Illustration by Drew Shannon
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Shh … don’t tell anyone, but I’m thinking of going south again. And by south I mean the U.S.A.
I can just hear the collective gasps across the country. For over a decade we’ve been happily wintering in the U.S. southwest, meandering around in our motorhome. But this past winter, like many Canadian snowbirds, we put our elbows up and stood our ground, and that was on the cold snow-covered ground here in British Columbia. We’re still buying Canadian and Canadian flags (fast fading in the summer sun) proudly festoon our home.
But now, as temperatures drop, I’m daydreaming about wintering in our old favourite haunts again. This feels a bit like falling off the wagon after being sober for a year. Hello my name is Marlene and I’m an America-holic. Ahh, Just give me a sip of those sunny southwest climes once again.
This winter, Canadian snowbirds may take flight back to the U.S.
I’m already checking the long range weather forecasts to plan our road trip south. The route through Oregon is breathtaking with its rolling hills and farmlands, but there is Deadman’s Pass, not for the faint of heart in the snow. The Montana route is wild rugged cowboy country.
I’m craving Cattail Cove State Park, a little oasis near Lake Havasu, Ariz. I confess, we already have reservations. In my defence, you have to book a year in advance to secure a spot (and it’s only US$5 to cancel).
We usually plan our stay so that we arrive for American Thanksgiving. There’s a special event hosted by the park rangers and campground hosts. Both the rangers and Betty and Bill prepare turkey with all the fixings and campers all bring a potluck dish. We Canadians are always so warmly welcomed at the table. Our potluck offering usually includes a Canadian treat like my homemade Nanaimo bars. And I’m curious to hear their thoughts on Canada-America relations now as we give thanks with fellow campers and share a cross-border feast and friendship.
Once a haven for snowbirds, Arizona sees fewer Canadians settling in for the season
This past January (as we steadfastly stood our ground in the true north strong and cold), we got a text from John, an American RV’er we regularly meet in Tucson. He wrote “Where r u?!” Turns out his little German Shepherd, Loki, was sniffing around the RV spot where we usually park our motorhome. She was looking for our dog Buck. Buck and Loki are snowbird-dog sweethearts. We also received group photos over the winter of the regular Friday night happy hours we were missing with the message, “Missing you!”
I enjoyed my first rodeo with those folks, the Tucson Rodeo that is. The opening ceremonies with all the American fanfare, flags, pomp and pageantry gave me goosebumps, and then I cheered proudly and loudly when a cowboy crew from Saskatchewan roped and rode and won their event.
Yes, cactus country is calling me. I’m hooked on Tucson with its vibrant Hispanic culture and cuisine, giant Saguaro cactus guarding the landscape, and camaraderie among campers. Okay, slap my wrists, our old RV spot is reserved in Tucson, too. After all, Loki will be there, waiting for Buck.
I’m dreaming of our favourite haunts in sunny California, like Indio, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, with its unique desert landscape and Jumbo Rocks campground, not to mention the wild ocean views on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Usually, at this time of year my big challenge is trying to figure out how many pairs of shoes I can cram into our compact motorhome closet. But this year, shoes are not my sole issue, instead, I’m soul searching – to go or not to go. I wonder how many other Canadian snowbirds are in the same predicament, wanting to scratch that snowbird itch, pondering about packing or staying put. There are new forms to fill out now, for our dog Buck and for us. So we are still “on the fence,” not quite ready to jump off on the south side … yet.
But I know that Betty and Bill, and Big John, and Loki and all our American RV friends will be there, waiting to say, “Welcome back!” Will I give in to the temptation to drink up that southwest friendship and sunshine or let it age for another year? Fear not, I will still have elbows up (well at least one) if I decide to cross the line and savour that fine clime again.
Marlene T. McArdle lives in Nelson, B.C.
