Christmas Eve Dinner

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with friends of Lynne's (Lou and Melinda Warfield & family) here in Spring (Houston, Tx). 

After dinner we attended the Christmas service at the Resurrection Lutheran Church,

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you a wonderful holliday season

Reo, Lynne, Greg

Logan and Hanna

Tinsel Triathlon

We volunteered at the 25th Tinsel Triathlon in Hemet.  There were over 1000 participants and the start of the run is in the far left of the picture above the bikes. a little  difficult to see.  The 5 k run, 12 mile bike and 150 meter swim was centered around the West Valley High School

The three top finishers are in the water. The swimmer entered at the far left in the picture swam to the end, did the turn and swam diagonally across the pool and then down to finish..  This was a save environment for those that didn't do well swimming.  I caught several "walking and resting" at the end of the pool.  The final finisher had a person swimming next to him with a life belt.  He had a support group waiting for him.  I think they were more excited than the person that won  , just because he finished.   I can relate to that.   There were several amputees and 3 in wheel chairs that finished  well in the center of the pack.  It was very moving to see the excitement.

Each participant received a metal and T-shirt.  We got a T-shirt just for volunteering..much easier

: >))

I

Thanksgiving dinner, Golden Village Palms,2009

Thanksgiving at the park......They provided the turkey and we pot-lucked the remainder.  The couples at our table were from British Columbia as is about 50% of the population living here.

I took two dozen deviled eggs and they were gone by the time I set the plated on the table.  There was one turkey for two tables of eight.  And lots of other good food.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I had a great Birthday.... a Pedicure at the local beauty college. This lady and her mother were attending school together. She wanted a change from working at an insurance co. and her mother lost her job.

The equipment or lack of  leaves a little to be desired but the price was right.

We had dinner at "POLLY'S PIES'.  The restaurant is known for their cinnamon rolls, pies and home made bread.  The hot turkey meal was wonderful, and the coconut pie was pretty good too.

We took Logan to the new doggie park that opened Dec 1.  Logan was thrilled  to roll in the grass.  The RV resort has gravel and asphalt. 

The other dog there was also from the RV resort.  They are from Victoria Island and her dog is a Australian cattle dog.  Killie liked to play with a Frisbee.  He did not like Logan as Logan would steal the Frisbee. 

Diamond Valley Lake

Built in the saddle of two mountains, Diamond Valley Lake—Southern California’s newest and largest reservoir—is a vital link in the regional system that’s brought water to Southern California for the past 60 years. The lake nearly doubled the area’s surface water storage capacity and provided additional water supplies for drought, peak summer and emergency needs.


Water began pouring into the reservoir in November 1999 and the lake was filled by early 2002. Diamond Valley Lake holds 800,000 acre-feet, or 260 billion gallons of water. By comparison, Lake Havasu, on the Colorado River, holds just 648,000 acre-feet or 201 billion gallons.(copied from their website) 

Looking at the lake from the lookout the first picture is on the right and you see the earthen dam and a second dam in the far center (hard to see);  the second picture is the center view with the third dam out of view and the third pictures  is on the left with the pump house,

The lookout is about 5 miles from the park.. The water is low due to the drought.

Dogs are not allowed at the lookout, only in the parking lot.  It was stifling hot and we decided  not to go to the top and leave Logan in the hot car.  The Ranger came over and said she would keep Logan while we walked to the top. 

She was from Memphis and an avid Elvis fan. Her sister went to school with Elvis.  So we got good stories.  She would say "Thank you very much" and try to sound like Elvis.  She was fascinated with  Logan and gave him water and treats, and more treats.  Logan really liked her. 

We ate lunch in the shade of the make shift tent.  I realized after seeing the condition of the rangers skin that those who work unprotected in the desert environment literally cook their skin.   It really pained me to see the condition of her skin..

BOOM Crack BOOM

Greg and a lawn maintenance worker were raking leaves and collecting them in the trash can this morning when BOOM.

Thunder and  lightning shook the coach..then it started to rain and sleet.

The drainage system is a slight indention in the middle of the road.  At the other end of the park it rushes into a series of large ditches that collect the water.  The indentions run through all the streets in the city and can made it a little rough when you drive a little car.

The rain was wonderful, it was painfully needed.

Logan and I went for a walk later and there was sleet still hanging around.  Obivously,  the temp has dropped.  The marjority of the people here are from Canada: British Columbia mostly and Victoria Island...and we all agreed it felt really good.

I believe it...

I saw this license plate holder while Logan and I walk the park.  Sounds like a winner to me.

We have had a army of "sugar ants" invade the coach.  The park sprayed the ground and advised us to spray bleach on the counters and where there were ants.  Next is to spread comet powder cleaner around the coach. 

I think it works like in the cowboy days you laid a rope around you when you slept on the ground to keep the snakes away.  :-))  It is safer for Logan than harsher chemicals

Plus, my computer is getting slower and slower.....

Would you believe, I'm not a happy wife?....now you know the situition here.

Idyllwild, CA

Today we drove about 25 miles to Idyllwild a small town at 6000 ft. up the mountain.   Hemet is located  in a valley and the trip was just about straight up and straight down. Thousand Trails has a park at the end of the road past Idyllwild, at the top of the mountain. The park was preparing for snow, draining the pond and closing part of the park.  I would not take the coach there. I hate narrow winding roads and horseshoe turns and trying to park the coach on narrow and hilly sites.  I was surprise at the number of occupied sites.  The ranger said in the summer it would be full.

Idyllwild reminds me of Leavenworth minus the German theme. The homes cling to the side of the mountain. Most of the shops were closed (it was Monday) and  near the end of the summer season.

Lots of art, tourist shops, restaurants, etc. An artist was carving a welcome pole out of a tree. Darn, I had my camera but had forgotten to replace the disc after downloading pictures. The view from the top was spectacular but you will just have to take my word for it.

On the way up we saw the aftermath of a fire. The ground coverage was mostly short brush growing at widely spaced intervals and lots of rocks from a couple of feet in diameter to very large ones.. It became denser the higher we drove and around 5000 ft., the pine and oak trees just seem to suddenly appear. The Oak leaves were turning and very attractive.

The tallest flag pole

This is the tallest flag pole.   How is that for an educational blog. The information was on my map and I just had to take the picture so you could see it.  It is located on highway111 East of the Salton Sea.

Saved by the Peak

We got out of Tucson around 4:00.  For me, it was unbearablely HOT.  Greg wanted to get out of the big city area, so we took off.  Driving West into the sun finally reached too hot for Greg.  We saw a RV park and pulled off for the night.  It was Picacho Peak Park...and the sun was going down behind the peak, it cooled off quickly with the breeze. 

We learned the next day that on the weekends rock climbers are all over the peak climbing to the top.  Can't understand that sport.

Another attraction next to the park was Rooster Cogburn's Ostritch farm.  It was closed on Wednesdays...darn.

Adding to the economy in Tucson

Well, before we leave Tucson we decided because of the other issues we had with the broken serpentine belt we should have an oil change.  I was beginning to think because we had an "older coach"  WE were the only ones with breakdowns and hanging around the repair shops.  But, not true.  Check out that line of big new rigs in line for service, and that was the "I'm next line"  There were others parked outside.

We had an appointment at 10:30.  The coach didn't get on the rack until 2:30.  Logan wasn't allowed inside the customer lounge.  So we spent our time "sitting around" outside.

Old Tucson

We drove out to Old Tuscon. It really is the western studio location that so many of the westerns were filmed. It is a slight distance way out in the desert. The cost was $18 each to tour. I thought that was too much when on Wed and Thurs the admission was $8. So we declined plus we had Logan in the car and didn't want to leave him any length of time in the sun. We drove a circle route back to town and passed a look out point, took pictures. That is Old Tuscon studios way out in the distance

and bought earrings from a Navajo couple. Sorry about the sideways picture...

Banquet

We had a banquet the last night of the rally and had good food and prizes.

This is everyone at our table . In the middle is Bob and Patti Haynes, the other three were first timers and from Hot Springs, Ark.

Greg won a platter with a giraffe and I won a paddle to clean the windows. Is that not appropriate?

Us with coach

Mesa ..Finally

We arrived in Mesa two days late. I was very exhausted and just wanted to shower and take a nape. The park was great…all gravel and hardly any dust flying around.

I called Julie Rowe and we drove over and visited with her. She lives in Scottsdale and works for the University of Phoenix. She did not have her air conditioner on and I was pleasantly surprise at how cool it was on her patio.


James made her elephant

Destination Tucson & Monaco Rally---OOPS

After the Mesa Rally we were going to caravan with 17 other RV’s to the Monaco Rally in Tucson, but when we started the motor a lesser squeak returned. Drove it to a Cummins service center in Avondale, west of Phoenix (about 60 miles) (that was on a Sunday) Most of the day we parked in the shade of the trees and on the street. It was too hot to stay in the coach, so we sat on the sidewalk in the shade. There were electric hookups but it required a 50 ft. cord to reach the post and ours was too short. They had the posts against the wall and a curb prevented the coach from getting close. Plus there was no shade in the parking area.

While we were waiting, I drove to the shopping center down the street. Discovered a Beauty School and decided to get a hair cut on Monday. I was given a young lady that apparently had little experience and required the instructor to assist several times. She cut her finger and I was concerned I'd survive. The cost was $5, and it wasn't the greatest cut but it will work for 4 weeks.

They replaced the belt with the proper size and returned the original belt tightener and not for sure what else they did for 4 hours. We made it to Tucson that night, and parked at the fair grounds. The rally was over booked with over 500 motor homes and no overflow parking. We eventually found a park and are staying a week, if nothing else, just rest. It turned very cold for three days but is back to HOT now.

We had good food, vendors with lots to sell and seminars on about anything to do with motor homes. I assisted with a craft class (making no sew fleece blankets). We had 30 ladies making blankets. Great evening entertainment.

I won a week stay at the RV Park we will be staying in Hemett, CA. Also got involved in a marketing interview and received a $25 American Express gift card. Sure hope this is a sign that things are looking UP.

On our way to Mesa, AZ & Safari Rally

We left Dean and Tamara’s around noon Sunday, Oct 18. Headed for the Safari Rally in Mesa, AZ to start on the 21st, plenty of time.
Our first night was spent dry camping at a casino. It was in a military base town, so there were no “senior” discounts. I usually take $5 and play slots until I lose it. After all its free to park. The place was absolutely packed and I couldn’t find a penny machine I liked. Finally I saw a “Topgun” machine, had never played one before so I set down.  Loud plane noise was blastng out of the head  rest every time I pushed the play button. Won the bonus and got to fly the plane and shoot down the enemy.  Hit it big time and walked away with $13.00. :-))

The next overnight was in a truck stop..very windy and dusty. When we pulled out the next morning, Greg saw a sign “Route 66” and decided we should reminisce and drive on Old Route 66. Well, it was a very bad decision. The first quarter mile it was fair but the remainer had not been repaired in a long long time. We had to slow down to about 10 mph for 5 miles to the freeway.

At our lunch break I noticed spots on the carpet in the left side of the drivers’ area. Greg investigated and found hydraulic fluid dripping from the emergency break switch. He unscrewed the switch mechanism and it was the pressure sensor that was leaking. We drove on to Parker, AZ and found a repair shop, had to order the part to arrive the next day. We parked and waited. A dust devil blew by rocking the coach and leaving a layer of dirt inside the coach, unbelievable.

When Greg started the engine to drive to the repair shop….fluid shot up and all over the ceiling, steering wheel, window and Greg…what a mess. We waiting hours for the part to arrive but he finally came out to the coach and installed the part.  We were out of there at about 3 pm.

We were happy on our way thinking we would be in Mesa and “happy hour” with the group tonight. when after a stop at a stop sign the coach would not shift and the gauges showed HOT. We were fortunate to have a service road running parallel and pulled off and started trouble shooting. The serpentine belt had disintegrated. No repair shops near us and it was after 5 pm. At a gas station they referred us to a Cummins service center in Blythe, CA about 65 miles away. The wanted $$$$$ to drive out and replace the belt. Soooooo Greg and I drove in the next day and purchased a belt and did the labor ourselves. Would you believe....the belt was TOO BIG.... so back to Blythe and exchange. The next belt was one quarter inch to small, (they assured us the belt would be ok) and we got it on. When we started the engine it started to really squeal, so we had to have the coach towed into Blythe. Thank goodness for AAA. The next day, the belt tightener was replaced.

O’ the best part was that we were short of water…holding tanks were almost full; that is because we thought we would be in Mesa with full hookups.

It was HOT..HOT and we were parked between two feed lots. The odor was not too bad, and the flies really liked us. The feed trucks buzzed by many times all day and night. Hungry cows.

The worst part was having no shower for two days. I can dry camp OK if I have empty holding tanks and full water. With the solar panel and the sun we have plenty of power to have lights, TV and run the computer.

Can't you just see Greg laying on top of the motor replacing the belt. I'm under the coach guiding the belt into place, no easy job ...got a big purple bruise on my arm.

arriving in San Francisco

To catch up..we arrived in San Francisco October 16th and enjoyed celebrating Dean’s birthday. We went to a rifle range and shot off lots of bullets. Greg had a sore shoulder the next day. We had wonderful pizza with several of his friends.
Sorry, forgot my camera.

But I did get the one of the famous Cliff House
and the foggy beach.
T

going south in 2009

After 2 weeks at Seaside getting the coach repaired, we are on the road again. We had beautiful weather on the Oregon coast. Got to walk on the beach and let Logan run. We stopped to see the Peter Ireland wreck. I expect it will dissapear every year, but it was still there.