Thanks to some prodding from Colleen, there is now a comment section at the bottom of each of my blogs.........should you wish to do so.
And you will notice that I corrected a grammatical (or typographical) error on my previous blog. We HOISTED ourselves up on to the barstools - we didn't HEIST ourselves up!!!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Antecdote to Ontario Saga
I forgot one little piece of the saga of "Three Girls Loose in Ontario".
On our last evening in Ontario, we decided to hook up our GPS system and find the nearest Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Upon arriving, we were informed it would be a 25 minute wait (turned out to be closer to an hour) for a table, so Karen told them we would wait in the bar. After Karen wrestled a third bar stool from a woman who thought the bar stool was for her personal use as a purse stand, the three of us hoisted ourselves up and considered our options.
Before we could make any decisions, Bev informed us that this was to be her treat; so I weighed my choice against what they were having and determined that it should be about the same price. Bev ordered a gin and tonic and Karen a margarita.
Now thanks to our son, Keith, who while on a cruise to Victoria purchased and gave to his dad a bottle of MacCallan single malt scotch, and I have acquired a taste for it; me who has abhorred even the scent of scotch. But MacCallan has a lovely cinnebark color given it by the aging in sherry casks which offers a lovely smooth and mellow tenor.
I also took note in my musings at the bar that this was an eighteen-year-old bottle versus the twelve-year-old that I had at home so the price would be a bit more but I rationalized that it wouldn't be that much out of line given that I was ordering a drink neat and not something blended like a margarita.
And then the bill came!!!!!! The total bill was about $32............my shot of scotch was $23! Of course i was willing to max out my credit card and told Bev I wanted to pay for my excess, but being the generous soul that she is, she insisted that this was her treat.
Now that I have bared my soul, I doubt any of you who read this will dare to ever ever offer to buy me a drink!! Ciao
On our last evening in Ontario, we decided to hook up our GPS system and find the nearest Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Upon arriving, we were informed it would be a 25 minute wait (turned out to be closer to an hour) for a table, so Karen told them we would wait in the bar. After Karen wrestled a third bar stool from a woman who thought the bar stool was for her personal use as a purse stand, the three of us hoisted ourselves up and considered our options.
Before we could make any decisions, Bev informed us that this was to be her treat; so I weighed my choice against what they were having and determined that it should be about the same price. Bev ordered a gin and tonic and Karen a margarita.
Now thanks to our son, Keith, who while on a cruise to Victoria purchased and gave to his dad a bottle of MacCallan single malt scotch, and I have acquired a taste for it; me who has abhorred even the scent of scotch. But MacCallan has a lovely cinnebark color given it by the aging in sherry casks which offers a lovely smooth and mellow tenor.
I also took note in my musings at the bar that this was an eighteen-year-old bottle versus the twelve-year-old that I had at home so the price would be a bit more but I rationalized that it wouldn't be that much out of line given that I was ordering a drink neat and not something blended like a margarita.
And then the bill came!!!!!! The total bill was about $32............my shot of scotch was $23! Of course i was willing to max out my credit card and told Bev I wanted to pay for my excess, but being the generous soul that she is, she insisted that this was her treat.
Now that I have bared my soul, I doubt any of you who read this will dare to ever ever offer to buy me a drink!! Ciao
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Quartzite to Casa Grande
We arrived at Foothills West RV Resort yesterday afternoon after an uneventful drive from the desert. We got the last available spot, so we are parked in the hinterlands where RVs are stored and dumpsters stationed.........but it is next to the doggie park, and on the west side are the shuffleboard courts and horseshoe pits.....so pretty quiet. It is a constant parade of residents going to the dumpsters. My first morning survey says about 90% of the garbage brigade are men with about 90% of them arriving on foot versus car or golf cart. Oh dear, I need to get a life.
Cooper seemed to remember his old hood and has checked out every bush and tree and haunt from last year. I drove up the street where we were parked last year, and the lady with her old old trailer and patio tent is still in residence! I'm much happier back here!!
My only plans are to find a hair salon and visit the quilt shop on Monday. Today is the last day of the big quilt show in Phoenix, but since I just attended one last week, I'll pass. I saw a carload of women leave this morning so suspect that was their destination.
We left Rod and Karen in desert to await the car show next week. They will probably come this way after that, but I'm afraid they won't be able to stay here. Perhaps across the road at Val Vista. That is where the Canadians will be within a week.
So all is well in the southwest. But the clouds are rolling in and rain is predicted for later today and tomorrow. I need to start reading another book!
Ciao
Cooper seemed to remember his old hood and has checked out every bush and tree and haunt from last year. I drove up the street where we were parked last year, and the lady with her old old trailer and patio tent is still in residence! I'm much happier back here!!
My only plans are to find a hair salon and visit the quilt shop on Monday. Today is the last day of the big quilt show in Phoenix, but since I just attended one last week, I'll pass. I saw a carload of women leave this morning so suspect that was their destination.
We left Rod and Karen in desert to await the car show next week. They will probably come this way after that, but I'm afraid they won't be able to stay here. Perhaps across the road at Val Vista. That is where the Canadians will be within a week.
So all is well in the southwest. But the clouds are rolling in and rain is predicted for later today and tomorrow. I need to start reading another book!
Ciao
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Quilts, Friends, and Worms
Yes, Rod and Karen did catch up with us, and she and I left the guys to their own devices while we zipped up the road to Ontario. Bev arrived on Wednesday evening, and the three of us spent two fun days at the quilt show.
We scored a a great deal on a suite at the Hyatt, and I guess it shouldn’t come as any surprise that my two closest friends, each acquired at a different era in my life, are very compatible. We spent our mornings with coffee and crossword puzzles and our evenings with wine and crossword puzzles – in our pajamas of course. One or two of us would make the coffee/breakfast run downstairs and bring it back to the room.
Keith was in Los Angeles on business last week, so he gallantly drove to Ontario and took we three matrons out to dinner. That was a special bonus for me to get to see him, and I know it has been years since Karen or Bev have seen him. Thank you son.
The quilt show was excellent with dozens and dozens of quilts that boggle the mind as to how they were even created much less finished. Eleanor Burns of quilting world fame was present and signing her books. I didn’t opt for the book and autograph but it was fun to see her since I have watched many many of her shows. I am proud to say that I did not purchase one single item at the show; always my goal to spend less than my shopping companions, and I succeeded.
Now we are into our fifth or sixth day in the desert outside Quartzite having joined the Alpine rally group. The rally ended on Sunday but we have stayed put. However, the tanks are all in the wrong state of being full or empty so we either need to get trucks in for service or pull up stakes and move on. Rod is the restless adventurer so I think we will part ways for a while; they to the great unknown and we to a park in Casa Grande or Phoenix area.
The stay in the desert has surprised me!! It is much less hostile and dirty and dusty than I imagined. It is interesting to look out the window and see dozens and dozens of rigs from little tiny campers to forty-foot coaches parked here, there and everywhere at all angles and orientations. For the entire time I have been writing this, Ken has been a few hundred feet away talking to a couple who just pulled up in a Westfalia like his. The two men are deep in discussion!!
Cooper is a trooper, but we do find the various parks welcome pets in varying degrees, so we want to stay someplace after this where it is easy to walk him. He has been quite happy in the desert, and usually manages to pick up at least one spine or burr when we are out walking.
Speaking of pets; Karen has bested us! She is now traveling with a plastic bin full of red worms compliments of her son John. A plastic bin with some vents and layers of newspaper and table scraps and fruit and vegetable peelings seem to be all it takes to keep them happy. And they are especially fond of coffee grounds which we have in good supply.
Yesterday was Karen’s birthday so we had dinner together and finished the meal with gingerbread (Karen’s request). However, it was pretty wimpy gingerbread considering I had to substitute honey and brown sugar for molasses and my ginger had lost its oomph! But with whipped cream, it was passable.
The Canadians (Ouseys and Robinsons) are about ten miles from here at a Bluebird rally, so we might swing by to see if we can even find them. There are sometimes hand-printed signs alongside the main road to indicate the jumping off point into the desert to find a particular group, but that is about it.
We are off to take a look at the big tent in Quartzite. Another of those great shopping opportunities, except there is no one else with us whom I can convince to spend their money instead of spending my own. Hmmm.
Ciao
We scored a a great deal on a suite at the Hyatt, and I guess it shouldn’t come as any surprise that my two closest friends, each acquired at a different era in my life, are very compatible. We spent our mornings with coffee and crossword puzzles and our evenings with wine and crossword puzzles – in our pajamas of course. One or two of us would make the coffee/breakfast run downstairs and bring it back to the room.
Keith was in Los Angeles on business last week, so he gallantly drove to Ontario and took we three matrons out to dinner. That was a special bonus for me to get to see him, and I know it has been years since Karen or Bev have seen him. Thank you son.
The quilt show was excellent with dozens and dozens of quilts that boggle the mind as to how they were even created much less finished. Eleanor Burns of quilting world fame was present and signing her books. I didn’t opt for the book and autograph but it was fun to see her since I have watched many many of her shows. I am proud to say that I did not purchase one single item at the show; always my goal to spend less than my shopping companions, and I succeeded.
Now we are into our fifth or sixth day in the desert outside Quartzite having joined the Alpine rally group. The rally ended on Sunday but we have stayed put. However, the tanks are all in the wrong state of being full or empty so we either need to get trucks in for service or pull up stakes and move on. Rod is the restless adventurer so I think we will part ways for a while; they to the great unknown and we to a park in Casa Grande or Phoenix area.
The stay in the desert has surprised me!! It is much less hostile and dirty and dusty than I imagined. It is interesting to look out the window and see dozens and dozens of rigs from little tiny campers to forty-foot coaches parked here, there and everywhere at all angles and orientations. For the entire time I have been writing this, Ken has been a few hundred feet away talking to a couple who just pulled up in a Westfalia like his. The two men are deep in discussion!!
Cooper is a trooper, but we do find the various parks welcome pets in varying degrees, so we want to stay someplace after this where it is easy to walk him. He has been quite happy in the desert, and usually manages to pick up at least one spine or burr when we are out walking.
Speaking of pets; Karen has bested us! She is now traveling with a plastic bin full of red worms compliments of her son John. A plastic bin with some vents and layers of newspaper and table scraps and fruit and vegetable peelings seem to be all it takes to keep them happy. And they are especially fond of coffee grounds which we have in good supply.
Yesterday was Karen’s birthday so we had dinner together and finished the meal with gingerbread (Karen’s request). However, it was pretty wimpy gingerbread considering I had to substitute honey and brown sugar for molasses and my ginger had lost its oomph! But with whipped cream, it was passable.
The Canadians (Ouseys and Robinsons) are about ten miles from here at a Bluebird rally, so we might swing by to see if we can even find them. There are sometimes hand-printed signs alongside the main road to indicate the jumping off point into the desert to find a particular group, but that is about it.
We are off to take a look at the big tent in Quartzite. Another of those great shopping opportunities, except there is no one else with us whom I can convince to spend their money instead of spending my own. Hmmm.
Ciao
Monday, January 14, 2008
We have arrived
Yesterday we arrived at Mountain Valley RV Park in Hemet after two days of uneventful driving. We spent Saturday night in Bakersfield after a fairly long drive from Travis AFB. We did encounter some very strong side winds after we crossed El Cajon pass and dropped down into the valley going toward Riverside and San Bernardino.
This park is quite nice, and friendly, even though the sites are a little skinny having been developed before motor homes with slides. It is not the best for Cooper because everything is concrete and asphalt so no opportunity to check out bushes and trees and to hunt. But at the moment he is sound asleep on the sofa so he doesn't look all that concerned.
Today we drove to Redlands for old times sake, had an In N Out burger and haunted some Costco stores to check out their computer inventory. We also had to stop at Trader Joe's in Redlands because Cooper is dangerously close to running out of doggie cookies. This area is much more appealing this time of year with a little green color to the hills as opposed to when we were here 18 months ago in the heat of summer.
The Ouseys and Robinsons are in a park just a mile or so down the street from us, so we just returned from having a drink with them. They are off tomorrow for a week in Yuma, a week in the desert and then on to Val Vista at Casa Grande.
We are expecting the Spragues tomorrow afternoon after they get their coach serviced in El Cajon. I think they have less than 100 miles to drive tomorrow to get here. It will be good to see them. We spent a lot of time parked in their driveway this past summer and fall, but we haven't seen them since the first of August. A large part of the time we were there, they were off on a rally.
We have invited brother Mike, and Mary, to come and see us in the sunny south, but so far I haven't had any feedback. I assured them we would be available whenever they decide to come; just tell us which airport.
I probably won't blog for almost a week because I will be in Ontario from Wednesday to Saturday, and I'll be shopping, shopping, shopping.
Ciao
This park is quite nice, and friendly, even though the sites are a little skinny having been developed before motor homes with slides. It is not the best for Cooper because everything is concrete and asphalt so no opportunity to check out bushes and trees and to hunt. But at the moment he is sound asleep on the sofa so he doesn't look all that concerned.
Today we drove to Redlands for old times sake, had an In N Out burger and haunted some Costco stores to check out their computer inventory. We also had to stop at Trader Joe's in Redlands because Cooper is dangerously close to running out of doggie cookies. This area is much more appealing this time of year with a little green color to the hills as opposed to when we were here 18 months ago in the heat of summer.
The Ouseys and Robinsons are in a park just a mile or so down the street from us, so we just returned from having a drink with them. They are off tomorrow for a week in Yuma, a week in the desert and then on to Val Vista at Casa Grande.
We are expecting the Spragues tomorrow afternoon after they get their coach serviced in El Cajon. I think they have less than 100 miles to drive tomorrow to get here. It will be good to see them. We spent a lot of time parked in their driveway this past summer and fall, but we haven't seen them since the first of August. A large part of the time we were there, they were off on a rally.
We have invited brother Mike, and Mary, to come and see us in the sunny south, but so far I haven't had any feedback. I assured them we would be available whenever they decide to come; just tell us which airport.
I probably won't blog for almost a week because I will be in Ontario from Wednesday to Saturday, and I'll be shopping, shopping, shopping.
Ciao
Monday, January 07, 2008
I've seen fire, and I've seen rain................
Well not exactly ala James Taylor, but we have seen wind, rain, snow, and hail!
We departed Brookings on Sunday about noon (ain’t retirement great?)and started south on 101. After a stop at the California border to stock up on some good deals for Irish whiskey, etc., we proceeded on down the road. We encountered all of the above weather at some point during the day, and the snow part was a bit nerve-wracking since it was two lane highway zigzagging through the redwoods. But as usual, Ken being the competent captain that he is saw us through it all.
Last night we stopped in Ukiah and are parked at the fairgrounds RV park, which is quite adequate. We arrived in the dark, and it is just now turning daylight, so I haven’t seen much, but there are lots of pull-through sites, and I think there is even a laundry. We haven’t decided if we will spend a day poking around Ukiah and leave tomorrow, or mosey on down the road today to Travis AFB where we will stay for a day or two to catch up on shopping and laundry.
Jeff and Bev left Saturday morning, and then we received a phone call about noon from the Ouseys. They had made their way as far as Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, but discovered they could have several days’ wait to get over the Siskiyous so decided to come our way and spend the night and drive south on 101 as we did. They are traveling with the Robinsons whom we know from other southern trips, so the four of them joined us for dinner before retiring early to be up and on the road by eight yesterday morning. We didn’t see them alongside the road, so I suspect they are well south of here…..the plan was to get as far as Williams and stay in the parking lot at Bill and Kathy’s restaurant. The restaurant has been there as long as I can remember back to the mid sixties, and they are RV friendly.
The Baltimore Kirkwoods called yesterday, and the biggest news is still Abbey. She has settled in nicely, and is making herself quite at home by chewing on most anything she can find. But since she is pretty well house-broken, I guess you have to pay some penance in some way with a new puppy.
As of Saturday, I think all the Virginia Kirkwoods were back together; Brian and the boys from their ski trip to McCall and Sheila from her Air Force Reserve stint in Arizona. We have talked to Brian briefly about the ski trip, and it sounds like it was a success. They had stored their Trooper in Boise, so with a jump start from AAA, they were on their way to McCall. Brian’s college friend, Jim, and his two daughters drove down from Seattle on the 26th and joined the guys for a few days of skiing. Good for them.
I suspect Cooper is about ready for his morning walk. Ciao
We departed Brookings on Sunday about noon (ain’t retirement great?)and started south on 101. After a stop at the California border to stock up on some good deals for Irish whiskey, etc., we proceeded on down the road. We encountered all of the above weather at some point during the day, and the snow part was a bit nerve-wracking since it was two lane highway zigzagging through the redwoods. But as usual, Ken being the competent captain that he is saw us through it all.
Last night we stopped in Ukiah and are parked at the fairgrounds RV park, which is quite adequate. We arrived in the dark, and it is just now turning daylight, so I haven’t seen much, but there are lots of pull-through sites, and I think there is even a laundry. We haven’t decided if we will spend a day poking around Ukiah and leave tomorrow, or mosey on down the road today to Travis AFB where we will stay for a day or two to catch up on shopping and laundry.
Jeff and Bev left Saturday morning, and then we received a phone call about noon from the Ouseys. They had made their way as far as Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, but discovered they could have several days’ wait to get over the Siskiyous so decided to come our way and spend the night and drive south on 101 as we did. They are traveling with the Robinsons whom we know from other southern trips, so the four of them joined us for dinner before retiring early to be up and on the road by eight yesterday morning. We didn’t see them alongside the road, so I suspect they are well south of here…..the plan was to get as far as Williams and stay in the parking lot at Bill and Kathy’s restaurant. The restaurant has been there as long as I can remember back to the mid sixties, and they are RV friendly.
The Baltimore Kirkwoods called yesterday, and the biggest news is still Abbey. She has settled in nicely, and is making herself quite at home by chewing on most anything she can find. But since she is pretty well house-broken, I guess you have to pay some penance in some way with a new puppy.
As of Saturday, I think all the Virginia Kirkwoods were back together; Brian and the boys from their ski trip to McCall and Sheila from her Air Force Reserve stint in Arizona. We have talked to Brian briefly about the ski trip, and it sounds like it was a success. They had stored their Trooper in Boise, so with a jump start from AAA, they were on their way to McCall. Brian’s college friend, Jim, and his two daughters drove down from Seattle on the 26th and joined the guys for a few days of skiing. Good for them.
I suspect Cooper is about ready for his morning walk. Ciao
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Kirkwoods' Jetta Helps Rescue lost Dog
While out driving around and checking out RV parks, we stopped at a viewing area at the south end of the bridge near Gold Beach. While stopped there, we noticed traffic was pretty well stopped at the bridge with just an occasional vehicle getting through. Just as Ken was putting Cooper back into the car, a little black terrier/spitz mix came running toward us from the highway……………
For the past five minutes, traffic was stopped and several folks were trying to rescue this little stray dog. We kept him from going back toward the highway, and then he decided to take refuge under our car even with Cooper inside barking his lungs out.
One of the ‘rescuers’ crawled part way under our car and was able to grab the little dog, only after enduring a pretty severe bite from the poor little thing. The dog didn’t belong to any of the dozen or so people who had all come in to the rest area to help with the dog, but the man who finally collared the orphan worked for the animal shelter in Gold Beach and said he was not about to let the little dog get away and most surely get hit by a car. So with blood dripping from his hand, he stood and cuddled and kissed this little frightened dog. The story had a happy ending.
We left home on the 27th as planned and spent the first night parked in Cassie’s parents’ driveway in Stayton, OR. We were treated to a yummy dinner and had a good visit with Dick and Joan, plus Cassie and Greta who were there to have Christmas with her parents. Oh yes, we were also hosted by Bailey, their five-year-old labradoodle who is one of the coolest dog I have ever seen. She stands about as tall as Cooper, but probably weighs half again as much. She has never eaten her kibble out of a dish, but has two or three kongs that she takes to her owners to be filled with food. She is a darling.
And now there is a labradoodle in the Kirkwood family. Yesterday, Keith, Janet, and the girls found Abbey at a farm in Lancaster, PA and promptly took her home with them. She is three months old and everybody seems to already be head over heels in love with her.
Jeff and Bev joined us here in Brookings on Sunday, and we are parked at Harris Beach state park with a front-on view of the Pacific. Stunning. The four of us managed to stay up until midnight to have our new year champagne and then trundled off to bed. We will be here until Friday or Saturday when Jeff and Bev leave, and then we will proceed on down the road toward Quartzite. But we don’t have to be there until about the fifteenth, so we can tarry along the way.
Cooper is perfectly happy and has laid claim to his rightful place – stretched out on the sofa with an occasional foray to the dinette to beg for a cookie.
Happy New Year to all. Ciao
For the past five minutes, traffic was stopped and several folks were trying to rescue this little stray dog. We kept him from going back toward the highway, and then he decided to take refuge under our car even with Cooper inside barking his lungs out.
One of the ‘rescuers’ crawled part way under our car and was able to grab the little dog, only after enduring a pretty severe bite from the poor little thing. The dog didn’t belong to any of the dozen or so people who had all come in to the rest area to help with the dog, but the man who finally collared the orphan worked for the animal shelter in Gold Beach and said he was not about to let the little dog get away and most surely get hit by a car. So with blood dripping from his hand, he stood and cuddled and kissed this little frightened dog. The story had a happy ending.
We left home on the 27th as planned and spent the first night parked in Cassie’s parents’ driveway in Stayton, OR. We were treated to a yummy dinner and had a good visit with Dick and Joan, plus Cassie and Greta who were there to have Christmas with her parents. Oh yes, we were also hosted by Bailey, their five-year-old labradoodle who is one of the coolest dog I have ever seen. She stands about as tall as Cooper, but probably weighs half again as much. She has never eaten her kibble out of a dish, but has two or three kongs that she takes to her owners to be filled with food. She is a darling.
And now there is a labradoodle in the Kirkwood family. Yesterday, Keith, Janet, and the girls found Abbey at a farm in Lancaster, PA and promptly took her home with them. She is three months old and everybody seems to already be head over heels in love with her.
Jeff and Bev joined us here in Brookings on Sunday, and we are parked at Harris Beach state park with a front-on view of the Pacific. Stunning. The four of us managed to stay up until midnight to have our new year champagne and then trundled off to bed. We will be here until Friday or Saturday when Jeff and Bev leave, and then we will proceed on down the road toward Quartzite. But we don’t have to be there until about the fifteenth, so we can tarry along the way.
Cooper is perfectly happy and has laid claim to his rightful place – stretched out on the sofa with an occasional foray to the dinette to beg for a cookie.
Happy New Year to all. Ciao
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