Chasing That Horizon!

The Voyages and Journeys of Keith and D'Anne as they traverse the highways and waterways of America, the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, the deserts, mountains, and the heartland, via boat, RV, plane, train, or cycle.

Vessel Name: Horizon
Vessel Make/Model: Itasca Horizon 36LD
Hailing Port: Chesapeake Bay
Crew: Keith and D'Anne Weitzman
About:
We have been boating for a little over 40 years. Our boats progressed from a 10 ft sailing dinghy to a Venture 17, American 25, Newport 30 MKIII, to a CT-41 Ketch - all sailboats. Searching for a little more speed and adrenaline,, we bought our first power boat, a 17ft runabout. [...]
Extra:
Our Backyard, a Carver 3607 trawler in Virginia, has been sold to a new adventurer. Dragon's Breath, our CHB-41 in Northern California, has also been sold to someone with wonderful dreams. Our Backyard carried us down the eastern rivers of America, on a voyage of incredible discovery. Alas, she [...]
17 February 2023 | Robert F Henry Lock and Dam
06 January 2023 | Jones Lake State Park
05 January 2023 | Kerr Lake
02 January 2023 | Satterwhite Point, Kerr Lake, Henderson, NC
23 January 2020 | Cumberland Island National Seashore
15 December 2019 | Chesapeake Boat Works, Deltaville, VA
06 December 2019 | Deltaville, VA
01 December 2019 | Deltaville, VA
01 December 2019
11 May 2019 | California
07 February 2019 | Menifee, CA
20 December 2018 | Hartfield, Virginia
14 October 2018 | St. Michaels, MD
24 August 2018 | Wilton Creek
03 March 2018 | Tucson, AZ
06 February 2018 | Lake Perris, CA
04 October 2017 | Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA
01 September 2017 | Sierra Nevada
27 August 2017 | Sugar Pine Point, Tahoma, CA Lake Tahoe
03 August 2017 | Bear Valley Campground, Sierraville, CA
Recent Blog Posts
17 February 2023 | Robert F Henry Lock and Dam

Technology

Technology. It is the Force by which we base our lives. Our clocks are set by a radio signal coming from a master clock somewhere in Colorado, as it measures the half-life degradation of a tiny speck of uranium. Our cell phones receive a time signal from the internet, as well as the current and predicted [...]

06 January 2023 | Jones Lake State Park

Flat Earth

I received an awful lot of flak from fellow RV group members, when I posted a photo of our rig with the rear leveling jacks fully extended, our rear wheels two inches off the ground, as we sought to compensate for a very uneven slope that served as our last parking spot. You see, the parking brakes are [...]

05 January 2023 | Kerr Lake

My Kind of Morning

I barely know the difference between a crow and a chickadee, yet am enthralled by the morning calls of these creatures. It's early, and the sun is just peeking through the trees and fog, about to stake its claim on our little part of the world. After some periods of hard rain yesterday, it looks like [...]

02 January 2023 | Satterwhite Point, Kerr Lake, Henderson, NC

Another Winter's Journey Has Begun

The sweet salty flavor of ranch dip, clinging precariously upon the end of a celery stick reminded one of adolescence. It was a reminder of days gone bye, a staple of parties and get-togethers, the ever-present accompaniment to chips, crackers, cubes of cheese, wine, and the noise of celebration. It [...]

23 January 2020 | Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island

15 December 2019 | Chesapeake Boat Works, Deltaville, VA

A Break in the Weather

A mighty "Yeowww" followed by a flowing stream of epithets has shaken me out of my dreamy tedium as I am scraping hardened barnacles from the propeller. Looking up, I see my boatyard neighbor walking in circles rubbing his forehead, his dust mask and earmuffs hanging at an odd angle, and his ball cap [...]

Return to Sagebrush Country

24 November 2016 | Homolovi State Park, Winslow, AZ
Cold, windy, clear
Looking out past the picture window, the landscape is anything but barren. Sagebrush, desert grasses, and creosote bushes carpet the low hills and valleys. Red sandstone rocks litter the open spaces, as jackrabbits and chipmunks dart about, searching for a tender morsel. The wind rustles our sun awning, bringing animated movement to our Kokopelli wind chimes and spinning mobiles. The sky is overcast as a front moves in, all but erasing the memory of the clear skies and brilliant supermoon of the past two nights. The humidity is low, so low that we can feel it in our skin and sinuses. Cracked lips, split fingertips, alligator skin...all tell the symptoms of dehydration. But we endure because this is the Southwest, and we will be here for the next few months.

Having left Chicago the day after Halloween, we proceeded south through Illinois and into Missouri. Crossing the Mississippi River at St. Louis was notable, as we were closing a loop of sorts. We passed this way a little over a year ago as we were heading toward Alabama and eight months on the water. Campgrounds became a little more folksy, with narrow dirt drives, ramshackle bath houses, and humorous artwork on the subject of hunting and fishing. Approaching Branson, MO, we were skeptical of what we might find, considering the reviews and opinions that we had read. The campground there fit the bill, with sites packed closely together on the top of a mountain ridge. But once settled, it proved to be comfortable. The $1 washing machines were nice too. And Branson, dubbed as the "Redneck Las Vegas", actually turned out to be quite charming. It houses 50 or so "celebrity" theaters, those celebrities being well past their prime. One might call it their last engagement. We had never heard of some of the acts, but they are famous in Branson, Missouri. The Duttons? The Baldknobbers? But, we were kept amused for three days as we travelled on the excursion train, rode a zip line across Taneycomo Lake, which was more of a skinny river, and drove through the Trail of Lights at the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theater. And Friday night, we put on our cowboy boots and jeans, and went to see The Charlie Daniels Band in concert. There is a lot to do in Branson, but we're just glad it wasn't summertime.

Next was a beautiful drive through the Ozarks, as we followed winding mountain roads into Arkansas and Oklahoma. Staying at Natural Falls, in eastern Oklahoma, afforded us a chance to hike down to the springs flowing out of the rocks and into a beautiful reflecting pool at the bottom. In Tulsa, we met up with Keith's old Navy buddy, Sarge and his wife, Terry, for a few beers and barbeque. It was a great time, hashing on old experiences, old acquaintances, and though it was the day after Election Day, we avoided any talk of politics. Keystone Lake had a nice campground, and there was absolutely no one else there, making things very quiet, and no campfire smoke to choke us.

The trip seemed to speed up and the miles melted by as we bypassed a planned stop in western Oklahoma and went straight to Palo Duro, Texas. The red rock canyons were gorgeous as we setup camp, anticipating some great hiking the next day. But that was not to be, when we learned the following morning that the entire park was reserved and that we had to leave. Disappointed, we consoled ourselves in Amarillo, at the Big Texan Steak House, home of the free 72oz steak (if you can eat it in 1 hour). We opted for the lunch ribeye, which was delicious. The Freightliner shop across the street changed our fuel filter for us, cheaply, and we were on our way to Santa Rosa Lake SP in New Mexico. We had some great hiking along the shoreline trails, and the views were beautiful, and the nights were cold. Red Rock Park was next, but unfortunately, that was somewhat of a dump, so we stayed only one night, which brings us now to Homolavi Ruins State Park, near Winslow, AZ. We visited some Anasazi pueblo ruins yesterday, went to the Meteor Crater, and visited Winslow, where we were sure to be "standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona, with such a fine sight to see". There was, indeed a flatbed Ford (and a girl, my Lord).

It is cooler today, and the winds have picked up. The wind chimes are banging out a cacophany, and the wind sock is standing at full salute. Guiness is perched on the dashboard, watching the chipmunks outside, whining loudly each time she sees one of her "friends". We will visit another set of ruins today, and then take a 70 mile drive to Show Low, AZ to see another of Keith's Navy buddies. After that, on to Grand Canyon for a four-night engagement, then SoCal to see the kids. The adventure continues!
Comments
Horizon 's Photos - Main
RV winter escape
22 Photos
Created 5 January 2023
Our new Freedom Sloop
3 Photos
Created 6 December 2019
10 Photos
Created 15 October 2018
Our new home in Virginia, as well as some of our travel destinations.
18 Photos
Created 24 August 2018
Our travels across the Southern USA as we make our way to Virginia to continue our Great Loop Voyage. 33 days of driving, touring, and camping in deserts, towns, and beaches.
9 Photos
Created 3 March 2018
Alabama Hills. Hundreds of movie and tv westerns were filmed here
7 Photos
Created 22 January 2018
13 Photos
Created 3 August 2017
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California
8 Photos
Created 8 March 2017
9 Photos
Created 17 January 2017
11 Photos
Created 17 January 2017
RV travels from Alabama to Virginia, and up to Maine
21 Photos
Created 9 October 2016
12 Photos
Created 8 July 2016
Crossing Florida on the Caloosahatchee River
6 Photos
Created 29 May 2016
Our northbound voyage as we follow the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)
10 Photos
Created 29 May 2016
Our travels through Florida, from west to east.
16 Photos
Created 7 March 2016
2 Photos
Created 7 March 2016
28 Photos
Created 10 December 2015
Our newly purchased 1982 Carver 3607 Motoryacht.
11 Photos
Created 25 November 2015
12 Photos
Created 8 November 2015
Traveling South through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi
8 Photos
Created 10 October 2015
5 Photos
Created 5 September 2015
Various travels and points of call around San Francisco Bay and the California Delta
11 Photos
Created 16 August 2015
Goings on around SF Bay
9 Photos
Created 1 May 2015
10 Photos
Created 3 February 2015
2 Photos
Created 28 January 2015
11 Photos
Created 28 January 2015
The southbound leg of our land trip to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and finally California
8 Photos
Created 20 October 2014
18 Photos
Created 4 September 2014
Photos from our land-based Pacific Northwest Journey
33 Photos
Created 4 August 2014
17 Photos
Created 2 July 2014
Pics taken from various days
14 Photos
Created 28 April 2014
11 Photos
Created 4 January 2014
5 Photos
Created 26 December 2013
9 Photos
Created 11 November 2013
8 Photos
Created 5 November 2013
New installations and experiments
16 Photos
Created 3 November 2013
9 Photos
Created 31 October 2013
Sacramento River Cruise July 2013
12 Photos
Created 25 October 2013