Carefree Vacation'r Room

Carefree of Colorado Screen Room for our 5th Wheel Trailer

Home Sweet Home. Cortes Island, BC.

As you know we are in the process of preparing for our trip through British Columbia north to Yukon Territory and Alaska.

We have heard and read (check out Barb Rees book "RV Canada's Far North on a Dream") that mosquitoes and black flies can be a bit of a pain.

We did a lot of research to see if we could find a screen room for our awning on our trailer. We came up with a great solution from Carfree of Colorado. They have a screen room; "The Vacation'r Room".

Two of three walls up.

The skirting will also be added later.

View from the back of the trailer

All walls are up. Will set up the skirting next time.

I phoned Carfee of Colorado just to confirm that it will fit our trailer.

You need the make and model number of your current awning and they will tell you what screen room fits.

Once we had it all confirmed we called 877-340-5561 our local dealer Bill Howich RV and Marine  (talk to Rick Hansen) in Campbell River, and ordered one in. They always do a great job.

Once we got the screen room we set it up in our yard to see how it works and fits.

All looks well and it will go up fairly easy (not in 5 minutes that some claim) once we are used to it all.

This screen room will not only protect us from pesky mosquitoes, but it will also give us a lot more outdoor living space.

Did not have time to set up the skirting, as rain was quickly approaching. Will do that next time.

Over all a great quality product.

We will keep you posted.

Cheers,

Anders and Liz

Extending the Bumper on 5th Wheel Trailer

Bumper Extension for Generator Box

It's late April 2014 and we are preparing for our trip through British Columbia, Yukon and into Alaska.

During this upcoming trip, we expect to do a fair amount of dry camping (camping without hook-ups of any kind), therefore we decided to purchase a generator to give us more flexibility.

Our generator EF Yamaha2400iSHC

We bought a "EF Yamaha 2400 iSHC" , it will run the whole trailer including the AC if needed.

To house the generator we will have an aluminum box custom built and mounted on our rear bumper.

We envision running the generator right in the box, so the box will be built with maximum airflow and ventilation in mind.

To accommodate the generator box we had to extend the bumper and also raise the spare tire rack.

Original spare tire bracket.

Original bumper

The work on the bumper we had done by CR Metal Manufacturing LTD in Campbell River and they did a fantastic job.

We decided to extend the bumper with 12 inches and then add a second bumper that will also serve as storage for a sewer hose extension. Further, we also had a 1/4 inch plate welded on, and that's where the generator box will sit.

We designed the second bumper not as wide as the first. We recessed it 6 inches on each side. This way, when we make a turn in tight quarters, it will be less likely to hook on anything. Besides I think it looks better. The spare tire rack we had to make four inches taller. Before the spare tire was sticking out past the bumper.

Now the second bumper will take the load should we back up into anything, or if someone should bump in to us.

More on the generator box as it is being built. I have most of the design done. Scroll down for more pictures. Update, finished generator box click here.

Cheers,

Anders

New extended spare tire bracket.

Bumper extension prior to paint

Paint job done.

Finished with spare tire in place.

Added some light and reflective tape to the bumper.

Update; Bumper Extension on our RV or Fifth Wheel Trailer October 2016.

The extension of the bumper stood up well. We traveled from our home here in BC to Yukon and Alaska and back. Further we made a trip all the way down to the tip of Baja California and back. In total approximately 25,000 to 30,000 km. All this on some pretty rough roads.  However the rough roads took it's toll on the bumper extension.

I ended up doing some re-enforcing. See the pictures below. I would have to say, if I were to build one again, I would make a lot stronger then the first time. With the re-enforcement we have now it is very strong and should be just fine.

New support welded on under the bumper

Diamond bracket welded on to the I-beam and the bumper for extra strength.

Close up of diamond bracket welded on to the I-beam and the bumper for extra strength.

Baja Bound, Part 33. From California USA to Cortes Island BC, Canada

Go to Part 1 Here

December 3rd 2013 From Ventura, CA to Cambria, CA to Cortes Island, BC Canada.

Last night we went for dinner at the Aloha Restaurant by the sea. It was very good, we ate too much. This morning we are taking it easy. We go for a stroll through Ventura. Ventura has a long history, it was officially San Buenaventure before 1891 or Shisholop in the native Chumash, meaning "in the mud". Good fertile soil to grow vegetables.

Ventura has a long history

After lunch we drove north on #1 Hwy passed Santa Barbara, Gaviota, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Pismo Beach and Moro Bay all the way to Cambria. That was a wonderful drive along beaches, through mountains, over farm land and back along the beaches.

Around Gaviota

Drive through the coastal mountains

In Cambria we stayed on the beach, close to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 
Next morning we went for a short walk to the beach, It was minus 2 degrees Celcius. Brrrr cold after all the warm weather on the Baja.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Saying good bye to the California coast

It was time to leave the California coast. On Hwy 46 we drove over the coastal mountains, and close to Paso Robles through their wine region.

East of Cambria, CA

Hwy. 46 Drive through the Coastal  Mountains with Views back to the Pacific

Over Shandon to Hwy. 41, through the desert to the Interstate 5 close to Kettleman City. That stretch of the drive was true desert. Nothing grows, unless there is water. And water is the very scarce commodity here.

On Hwy. 41

Water is a Necessity

No Water - No Jobs - No Food

On the Interstate 5, full of semi trucks 

Once on I-5 North the drive was easy, but not as interesting. Still, we drove along many fruit and nut tree plantations. Some were ripped out, NO water! Further along we passed a huge cattle feed lot.

Cattle Feed Lot

 Somewhere passed Sacramento all the way in Corning, CA we found a motel. We went for Mexican Food for supper. It was so cold, we needed some warm memories.

Along the Interstate 5

On the 5th of December, now in our winter jackets, we drove toward the Shasta Trinity National Forests. The village of Mt. Shasta had some snow. They also have a wonderful Bakery Cafe where we bought freshly brewed organic coffee and a huge almond croissant.

Driving toward Mt. Shasta

On the high plateau there was heavy frost. Then passed Yreka, the valley opened up again with nice tended to farms toward the Oregon State border.

Past Mt. Sashta

Close to the Oregon State Border

The further north we came, the colder it got, and before Salem there was a snow advisory flashing on the side of the road. So we took another Best Western motel, this time the Millcreek one.

Everybody crawls along on the icy roads

Next morning we drove very gingerly through Portland. It took us more that 3 hours. There was just a little snow, but it was very icy. Cars were stalled, and in the ditches. Finally around Woodland along the Columbia River the roads were better.

Winter Conditions near Portland, OR

Because of the slow going through Portland, we arrived in the Seattle area during evening traffic. Slow driving here too, but no snow or ice. We were tired and stayed over night in Marysville, WA. We checked in at the Best Western Tulalip Inn.

Evening Traffic close to Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Marysville was another small town with mostly fast food places, so we decided to go and eat in the Casino across the street. The food was good, the server did not know how to open our wine bottle with a cork. Anders helped her. Then we went gambling. The $ 20.00 each, was gone in about 3.5 minutes. But it is an education in character studies in a casino. Everybody is there to win, few do.

Back in Canada

Next morning we drove in beautiful sunshine to the Canadian border. This time, we had even a longer list of all the things we bought in Mexico and in the USA. Again it took us almost an hours' wait to finally talk to the border agent. Even though we were a " little" much over our limit, the agent only wanted to know if we had weapons or drugs, and where we had stayed in San José del Cabo. He said welcome back, and we were on our way.

Driving into Vancouver, Canada

All smiles we drove into Vancouver December 7th 2013. There we stayed a couple of nights to see Amber and her parents. We also phoned all our kids and relatives that we are back in the country.

Calling Everybody - We are back!

Then in Victoria we stayed a few days at Lisa and Mark's place with Sarah and Ryan. We visited Linda and Mathew as well. We also needed haircuts and some grooming after all this time. Last, but not least -  Christmas shopping, including tons of food was on the list.

Back on Cortes Island

By the 12th of December 2013  we were finally back home on Cortes Island, after our two months Baja trip traveling all the way to San José del Cabo on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, and back to Cortes Island here in Canada, 12,000 km in total.

Back Home!

We loved our trip, and we will reminisce for a long time about all the wonderful experiences we had.

If you would like to see more pictures of the last part of our trip, please click here

Click on any of the links below to go to other parts of this wonderful trip.

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31.    32.    33.

Baja Bound, Part 32. Back in the USA

Encinitas, CA to Ventura, CA

Yesterday, December 1st 2013 we drove from the Mexican border town of Tecate to Encinitas just north of San Diego on Hwy. 5. We stayed at the local EconoLodge Moonlight Beach.

Back in the USA

For supper we walked down the road to a local Pizza Place. The food tasted heavenly familiar.

Ah, Pizza...

 This morning we went for a walk to the beach in Encinitas. But the tide was in, the sandy cliffs were 100 feet tall, so we walked instead through the little town. It had a good feeling, sort of like Oak Bay in Victoria. The house prices were similar. Lots on the beach were $2.2 million. Homes not on the beach, but close to it, no views, around $ 4 Million.

Beach in Encinitas CA

After breakfast we drove slowly north along Hwy.1 along the Gold coast. Well, what a culture shock after the Baja, Mexico.

California Hwy.1 Coastal Drive

Spanish Coat of Armes for the Californias

What an inversion of history. California was the poor and neglected backwaters of the Spanish and Mexican rulers from 1769 to 1848. The Catholic Church established 21 Missions along the Camino Real from San Diego to Sonoma, each about a day's ride apart. But food shortage, sickness, and unhappy native worker/slaves forced the closure of quite a few of the Missions and Forts.

21 Missions were established along this path

Today this whole area along the southern Californian coast smells of money. All cars are incredible newish and expensive. Bentley and Maserati give each other competition. We stopped in Laguna Beach for a little walk about. Nice stores, the pre-holiday sales were on. We had a yummy lunch at a Scandinavian Deli. Oh yes, on the streets we were asked 4 times for change, and some totally stoned young man could not walk anymore. We must be back among the affluent.

Fancy cars everywhere

We continued our drive all along the California coast, passed Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Redondo Beach. Not all areas were super fancy. There were some "regular" neighbourhoods. But compared to the Baja it was mind boggling. It took us for ever to drive passed Los Angeles.

Amazing right offshore along the fancy beaches there were oil drill platforms. Even in the Port of Los Angeles there are working oil drills pumping along.

Offshore Oil Rigs

Oil Pump right in Los Angeles

Eventually passed Santa Monica and Malibu the drive was more relaxed. Just off # 1 Hwy along the Santa Monica Mountains one could camp right at the beach. What a change from the wall to wall concrete further south.

Drive on the coast along the Santa Monica Mountains

Once past the national Park from around Oxnard to Ventura miles and miles of flowers, berries, and vegetables are grown. The millions of people in California today should not have a food shortage.

Large Farms around Oxnard and Ventura, CA

We stayed in Ventura, CA for the night.

For more pictures, please go to our Web Album

Click on any of the links below to go to other parts of this wonderful trip.

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