It is not the most important announcement, however, it does affect the blog. I have sold the Oliver Travel Trailer. It has gone to a really fine man in Oregon, Jay, a former National Park Ranger. How fitting since the trailer was a major component of why I could visit and photograph so many parks. He arranged the transport from my house to Oregon with the fellow driving the pickup in the photo as the Oliver left my house. It did not go too well, sadly. It was not delivered in the same shape that it left Raleigh. While the story does not make sense the gist of it is that the solar panels did not arrive, at all! Are we know they did not “blow off.” Insurance is pursing an answer and I hope Jay gets all he deserves and some for the aggravation he has dealt with and dealt well with grace and good humor.
This is the end of a great season for me. The Oliver has been to 49 states - many more than once, and several provinces and territories in Canada. I towed it about 130,000 miles. It also allowed me to visit and photograph over 360 National Park sites. Am I giving up on the last ones? No. But the travel will not be weeks at a time nor limited to the US. I do still plan to reach over 400 parks.
In the eight years I owned Oliver, it was lived in about 28 months. The temperatures ranged from 13 to 98 and i was (mostly) comfortable. Meals were cooked and eaten, showers taken and card games played many times. Cindy and I stayed in commercial campgrounds occasionally but most often in state or National Parks. We also used Harvest Hosts extensively and boondocked at Cracker Barrel and Cabella’s frequently. We were more travelers than campers, two campfires in 8 years does not qualify you for any Scout Awards. And I am not counting the one that Rusty and I tried to start and could not until a lady nearby fixed it.
Great memories, lots of photos and the end to an amazing season of life. I wish Jay many happy miles.
