Over August, 2000 to August, 2001, Sharon and I drove15,000 miles, covering roads from the tip of the Baja in Mexico to Whitehorse in the Yukon and all over Scotland, Wales and England. During those trips we were hosted by 20 different members of ATC and stayed a total of 50 nights at those members' homes. We enjoyed all our visits, dining out and touring with almost all of our hosts.  We found that the majority of our hosts provided  many "extras" in the form of home-cooked meals and guided tours which were really appreciated but did not really expect!  When that is the biggest complaint one can think of, then you know we all belong to the greatest Travel Club there is!

Our Odyssey began when we travelled to Gig Harbor, Washington for the annual Northwest Affordable Travel Club picnic. We stayed with Greg and Anne in Bremerton and drove with them to the picnic in their antique Packard.  The party was hosted by Dan and Francine (a more interesting couple it would be difficult to meet).  Everyone who attended had a great time.  We had a great time with our new friends, Greg and Anne, and it may be the first time in recorded history that a 60 year-old Canadian was able to hold his own in one-on-one basketball with a 60 year-old American. What do you think Greg--hockey in Victoria?

By October we had itchy feet again and we were off on a road trip to the tip of Baja and back.  During our transit through the States we visited 4 members' homes on the way to Mexico and 4 different hosts on the way back for a total of 16 nights of "Affordable" accommodations, great tours, outstanding "Extra Dinners", and overall super hospitality.

Our first visit was with Rex & Shirley (antique car buffs) at their beautiful home in Scappoose, Oregon.  We got up in the morning to the sun rising in our window and the most beautiful view of the range of volcanic mountains you could ever imagine.  After a great breakfast Rex suggested a day trip along both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia  River that was spectacular!  Do we need tourist agents?  Not in ATC!

Our next destination was Mike's home in Shasta Lake, California.  "Antique Car Buff -Ford" Mike was great.  After finding out I liked to fly fish, he suggested a scenic day trip to Hat Creek, one of the most famous fly fishing streams in America. Sharon and I went there the next day, caught no fish (in spite of all that were there), and were met by Mike on our return with a home-cooked spagetti dinner!

The following day we were off to Fresno, California where we visited Charlene, a lady we had hosted, along with 4 of her friends, in our home in Victoria. Charlene owns the same Ford Mustang she had in high school (I won't reveal the year!). She suggested we go out the first night for dinner and said she was going to invite the entire "Fresno gang" over for a reunion BBQ the next night!  On her suggestion we took a day trip to Yosemite and when we got home we had a great reunion party with all of the gang and their spouses. A night to remember!!

On our final leg, prior to entering Mexico, we stayed with Will and Gisela in San Diego, where we were again met with a great home cooked meal.  Will & Gisela are fascinating people who have travelled extensively and even biked the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Circle.  The following day we travelled to La Jolla for some beach time to prepare our skins for extensive time in the Mexican sun.

Since we had arranged our insurance and travel documents with Vagabundos Del Mar, based on a ATC Newsletter recommendation, it took us no time at all to get through the border at Tijuana and on our way southwards.  We certainly endorse that recommendation and suggest anyone driving in Mexico join that club.  We took our time on the peninsula, taking 5 days to travel the 1000 miles.  We stayed in small hotels recommended by the Vagabundos web site and received 10% discounts at every one.  The drive was spectacular, something different around every turn.  The road is single lane but very good as long as you follow the signs and speed limits.

The people in Mexico were all very friendly and we felt very safe - no Banditos anywhere!  Take some Basic Spanish Conversational tapes so you can learn as you drive and you will have fun as well as set a good first impression with the locals.  We do this everytime we travel to any foreign country and have found that it is the pronunciation that is most important when attempting to converse in a foreign language.  As long as you know the basics and you pronounce it well you will be appreciated.  If you read it off a computer or read it from your handy little book but "fracture" the pronunciation, you might just as well have not tried. Opening comments in Spanish to the soldiers manning the 4 or 5 checkpoints along the way did wonders and we were waved through every one with a smile. A smile and a " buenos dias senor" go a long way in Mexico.  By the way, the checkpoints are looking for guns and drugs, and they are there primarily because of pressure placed on Mexico by the U.S Drug Enforcement Agency.  After spending 2 weeks in Cabo San Lucas at our time share (Westin Regina), we started to make our way back up the peninsula.  Again we stayed in recommended small hotels and had a great time.  We even ran into, and became part of, the BAJA 2000 Road Race!  That is a story in itself!!

On our entry back to the U.S.A. we stayed about 12 miles north of the border with our old friends and ATC members, Larry & Jean, whom we had previously hosted in Victoria.  Larry regaled us with his Irish stories and we even spent one night out dining & ball room dancing at one of the local military officer's clubs.  The next night we suggested that they should meet the Will and Gisela, who we stayed with on the way south, and we all went out for an enjoyable dinner.

After our 2 day visit we were off to Dave & Sharee's, members who have also visited us in Victoria.  They had a home, at that time in Los Osos, on the coast and a short drive to Hearst Castle which we visited the next day.  The day we arrived we all went down to San Luis Obispo where we took part in a street festival and dined out at one of the most famous rib places in the U.S.

On our 5th day back in the States we travelled Northeast to the Feather River country of California and visited Pete & Natalie who live in Magalia. That area of California is beautiful with its mountains, rivers and walnut groves. On our arrival we were greeted with a Thanksgiving turkey dinner even thoughit was a few days before Thanksgiving.  Natalie said she just felt like having it as she was visiting relatives for the actual dinner.  This can only happen in ATC!!  On their advise, the next day, we toured the Feather River Canyon, explored a local Gold Rush Ghost Town and visited several of the many antique stores where, even with our devalued dollar, we obtained bargains.

During our 2nd to last leg we drove Northwest to Salem, Oregon where we were hosted by Fred & Joy.  Again we were met with a dinner supplied by our hosts! The next day, as advised by Fred and Joy, we visited the Pendleton Woolen Mill historic museum which was fascinating, toured the State Capital where Sharon got to sit in the Governor's chair, which is apparently a replica of one used in the film My Fair Lady, and also visited the local art gallery.

Finally, after 6 weeks on the road we were home; tired, but extremely satisfied with our adventure.  We had renewed many old acquaintances, met new friends, experienced numerous new places and adventures, and during the entire period saw only 10 minutes of rain!  You can't beat that!

On the 20th May, 2001 we were off again.  This time to the U.K. to study the very ancient "Stone Circles" and "Hill Forts" of Scotland, Wales and England.  There are 40,000 of them you know.  Stonehenge is probably the most famous, but one of the few that charge an admission.

We landed in Glasgow 21 May.  After 14 hours of no sleep we rented our car, tried to remember how to shift gears with my left hand, sit on the right, drive on the left, enter roundabouts clockwise, and did it all at 70+ mph!  After a harrowing hour on the road we arrived at our first hosts, Joyce & Bill, who, you guessed it, had a supper waiting for us! To our surprise our first hosts on this trip to U.K. were transplanted Americans!

Joyce and Bill live in a small flat right on the beach in the beautiful Edinburgh suburb of Portobello.  They gave us a lovely room with the greatest view of the North Sea and the rising sun you can imagine.  The next couple of days were spent touring Edinburgh, Roslyn, (the home of the Roslyn Chapel), and they say, The Holy Grail.  When we were not on our own, Bill and Joyce were touring with us ensuring we didn't miss a thing during our 3 day stay.

Our next visit was with James & Hillary who live in a spectacular self-designed, Italian-style villa on the River Dee in the beautiful ancient city of Chester.  James is a retired architect who spends his time now as a city councillor advising on the developments that come before council for approval.  As such, he had a lot to do with a tourist brochure which explains the ancient Roman to modern day Architectual examples to be seen in thisfamous walled city.  The next few days were spent studying the town, taking a side trip to Wales, and enjoying the excellent hospitality offered by this couple who again, in what seems to be becoming ATC tradition, insisted we share a wonderful home cooked dinner.

We next proceeded south to visit Walter & Muriel in the small village of Feckenham (pop.300).  On our way we stopped at the town of Ironbridge, to tour the famous Ironworks Museum.  Its founder, James Darby, was the first person to use coke instead of charcoal in the smelting of iron, thus saving all the forests from being destroyed.  From our base in Feckenhamwhich is south of Birmingham we took side trips to Stratford-on-Avon, saw Ann Hathaway's cottage, went to Warwick Castle for a day to witness the medieval festival and also managed to visit Cambridge.  Whew!!  One of the evenings after we returned and were relaxing with the Richards, a knock came at the door and it was for us!  It was Paul & Joyce, ATC members from Ontario, Canada, who had visited us in Victoria!  They were housesitting in Feckenham, heard we were in town, and wanted us to join them at a party at the local pub where we, our hosts, and most of the village all partied the night away.  What a small world!  While in Feckenham I watched and enjoyed an exciting Cricket match, and even became an honorary member of the local village team (I am not kidding!).  I can't believe we had such a great time, saw so many things, in such a small place.

Next we were off to Cheltenham, the city famous for its spas and Greek style architecture.  There we were hosted by Arthur & Janet.  Arthur is an antique car buff as are many of the members we visited during the Baja trip and he gave me a ride in his Riley and showed me his Hupmobile.  His home originally was a pub which he rebuilt and he uses the original beergarden as a parking lot and garage area for his vehicles.  They, quite naturally, invited us to stay for what they called a BBQ.  I have never seen anything like it.  I sure hope someone ate the leftovers!  From there we visited the beautiful village of Chipping Campden in the area known as the Cotswolds, famous for its yellow stonework and thatched roofs.  From this base we also visited the ancient city of Bath where the Romans built the most famous spas in the United Kingdom.

Now we were off to the London area where first we visited John in the suburb of Bromley.  During this visit we toured and dined out with John, visited the fabulous Dover Castle on the famous cliffs of Dover and saw the historical sights in the local area including Chartwell, Churchill's summer home, and the home of the famous English General, James Wolfe.  He is the fellow who ensured that our primary language in Canada is English by defeating the French on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec so many years ago. By the way, if you are interested in history, visit John, he is the most knowledgeable historian we have ever met and his stories are fascinating.

After leaving Bromley we headed for the other side of London and visited, for the second time, Zakia who lives at Rayne's Park, one stop on the train line from Wimbleton.  Because this location is very convenient by train to downtown, we decided to do London again to see as much as we could of what we missed the first time we visited.  Train time to London is only about 30 minutes from Rayne's Park to Waterloo Station and you can get passes that cover train, bus and subway for various periods of time.

During this trip we visited Greenwich, a must for those interested in Time, Navigation, the Cutty Sark, and the Royal Naval College.  The village itself is very special and worth the visit.  On another day we did the Tate Gallery of Modern Art, The National Gallery, and went to see the spectacular changes they have made to the British Museum which is still the best FREE attraction in the world.

Next we went to visit some people we recruited to ATC while on a previous visit to Crete, Derek and Joan.  Derek and Joan live on a beautiful acreage 2 miles from Ascot.  Their thatched home looks very much like Ann Hathaway's famous cottage except much bigger.  Derek said we initiated his large in-groundpool for the season.  Not difficult when the water temperature is kept at 90 degrees F!  From this "resort" we travelled to the famous Hampton Court and then began our studies of the ancient Hill Forts and Stone Circles found locally.  Of these sites, Salisbury, Stonehenge and Avebury are all "must sees".

After dining and touring with the Derek and Joan we were off to Cardiff to once again visit Graham & Ann.  On the way we visited Avebury's famous stone circles and also the famous Uffington White Horse carved into the side of a great hill by the ancients.  On arrival at Cardiff it was off to the pub with our hosts.  The next day we visited the beautiful coastal areas outside Cardiff and had drinks and dinner with Dennis and Brenda, other ATC members in the area.  If you like indoor pools and great company check this couple out!  On our final day in Cardiff Graham & Ann took us on a tour of the new " Barrage" which has turned Cardiff's waterfront into a fantastic lake.  What an improvement over the previous tidal bay we witnessed on our last visit.  This is truly an engineering marvel that is sure to make Cardiff one of the world's premier tourist destinations.  We ended the evening with another pub meal accompanied by our hosts.

The next day we travelled along the Welsh border to the village of Chapel-en-le-Firth where we met our next hosts, Malcolm & Jennifer.  On our arrival we were treated to a truly gourmet meal.  Honestly, I was beginning to feel that all the people we visited this year thought we were travelling ATC inspectors!  During our visit to this famous "Peaks" district of England, Malcolm & Jennifer were great tour directors taking us to the famous Plague Village of Eyam which is nearby.  We also toured the village of Ashford In The Water where they were displaying the famous flowered "Well Dressings", a tradition that goes back to the time of the plague when the villagers started to decorate their wells during certain times of the year in hopes of warding off further calamities.  To date there are over 50 villages in the"Peaks" area that maintain this tradition; each allotted different weeks for the display of their individual religious theme artistry.  One evening after a wonderful dinner at "The Navigator", the best pub we visited in all U.K., our hosts took us for after-dinner drinks with William & Audrey, another lovely couple who are ATC members and live in that area.

Although we hated to leave, the next day we were off to Stockton-on-Tees to meet our next hosts, George and Mary.  On our way we passed through Sherwood Forest and stopped to see the "Major Oak" of Robin Hood legend, walked through the beautiful Oak Forest and saw the FREE exhibits.  All very worthwhile!

On our arrival -you guessed it- another wonderful meal!  George and Mary are very gracious hosts and gave us personal tours of all the interesting sights to see while in "Teeside".  While there we also took side trips through the Yorkshire moors to the coastal villages of Robin Hood Bay, Whitby, and Redcar.  On one side trip, we visited the famous "House Of Hardy" Fly Fishing Museum.  For fly fishers this is considered almost a Holy Place and I was able to buy some House of Hardy clothing which makes me the envy of all my fly fisher friends- and it was on sale for about 75% off!  This museum and outlet is located in the village of Alnwick.  On the same trip we visited the Holy Island of Lindesfarne.  When we arrived home George and Mary treated us to the famous "Dog's Nose" cocktail invented by ATC member John and passed along to the our hosts.  (Sorry, you will have to visit to get the secret recipe!!)

Now we were beginning the last week of our trip and on our way to Aberdeen to meet our hosts Sandy & Margaret.  Sandy and Margaret both work so we didn't get to know them quite as well as our other hosts.  They have a lovely home in the suburbs of Aberdeen and gave us good ideas on what to see and do while in that area.  During our stay we visited Fraser Castle, the clan Sharon's family originates from, and we also visited the Royal Family's favorite country residence, Balmoral Castle.  This area of Scotland is absolutely beautiful!

After leaving Aberdeen we travelled west for 3 days to the Isle of Skye area, through all the Loch Systems.  Although we tried our best around Loch Ness, we failed to see the monster.  But one fellow at Urqhart Castle said we just missed it and I do think I saw the remnants of a swirl in the middle of the Lock.  If you go there make sure you eat at the Dores Pub at the east end of the Lock.  Western Scotland has to be the most scenic area of all U.K. if you like rivers, mountains and lakes.  It is like a microcosm of British Columbia all wrapped up in a few hundred miles.  We shall go there again!  We do need ATC members there, however, so get your recruiting cap on when visiting.  We sent in the names of 2 B&B owners who indicated they might consider joining.  Keep your eyes open in the directory.

Well that is about it for the U.K. trip.  We had a fabulous time, met new members, revisited old friends, and enjoyed superb hospitality, food and lodgings everywhere we visited.  We flew out of Glasgow 24 June after 35 days on the road.

Our trip to Whitehorse began the 4th July and ended 22 July.  The trip was magnificent.  Met our daughter, son-in-law and 2 of our grandchildren on the way in Terrace B.C. and continued on in caravan style.  The scenery was spectacular.  The fishing out of this world.  Caught 40-50 Rainbow Trout on the fly in 3 hours with my son-in-law on a small lake off the highway; allowed to retain 5 each- what a feed!  I would suggest going there in early spring or late summer.  The bugs are bad in June, July and August.  Mid to late September is ideal as it is still warm during the day and the bugs are gone. The roads are good but Highway 37 (The Casslar) is very rough in places.  The Alaska Highway north of Whitehorse is very bad I am told.  We camped all the way until we reached my sister's place on Marsh Lake about 40 minutes south of Whitehorse.  Her place is spectacular, on the water, with a spare 2 bedroom guest cabin with all amenities.  I think I talked her into joining ATC.  Nothing more to write.

P.S. GREAT TRAVEL HINT!!!

One of the best things we did prior to these trips was to provide all hosts with a "Full Itinerary" prior to leaving.  This proved to be very popular with our hosts as they always knew where they could contact us if they needed to. We also sent this itinerary to our family members. While on our trip we often had calls or messages inquiring when we would be arriving and providing detailed instructions to find their homes. Of course we always called 24 hours in advance anyway. We suggest this is a great idea for those going on extended trips using ATC.