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Hey everyone! Well, we have not only survived three weeks in the van so far, but we have been thriving. It is a viable option for us for a longer trip. It is running well (although we need to get it into a shop soon for a brake job). It is super comfortable to drive, hang out, cook and sleep. It is highly capable on and off-road, and we have had plenty of electrical power.

This week started with Monday’s eclipse with Scott, Martha, and Kai. And while it was very cloudy, we did get a couple of breaks in the clouds that let us get a glimpse of the eclipse as it developed and during totality. After the eclipse was over, we just sat tight and enjoyed each other’s company. It was nice to have a couple of hours of down time and just hanging out.

On Tuesday we started driving north. stopping in Roswell, New Mexico, to visit the alien museum, where I am not convinced that there really are people that really do believe in Aliens. We had a wonderful dispersed campsite out on hill all by ourselves.

Wednesday we drove through Lincoln City NM, Visited the three rivers petroglyphs Visited the Smokey the Bear Historical Park Stopped at McGuinnes Pistachio Land before finally arriving at White Sands National Park to play in the dunes. And finally camping in the wonderful Aguirre Springs campground above the White Sands Missle range.

Thursday saw us climbing over Emory Pass on our way to Joshua Tree National Park. This was a very long day, and we didn’t arrive in the area of the park until late into the evening, which was fine, as it made for an easy entry to the park the next day.

Friday saw us rolling through Joshua Tree National Park and enjoying that before heading north toward Sequoia National Park, with a drive through the Mojave Desert, and past Edwards Air Force Base.

Saturday Started with a short bike ride to the neighboring glider airport for breakfast and a beautiful drive up the east side of the California Central Valley with a visit to Sequoia National Park, before settling in for the evening in Lindy’s Landing RV park, outside of Kingsburg CA.

Today we will head to Petaluma, to visit my cousin Eric, then off to see our friend George and his boys, before finishing the trip home.

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We were the top bidder for this quilt, so we have quite the momento from the trip.

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Me and Kai with our Eclipse shirts on.

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The roar of the crowd, when the sun would peak through the clouds was pretty impressive.

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My best shot of the eclipse.

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Kai Chilling in the hammock post eclipse

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The gang after the eclipse.

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Camping outside of lincoln city was spectacular.

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Turns out the worlds largest pistachio is made of concrete :)

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Me, Catherine and Athena at White Sands national Park.

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Another Beautiful campsite for the night outside of White Sands.

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Climbing Emory pass.

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The Chino copper mine

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An artists Gallery in Silver City.

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Catherine doing her good deed for the day saving a desert tortoise from becoming a flat speed bump.

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Catherine and a fuzzy Joshua Tree.

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I made weight to go for a glider ride, but alas the winds had shifted and so they stopped flying.

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Me and Catherine on our way to see the biggest tree in the world.

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And there it is, the biggest tree in the world!

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but it was not the ONLY big tree in the park ;)

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Our track for week three.

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