cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
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A White Van Man Finds Signs of Wilderness, Part 2
In the first episode, I told how we came to have a small white van, and how it could help me fulfill the fantasy of being a "White Van Man" - a reckless, selfish, aggressive driver.
It seemed like a good idea, as I already have the coffee cup:
If you have been to Southern California you know that this is as green as it gets - in early Spring. The hills were alive (and not with music).
The overcast skies kept the temperatures in the 70's to 80's so we didn't collapse from the heat.
Here's a look at the Mission Dam.
After crossing the mighty San Diego River using the dam and a couple handy tree branches (in defiance of the signs), we headed into the wilderness for some wild flower spotting. We found plenty!
Mrs C is good at plant names, rattling off Latin like it's nothing. But if you want specifics I'll have to get her to write the captions. I know this one is a variety of sage.
From here on out, I would be guessing, so I'll let you enjoy the scenery.
We found lots of bees on the flowers - working overtime to get the spring nectar flow back to the hive (no time to admire my IWC Perpetual). We decided to track them back to their home.
We finally ran out of water, out of steam, and out of altitude. The park elevation varies from 80 to 1580 feet, and we felt like we'd climbed all that way!
Mr & Mrs Cazalea
We headed out to a local nature area which was beautiful, but also full of zealously exercising people in spandex and "Don't Do This" signs.
We drove away from the sign-infested end of the Mission Trails Regional Park and sought a bit more wilderness at the west end of the Park.
If you have been to Southern California you know that this is as green as it gets - in early Spring. The hills were alive (and not with music).
The overcast skies kept the temperatures in the 70's to 80's so we didn't collapse from the heat.
Here's a look at the Mission Dam.
After crossing the mighty San Diego River using the dam and a couple handy tree branches (in defiance of the signs), we headed into the wilderness for some wild flower spotting. We found plenty!
Mrs C is good at plant names, rattling off Latin like it's nothing. But if you want specifics I'll have to get her to write the captions. I know this one is a variety of sage.
From here on out, I would be guessing, so I'll let you enjoy the scenery.
We found lots of bees on the flowers - working overtime to get the spring nectar flow back to the hive (no time to admire my IWC Perpetual). We decided to track them back to their home.
Luckily there were no signs warning us to stay away from bees. I like bees, as you can tell by my intrusive camera work.
Now back to the flowers, where I finally got my new camera to focus on the foreground!
The hills were yellow with flowers.
But it was much hotter now, hotter than the photos imply. We came upon a guy with a little dog that was really panting, and they had no water.
Now back to the flowers, where I finally got my new camera to focus on the foreground!
The hills were yellow with flowers.
But it was much hotter now, hotter than the photos imply. We came upon a guy with a little dog that was really panting, and they had no water.
I suggested he pack the dog out (it never occurred to him), and he hoisted it on his shoulders and stroke off. The dog winked and smiled as they went uphill.
At this point we were on top of the hills and could see civilization in the distance. But the fantastic foliage kept us from feeling closed in.
And reminded us that the desert was waiting to take over if the rains faltered.
But in the meantime, the flowers are blooming and the hillsides are lushly covered in wild grasses.
At this point we were on top of the hills and could see civilization in the distance. But the fantastic foliage kept us from feeling closed in.
And reminded us that the desert was waiting to take over if the rains faltered.
But in the meantime, the flowers are blooming and the hillsides are lushly covered in wild grasses.
We finally ran out of water, out of steam, and out of altitude. The park elevation varies from 80 to 1580 feet, and we felt like we'd climbed all that way!
Here's a long telephoto view from the top of the hill down to the parking lot, where the White Van awaits.
We hope you enjoyed the quick look at Mission Trails, and that you could almost imagine yourself here.
We hope you enjoyed the quick look at Mission Trails, and that you could almost imagine yourself here.
As far as we are concerned, we're far too tired to make lunch, we drove instead to John's Fish & Chips (profiled here) and worked our way through 4 huge pieces of fish and a basket of fries.
Please come back again as we continue our tour in the White Van.
Mr & Mrs Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2016-04-06 18:03:02
A White Van Man Finds Signs in the Wilderness, Part 1
A UNPLANNED EXCURSION Last year we got a Fiat 500 electric, as I've written about before. One of the benefits of the lease is a $500 credit each year to hire a larger, longer-distance-capable car. As our first year is rapidly coming to an end, we decided ...
A White Van Man Finds Signs of Wilderness, Part 2
In the first episode, I told how we came to have a small white van, and how it could help me fulfill the fantasy of being a "White Van Man" - a reckless, selfish, aggressive driver. It seemed like a good idea, as I already have the coffee cup: We headed o...
How brilliant is that!
The choice of vehicle, the decoration, the story theme, appropriate food (although not looking greasy enough for a WVM), the travel writing... Keep them coming, please!
How can Americans have any fun with so many signs that say NOT?
Caz, That is a whole shxx-load of signs that say NOT! I like the idea of a middle-eastern carpet in the van. Benignly, visions of Scooby-Doo and friends. More risqué would be my imaginations of...well..."love mobiles" That's a staycation I can empathise w...
A White Van Man Finds Rams in the Wilderness, Part 3
We left today on the next leg of our vacation close to home. As hard-working white van men always do, we raced out before dawn, in the rain. We brought along a small icon, the Archangel Michael, as our guardian for the dangerous journey to the wilds of th...
White van man a vegetarian?
Surely not! I hope you get to keep the van, the stories are an absolute success
Not a vegetarian van man; that would be an oxymoron
just a brief reduction in red meat intake, which conflicts with my assumed persona of WVM.
A White Van Man Finds Blooming Monsters in the Wilderness, Part 4
The great thing about a driving vacation is that you never know what you will find - USA, England, most of Europe, Russia, Japan, etc. I've driven through these countries and always been surprised. But not so often as in this episode of the White Van Man....
Road trips are always full of surprises :)
Need to show this to my wife - you are right, watches are such non-items after this
A White Van Man Finds the Wilderness by Looking Down, Part 5
My last report in the White Van Man series touched on discovering wild desert sheep and metal monsters in the Anza-Borrego desert. As we finish up this trip report, I will reveal some of today's horticultural (green stuff / plants) action. REPORT: I confe...
Epic landscapes and wonderful flora
Not your typical WVM hunting grounds but one ought to spread the concept beyond the M25 Wonderful post - hope the series continues!
The latest episode is inside the M25; even under the arches ...
No more wilderness for a day or two. Mike
Can see why you decided to move on
Think I'd have felt like I'd have got out wrong side of bed too. Can't believe the number of prohibitions - almost might have stayed at home! Cheers JML
A White Van Man Avoids the Wilderness by Staying Home, Part 6
Unfortunately I have been grounded today by the Missus, due to a throat infection I\'ve picked up. Maybe it was all the shouting (shooting) at Prius drivers? Or the desert dust storms? (Thanks Dr. MTF for diagnosing my illness as a particularly virulent s...
I was wondering...
What kind of engine it gets for the US market (not sure if it is in the table but cannot scroll in it on my phone)? They do have tons of advantages, as you pointed out, even if prestige is not one of them Thanks for continuing and I hope you get better so...
2.4l Chrysler engine with Fiat MultiAir injection system
And a 9-speed automatic transmission is standard in all variants in the US. It seems perfectly adequate with a moderate load, even over 4500 ft passes. Mike
An engine not used here...
In Europe it is almost exclusively diesels. Sometimes I wish for more petrol propulsion here
A White Van Man Has Some Ups and Downs, Part 7
In case the title of this post worries you, I am referring to using the White Van to change elevation, and not to any other activities (quiet, you lot who are sniggering in the back). Despite my sore throat, we continued our stay-cation. First we checked ...
I think it's slowly time...
For the White Van Man to get one of those grey link buttons to related posts at the bottom
Only $150 a week
I\'m only signed up for 10 days, so using half my credit or so. I haven\'t bought it but I\'m sure I could find one from the rental pool if/when I need another vehicle. Mike
Unbelievable, the rental rates in the US...
Sooo cheap Looking forward to the remaining installments!
There are SO many things to do here, when people think only of Disneyland
But for French people, we have special treats - things you can't get at home. Like warm sunny days in the middle of winter, to taste wine Finer artwork than you would see in the Louvre. Souvenirs made with fine hand craftsmanship High-end cuisine and Amer...
A White Van Man Finds A Heck of A Lot of H's, Part 8
Today I really am sick, so have not gone anywhere in the White Van. My wife however , has really grown fond of it, so she is out shopping with it. Yesterday I ended the episode before we got home, so if you don't mind, I will tell you what really happened...
By all means continue!
I had a feeling that you already bought it off the rental company but be that as it may, a continuation is in order as far as I am concerned
A White Van Man is Banned, Part 9
I can't drive the White Van. It has been prohibited. I have to get well first. But how? The world-famous Mayo clinic says: " You don't need to feel miserable while you're toughing it out. Drink plenty of fluids. Try chicken soup (or Jack Daniels). Rest as...
Nice MIH!
To go with your white van Those graphic enhancements under the hood - priceless!
Yes, and I learned when Sharpie says Permanent Marker, they mean it
It took a pile of aggressive cleaner / wax to get the "WatchProSite Official Vehicle" off the radiator support.
LOL :)
PuristSProMobile, eh? 1001 nights of the White Van Man? Hopefully at least close!
A White Van Man Around the Harbourside, Part 11
If you have been following along on the first 10 episodes of my tale, you will know I got a free "useful vehicle" rental as part of the lease on my fun, but marginally-useful Fiat 500e. We started out expecting to go to Arizona in a shiny new Mustang conv...
A White Van Man Gives Up His Ride, Part 12
OK, it's time. My rental contract specifies that I will take the little White Van back to the rental company. It's pretty much cleaned up and ready to go home. As I am driving back, I can't help but notice there seem to be a lot of small White Vans roamin...
Thanks for sharing your White Van Man series with us!
I think another white van in is in your future!
I vote for another round at least during your 500e lease! :)
Such a great collection of stories around it - would be a shame if it does not continue at some point. But first things first, hope you have fully recovered in the meantime or are at least close to it!
What a fun journey, Mr White Van Man...what a fun road trip.
Thank you for sharing these new places. Rgds Raymond
