting as we went around a bend (see photo). We were told that the surrounding mountains/landscape are what they used to model Disneys' Thunder Mountain ride after. We rode in the open air car with the padded seats. Just be sure to pack your sunglasses, as the smoke/soot from the...

Stopped off at Holbrook to see the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest. Beautiful scenery. Pictures don't do it justice. The life size dinosaur was outside Holbrook.

This trip, our 1st of many, was the best most relaxing vacation we’ve ever taken. Despite the learning curve and new challenges to deal with. We went to Durango, CO via Kingman, AZ, Holbrook, AZ; and then Flagstaff, AZ on the way back to homebase (San Dimas, CA). We managed to get back home with wanting to strangle one another, or file for divorce

Day one:
We camped at the KOA in Kingman, AZ. It was a pretty good clean park with fairly level sites. Our only problem...

Out of Durango, we took US-160 east through Pagosa Springs to US-84 back down into northern New Mexico. The drive here, the country, is just beautiful. Horse ranches, elk, longhorn cattle, handsome farms. Water is everywhere. Each new turn more beautiful than the last.

Not long after US-84 transitions to US-64 in New Mexico, we crossed the Continental Divide, which is where rainfall divides...to the west, it drains to the Pacific Ociean, to the east, the Atlantic. Approaching Taos,...