Are We in Oregon?

When I walked the dogs this morning, it felt like we were in Oregon--on the coast. Nice cool, moist air--not at all like the Bakersfield we usually find. Lots of clouds overhead, nice and cool--just my kind of weather.

Now we're home and it still feels like we are in Oregon. It was a nice, uneventful drive and the dogs are thrilled to be in their own yard and house. Elsie went straight to her crate, like usual. It is good to be home, even though the trip was nice and we really enjoyed visiting everyone.

Just escaped more snow!

As we left Cathedral City, the sun was shining and it was already getting too warm. Then we headed out I-10. The wind really picked up, kept Gary challenged just to keep the RV in our lane. The windmills were really moving! The rain began at Palmdale, got really hard as we went over the Tehachapi's, even saw some snowflakes mixed in. We got to Bakersfield. Decided to try out a new RV park--River Run RV Park--very nice! Same price as Orange Grove--no oranges, but brand new and a HOT TUB! Very important to Gary after a long day of driving.

Then we watched the news and discovered we got out of the Tehachapis just in time. Snow really came down just after we got thru, lots of it. We got to listen to a wonderful sounding rainstorm.

The better news is that my computer seems to have my same view of the way too hot weather in the desert. It wouldn't work there. I turned it off today as we drove, then turned it back on--the rain and cooler weather made it much happier. It is working just fine now. I updated the other blogs.

I managed to remember to add a life line to my silk scarf--even more progress has been made. I may finish it by the end of summer.

On Our Way

We left the Rally today and headed toward California. Gas prices in Arizona are a lot cheaper than the Golden State. We filled up in Quartsite at $3.89 a gallon. When we hit California it went up to $4.25 a gallon.

It was quite cloudy and muggy when we made it to Cathedral City where we will spend the night. This is where our dogs love to see the bunnies in the early mornings. We spent the evening with my sister, Carol in the red apron, and brother-in-law,Doug, and his brother Dick, who is one of Gary's hunting partners and his wife, Nancy. It was a fun evening.



It is supposed to rain tomorrow--I have high hopes!

Bill Cosby!

We wandered thru a lot of RV's today, but didn't see any we like better than what we have--now that the levelers are working, that is.

I went to a class on how to use our microwave/convection oven. I think I understand it now.

No photos today. My laptop is acting up.

Tonight the entertainment was Bill Cosby. He did a wonderful segment on the Bible, specifically Genesis. I'd love to find where I can buy it. It was very well done and very well documented. His whole show was great--got a lot of good laughs.

This has been an interesting rally--more primitive and different than any other we've attended, but still fun. Great entertainment. We got the items we wanted and needed to purchase while we were here, so that is good.

We will be leaving early tomorrow--hoping to get home in time for Denny's memorial service.

Good Day/Bad Day

Today was such a good day. Short drive from Mesa to the Good Sam Rally. On our way to the Phoenix International Raceway where the rally is being held, we saw a bulldozer stuck in the mud with being pulled out with another piece of equipment that we can't name (can't remember the name). Fascinating to watch. We were in line to get into the Rally so had plenty of time to watch.

















This rally is HUGE! Someone said about 5000 RV's.


Tonight's entertainment was Bowser of Sha-na-na. He was great! A crowd of about 10,000 became teenagers all over again and we all had a ball singing along--even did the Twist in the stands. There were contests--one woman of a certain age (at least 70) could hula hoop like you wouldn't believe! And another one won a dance contest--she was 61 and could she ever dance! And the Hand Jive had us all laughing and playing along. We didn't know Bowser was a Julliard graduate in piano. Could he ever play! His Bumble Boogie was fantastic! We left singing "Good Night Sweetheart" as we headed back to walk our dogs along with many other dog lovers.

The sad part of this day was the loss of a dear friend, Dennis Stern. He was Gary's golfing buddy as well as Tuesday Crew teammate. We will miss him more than words can say.

Sunshine in Mesa

It was a nice cool day, but very sunny in Mesa today. I gave up on my camera and my iPhone is doing camera duty. It does a pretty good job. These are the orange blossoms I mentioned a couple of days ago and couldn't post because of camera problems.








Gary's cousin, Mike, came over and took us to Black Angus for lunch. Then we went to his park model house and saw the new Arizona Room they added since we were last here. Julie had to fly to Portland for their daughter's surgery, so we didn't get to see his wife.

Gary and Mike












We got back in time to walk the dogs, then joined our neighbors from Roseville at their evening "tea time" where all their neighbors gather for whatever they want to drink. It gives them a chance to visit and catch up on everyone and they all do this every week day while they are here. Such a nice group of people. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and catching Bob and Roz up on all the happenings at home.

Gary and Bob




















Roz and Diane












Tonight Gary dug out the BBQ and we'll enjoy hamburgers and a quiet evening before we head to the Good Sam Rally tomorrow.

Nice and Cool but Sunny, Happy Birthday Tule!

We spent today driving out almost to Roosevelt Lake to see my cousin, Denny and his wife, Sandy. We had a great visit.











There was snow on the roadway along the way to their RV.

















We ate lunch at Big Daddy's Pizza--it is the best restaurant near them. I ordered a personal pan pizza and it was a 12" pizza! The other restaurant is in Punkin Center. They are waaaayy out in the sticks, but it is the kind of area they prefer. Several of their friends from North Dakota also winter in this RV park so they have a great time out here.

















The trip out to their RV was long and all desert and mountains and snow. The trip back on a shortcut they showed us was very scenic. Lots of cactus like this one--it was our favorite. Gary even stopped the car for this photo!



It was a fun day--we have really great relatives.












I almost forgot--today was Tule's 12th birthday! Who can believe that 12 years have passed since our Marley clone was born. She is still a puppy at heart. Happy Birthday, Tule!

From Snow to Orange Blossoms

We woke up to even more snow this morning. It was just 33 degrees, but the car was covered again and the snow was deeper than ever--the yardstick measured it as 10" over the two days.



Gary drove the car out to see how the roads were and we decided to head on to Mesa. Are we glad we did! Tonight the temperature is predicted to get down to 18 degrees in Sedona! Those poor Great Blue Herons were still on their nests, looking very cold. Couldn't post the photo of the birds.

This is the snowman from yesterday.













The bushes and trees were heavy with snow. A big glob plopped on Tule's head during our final walk before we left Sedona.



I was going to post photos of cactus, but iPhoto decided to stop working tonight. Maybe my computer is getting old?

We drove thru snow off and on most of the way to Phoenix. We made it to Mesa, checked in and visited with Roz, our neighbor from home who spends much of the the winter here. Gary spent some time in the pool and hot tub while I did laundry. Feels good to be caught up.

Another tidbit--if you tried to comment on our blog, we did get your comment. The comments now arrive by email and don't show up on the blog. Interesting new development.

Tomorrow we start the visits with our cousins. Looking forward to it. If I don't post a blog, it is because my computer pooped out. I'll turn it off tonight and give it a rest.

Snow!

All night long we had rain, big winds, thunder, lightning, then at 4:30 a.m. it got quiet and I went to sleep. Little did I know that I would see 4" of snow on our steps as I took the dogs for their first walk of the day.






Both dogs love the snow, but Elsie especially enjoys it--she ran and ran around the dog park, prancing in the snow.




Unfortunately, the Great Blue Herons that are nesting in this RV park don't share Elsie's enthusiasm.














As I walked the dogs early this morning, our neighbor was putting the finishing touches on a snowman.














I decided it was a good day to do some laundry. While I was there I worked on my knitting.

















As the snow continued to fall, Gary decided it was time to knock a bit of it off the roof of the RV. We were up to 8" by this time.

















It snowed off and on all day long, mostly on. This is what the dogs looked like when they returned from their after dinner walk.

















And this is Gary's hat after that walk.

















After several false starts (had to tink a lot and finally frogged FOUR TIMES so far on this scarf--decided I can't knit this one while the RV is in motion--too many bumps in the road) this silk lace scarf is under way. It was so nice sitting and knitting and watching the snow.

Playing Tourist

Today we were typical tourists. We drove to Jerome, AZ, couldn't find a parking place so didn't get out of the car. Saw what we could by driving around. The best part of the day was finding Haynes, AZ a mile outside of Jerome, past the old fire station--an old mining "ghost" town. In 1904 304 people lived there. Now 7 people live there and run it as a tourist attraction. When you first drive up, it looks like a dump for old vehicles. For many years it was population 0. Gary is standing by the entrance to the original gold mine.


It is full of amazing antiques like this electric Studebaker.

















I loved this dentist office.













Gary thought the shotgun in this photo was great. Gus the donkey is in the background. If you tell him to ring his bell, he will, then you give him a treat. He was very cute and sweet.

















All morning we had been watching Great Blue Herons fly into the trees in this RV park, but it was too bright to get their photo. This afternoon the clouds came in and the sky was perfect to get their photo. One is in the branches of this tree.
















And here is one sitting on her nest.



Tomorrow it is supposed to snow with a high of 36 and a low of 34. Should be an interesting day. Not sure what we'll end up doing. Maybe it'll be a nice knitting day in the RV???

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon

We hadn't really planned to go to the Grand Canyon again, but when we discovered how close it was to Flagstaff, we stayed another day and headed up there.







It is hard to believe there isn't any undergrowth under the trees--all the way from Flagstaff to the South Rim!














These beautiful beware of the Elk signs are all over this part of Arizona. I love the artwork on this sign.














When we got to the South Rim, we walked over to a couple of the Outlooks. I even got up enough nerve to stand by the rail. I had nightmares of babies and puppies falling over the edge after we visited the North Rim. This was better--not quite so high and nice sturdy railings here. Tonight will be the true test if I don't have any nightmares.














Gary enjoyed the view of the Grand Canyon enormously.














Then I found this book--so glad I didn't see it before I looked at the view!












A young couple were teaching their kitty to walk on a leash up to the edge of the canyon--so cute! It was doing pretty well for a beginner.













Then there was this guy carrying his St. Bernard puppy along the trail. He'll be sorry when that puppy is awake all night!

















We made it back to the RV park in plenty of time to head out to Sedona. We were stunned by the amazing scenery on this route. You feel like you are down in the middle of the Grand Canyon. If any of you have never been here, you owe it to yourself to take the time to visit. It is so different from anywhere you've ever been. I still prefer the rain and the Pacific NW scenery (it is possible I am biased), but this is a stunning area.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Last night's RV park was right on old Route 66 and we also drove along it part of the day. What a nice old route.










The morning began with our usual dog walk and the walk ended with this nasty looking thing stuck in Tule's foot. When I tried to pull it off, it got stuck on my fingers. It has barbs like fish hooks that are very hard to pull out. I ended up using a rock to knock it off, then pulled out the single barbs as well as I could. I'm afraid a few tiny ones broke off in her foot. We'll be watching her closely. She didn't even fuss when she stepped on it--just stopped moving and held her foot in the air. Poor baby.






As we headed out from Needles, the sun was so bright I couldn't quit sneezing. Fortunately, we had some entertainment by the time my sneezing fit stopped (I've always sneezed at the sun). A van driver we labeled "the white knuckle lady" was obviously nervous driving that van. Every time she went over a little bump in the road, her brake lights would go on. If a truck passed her, the lights would go on. Going over an overpass, the lights would go on--and she was going uphill the whole time. We ended up with the giggles every time they'd light up. I know--we are way too easily entertained.

There was a little bit of snow along the roadside. And when we got to our Flagstaff RV park, there was one patch of snow to be found when I walked the dogs.
















The best part about this spot is the restaurant located on the site. It is Black Bart's Steakhouse and if you are ever in Flagstaff you MUST eat here! Food was excellent, but the entertainment was the best.












The servers had to pass an audition to work here and could they ever sing. The music was the kind I really love--songs from musicals, Disney. They'd be serving food, jump on stage to sing their part of a song and go right back to serving before the song was even over. The restaurant looks like a little old shack. When the RV park told me we'd need reservations I was skeptical from the look of the building. But they were right. It was packed. And it was fantastic!







To make the day complete--it is a nice cool night--really good sleeping weather.

Lots of desert

Today we saw lots of boring scenery. I know some people think the desert is beautiful, but I'm not one of them and neither is Gary. It was fun to see telephone poles again--a sight from the past.


There were little highlights--like the Twenty Mule Team sign--brought back lots of memories of the early years of tv watching.













The fake evergreen tree cell phone tower cracked us up--so totally out of place in these trees.














Lots of windmills dotted the landscape on I-40 between Bakersfield and Needles.














The old versus the new in this photo made us realize how long we have been alive.















Then we got to our destination and the quail made an appearance. I spent a long time following them around to get this photo.Look closely--you'll see a quail--the others were in hiding.