January 31, 2013

Smile
Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

 Winching 101
Today was our first lesson in recovery. We decided that it would be wise to be prepared for anything when we go off-road. Recovery expert Justin Green, who works for BCDS (Back Country Driving School), spent a couple of hours with us going over all the basics--winch extension cables, snatch blocks, tree savers, kinetic ropes, shackles, recovery straps, etc. You don't mess around with 18,000 pounds!!!

January 30, 2013

Soft rain in the woods on a winter's day reawakens Mother Nature's wondrous palette.
Reston, Virginia

70 degrees and raining in Virginia... in January! A good day to plug in and get some things done before we head out again for new adventures.

January 29, 2013

A walk in the park...67 degrees in January!
Fairfax Lake Park
Reston, Virginia

Roamer Tour--Custom back seats
Whatever you can dream, the crew at Earth Roamer can build. They're amazing!

January 28, 2013

Found on a walk at Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

Roamer Tour-Workspace #2
We removed the Ford rear seats and customized the back to create another workspace.

January 27. 2013

Sunset at Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

Josie...missing her master, Rudy 

We're back in Virginia after saying our goodbyes to family and friends. It feels good to be back in the Roamer. Rudy's spirit will always be with us as we travel the planet in "Rudy." That's a very comforting thought...

January 26, 2013


Crossing the Bar
     By Alfred Lord Tennyson

 
Sunset and evening star,
     And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
     When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
     Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
     Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
     And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
     When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
     The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
     When I have crossed the bar.

***

A beautiful memorial service was held for my dad in St. Louis today as friends and family gathered to celebrate his life.
"Crossing the Bar" was a poem he memorized as a child and it remained one of his favorites.

We head back to Virginia and "Rudy" tomorrow.

January 25, 2013

Mother Nature's canvas
Early morning ice on Rudy's hatch.
Reston, Virginia

Frigid temperatures and a dusting of snow in Reston, Virginia

We're off to St. Louis today for my dad's memorial service tomorrow. Sadly, Rudy has to stay behind. 

January 24, 2013

Lonaconing Silk Mill
Lonaconing, Maryland

Rudy at the old Lonaconing Silk Mill. Closed due to a strike, it has been described as "the only remaining silk mill in the United States with its machinery, company records and workers' personal effects remaining unchanged from the time that the factory ceased operations in 1957." There have been attempts to preserve the interior as a museum but sadly, it has deteriorated almost beyond salvation due to lack of funds and state initiative.

January 23, 2013

Bullfrog Road Bridge
A rare steel Parker through truss bridge (1908) that crosses the Monocacy River.
National Register of Historic Places
Frederick County, Maryland

Roamer Tour
Camper control panel

As you can see, it is truly a work of art!!!

January 22, 2013

Gradient
Doug Hill Road
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

Roamer Tour--Work space #1

 

January 21, 2013

Fording the stream
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

The Roamer tour continues--Rudy's private parts:

January 20, 2013

Potomac River Overlook
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

Did Rudy make it through the tunnel?

We had to lower the air ride suspension as low as it would go.

It was close...but Rudy squeezed through without destroying his satellite dish!!!

January 19, 2013

Rudy meets the Paw Paw police
Paw Paw, West Virginia

We decided to take a mini road trip this weekend. Rudy got pulled over for doing 45 mph in a 25 mph zone in the thriving metropolis of Paw Paw, West Virginia. Naughty boy!!!
The police chief was blown away by the Roamer soooooo...Steve got a warning and the chief got a tour!!! Everybody loves Rudy!!!

After conferring with our new friend from the PPPD, we decided to camp at the 15 Mile Campground at C+O National Park. Will Rudy fit??? Stay tuned.

January 18, 2013

"True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding the true path for ourselves, and fearlessly following it." Mahatma Gandhi
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, Virginia

Looking toward the rear of the Roamer. Exit door is to the left of the drawers. Bathroom is to the right of the closet.
We added the shoe organizer as a catch-all for shoes, slippers, gloves, scarves, flashlights...things we need to access quickly and often.

We each have 3 drawers, 15 inches of hanging space and a shelf for clothes and shoes. You wouldn't believe how much you can fit into that amount of space!
We have everything we need.

January 17, 2013

On the road...
Detour, Maryland

Many of you are curious about what the Roamer looks like inside so I will be posting some interior shots of Rudy over the next few days. This is shot from the rear of the camper looking forward. The truck cab is behind the black drape. We keep it closed off when camping for warmth and privacy. As you can see, we're not really roughing it too much!!! The workmanship is extraordinary--every little detail is attended to, every square inch of space is utilized in the most efficient way.
(In the spirit of full disclosure, the interior images were not taken with my iPhone. They were taken with my big-girl camera and a very wide angle lens.)

January 16, 2013

4 Points Bridge
A half-hip Pratt through truss built in 1876
Emmitsburg, Maryland

No roamin' for Rudy today. It was a raw, rainy, gray day in the park--a perfect day to stay in and get some things done. Rudy's furnace kept us warm and cozy. Snow's coming tomorrow!

January 15, 2013

We're back!!!
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, Virginia

Steve...opening minds in Scottsdale this morning.
It was a quick trip to Arizona. We're back in Virginia for a few days while we continue working on our digital asset management. If we complete it by this weekend, we'll be off on another roamin' adventure! Rudy's rarin' to go!

January 14, 2013

Rudy Does DC-5
Reagan National Airport
Washington, DC

Early morning walk at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, Virginia.
Steve and I are still working (shooting, speaking) and if we don't have enough time to drive to a job (our preference), we have to jump on a plane (our least favorite way to travel). This morning we had to fly to Phoenix so we left Rudy at the park. It's the first time we've left him by himself. Back tomorrow!

January 13, 2013

Rudy Does DC-4
United States Capitol-getting ready for the inauguration
Washington, DC

"Rudy" had a day of rest as we roamed on foot in the fog and light mist. Reconnecting with nature is always a bridge to restoring the spirit and lifting a heavy heart.
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, Virginia

January 12, 2013

Reflections
Lake Fairfax
Reston, Virginia

In a fog...
We're camping for a few days at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, Virginia to catch up on work. We're the only ones here. It's been nice to have some quiet time in a beautiful setting to reflect on my memories of my Dad.
His memorial service will be held in St. Louis on January 26.

Rudolph Joseph Lambert
I've been sorting through photos to display at the service. I love this hand-tinted image of my dad--high school graduation, 1939.

A glorious sunset--the perfect ending to a day of remembering...
(And...if you look closely, you can see "Rudy" hidden behind the trees.)

January 11, 2013

Loys Station Covered Bridge
Built in 1850
Frederick County, Maryland

Our friends, photographer Walter Calahan and his wife, artist Donna McCullough invited us to park for the night at their beautiful farm in Westminster, Maryland. We shared a yummy meal and wonderful conversation at O'Lordans Irish Pub. Sadly, in the middle of dinner I received word that my dad, Rudy Lambert (our Roamer's namesake), had passed away.

Here's to you, Dad...hope you're sitting on your favorite beach in Michigan enjoying a pipe, a Budweiser, and a beautiful, sky-blue-pink sunset.