Archive for the ‘California’ Category

Winter 2024, Starts in Houston!

Friday, February 16th, 2024

Flew in to Houston to catch up with Paul and Teddy. Spent the weekend with Karol and her family. Very nice and quiet. Took a drive to Galvaston, where we dined on the water and enjoyed watching a cruise ship depart. We had a fire all day until the wind got to much and on Sunday I got to go and see Jeremy’s new home that he and his family were in escrow to purchase.

Pearl River, Slidell LA
Crossing the Mississippi River, heading East
Swamps! You see alot of these along I10 thru LA, Mississippi, Alabama

Monday we departed to get to Atlanta Motorspeed way for the Nascar races.

Summer 2023, Off to NY again!

Friday, June 23rd, 2023

Leaving the end of June is playing it dangerously with the heat but Summer is amazingly cool and we left on the 22nd. So far the weather has been great, very little rain but as soon we hit Nebraska the smoke from Canada interfered with our enjoyment a little.

Things I learn on the road:

  1. You can find a walmart anywhere
  2. We often look for the same place; ie. The Great Coffee place in Green River, WY. We have been there at least 4 times. They have the best baked oatmeal but they don’t have internet, just games and puzzles.
  3. Nebraska has a lot of corn fields
  4. It just might rain anytime with or without clouds
  5. There is a festival for just about anything! The midwest even has a Testicle Festival – deep fried animal testicles is the main attraction

We went from CA on Wednesday to New York in a week. That’s fast for us but we kept to the Interstate and there isn’t much there. We found a beautiful spot for the weekend right on the interstate. The Summit Rest Stop, the highest point on I80 across the US. We actually spent the weekend at the Rest Stop as it was away from the highway, quite, we were alone up on a hill overlooking the area and we needed to be in Cheyenne WY on Monday for a visit.

Salt Lake

On to Iowa where we were doing just a stop over and then on to New York.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods

Monday, August 15th, 2022

There are so many trees and they are so tall!

The park is beautiful and right along the Smith River.  Teddy enjoyed the water but really wanted to know what happened to the ball his dad threw into the water!

Teddy enjoying the Smith River, too cold for me

Where is it???

We took a drive on a dirt road from Jedediah Smith Redwood SP to Crescent City called Howland Hill Road  an unpaved stretch of Howland Hill Road offers motorists an intimate encounter with the towering old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Numerous pull-outs and trailheads along the way, including the Boy Scout Tree Trail and  Stout Grove.  It was a beautiful drive that you don’t want to be in a hurry.

We had a beautiful drive and then we enjoyed a little of the Crescent City Harbor.  We found a farmers market that was just closing up but one guy was still selling homemade cookies for $10 a bag (almost as pricey as Girl Scout cookies) I bought two bags because once you ask you feel as though you should help the guy out! The cookies were good and they are already gone!.

We stopped and had a look at the lighthouse which is still operational but no tours since Covid and you can only go at low tide unless you want to swim over.  We took a nice walk on the Jetty which goes out into the harbor about 3/4 of a mile – I almost made it the whole way but turned around.  I was pretty tired and sore after we got back to the car.

Our last day we hung out in the park. We took a hike (Paul says it was a walk) since I walk so slowly.  We did about 1.5 miles and I felt pretty good but I had walked a mile by myself in the park earlier and after we returned, had lunch and sat down I was very sore!  The good news is the next morning I was fine – this healing is going to be a long process.

Today we had to leave to continue north along the coast into Oregon but before we left we enjoyed breakfast at Hiouchi Cafe in Historic Hiouchi.  Old fashioned, homemade food to order and amazing waiters.  Paul had hash and biscuits and gravy – she told the cook make it a small order and it was still 2 breakfasts!  My french toast was great with fresh sweet blueberries.  I ate the whole thing.

Off to see our friends Ed and Peggy in Port Orford Oregon where the temps will be in the low 70’s if they get that high!

Survived Knee replacement and on our way North

Friday, August 12th, 2022

The knee was not fun and I wasn’t very calm about it; thought I should be back to normal within 6-8 weeks.  After 2.5 months we are finally off to beat the heat and enjoy some leisurely time.  Paul has been waiting to work as it has been almost 6 months since he worked.

We left Roseville on Wednesday and our first stop was in Gold Hill Oregon so that Paul can get his feet on the ground of working again.  He will work in Medford and then on Friday we will head to Grants Pass for him to work.

Friday afternoon we headed back in Californias to enjoy the redwoods.  We are spending 3 days in Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP.  It is beautiful and we are going to enjoy exploring this area. We have been through here before but never really stopped.

Teddy enjoying the Smith River, too cold for me

 

Palm Springs

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Been here but only to drive thru; this trip we stayed 2 weeks at a very nice RV park in Indio, Indian Waters RV Resort, that we thoroughly enjoyed.  Pickleball, water sports, cards, shows, breakfast on the patio and happy hour.  A very nice park with really nice people that spend the winter here from Canada, Washington, Oregon and California.  We will be back

We like some touristy things so we got tickets to ride the Palm Springs Tram:  Wow, what a view.

The tram ride up was very exciting and with my knees I was hurting by the time we reached the top.  So after arriving, checking the view we found the bar!  1 martini later I was ready to explore.   There are lots of trails with snow on the ground we stayed inside the lodge.

From the tram station at the top

The ride down was much smoother and I got a chair so my knees were very thankful.

Marilyn is forever in the heart of Palm Springs.  Paul enjoyed the view.

A piece of street art that I found interesting.  The puddle of water was part of the display.

We ended our day in Palm Springs at Stout Burgers and Beer.  Very good burgers and not too pricey.  The patio was very nice with the firepit tables.  Palm Springs was a very inviting downtown and next time I hope to be able to walk as there were lots of interesting shops and the people watching was the best.

 

 

Just a drive, enjoying the sunshine and views

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Coachella Valley view from a vista point on State Route 74.  The road is very twisty and you can see in this photo where we came from.  From this vista point I could see 5 golf courses.  They stand out because all around them is desert or a few homes.  We drove this road to the top and came around to Route 243  and came near Mt. San Jacinto, a very high peak.  We saw some snow on the ground and the views were beautiful although looking towards San Diego it was quite hazy.

We ending in Banning where we caught I10 back to Indio where we will be for the rest of the week.

A little warmer, but back in California

Thursday, January 20th, 2022

I saw we are in Palm Desert or Palm Springs but we are actually east of there in Indio. We usually only pass through here so this time we will actually ride the Palm Springs tram and see Joshua Tree NP.

We found a really nice, small park in Indio – Indian Waters RV park.  It’s a smaller park but what I really like is during the winter between most of the sites (ours included) there is really lush, green lawn that the painstakingly care for.  During the summer we are told it dies because it is just too hard to keep it green.  Glad we are here in the winter – in fact I would not have any interest in visiting in July.

We are enjoying the amenities everyday.  Paul plays pickle ball and I have been taking the water aerobics class.  You can actually get a descent work out if you push yourself and right now my knees only let me do exercise in the water.  I tried a petal bike for the chair and my knees were very angry.

We have also played card bingo, poker and had the free waffle breakfast.  Not really free as you paid well to get into this place.  It’s actually cheaper than what we have paid in Mesa.  Staying in CA is ok so far.

Joshua Tree NP.  I cannot walk far so this was definitely a driving tour.  I did get out and walk up to a few trees and rocks.  My big test was walking up the hill at Keys View.  Not far but uphill quite a bit from the parking lot. I made it but didn’t take any photos.  It was a beautiful day.

Teddy loves touring!

                                  Cholla Cactus Garden

There were many rock formations, this one above is the Split Rock! And then there were the trees!

The largest Joshua Tree (we think!)

Acres and Acres of these trees

Some Joshua Trees didn’t have much growth

                          Dead Tree

I actually walked up the hill to get a great view but it was hazy so I took this photo from the parking lot! I love to see people in nature, They were both on their phones! I guess the view wasn’t that good.

We ended our tour of Joshua Tree in the town of Joshua Tree and I found a bakery on Yelp that got rave reviews for their cookies and cakes.  The baker is a Fine Arts practiced so it sounded very promising.  The Fine Art Cookie company did not have an address on their website (a first clue) but Yelp gave directions.  We followed Yelp about 4 miles into a lovely desert neighborhood until it finally said you have arrived!  Either its not a real business our she is cooking in her kitchen.  We did not stop and cookies will have to be another day.

Back to the RV.  And the hot tub tonight.  I wake up very early each morning with the sunrise in my bedroom window, one of these morning I’ll get up and capture it to share.  We do like wintering in the desert.

Found Warmth

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

We set off on January 9, 2022 with the only idea was we were heading south to find some sunshine and warmth.  Even the coast was cold so we headed to the only place that consistently is warm in the winter, The Desert!

Why the desert is beautiful. Our first desert sunset

First stop is Las Vegas to enjoy the sunshine during the day and the lights at night – not really but we did see some lights when we went to Sams Town for dinner.  Angry Butcher.  It was very nice, not many people and the special was a TBone Steak with all the fixings for only $49.  Paul ordered it to my surprise.  I wanted the chocolate Martini for dessert so I only ordered a bowl of Lobster Stew and a short rib appetizer!  I never got the Martini because we had way too much food.  Next time.

While in Vegas Paul doesn’t just work we took in a couple tourist sites.  We rode the boat on Lake Mead to see Hoover Dam from the water side.

A very nice ride with a very generous Bloody Mary complete with olives, celery and bacon! Yumm.

After the boat we stopped in Boulder for lunch at Dillinger – An interesting find off the main strip.  The food was awesome and the staff was very kind.

Our last day in Vegas we took a suggestion from Pauls sister to see Meow Wolf.  Very different and because I can’t walk much Paul actually went with me.  We found the place which is inside Area 15.   Area 15 is a megaplex of entertainment mostly bars, lounges, they even have an axe throwing area that serves cocktails ( really??). Paul found where you pay, His comment was “$50 each, are you sure you want to do this?”  Well no, I have no idea what it is other than I know it’s not your usual museum or whatever they want to call it.  We paid and went inside what appears to be a small market.

                                         Deli Counter?

        Hmm, idea for my next party?

                                 A cheese board? easy!!!

We were not sure what we were suppose to do, read all the labels? Fill a basket with items to purchase?  Leave?  And then suddenly we saw someone enter the soda case….  And then you are in this whole new world.

 

We were not sure what we were suppose to do, read all the labels? Fill a basket with items to purchase?  Leave?  And then suddenly we saw someone enter the soda case….  And then you are in this whole new world.

Lights, slides, music, people wandering. There was way too much to look at!

I think you would need to visit this many times to really appreciate everything that is going on.  I’m not sure about it as something I really liked.  Paul loved it and I think he would go again.

        Paul really enjoyed the art

Outside Area 15 was a small sculpture garden.  And that is Las Vegas and Neveda, tomorrow we will be back in California enjoying a different kind of recreation – Palm Desert here we come.

Everywhere we are going masks are required and actually worn!

Happy 37 years of …..

Wednesday, April 28th, 2021

We did it!  We have made another year in this journey called life.  There have been so many adventures with lots of fun and many bumps but we made it.  37 years, 2 daughters, 2 granddaughters, 8 years houseless (which no one thought we could do it, even us!) and life keeps moving forward.

Paul picked our spot for dinner since we are in Texas and he is working so no big adventure this year but he found something that had promise.

Cooper’s. Maybe my family is from Katy, TX!

The food was plentiful, not the best but the beans were all you can eat along with White bread and Parkay!  I would give it 2 stars for effort and the ribs and beans were tasty.  I didn’t like the bbq sauce and to me it’s all about the bbq sauce.

Quarantine continues, Baby Lacey

Friday, June 12th, 2020

Life is moving very slow and interesting now.  Paul has headed out to finally get to visit dealers in the middle of the country while we are still locked down at home.  I am staying home and quarantining waiting for our second granddaughter to arrive in mid-June.  Amy is very nervous about this virus and June cannot come soon enough.

I am in San Jose as Amy was able to schedule inducing labor for June 11.  I will stay at home with Carrie and we will be the first and only family able to meet her once she is born.  They are fortunate that none of us have been ill or exposed so Nick will be able to be with her.

Friday morning Lacey Logan Carpenter entered our world.  She is beautiful and Carrie is so excited about her new baby.

                         GiGi is too!