Category: Long term travel

?Por Qué Ensenada? Cinco Razones!

by BOLT, posted in African American, Baja California, Black, Ensenada, family, Fun, Long term travel, Mexico, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, Travel, Uncategorized, WOC, Women

This is our second visit in the RV to Ensenada and probably our fifth or sixth between cruises and car trips.  We never spent more than a day, usually just a few hours.  This time we’ve been here a few weeks and find ourselves loving it. What’s different? I think mostly it was our willingness to explore the city more deeply, to look beyond the smoggy, crowded big city feel or the cheesy touristy vibe near the cruise ship docks.  Here are some of the reasons  (razones) why.

Nuestro Barrio (Our Neighborhood)

We are staying well outside of the main city in the Chapultepec district. It has a very rural feeling with small tiendas (shops) and businesses that supply everything we need at very affordable prices. 

!El Océano! (The ocean!)

What more can I say? This is what we see, less than 40 feet from our RV door.  We are loving the sounds of waves crashing and seeing schools of dolphins swimming by.

Paradas Continuas (Continuous Stops)

These little mini busses are great!  For 13 pesos  (around 50 cents) they take you all around Ensenada and the surrounding areas. We’ve had lots of fun riding them up and down the hilly, small communities that surround the Big city. Soon we plan to take one into city central where we can visit the museums. 

La Marcoplaza (Grand Plaza)

Just a short bus ride away is this really cool spot with all the conveniences of any modern mall.  There always seems to be some sort of entertainment happening. There’s a Walmart, Home Depot and a really beautiful movie theater. We actually spent our first night in the parking lot here and were undisturbed. Now it’s a fun little day trip for us.

Persona Amable (Kind People)

Not just Ensenada but everywhere we have traveled we have been so blessed to meet kind and helpful people. It really does make a difference. We feel safe and  welcomed here in Ensenada and look forward to exploring more of the area. If you have any experience here we’d love to hear your suggestions. 

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa! We adore you!

by BOLT, posted in African American, Baja California, Black, family, Fun, Gay, generational, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Mexico, Old, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, Travel, travel, Uncategorized, WOC, Women

The Mona Lisa RV Park and Motel is far from the fanciest or most modern place in Ensenada but we find it absolutely perfect for BOLT! 

We are right next to the Pacific Ocean, separated by a rocky breakwater. There is a stone stairway that leads down to a clean, shell strewn beach. When the tide is out you can walk along the ocean for miles.

Of course, the ocean is beautiful, but the uniqueness of the Mona Lisa is all the art work here. There are murals and sculptures all over, many of them depicting Mexican history and Toltec and Aztec sacred figures.
All the necessities of life (groceries, laundry, drinking water) are within walking distance. Plus there is a sweet little mini bus that comes practically to our door and takes you right into Ensenada Centro.

Things are a little run down but the staff is wonderful and very helpful. We have a great spot for our Winnie. It looks out onto the crashing waves and has a little table, outdoor kitchen and a palapa  (thatched shade). There is really good wifi and our spot has electric, sewer and non-potable water hook ups. A spot like this in California would be at least  $65 a day.  Here at the Mona Lisa it is  $20 a day and a month is a huge discount down  to $330 a month. 

We are really enjoying the mild weather, relaxing lifestyle and affordable prices. We will probably be here for a couple of months. Ensenada is a less than 6 hour car trip for our So Cal friends and there’s an airport for everyone else. We sure would love to see you! 

Ready for Mexico, Again! 

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, family, Fun, Long term travel, Mexico, Old, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, Travel, Uncategorized

Our time here in Southern California is coming to an end. We’ve enjoyed wonderful visits with family and friends. Now it time to hit the road on another adventure in our 1995 “Minnie Winnie” class C Winnebago RV.


We’ve decided to visit Mexico again with the intention of staying a year. We will start of visit in Baja and are looking forward to revisiting some of our favorite places and discovering some new spots. Of great help has been the newly updated book Camping Mexico’s Baja by Mike and Terri Church. 

RVing in Baja was great, lots of beautiful beaches, historic towns and kind people. We’d love visitors, please follow us and join us as we travel slowly south. Just let us know if you are thinking of coming: boltraveling@gmail.com.

We are also seriously considering traveling from Baja (by ferry) over to mainland Mexico. There are several regions we are really hoping to visit on the mainland.  Mexico has been consistently named one of the best countries for retirement.  We’d love hearing about any experience or suggestions you may have about the mainland. 

We really appreciate all the comments and support we receive on this blog. Kathy and I are so full of gratitude for our lives of love, service and travel! 

RVing on a Budget: Resorts of Distinction 

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, Thailand, WOC, Women
Our journey began in Montgomery, Alabama

It’s December, and Kathy and I have been traveling North America for over a year now. We’ve been to Canada, Mexico and 24 of the United States in our Minnie Winnie RV. As full time RVers on a budget we are always looking for great accommodations at affordable prices.

The day we bought Winnie!

We’ve stayed in Walmart parking lots, state and national parks, casino parking lots, on city streets and in private RV parks. Right now we are staying at one of our favorite places: Mountain Lakes RV Resort. This is a private, members only park. I joined over 20 years ago when I was tent camping with my sons. This membership is really paying off now that we have the Winnie. One reason for this is that our Mountain Lakes membership entitles us to membership with nation wide Resorts of Distinction.

Mountain Lakes Resorts, Lytle Creek, California

For $140 a year our Resorts of Distinction membership allows us 2 weeks of free camping at over 50 RV parks in the U.S. and Canada. We were pleasantly surprised at the ease in using this product. A simple phone call or visit to the website creates a reservation within minutes. We kept expecting to see hidden costs or catches but have found none. We visited the one park in Canada and several in the U.S. All have full electric, water and sanitation hook up which are included at no charge.

Rock Glen Family Resort, Arkona, Ontario, Canada
Roaring Run Resort, Champion, Pennsylvania

Each park we visited had its on unique character, amenities and community. We were welcomed warmly at each park and every stay was a positive, hassle-free experience.

Eagles Landing, Grove, Oklahoma

All of the parks we visited had some sort of body of water. Our favorite was the one in Oklahoma, situated on beautiful Grand Lake.

Allegany Mountain Resort, East Otto, New York

Some of the parks had very distinct communities, some with options for permanent residence.

Allegany Mountain Resort, East Otto, New York
Niagara Lazy Lakes, Lockport, New York

Use of recreational facilities, like miniature golf, swimming pools and basketball courts, is also included in our free stays.

Niagara Falls, New York

Many of the parks were very close to sightseeing attractions. Niagara Lazy Lakes RV Park was less than 30 minutes away from the falls.

Roaring Run Resort, Champion, Pennsylvania

Kathy and I both enjoy our daily walks. All of the parks we visited were great for walking!

Allegany Mountain Resort, East Otto, New York

We look forward to visiting more parks in the Resorts of Distinction system as we continue our travels. Perhaps we will visit one in a place near you. Please let us know!

Along the Shores of Gichigami

by BOLT, posted in African American, Anishinaabe, Black, family, Fun, Gay, generational, lake superior, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, serendipity, WOC, Women

Gichigami is the Anishinaabe name for the largest freshwater lake in the world. It has been given the name Lake Superior by the United States and Canada. The Anishinaabe are the First Nations Peoples who are from the areas surrounding this great lake. They are also known as Ojibwe, Ojibwa or Chippewa. I vaguely remember hearing Longfellow’s 1855 poem about this lake and more clearly remember a racist I Love Lucy sketch. It saddens me that I didn’t know, until 62 years of age, that this is a real place and with real people.

We have had a lovely 2 weeks driving and staying along this amazing lake. Our Gichigami drive started in Minnesota, continued in Ontario, Canada and concluded in Michigan. We’ve only driven about 2/3s of the lake!

We stayed at wonderful campgrounds with winding trails that led to the lake.

Along the way we got to learn a little Anishinaabe history. They were integral to the vibrant fur trading industry of the 1800s.

In Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, Canada there is a beautiful trail called Bimose Kinoomagewnan (Walk of Teachings) trail. Along it you can read and learn of the Seven Grandfather Teachings from Anishinaabe elders and enjoy art work, representing the teachings, from the younger generation. The teachings are love, honesty, respect, wisdom, truth,humility and bravery.

In Sault Saint Marie, Michigan we saw the locks which enable ships to travel from Gichigami to the lower great lakes.

We are now on Anishinaabe land, staying at the Kewadin RV Park and Casino. It’s a beautiful and restful place. We are looking forward to attending a pow wow on Saturday. I’m really humbled by how little I know about this area and First Nations Peoples. I’m really grateful for any opportunity to learn even a little bit more!

The ABCs (and more) of RVs

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, Fun, Gay, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, rv, RVing, Travel, WOC, Women

There are many different types of recreational vehicles and probably almost as many articles written about them. It took me awhile to learn the difference between a class C motor home (like the Minnie Winnie we have) and a behemoth class A (like the one in the hilarious movie RV) and then there are all the trailers.

There are 3 basic types of motor homes and they come in all sizes. Class As are the ones that resemble buses. They are built on a chassis and have large front and rear windows. They often have slide outs and can be quite large and luxurious.

Class Bs are also called campervans. They are easy to park and drive and are great for weekend trips. Not so good for full-time RVers like us.

Our Minnie Winnie is an older class C. The way I can identify class Cs are by their cab over design. They come in many sizes, with and without slide outs.

Then there are all types of pull behind trailers like cute little teardrops.

In Minnesota we have seen several of these ice fishing trailers. They drive them right onto the ice in the winter!

There are pull behinds that pop up into tents and pull behinds that are long and luxurious inside. I really love the retro ones!

Fifth wheel trailers are another option. Instead of being towed the coupling is actually in the bed of the truck.

I had fun taking most of these pictures here at at Lake Bemidji State Park. Kathy and I are always exclaiming over fancy new ones and really cute older ones. You can get lots of information on line or by visiting an RV dealership. We are really happy to answer answer any questions you may have.

BOLT Adventures in Serendipity

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, family, Fun, Gay, generational, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, retirement, rv, RVing, serendipity, Travel, travel, WOC

Kathy and I are very blessed to live a life which affords a lot of opportunities for serendipity.  When we were working, vacations and travel took a lot of planning with deadlines and time constraints. Retirement is truly glorious! We rarely have set time lines and we often make spontaneous plans, one day at a time. 

 Our puppy, Kahlo, is a great example of the gift of serendipity. We had no plans of getting her and yet she has brought so much joy to our lives! 

Whale Watching in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico 

The White Temple, Chiang Rai, Thailand 

Charlotte and Pete Hill O’Neal, Arusha, Tanzania  

Serendipity has given us fabulous adventures,  visits to so many great places, and led us to meeting unforgettable and wonderful new friends. 

Now we are in Minnesota, a place I thought we’d simply be traveling through. We love it here! There are beautiful parks, affordable campgrounds, friendly people and lots to see and do.  Thanks to serendipity, we’ll be here a few weeks.

We’d love to hear about your experiences of serendipity as well as any comments, suggestions or questions you may have. As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog and for your support. 

Through BOLT Eyes…

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, buddhist, family, Fun, Gay, generational, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, retirement, RVing, spiritual, Travel, WOC, Women

Kathy and I love the National Park Service. There is such an abundance of nature, history and wonder within the parks, monuments and forests that it administers. We’ve found something to love in every place that we’ve visited. 


However, there are often things we find disturbing to our Black American and People of Color consciousness. This week we visited the Little Big Horn Battlefield Site.  It was essentially a monument to the fallen soldiers of “Custer’s Last Stand” and to American  imperialism. There was little mention of all the injustices perpetrated against First Nations Peoples that led up to the battle. The memorial to Native Americans there was much smaller and felt like an afterthought. 

When I was in the gift shop I watched a little white boy playing with the toy guns and knives for sale there. All I could think of was Tamir Rice and how it is not safe for  black children to play in this way. 

We visited “Pompey’s Pillar”, an ancient geological site sacred to the Crow people. The park service felt it more important to highlight the fact that explorer William Clark (of Lewis and Clark) wrote his name there.

Now we are at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s breathtakingly beautiful here! It’s very fitting that “Teddy”a great conservationist is honored here. But he also embodied military might and colonialism. Kathy reminded me that the saying he is credited with “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.” is one he appropriated from West Africa. 

So what do we do with these thoughts and feelings? We try to find beauty and enjoy it where we can and to tell the truth about our history and our present.  We try to learn more about our own and other marginalized people’s history. We show up and make use of these parks and forests, knowing that our ancestors did much to make them possible. We write these blogs, share our pictures and adventures. We try our best to share our truth.  We hope to affirm that America is beautiful, still and America is ours.


A Wonderful Week of BOLT! 

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, family, Fun, Gay, generational, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, retirement, RVing, Travel, WOC, Women

BOLT had a wonderful week, one that makes me appreciate RV life even more. We’ve stayed at a variety of places and had nothing but positive experiences. I am reminded that, despite the insanity of our current political situation, all the tragedies and injustice, America is beautiful.

From Walmart parking lots (great spots for RV overnight stays) to private RV parks with pools and casinos we’ve encountered friendly, helpful people and great natural beauty. RVing is a great, relatively inexpensive, way to see the country and meet interesting people. 

This week we traveled five states (Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana), visited 2 fabulous national parks (Grand Teton and Yellowstone), went to a wonderful museum (the California Trail Interpretive Center) and stayed in 2 national forests (Targhee and Gallatin).  We hope you enjoy these pictures of our week. We love getting your comments and please, ask any questions you may have. 

Sometimes Walmarts are the best overnight option.  This one in Layton, Utah was great!

We both really enjoyed the interactive exhibits at the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada. 


The Grand Tetons were magnificent and we got to see bison.

There is nothing like waking up in forest and seeing these for neighbors. This is Beaver Creek Campground, Gallitin National Forest, Montana. 

A highlight of our week was our visit to Yellowstone National Park. It has great boardwalk walking paths, views of the Snake River, lots of crowds and of course “Old Faithful”.

We find the national forest campgrounds to be wonderful: very beautiful and inexpensive too.  This one in the Targhee National Forest on the Idaho – Wyoming border was only $12 a night.  This compares really favorably to the private RV park prices. The one we stayed at in Elko, Nevada was $30 a night for really just a big parking lot but it did have a pool and great staff.

So that was our week, we hope yours was fabulous as well! 

On the road again! 

by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, buddhist, family, Fun, Gay, Lesbian, Long distance, Long term travel, Old, POC, queer, retirement, RVing, Travel, WOC, Women

As you can see from this picture, Kahlo likes road trips as much as Kathy and I.  We really enjoyed our time in Southern California, seeing family and friends.  But we are excited to be on our next BOLT adventure. 
Right now we heading north on beautiful Highway 395. The scenery is amazing! We’ve seen pristine lakes, the majestic Sierras and even some snow.

Our intention is to slowly travel up to and then through Canada. I’m really looking forward to seeing Niagara Falls. We plan to be back in the USA in time for a visit to the Smithsonian African American Museum in late September and back in California by November.   As always we are traveling serendipitously, fearlessly and fairly pennilessly.

Follow us on Facebook  and Instagram for our current locations.  Please let know if you have suggestions of things to see or places to visit (especially if you are on our route).