GREETINGS...

From the Pacific Northwest... 

...where Mt Rainier makes its own weather.

SO COOL!

HARVEST HOSTS

A little over a year ago, friend and fellow Lazy Dazer, Joan Taylor, introduced our RVing "cult" to a novel camping approach conceived by Don and Kim Greene, based on their RV travels throughout Europe:  cost-free overnighting at small wineries, ranches, orchards, working farms, etc.  

The Greenes' endeavor, Harvest Hosts, charges a nominal annual membership fee to RVers; the fee entitles RVing members to detailed regional listings from Alaska to Baja, California to Maine, of their Host Members -- those mostly-agricultural operations willing to allow (host) RVers to spend the night on their property free of charge.  However, like Walmarting, it's not actually "free" if travelers show their appreciation by purchasing the Host's offerings of wine, lavender, fruit and the like!!

Kelley Orchards in Weiser, Idaho recently hosted two of us in their lovely fruit orchards -- ever so much more quiet, green and peaceful than "pavement parking" when one is aiming for a distant destination down the road.  

For a unique going-down-the-road experience, Harvest Hosts is a highly recommended resource.  In addtion to the Greenes' website, there is a nice write up at "Rv.Net," and "Trailer Life Magazine" gave them a "shout-out" in their July issue.  (The article's superimposed [lame layout] photo of the Lazy Dazes was taken by yours truly while visiting Purple Haze Lavender Farm in Sequim, WA last year.)

http://blog.rv.net/2010/11/free-camping-at-wineries-and-farms/

http://www.harvesthosts.com/images/Trailer-Life-article.jpg

http://www.harvesthosts.com/

FOR PLAY...

...first find a gaggle of kids, a socialized animal preferably still in puppyhood, throw in a ball or a frisbee, turn on the water, let 'em loose in some wide open grassy spaces while the sun is shining, hear them squeal, watch them dance, hear them sing and make music -- do you remember having energy like this?  And not a care in the world?

Embrace the joy.  Enjoy the memories!

BEFORE AND AFTER...

NOW AND THEN

Seen at the used-to-be gold rush Town of Bonanza, Land of the Yankee Forks, Idaho

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--1.

Mt. Hood - Oregon

A Topless Mt. St. Helens swimming in a sea blue sky

(this Washington "monument" was taken from across the river in Hood River, Oregon)

WONDERING WOMAN

I wonder if this family has cell service.  I wonder how far away they have to go to retrieve mail.  Newspaper?  I wonder how far away their nearest neighbor lives.  I wonder if there's a school bus stop nearby.  Or perhaps the children are home schooled?  I wonder if the road to it is even paved.

I wonder what it would be like to live such a rural part of the state (Idaho).  Or perhaps this isn't truly "rural," but might actually be considered a classic wilderness existence -- with their very own grass-fed cows, of course.

(Yes, you'll probably have to click and enlarge to see what I'm talking about!!)

LEAH'S LEASH

 Hmmmmm -- wonder if I'll get in trouble.
QUICK!  She's gum banging instead of watching me!

AHHHHH!  That was a righteous time out

MARK TWAIN SAID...

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one's little corner of earth."

 

 

Taking Twain's admonishment seriously, our two-rig caravan took two weeks to explore most of Idaho's Scenic Byways.  We are most fortunate to live in "this little corner of the world" -- perhaps growing a teensy bit older, but certainly not "vegetating"!