The end of an Era.

 I sure have a bunch of catching up to do.

It's almost 2 months since I left you all in Seattle.

Our next and final stop on our farewell tour was a first for us.    Vancouver, BC

The Port Mann Bridge on the Trans Canada Highway

We arrived early afternoon at the Capilano River RV Park which is a super convienient location for getting into and out of the city.    Rob, Pat, Kevin, and Bobbie showed up later that afternoon.

Rob & Pat have been coming here for years and were the perfect tour guides for our 2 week stay.

Every morning we would take a walk to the Ambleside Park.   Situated along the Capilano River, the park winds its way out to the Burrard Inlet and further along the waterfront for miles.

There is a long section of the park that is off-leash for the dogs and every single morning the dogs had a ball running and meeting the dozens of other friendly mutts.

A trip to Granville Island was a great day trip, and the market there was fantasstic.

Vancouver is such a multi-cultural city and the variety of foods sold here reflects that diversity.

Outside the market we had coffees along the waterfront with a great view of the city.

Back in the city - the variety of resturants along one block was staggering.   There was Persian, Indian, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Irish, and several more that I've since forgotten.

Vancouver has preserved its waterfront as a treasure to be enjoyed by all.   Miles and miles of walking paths and parks surround the city along the waterfront.    We walked several parts of the trails during our visit an one day stopped at a resturant for lunch with the whole gang.

Another park along the waterfront - a rain forest.   We took a nice walk and the mutts again got to enjoy some quality off leash exploring.

Phoebe says "let me out"

Crossing the Capilano River on the way to Ambleside park each morning we looked down upon the stone formations that the 1st Nation Tribe members have created to corral the various fish in season.   While we were there it was salmon.   On the left side you can see some in the pen.   They look small in the photo but they were every bit of 10lbs or better.    

Another path along the waterfront.

Off to another adventure.

In a snap - our 2 weeks were over and it was time to start moving south.    We have alot to do to get ready for the big move.    

Our first night was back to Lake Pleasant in Bothell, Wa

Next - the KOA in Pendleton, Or

Then the 93 RV Park in Twin Falls, Id

Then the KOA in Ely, Nv

Then....  finally - our last night that we'd spend in our good old bus was spent at the Blake Ranch RV Park outside of Kingman, Az

We arrived back to the house on a Sunday and began the process of emptying out the bus.   Now that might sound like a simple proposition, but the bus has alot of storage and we'd been living it it for 12+ years so by Tuesday we were still not done, but we needed to shift gears.

Our neighborhood  (A dozen or so different subdivisions) only allows garage sales on one day of the year.   No one had ever done it before but Kate got it organized and several of the neighbors all took part.   Several also came to our place and helped Kate get her stuff out and ready.

The sale ran from about 7am to 3pm and we were out on the driveway at about 5am starting to get set up.

We had a giant "Free Pile" down at the end of the driveway by the street.

We sold a ton of stuff, made about $2k ($5 &$10 at a time).   By the end of the day about 80% of the stuff was gone.

I had advertised the sale on Facebook Marketplace and ran into a couple who was asking about free stuff.

The next morning they contacted me and asked if we had anything free left over.    I told them we had a ton of stuff that they could have, but they had to take it all and better come with a pickup truck.

Well they came with a pick up - but it was a "baby pickup".   None the less, they strapped it all down and make off with everything.    There was at least 5 big totes filled with clothes alone.   Anything that did not work for them, they would take to their church.

The Beverly Hillbillies.    As they left, I prayed that they did not scatter the stuff all over the street in front of the house.     The next morning I texted her to make sure that they made it home ok and surprisingly they did!

So in less than a week after getting back we had already emptied out about 75% of the bus, and put on a massive garage sale, and then disposed of the rest.    A half dozen trips to the Goodwill Store and our garage is starting to look like we are getting close to move ready.

At the same time....  I was busy talking to RV dealers trying to make a deal on getting rid of the bus.   I really did not want to try to sell it myself.   For something like this -  a lot of buyers will need financing and that is just something better handled thru a dealership.

At the end of the week - I made a deal with a local dealership in Tucson to sell the bus to them.   Of course I'd get less $$'s than putting it on consignment - but I was able to move it quick and put it behind me.   I was happy with the number, so this past Monday,  Oct 26th, I signed it over to Freedom RV, took one last picture, and walked away from it forever.

In 12+ years we've had so many wonderful adventures in her.   It was bittersweet to say goodbye, but we have miles to go ahead of us and new adventures await.

Time to turn that page.

We are now in full moving mode.     We have a possible opportunity to sell the house to someone - fully furnished.   If that works out great.    But I've always been a “hope for the best but plan for the worst” type, so we are getting the house ready to list.   I've talked to 4 realtors and selected one, so that is next on the list.

I have an international mover standing by and have arranged for storage in Ireland.    We wont be bringing much.    Some clothes, decorations, a few pieces of furniture.    We have a furnished place to stay when we get there for as long as we want so we won’t need alot anyway.

Full speed ahead.     We just closed another door and ready to open the next.