This week is a week of personal celebration as 10 years ago this week I spent a week in San Francisco in the Cardiac Recovery Floor after my surgery.  10 years have gone by really fast and I find it amazing that all the things I promised myself have gotten lost in the puzzle of life.  Some of my promises have come true such as I am living life my way; I helped both my daughters realize some of their dreams and I’m still married!  Some of my promises I am going to have to keep working on but that is life!

Another big one is this week we have been traveling in our RV for 6 months and I have to say it is mostly what I thought it would be.  I am realizing that it is going to take a really long time to get to see and do everything – no wonder we couldn’t get it done when we were working “Normal” jobs!  The only thing I really miss is my kids and friends – the house and all the stuff was pretty cool but it was still just stuff and I still have the memories.

This week Amy returned to the USA!  We haven’t seen her but will in a couple of weeks but now we can have daily chats on the phone and she is doing great, had a great time and made some amazing memories herself.

And, Today Stephanie is moving into her new apartment and she got it on her own without mom & dad, Yeah for her!

So here is to  a great weekend and I hope everyone goes out and makes it a memorable one.

Where is my ball?

I'm getting it!

Fine, we can rest!

Amy, this ones for you!

We have finally found cooler weather and lovin’ it!  We spent Wednesday night just below Richardson Grove SP in Standish Hickey SP   and the campground was empty except for a few tenters.  As we pulled thru the campground I heard children exclaim “WHOA, what’s that!”  Yep, we were definitely over sized for the park but we found a really nice spot in the Redwoods.

The redwoods are beautiful and driving was pretty easy from the passenger seat. 

Being swallowed by Redwoods!

Others haven't been so lucky!

This is the view Paul had from the drivers seat on this little road in Richardson Grove SP!  We were lucky and made it back onto the freeway until we were north of Eureka and then we had to get off the highway again to get up close to the redwoods.  We took a 7 mile sideroad that was meant for the cute little red convertible near Praire Creek SP and right away saw a beautiful herd of Elk – no pictures cause we were blocking the road and needed to move on!

Redwoods

We stopped for the night near Klamath at a really small RV park right on the river- I can see the river from my window!  It is very quiet here except for the whoosh of the occasional semi running down 101.

Our friends have left for San Diego and Paul and I have been roaming around a big house for 24 hours!  I am starting to remember why I like my little home on wheels – not so much cleaning and more time to do the things that are more important.  I was hoping for a quick trip back to the bay area before we venture off to Oregon but timing was not there so we are leaving for Oregon this afternoon to spend some time with great friends and hopefully cool weather!

I got this email this morning which sort of describes why Paul and I are doing this “THING”.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!   

It has been really hot here and we have been pretty lazy about getting out and exploring however today I finally got motivated and forced Paul to go out for a couple of hours.  We didn’t leave until 5:30 pm but it was still over 100 degrees.

We are staying right in Coloma, across the river from the historic town.  We were planning to go towards Georgetown which is only a few miles up 49 from Coloma, but Paul decides we are going to take the scenic route.  It was not very scenic because it was right up the mountian above Luanne’s house which quickly turns to a dirt road that isn’t traveled very much because the rutts were pretty deep.  I keep telling him we need a 4-wheel drive, not this cute little car with fancy wheels & tires!  Anyway we finally made it over the hill and found Georgetown.  What a cute little town complete with RV parking right in the middle of the main street, a B & B, Bar, Mexican restaurant & gas station.  Actually there were a couple of restaurants but it was still 95 degrees outside and we brought Duke = too hot to leave him, and none of the  places had outdoor seating- I wonder why?

Anyway we drove up the road a ways and came across a very local type restaurant, bar & campground.

They make a great Tri-tip cilantro taco and the Pabst Blue Ribbon was ice cold.  Dinner for two and water for the dog – $20.00 including tip!

We drove on another road back to Coloma and the canyon to the American River was beautiful.  When we arrived home around dusk we had an evening visitor enjoying the apples that had fallen on the ground.

Big Boys Toys!

Paul is in heaven here in Coloma.  Luanne has put him to work doing all the projects that he loves to do.  So far he has rewired the garage, set up more cable tv and phones and his favorite by far – using the Dewalt SawZall to remove the rafter boards!  What a mess and of course he does no clean up.

Is the teacher nervous?

Paul did give up the saw for a minute and gave Daniel some lessons about using Power Tools.  He did relax and actually let Daniel take a shot at running the saw.

Daniel goes Solo

We do take some breaks for home improvement jobs to go out and have some fun.  Today, Luanne, Daniel and I took a float down the river.  A few rapids but mostly just floating.  I did have a little mishap with the rocks and my bum.  Paul picked us up at the pick up area and brought Duke for a quick swim.  He came right into the cold water and swam with me for a minute!  We drove back home and into the air conditioning until evening!

We are camping in Coloma CA at our friends Luanne & Walt Finns’ home right above the American River.  So far this has been one of the nicest places we have stayed!  And it is Free!  Paul has been helping them with some home improvements and Luanne cooks us fabulous meals – a great deal for all!

This past weekend we were in San Jose for our neighbors 50th birthday bash.  While in town we made it to Karaoke at the American Legion Hall with Gary Carnes.  We had a great time visiting old friends and Paul even did a couple of songs.  I don’t think he will be making a career of it but he does enjoy giving it a try – me, never!  I don’t care how much I have had to drink.  Speaking of, they make a mean Cosmopolitian and cheap. 

Sunday I got to spend some time with Stephanie and we did some shopping.  Shopping isn’t my favorite thing these days but I enjoyed helping her find a couple of outfits for her upcoming trip to Reno to celebrate her 21st birthday!  I can’t believe my baby is that old.  Amy is still in Europe and we have gotten a couple of calls & emails.  She is having a wonderful time.

The weekend was rounded out with another artery clogging meal!  I made my seafood fettuccini in the Deckert’s kitchen.  The weekend was great and we are back in our home here in Coloma until next week when we head for Oregon.

We are enjoying some really hot weather – NOT!  We arrived at Lake Oroville on Thursday evening and I think it was still over 90 degrees.  Friday was really hot but Saturday we had a small breeze and it really cooled things off.  I was actually able to sleep Saturday night.  Friday night Paul got up in the middle of the night and started the air conditioner without even closing the windows!  We just needed some cool air.  Anyway, enough complaining about the weather.

Lake Oroville SRA  is a pretty nice lake.  We came here with no boat and getting to the water without is almost impossible.  We are here with our friends, Barb & Brian and their daughter Katie.  Stephanie arrived on Friday night.  We did get down to the lake by walking down a steep enbankment on Friday.  The water was so refreshing but there really was not anywhere to sit or bring anything so we only swam for awhile before heading back to the campsite. 

Saturday we found there is a small lake with swimming access and picnicing in Oroville so we loaded up the cars and headed there to spend the day.  As it was the 4th there were a gazillion people there all with the same idea!  We enjoyed some swimming and relaxing in the shade and headed back to camp. 

The girls left on Sunday evening and Monday, Barb, Brian & I enjoyed the day on the houseboat of a coworker of Brians.  It was beautiful and we got to see a lot of the lake and of course more swimming!  I was in heaven.  Boating has always been one of my favorite things to do and since Paul doesn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much he was happy to stay at camp and take care of Duke.

Barb and Brian had to leave today and get back to “real life”.   Paul and I spent the afternoon catching up on email etc.  This evening we went on a nice short walk that was only suppose to be a mile.  We are not sure how far we walked cause the trail finally ended at the edge of the lake with no marker of where we were!  The only way forward was to go back where we came from!!!  I figure we walked about 3 miles of a very wooded path to nowhere.

Tomorrow we leave to return to the Sacramento area for Paul to do some business- Yeah!