Monday, November 09, 2009
We made it to California!
Nov 6-9... It’s Friday afternoon and we’re on the Freeway again headed toward Carlsbad, Ca which is on the coast about 30 miles north of San Diego. It’s about a 60 mile drive and we’re visiting Dixie’s Aunt Marge and Don. The plan is to overnight and then drive to the small town of Julian on Saturday. Friday evening we took a long walk along the beach and then had dinner in the condo.
After a wonderful brunch at the condo Saturday morning, we drove the 65 miles to Julian. It’s an old mining town that is at 4,500 feet, and is now home to many shops and restaurants where pies are the specialty.
After a bit of sightseeing, we drove 4 miles out of town to the California Wolf Center where Aunt Marge’s niece works as a volunteer. This is a requirement of her studies at the University of California at San Diego. Quoting from their brochure, “The California Wolf Center is a non-profit wildlife education center committed to increasing public awareness and understanding of the importance of all wildlife by focusing on the history, biology, behavior, and ecology of the gray wolf. This is accomplished by offering educational presentations, participating in conservation programs, and hosting and funding research on both captive and free-ranging wolves. Founded in 1977, the Center is located in the mountains, 50 miles east of San Diego, near the town of Julian, California.” After a short presentation, we were then taken to the area where we could view them, an enclosed area of 1.5 acres. They are fed only twice a week in order to closely simulate life in the wild. Today, frozen whole chickens had been placed around the perimeter. This was done so that we could easily view them. Although most are quite shy, some of them did come up to the fence for their meal. Dixie was able to get some photos that will be posted. There is more information about this effort at www.californiawolfcenter.org.
The drive back, in the dark, on a very busy freeway, was an adventure to say the least, but we made it safe and sound. Dixie’s brother, Danny and daughter, came over Saturday evening for a visit. They were overnighting at a local hotel and going to Lego Land on Sunday.
Today, Monday, we utilized the brand new fitness center at the RV park. We plan to drive to Corona this afternoon to visit Mike’s Sister and family.
Nov 5 ... It’s Thursday morning which means we’re back on the road again (Willie Nelson?). We leave the park at 0730 (I’m sure our neighbors complained when I started up the diesel) and get on the road. But only to the Flying J in St. George for a fuel stop. After navigating the truck fuel island because there was no RV island at this one, we were, once again, headed for our next destination of Menifee, CA, which is near Sun City and Temecula, CA. The weather was sunny and cool in the morning. After lunch in Baker, CA (home to the worlds largest thermometer) we ran the generator in order to run the on board air conditioner. Once in California, as usual, the freeway traffic was, as always, awful. I have no idea how some people can drive in this day in and day out. We got to the RV park around 4:00 p.m. (one hour earlier in Calif) and found a nice site next to the water canal that runs throughout the park. There’s only a couple of problems; there’s a dairy farm close by that is odorous and there are lots of flies around the campsite to contend with. Oh well, at least there is a fitness center on site and wifi in the adult center, and, the weather is nice and our satellite TV works . If only those ducks keep quiet in the morning.
After a wonderful brunch at the condo Saturday morning, we drove the 65 miles to Julian. It’s an old mining town that is at 4,500 feet, and is now home to many shops and restaurants where pies are the specialty.
After a bit of sightseeing, we drove 4 miles out of town to the California Wolf Center where Aunt Marge’s niece works as a volunteer. This is a requirement of her studies at the University of California at San Diego. Quoting from their brochure, “The California Wolf Center is a non-profit wildlife education center committed to increasing public awareness and understanding of the importance of all wildlife by focusing on the history, biology, behavior, and ecology of the gray wolf. This is accomplished by offering educational presentations, participating in conservation programs, and hosting and funding research on both captive and free-ranging wolves. Founded in 1977, the Center is located in the mountains, 50 miles east of San Diego, near the town of Julian, California.” After a short presentation, we were then taken to the area where we could view them, an enclosed area of 1.5 acres. They are fed only twice a week in order to closely simulate life in the wild. Today, frozen whole chickens had been placed around the perimeter. This was done so that we could easily view them. Although most are quite shy, some of them did come up to the fence for their meal. Dixie was able to get some photos that will be posted. There is more information about this effort at www.californiawolfcenter.org.
The drive back, in the dark, on a very busy freeway, was an adventure to say the least, but we made it safe and sound. Dixie’s brother, Danny and daughter, came over Saturday evening for a visit. They were overnighting at a local hotel and going to Lego Land on Sunday.
Today, Monday, we utilized the brand new fitness center at the RV park. We plan to drive to Corona this afternoon to visit Mike’s Sister and family.
Nov 5 ... It’s Thursday morning which means we’re back on the road again (Willie Nelson?). We leave the park at 0730 (I’m sure our neighbors complained when I started up the diesel) and get on the road. But only to the Flying J in St. George for a fuel stop. After navigating the truck fuel island because there was no RV island at this one, we were, once again, headed for our next destination of Menifee, CA, which is near Sun City and Temecula, CA. The weather was sunny and cool in the morning. After lunch in Baker, CA (home to the worlds largest thermometer) we ran the generator in order to run the on board air conditioner. Once in California, as usual, the freeway traffic was, as always, awful. I have no idea how some people can drive in this day in and day out. We got to the RV park around 4:00 p.m. (one hour earlier in Calif) and found a nice site next to the water canal that runs throughout the park. There’s only a couple of problems; there’s a dairy farm close by that is odorous and there are lots of flies around the campsite to contend with. Oh well, at least there is a fitness center on site and wifi in the adult center, and, the weather is nice and our satellite TV works . If only those ducks keep quiet in the morning.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Heading South! Nov 2009
Nov 4 ... Since we were a late arrival yesterday, (they close the gate at 4:00 p.m.) we had a 9:00 a.m. check-in with the park office manager. Did I mention that it’s supposed to be 81 degrees and sunny today? After that, we spent some time in the park book store and walking around the park. After lunch we hiked to the Quail Creek Reservoir, a lake about one mile from the park. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Later this afternoon, we met our neighbors from Washington state and another couple, and had a good time visiting.
Nov 3 ... Today’s start, after spending the night in a small mobile home/RV park in Pocatello, was a cold one with a temperature of around 28 degrees. Luckily, the water hose did not freeze, however, it was all Mike could do to get the 50amp power cord bent enough to get it in a cargo bin. The morning drive went well and after stopping for lunch at Springville, UT which is just south of Salt Lake City. Boy was the traffic a mess through Salt Lake! It is getting to be in the league of a Las Vegas. Four hundred and fifty miles later, we arrived at our park in Hurricane, UT just north of St. George, at about 4:15 p.m. After dinner and a bit of tv, it was early to bed. Thank goodness tomorrow is an off day of driving.
Nov 2 ... Our start today was not exactly the way we had planned it. We got up early on a cold Monday morning in order to get an early start on our trek to California. We had brought the motorhome up to the condo on Sunday and spent about six hours loading it up with all we needed for the trip. Mike decided that we should stop at the Flying J truck stop in Great Falls in order to check the air pressure in the tires. While trying to get air in one of the dual tires, a piece of the valve stem of the Crossfire system broke off. When that happened, he could no longer get air to go into the tire or check the tire pressure. We called Dixie’s brother, Doug who has had extensive experience with this sort of thing and he drove the short distance to the Flying J to take a look. After we determined that the dual tires were inflated sufficiently, we decided it was ok to continue our trip. (The Crossfire company is sending us, no charge, two replacement valve stems.) Fortunately, the rest of the day, although long, went without incident. While in Butte, MT, we stopped for about a half an hour while Dixie visited her cousin Shelly’s beauty shop for a much needed hair trim. We stopped for lunch a bit later down the road and then for fuel in Blackfoot, ID. 415 miles later, overnight was at a small park in Pocatello, ID. We got there about 5:45 p.m. and, although dark now that we’re back to standard time, finally got setup about 6:15. Tomorrow promises to be another long day where we hope to travel 450 miles to St. George, UT where we’ll spend a couple of days before continuing the trip.
Nov 3 ... Today’s start, after spending the night in a small mobile home/RV park in Pocatello, was a cold one with a temperature of around 28 degrees. Luckily, the water hose did not freeze, however, it was all Mike could do to get the 50amp power cord bent enough to get it in a cargo bin. The morning drive went well and after stopping for lunch at Springville, UT which is just south of Salt Lake City. Boy was the traffic a mess through Salt Lake! It is getting to be in the league of a Las Vegas. Four hundred and fifty miles later, we arrived at our park in Hurricane, UT just north of St. George, at about 4:15 p.m. After dinner and a bit of tv, it was early to bed. Thank goodness tomorrow is an off day of driving.
Nov 2 ... Our start today was not exactly the way we had planned it. We got up early on a cold Monday morning in order to get an early start on our trek to California. We had brought the motorhome up to the condo on Sunday and spent about six hours loading it up with all we needed for the trip. Mike decided that we should stop at the Flying J truck stop in Great Falls in order to check the air pressure in the tires. While trying to get air in one of the dual tires, a piece of the valve stem of the Crossfire system broke off. When that happened, he could no longer get air to go into the tire or check the tire pressure. We called Dixie’s brother, Doug who has had extensive experience with this sort of thing and he drove the short distance to the Flying J to take a look. After we determined that the dual tires were inflated sufficiently, we decided it was ok to continue our trip. (The Crossfire company is sending us, no charge, two replacement valve stems.) Fortunately, the rest of the day, although long, went without incident. While in Butte, MT, we stopped for about a half an hour while Dixie visited her cousin Shelly’s beauty shop for a much needed hair trim. We stopped for lunch a bit later down the road and then for fuel in Blackfoot, ID. 415 miles later, overnight was at a small park in Pocatello, ID. We got there about 5:45 p.m. and, although dark now that we’re back to standard time, finally got setup about 6:15. Tomorrow promises to be another long day where we hope to travel 450 miles to St. George, UT where we’ll spend a couple of days before continuing the trip.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Fall Update
Oct 22 ... It’s hard to believe that we are finally planning to depart in the motorhome to southern California and points in between. The weather is for sure changing toward the cooler end of the thermometer. Earlier this month we had temps in the single digits and for three days it did not get above the freezing mark. It’s time to head south! This Texas boy needs a break from the cold and snow of North Central Montana. We hope to leave around the 1st of November if all goes well.
Yesterday, Dixie had nerve and muscle tests done to determine why she is having pain and numbness in her fingers and parts of her legs. The tests were normal so next Monday she will have an MRI on her neck to see if that is causing the problem.
This weekend we plan to drive the 180 miles to the “farm” where Dixie’s sister, husband and children live. On the way, we’ll stop in at the small town of Rudyard to watch a basketball game of one Dixie’s nephews.
Sep 18th – We flew to Houston from Great Falls using Delta Connection to Denver and then boarded our former employer Continental Airlines to Houston. The purpose of the trip was twofold. We got to visit Mike’s brother Roger and wife Karen as well as two nephews and their children, of which one we had not met since her birth a year ago. We had a fun time and got to visit their home on the San Bernard River they were in the process of purchasing.
The other part of the visit was so that Mike could have more follow-up test done at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with regards to the tumor surgery he had in 2003. The tests were done on Monday and he and Dixie met with his Oncologist on Wednesday. We were thrilled that the tests were all negative and he doesn’t have to return again. The Dr. did recommend he follow-up with an Oncologist in Great Falls in two to three years.
On the way home: As most of you know, being former airline employees, we can still travel at a reduced rate but it’s stand-by only. Well, we were not able to board a flight to Denver until the last flight of the day. This meant that we had to stay overnight in Denver and travel the next morning to Great Falls. Fortunately, the hotel Dixie booked online was a very nice new Holiday Inn.
Yesterday, Dixie had nerve and muscle tests done to determine why she is having pain and numbness in her fingers and parts of her legs. The tests were normal so next Monday she will have an MRI on her neck to see if that is causing the problem.
This weekend we plan to drive the 180 miles to the “farm” where Dixie’s sister, husband and children live. On the way, we’ll stop in at the small town of Rudyard to watch a basketball game of one Dixie’s nephews.
Sep 18th – We flew to Houston from Great Falls using Delta Connection to Denver and then boarded our former employer Continental Airlines to Houston. The purpose of the trip was twofold. We got to visit Mike’s brother Roger and wife Karen as well as two nephews and their children, of which one we had not met since her birth a year ago. We had a fun time and got to visit their home on the San Bernard River they were in the process of purchasing.
The other part of the visit was so that Mike could have more follow-up test done at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with regards to the tumor surgery he had in 2003. The tests were done on Monday and he and Dixie met with his Oncologist on Wednesday. We were thrilled that the tests were all negative and he doesn’t have to return again. The Dr. did recommend he follow-up with an Oncologist in Great Falls in two to three years.
On the way home: As most of you know, being former airline employees, we can still travel at a reduced rate but it’s stand-by only. Well, we were not able to board a flight to Denver until the last flight of the day. This meant that we had to stay overnight in Denver and travel the next morning to Great Falls. Fortunately, the hotel Dixie booked online was a very nice new Holiday Inn.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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