Tour d’Joko: RV Edition
I used to think, and kinda still do, that it was somewhat pathetic for individuals to re-post old stuff that they had put on previous blogs years ago, as if it was SO significant that it warranted re-running.
Well, to quote George Carlin, “have you ever noticed how everyone else’s stuff is shit and your shit is stuff?
Get that shit off of there and let me put my stuff down!”
Anyhoots… The Tour d’Joko “RV Edition” happened two years ago this week, and I thought I would re-post these exciting travel videos as a public service for those who wish to know more about me, my family, Everett and Whidbey Island, Washington.
Day One starts with Mom making BBQ salmon and us visiting a “ghost ship”…
One thing I hope with these multi-part Tour d’Joko videos is that each one will, through its quality, will dispel the natural short attention span of internet users today and encourage you to watch the next part.
In Part Two, we go to the home of a childhood friend of my father. He lives on Whidbey Island, drinking wine and raising bees. You also get a glimpse of my rather pathetic golf swing.
Next we have Part Three… Which really has a lot of both overt and subtle multi-cultural elements to it. The background music is Iwan Fals, the #1 most important pop singer in the history of the nation of Indonesia (which has nothing to do with this video), and we also see in the heart of this very white part of Washington, Eastern Orthodox church domes, Mexican dogs and wild growing mushrooms that cost $42 per pound.
Part Four is the shortest of these videos and the most personally satisfying to me. See, a year and a bit before this, I had visited the town featured here about 75 miles north of Seattle, only to find that their only museum was CLOSED!!! I was on my way somewhere else, but it left an unfulfilled taste in my sould for the town of La Conner, Washington. I convince my mother, who was at the wheel of the MacKenna RV at this point, to take a detour to go back there.
We conclude with a visit to the home of another old friend of my parents. These folks in the town of Blaine, WA, were living to good life. Low taxes and lots of space to raise their own llama. Yes, llamas. And Dachshunds. And RTVs. They are Walking on Sunshine.
I’ll conclude with a question about RVing. See, these five vids took place over three days, preceded by three days before my parents got to my home and a week after they left me. See, its kind of been a long dream of mine to be a full time RV traveller. My parents are actively pursuing that goal as they edge into retirement and selling the family homestead.
One day, I want to do what they’re planning on now.. Live on the road. Carry your home with you as you explore and travel. I would do it right now if I had the opportunity.
Does that appeal to you? If you could just rip up your current ties, go on the road and just travel, would you?
In watching the last of the vids, I realize that I never showed the “money shot” of the llamas eating from my hand. They did. I eventually convinced them that, as llamas, they were completely incapable of digging up their own carrots.
I don’t care for llamas. Some have suggested this is because of their ostentations insistence on having two “L”s in their name, but I think its because when I was a little boy, my parents took me to the “Happy Hollow” petting zoo at Kelley Park in downtown San Jose, where the llamas killed my mother.
In truth, owning a llama is one of my fondest wishes. I want to hike & camp, while a subservient (non-canine) quadruped does all the hauling of the gear. Llamas are the solution.
Had an aunt & uncle who had an RV. They loved it. I always thought the RV had a ‘smell’ about it that wasn’t pleasant, but I guess they were used to it.
I would love to do that–take off and travel, but I think I’m too much of a comfort freak at this stage in my life to really enjoy life on the road.
When my oldest brother retired from the CHP, he sold his house and bought an RV. He now lives where ever it is parked at the moment.
Like your videos Joko…..looks like you had fun and got a real taste of the gypsy life. We call it that because that is what my father accused us of being. We love moving around and experiencing different history and culture. We are planning in around 5 yrs from now to purchase another property and leave the farm to our two sons. The land will be in either Key Largo or Key west. We will ofcourse work the land to produce food. But live in a RV so we can take off and travel. Also don’t have to worry if hurricane comes either. Everything we cherish materially will be taken with.
In my Heart I want to so badly visit The Galápagos Santa Cruz Island in the town Puerto Ayora where I wish to see if I like to live there. I also like Isabela Island as well….very interested because that island soil is capable of growing alot of different vegetation!
But I am struggling with my health right now and we just decide lets get through this hurtle and then do the RV Scene. I have yet going to by a map to cover a whole wall and look up points off interest and mark with a tac.
We are probably going to get a Airstream Land Yacht or Airstream New Hauler which I could turn the back storage for bikes to a art studio for my work, they start at $60,000.00 used, then ofcourse need good truck. But I have another I fall in love with…I will see if I can pictures and I will post on a comment here to share!
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Life is short …people have their own idea of how they spend their life. Some like the comfort and security of owning a place and doing the same daily routine and others love traveling, new experiences, meeting different people, and you can make your RV a comfort of a home on wheels!
I say go for it Joko.
SWEEEETTTTTTTTT………a deck up top.
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And if I hit the lottery………..
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Later!!!!!!!!! 😉
We try to take a road trip at least once every year. There is nothing better than seeing what’s out there off the beaten path. The dream life we’re working towards is to have a small place (hopefully in the middle of nowhere) as a home base and spend our lives 3/4 on the road and 1/4 back at base. Or, maybe 4/5 on the road and 1/5 back at base. I love the road, but it’s always nice to be able to have someplace to go home to every once in a while.
RV’in is hella fun. When I was about 15 we did a 3+ week trip for a family reunion. Me, dad, brother, grandpa & grandma in a pickup camper(prob be even more fun in an actual RV!) for a family reunion.
Nebraska to Puget Sound then all the way down to San Diego, across to Vegas and then back to NE. Saw the ocean for the first time, the redwoods, my birthday in Chinatown, Disney, SD zoo etc.
I would absolutely LOVE to say screw it all and hit the road and live day by day, but that involves having money, which I don’t so I’ll just have to be satisfied following along on your adventures.
For some reason when I think about RV’s The Hills Have Eyes comes to mind and the thought becomes not so appealing. I have a lot of stuff, so much stuff it would be hard to part with all the stuff I have. Now I seem to be hyperventilating just thinking the thought of having to choose just which part of my stuff to part with. Eons ago, when I used to go deer hunting with my 1st husband we stayed in a 5th wheel, that’s kinda the same. Loved the videos, tell me, do llamas spit?
I can’t do RVs. I am DepthPerception impaired (I hit shit).
Always look forward to your Travelogue’s Joko. If I had a Camera, I would record my drive home. It is truly a slice of heaven.
That was really nice of you to share your family vacation with us! I felt like I was traveling right along with you! It was funnnnnnn…….. 😛
I am no longer pursuing that dream with your father. We have completely different ideas of what is important. Unfortunately I feel we will be trapped here for the rest of our lives. It is not a bad place. As I said in a recent blog. I am finished. I will no longer dream. It was a foolish thing to do.