Well here it is 6:30 and I have been up for about half an hour. I can 't tell you how wonderful it is to be back on Central Standard Time.
The kids and I have already been outside to do their business.
I am having my first cup of coffee and it finally stopped raining.
Why it rained most of the drive from Spearfish SD to Valley City ND.
We walked up nthe street after we got here to a pizza place because we are camping right in town. In the rain, well it had reduced to a sprinkle by that time.
I must be anxious to be home, Jim is talking to me from the bedroom and his hearing aids are out so I have to shout my answers usually twice and it's irritating. Please don't talk to me without them.
We have had fun times and while driving down life's road, a lot of laughs.
My the coffee is good this morning and it will be so good to be home and see everyone.
Especially the kids. I am going to go to The Minnesota Great Get Together. The State Fair.
Our State Fair is a Great State Fair, don't miss it don't even be late. "Dollars to donut's that our State Fair is the best State Fair in our State." Don't you just love that song. I love that movie with Dana Andrews and Jeanne Crain. So many good supporting rols. I will have to find it on DVD. I will be staying at Skye's and will see Mac and the family and will have to make arrangements to see Alexis and kids. River started at Central States College this week and I am anxious to see how it's going for him,
Well had best get showered so we can get rolling.
YIPEE WE WILL BE HOME IN 4 HOURS.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
MONDAY AND I CAN MAKE CALLS AND BLOG
Well we are on our way home and I let Jim call the shots. He has to do the driving. We landed in Spearfish SD on Monday night and it is so good to be near Minnesota. We are at a lovely campground and had a wonderful dinner. Jim wants to go as far as Jamestown but I would like to push for home but it would mean 13 hours on the road. We aren't up to the task so will take it easy instead.
Need to shower.
Need to shower.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY IN YELLOWSTONE
There is so much to see in Yellowstone, the thing that was the biggest surprise I think is the mere size of the park. Over 100 miles from the South entrance to the North entrance. We drove around the two loops of the park taking one each day. Stopped at all the visitor centers, had lunch at one and just had so much fun getting out and walkin to waterfalls and vista views of canyons and beauty, heards of buffalo and elk. I didn't know there could be so much beauty in one place. We did enjoy ourselves but we also decided not to leave via the North entrance and headed for home through the southern or middle part of Wyoming.
FRIDAY IN YELLOWSTONE
We decided to go to Jackson Hole today because of the rain, there is so much clouds we really can't see the tops of the Tetons. We have postcards.
Jackson Hole was fun, it is about 50 miles south of our campground. My favorite place in J. H. Was visiting the Tom Mangelsen studio. He is a renoun wildlife photographer.
What photos? What beauty.
http://mangelsen.com/
I was so very moved by his work. What he can capture in a lens is so very beautiful. Would I be able to change some art in my house I would use his work.
We had lunch in a little cafe and enjoyed sharing a table with an Australian couple. What fun talking to them.
It did rain most of the day and again at night but we really didn't mind.
On our way in to the camp our first night we saw a huge grizzly just munching on berries. What a sight, even though I couldn't see all of him it is an awesome sight to see such a massive bear. He was beautiful, we couldn't stop because we were pulling the camper but I sure would liked to have stopped.
http://mangelsen.com/
I was so very moved by his work. What he can capture in a lens is so very beautiful. Would I be able to change some art in my house I would use his work.
We had lunch in a little cafe and enjoyed sharing a table with an Australian couple. What fun talking to them.
It did rain most of the day and again at night but we really didn't mind.
On our way in to the camp our first night we saw a huge grizzly just munching on berries. What a sight, even though I couldn't see all of him it is an awesome sight to see such a massive bear. He was beautiful, we couldn't stop because we were pulling the camper but I sure would liked to have stopped.
THURSDAY IN YELLOWSTONE. No phone or computer in Yellowstone.
Well we did it. We got here. We left Elko NV at 7:30am and got to our destination 2 miles South of Yellowstone at 6:1pm, a long day on the road.
We had a good laugh because we were supposed to be here a day ago but Jim booked us in two places at the same time.
We did have one really good truck stop. I found A Wizard of Oz coffee mug and there is a wicked witch of the west with red shoes and stripe socks and the saying on the mug is: "Don't make me drop a house on you?" I love it.
The start of a new collection. Poor Jim.
The name of our campground is Headquarters Lodge @ Flagg Ranch.
We also had a really nice dinner at the lodge campground. We split an Elk-Bison meat loaf dinner. Who knew?
Weary pretty lodge. It had rained during the day and rained most of the night. Oh well.
Snow is predicted for Saturday with a low of 37 degrees. YIPEE SKIPEE.
I like snow, it is supposed to be sunny 2 days after we leave.
We decided to drive here via a short and Lizzy, our guide with my iPhone agreed, that is the name we gave our google map guide. Well maybe it wasn't such a good idea. There was a 10% grade going up and going down over the mountain. There are holes on the floor of the passenger side of the pickup where I helped Jim brake going down. We should have taken the longer route. We both don't really like driving the camper through the mountains.
We had a good laugh because we were supposed to be here a day ago but Jim booked us in two places at the same time.
We did have one really good truck stop. I found A Wizard of Oz coffee mug and there is a wicked witch of the west with red shoes and stripe socks and the saying on the mug is: "Don't make me drop a house on you?" I love it.
The start of a new collection. Poor Jim.
The name of our campground is Headquarters Lodge @ Flagg Ranch.
We also had a really nice dinner at the lodge campground. We split an Elk-Bison meat loaf dinner. Who knew?
Weary pretty lodge. It had rained during the day and rained most of the night. Oh well.
Snow is predicted for Saturday with a low of 37 degrees. YIPEE SKIPEE.
I like snow, it is supposed to be sunny 2 days after we leave.
We decided to drive here via a short and Lizzy, our guide with my iPhone agreed, that is the name we gave our google map guide. Well maybe it wasn't such a good idea. There was a 10% grade going up and going down over the mountain. There are holes on the floor of the passenger side of the pickup where I helped Jim brake going down. We should have taken the longer route. We both don't really like driving the camper through the mountains.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
LAST NIGHT -I DIDN'T GET TO SLEEP AT ALL
That isn't exactly true. I work up at 2am and stayed up till 3 and finally fell back asleep after I finished a Ward Bond wagon train movie and can you stand it, Steve McQueen in WANTED - Dead or Alive. That was awhile ago.
We got to Elco NV about noon, relaxed, I took a nap and we headed out and found a museum, Northeastern Nevada Museum and it had a collection of Will James Art and Bookmark.
You need to check out this second website for the 6 pictures of wild animals. They have a studded elephant head, a full grown giraffe a hippo and a 15 foot alligator. So many animals there were a couple hundred of them. Really beautiful, we loved the exhibits. Even an Ansel Adams collection.
We then drove around and ended up at the Hilton Inn for dinner, it was lovely, when we got back at the camper I took the dogs for a walk and the pool was next to our camper, actually it was two hot tubs, one was warm the other cool. I spent some time in the warm one while Jim went to Albertson's groceries and we stocked up because we are now on our way to The Grand Tetons/Yellowstone for three nights. We were going to also go to the Black Hills but I asked Jim if we couldn't head for home. I have a busy Sept. and want to get ready for it. Whine whine whine.
We thought we were in trouble when Jim discovered we were supposed to be in two places the same night. Good trick if you can do it. The did I keep our reservation because it was for 4 nights and now we are down to 3 but it only leaves us 2 full days, we will see what they say.
We just crossed The Snake River.
The dogs are good travelers but today the butt is taking it toll in numbness and we still have 4 hours to go. KILL ME!
We got to Elco NV about noon, relaxed, I took a nap and we headed out and found a museum, Northeastern Nevada Museum and it had a collection of Will James Art and Bookmark.
www.exploreelko.com/attractions/northeastern_nevada_museum.php.
We enjoyed it ever so, what was truly remarkable and
the wildlife collection is unbelievable.
Look at this website:www.tripadvisor.com › ... › Northeastern Nevada You need to check out this second website for the 6 pictures of wild animals. They have a studded elephant head, a full grown giraffe a hippo and a 15 foot alligator. So many animals there were a couple hundred of them. Really beautiful, we loved the exhibits. Even an Ansel Adams collection.
We then drove around and ended up at the Hilton Inn for dinner, it was lovely, when we got back at the camper I took the dogs for a walk and the pool was next to our camper, actually it was two hot tubs, one was warm the other cool. I spent some time in the warm one while Jim went to Albertson's groceries and we stocked up because we are now on our way to The Grand Tetons/Yellowstone for three nights. We were going to also go to the Black Hills but I asked Jim if we couldn't head for home. I have a busy Sept. and want to get ready for it. Whine whine whine.
We thought we were in trouble when Jim discovered we were supposed to be in two places the same night. Good trick if you can do it. The did I keep our reservation because it was for 4 nights and now we are down to 3 but it only leaves us 2 full days, we will see what they say.
We just crossed The Snake River.
The dogs are good travelers but today the butt is taking it toll in numbness and we still have 4 hours to go. KILL ME!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
RENO AND DO I FEEL LUCKY
We are at a huge resort, The Grand Sierra Resort RV Park and we have full use of the hotel and facilities, fitness, pool, they have 5-6 nice eating places, a pizza joint and burger places and a movie theatre and bowling alley. Can you stand it. We gambled the 1st day, I went through my $15 pretty quick, Jim broke even. We had a lovely late lunch out, they just finished a huge car show and gun show and dog show in town. We came at the right time. Monday we knocked around, did some shopping, went to another large casino The Peppermill. Had lunch there and came home to relax, I went to the huge pool. At 92 degrees it felt wonderful. We have opted for late lunch and skipping dinner. On our third day here it turned out kind of funny. We drove specifically to Carson City, Nevada's State Capitol just to go through the state's oldest mansion, turns out it is only open on weekends and I missed out but it was fun to read the story about the woman who was the wife of the owner of the largest silver strike in Nevada. We had a good time driving around Carson City and going through the State Capital. On our drive we saw The Bliss Mansion
and The Governor's Mansion. What a beautiful home.
The stately Bowers Mansion is located in the center of the park and offers a rare glimpse into Nevadan life of the 1860's. L.S. "Sandy" Bowers and his psychic wife, Eilley Oram, earned a fortune in their silver mine near Gold Hill, Nevada. They were .Nevada's first Comstock Lode millionaires. With their wealth they built a mansion in 1864 and then traveled the world to furnish it. It is now one of the most impressive restored homes in Nevada.
![[photo]](http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/buildings/bow2.jpg "[photo]")
and The Governor's Mansion. What a beautiful home.
The stately Bowers Mansion is located in the center of the park and offers a rare glimpse into Nevadan life of the 1860's. L.S. "Sandy" Bowers and his psychic wife, Eilley Oram, earned a fortune in their silver mine near Gold Hill, Nevada. They were .Nevada's first Comstock Lode millionaires. With their wealth they built a mansion in 1864 and then traveled the world to furnish it. It is now one of the most impressive restored homes in Nevada.
Nevada was proclaimed a territory in 1861, and a state in 1864, but the Governor's Mansion was not built until more than 40 years later between 1908 and 1909. Until that time, Nevada's governors and their families found lodging where they could. State Assembly Bill 10, the "Mansion Bill," was .passed in 1907 to secure a permanent site and residence for Nevada's First Families. The land where the mansion stands was generously offered by Mrs. T.B. Rickey for the sum of $10. Reno architect George A. Ferris designed the mansion and the construction bid was awarded at $22,700. The mansion was first occupied in July 1909 by Acting Governor Denver Dickerson and his family, and first opened to the public during an open house on New Years' Day, 1910. The governor's daughter, June Dickerson, was born in the mansion in September 1909, and was the only child ever born in the home.
![[photo]](http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/buildings/gov2.jpg) The Governor's Mansion was designed by Reno architect George A. Ferris, and incorporated Classical Revival building featuresPhoto by Terri McBride, courtesy of Nevada State Historic Preservation Office |
The commanding Classical Revival building features Georgian and Jeffersonian motifs, first seen in the central placement of the main entry. The elegant two-story pedimented portico is supported by fluted Ionic columns, as is the second-story porch that wraps around the building's front façade. The window moldings employ Greek Revival motifs. On the interior, the first floor contains the grand entry hall, the reception room, a formal dining room, the governor's study, luncheon room and the kitchen. The upstairs contains the private living quarters for the governor's family. The mansion was structurally rehabilitated and redecorated from 1967 to 1968. The circular pergola and curved front stairs and metal balustrades were added in 1969. Additional buildings were added to the grounds in 1998.
Monday, August 18, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO - OPEN YOUR GOLDEN GATE!
What an interesting day. We left for downtown San Francisco about 7am. From Napa it was about a 1/2 hour drive to the ferry. We caught the ferry in Vallejo and by ferry it was about an hour ride. I get such a kick out of it because we left our truck for the ferry then for the trolley then for the subway then for the bus, back to the ferry and our truck. So the winner of who can guess how many wheels we road in San Francisco gets $200 donated to their favorite charity or gets to buy me a bottle of wine. We did have a fun day, I was disappointed that Ididn't get to see Mark Swenson, Nancy's son but it is hard to do everything. We did go to a dahlia show in Golden Gate Park right by The Arboratum. We walked around Pier 39 and we went to The Crooked Street. We had to do some shopping and since I have had a hard time finding visors I like we went the matching reversible San Francisco Jacket route. Now we are really cute. Because of Jim being silly and reading the schedule incorrectly, I can't say wrong, it's such a harsh word, we left S.F. A little later than planned. Did I also tell you we bought some Pecan Sweet Potatoe Butter and according to Jim, it is to die for. If you saw his sweet tooth rear it's ugly head you would just die. He puts it on ice cream.
When we got back he was outside with Makons working on camper stuff and the 4 women next to us had put water in the wrong place in her camper, long story but it actually was 2 Mom's and Daughters in a brand new motor home. And the had the sewer backing up in the camper. It happens, we have even done it. There is so much to learn about your camper and all the salesmen really care about is getting it off the lot. Avyway he must have spent an hour with the Mom's explaining the in' sand out's of their camper. Jim told them to always just ask fellow campers, because they have been great to us. Face it, after we get to our campground we are so grateful just to be there in one piece we are more than happy to give help to anyone that asks.
When we got back he was outside with Makons working on camper stuff and the 4 women next to us had put water in the wrong place in her camper, long story but it actually was 2 Mom's and Daughters in a brand new motor home. And the had the sewer backing up in the camper. It happens, we have even done it. There is so much to learn about your camper and all the salesmen really care about is getting it off the lot. Avyway he must have spent an hour with the Mom's explaining the in' sand out's of their camper. Jim told them to always just ask fellow campers, because they have been great to us. Face it, after we get to our campground we are so grateful just to be there in one piece we are more than happy to give help to anyone that asks.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
NAPA SECOND DAY
I had one more day in Napa and what a full day it was. I thought it was pretty spectular.
Now two days later I just have to remember the details. We got to Yountville which is the next city up the valley. Mac had mentioned how much they enjoyed it there.
We parked and walked a lot of the town. I even stopped in at Hope and Grace Winery in town. I got 2 more of the stemless glasses that Laura and Mac had given me. I needed more of them for the camper. It is a pretty place.
The next stop was Napa Cellars/Ménage A Trois. Jim and the dogs waited outside in the picnic area. There was also a fun wooden poster with holes for your faces an we had a picture taken putting the dogs in the holes. What a hoot. I did some wine tasting and bought some wine there.
I also stopped at Sutter Home, what fun I had there, talked a bunch to a gal from Bulgaria whose Father was a winemaker. I Bought some pink sparkling wine there.
We did stop at the Castle. http://www.castellodiamorosa.
We next went to Sterling Vinyard. http://www.sterlingvineyards.
I was told by someone that in Sonoma Valley there were a lot of wine tasting's that were free because that valley just isn't as popular as Napa Valley.
Recapping my 4 days here one of the things I enjoyed the most. The first morning I was here when I took the dogs for a walk through a huge huge Cemetery , I am sure we were gone at least an hour. What a fun walk.
Well I need to think about yesterday and our trip to San Francisco.
.
Now two days later I just have to remember the details. We got to Yountville which is the next city up the valley. Mac had mentioned how much they enjoyed it there.
We parked and walked a lot of the town. I even stopped in at Hope and Grace Winery in town. I got 2 more of the stemless glasses that Laura and Mac had given me. I needed more of them for the camper. It is a pretty place.
The next stop was Napa Cellars/Ménage A Trois. Jim and the dogs waited outside in the picnic area. There was also a fun wooden poster with holes for your faces an we had a picture taken putting the dogs in the holes. What a hoot. I did some wine tasting and bought some wine there.
I also stopped at Sutter Home, what fun I had there, talked a bunch to a gal from Bulgaria whose Father was a winemaker. I Bought some pink sparkling wine there.
We did stop at the Castle. http://www.castellodiamorosa.
We next went to Sterling Vinyard. http://www.sterlingvineyards.
I was told by someone that in Sonoma Valley there were a lot of wine tasting's that were free because that valley just isn't as popular as Napa Valley.
Recapping my 4 days here one of the things I enjoyed the most. The first morning I was here when I took the dogs for a walk through a huge huge Cemetery , I am sure we were gone at least an hour. What a fun walk.
Well I need to think about yesterday and our trip to San Francisco.
.
Friday, August 15, 2014
WINE WINE WINE - GRAPES GRAPES GRAPES
Well we had a really full day our first day in Napa, we took the loop which means we drove up the back side of the valley on Silverado and came back on Hwy 29, we probably should have done it the opposit because of traffic but who knew.
We will do the opposit today.
Back to yesterday, we took the dogs with so we looked at wineries that were not only dog friendly, (and a lot of them are) but whereby we didn't have to schedule appointments.
We started off with Clos du Val in Stag's Hill, up on a hill and quite lovely. I did my first wine tasting there, $15 and of course Jim thought I was nuts. Paying to taste wine, most of the wine tasting was 20 & up. Most of the wine was $30 and up. A little out of my range. I could buy but why would I spend that much when I don't have as a pallet that is sofisticated enough. It really all pretty much taste good to me but I do like Apothic Red for a go to table wine. At the heavy side it's $10 but but you can get it on sale for less. We stopped at Mumm Napa, in Rutherford, I forgot it was champagne. We didn't stay. We did go to Rutherford Hill and it gave you a good look at the valley and they keep all their wine in caves. Very dog friendly and a sweet sweet gal showed us around some.
At the top of the loop we were looking for Tedeschi Family in Calistoga but simply couldn't find it. Yes we had a map.
We were in kind of a hurry to get back but we made a stop at Beringer Winery, because someone said you must include some large wineries. We were able to take the dogs with us and what a huge beautiful place. The grounds were spectular and extensive. A must see and we are making up a list for today. Mac has suggested a couple of places and we will take those in.
We got back by 3, made dinner, took a short nap and at 5:15 we headed for Sonoma Valley to Jack London State park where Jim booked an event,which is part of The Transcendence Theatre Company Summer Season of Broadway Under the Stars. We saw Music of the Night with 17 performers and an orchrastra that was pretty wonderful. They sang music from West Side Story, Funny Girl, Chicago, Children of Eden, Pirates of Penzance, Big River, Urinetown, Flor the Red Menace, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, Sunday in thr Park With George, the Light in the Piazza, Into the Woods, Tick Tick Boom, Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls, The Phantom of the Opera and Hair to name a few. They also sang several songs but the best was the seven minute medley of Les Miz that had you holding your sides it was so funny. They also did a Motown Medley and a Golden Oldies Medley. So you can see it was a jam packed evening and getting home from Sonoma Valley to Napa Valley really wasn't so bad with the help of our google maps and Lizzy telling us where to go. We will see what tomorrow brings but it certainly has been fun so far.
We will do the opposit today.
Back to yesterday, we took the dogs with so we looked at wineries that were not only dog friendly, (and a lot of them are) but whereby we didn't have to schedule appointments.
We started off with Clos du Val in Stag's Hill, up on a hill and quite lovely. I did my first wine tasting there, $15 and of course Jim thought I was nuts. Paying to taste wine, most of the wine tasting was 20 & up. Most of the wine was $30 and up. A little out of my range. I could buy but why would I spend that much when I don't have as a pallet that is sofisticated enough. It really all pretty much taste good to me but I do like Apothic Red for a go to table wine. At the heavy side it's $10 but but you can get it on sale for less. We stopped at Mumm Napa, in Rutherford, I forgot it was champagne. We didn't stay. We did go to Rutherford Hill and it gave you a good look at the valley and they keep all their wine in caves. Very dog friendly and a sweet sweet gal showed us around some.
At the top of the loop we were looking for Tedeschi Family in Calistoga but simply couldn't find it. Yes we had a map.
We were in kind of a hurry to get back but we made a stop at Beringer Winery, because someone said you must include some large wineries. We were able to take the dogs with us and what a huge beautiful place. The grounds were spectular and extensive. A must see and we are making up a list for today. Mac has suggested a couple of places and we will take those in.
We got back by 3, made dinner, took a short nap and at 5:15 we headed for Sonoma Valley to Jack London State park where Jim booked an event,which is part of The Transcendence Theatre Company Summer Season of Broadway Under the Stars. We saw Music of the Night with 17 performers and an orchrastra that was pretty wonderful. They sang music from West Side Story, Funny Girl, Chicago, Children of Eden, Pirates of Penzance, Big River, Urinetown, Flor the Red Menace, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, Sunday in thr Park With George, the Light in the Piazza, Into the Woods, Tick Tick Boom, Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls, The Phantom of the Opera and Hair to name a few. They also sang several songs but the best was the seven minute medley of Les Miz that had you holding your sides it was so funny. They also did a Motown Medley and a Golden Oldies Medley. So you can see it was a jam packed evening and getting home from Sonoma Valley to Napa Valley really wasn't so bad with the help of our google maps and Lizzy telling us where to go. We will see what tomorrow brings but it certainly has been fun so far.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
CHICO CALIFORNIA - HOME OF CHICO WILDCATS CSU
Well we are on the road again, this time leaving Chico CA. We had simply a wonderful time with Mac & Barb. Otto may not have thought the visit to their house was as much fun as I did. their dog Savanna was all about protecting her turf. We had to keep them in the truck. They don't mind being in the truck as long as they get to go with.
Getting back to the beginning of the time in Chico. We had Mac &Barb come to the campground, it was a lovely campground and well taken care of. We then went to a Mexican place for dinner. I had a margarita and Mac not only bought us dinner, he bought a beautiful hand blown glass. There is a story there. He bought us dinner because we were in his town, what a guy. Fun getting to know them and is Mac ever a good story teller. I could listen to his stories all day. He would really have fit in well at ChartHouse. A storyteller is so respected there. Not my forte but I sure admire a good story.
They picked us up the next day and we went to the local brewery for some beer tasting and lunch. Sierra Nevada Brewery and what a fun tour and the splendor of the place is really quite lovely. We had a lovely lunch and you should have seen the booth we sat at. The seat was a padded donut and to get in the round booth you had to step in to the circle - my idea to sit there and I had on a short skirt. It really was fun and the donut we sat on slide around. It was a riot.
I wanted visors so Mac found their local book store address of Chico State and we went shopping. Skye you have a new visor
and so do I.
We stopped by and got the dogs and went to their lovely home and what a treat to tour that. He collects cars and has a 5 car garage with 2 roadsters, an old Chevy car and a Chevy pickup that was an experimental, it was one of three I guess. Really fun to see old fixed up cars. You should have seen their house. A lovely lovely home with a pool. The kitchen was amazing, 6 chairs along a lovely granite counter with a stove in it. It was just fun to see their lovely home. You should see his collection of kiddy pedal cars. He has 5 of them and two in cubbyholes way up at the top of their vaulted family room. They are so cute.
We really enjoyed their company and their generosity.
We felt like royalty.
One of the things that was really surprising on our way there was all the olive groves - what a sight, and almond groves, I love it because they say amends
Getting back to the beginning of the time in Chico. We had Mac &Barb come to the campground, it was a lovely campground and well taken care of. We then went to a Mexican place for dinner. I had a margarita and Mac not only bought us dinner, he bought a beautiful hand blown glass. There is a story there. He bought us dinner because we were in his town, what a guy. Fun getting to know them and is Mac ever a good story teller. I could listen to his stories all day. He would really have fit in well at ChartHouse. A storyteller is so respected there. Not my forte but I sure admire a good story.
They picked us up the next day and we went to the local brewery for some beer tasting and lunch. Sierra Nevada Brewery and what a fun tour and the splendor of the place is really quite lovely. We had a lovely lunch and you should have seen the booth we sat at. The seat was a padded donut and to get in the round booth you had to step in to the circle - my idea to sit there and I had on a short skirt. It really was fun and the donut we sat on slide around. It was a riot.
I wanted visors so Mac found their local book store address of Chico State and we went shopping. Skye you have a new visor
and so do I.
We stopped by and got the dogs and went to their lovely home and what a treat to tour that. He collects cars and has a 5 car garage with 2 roadsters, an old Chevy car and a Chevy pickup that was an experimental, it was one of three I guess. Really fun to see old fixed up cars. You should have seen their house. A lovely lovely home with a pool. The kitchen was amazing, 6 chairs along a lovely granite counter with a stove in it. It was just fun to see their lovely home. You should see his collection of kiddy pedal cars. He has 5 of them and two in cubbyholes way up at the top of their vaulted family room. They are so cute.
We really enjoyed their company and their generosity.
We felt like royalty.
One of the things that was really surprising on our way there was all the olive groves - what a sight, and almond groves, I love it because they say amends
CRESCENT CITY - REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK
Well here we are on the road again. The two traveler's and their trusty companion dogs Rin & Tin. Ok Ok it's really Otto & Makons but we can dream can't we.
We stayed at The Redwood's KOA Campground in Crescent City for 2 nights, I think Jim was more than a little anxious to get out of the mountain roads back to the freeway. We are taking US 5 South.
Good road even if we are still in the mountains, you should have seen us go across highway 199 from Grant's Pass to Crescent City. What a scary road, and it was the only sane way in and out if you wanted to go the route we had planned out for us. Chico is our next destination and yes there is an Army Buddy there. Mac & Barb are in Chico. The Army buddy we were going to meet in Napa Valley, Bill & Lynn had to cancel, his back went out. They are so delightful so we feel bad but I know how that goes if your back goes out.
Words cannot describe how wonderful The Redwoods were. It was a Sunday when we took our first kettle tour of them and I may have missed being in a regular church Sunday but I sure was in God's Cathedral. What an experience. I know I could have stayed there for a week and spent a lot more time in Prairie Creek State Park. Jim I know enjoyed it but not in the same way I did that's for sure.one time he said "Do we have to look at any more trees?"
Now whether he was serious or not I don't know but on one of our
tour drives we stopped and I took a walk by myself in The Redwoods. I really can't say what the emotion is that comes over you as you walk through but it's almost an out of body experience. It is so beautiful and breathtaking. To think it's all ours for free.
I am so blessed and privileged to be able to see this before I die.YAHOO!
I know the driving through the mountains is not fun for Jim but what are you going to do, I ask you?
We also walked the beach with the dogs but man oh man was it ever cool out, about 60 degrees and windy.
We had a lovely dinner at The Chart Room on the ocean.
We stopped at some goofy tourist places too just for laffs.
We stayed at The Redwood's KOA Campground in Crescent City for 2 nights, I think Jim was more than a little anxious to get out of the mountain roads back to the freeway. We are taking US 5 South.
Good road even if we are still in the mountains, you should have seen us go across highway 199 from Grant's Pass to Crescent City. What a scary road, and it was the only sane way in and out if you wanted to go the route we had planned out for us. Chico is our next destination and yes there is an Army Buddy there. Mac & Barb are in Chico. The Army buddy we were going to meet in Napa Valley, Bill & Lynn had to cancel, his back went out. They are so delightful so we feel bad but I know how that goes if your back goes out.
Words cannot describe how wonderful The Redwoods were. It was a Sunday when we took our first kettle tour of them and I may have missed being in a regular church Sunday but I sure was in God's Cathedral. What an experience. I know I could have stayed there for a week and spent a lot more time in Prairie Creek State Park. Jim I know enjoyed it but not in the same way I did that's for sure.one time he said "Do we have to look at any more trees?"
Now whether he was serious or not I don't know but on one of our
tour drives we stopped and I took a walk by myself in The Redwoods. I really can't say what the emotion is that comes over you as you walk through but it's almost an out of body experience. It is so beautiful and breathtaking. To think it's all ours for free.
I am so blessed and privileged to be able to see this before I die.YAHOO!
I know the driving through the mountains is not fun for Jim but what are you going to do, I ask you?
We also walked the beach with the dogs but man oh man was it ever cool out, about 60 degrees and windy.
We had a lovely dinner at The Chart Room on the ocean.
We stopped at some goofy tourist places too just for laffs.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
SATURDAY ON THE ROAD
Yakkadee Yak, don't talk back. Remember that song. Well we went out for breakfast yesterday and guess what was on thr menu. YAK!
Aren't they cute, looks like Buffalo
Where the heck do they get the meat in CA.
Aren't they cute, looks like Buffalo
Where the heck do they get the meat in CA.
Friday, August 8, 2014
HIT THE ROAD BUT THINGS DON'T ALWAYS GO AS PLANNED
As I said, things don't always go as planned. We got from Seattle down to Elma WA about 2 1/2 hours South and we had truck trouble, the blessing is we were able to limp in to Elma and they had a Ford Dealer that could help us, the first two dealers we called said they were out 1 1/2 weeks before they could take a look at the truck so Jim told the next dealer service there was $100 bill in it for him if he could get us in to just look at it and it sounds like he did us one better and will have it fixed by tonight because they don't work on weekends, we will see. He told us it would take about a week so I paid for 5 night's camping and it's non-refundable but we would like to be on our way and the camping is unimportant com paired to traveling schedule. Poor Jim has been on the phone rescheduling like crazy. This is so stressful for him, I really think we will just bite the bullet and get a new truck this fall. We are going to do this trip next year but out to the East Coast. Army Reunion in MA. Little did I know I would be with so many Army guys and so many of them have similar personalities. Kidding, they really can't all be sarcastic or have the same dry sense of humor. I am such a simpleton it just goes over my head. If I have said it to Jim once I have said it a thousand times, "were you kidding?" I never know if he is or not.
Would you believe that the hostess to the camp ground even gave me a baggie of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Now tell me, how many times has that happened to you. She was wonderful.
What an adventure we had today, had a wonderful breakfast at "The Rusty Tractor". Then we hopped on the good old road less traveled and headed for Aberdeen WA, a couple of sightseeing things we
wanted to do, one was to go to the Polson Museum housed in the
Polson House but I mistook that mansion for The Aberdeen Mansion and went to the wrong place and the man of the house told me it was no longer open for tours but was only now a private home but if I would come back in a couple of hours he would be happy to give me a tour. Well I am no dummy, I took him up on it. Jim and I killed a couple of hours going to The Westport Winery. Was fun, tasted 5 wines, bought some pomegranate balsamic vinegar, I had been looking for some but this was the first I had found.
We went back to The Aberdeen House both the husband and wife gave us the grand tour of their beautiful home. They ran it as a B&B for 10 years and are the 5th owners of the house and it was always a private residence so that is why it was in such a pristine state. Such a lovely house too. 4 levels, full levels, I just couldn't believe the lovely ness of their home. The very top floor was a family room complete with a full pool table. The updates they did were so tastefully done and all in the turn of the century period. The house was built in 1905. 7 bedrooms and 7 baths.
We went back to Elma and stopped in at the county fair, fun and we got a call shortly after we started walking around and they told us the truck was ready, only about $1600 this time. We picked it up.
Picked up some hamburger for dinner. We are all hooked up and ready to resume our adventure. Long day tomorrow as we have to travel the whole of Oregon.
Would you believe that the hostess to the camp ground even gave me a baggie of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Now tell me, how many times has that happened to you. She was wonderful.
What an adventure we had today, had a wonderful breakfast at "The Rusty Tractor". Then we hopped on the good old road less traveled and headed for Aberdeen WA, a couple of sightseeing things we
wanted to do, one was to go to the Polson Museum housed in the
Polson House but I mistook that mansion for The Aberdeen Mansion and went to the wrong place and the man of the house told me it was no longer open for tours but was only now a private home but if I would come back in a couple of hours he would be happy to give me a tour. Well I am no dummy, I took him up on it. Jim and I killed a couple of hours going to The Westport Winery. Was fun, tasted 5 wines, bought some pomegranate balsamic vinegar, I had been looking for some but this was the first I had found.
We went back to The Aberdeen House both the husband and wife gave us the grand tour of their beautiful home. They ran it as a B&B for 10 years and are the 5th owners of the house and it was always a private residence so that is why it was in such a pristine state. Such a lovely house too. 4 levels, full levels, I just couldn't believe the lovely ness of their home. The very top floor was a family room complete with a full pool table. The updates they did were so tastefully done and all in the turn of the century period. The house was built in 1905. 7 bedrooms and 7 baths.
We went back to Elma and stopped in at the county fair, fun and we got a call shortly after we started walking around and they told us the truck was ready, only about $1600 this time. We picked it up.
Picked up some hamburger for dinner. We are all hooked up and ready to resume our adventure. Long day tomorrow as we have to travel the whole of Oregon.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
SEATTLE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
What fun we had, we didn't go for a long, only 5 hours or so, my back does better on short stints like 5 hours.
I have to stop falling though. I took the dogs for a kettle walk and thought I heard a car behind me so hurried off the pavement and tipped over and I think I broke a little toe. What a klutz. Back to Seattle.
We headed in around 10 and parked within 2 blocks of the space needle. My NEW visor says it was the home of the 1962 World's Fair. One of my favorite movies of course is "Meet Me In St Louis" with Judy Garland, and I love Tom Drake in it but I can't help wish it would have been Van Johnson instead. I am a big fan, there is a dance he does with Lucille Bremer, now how many of you will know who the heck I am talking about? It is so wonderful and amazing. Anyway back to Seattle! Again.
The wait to take the elevator up had a long long line, Jim doesn't do lines and the wait for lunch at the top was even longer. We couldn't get in for lunch till Saturday and this was Tuesday. Not going to happen.
We did manage to get me a Space Needle Visor of course.
We went to the Chihulu Gardens and Glass Works.
I took a lot of pictures but so far can't get them to my blog. I used to but eventually I may figure it out. Not today.
It was ever so beautiful. http://www.chihuly.com/ is the link to his website and you must visit it. It was a WOW!
Next we took the monorail downtown. In Vancouver they call it the Skytrain. Kind of a neat name but on the news all we heard about were Iphone theft's and stabbings so we didn't take the Skytrain in Vancouver. The monorail has only one stop and it goes from the Spaceneedle to the heart of downtown. Once downtown we walked several blocks to where else, Pike's Place Fish Market and I said a big Hello to some of the guys I remember, Justin Hall, Sammy were both there, I of course purchase some smoked salmon to the tune of $57.00. Froze it right away, The Garlic Pepper Smoked Salmon is to die for. I remember it well from my last trip.
We had fun walking around and I had my picture taken by the local brass pig. We drove back through a neighborhood. There was a cathedral I would have like to visit, maybe next time. Mac called me and told me his Dad and Sandy were also in Seattle. Kind of funny we are both in Seattle at the same time. Hope they are enjoying it as much as I have.
I have to stop falling though. I took the dogs for a kettle walk and thought I heard a car behind me so hurried off the pavement and tipped over and I think I broke a little toe. What a klutz. Back to Seattle.
We headed in around 10 and parked within 2 blocks of the space needle. My NEW visor says it was the home of the 1962 World's Fair. One of my favorite movies of course is "Meet Me In St Louis" with Judy Garland, and I love Tom Drake in it but I can't help wish it would have been Van Johnson instead. I am a big fan, there is a dance he does with Lucille Bremer, now how many of you will know who the heck I am talking about? It is so wonderful and amazing. Anyway back to Seattle! Again.
The wait to take the elevator up had a long long line, Jim doesn't do lines and the wait for lunch at the top was even longer. We couldn't get in for lunch till Saturday and this was Tuesday. Not going to happen.
We did manage to get me a Space Needle Visor of course.
We went to the Chihulu Gardens and Glass Works.
I took a lot of pictures but so far can't get them to my blog. I used to but eventually I may figure it out. Not today.
It was ever so beautiful. http://www.chihuly.com/ is the link to his website and you must visit it. It was a WOW!
Next we took the monorail downtown. In Vancouver they call it the Skytrain. Kind of a neat name but on the news all we heard about were Iphone theft's and stabbings so we didn't take the Skytrain in Vancouver. The monorail has only one stop and it goes from the Spaceneedle to the heart of downtown. Once downtown we walked several blocks to where else, Pike's Place Fish Market and I said a big Hello to some of the guys I remember, Justin Hall, Sammy were both there, I of course purchase some smoked salmon to the tune of $57.00. Froze it right away, The Garlic Pepper Smoked Salmon is to die for. I remember it well from my last trip.
We had fun walking around and I had my picture taken by the local brass pig. We drove back through a neighborhood. There was a cathedral I would have like to visit, maybe next time. Mac called me and told me his Dad and Sandy were also in Seattle. Kind of funny we are both in Seattle at the same time. Hope they are enjoying it as much as I have.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
SEATTLE WA - we have arrived and it's good to be back in the USA
Well it is so good to be back home and do distances in miles. It was weird to look at the speedometer of Shirley from the backseat and see her going 100 kl per hour. I like miles. I know what we are doing. I know there is a formula for klicks but I never quite got it down. I wasn't driving. One klick is .62 miles so 10 klicks is 6.2 miles and 100 klicks is 62 miles per hour. Simple huh? Or as they say in Canada a lot - eh? believe me, they do say it a lot.
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Wendy's Mom. My goodness it was a long time ago that my Mom died.
August 31, 1998. 16 years ago. Boy am I getting old.
Jim and I were just talking about how isn't it nice that we aren't just sitting at home, good for us to have time for just us to see a bit of the world. Well we are doing that.
We left really early yesterday because the earlier you leave Canada, the less traffic you have and I think there were only a couple of cars ahead of us. I will tell you this, they don't make it easy for a big rig like ours to maneuver the barricades. It is almost like they don't want you to leave.
I can' t believe the beautiful pictures Shirley took of the Gardens when we went. Now I just have to figure out how to get them to my iPad.
Hey, it's light outside.
We will be going in to Seattle right after rush hour. I want to pick up some smoked garlic pepper salmon from the meat market. It is so yummy, I remember from my last visit to Seattle. Been here twice before. I also would like to see The Chihuly Garden and Glass. It is at the base of the space needle. I wonder if Wendy remembers but when we were walking back to our hotel room just she and I on our last day of our company's outing to Pike's Place Fish Market we stumbled across a glass works where people were students of glass blowing and I purchased that beautiful paper weight for $20. I still live it to this day and keep it on my coffee table. It too was near the space needle downtown. Jim said we are going to leave the dogs at home. I guess it's best. We will see what else we want to see downtown.
Later!
Pretty exciting stuff, we got here so early we had to go across the street and park at the Safeway parking lot. Turned out to be fun because I was able to purchase 1/2 a dozen bottles of wine for my house of local vineyards. They have dozens of vineyards in the area. I don't know if Jim is up yo that or not. We will see what he wants to do on his day..maybe we can find a botanic garden somewhere.
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Wendy's Mom. My goodness it was a long time ago that my Mom died.
August 31, 1998. 16 years ago. Boy am I getting old.
Jim and I were just talking about how isn't it nice that we aren't just sitting at home, good for us to have time for just us to see a bit of the world. Well we are doing that.
We left really early yesterday because the earlier you leave Canada, the less traffic you have and I think there were only a couple of cars ahead of us. I will tell you this, they don't make it easy for a big rig like ours to maneuver the barricades. It is almost like they don't want you to leave.
I can' t believe the beautiful pictures Shirley took of the Gardens when we went. Now I just have to figure out how to get them to my iPad.
Hey, it's light outside.
We will be going in to Seattle right after rush hour. I want to pick up some smoked garlic pepper salmon from the meat market. It is so yummy, I remember from my last visit to Seattle. Been here twice before. I also would like to see The Chihuly Garden and Glass. It is at the base of the space needle. I wonder if Wendy remembers but when we were walking back to our hotel room just she and I on our last day of our company's outing to Pike's Place Fish Market we stumbled across a glass works where people were students of glass blowing and I purchased that beautiful paper weight for $20. I still live it to this day and keep it on my coffee table. It too was near the space needle downtown. Jim said we are going to leave the dogs at home. I guess it's best. We will see what else we want to see downtown.
Later!
Pretty exciting stuff, we got here so early we had to go across the street and park at the Safeway parking lot. Turned out to be fun because I was able to purchase 1/2 a dozen bottles of wine for my house of local vineyards. They have dozens of vineyards in the area. I don't know if Jim is up yo that or not. We will see what he wants to do on his day..maybe we can find a botanic garden somewhere.
Monday, August 4, 2014
LANGLEY WINE COUNTRY
Well here we are doing a self-guided tour of Vancouver wine country. It starts right here about 2 miles from where we are in Langley.
The first place we went to was Vista D'oro Farms and Winery. What we found out about this part of Vancouver wine country is this is a wonderful place where they grow the grapes for white wine and they get the grapes for the red's from the Okanagan Valley about 5 hours through the mountains and the region North is known as The Napa Vallry of the North.
We couldn't get there this trip but if was fun running around the wine country here.the first vineyard had a white German Shepherd named Shubert. They were also famous for their jellies and jam. I tried two red's there and a wonderful dessert wine infused with brandy. The reds were too tart for me but because of the natural process he uses they said it makes the wine naturally tart. I didn't buy into that but the jelly was wonderful and I bought some Blood Orange jelly with vanilla.
Our next stop was Caberton Estate Winery and I had fun there. Bought a bottle of red "Valley Cab" 2010 that in tasting was quite lovely. They are one of the largest wineries in B.C. The gal who poured there was so very nice. Sage had moved to B.C. 10 years ago from Winnepig and I had to agree with a statement she made that the people in B.C. Are less open and harder to get to know. I don't think anyone from the area ever said Hi to me first. I never mind giving out a shout of Hello but I don't think they are automacatically Minnesota nice. She confirmed it. She said it took her 3 years to adjust to the area. People tended to stick to their own groups and not let her in. Anyway she was lovely and would be welcome in our D.O.S.S. Group anytime.
Our next stop was Backard Vineyard and I bought a fun bottle of red called Noisy Neighbor. Really good and a blend of 4 different grapes I think. I mentioned how good some chocolate would be and she disappeared to another room and appeared with 4 chocolate bars. What a sweetie.
We went to one more winery. Black wood Lane Winery and Vineyard, what a wonderful place - why I even tried a white. The fellow that poured was Chinese I think but he had of all things a "Bemidji" connection. He was an engineer and used to work for an automaker out of Detroit and they would bring their cars to Bemidji for winter cold weather testing. He was talking about how part of the testing was when they would tailgate their own cars to see how the engine would perform. Anyway Jim and I used to see those cars around in the winter when we went up for visits to see Mac when he was a student there. The fellow now lives at the winery with his parents who both have memory issues. I don't know if they own or if he is just their wine maker but the wine there went from $40 to $60 to $90 a bottle. I didn't buy any but it sure was smooth. He was so very thoughtful and generous with his wine and time. I bet I tasted 3 reds there. The drive alone up to his vineyard was fun because of the high hill.
The drive through the country around Langley was so very enjoyable.
The Wi ne routes or tours start down here in Langley and go all the way up through Okanagan Valley 5 hours to the North. What fun it would be to tour there. Maybe some day but it is part of the whole picture from wine country in California and just continues on here.
Well I have had a lovely time here in B.C. But it is time to move on.
We went to church on Sunday, was fun and we drove to White Rock along the Ocean. Big weekend here for holiday because Monday is a holiday here. Family Day or so something and they also had a Gay Pride Parade, it was huge.
TO USA,USA,USA. I have to tell you Jim and I finally found visors for me at the duty free store by us and I have not seen them anywhere and to buy them you have to exit the country the same day. We had to walk across to the U.S. Side to be able to keep them. What a hoot to explain. Well we will be back in the states in am hour so best get the bed made.
Later.
The first place we went to was Vista D'oro Farms and Winery. What we found out about this part of Vancouver wine country is this is a wonderful place where they grow the grapes for white wine and they get the grapes for the red's from the Okanagan Valley about 5 hours through the mountains and the region North is known as The Napa Vallry of the North.
We couldn't get there this trip but if was fun running around the wine country here.the first vineyard had a white German Shepherd named Shubert. They were also famous for their jellies and jam. I tried two red's there and a wonderful dessert wine infused with brandy. The reds were too tart for me but because of the natural process he uses they said it makes the wine naturally tart. I didn't buy into that but the jelly was wonderful and I bought some Blood Orange jelly with vanilla.
Our next stop was Caberton Estate Winery and I had fun there. Bought a bottle of red "Valley Cab" 2010 that in tasting was quite lovely. They are one of the largest wineries in B.C. The gal who poured there was so very nice. Sage had moved to B.C. 10 years ago from Winnepig and I had to agree with a statement she made that the people in B.C. Are less open and harder to get to know. I don't think anyone from the area ever said Hi to me first. I never mind giving out a shout of Hello but I don't think they are automacatically Minnesota nice. She confirmed it. She said it took her 3 years to adjust to the area. People tended to stick to their own groups and not let her in. Anyway she was lovely and would be welcome in our D.O.S.S. Group anytime.
Our next stop was Backard Vineyard and I bought a fun bottle of red called Noisy Neighbor. Really good and a blend of 4 different grapes I think. I mentioned how good some chocolate would be and she disappeared to another room and appeared with 4 chocolate bars. What a sweetie.
We went to one more winery. Black wood Lane Winery and Vineyard, what a wonderful place - why I even tried a white. The fellow that poured was Chinese I think but he had of all things a "Bemidji" connection. He was an engineer and used to work for an automaker out of Detroit and they would bring their cars to Bemidji for winter cold weather testing. He was talking about how part of the testing was when they would tailgate their own cars to see how the engine would perform. Anyway Jim and I used to see those cars around in the winter when we went up for visits to see Mac when he was a student there. The fellow now lives at the winery with his parents who both have memory issues. I don't know if they own or if he is just their wine maker but the wine there went from $40 to $60 to $90 a bottle. I didn't buy any but it sure was smooth. He was so very thoughtful and generous with his wine and time. I bet I tasted 3 reds there. The drive alone up to his vineyard was fun because of the high hill.
The drive through the country around Langley was so very enjoyable.
The Wi ne routes or tours start down here in Langley and go all the way up through Okanagan Valley 5 hours to the North. What fun it would be to tour there. Maybe some day but it is part of the whole picture from wine country in California and just continues on here.
Well I have had a lovely time here in B.C. But it is time to move on.
We went to church on Sunday, was fun and we drove to White Rock along the Ocean. Big weekend here for holiday because Monday is a holiday here. Family Day or so something and they also had a Gay Pride Parade, it was huge.
TO USA,USA,USA. I have to tell you Jim and I finally found visors for me at the duty free store by us and I have not seen them anywhere and to buy them you have to exit the country the same day. We had to walk across to the U.S. Side to be able to keep them. What a hoot to explain. Well we will be back in the states in am hour so best get the bed made.
Later.
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