Guide dog, family pet, best friend, and lastly, our constant travel companion over these past two years. Goodbye sweet Pia. May your spirit soar high and free sweet girl. Your missed!
She was 14 ½ years strong and lived an amazing life!
A few memories of her life on the road. (Click through for enlarged versions.)
Anyone traveling along with us on this journey, might remember last year around this time, we were having some problems with Dear Ms. Keevan abruptly dying on us in inconvenient locations after heavy rainstorms. At least it seemed to happen after the rains, and it was nice to blame it on Something!
One time she died going up a hill. She just quit. No sputtering or grumblings to warn us. The other time was at a stop sign, again with no warnings.
Both times, because of very inconvenient locations and less than superb settings, we had to have her towed. Both times it was a Saturday or Sunday. You do know there are VERY FEW if any garages open on weekends, right?
Both times by the time Monday morning came around, she started up again. Both times we spent copious amounts of money trouble-shooting the issue. Oh my, it’s so difficult to troubleshoot issues that disappear when threatened with wrenches and power tools!
It seemed like something was shorting out after getting wet. But we could never find anything either shorted out or wet.
So why bring all this up now???
Because not one, but a few different people have asked us what we did to fix the problem. Seems Ms. Keevan is not the only 95 Eurovan that prefers sunnier weather.
It’s so simple and crazy, but the most practical and immediate remedy seemed to be the fact that we started covering up her brain (that main computer component that controls all her signals, aka the ECU / ECM) with a plastic bag inside the engine compartment whenever a big rain was forecast. Don’t laugh!!! It worked! If we didn’t do this, she would jump around unhappily in the mornings, like she didn’t want to get going.
There were other issues along the way.
When a person lives in their vehicle, when a person drives that vehicle every single day, when its pressed to go 40,000 miles, when it goes between sea level and 12,000 feet in elevation, over mountain passes and down gravel roads, when that vehicle has now over 200,000 miles on it’s engine…there are always Other Issues.
We’ve replaced the air filter and fuel filter, changed the oil, changed out the spark plugs and wires, put in a new distributer cap and rotor, …all the normal stuff.
Then we put in a new motor mount, after one of our mechanics noticed one was broken. This definitely helped the van to run smoother and shift better. We replaced the oxygen sensor. We tried to replace the EGR valve, but can’t find one that fits, so Fred took out the old one, and cleaned it up – it was badly clogged with carbon. He submersed it in boiling water with tongs for a few minutes, then dropped it in a can of cold water, then repeated this procedure again a few more times, and finally blew out any remaining loose material left over. We replaced two water temperature sensors, and a coolant temperature sensor. (Who knew there were so many sensors?) We replaced the EGR solenoid, which we neglected back when we cleaned the EGR valve up. We cleaned up the throttle, (which was very very dirty, and plugged with lots of carbons), we replaced some fuses, including one that went to the ECU. And finally, we cleaned up all the contacts on the infamous ECU, some of them being slightly corroded and rusty. A Volkswagen dealer at one point told us we needed a new $1,000,00 brain. *Never take a Volkswagen to a Volkswagen dealer, if possible.
I have to add in here, that once this last round of work was done, and the van was actually running fantastic, we were on the way home and the headlights went out. Honest! Somehow a wire had gotten torn loose! That one was an easier fix!
For those of you driving older VW Vanagons with the engines in the back. OK, please quit laughing now. We know, we know. They are easy to work on. These Eurovans, on the other hand, with the bigger more powerful engine in the front, which actually go up hills without pushing, and having their engines in front, therefore putting a little space between you and the highway and other high speed cruising vehicles, making you feel a bit safer, are notorious for being fickle to work on. Especially famous for being fickle is the 95 Eurovan with the 5 cylinder Audi engine, which is what Ms. Keevan is draped in. Mechanics love them and mechanics hate them.
Did I say mechanics?
Speaking of mechanics…if you can find a good one, hang on to them, don’t let them go away, offer to take them along for the trip, tie them on top, bake them cakes, do whatever possible to keep them around. Bad mechanics are easy to come by, good ones, not so much.
So what actually fixed our Rainy Day Problem?
Not sure. This is just what we did. It seems like a lot of work and expense. But this is our home. Just like a brick and mortar home, we have to keep it up, and we want it to be reliable. It’s where we sleep, eat, read, work on this blog, and so many other home type jobs.
Most importantly, during this process, we’ve cleaned up some of our other ongoing issues, especially the van running rough, it having too fast of an idle, it running too rich, and getting poor gas mileage. The running rich and bad mileage thing was due to among other things, a little lesser know EGR valve solenoid, which was making the EGR valve become stuck open, causing too much fuel to be burned, thus the poor gas mileage, and the reason our engine light was coming on and off. When that solenoid was replaced, life got a whole lot better!
Whew! Hopefully we can get back to more pretty pictures and hidden away travel destinations soon. In the meantime, I hope this can help others trying to make sense of complicated Eurovan diagnostics!
We’d love to hear if any of the above tricks has helped anyone else in solving their problems.
It’s a rainy, dreary, cold Sunday morning when we finally leave Santa Cruz, heading to San Luis Obispo.
But yet, the feeling is there. The open road calling.
Freedom, intrigue, anticipation, and wonder. We have no plans, but to be in SLO to get the van into the mechanic on Tues. We aren’t sure which way we are going to drive, or where we are going to stay, not even thinking it is a three day weekend.
We have until Monterey to decide.
After so much busyness the past few months, being on the road in a sense feels like being set free.
Just before Montery, we detour to Moss Landing State Beach, watching the sights through the mist from the protection of our van. This little sea otter doesn’t mind the weather. I wonder, does he/she know it’s an El Nino year? Did it do anything different to prepare?
These folks must for sure know it’s an El Nino year. Yet they are out in the elements enjoying themselves.
Already, we are starting to notice our surroundings more…see the details, smell the scents, and breathe in the air.
Back and forth we go, processing our options. Along the coast or inland. Meander or push straight through. Get the van to the shop, or take a chance of a breakdown along Highway 1. (Never a good idea.) Fred’s feeling confident about the van, the sun peeks out just a bit, and we go the coast route.
It’s a good choice. The ocean is calm, after a week of huge waves and super high tides. Nothing too eventful happens, no whales, no gorgeous clouds, no magical unicorns on surfboards, and thankfully no breakdowns. Just the serene ocean. That’s ok.
Even fog and mist so thick at times, you could cut it seemed ok. Floating on a travel high.
We pass the day this way, stopping here and there, noticing all the traffic, reminding us finally that it is Martin Luther King’s b-day holiday. Before dark, we arrive at Plasket Creek Campground. It’s fairly crowded for a rainy day, but we find a spot off to the side, away from the big RV’s and party crowds.
We meet a nice young couple lusting for a van like ours. Then another nice young couple strolls by stopping for a chat, while inspecting our ride. It’s always fun, for us “older folks” getting high fives from the younger crowds that flock to Volkswagens and drool with envy over owning one themselves. Someday…we tell them.
Monday the clouds lift a bit, and we stop by to visit again with the “Big Ones” at Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery.
Even the Elephant Seals are sedate. No fighting amongst the bulls, not too much irritation among the new moms, and babies just lying hither and thither. We are about a month earlier this year, than when we were here last year, so it isn’t quite mating season yet. Or maybe they are tired from the ravaging surf of last week. Or maybe it’s the “El Nino” effect.
I didn’t know you could tell when an Elephant Seal was getting ready to give birth, but this lady really looks like she is bursting at the seams! Her last moments of peace and calm perhaps?
There’s lots of love going on between other mom’s and babies!
Bonding together only to separate in just a short month or so. Is it hard for them?
This mom had a fresh newborn, and was definitely telling everyone to stay back!
And this sweet matron here below. She is being so zen, practicing her yoga poses with no cares in the world. She must be getting ready for her own journey out into the wild blue yonder. Or perhaps she is breathing deeply before her own little babe comes into the world.
It’s that Peaceful Easy Feeling…all over again. ❧
Well hey there. It’s been over 6 months since posting on this blog.
So as is due, a quick catch up and then on to some reflections.
When we left off last June, we had arrived in Idaho to our rental house which had been trashed and defaced.
Although I could write a book just on that summer experience, let’s just say, that after being on the road for so long, we actually enjoyed our summer stay and all the hard work. We set up our camp inside the house (after lots of initial cleansing) and put our energy into creating something Beautiful from something that wasn’t.
Thinking back a few years ago, one of our initial goals when we set out on the road was that we wanted to travel for long periods, then to temporarily stay put in a community for a few months or so to get to know the local favors. Then this past summer we were forced into doing that very thing which we desired. Funny how the world works.
Now here we are into 2016 already!
Blessed with a new grandson in November, we are spending the winter months back in California, where we can be around the new baby and new parents, as well as enjoying the rest of our family.
We’ve had two house-sits to break up the winter, (and our van-stays) which were fantastic, both times taking care of lovey homes and lovely pets for wonderful people.
But really, it’s always so cozy to return to our little van home.
At years end, I spent time re-visiting this blog, and going through literally thousands of photos I’ve taken over the past two years.
I am amazed! And feel so blessed. And so unbelieving of all the incredible places we’ve traveled to, and all the beautiful experiences we’ve had traveling around in this little white van.
I have so many fond memories of gorgeous sunsets, amazing wildlife, ancient cultures, strange trees, bizarre inclement weather, solitary vistas, interesting people of so many different sorts, balloons in the air, red red rocks, birds of all colors, mile high camping, prehistoric looking animals, and on and on.
I think I could ramble on to eternity here, but I’ll spare whoever is reading this for the moment, and just say it’s a life worth living! The times of feeling homeless, and worries of where to sleep for the night, well yes, there are challenges. But life is a challenge meant to be met head on, conquering fears, daring to be different, willing to try new experiences.
So thankful for the opportunity to make these choices. So thankful for all that has come our way these past few years.
In honor of those memories and a longing to make more in the future, I’m reposting some of my favorite photos of some of my favorite places.
Thanks to those who have traveled along with us through this blog. Hoping that there will be much more to come in the future.
Peace and Good Cheer as we roll along into 2016!
After the wedding, Fred, Pia and I took on a house-sitting staycation in the Santa Cruz mountains area for good friends who were off traveling and having their own adventures.
We spent three very relaxing weeks lounging around, sipping coffee while reading newspapers, walking to town, and mostly enjoying this fabulous garden retreat, designed and maintained by my good friend and garden designer Albright-Souza Garden Design.
As seen above, Pia also had a buddy to hang with.
Albright-Souza Garden Design has a wonderful blog of her own, Perjoy with much useful information on designing with drought tolerant and native plants. She often showcases other gardens, so I thought it time to show off some of her handy work used to create her own backyard retreat!
If you are in this area, and think it’s finally time to tear out that water guzzling lawn, and give your yard an updo, check out her work over at her website, and give her a call!
Downtime here in such a lovely setting is just what these KeeVan nomads needed to refresh and re-energize.
Time to visit with good friends, time to read books, time to reflect, time to spend with family, squeeze in a little knitting, and of course plan our next adventure.
House-sitting is a great way to take short breaks from life on the road and continue at the same time to experience new lifestyles and modes of living.
We nomads are back in our van now and are currently heading north again, but there are some more forks in our path coming up.
Stay tuned….to see which fork we take. ❧
* A little aside note.
For those interested in asking Keevansoul questions about their lifestyle / traveling adventures, please do so with your questions in the comments section of the blog. It helps to create dialog and gives me ideas to write about. I try to keep my personal e-mail for my close friends and family. Just my policy. But I will always try to answer questions here on the blog. Thanks for understanding!!
We’re sitting here at Beals Point Campground on Folsom Lake, after driving north through Owen’s Valley, then over to Carson Valley, then across the Sierra’s again to warmer weather.
It’s all been gorgeous, but the weather turned bitter cold with nights into the low 20’s and wind gusting horrendously around the beautiful Carson Valley.
Planning on meeting up with our daughter who is in Sacramento on business, we decide to cross the Sierra summit before snow falls on the highway.
We miraculously find this uncrowded campground and enjoy a few days of if not drier, at least much warmer weather.
Lounging around an entire day, bundled up playing dice games, reading books, and sipping warm tea while the rain pours down and pounds the van, we are happy. We set the awning up to have a dry porch area, take shorts walks in rain gear, and enjoy Mother Nature.
The birds who stuffed this tree with winter rations are certainly prepared! Just like us, they must feel like they can never have too much food on hand…just in case.
After the storm, the days are sunny, warm and delightful.
We find wildflowers everywhere we hike.
When the weekend rolls around and the campground fills up, we drive a long and windy road to the other side of the lake, where the campground on that side, Peninsula campground, is just barely open. In fact no ranger ever comes around to collect and there is no way to pay. The camp host, the only other person here on our first day, and who only recently arrived himself, said not to worry about it. So we don’t. We have the entire campground to ourselves for the first day and a half, before a few other brave souls starting arriving.
These golden fields filled with blue Lupine and purple Vetch is what we look at here out the van door.
We finally go and meet up with daughter, and spend a few days in the city of Sacramento together, enjoying some good food, soft beds, and hot showers.
Fun is had by all, and refreshing as this is, still it’s good to be back in the van by lakeside again.
It’s really where we feel at home now.
We are here for another day, then will be heading back to Santa Cruz to finish preparing for her wedding.
I plan on being absent from this blog for awhile, and won’t be posting for at least a few weeks, while we change gears and celebrate in a different fashion, spend time with family, and oh yeah, learn how to use my new camera! (It’s a 7D markII) So many things to be excited about!
These photos and all previous photos on this blog have been taken with a really old Canon Rebel 2ti camera. It has been an awesome traveling camera, very lightweight and easy to tote around on hikes, and has taken it’s share of bumps and bruises, but it’s time, and now I’m really looking forward to playing around with this new camera, experimenting, and pushing my limits some.
Peace to all and Happy Spring. ❧
We gradually leave the desert behind us, climbing over two summits to get through the mountain pass into the Inyo National Forest in California.
This is the view that welcomes us as we round one particular corner. Surprise!
After managing to get over the pass, we turn off onto White Mountain Road. We are heading up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, located in the White Mountains, about an hour east of Bishop, California.
It’s refreshing being in the Pine forest again, the ground laden with slate and hidden wonders that one almost misses. We must have stepped over these beautiful little succulents numerous times before actually observing the tiny red blooms and happy yellow flowers on them.
We wind up and up and up until we are over 9,000 feet in elevation. Only because of California’s ongoing drought and the lowest recorded snowpack in history, can we visit this area this early in spring. Having not been this high for a long time, we feel like we are really on top of the world.
And just below timberline is exactly where the oldest trees on earth are living.
Some of these Bristlecone Pines are over 5,000 years old. They have been here for so long, according to one fellow hiker we meet, that they actually used to live at lower elevations, until the mountains pushed up to these colossal heights.
I try to wrap my brain around that!
These trees grow so slowly, that according to Wikipedia, even their needles sometimes stay on the trees for over 40 years. Talk about slow growth!
Somewhere in this forest is the oldest individual recorded living tree in the world. The “Methusala” tree. Depending on which scientific source one reads, it is recorded to be approximately 5,064 years old.
We hike around the Discovery trail. We are at about 10,000 feet elevation, and Pia wants to be with us. We take it slow, and take lots of rests.
But we don’t take the Methuselah trail, which is about four hours long the signage says. It takes us almost that long just for the Discovery trail, which supposedly takes about an hour and a half.
The actual Methusela Tree is a “secret.” The trail wanders about through the forest, but it is never revealed which tree is actually “it.” Some secrets are best kept secret I suppose. There are weirdos out there.
All in all, hey, what’s the difference in a 4,500 year old tree and a 5,000 year old tree anyway?
The rich colors, the twisted bark, the monstrous roots, the majestic stature of these older than old giants is pretty humbling.
I mean, I thought I was feeling old at 50-something…
No more whining or complaining about getting old, right Pia?
❧
Happy Easter!
We hadn’t planned on backtracking, but after talking with and exchanging information with some fellow nomads, we realize there are a few more places we want to visit before leaving this part of Nevada.
We head off to Desert National Wildlife Refuge…Five long washboarded dirt and gravel road miles, and arrive late enough that it is really too late to see much. DNWF makes it clear that dry camping is allowable on the back roads of the refuge, so we find us a lovely spot, watch the sunset, and retire, so we can get going early enough the next morning to be able to hike a couple of trails before it warms up too much, and while the birds are most active.
It’s a beautiful place, a true oasis in the middle of the desert. Most of the back country requires a 4 wheel drive to crisscross the mountains and dirt roads, and although our Van has pretty high clearance, we decide not to take her on any more bumpy rides, after all the work we put into her this past winter.
We spend the morning around Corn Creek instead. Tall Cottonwoods, native shrubbery, ponds, walkways, trails, and lush green meadows surround a beautiful new visitor center. We hike on some of the trails, and enjoy a slow and easy time of it. It’s very relaxing to just hang out and enjoy the wildlife here. We meet a photographer from Massachusetts, exchange bird information, and spend much time chatting away the morning.
So many birds are busy building nests now! They are flying to and fro carrying all sorts of materials. This little Verdin has quite a mouthful!
We continue to laze around here until it starts to heat up and all is quiet in the woods.
After making it back out and off of that horrible washboard road, (which evidently is about to get paved) we drive a few miles up the highway and take a left turn up Cold Creek Road.
This is an interesting area – the entire village of Cold Creek is off grid. The off grid homes are not just little cabins, but real substantial sized houses, all with solar panels mounted on roofs. The surrounding area is a large ATV riding area. And it is also a quaint community where wild horses roam freely.
We find it to be a beautiful valley, with snow covered peaks rising up from the desert floor.
These Wild Horses here seem much more tame than other wild horses we’ve seen. Surely they interact with the people who live in the Cold Creek community.
Of course there are signs posted asking visitors not to feed them, but there is evidence that they do get handouts, and they act like they are used to at least occasionally getting treats from someone.
Pretty hard to resist those eyes and soft noses.
No treats from us, but I did get to rub a few of those noses.
It’s the middle of the day while we visit, and mostly the horses are pretty quiet, but we do find a few youngsters a bit more frisky.
Nothing like wild horses in the desert mountains!
Finally we wander into Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, on the southern border of the huge Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex. On the northeast corner of the DNWF is where Pahranagat National Refuge is located. Remember, we were there last week.
We are surprised by yet another oasis, rare fish living in the spring water here, and more large reservoirs of water. Where does all this water come from?? I thought deserts didn’t have water!
We mostly drive around these reservoirs, then pull up to the visitor center, after it is closed for the day, and enjoy a picnic dinner all alone enjoying a lovely dusk as evening befalls us.
Shall I say how surprised we are, that we are loving this part of Nevada so much.
After all, we are just a stone’s throw away from Yucca Mountain, and the largest military Nuclear testing site in the West.
Lake Mead
Still in Nevada, we decide to explore the lesser used areas around Lake Mead.
They are less used, because the water level is historically low for this man made reservoir – the holding tank for Hoover Dam.
When the outflow is more than the inflow, the math doesn’t quite work out, creating problems. Hmm.
Too many people, too much water use, too little rainfall. That seems to be the real equation.
Now that the levels are so low, and the water is so warm because of the low levels, the algae levels are extremely high, creating toxic conditions.
Basically what we have is yet another deteriorating watering system.
This part of the Colorado River is suppose to supply the water to all of Las Vegas, much of San Diego, and huge areas in Arizona.
The scenery is still Beautiful!
And for us, less recreation users (water skiers, jet skiers, and boaters) means more quiet peaceful camping spots. The boat launches are all closed at this end of the lake due to low water.
We spend three days dispersed camping here at Stewarts Point, on the north end of the lake, enjoying front row lakeside seats.
Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge
Leaving Lake Mead, we retreat to Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge, where we find a sweet little campground right on the water again. Here our van door opens 15 feet from the lake.
This water is natural, not man-made. It comes forth from natural springs that bubble from the ground creating lush fields for farmers, and heavenly refuges for birds and waterfowl passing by on their flights north and south every year.
Another three days was spent here at upper Pahranagat Lake, enjoying company such as this pair of Mallards, who kept us constantly entertained.
They were so comfortable with us, they ventured into our campsite a few times a day, to see what crumbs they could find.
No…we didn’t feed them. There is plenty of food in this lake! We also watched and listened to huge fish jumping all day long.
Driving around the lower lake we spot this Osprey. It’s been awhile since seeing one of these handsome hawks.
Note the fish in it’s talons. I didn’t realize that, until looking at these photos a little closer. I hope I didn’t interrupt him (?) too much.
This Great Blue Heron, was another recurring visitor. We realized that it was gathering nesting material, and would frequently fly back and forth with twigs and branches in it’s large bill.
On a long hike around the upper lake one evening, we were really surprised to encounter this Vermillion flycatcher. We saw these beautiful birds back in Arizona last fall, and were enthralled to meet up with them again here. They are now in full breeding color. There must have been about four pairs of them at least.
We really love this camping area, and could easily spend a few weeks here exploring.
But…we’re moving on. ❧
Valley of Fire
Since we’ve been exploring “other” areas of the Mojave Desert, we decide to visit the area north of Las Vegas, in Nevada.
On the route northward, we camp along the Colorado River, and plan on camping in Lake Mead Recreational Area. Hoo Boy, when we arrive, we find out it is Spring break here, and all Nevadan’s it seems, take their break around this lake and river.
Where else would one go I guess, if one lives in Nevada?
A little creativity, some solid research, and a bit of luck, lands us a few hidden gems for some out of the way spots to spend a few nights.
After long stretches of Creosote bush and low lying desert scrub, bypassing the lower end of Lake Mead, we instead drive the scenic back road to Valley of Fire State Park.
Ooh la la…Here it seems, is where all the Beauty of this vast and lonely state wound up eons ago.
Large mountains of red sandstone formations formed from ancient sand dunes, stand majestically against brilliant golden hues.
Imagine dinosaurs roaming here, and later Anasazi Indians gathering and hunting these canyons. The later leaving their artwork on the rock cliffs.
In more modern times, “bad” guys hid from the law in the last century, in these same box canyons, which I’m sure hold untold secrets and some rip roaring stories unknown to us present day nomads.
We meet our first Chuckwalla!!
He does look dinosaur-ish, doesn’t he?
We don’t camp in the park, the campgrounds are taken over by humongous motor homes, all with power cords leading to I wonder where? There is only one tent in the entire upper loop of the park.
We go back to our hidden jewell at night time, and enjoy the park during the day.
Before leaving we meet this little tyke…not very dinosaur looking, but awfully cute.
Keevan Soul 