Posted May 29, 2018 – Narrated by Carmen
When setting out on this adventure with Beauty and The Beast, we entered into a mystery.
Along the way, we’ve acquired an atavistic entourage – a mix of signs, perceptions, memories – who manifest within us a deep sense of ancestral and divine protection.
While wilderness hiking or stargazing, the subtle murmurings of nature inform us and we listen carefully to learn if we should stay or go and what to do.
These messages from othery, out-there sources can be shrill in those precious minutes before a deer steps onto the highway or a hail storm descends – and, soothing when wind and rain pummel the rig like a toy as we drive through a sandstorm or outrun a hurricane or tornado.
As citizens of the planet we’re proud to, finally, be able to look to the sky and trust our instincts. And, be it maturity or a life-stage thing, we’re connecting with like-minded others.
In Florida, we met a couple – about our age – who lost their first house to the Northridge earthquake and their last house to a recent wildfire, and now they’re happy RV residents of the “Same House, Different Paradise” community – what Jim and I call, Living In Beauty.
Due to our long-term savings plan, having better health than we expected, and our great investment advisor, Jeffrey Dunham at Dunham & Associates, we’ll soon enter our third year of a location independent retirement as seasonal exploiters of the most beautiful places in America.
A pilgrimage without a destination, a party that never ends.
Here we go again!
Our third exodus from San Diego.
We’re on our way to Salem, Oregon for Airstream’s Wally Byam Caravan Club International Rally, where we are presenters on the topic of traveling full-time in an Airstream.
So much has happened since we pulled out of San Diego four weeks ago!
Agua Dulce Winery
Leaving Chula Vista, we took I-15 to I-215 North to Highway 138 and then took the 14 to Agua Dulce Winery in Santa Clarita where we had an excellent wine tasting and retired for the night in their parking lot with wine, crackers, cheese – all the comforts following a long day on the road.
Stacked Stone Cellars
The next morning we drove 200 miles north on I-5 to Highway 46 and the idyllic countryside vineyard and ranch at Stacked Stone Cellars where we spent several lovely days enjoying their top-notch Zinfindel, making mayonnaise from fresh yard eggs, bottling homebrew and learning Paso Robles history from Don, our illustrious host.
Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery
After four nights at Stacked Stone, we moved eight miles down the road to Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery where the Hinkle family (Tom Hinkle, a baseball scout for 28 years) hosted us for an overnight stay in their scenic vineyard and olive orchard. How lovely to share a happy hour and take a “bus tour” with Mike and Erin from Free Roaming Bus.
Inside Mike and Erin’s bus 
Morning After walk at Rio Seco 
Free Roaming Bus at Sunset 
Sunset in the Free Roaming Bus 
Carol Hinkle, our gracious host 
Cutest kitchen ever! 
Dare to be different … yes.
Tobin James Cellars
After a morning walk through the beautiful Rio Seco vineyard and orchard, we moved a mile or two down the road to Tobin James Cellars – our host for two fabulous nights where we stocked up on Chardonnay and Petite Syrah.
Cava Robles RV Resort
The big surprise in Paso Robles was Sun Community’s new RV resort Cava Robles which had just opened for business. They were calling it a soft-opening because the resort is still under construction. It’s a rare thing to see a resort of this caliber before guests arrive…
…and it was a little eerie to be among the first campers and having the place to ourselves for two days! We love Paso Robles and Cava Robles will be our first choice when we return.
Wine tasting, Opolo! 
Happy Hour at the bar! 
Relaxing at Cava Robles 
All to ourselves … 
We were the only RV parked at the entire resort near the recreation area.
Jessie’s Grove Winery
It’s always difficult to leave Paso … but we moved north to Jessie’s Grove Winery, a family winery in Lodi famous for old Zinfandel vines and great wines.
Vinnie’s Northbay Airstream Repair
Leaving Lodi, our minds were racing with details about a major project in Wilton. Vinnie Lamica at Vinnie’s Northbay Airstream Repair had cleared a week for servicing Beauty. For our journey to Canada, we wanted more solar power and battery storage, and a nice warm cork floor. Vinnie also serviced our wheels and tires and gave us some valuable road safety advice on how to stay hitched in the event of an accident.
Vinnie has the best digs in Wilton. My, how his new Airstream campground is growing up!
Julietta Winery
From Vinnie’s, we drove 28 miles to Julietta Winery – and arrived just in time for a party celebrating the release of their 2015 Petite Syrah. After a Sunday potluck with members of the wine club, we were shown a beautiful spot in the rose garden to park for the night.
Roseville and Sacramento
We couldn’t leave the Sacramento area without visiting our good friends Marsha and Dale at the Roseville Church of Christ …
Happy 50th Anniversary to Marsha and Dale Gifford!
… and Jim’s colleagues at the California Medical Association – all who actually follow our blog. Thanks! (Sorry Lance, we didn’t get a photo of you)
Dustin 
Mike and Shirley 
And a walk through Old Sacramento
Six Sigma Ranch and Winery
The next morning we pulled out of the church parking lot for a breathtaking 125-mile drive (I-5 to Highway 20, 53 and 29) to Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.
We camped in a valley beneath a giant oak beside a stream where enchanting birdsong ruled the day and frogs serenaded the stars at night. We spent a couple of days there hiking the trails and roads and taking in the sweet fragrance of buckeye in full bloom.
Our camp at Six Sigma 
Mount Konocti from Six Sigma 
Hiking the ranch
Six Sigma was an ideal setting to test our new beefed-up solar. So Carmen blow dried her hair … and then she blow-dried Pico’s hair …
….while we roasted a ranch-raised pot roast in our Instant Pot and paired it with the 2014 Diamond Mine Cuvée.
Solar-cooked pot roast! 
A winery with a lot of heart! 
Right from the freezer at Six Sigma
Okay, that’s a bit decadent for camp food but, hey, ya gotta eat!
Cheers! And happy travels!
One of your best, can’t wait to get back to CA.
Bill, thank you! We still hope someday to meet you on the road!
Carmen, wonderful pictures, hard to pick a fave from so many good ones. I feel so boring when I read your travels. Debbie and I are excited about meeting you two at the Airstream Club’s big rally in a few weeks. Would love to talk a second with you before then if we can.
Jim, thank you for your compliment on the photos. We are trying harder to create better photos all the time. Look forward to seeing you next week in Salem.
Paso Robles is one of our favorite places on earth; love so many wines from that area. This may be my favorite of all your posts! Hope we can finally meet you guys in person at International.
Michael, we agree with you, Paso Robles is one of our favorite places on earth. One of the few towns we have retired to during our first two years of full-time travel. Hope to see you in Salem next week.
You two are just having too much fun! It is a pleasure to follow your travels. Thanks for sharing! I so enjoyed this blog – one of the best! I know you will enjoy the convention,meeting all those like-minded people!
With love, Karen (K.K.)
K.K., we are having too much fun! Glad you are enjoying following our adventure. We are soon heading for Canada!
Really enjoy your blog! Are you members of a group that permits parking at these vineyards? Or do vineyards in general permit overnights? Looks so perfect!
Cathy, thank you for your kind words. We enjoy writing the blog! We are members of Harvest Hosts where you get access to complimentary camping in vineyards, museums, and farms. here is more about Harvest Hosts: https://livinginbeauty.net/2017/08/02/harvest-hosts-an-elegant-alternative/
Keep enjoying your lives together
James, we are having a blast and hope your and Sam’s retirement is bringing you both much happiness! We will return to San Diego sometime soon!
Looks like you two are having the best adventure!
You only know the half of it. This adventure is an amazing experience.
Harvest Hosts! We have stayed at Rio Seco and Tobin James! Excellent stopovers!
We agree, Rico Seco and Tobin James was fantastic Harvest Host locations.
Wonderful! Pico did NOT look happy. Why do dogs look so pitiful during a bath and after they’re bouncing around as if to say look how handsome I am?!?
Then they find something stinky to roll in! Fun stuff. Thanks for sharing.
DMWI, Pico actually loves his bath. Especially the hair dryer. We agree he doesn’t look too happy in the photo, but he was. And yes, Pico loves to roll in anything his finds that smells bad.