Surf, Sand, and the Slow Road North Winter travels come to an end

2026-04-19T02:00:00.001-07:00

After spending a few days 'camped' at a welding shop in Fort Bragg, Ca, getting an axle fixed, we were back on our northward migration. Weather was still nice, so we got to spend a few days at our various waterfront overnight spots. Some of them came with a free surf show!

The usual night time shots, with moonlight only ...

A bit further north, we swung through Fortuna for a few things on the grocery list, and spent another night on the beach. Bailey got out to get some warm sand under his paws!

Two views of our location as seen on the truck's display screen.

Anyone traveling in the south west of the US knows how rare it is to find a roadside garbage bin, or trash bin as they call them down here. Even more rare, are recycling bins, although national and state parks tend to be better. I found this bin roadside on the California coast on state park land - but it was essentially hidden a short distance down a hiking trail, so the average road user would never see it. The recycling bin even allowed cardboard, and glass!

Bailey, making sure he knows where 'home' is parked!

Hunting seals on the coast of California!

We visited some beautiful, miles long beaches near Orick, Ca.

Overnight spot near Humbug Mountain, Oregon, with one distant neighbour.

As we get further north, the speed tends to increase, while photo taking decreases as we get closer to home. We usually leave the coast and pass through Portland, and up the Columbia river, then up to Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, then the border. A rest area along the way was closed for some reason, but we never stay in one overnight anyway. Instead, we found a hilltop with a cell tower, essentially in a farm field that we have overnighted in in the past. A quick speed test of the cell signal set a new record download speed for me! It was apparently a Verizon tower.

We topped off the fuel tank in Coeur d'Alene, and set yet another record for a single diesel fill at $222.USD, and it took 3 separate transactions, as the pump timed out at $100. each time

Border crossing was quick and easy. There were reports of some recent snow and bad weather on the roads near home, so it was convenient to spend a couple extra days visiting friends in southern British Columbia, and southern Alberta. As it turned out, there was nothing to worry about - roads were all bare and dry, with only a few bits of snow in the shaded ditches.

It was nice to see that our high security gate had kept things secure for another winter! Pretty sure it was the 2-3 rusty padlocks on some rusty chain in the middle that deterred any trespassers.

Nice to find everything at home just as we'd left it in October, and by evening the hot tub was full and hot, water was on and heat turned up in the house. Just a few minor drifts of snow, but nothing to worry about.

Bailey recognized his alternate home immediately, and was soon racing around the house, up and down the stairs, and getting reaquainted with all his favourite haunts and viewpoints. But, he never forgets his 'winter' home, and when he is out in the yard, he always goes to the door of the trailer and asks to be let inside, so he can check it out.

Total distance put on the truck on this winter's expedition was 14,766km, and the truck tells me that it was hauling the trailer for 10,261km of that.

In a few days we'll get the truck camper put on, and the summer exploration season will commence! Thanks for following us for another winter.

Roadtrip 2026

Surf, Sand, and the Slow Road North Winter travels come to an end