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RV Travel.
Ontario – Michigan.In 1995 we were invited to wedding in Walnut Creek, California, just outside of San Francisco. After many considerations how to travel over 3000 miles each way with family of four, the cheapest way, and to do some sightseeing, I bought used RV, 1973 Canadian made Glendale motorhome. We had a lot to travel to do ahead of us, and this was only option so I could drive and rest of family could sleep, relax and enjoy the view along the way. Spending about three months fixing every thing I could find wrong, and lots of planning, it was the day for us to leave. Friday July.21.1995, we have left Barrie at 7:30 Am, driving HWY400 north, (I wanted to show my family Northern Ontario) towards Sudbury. Just about forty miles north of Barrie there was big accident (luckily we were not involved) but that kind of spoiled the beginning of the trip and slowed us down. From Sudbury we traveled west HWY17 and crossed the border at Sault Ste. Marie. To let you know, this is the only point from where you can see "three" Great lakes all at once. Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. We got stuck at the border for a while, first at customs, and then motorhome wouldn't start, luckily some Good Samaritan gave us a boost since there was a problem with electrical system. Later on I had corrected it by installing switch on the battery to turn the rest of motorhome off when not driving. After driving for another 55-60 miles and total of 450 miles that day we made it to Newberry, Michigan, KOA campground and RV Park. Nice shower and BBQ, it wasn’t that bad for first part of the trip.
Michigan – Wisconsin – Minnesota. Next day I got up at 5:00 AM and by 6:30 we were back on the road. Around Green Bay the RV started to over-heat. It was really hot day and me not having much experience with motorhomes blame it on that. We had stopped few times to let it cool off and have some rest too. The worst was after we crossed Mississippi river, driving up the long hill, I had to take it easy so it wasn’t too much for the "Old Lady". That day (aprox.500 miles) we made it all the way to Rochester, Minnesota, another campground. Long day! My mistake was not to take the RV for few longer test drives before this trip. Learn something new all the time.
This 288 page book criss-crosses North American from East to West and North to South and back again. The adventures of this silver gypsy take you through old Mexico, around the lower 48, and into Canada and Alaska. Traveling solo brings its own kind of adventure, both with mechanical situations and meeting people along the way. Maps at the beginning of each chapter show you where the Sprinter motorhome and its solo driver have gone. This isn't a travelogue as such but it will give you ideas of where to go and what to do. It will give you the straight scoop on what kind of life a full-time RVer lives. Minshall takes you to church on Sunday, ultra-light flying over the Quartzsite desert, and camping overnight on a WWII bunker in Hawaii. The book is written humorously and with surprises in every chapter. From the Publisher "Sharlene has driven...from Mexico to Alaska and from the east to the west coast. Her experiences are unparalleled and she writes in a warm, light-hearted style, sprinkled with a liberal dose of humor, that makes the reader want to follow her from one adventure to the next. The author has made friends throughout the continent and her love for people shines through her writing. ...changed her career to become a writer, photographer and public speaker. Yes, she is still single and this aptly titled book serves as an encouragement to others to shed their fears and hesitations and to set out in pursuit of their own dreams, whatever they might be. This book serves as an inspiration to all, not just the RVer, to 'live life to the fullest,' no matter what circumstances you find yourself in."
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