Welcome

The CoolRVers were actually a couple of retirees, Judy and Luke Rinehimer and their rescue German Shepherd dog, Miss Shady Lady. We were "extended-time" travelers for many years with a homebase in Cool, California for 40 years. Luke passed away in May 2019 and I continued to RV. Many followed along with our travels throughout North America in our 40' "rolling condo" and our later downsized Class C motorhome, enjoying the RV lifestyle. Your comments are always welcomed.


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Monday, May 16, 2011

IN THE BEGINNING...

“In the beginning…”   
Well, isn’t that how a story should begin?  Since this is the first installment of the blog we are calling “CoolRVers On the Road”, I thought it would be appropriate to write something that tells you who the CoolRVers are and fills in the gaps from our first RVing adventures 42 years ago to our upcoming trip north to Alaska (and beyond). 
First of all, the “COOL” part of our name comes from living in a small community actually called Cool, California.  We moved to Cool in 1979 and learned that the annual Founders Day Celebration was to honor the town’s namesake, Aaron Cool, a Gold Rush era traveling preacher.  It seems the area had been known as Cave Valley, but when it came time to get its first US Post Office, that name was already taken.  Legend has it that Rev. Aaron Cool was in town at the time and the local town folks asked if they could honor the fine gentleman by naming the town after him.  Thus, Cool, California got its first post office in 1885 (and later became Zip Code 95614). 

The rural area has about 4,000 residents and we live within a gated development called “Auburn Lake Trails” that got its start in 1970.  (BTW, there is NO Auburn Lake – but that’s another story sometime.)  http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/cool,-california/sie519B2A48F9E3FDEDD
Our home, with 2000 feet of decking, sits atop one of the highest hills in the area, overlooking the American River Canyon with a 360-degree view where you literally can see a 100+ miles in any direction.

We have spectacular sunsets. Looking towards Sacramento.

Some say Cool is the pot of gold at the end of our wonderful rainbows.
 
Who says we don't have all our ducks in a row.  Too bad they missed the cross walk.

Deer live a protected life and love to visit yards and the golf course.

Not all creatures are welcomed. Rattler on the dog's pillow in the garage.
     The “RVers” part of our name goes back to our courtin’ days.  In 1968-69, Luke was going to college, just starting his post-Air Force DoD career at McClellan AFB, and living in a bachelor apartment in Sacramento.  I was going to college at San Jose State and it would be at least two years before we would wed.  To save money, Luke purchased a 22’ Terry Travel Trailer and had it moved into an old, somewhat-dingy, mobile home park.  To pull it he purchased a 1963 GMC Suburban.  While it served him well as a place to sleep and study, it wasn’t very mobile for him.  In fact, I think it only made one trip – July 20th, 1969 – a weekend trip to the “Valley of the Moon” near Napa, CA.  The day is truly memorable because that was the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! 

The GMC Suburban, however, did become our first true traveling “rig”. The back seat was eliminated and made way for home-built twin beds, a porta-potty, a Coleman stove, two 5-gal. plastic water jugs, and a K-mart dorm-style storage trunk for our panty.  It took us from California to Pennsylvania via the Trans-Canadian Highway and back along I-80 later that summer so Judy could meet the Rinehimer family.  Guess things worked out because we were married in December, 1970 and have been RVing ever since in some form of a vehicle. 
Up next:  “RVs in Our Life”

22 comments:

Nick Russell said...

Congratulations on a great new blog! I have bookmarked it and will be a regular reader.

Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak said...

Nice! Enjoyed reading about how you got your name and started your RV adventures.

Donna McNicol said...

So looking forward to your blog!! Thanks for sharing. Added to my friends list of blog to follow.

Laurie and Odel said...

Finally! So glad you've begun your blog - a trip to Alaska is a great way to kick it off!

Chuck and Jan Moore said...

Really enjoying your Blog. So glad that you are going to take us along to Alaska!

Anonymous said...

Added you to my blog list. I am 60, unmarried, and dreaming about "someday". Getting awesome inspiration from those for whom "tomorrow" is now.

Bobbie and Jim said...

So glad you started a blog. I became a "followers" and added you to my Google Reader so I won't miss any of your posts. Welcome aboard the blogging train!

Dennis and Donna said...

OK, now you've done it..You got me hooked, and I cannot wait for your trip to Alaska..We did it in 2002..no camper, just our Silverado...11,000 miles in one month..What the H... were we thinking?..But we now would like to go that way again...When do you leave..can we come along?..Can I have the seat by the window???

Sue Malone said...

I am looking forward to following you along, congrats on your new blog! I am especially tickled about your trip to Alaska, and look forward to reading about it. We are departing on July 6th, planning to take the Cassiar Highway to the Alcan.

Fran Says said...

I love your blog. How typical of you not starting at the amateur level, but jumping right in at full function. Congratulations!

Diana said...

Wow, great start! I look forward to following your trip to Alaska.

Sue and Doug said...

found you site through Odel and Laurie..will follow along..can't wait to read about your adventures!

jcw3rd said...

Looking forward to your next installment!

-- jcw

Linda said...

Congratulations on starting a blog! We met at the LOW in Moscow in 08. Glad to hear you are headed "North to Alaska" this summer. We went last summer and had a wonderful time!!

Sarah and Richard said...

Judy, good show! I hope you are more disciplined blog-wise than I was during our Alaska trip last summer. I got more caught up in the "touring" and "doing" than in the "writing" about it each night, despite my best intentions! Drat!! So, I'll really enjoy following your travels. You've certainly done your homework!

Anonymous said...

Love the "ducks in a row." I'm going to enjoy your travels.

Linda Sand

Sharon Del Rosario said...

Welcome to the world of blogging! I've just become a follower and look forward to our paths crossing in Alaska.

Janice said...

Happened upon your blog via Nick's blog and I'll bookmark this one too. Great beginning and I look forward to reading more. My husband and I, and our pooch, are looking forward to RVing in the near future. I'm particularly interested in reading about your travel experiences with your pooch, so please do include him/her in your writings.

Chuck and Anneke's RV travels said...

Welcome to blogland!

Diane said...

Great blog - thanks for taking us with you - :-)

Chris Guld said...

Hello Judy and Luke,
Looking forward to your posts from Alaska! I'm mainly leaving a comment to see if it's working ok.
Chris

Judy Rinehimer said...

Chris, the only person who indicated they could not comment was using Firefox. I checked the stats and I am getting a number of hits from Firefox so I suspect it was operator error. The Blogger troubleshooting forum (http://tinyurl.com/3cyho85) does show intermittent issues with the comments widget.