Monday, July 19

Home at last. Not that I was in a hurry to get here, but it always feels nice to be back home. I see that there is work to be done around here. The house actually looks clean but don't bring any white gloves over. It doesn't feel dirty nor look in need of cleaning, so I think I will concentrate on the outside first. Those plants have a way of continuing to grow. If I don't prune them soon, I am afraid one or more of them will reach out and snare me in their clutches.

Don and Ruth had done a good job of watching out for things here. Sylvia and Chris, my across the street neighbors, are always great for tending to stuff that needs it.....magazines/papers left on the porch, boogey men that lurk in the shadows, etc. Thanks to all had helped in that effort.

I think the trip came in under budget, surprise, even though the coach racked up about 6500 miles. That's a lot of driving. Thanks to friend John Winter who was along the last three weeks and helped with the driving. And he cooked a lot, which also saved money, but importantly it was better food. I think I have had nearly every sort of seafood available in the last several weeks. And it was all great. But now I'm ready for Italian.

So, to wrap this up.....it was a great trip, glad I/we did it. Thanks to those of you who actually read this blog and many of you even commented on it. It was fun to read your take on things.
Happy traveling for those of you about to embark; and I hope to do the same before too long.

Tuesday, July 13

Did Seattle in my last blog post.....but I noticed that I failed to mentioned that I saw another Frank Gehry masterpiece. It is a very contemporary design, naturally, this one very colorful. Bright colors that can be seen from many parts of the city. It is right in the heart of Seattle's cultural center and near the Space Needle.

Then had a nice drive down to Portland, OR, and I had a lovely dinner and time with my old college roommate from my freshman year. That is most assuredly a bit of time ago. We had a great time catching up and sharing life/career experiences as well as remembering old times, our favorite classmates and faculty (were there any of the latter?).

The last two days have been spent on the Oregon Coast in a town called Florence, and many points all around. It is just lovely, and very much as I remembered it from the time that my family traveled through here when I was seven. Much is new or newer, of course, but those kinds of details I wouldn't remember from earlier anyway. Today was a sunny day, about 65 degrees, but very windy, which made it feel like somewhere in the 40's. The wind is too strong to even put out the awnings on the coach.

Tomorrow is a stop in Grants Pass with a side trip to Medford and Ashland....home of their Shakespeare Festival and I think the Oregon Bach Festival also. Then the California Redwoods and a straight trip back home. I expect to be there by Sunday, the 18th. Those will be longer driving days than I have grown accustomed to. But, oh well.

Hope all is well with you all.

Sunday, July 11

Back in the USA. A little more normalcy in terms of cell phone and Internet. Otherwise, we meld together quite well....US and CA, that is.

Got to Seattle Friday afternoon. Met up with Carol Christensen and her family for a fabulous Halibut dinner. Then last night she prepared a superb meal of shrimp kebobs on the grill, and a wonderful clam dish........I OD'd on bread sopping up the last of the tasty clam sauce left in my bowl. This all topped off with Marionberry pie, a local favorite.

Yesterday Carol took us on a whirlwind tour of some highlights of the city. Pike's Market was of course a major highlight, a driving tour of some of the waterfront, spent some time at the locks that connect the Sound with fresh water Lake Washington. We had perfect weather, in fact, almost too hot. This was the first warm weather they have experienced so far this year. Friday was in the 90's, a high for them. So I guess it doesn't rain every day in Seattle. Carol's house is up the hillside, about a half block from the Sound. She has a great deck overlooking the expanse of the sound and the islands beyond. So beautiful.

Today will be on to Portland. So I'm starting my way back home. Another week.

Thursday,July 8 (p.m.)

I thought I had lost the earlier posting from today, but I see it went through after all. Drove 6.5 hours today (really heavy day!) and am now at Kamloops, British Columbia.....which is about halfway between Banff Nat'l Park and Seattle.

What a gorgeous drive. Mountain peaks on both sides most of the way, with beautiful green pine trees standing so erect, nearly to the tops of the peaks. The early part of the day, the many rivers we passed all were a sort of milky aqua color. Kind of weird. They manufacture mica up here so maybe that is what's in the water. Later we were again blessed with clear green water. Yes, beyond blue, it was green.

Unfortunately we had lots of construction along the way. The roads between construction sites were pretty bumpy, but by next year, the roads will be great. So plan your trips for 2011.

Next is Seattle.

Thursday, July 8

OK, Banff/Lake Louise. Been there, done that!

Actually had a very nice time here, no rain, no major calamaties. Lots of beauty to see. So much snow on the mountains, in fact, some major snow ledges visible from down below. We had the chance to go up top on a gondola, but the value added just wasn't there for me. The fact that I don't like heights in a confined (gondola) space, doesn't add value for me anyway. So I'll take pictures and enjoy the view from below. This place must be even more spectacular in the winter. However, July brings out way too many tourists. Did I know that? Duh!

There were several places that were so crowded that it just wasn't worth going to see them. Didn't really miss anything major, but there was one hotel I wanted to see and have lunch at, but too crazy with people. And park a mile away. I can do only so many mile-long hikes in a day.

It is warming up here in Canada, with temps going up into the 90's today. And I'll be back into cell phone service areas starting Friday in Seattle. Yeah!

An interesting observation here in Canadian tourista areas has been that while the majority of license plates on cars are either Alberta or British Columbia, one does hear a number of languages spoken. Certainly lots of French from the bi-lingual locals, but many European languages heard as well. Yesterday I admired an Asian woman check-out clerk at a shop. While waiting in line, I heard her being conversant in English, French and some Asian language....without missing a beat. It made her customers feel very comfortable in the process.

Wednesday morning, July 7

Early morning here and a big day ahead, but observations to date are worth putting on paper. Or is it on screen?

The drive up into Canada was so interesting yesterday. We quickly left the snow-capped mountains of Glacier/Waterton, and were in treeless plains with beautiful animals grazing everywhere. Really beautifully put together cattle of all colors.........white calves suckling on their Black Angus mothers. And the horses, so many of them, and also multi-colored. Truly painted ponies. And so interesting to observe their postures and apparent motivations. One area had large pastures on either side of the road with a tunnel under the freeway connecting both. This herd of hundreds of cattle was rushing from one side of the freeway to the other, for no apparent reason. Was it "cattle see as cattle do"?

Then we approached Calgary. A huge city spread out over rolling plains. Lovely sky line in the distance. We only skirted the city as we aimed for Banff. We are actually staying in a town just outside of the Banff National Park. Very cute. Very "newly quaint". Very mountain chalet-like. At least half of the commercial businesses are the same as we see at home. Lots of Subway sandwich shops, Dairy Queen, A & W Root Beer, even Safeway and Starbucks. And most spectacular, almost unnerving, is the "set" outside our front window. Majestic snow-capped mountains that I am sure are just a Hollywood set. I think they are made perfectly out of styrofoam. On second thought, no human could have designed such grandeur. I feel so privileged to be able to take this all in. I'll probably miss lots of beauty, just trying to remember the last beauty just seen, but I'll try to do it justice.

And now for my morning coffee here in the coach before heading off for a gondola ride....with a Starbucks at the base. Are we combining natural beauty with creature comforts here?

You have a good day, too, and I'm sure you have natural beauty all around you as well.

Tuesday, July 6

Sorry for no recent posts as Internet connections have been very spotty. Not even sure this one will get through, so will be brief. And my Sprint cell connection is nil. In fact, I have my phone turned off. John's AT&T cell was working earlier but not now. But I do seem to get some emails on normfriesen1@gmail.com that don't come through on my regular Cox account.

Stopped in Great Falls, MT the other day. Visited the C.M. Russell Museum....famous western artist of the late 19th and early 20th Century. He is often compared to Remington. Very lovely museum and very interesting work....his and several of his peers.

Then on to Eastern Glacier, staying in St. Mary's. Although I had been in Glacier a few years ago, that way the lower, west end. Very nice, but lots of rain. It didn't really hinder much except for the fact that some views were distorted or probably not visible because of clouds. But the clouds themselves were spectacular as they shrouded the mountains. Further, we have been hindered in the hiking and walking opportunities. Went up to the Waterton/Canadian side of Glacier Park. Nosed around, explored their Waterton Village.....everything up here is geared to fishing, hunting, riding the rapids, etc.

Today we go up to Banff. Can't wait. Oh, oh, just got a message that this effort is failing on the Internet. Hope you get this.

Friday, July 2

July??? Are we already halfway thru the year? Golly gee!

Had another great thunderstorm in Billings the other night. Still having nice days though. Visited a wonderful old mansion in Billings, called the Moss Mansion, built by another European frontiersman. The home was modeled after the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Beautiful, intricate workmanship throughout. Took three years to build and then decorate by a Chicago firm.

That day there was a tremendous storm golf ball-sized hail in Bozeman....which is where we are now. Lots of crop damage, some friends here had a large window broken, and the resort told us when we checked in that a lot of motorhomes had damage to their roofs, vents, etc. Glad we weren't here yet.

Lots of snow still on the mountaintops, even though it is July. So between the mountains, snow, partly cloudy skies and sun....and remember, everything is very green here.....it was spectacular. Drove up to Big Sky ski resort. Not as many people as during ski season, but the bikers are having a good time biking down the ski trails. Beautiful vistas.

Today more roaming around Bozeman, and enjoying the good daytime weather.

Wednesday, June 30

Well, I'm sorry already. A few days have passed and I didn't make an entry.



Before I update, I must add an oversight in my last blog about major things seen in Mpls/St. Paul. That is, we saw the magnificent St. Paul's Catholic Cathedral in St. Paul. What an impressive structure. If you are so inclined, google it. That will be better than my explanations could possibly be.



Onward to the past since the above: Internet service has been spotty at best. And my Sprint cell phone doesn't work up here at all. This is Verizon territory, although AT&T works here part of the time. We are now in Billings, MT, a beautiful town so far, and a great RV Resort along the Yellowstone River........with great Tengo internet service.



But back to Saturday. Had a great drive up northwest of Mpls, to Fargo, ND. What beautiful rollings hills in northern Minn. I had never been in that part of Minn. before, even though I grew up in the southern part of the state. ND started out flat....particularly in the eastern half of the state. We started out in Jamestown, with a Buffalo Museum, some great historical buildings which I wouldn't have expected up here. Then onward to Bismarck where we explored more ND antiquity.

Western ND was totally unexpected. I thought the Badlands were only in South Dakota. But they are up here also, and very interesting. The difference is that the SD ones are kind of a "one joke phenomenon". That is, you can see them in overlooks, etc., but don't really get down into them. In ND, you drive around through them on a 36 mile loop. We saw all sorts of different terrain, effects of years of nature's impact on the terrain. Even some wild life. We captured, on film only, a herd of buffalo crossing the road. There must have been 25-30 of them, including some young calves. They are fearless of autos. In fact, mostly they just stood in the middle of the road and looked at you. Like....what is that?

We stayed in a town called Medora, which is right in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. That evening we went to an outdoor amphitheater and saw a country/western style musical. It is actually produced out of Mpls., has actors from all of the country, event three from England. Very talented cast, with an orchestra of six off to the side. The main "workers" of the cast were a chorus of 10 singer/dancers. And they could all do both well. They were involved in almost every number and worked very hard. A gorgeous wild west set, that moved around a lot. Live horses on stage and lighted up out on the hills behind the stage. Very well done. The theater holds 2300 people and this one show runs there for three months. So I guess it is quite well known "around these parts".

We spent a couple of days there, and then drove on down here to Billings yesterday. Hopefully I'll get a good internet connection again before going into Canada on Saturday. So, ciao for now.

Saturday, June 26

Had an uneventful trip through the corn and soybean fields of southern Minnesota, from my oldest brothers home, to Minneapolis. There I set up the rig, went to the airport to pick up John Winter who will travel with me the rest of the trip, and then we went to meet my friend Pam Holt who lives in St. Paul. She drove us around, showing us some fabulous areas of old homes, large and small, but all wonderful. It is so green and lush. Most of the streets are heavily tree lined. We also drove around the U. of Minnesota campus which is also pretty spectacular.

The deux pieces d'resistance were:

1) the new Tyron Guthrie Theater complex. What a fabulous architectural masterpiece. All wrapped in a sky blue wrap, looks like cellophane. Very interesting. And there are huge sections which are cantilevered way out of the main building. Doesn't look scary when you are in it or out on the balconies, but from afar, you think, "I walked on that"???? Totally interesting.

2) a wild Weissman Art Museum designed by Frank Gehry.....same guy as the LA Disney Concert Hall. This one looks like, and is lovingly called, "the tin can". It does look like all sorts of weird shapes of tin cans all piled on top of one another.

Those are impressively avant garde cities, those twin cities. So many colleges and universities are located there, the people are very philanthropic.......but they live in snow. Go figure!

Today we drove up to and just entered North Dakota. Northern Minnesota is so beautiful and lush with all their lakes and rolling hills and trees and..... Meanwhile, N.D. looks like it is going to be very flat and very plain......It is in the Great Plains after all.

Have had some tremendous thunderstorms, lots of lightening, and beaucoups rain. Yesterday could hardly see ahead of yourself on the street. Thankfully, we were sitting in a Starbucks and enjoying looking out at it from within.

I'll let you know how N.D. really is after we see the rest of it.

Wed., June 23

Well, we (my family and I) have done the Amana Colonies. 2.5 days is OK if you have something else going on, like family reunion. Otherwise, there is not much to do here. Three restaurants, all serve family style and way too much of everything, and all quite redundant of each other. Also, after a few hours of exploring, there is not much else to do.

To be fair, we were greatly hampered by weather. Had some tremendous thunderstorms and heavy rain. My RV Resort, although very clean and lots of grass, has no concrete. Therefore, with all the rain, everything is very muddy. And I had just cleaned the coach in anticipation of my family visit. We had planned to spend a lot of time under the awning, but much too muddy.

But we had a good time together nonetheless. Tomorrow I take my brother and his wife back to Minnesota, and then on to Mpls., to pick up my friend John Winter who will accompany me on the rest of the trip. We'll also see friend Pam Holt in Mpls.

Amana Colonies is not an Amish community, contrary to popular opinion. It is rather an updated version of same, with some contemporary amenities and conveniences within a very plain, simple lifestyle. Great shops and antiques. Some interesting simplistic architecture, the shop keepers and service personnel all fit the very old fashioned lifestyles. Many could have stepped right off the stage of "The Sound of Music". With all the rain they have had this spring, everything is very lush and green here like earlier in the trip.

Well, must close and transition myself to a new leg of the trip. Ta-ta.

Monday, June 21st

Sorry there have been a few days of dry spell from here. Or maybe that is a welcome relief for you. At any rate, internet service has been promised all along the way, but some with better success than others. For the last three days, though promised, not delivered. Even this place, near Davenport, Iowa, promised. They couldn't deliver yesterday when I arrived because of a lightning strike but they got it repaired early this morning, so I am rushing to get this done before it goes out again. Furthermore, today is the day I meet my family in the Amana Colonies. Should be interesting......both the family and the Colonies.

Had a fun experience Saturday night in Newton, IA. As I exited the freeway for my resort, I saw a sign pointing to the speedway. Wha? Anyway, the resort was full, as in full, of stock car race enthusiasts. You can imagine their chagrin at this single guy, driving in without race paraphernalia, and no intent of joining in. Fortunately, they were all literally "off to the races" for most of the late afternoon and evening. I expected much rowdiness upon their return, but it rained and kept them all indoors. Hooray!

My several days of travel celibacy, as stated earlier, were mostly uneventful. Another coach mechanical issue that I have to deal with today, but hopefully won't detain me, or cost me my other arm and leg.

The corn sure looks healthy. They must have had as much rain as other parts of the country. Everything looks so lush and green. And I do believe that our assistance in paying for farmer's subsidies has paid off. In Arizona, they have closed all rest areas along the freeways, due to budget concerns. Here in Iowa, they are all open, very modern, very clean, and spaced 30 miles apart. Those farmers want them to be as clean as their fields. Good for them.

Had a good meet with my high school friend from Rock Island, IL, last night. Had dinner for four and a nice visit at his house. Then he showed me a bit of the town. Quite impressive and some great history. Of course, it always helps when someone who knows the town, can show you around. And Bill was great at that. Did you know that the Mississippi flows east/west though the quad cities? Neat trivia for your next cocktail party!

Well, I'd better get on my way so I can catch up on the history of the Amana Colonies, as well as the recent history of my family.

Thurs, June 17

I know it is only since yesterday that I wrote in this blog, but I am now in Kansas and am not taking any chances what with the wicked witch all around me. I started to pick up some red shoes I saw on the sidewalk (they weren't even heels!) and this nasty lady yelled at me for trying to take something that wasn't mine. I'm not taking any chances here.

Yesterday, in Goodland, KS, way western KS, I went to a neat High Plains Museum. A really well put together museum, very clean, nice docents....a real pleasure. It was mostly replicas of early plains dwelling, but also some great antique cars, a very early 1900's helicopter that never got into production.

Also here; apparently a few years back when the Rotary Clubs of America reached their 100 anniversary, each club was challenged to do something special to commemorate the anniversary. Goodland, KS, chose to erect a large replica of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers", this being the sunflower state. It sits on a park area visible from the freeway, has beautiful brick walkways around it. An artist from Canada painted seven "original" replicas, one for each continent. Goodland got the one for North America. It is 36' by 24' and the easel it sits on is 80' tall. Good for them!

So on to more plains travel today.

Wed. 6/16 La Junta, CO

Well, this is exciting. Actually had a very nice trip up here from Santa Fe yesterday. Northeast New Mexico is really beautiful with mountains and mesas in abundance. Fortunately I had only one mountain to climb and that wasn't too bad. The land doesn't seem very aerable/tillable, so mostly animals grazing. So bucolic.

Getting into Colorado, it seems like I am in high plains, not desert. Still not much farm land but quite flat. Saw four mid-sized deer bounding just inside a fence, along side the road. They had to be siblings, all the same age, as they looked so identical. And carefree. I'm sure they were very alert to potential danger but they certainly looked carefree. Beautiful and graceful animals.

I had a wonderful dinner with my friends in Santa Fe. I see them every time I come up here and always a good time.

Today is sunny, a bit breezy.....I'm hoping for a tail wind....and mild temps. I don't have the A/C on yet, but I'm sure later.

Ta-ta until later.

6/14 -Santa Fe

Four days in Flagstaff just blew by me. Further, Internet connections were not the best either. Everyone I was expecting to be there, got there on Friday and a good time was had by all. Can't remember if my earlier post had mentioned the Lowell Observatory Don and I went to. Not nearly as big as the one I went to in Texas a few years ago, but also interesting. Mr. Lowell, the founder (you guessed it), is the guy who had a large hand in finding the planet Pluto. Fortunately, he is not around anymore to discover that Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Funny how that happens, some of the things I thought I learned and/or discovered are no longer valid either. But we won't go into that, will we!

Yesterday I drove a whopping 180 miles, to beautiful downtown Gallup, NM. Actually seemed like a fairly clean, though desolate, town. I didn't explore much, except I now know the resort's laundry facility intimately.

Today I drove the 200 miles to Santa Fe. I have been here a number of times so do not plan to do any sightseeing. Rather, I have some old, dear friends from my Phoenix days that moved up here quite a few years ago. So I'll see them this evening.

It is beautifully sunny here, a few wispy clouds floating around, just to correct any notions of perfection. We're probably at around 80-85 degrees. I always try to get a spot in the resort where the motorhome faces either north or east. I don't mind the morning sun, but I do like to sit outside in the late afternoons, under my awning.....reading from my Kindle. The latter is rather new for me, and I am enjoying the light weight "book" a lot. At least it doesn't need internet except for downloading books. I downloaded about 8 or 10 books before I left home, just in case I couldn't always get a connection.

Tomorrow I start my week of "celibacy"....the trip segments leading to Amana Colonies, Iowa. That means that I won't be seeing anyone I know along the way until I get there. But I have a half dozen audio books (the police frown on the driver reading from a Kindle while driving. Don't know why, because it seems lots of people text while driving???), several movies I haven't seen. And of course, there is still pro basketball on TV. My Phoenix Suns exited a bit ago, but they did quite well. SanDiego doesn't have a pro team, so I am still loyal to the Suns.

Here's hoping everyone is well, and just keep the cards and letters coming!

From Flagstaff, AZ

I know, I know, I am in Arizona, but I did get out of the heat in Laughlin, NV. It's only 82 here and a nice breeze up in pine country at 7000 ft. elevation. Don't even need A/C here.

Got here yesterday, a fairly uneventful drive, but long hills to climb to get up to this elevation. Hope I make up for it on the way down. I'm here until Sunday, and then two days to get to Santa Fe. Will see some long time friends there as well. My friend Don Bigioni arrived late yesterday from Phoenix to spend a couple of days with me. Tomorrow, maybe today yet, some friends from Scottsdale are coming up in their own motorhome. They'll be parked right next to me. That's Bob and Dougal who bought a nearly identical motorhome from the same dealership, AZ location, on the same day I bought mine in Calif. I tried to get them to talk me out of buying mine, but they were no help since they were doing the same thing, at the same time. Also coming up here tomorrow are mutual friends, Howard and Jeff, from Gold Canyon outside of Phoenix. I'm sure we'll have a good time.

I've been mostly cooking in so far, but last night Don and I went to the downtown historic district for a good meal......well, maybe not better than mine, but quite good. :) This morning we walked around the very beautiful Northern Arizona University campus near downtown, and then drove up to the Lowell Observatory, located up on a hill just outside of town. Very interesting. Even got to see some sun spots through a smaller telescope.

So sorry that I have to cut this off, but I must get out and party.

Laughlin,NV

Still hot. But yesterday it only got up to 113 degrees. Guess what one does here? It's stay inside. I actually did my walk in two places yesterday.....a casino, which I hated. It is so depressing to see those folks losing money, most of whom can't afford to. The other part of my walk was in a WalMart. Equally depressing.....but I needed both some groceries and some supplies for the motorhome, and I knew that they would carry both.

My fun for the day: 1) My 6-week old Kindle broke down. But I got a new one shipped to me overnight to my next stop, which is Flagstaff. I called them to alert them to this shipment and to hold it for my arrival. Not to fault Kindle/Amazon, but I think it was a fluke that it got stuck on a half page/blurry, and wouldn't even turn off.
2) My front air conditioner conked out. At 113 degrees and counting. Not a good time. But fortunately a good repair service could come out quickly and the repairs were covered by my warranty. But still a service call charge and a small deductible, but at least the rest was covered. They never cover labor, only parts. The repair guy said that the heat did not cause the stoppage but rather a loose wire did. He had to replace a whole section of an electrical connection as the loose wire burned out a group of the connections. TMI??? I'm cool now....both temp-wise and mentally (with that issue, at least!)

I'll hang out another day here and then go to Flagstaff tomorrow. A long time friend from New York days and Phoenix days will join me for two days, and then another rally group arrives. This one from an Arizona chapter.....which includes other friends of mine from Phoenix and Flagstaff and Gold Canyon. So looking forward to that.

Till next time. Think I'll go back to cool WalMart's now. :)

Sunday, June 6

Can I survive another day? While I accomplished another day of travel, I didn't go to church anywhere this morning. I know my breakfast group talked about me, I hope, as my ears were burning. I thought it was sunburn, but then I remembered the Marston ladies and they probably caused that sensation in /on my ears. But I loved the attention.

I left Temecula and drove up to Laughlin/Bullhead City. Why??? Someone please tell me why?? It is 111 degrees up here today. My A/C's have not stopped running since I plugged in here. I am within walking distance of a large casino. But I have chained my right leg to the dining table, so between the chain and the thought of the heat, I probably will not go. Just because I don't answer the phone when/if you call doesn't mean that I went to the casino.

Smart guy, eh? I left San Diego at 71 degrees, left Temecula at 81 degrees, and here I sit at 111. At least it is their electricity running my A/C's. I am happy that I have two of them.

The trip was uneventful except for the route I took. There was a choice between the safe route around the north end of Palm Springs, which I did not do. I took the more challenging route over a rather steep mountain that descends for 10 miles into Palm Desert/Palm Springs. Rather steep sometimes, but not too bad, and the views of the whole valley that makes up the greater Palm Springs area was spectacular. I really enjoyed the trip. I didn't enjoy suddenly noticing that my palms were rather sweaty from the intense downhill driving, but not too bad.

Next I'll let you know what I discover in this arid, desert environment. Mountains that I see out my front window are fabulous as the sun descends.

Stay well. I'm here until Wednesday when I leave for Flagstaff.

Love you all,
Norm

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Oh, life on the road....and the trials and tribulations that come along with it. First, the pleasant (actually there is no unpleasant so don't fret already!): had a good trip up here to Temecula, a little more than an hour north of San Diego. Here for an RV rally. There are 85 rigs up here, about 170 people. I think this resort actually has 500 RV sites but we have a whole separate section. However, this being the start of a summer weekend, there are lots of kids at the pool(s) and water slide, etc. Fortunately I am away from the noise and commotion.

Sorry I am not adept at much techno stuff so no pictures. But this a heavily treed area, large California oaks and various others. Even some quaking Aspen.

Now the availabity of facilities...not so much. We are about 8 to 10 miles out of town (visualize shopping for milk), and the country store here at the resort has more country than store. But souvenir tee shirts abound.

Why the facilities matter this morning: I need to bake some brownies for our pot luck supper tonight. I thought I had everything I needed, but no cooking oil on board. Iwill not travel 10 miles to get cooking oil. Either someone better have some in their rig or I will substitute apple sauce for it. Healthier anyway. I will sneak them onto the serving table so that if they don't taste good, I can just deny that they are mine.


Today there are hot air balloon rides (no, I don't do that, too claustrophobic) and wine tasting. There is also a doggie beauty contest. Can you just imagine! Everyone (dogs, that is)has cute costumes. Like child beauty contests. I don't have a dog along, I won't go to the pageant. Tonight, the hot air balloons are all lit up so I may go to that. They say it is gorgeous.

All in all, it is a good rally. I probably know about 25% of the people so it is fun.

Hope you are all doing well. More later.

Preview of 2010 travels

I'm getting ready to leave on my 3rd annual road trip in my motorhome, sometimes confused with a bus. So I will rattle down the highway with my home on my back, as it were. Funny how screws that hold my home together, can tend to shake, rattle and roll loose as I jiggle down the highway. Hopefully the roads will all be smooth and no bumping.



I leave San Diego on June 3 and expect to get back about July 18. This year!



This trip takes me to a few Rainbow RV rallies, seeing some friends along the way, and family in the midwest. Then will be joined by my friend John Winter, a friend for many years, from Phoenix. We'll head northwest aiming for western Canada.......particularly Banff and Lake Louise. Then down the coast and seeing friends in Seattle, Portland, and whereever the rest of you would like to join in.



So from time to time, I will let you know when there is new news on the blog.....or just check in once a week or so if you feel a need to read some good literature. :)