Archive for March, 2009

Trip to CA – March 31, 2009

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

While we were on the road I was not able to post to my blog.  Please read the 11 previous entries and you will be as caught up with my life as I am.

Our trip to CA was 4541 miles round trip.  From Branson to French Camp was 1895 miles in  3 days of hard driving in a Travel Supreme Motorcoach towing our car.  We were exhausted when we arrived but very happy to see Stephanie and our friends.  The trip back we took a pretty big detour and drove 2646 miles in 4 1/2 days in our little HHR.  We averaged 8 miles to the gallon going to CA and our average miles per hour on our return trip was 29.3 miles per gallon.

Denise

More bad weather – Monday, March 30

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

We woke up this morning to 6 inches of snow, closed roads and chain requirements and it was so beautiful yesterday!  We checked the road conditions and the snow had stopped so we decided we were fine to head East.  We left Golden, CO about 8:00 am and by the time we got to downtown Denver the roads were clear but they were still talking about accidents east of Denver so I got out the computer and logged on to Colorado DOT to see where the problems were.  There was a problem on the I-70 which we were on but it was pretty far east so we figured it would clear up.  About 10 miles East of Denver we found ourselves back in a snow storm and it was accumulating on the roadway – thank goodness we were only in the car and not another RV!  For about 100 miles we drove 40 miles per hour or less.  There were cars in the middle of the highway and on the shoulders flipped on their sides and just left because no one was available to tow them.  They all had caution tape on them and we guessed that is how they know if it is a new or old accident!  We saw a U-Haul truck on its side in the median, SUV’s, small cars – it looked like a wreck but there were no people or emergency crews anywhere.  We finally reached the area where the interstate was shut down in both directions due to a muliple car accident.  There were at least 12 vehicles involved, most with only minor damage but two 18-wheelers were kissing trailers right in the middle!  Our side of the interstate was open so we were able to continue.  Just past that the road became clear and we thought we were home free until the wind started blowing the snow across the highway.  It was blowing so hard that we could not see to drive – this was worse than fog and at one point we knew there was an exit and we wanted to get off the interstate and just rest but we could not even find the exit!

Finally the snow let up and we entered Kansas.  Kansas on the interstate did not offer much except lots of wind, enough that you could barely stand up. Tumbleweeds and windmills.  

We drove 17 hours today and made it to where we call home in Branson, MO about 1 am.

We sleep tomorrow!!!

Colorado – Saturday, March 28

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

After leaving the monument we entered Colorado and except for the sign at the border you would never have known you left Arizona, or New Mexico!  After several hours driving we stopped in Durango, CO for lunch.  Paul likes to try places that he thinks are local and he found another one.

Very Local!

Very Local!

You know you are in a local establishment when the waitresses’ kids are sitting at a table doing homework!  The menu looked fine so we sat and ordered.  People watching is one of the advantages of picking these restaurants and this one was no exception.  There were two older gentlemen at the table next to ours wearing their cowboy hats and boots.  These guys were not wearing the hat and boots cause they looked good, they were functional.  Their boots had well used spurs and they were talking about roping after lunch!
When you leave Durango, CO you start to get into what we all think of when we think Colorado- really tall mountains.  The drive to Golden was thru some amazing country and a bit scary at times.  We found ourselves near evening in a valley that still had snow on the roads and it got quite slippery. The truck & trailer infront of us almost jacknifed several times!
Snow run off in the Rockies

Snow run off in the Rockies

Snow and more Snow

Snow and more Snow

This was along Highway 160 somewhere in Southwestern Colorado.  The drive was beautiful and we made it to Golden, CO to see Paul’s sister around 9 pm.  A long day, covering 4 states, actually only two but we did set foot & car in the other two!

Four Corners, New Mexico – Saturday, March 28

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Driving from Grand Canyon to Four Corners there is not much to see, a few small towns and lots of desert.  We spent the night in a roadside motel that was very short on ammenities infact it was missing a switch plate in the bathroom where the ground plug was for the hair dryer!  Pretty exciting.  We also had to sneak the dog in because there were not many hotels along the way and we were pretty tired and needed to rest – makes us appreciate that we usually have our RV with our own bed, soft towels and plenty of room for the dog!

While Paul was gassing up the car along highway 160 in Arizona we noticed that we could buy breakfast from one of the locals selling breakfast burritos from the trunk of his impala – I passed.

You see some interesting things out here in America.  In the middle of nowhere, between Grand Canyon and Four Corners we see a pickup truck parked in a field with two guys sitting on the tailgate behind a card table full of small items and a sign “YARD SALE”.  There was no yard, just the table and a truck, no house anywhere in sight, nothing!

We arrived at the Four Corners monument,paid our $3 each (the dog was free!) and drove up to the site.  This monument is on Native American land and is very remote.

We are all in different states

We are all in different states

There were a few other people here also wanting to experience being in four states at the same time.  There were little kids putting one limb in each state – I bet those will be memorable photos to share someday.  A dad and son were playing football across the states while the mom was trying her best to operate the video camera.  What we do for memories.  There isn’t much here except for the monument and some local crafters and their goods.  We did have Fry Bread which is very much like a funnel cake.  It was very windy so we took our photo and returned to the highway.

Grand Canyon – Friday, March 27

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

We dropped Amy off in Burbank last night at her roommates home.   They were off to Las Vegas for the weekend and we were off to the Grand Canyon.  Our trips so far have been pretty uneventful except for a bit of severe weather; first in New Hampshire with snow and then when we entered CA on Saturday evening with a crazy wind & rain storm.  We finally had a little mishap with the car.  We stopped to fill up with gas west of Flagstaff before heading up to the Canyon and found that we had a really bald tire on the front of the car.  Knowing we were going where there were not going to be many facilities we decided we better do something – $300 later we have two brand new front tires, not a bad price considering we have these fancy 18″ low profile tires (Thanks Dennis!) and we were in Flagstaff, AZ.  After getting new tires we headed up the mountain and before we could get to the entrance the road is blocked by police, apparently there was some kind of Police Activity and the road was closed!  I am starting to think that we were not meant to see the Grand Canyon.  We tried to see it 25 years ago and when we got to the Rim it was snowing so hard you could not even see 5 feet.  Finally the police cleared the road – never did find out what the problem was, and we got to the park around 4 pm – not much time but it was worth it.  $25 later and we got some amazing photos and memories.

On the ledge

On the ledge

Paul loves heights!

Paul loves heights!

One of 3

One of 3

This Elk was so close that I was afraid he was going to walk right over me.  The most amazing part to me was that we had Duke and he didn’t even seem interested in the really big Elk!
Nature within steps of the path

Nature within steps of the path

Last of the daylight views

Last of the daylight views

 

Amazing colors

Amazing colors

 

Waiting for Sunset

Waiting for Sunset

Grand Canyon at Sunset

Grand Canyon at Sunset

The Grand Canyon is every bit as amazing as I imagined it and someday we may even get to spend enough time to hike into the canyon and see what the view from below looks like.

Santa Barbara – Wednesday, March 25

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Firestone Vineyards

Firestone Vineyards

Santa Barbara has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth and Amy has gotten to live here for the past 4 years.  Knowing this is Amy’s last year in this paradise we decided that we better do some of the things we have been talking about so we spent today first walking around campus and the surrounding beaches and then in the afternoon we took a drive out into the Santa Ynez Valley and did a little wine tasting.  The weather was perfect and spring has definitely sprung in California – oh, and the wine was pretty good also. 
We drove into town and had dinner at one of my favorite spots on the Wharf, Brophy Brothers.  Everytime we come to Santa Barbara this is where we end up for dinner.  The have some of the best seafood dishes and their fish & chips are excellent if you like a crispy crust.  Amy is feeling adventureous and ordered the cold appetizer plate which had both oysters and clams on the half-shell!  She ate them and said they were ok, but I would bet she doesn’t order them again!!!  I tried both also as I have never had oysters and I think the oysters are actually better and not near as fishy as the clams.
So ends another beautiful day in Santa Barbara and we have to leave tomorrow for the desert- I hope it is warm!

Saying good-bye – Tuesday, March 24

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

My parents live about an hour from Stephanie and I really needed to see my mom, so we left Fresno around 1 pm and spent the afternoon with my parents.  My mom is doing really well in her recovery and I was really happy to see her and see for myself that she is doing good.   We left in the evening for Santa Barbara and saying good-bye first to Stephanie and then my mom, dad, & brother made me really feel homesick way more than when I am in another state. 

We arrived in Santa Barbara and Amy was still working at Chili’s at 11:30pm.  She had one of those customers that just didn’t realize they were the only ones left in the place and the place was closed – sweeping under their feet didn’t even budge them!!!  Finally we were on our way to DP (that is what they call the street Amy lives on!)  It is the party street in Isla Vista only there were no parties cause it is spring break and everyone leaves town except for the few who are working or homeless (like Amy)!  I am not sure why any of these kids have to leave for spring break cause it seems like spring break everyday in Isla Vista to me – lots of co-eds, beer, sand, water, sun – isn’t that what spring break is about?

Fresno – Monday, March 23

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Sunday night Stephanie’s roommate Rebecca drove me, Stephanie, Allie, Duke and herself home to Fresno.  Paul returned to French Camp on Monday to do some triage computer work at Pan Pacific RV.

Monday morning Stephanie and I made a trip to Kaiser for my monthly blood test!  Just what we wanted to do when we only had 1 1/2 days together!  Anyway I got that out of the way and we made ourselves a tee time for a little relaxation.  She didn’t beat me this time!

and away it goes

and away it goes

After golf we went back to Stephanie’s apartment and I made dinner for everyone.  I don’t get to be the mom very often anymore so I have to take advantage whenever I can.  After dinner we played one of my favorite games, Ticket to Ride and of course I let Stephanie beat me!  Just another one of my mom moments.

Delivering the RV and more – Sunday, March 22

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

We realized while driving into CA yesterday that we were a little ahead of schedule – Stephanie was skiing and would not be back in Fresno until 8-9 pm on Sunday- so we pushed ourselves, driving most of the night and went all the way to Stockton to deliver the RV by 12 noon on Sunday.   It just so happened that Stephanie was coming right through Stockton at noon and her friends dropped her off for us!  So we delivered the RV, collected Steph and headed to San Jose to pick up Allie (the dog!) and surprise the Deckerts.  

After Annie was picked up off the FLOOR!

After Annie was picked up off the FLOOR!

 

Annie wanted to share with everyone her Sunday afternoon!!! 

Dear Denise-and-Paul Fans,
Just when I thought it was safe to lie on the couch and take a nap on a Sunday afternoon, who should come walking in my front door, but my long-lost hobo friends, Denise and Paul! Surprise! Tired of diner food, I guess. Missed my cooking. AND: they had to stop by to see if we have found “replacement friends” yet— since they ditched us and took off on this crazy RV Adventure!
 
They don't look like twins

They don't look like twins

 

Duke got reacquainted with his twin sister Gretchen. They seemed to  be a little perplexed by each other at first, but soon were pretty  happy to see each other.  After awhile they were mainly just a brown  fluffy BLUR running through the  house. 

deckertvisitpaul

Paul made himself right at home as usual.

 

A very happy boy!

A very happy boy!

 

Tired little guy……. “Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man….. oh  wait– I gotta take a nap before I ramble any more. All this travel  is wearing me out.” 

Stop by the Deckert Hotel, everyone. We’re in beautiful San Jose,  nestled at the foot of the Santa Cruz mountains. And watch out!  Just when you least expect it, you-know-who and you-know-who may show up at your door!  Surprise! 

annie 

Although it was a short trip to “home” it was so much fun to just sit and relax and watch all the noise and buzz around the Deckert House.  It reminded me of last summer when we lived with the Deckerts except Amy was not there – she was home in Santa Barbara working!  Annie you are an amazing cook – oh yea, and an amazing friend too!!!! 

Denise

Meteor Crater & Winslow- Saturday, March 21

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

This time through we stopped long enough to get to see the sites.  We spent the night at the same RV Park, Meteor Crater RV as  last time.   We went into the town of Winslow to find this “Corner” and some breakfast.  Paul drove through the town which is only about 2 blocks long and very rundown except for the area around the famous “Corner” looking for a cafe with a lot of Arizona license plates.  According to Paul you can tell  how good a place is by how many locals eat there!  I had the best breakfast scramble ever so I guess he is right, Damn!  The place is called the Triple R Home Cooking in case you ever get to Winslow Arizona.

Standin' on the Corner

Standin' on the Corner

The famous corner was fun.  The wall behind us is  a painted facade.  There are people in the windows that look more than life like.  Across the street from the corner there is of course a gift shop with lots of memorabilia from the Eagles as well as Route 66.  Winslow is along the famous Route 66, infact most of our trip runs right along the original route!

Next stop was the Meteor Crater.  Paul was really impressed and didn’t even complain too much about paying $26 to get us in.  I enjoyed the excursion but it really just looks like a big hole in the ground to me!  If you ever get here be sure to wear hiking boots or tennis shoes cause I wore my walking sandals and couldn’t go on the 1/2 mile hike around the crater with the tour guide.  Paul went without me and said you could see just as much from the platforms at the visitors center but he liked hearing about the geology and history behind the crater – I can read as much as I need in the brochure!

Pauls view

Pauls view

 

meteor1

On the edge!

We left the Crater and hooked the car back up to the RV and headed for California!  Coming into California is a great experience when you are traveling from outside the state in an RV.  The nice man at the border had to come inside the RV and check out our Apples & Banana’s that were bought in Missiouri!  After he saw the label from Washington on the apple he was happy.  The apple had just as many miles on it as we do at this point!!!!  We were happily in California by 6 pm and I was getting even more anxious to get to Fresno to see Stephanie.  Tomorrow is the day, yeah!