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!