from McCall. I am looking out at some snow on the ground, but it is not all that cold. The last two days have been warm and rainy, so we consider ourselves fortunate to have something white outside. Walking has been treacherous because of a thick layer of ice underfoot, and some of that is still with us.
We had planned to stay in Twin Falls last Tuesday night, but Brian made reservations for us in billeting on base in Mt. Home, so we continued on. Our drive on Tuesday was easy and uneventful. We did not drive the interstate, and when we stopped in the little town of Alamo, we learned from the postmistress that there was a secondary road going north that would save us 50 miles. Another great two-lane road with little or no traffic. We met an occasional truck, but did not encounter any trucks going north with us. That alone made the route very enjoyable. There were stretches of road that would be straight ahead for a mile or more.
We drove to McCall on Wednesday, and Sheila and the boys followed on later in the evening. Brian got here about nine on Thursday evening. We have been eating too much, sleeping, and just generally enjoying ourselves. Colleen, Sheila, and I visited all the shops in town yesterday for our last minute items.
Brian and Sheila’s condo is just too charming and cozy. The theme “It’s always winter at the condo” shines brightly in every corner from the antique skis to the framed photos of the family while playing in the snow to the snowflake dinnerware. It is done in red, white, and beige – very Scandinavian!! And now there is the decorated Christmas tree, and dozens of Christmas decorations to add to the delight.
McCall is very cute. It sits on the shore of Lake Payette and has several very nice shops. I found it interesting that Paul’s Grocery (an excellent upscale grocery store) has a mezzanine that is a fabric and handwork shop. Only in Idaho?
As I write this, Sheila and Colleen are cross-country skiing, and Brian and the boys have gone tubing. I just finished making sausage strudels and tea ring dough, and now we are going to head for the local coffee shop to post this blog.
We will go to church at seven and then come home for raclette with cheese, onions, potatoes, cornichons, beef, and sausage.
I think we are getting up about 4 am tomorrow! We engaged in a little poker game last night with the winning team deciding how late we could sleep in the morning. It came down to Nolan and me, and Nolan won. Needless to say, a ten-year-old and twelve-year-old year old are not going to stay in bed very long.
We plan to leave either Monday (Ken’s plan) or Tuesday (Helen and Colleen’s plan) to be in Phoenix by Wednesday afternoon to pick up Gary and Carolyn at the airport and return to Yuma for the Schulers’ arrival.
A blessed Christmas to all. Ciao
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Several days' of blogs
I am sitting at the front of the MH looking out across a field at a totally clear sky with one pointy peak rising up in the distance. I have even found a way to put a positive spin on the freeway traffic out in the distance…..at night the trucks look like lighted cars on a toy train – an ever-changing, Christmas-like view – along with lots of real trains in the background.
I got out and walked yesterday, finally, and found it to be pretty easy compared to the hills of Steilacoom. It is flat, flat, flat, here. Just about everyone I passed greeted me. Now if this place would get internet, I would be happy as a clam. We spent almost an hour at the library yesterday trying to use the modem, but gave up when we couldn’t get anything beyond 14.4, and our first email hung up while trying to download.
Last night after dark, we were treated to a parade of lighted golf carts with some of them looking pretty creative. One had icicle lights hanging from the canopy, and another with lighted wheels going ‘round and ‘round..
Ken and I have spent time working on a Christmas gift project, and that will be our task for the next day or two. We are running out of days before we will be leaving for Brian and Sheila’s.
December 16
The Christmas gift project continues, but we should be in good shape by tomorrow.
The weather finally calmed down today after two days of wicked winds, hence tons of blowing sand and dust Today we have had sunshine and temps in the high 60s.
Our friends, the Ouseys, have continued to receive very bad news about Gary’s brother – there is no treatment for his cancer, and he has just days to live. We are taking Carolyn to the Phoenix airport tomorrow, and their three children who live in Victoria all flew to Winnipeg today. So come Monday, our two motor homes will be sitting here unoccupied. But there is good security here at the park so I have no concerns.
After we drop Carolyn at the airport, we will spend some time with Colleen before coming back to Cocopah. Ken has a Fry’s ad in his hands, and he is headed in that direction. I think we are in the market for a new network card that is stronger than what we now have. I doubt I will be wanting to try to do much shopping on the Saturday before Christmas week end.
I talked to Craig last night for a few minutes. He and Cooper were at Cassie’s. Since Cooper spends the days by himself in the run while Craig works, Craig tries to take him with him when he goes out in the evenings.
I will try to post this blog later this evening, and if I don’t there will be another installment in a day or two.
December 17
Nope, the new network card did us no good, so we are still without internet access. I’ll go to the Ousey’s to post this tomorrow.
Sadly, Gary’s brother passed away last evening. It was such a rapid turn of events that it is hard to grasp. We took Carolyn to the airport today, but according to a phone message, there was a delay and she is stuck in Denver until tomorrow morning. It is unknown when she and Gary will return to Cocopah.
We had an early dinner with Colleen and met her roommate/landlady and her mother this afternoon in Phoenix. This is a great arrangement for Colleen, but Suzie is getting married and is going to sell the house, so Colleen will be looking for another place to stay. She would like to buy, but she has no idea how long (or short) she will be in Arizona, so that is risky too.
We stopped and shopped in a book store and a Stein Mart before coming home. I remember being very taken with the Stein Mart in Las Vegas, but I didn’t find anything exciting in this one in Phoenix.
Cinda called today to say that their house in Bellevue was broken into this past week and every piece of jewelry plus computers were stolen. Their property is very private so it would be easy for someone to gain entry and go unnoticed. And to file any kind of an insurance claim is a nightmare and it is hardly worth the effort, or the risk of being dropped if you have another claim. What has happened to the insurance industry in this country? We pay and pay and pay, and then are afraid to use it.
Tomorrow we will finish projects and errands and get ready to be on the road to Idaho on Monday. We plan to arrive Boise Wednesday afternoon, pick up Colleen and go on to McCall.
December 19, 2005
We are in the Air Force Inn at Nellis AFB. We didn’t get out of Cocopah until about eleven today, so this was a good stopping place . We will be on the road bright and early tomorrow morning to get ourselves with in striking distance of Boise for Wednesday noon.
I just finished chatting with Bev Schuler, and she and Jeff are going to drive to Yuma on 12/28 for their annual holiday visit. Jeff looked at flights and decided there was no easy way to get from there to there. We found Yuma to be a conundrum when we were looking at flights for the Ouseys. I thought it was because they needed to get to Canada, but evidently California is no better!
We do at least have a modem here in our room, so I am going to post this since I have been adding to it for days. Ciao
I got out and walked yesterday, finally, and found it to be pretty easy compared to the hills of Steilacoom. It is flat, flat, flat, here. Just about everyone I passed greeted me. Now if this place would get internet, I would be happy as a clam. We spent almost an hour at the library yesterday trying to use the modem, but gave up when we couldn’t get anything beyond 14.4, and our first email hung up while trying to download.
Last night after dark, we were treated to a parade of lighted golf carts with some of them looking pretty creative. One had icicle lights hanging from the canopy, and another with lighted wheels going ‘round and ‘round..
Ken and I have spent time working on a Christmas gift project, and that will be our task for the next day or two. We are running out of days before we will be leaving for Brian and Sheila’s.
December 16
The Christmas gift project continues, but we should be in good shape by tomorrow.
The weather finally calmed down today after two days of wicked winds, hence tons of blowing sand and dust Today we have had sunshine and temps in the high 60s.
Our friends, the Ouseys, have continued to receive very bad news about Gary’s brother – there is no treatment for his cancer, and he has just days to live. We are taking Carolyn to the Phoenix airport tomorrow, and their three children who live in Victoria all flew to Winnipeg today. So come Monday, our two motor homes will be sitting here unoccupied. But there is good security here at the park so I have no concerns.
After we drop Carolyn at the airport, we will spend some time with Colleen before coming back to Cocopah. Ken has a Fry’s ad in his hands, and he is headed in that direction. I think we are in the market for a new network card that is stronger than what we now have. I doubt I will be wanting to try to do much shopping on the Saturday before Christmas week end.
I talked to Craig last night for a few minutes. He and Cooper were at Cassie’s. Since Cooper spends the days by himself in the run while Craig works, Craig tries to take him with him when he goes out in the evenings.
I will try to post this blog later this evening, and if I don’t there will be another installment in a day or two.
December 17
Nope, the new network card did us no good, so we are still without internet access. I’ll go to the Ousey’s to post this tomorrow.
Sadly, Gary’s brother passed away last evening. It was such a rapid turn of events that it is hard to grasp. We took Carolyn to the airport today, but according to a phone message, there was a delay and she is stuck in Denver until tomorrow morning. It is unknown when she and Gary will return to Cocopah.
We had an early dinner with Colleen and met her roommate/landlady and her mother this afternoon in Phoenix. This is a great arrangement for Colleen, but Suzie is getting married and is going to sell the house, so Colleen will be looking for another place to stay. She would like to buy, but she has no idea how long (or short) she will be in Arizona, so that is risky too.
We stopped and shopped in a book store and a Stein Mart before coming home. I remember being very taken with the Stein Mart in Las Vegas, but I didn’t find anything exciting in this one in Phoenix.
Cinda called today to say that their house in Bellevue was broken into this past week and every piece of jewelry plus computers were stolen. Their property is very private so it would be easy for someone to gain entry and go unnoticed. And to file any kind of an insurance claim is a nightmare and it is hardly worth the effort, or the risk of being dropped if you have another claim. What has happened to the insurance industry in this country? We pay and pay and pay, and then are afraid to use it.
Tomorrow we will finish projects and errands and get ready to be on the road to Idaho on Monday. We plan to arrive Boise Wednesday afternoon, pick up Colleen and go on to McCall.
December 19, 2005
We are in the Air Force Inn at Nellis AFB. We didn’t get out of Cocopah until about eleven today, so this was a good stopping place . We will be on the road bright and early tomorrow morning to get ourselves with in striking distance of Boise for Wednesday noon.
I just finished chatting with Bev Schuler, and she and Jeff are going to drive to Yuma on 12/28 for their annual holiday visit. Jeff looked at flights and decided there was no easy way to get from there to there. We found Yuma to be a conundrum when we were looking at flights for the Ouseys. I thought it was because they needed to get to Canada, but evidently California is no better!
We do at least have a modem here in our room, so I am going to post this since I have been adding to it for days. Ciao
Monday, December 12, 2005
And so the fun begins......
We met up with Gary and Carolyn at the Wal Mart in Chehalis about 4 pm on Monday afternoon. I had driven on ahead so I would have time to visit Sister’s Fabric Shop in Chehalis, and it was well worth it. I have never seen so many fabrics in one place at one time. I did make a few purchases but practiced lots of restraint.
Tuesday, we went as far as Canyonville, OR and stayed at the Seven Feathers Casino - Ouseys’ recommendation and well worthwhile. For a mere $14, we had full hook-ups and use of the hotel’s swimming pool, 2 Jacuzzis and showers. It is by far one of the nicest hotel/casinos I’ve seen outside Las Vegas. We availed ourselves of all the amenities, including the $6.95 steak dinner, and didn’t drop a penny in the casino.
Wednesday took us as far as the Wal Mart in Willows, and again Gary and Carolyn knew exactly how to get around on the side of the building away from the general traffic of the parking lot. We were in an area between the building and a row of outside storage units giving us our own little “oasis”.
Thursday has us going as far as Bakersfield and Camping World. Gary has something he wants to buy, and then we will just stay put for the night. Tomorrow is Yuma!
Gary and Carolyn encountered a couple on the ferry coming from Victoria to Port Angeles whom they had met briefly once before. We have seen them every day since, and we stayed the same places the first two nights. It is a small world.
Ken discovered on the day that we were leaving that his driver’s license will expire on March 1 so he got up early on Tuesday and drove into Centralia to be the first in line. It seems there is always something unforeseen that pops up.
This is Thursday afternoon that I am writing this, and we are on I-5 with Merced to the east and Morgan Hill to the west. It has been very smoggy all day so even though there are no clouds, we can’t see the sun. We are far enough south to see them harvesting citrus fruit and to see palm trees waving in the breeze. We decided we were official Snowbirds as soon as we left the state of Washington.
Colleen finally found a decent one-way fare to Idaho for Christmas so we will meet up with her in Boise, and then she will road trip back to Arizona with us. I am looking forward to some real winter Christmas with crisp air and snow, even more importantly, time with Brian, Sheila and the boys. It should be lots of fun.
Monday, December 12, 2005
We cannot get an internet connection, even though Gary can, and he is parked right next door. We are suspecting our card because we can’t even connect on our computer when we go to Gary’s rig.
We had a bit of a challenge to find the Wal Mart in Bakersfield on Thursday, and at first glance weren’t even sure there was room for us for the night, but we did finally make it work. On Friday night we stayed at El Centro Naval Air Facility. Much to our amazement, we did not even have to register our “Canadian Nationals”. The guard at the gate said he could authorize their entry for the one night. We had to stay in the overflow lot which is no big surprise considering the location of this base, but we had access to the showers and that was most important.
After some rather harrowing driving in five lanes of traffic and up and down a pass as we drove through the San Bernadino area, we arrived at Cocopah in the early afternoon on Saturday. Much to Ouseys’ amazement, the area in front of our parking spaces has been taken from trees and cacti to bare dirt. Homeland Security is footing the bill to clear the area to help deter folks from coming across the border. But we have no one in front of us, there is the freeway in the distance, and railroad tracks with lots of trains to keep us company – sort of like home.
We had two different brake warning scenarios on the last day of travel, so we were up at six this morning to get the motor home into the Workhorse dealer, where they said they could find nothing. I really did not want to get up at that hour, especially to be told they could find nothing. Time will tell.
Now this afternoon is my first chance to really get settled since we are parked permanently for the next month. I have lights, a wreath, lighted snowflakes, and poinsettias to put up. Some of the motor homes and park models have brilliant and extensive displays of Christmas.
Tomorrow we can start checking out the activities, of which there are many.
The bad news on this trip was to learn that Gary’s brother, Dennis, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. It is anticipated that a decision will be made today as to whether he is a candidate for a Gamma Knife procedure. Gary is flying to Winnipeg tomorrow to provide some moral support for a week. Gary and Dennis’ mother, age 87, is understandably distraught, so I’m sure Gary can help to calm her. We keep the family in our prayers.
Okay, I’m going to take my little memory stick to the Ousey’s and see if I can get this posted.
Ciao
Tuesday, we went as far as Canyonville, OR and stayed at the Seven Feathers Casino - Ouseys’ recommendation and well worthwhile. For a mere $14, we had full hook-ups and use of the hotel’s swimming pool, 2 Jacuzzis and showers. It is by far one of the nicest hotel/casinos I’ve seen outside Las Vegas. We availed ourselves of all the amenities, including the $6.95 steak dinner, and didn’t drop a penny in the casino.
Wednesday took us as far as the Wal Mart in Willows, and again Gary and Carolyn knew exactly how to get around on the side of the building away from the general traffic of the parking lot. We were in an area between the building and a row of outside storage units giving us our own little “oasis”.
Thursday has us going as far as Bakersfield and Camping World. Gary has something he wants to buy, and then we will just stay put for the night. Tomorrow is Yuma!
Gary and Carolyn encountered a couple on the ferry coming from Victoria to Port Angeles whom they had met briefly once before. We have seen them every day since, and we stayed the same places the first two nights. It is a small world.
Ken discovered on the day that we were leaving that his driver’s license will expire on March 1 so he got up early on Tuesday and drove into Centralia to be the first in line. It seems there is always something unforeseen that pops up.
This is Thursday afternoon that I am writing this, and we are on I-5 with Merced to the east and Morgan Hill to the west. It has been very smoggy all day so even though there are no clouds, we can’t see the sun. We are far enough south to see them harvesting citrus fruit and to see palm trees waving in the breeze. We decided we were official Snowbirds as soon as we left the state of Washington.
Colleen finally found a decent one-way fare to Idaho for Christmas so we will meet up with her in Boise, and then she will road trip back to Arizona with us. I am looking forward to some real winter Christmas with crisp air and snow, even more importantly, time with Brian, Sheila and the boys. It should be lots of fun.
Monday, December 12, 2005
We cannot get an internet connection, even though Gary can, and he is parked right next door. We are suspecting our card because we can’t even connect on our computer when we go to Gary’s rig.
We had a bit of a challenge to find the Wal Mart in Bakersfield on Thursday, and at first glance weren’t even sure there was room for us for the night, but we did finally make it work. On Friday night we stayed at El Centro Naval Air Facility. Much to our amazement, we did not even have to register our “Canadian Nationals”. The guard at the gate said he could authorize their entry for the one night. We had to stay in the overflow lot which is no big surprise considering the location of this base, but we had access to the showers and that was most important.
After some rather harrowing driving in five lanes of traffic and up and down a pass as we drove through the San Bernadino area, we arrived at Cocopah in the early afternoon on Saturday. Much to Ouseys’ amazement, the area in front of our parking spaces has been taken from trees and cacti to bare dirt. Homeland Security is footing the bill to clear the area to help deter folks from coming across the border. But we have no one in front of us, there is the freeway in the distance, and railroad tracks with lots of trains to keep us company – sort of like home.
We had two different brake warning scenarios on the last day of travel, so we were up at six this morning to get the motor home into the Workhorse dealer, where they said they could find nothing. I really did not want to get up at that hour, especially to be told they could find nothing. Time will tell.
Now this afternoon is my first chance to really get settled since we are parked permanently for the next month. I have lights, a wreath, lighted snowflakes, and poinsettias to put up. Some of the motor homes and park models have brilliant and extensive displays of Christmas.
Tomorrow we can start checking out the activities, of which there are many.
The bad news on this trip was to learn that Gary’s brother, Dennis, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. It is anticipated that a decision will be made today as to whether he is a candidate for a Gamma Knife procedure. Gary is flying to Winnipeg tomorrow to provide some moral support for a week. Gary and Dennis’ mother, age 87, is understandably distraught, so I’m sure Gary can help to calm her. We keep the family in our prayers.
Okay, I’m going to take my little memory stick to the Ousey’s and see if I can get this posted.
Ciao
Sunday, December 04, 2005
One more Sleep
We are down to the finale. I am mostly just tidying up and putting away in the house to make Craig's life easier. Ken is outside washing the motor home - and it is cold out there!!
Craig, Ken and I went downtown to La Creme Brulee last night, and I must say I was quite disappointed. The name, the accent, the ambiance were far superior to the food. It has a limited menu of only about five appetizers, five entrees, and two or three desserts.
Even though it was before seven, they were out of three of the entrees. We ordered onion soup, and it was mediocre at best. Mine was just tepid, and the soup had all the marks of being watered down. The basket of rolls looked inviting, but they tasted like they had been living in the freezer for several weeks. The wine list consists of just one wine, French, Cotes d Rhone, in all three colors, and we all three enjoyed the bottle of red wine. We chose to share a country pate which came with three little scrappy pieces of melba toast, 3 cornichons, and a half dozen broken pieces of walnut. The pate was good, but it could easily have been the French brand available at Costco. The creme brulee was the better part of the meal, but not nearly as rich as some I've had or made.
If it is still in existence when we come home next spring, we'll try it one more time.
This really is the last blog from home. Probably California next time. Ciao
Craig, Ken and I went downtown to La Creme Brulee last night, and I must say I was quite disappointed. The name, the accent, the ambiance were far superior to the food. It has a limited menu of only about five appetizers, five entrees, and two or three desserts.
Even though it was before seven, they were out of three of the entrees. We ordered onion soup, and it was mediocre at best. Mine was just tepid, and the soup had all the marks of being watered down. The basket of rolls looked inviting, but they tasted like they had been living in the freezer for several weeks. The wine list consists of just one wine, French, Cotes d Rhone, in all three colors, and we all three enjoyed the bottle of red wine. We chose to share a country pate which came with three little scrappy pieces of melba toast, 3 cornichons, and a half dozen broken pieces of walnut. The pate was good, but it could easily have been the French brand available at Costco. The creme brulee was the better part of the meal, but not nearly as rich as some I've had or made.
If it is still in existence when we come home next spring, we'll try it one more time.
This really is the last blog from home. Probably California next time. Ciao
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Two sleeps until departure
We are meeting Gary and Carolyn in Chehalis at the Wal Mart on Monday evening. That is about as far as they will get considering they leave Victoria at 10:30 and won't be on the road until after noon by the time they cross, clear customs, and hook up the car. Plus Carolyn wants to stop and shop for fresh produce and meats. I'm delighted to meet them there so I can check out the fabric shop that I have heard so much about.
We were quite taken with Cassie while she was here for dinner on Thursday. She is very poised, attractive, and nice, and didn't flinch when I told her we were have leg of lamb for dinner. She seems to have a balance of femininity and strength. She is slim with long strawberry blond hair, and wears very stylish up-to-the-minute glasses. She has a five-year-old daughter whom we would hope to meet one day. And she came bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers!!
We have had a bit of winter. Several inches of snow fell night before last, and there are still some remnants on the lawn. Plus it has been pretty cold and staying near the freezing mark at night.
I spent some time organizing the motor home this afternoon. I have been taking basketsful out and dumping the contents so it was reckoning time. So far I have been able to cram everything in somewhere. Since we are taking Christmas gifts, warm clothes for McCall, and some of Colleen's possessions, it is getting snug in there.
We bought a new heater that should be a bit more efficient than our old one. It is an oscillating tower so I'm hoping the heat moves around better. Of course there is a chance we will have no use for it since we will staying in parking lots on the way down, and I would hope we wouldn't need it while in Arizona.
Tonight we will drop in at Creme Brulee. I just called to ask about reservations, and the owner is so french I could hardly understand him. When I asked if it was a set fixed-price menu he said, "Oh no, this is America, you can have whatever you want." And he has a license to sell beer and wine so what more could one ask for?
Keith and Janet and the girls are in Willimasburg this week end. I have tried to visit Williamsburg twice, and twice I didn't quite make it. So I will be interested to hear about their experiences.
So the next blog will probably be from somewhere in California. Ciao
We were quite taken with Cassie while she was here for dinner on Thursday. She is very poised, attractive, and nice, and didn't flinch when I told her we were have leg of lamb for dinner. She seems to have a balance of femininity and strength. She is slim with long strawberry blond hair, and wears very stylish up-to-the-minute glasses. She has a five-year-old daughter whom we would hope to meet one day. And she came bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers!!
We have had a bit of winter. Several inches of snow fell night before last, and there are still some remnants on the lawn. Plus it has been pretty cold and staying near the freezing mark at night.
I spent some time organizing the motor home this afternoon. I have been taking basketsful out and dumping the contents so it was reckoning time. So far I have been able to cram everything in somewhere. Since we are taking Christmas gifts, warm clothes for McCall, and some of Colleen's possessions, it is getting snug in there.
We bought a new heater that should be a bit more efficient than our old one. It is an oscillating tower so I'm hoping the heat moves around better. Of course there is a chance we will have no use for it since we will staying in parking lots on the way down, and I would hope we wouldn't need it while in Arizona.
Tonight we will drop in at Creme Brulee. I just called to ask about reservations, and the owner is so french I could hardly understand him. When I asked if it was a set fixed-price menu he said, "Oh no, this is America, you can have whatever you want." And he has a license to sell beer and wine so what more could one ask for?
Keith and Janet and the girls are in Willimasburg this week end. I have tried to visit Williamsburg twice, and twice I didn't quite make it. So I will be interested to hear about their experiences.
So the next blog will probably be from somewhere in California. Ciao
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