My Bags Are Packed...
And I'm ready to go for a week of talking, eating, shopping and gabbing. Five of the eight 'girls' will be on this trip to Door County, WI. I'll probably be offline so catch you later :)
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July 28, 2006
July 27, 2006
Problems Fixed
While keeping my fingers crossed, I think the slide problem is fixed. We got up at 6 AM to get packed, dumped and on our way to RV repair. Ken, the Service Manager at Sky Harbor RV, seemed pretty knowledgeable about the slide/jack system. We told him all the spastic, intermittent problems we had and he assured me he would test everything out to find the problem. About 1 PM he called and said it was all fixed.
Seems we had 1) a failing chassis battery and 2) a short in the hydraulic jack/slide panel which is on the floor by the driver's door. When he opened up that panel he found spring contacts corroded and loose. So with a new battery (the other one was an AGM battery only a year old!), and cleaned and adjusted contacts....we are working fine. He said they put the slide out several times with no failures. Worry wart me will not be confident until about a month from now with no failures :).
So we are back in Mom and Harry's back yard. No sooner had we parked than the sky darkened and the weather alert blasted out a tornado warning. Oh joy! But it all blew past us and is once again hot and sticky. Give me old CA and AZ dry heat any day!
After a stressful day we had a conversation with the Rev. Jack Daniels, had KFC for dinner, watched Sweet Home Alabama and now my DJ is playing tunes. Another day in the RV life :)
July 26, 2006
Note To My Readers
We are still having trouble with our slide system but hopefully all will get fixed tomorrow at Sky Harbor RV in Wadsworth, IL. Our house will be in the garage for a day (we hope it gets done in one) and then I'll be taking off on Saturday for a five day trip to Door County, WI with the Gurnee Girls. Our leader, Maryann, has a full agenda of suggested activities but we'll probably spend lots of time gabbing!
So...I may be offline for a week as I'm not taking my computer along. When I'm back I know I'll have great places to tell you about in Door County. If you look on the Wisconsin map it's the peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan north of Green Bay.
Catch you later....
July 25, 2006
Parties Over
The 5 Generation gathering is over, the 50th Reunion attended and I'm feeling emotionally drained from a lot of laughing, a few tears and the creation of wonderful memories. Our Baby Evan was a good flyer, slept most of the way, and when he met his Great-great-grandparents he was a sweet, smiling, loving boy. Taking pictures of the generations was a challenge...getting everyone to look at the camera, smile and keep their eyes open :) But we got a few good ones. We opted for casual rather than formal and here's a sample...
My reunion on Sunday was a fun walk down memory lane with good friends. The weather was fine, the food good and the stories of high school days brought lots of laughs. We hung around 'til midnight. In the old days we would have adjourned to a slumber party at someone's house...now we all need our beauty sleep :)
Today we need to take our house to the state park dump station...and possibly stay there at Illinois Beach for a few days. My hope is that we will start up and the slide will work ok. We've not yet solved that intermittent problem. Wish us luck!
July 20, 2006
Can't We Be Friends?
Purple Cone Flower, Monarch Butterfly and The Fly....
Cooler Weather
At least 10 degrees cooler is really nice. Overnight thunderstorms brought the temp down more. So it looks like we'll have a pleasant weekend here in Gurnee for our CA kids and for my class reunion. Renee, Naomi and Baby Evan arrive tomorrow for 3 days when we will take lots of 5 Generation pictures. I'm excited about how my Mom and Evan will get along. He's pretty mellow so I think they'll have fun.
Sunday evening is my 50th HS class reunion. I hear that about 35 classmates will be there. It was a small class...only 72 people. I'm a little anxious about it because I never dress up anymore and even though it's a casual affair, I'm probably too casual. I may have to wear denim and dress it up with gold :)
I'm also a bit anxious and unsettled because we continue to have problems with the engine starter, slide, and now the step. It's a weird combo of problems, never the same. Because it involves the chassis and the coach we're not sure who to go to for fixing. We have Emergency Road Service helping us but there are not many mobile RV mechanics in this area. So we'll keep trying. So far, knock on wood, we've been able to bring the slide in and get the coach going after a few tries/ waiting/ try again.
We are getting a reallllly late start this morning because it was so stormy that it was still dark at 9 AM. The sun looks like it might break through by noon. Maybe I'll go out to Gurnee Mills and see if anything strikes my fancy to wear on Sunday night. More later...
July 17, 2006
Gas Station Etiquette
Getting gas on the road for our rig is a challenge. Towing the car we are about 55' long and we use regular gas. So we can't go where the truckers go. Like pickups towing boats we have to fit into the regular gas pump lane. So finding a place to fit in is the first challenge. Being sure we can get out is the second. I've written about that struggle before :) Never pull in unless you can see your way out!
Today we found a nice BP station off the freeway, pulled in and were next to a couple of motorcycle dudes who sat there occupying two spaces while polishing their motorcycles and kibbitzing with passers-by. The inconvenient, unthinking things people do at gas stations really blows us away.
Since so many gas stations are convenience stores we often have to sit and wait for someone to wander in, get their soda and snacks, wander out, drink part of the soda, light up a cigarette, tune the radio, comb their hair and then start up and go.
Sometimes people will back up their car butts right in front of us, nearly touching, just to reach the gas tank. This totally block us from leaving. They also park in odd spots around the station lot so that there is no turning place for us.
I know...we're in the minority, in the way, take a long time to fill, yada yada...but we pay big bucks to the stations. I just wish the owners wouldn't allow people to park by the pumps while they shop.
Well that's my gripe for the day :) Thanks for listening.
July 16, 2006
A Day of Rest
The wind blew fiercly most of the night at the Oasis. We had left the awning out on the slide side so it rattled and swished giving us an uneasy night's sleep. We were not about to go out and fight the awning in the dark :) As usual there was a calm period after sunrise so Jim got up a bit early, rolled in the awnings, made coffee and we were outta there by 9 AM.
The 255 mile drive to Fairmont, MN on I90 was pretty much construction free but very rocky, rolly, bumpy. After 5 hours of that, actually 2 days, I was so hopeful that the Flying Goose would be a suitable spot to stop. As we drove up to this wooded lake campground my stomach was sinking. Where are we going to find a satellite friendly site here? Saturday afternoon, crowds of family campers, vacation lake environment...this does not look good. And the kid says, well site 73 is your best bet...there's nothing else available.
We followed him through the packed, wooded campground, turned a curve and there's a glorious open field, surrounded by huge trees, with wide, long pull-through sites. Yippee!
The only downer is the 100+ temperature with dripping humidity. I looked at all the weather maps and there's really no cool option right now. From CA to IL it is hot!
We got all set up and I walked to the office to reserve another day...a day to rest. I met Linda, the new owner of the campground. On the phone she told me that the site we reserved was iffy for satellite connection. I assured her that any site in this open field would be satellite friendly. They are trying to pull in the big-rigs from I90 so this will be an added amenity.
It turned out to be a very quiet campground. No freeway noise, kids under control...very nice. A short walk through the woods brings you to Lake Imogene where there are lakeside sites in the trees with swimming, boating and fishing just steps away. The surrounding area of Minnesota and northern Iowa is quite beautiful farmland, along with small lake resort towns. I'm sure we'll be stopping here again...halfway between Rapid and Chicago :)
July 14, 2006
Moving Right Along
Sometimes we have to take a day for "maintenance" so that's what happened Thursday. Mr. Blue needed his face waxed so Jim did that while I did laundry. Then we vacuumed, cleaned carpet spots, grocery shopped and sat outside watching the sunset. We got in a couple of bike rides and a good dinner with leftovers for the road trip.
Today was 215 miles to Oacoma, SD where we stopped at the Oasis campground. While it is freeway close (zoom, zoom) we have a great view of the Mighty Missouri River. The trip from Rapid is a whole lot of nothing. Rolling golden hills ad infinitum. As we got close to the Missouri the hill color changed to green, field crops appeared and trees dotted the landscape.
The park we're in is OK for an overnight but I wouldn't call it a destination. Tomorrow being Saturday I started to call ahead to see what's available and had a spot of bother finding a place. So I reserved at Flying Goose Campground and hope it will be satellite friendly. Maybe we'll stay a couple of nights there.
We had yummy leftovers for dinner of the Deviled Beef I made a couple of nights ago. I love it when there are plenty of leftovers so I don't have to cook. What's Deviled Beef? Round steak cut in strips dreged in flour, salt and pepper; mixed with a can of tomatoes, a package of frozen green beans, 3 T soy sauce, 2 T molasses, a small can of mushrooms and half an onion sliced. The recipe says to crock pot it for 8 hours but I have this great simmer button on my microwave so I simmered it for an hour and ....voila a delicious stew type dish to serve over rice or eat with another veggie.
So we're wined, dined and happy because Mr. Moto is working, Mr. Blue is starting up OK and the AC is pumping out cold air to save us from the 103 temps. Our goal....get to cooler weather :)
July 12, 2006
Breakfast With the Presidents
The "fab four" are just down the road from us so we got going early and arrived at the Mt. Rushmore Memorial in time for breakfast and morning pictures. Here's the view heading out of Keystone and up to the park.
We had the Monumental Breakfast (just what I needed) Here's our breakfast view...
We took the 1/2 mile Presidential Walk where you get lots of great views of the faces. I took another 80+ pix of the Presidents and 99% of them are beautiful. But here's a view at the end of the walk when dark clouds started rolling in. I like the contrast and the perspective giving a sense of how the monument fits into the surrounding area.
While we were stocking up on T-shirts in the gift shop a thunderstorm materialized complete with lightning, thunder and power outage. Everyone rushed inside so we completed our shopping and headed for the cafeteria for lunch with the Presidents! Here's the view after the rain. Looks like they are crying.
"People Watching" is excellent at Mt. Rushmore. We sat next to a young Japanese family at breakfast. When the three kids were done they got out workbooks about the monument and worked on completing the stories and puzzles. Mom and Dad guided them...all done very quietly with lots of hand gestures. A couple of tables away a family with one child was creating a ruckus because the kid didn't like his breakfast. Cultural differences :)
We sat in the amphitheater to take some photos and rest. We overheard the American family next to us. Dad said, "Who is that guy, the second one? I can't remember his name. Thomas something." He did finally remember :) (in case you are unfamiliar, they are Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, Lincoln.)
After lunch we headed out and drove north to Deadwood. I was in hopes that it would be better than Virginia City, NV...it was. The whole town is a historical landmark so any restoration or building has to be approved by the Deadwood historical society. It is an interesting place. Of course there are lots of tourist T-shirt shops and lots of casinos. The whole restoration is financed by the casino profits.
We did a little more shopping, relaxed with a drink and then headed home. We probably blew a months' entertainment allowance..but it was a great day.
July 09, 2006
The Rest of the Story
I never finished our Montana adventure so here's the rest. On Monday we were treated to a body "tuneup" by Dr. Steve, Laura's husband. He is a gifted body healer who trained as a chiropractor. He had a business in San Jose and after the move to Montana spent 3 years commuting the 1800 miles every 2 weeks to maintain that business and also build one in Stevensville. A year ago he made the jump and now has a growing business in Montana. He's so good that people hear about him and fly in from out of state to benefit from his healing methods. We had aches and pains that had been around for months....now gone. He fixed my hip by working on my foot!
Tuesday, July 4th, we felt like new people. It was hot and Laura was antsy to take a hike so we went to the trailhead and hiked about 1/4 mile up Kootenai Creek...and I mean up. We stopped by a pool where the dogs can take a dip and not get washed away. Laura and Steve had to wade in to cool off but we passed on that. Looked too swift to me.
Here's Laura and Charlie cooling off in the creek...
We had snacks, elk burgers, Laura's homemade potato salad, corn, watermelon and huckleberry ice cream sundaes. We were stuffed but managed to get in a game of bocci ball. They had never played and Jim was bragging about how he beat all the boys in CA. Guess who won? Daughter Laura aced out her Dad! She's a talented woman. Check out her "Tales from Montana."
We ended the evening by driving up to Florence to see a local fireworkks show. Anyone can buy really big fireworks in Montana so in the past we've done some great blast offs at their house. This year Laura heard that their plumber (helping build their new office addition) was having a great show at the park (with firemen on hand). Rumor was he spent $15,000 on the show. Guess he's got a good business going :) It was about 45 minutes long and was a spectacular display. As we drove there and then home we saw fireworks going off all around us. Imagine this happening in thousands of towns across the country. How many times do you think Lee Greenwood sang I'm Proud To Be An American that night?
July 08, 2006
Funky Rig
This guy passed us a couple of times on I-90 as we headed from Billings, MT to Rapid City, SD. We met him at the rest stop in Buffalo, WY. J.R. and some helpers put together this rig in Florida. He says she hasn't been home for three years and needs some maintenance.
The car is a 1927 Model T Ford and the fifth wheel was built from scratch on two truck axles. J.R. invited us in. He's pretty short...so is the rig! There's a bathroom at the rear, bed up front, kitchen counters, dinette, TV and cabinets run the sides. It's all white and red inside. What a funky house!
He said he makes pretty good time on the flat roads. The fiver is named "Black Shirts" but I don't know why and forgot to ask. He was headed to the Rapid area so maybe we'll see him again.
We had a long day. I underestimated the miles and it wound up being 380 so we were driving almost 8 hours. It's going to be hot here with wind and thundershowers. Typical SD summer. We are at Hart Ranch, our Coast to Coast Home Park. There are lots of activities going on here so we won't be at a loss for something to do.
By the way, the coach started up fine today...no problems. I drove about 100 miles through Wyoming. It's an up and down drive so our Banks Power got a work out. After we parked we had to do the bug scrub on the front of the coach. By that time I was too pooped to cook so we had beans, dogs and watermelon. Then settled down to watch the Angels beat the A's :)
July 07, 2006
Yesterday
I want to tell you about our "tune-up" from Dr. Steve and our 4th of July celebrations....but first I have to tell you about yesterday, the first day of our 4th year. We got everything stowed, ready to leave Missoula, and the engine would not start. Slide would not come in. Step would not go down. Is this the next adventure?
After several tries to start the coach, including an unsuccessful jump from the car, Jim called our Good Sam Emergency Road Service and within 10 minutes they located someone who would come within the hour to help us out. Meanwhile Jim is calling other resources to develop a backup plan. Then, after thinking about it, he decided to crawl under the coach and check out the starter. He pushed a connector, tried the engine and ...it started :) Happy Day! But we have some kind of mysterious problem or two. Is it the starter or is something draining the battery or is it both?
We got the slide in, turned the engine off, waited a few minutes while we finished preparing to leave and then started up again. It worked. By this time, my nervous nellie stomach was aching. Jim wanted to forge ahead. I could see us stopping for gas in the middle of nowhere and not being able to start again.
We cancelled the emergency service and hit the road about an hour late, headed for Billings, MT. It was a great travel day but I was really too tense to enjoy the unfolding IMax view. We hit four major patches of road repair and wouldn't you know I got the worst one again...ten miles of concrete dividers on the right and orange cones on the left. I don't know why I worry about driving this rig after the cr$% I've driven through this month :) Actually Jim probably got the worst section--fourteen miles, 6% grade, curving, 25mph, concrete dividers and orange cones! But we made it through.
We actually maintained our 50mph average and arrived at the Billings KOA about 5 PM. They'd saved a nice satellite friendly patio site for us so after parking we opted for a beer (or two). This is a lovely destination park, the orginal KOA on the bank of the Yellowstone River. The upgraded sites are pricey--ours is a $49 backin and the patio pull thrus are $59--but you could have a really nice vacation here.
Our day ended with a late steak dinner and a DJ night. After a couple of glasses of wine and a few hours of music hosted by my resident DJ playing selections from our Musicmatch library I felt very relaxed. And I'm happy to report that Mr. Blue (in a test) started up just fine this morning. Now I can relax and enjoy the day.
July 05, 2006
Happy Anniversary
Today we celebrate three years on the road! July 5, 2003 we set out from Anaheim, CA after selling our house in Irvine where we'd lived for 27 years. I wish now that I'd been blogging then so that I'd have more detail about how we made it all happen. But we did. I think, subconsciously and informally we'd been planning for years but it was in a "what if" mode. And suddenly we made it real.
Within two months we told our family what we were doing, sold the house, sold and gave away "stuff" and hit the road. Regrets? None. I just wish we'd done it sooner. We do a reality check periodically and don't have any thoughts of wanting to settle down somewhere. We just hope that our health stays good so that we can continue this lazy travel life.
Why? Because of the feeling of freedom. We are not tied to places, schedules, and stuff. We can follow the good weather, see new places, find weird and crazy sights, explore historical sites, take beautiful pictures and watch the IMax movie as we cruise down the road. We can stop and stay when we find a great spot or move on quickly when it's not. We can see our scattered family and friends more frequently.
It's a great life! This fourth year will take us from California to Montana to Illinois for my 50th High School reunion (how can that be?). Then we will head a little farther east, fill in a few more states on the map and maybe see some of Canada as we head back to CA for the winter holidays. Who knows what adventures await us?
July 02, 2006
Montana Daze
We've been busy visiting, eating and sightseeing since we arrived here last Wednesday. Our RV park is 35 miles north of Stevensville so our daily trip to Laura's takes a bit of time, especially through the Missoula traffic. The weather has been great even though the 5-day forecast has thunderstorms everyday. That's just typical summer mountain weather. So far we've had no more than a few drops every afternoon.
Thursday afternoon, after a late soup and salad lunch in downtown Stevensville, we were treated to a tour of the Stevensville Hotel by owners Gene and Robbie.
Over the last few years they have transformed this boarding house into a Historical Landmark Hotel. It would be quite a treat to stay there. We're just hoping that Gene follows through on the idea of building an RV Resort in town. That would work for us!
The Stevensville Art & Sculpture Society purchased a metalwork sculpture for exhibition on the main steet. It is quite unique.
Dozens of artisans encourage the fine arts through this society. The Main Street Association created this tiny downtown park...and there's Laura :)
Laura and Steve created a great dinner for us later that evening. Our internal time clocks are out of whack here because the sun does not set until about 10:30. So everything seems to happen later because people are still working or playing outside.
Friday we headed for Laura's and on the way stopped at the WalMart to fill my prescription. While waiting we worked our way through the $5.50 DVD bin looking for treasures. It was our Lucky Day :) We found Zulu Dawn and Spy Game. We've been loking for Zulu Dawn for years and were so delighted to find it. We'd just been talking to Steve and Laura about these movies so we bought copies for them.
It was Steve's Birthday so after a relaxing drive up Bass Creek to see the hiking, biking and camping areas we drove to Hamilton for a Birthday Dinner at Spice of Life. Oh, somewhere in there Laura managed to whip up two lemon merengue pies made with organic eggs and lemon juice with a fresh ground buckwheat crust. She's quite a cook! Dinner was very good and enjoyable then we went home to consume the pie. I think the four of us ate a whole one. It's fun to do all this with Laura and Steve as they know lots of people in this small town so we're always meeting someone.
By the time we got home on Friday night I was really pooped. I think part of it is from being in higher altitude. So I did not get up until 10:30 yesterday...just couldn't get going. But we were headed to a BBQ hosted by Laura's new neighbors. The lots on Laura's street are 10 or 20 acre parcels so meeting the neighbors isn't a wave over the back fence. It was a relaxing day with more chatting and eating good food. Laura brought Elk Burgers and Lemon Pie (totally consumed again). Funny thing...almost everyone there was originally from California.
We headed for home before dark, settled down to watch a movie and 10 minutes later I was asleep! Must be all the fresh air.