Tripping

We’re in for yet another 90+ degree day here in Valhalla. Sadly, I’ll be away during high tide (appointment at BostonSight – no worries...well, not any more than usual), There’ll be no luxuriating in the cool, cool seawater for me today.

I haz a sad. Ya know?

In order to escape the insanity of the heat AND the news, I’m thinking, plotting, imagining travel. Sadly, I can’t go everywhere I want but hey, I can dream! The wished for but not in the budget destinations? Mebbe next year.

One of the trips that we SO gotta do is Oregon – Ten’s kids and grands are out there, don'cha know.

We’re gonna make this an adventure! The plan, here in the embryonic stage, is to fly into San Francisco and zoom home outta Seattle.

On the way north from San Francisco, we’ll stop in Mendocino National Forest, the King Range Conservation Area and big Mama for tree worshippers (like yurs truly), Redwood National Forest. Well stay there for a day or two, do some hiking (or, more likely. just walking) and take LOADS of pics. This will be, not just a kid and grands visit, but a tree pilgrimage.

We’ll rent a Vanagon or something similar so’s we don’t have to pay for a rental car AND hotels. I know, I know – I do NOT camp. This’ll be more like glamping though which isn’t quite so painful.

The hurdles:

• Finding one-way RV rentals
• Decoding the various websites to find all the hidden costs. i.e., the site SAYS it’s for one way rentals but one way is an extra fee, beyond the listed price. Mileage is an additional charge. On a few rentals, the companies throw in 100 miles for free (mighty white of ‘em, no?). But the actual mileage price? Not listed anywhere on the websites. It’s gonna be a surprise!

NO, thank you!

I just now found a very helpful page at Lush Palm : 7 Camper Van Rentals for the Ultimate California Coast Road Trip.

...Say rental company A advertises a starting base rate of $50 per night, but this rate doesn’t include any mileage or extras like kitchen utensils or bedding (this would all be an extra charge). Company B advertises their rentals for $75 per night and includes 150 miles per day, but extras like kitchen utensils and bedding aren’t included. Company C advertises their rentals for $100 per night and includes 150 miles per day, plus extras like bedding, kitchen utensils, and propane all included.

Yes, they understand my pain!

Something to consider – not going north to Seattle (with that hoped for side trip to Victoria, BC). Instead, after seeing the kids in Bend, we’ll head back south, flying home outta San Francisco.

There’s always next year for Seattle and British Columbia. This won’t be our only trip west.