Days in Virginia

Sorry we haven't posted but didn't have strong signal.  Anyway we arrived at Bob's (my cousin) who lives out in the country near Appomatix.  We did ok on roads but we did come on a single lane bridge that made a quick 90 Deg. turn on roadway.  John managed to get us across but it was really TIGHT.  Mattie loved playing with their dogs and did Ok with their declawed cats that just wander around the house.
 We went in to Liberty College and had a great buffet lunch with Julie-Ann our employee's daughter that just started school there.  Nice to visit with her and see some of the campus.  We went to Bed, Bath & Beyond and I got a set of tephlon pans that work on my induction stove.  Bob had that set so I knew it would work.  We have gone to some local orchards and got apples and peaches but as usual not as good as we would like.  We did go to a little place for lunch where the food was good but they specialize in pies.  We tried a brown sugar pie which never had before and it was very good but we took home a pecan which was just out of this world.  The 94 year old mother was there and she recited Matthew 28 for us and than her daughters who work at pie shop sang a gospel song.  We had some rain  during the evening.  Sunday was a foggy morning and made for some nice pictures.  We went to church but missed service since there are different times every other Sunday.  We took a ride later in the 4wheel drive Kabota RTV to property near them where they are clear cutting the land.  Quite interesting.  JVP

Good By Red Bay

Monday,  we got up early and John headed to Bay 8 to get the awning repaired.  I went across the street and got my nails done and we were ready to roll.  They didn't have the right part so it is being shipped to the shop and John will put it in.  We stopped in Chattanooga, Tenn. and decided to spent another day, since we lost another hour today.  We are now 3 hours ahead of Calif time.  We slept in on Tuesday although we aren't caught up on the right time yet.  We drove up to Look Out Mountain which it the tallest mountain around and half in Georgia and half in Tennessee. Our first visit was to Ruby Falls.  We went down an elevator 260 ft down and saw the formations in the cave-we have seen most forms before but at the end it gets very cool and you can hear water and it is dark.  Ruby Falls is 145 ft. (a very long way up where it starts) and they have a light show on it.  It is just spectacular.  Our next stop was Rock City.  It is on Look Out Mountain also, 1700 ft. above sea level.  It is a garden with lots of plants, trees and flowers nestled into huge rock boulders.  You have to walk through or a should say squeeze through some of them (like eye of needle).  You can see 7 states from up there-it was hazy today but still a beautiful view on top of a huge rock that has a waterfall dropping down.  They have a lot of gnomes there in the rocks and also a nursery scene with statues hand carved in Germany.  John wasn't sure he wanted to go but he enjoyed it.  We both walked, climbed steps, and were so tired when we got back to motor home.
 

Our week of work at Red Bay

We are slowly getting work done. Tile is all in place and doing good.  John has hooked up solenoid to engine so that is fixed.  They worked on adjusting slides as they were miss aligned.  We are working on getting the rear awning fixed.  Spent most of Friday in 2 different bays, changed the motor out but did the same thing and wouldn't work after one time.  So it was quitting time-we had hoped to be out of here but now have to wait until Monday.  Visited with our Ohio neighbors, and New Zealand couple.  We all went to Rattlesnake Saloon on Friday night.  It is quite aways away from here out in middle of nowhere.  We passed the Coon Dog Cemetery where coon dogs only are buried.  Got to Saloon and took a ride in back of truck with crude wooden benches in the back down a steep, dirt road to the bottom.  It is a huge cliff that you sit under, we had beer and burgers, appetizers of snake eyes and tails-(fried green beans and jalapenos). dill pickles, mozzarella sticks and mushrooms.  Than they had karaoke night and most of singers sang country songs.  Our Ohio neighbor Becky is in to music and she sang.  It rained for a short time while we were there.  Bud & Betty had been evacuated from camp ground in Colorado and as soon as they could moved closer to their daughter and than got out of area.  Scary! The weather has cooled off here-in the 80"s in the day and 60's at night and we have spent alot of time sitting outside with Mattie and walking her around here.  John has spent the rest of the day since workers all quit at 4 working on figuring out what is wrong with awning and now knows it needs a computer board.  They should have one when we go into our bay at 7 on Monday.  We have enjoyed sleeping in and having it quiet over the weekend but on Monday the dance begins of motorhomes moving to 49 bays.

Back in Monday Schedel

We moved over beside another service building.  Plugged into electricity but have to use our tanks for water and sewer.  Got the couch tiles done but can't move the slides in for a day so we are here for today and tomorrow.  Got the refrigerator tile fixed and than on Tues he worked on fixing the tile that broke when we finally got engine compartment open.  John put the new solenoid in and should fixed on that spot now.  Pulled the front slide in this morning and tile broke again.  Checked the slide and whats underneath and than put in another tile.  Tues afternoon we had a good rain storm.  Took this out the drivers window.  The air conditioning pump didn't fit so have to order one.  John went over to factory and looked at some things we wanted to check out.
    Went to Jacks fast food place and had fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans with a biscuit.  Very good.  Took showers, watched TV and I knitted some.  Went to bed early since the day starts at 6AM here.

Day Off in Red Bay

 The moment of realization

 Helen Keller's Childhood home

 The front Gate

The Dam on the Tennessee River

Here it is Sat and nobody works.  It was a quiet, lazy morning for us. We decided to take a ride and see some bigger cities and the area around us.  We drove through Natchez Parkway which was beautiful ride reminded me of Blue Ridge Parkway.  We went to Tescumbia, Al and Ivy Glen where Helen Keller was born.  It was a great view of her life, where she grew up and there was a HUGE white oak and magnolia tree in the front yard.  We had lunch at Logan's BBQ(like a Famous Daves).  Than we drove across  the Wilson Dam and saw the lock.  It is the highest single lock ever built (100ft) and still one of the largest lift locks ever built and still is working.  The Tennessee River was beautiful.  Found a Walmart and got a few supplys.  Mattie was glad to see us and  have her dinner.  We spent the evening outside with people from Ohio with a Phaeton motorhome and one from Australia with a Breeze.  Interesting to hear about their laws and restrictions on how wide it can be, the electrical power and such but can't imagine spending all that money to ship it over, drive here and than go back with it and camp on an island.

another day at the factory

   Friday Sept 6th.  Here we are in Red Bay, Alabama.  We moved over to the campground on Wed. from dry camping for one night.  There are 100 spaces here with lots of Phaetons, Allegro Buses, Zephers and a few other models here on waiting from all over the country to have work done.  There are 45 bays where work is done and every morning this place comes alive at 6:45.  There are motorhomes moving to the bays, trucks and vans coming out to work on things, cars going places and looks like a busy ant hill.
   Today we took a tour of the factory and watched how these motorhomes are put together.  We went to lunch at Subway afterwards and there was Mr. Bob Tiffin, head of company, waiting in line for his sandwich. We  have gone out to eat dinner twice now, once we had ribeye steaks and next evening we had catfish, hush puppies and slaw.  We are about catfished out now and so tonight we plan on grilling here, in the (campground).  This is a waiting game here and looks like we will have an express bay when our time comes as we don't have alot to do.  Quitting time is around 4 and then the dance begins again for everybody to get back to their campspots.  We will have the weekend to explore the area and hope on Monday to get started with some work. That is all for now. JVP

Spokane, Washington

 Rivierfront Park, Spokane, Wa.

 Childhood Home on Sharp & A st.

 Doyles Ice Cream soda Fountian

 Spokane River Falls

Spokane Court House

We have spent the last few days in Spokane.  We drove out to the farming community of Elk, Wa.( an unincorporated town), first to see the farm house where John and Cheryl spent some time during the summers when they were kids.  Much has changed around there and the farm house is in really poor shape.  We had dinner downtown at the Olive Garden and walked through the park.  The carosel was closed and also the ride across the falls.  We saw this big Radio Flyer Wagon and kids had fun climbing all over it.  Drove through their old neighborhood-saw Home school, house which someone added another house on the lot and changed the looks of the house completely.  Memorys are best!  We drove by the Courthouse and the brick buildings downtown which were beautiful.  Left and spent night in Hood River with Denny and Mary.  We BBQ'd dinner and than had a small fire and dessert at their camp spot.  It was a short visit but we are headed home and have a few more people to see along the way. JVP

Canada Trip

 Blue Lake Campground

 Bob and Laurel

 Sullivan Mine Tour

Buck resting in the shade.

July 18th.  On Wed we drove to Kimberly, Canada with Bob & Laurel.  We had a beautiful drive and no problems with border crossing.  We drove straight to the mine to find out when the next train ride was and since we just missed it we had lunch in a Mexican Resturant in Canada.  Go figure.  John didn't care for it but I thought it was different than usual and Ok.  Got back to get on the train and take a 2 hour tour of the largest silver and lead mine in the country that lasted for 100 years.  The ride was bumpy and cool once we got in the mine.  They really showed you how they used the tools, dynimite, trains and the compressor house to do the mining.  We saw this big buck laying beside the pump house staying cool.  Drove back home and had leftovers at Lauels.  Took Cheryl for a ride around the property-things are slowly changing and next time we come there should be a big pond for watering, probably some hair sheep (they don't have wool and better to eat).  Friday we went to see Harry & Marge's house (friends of Bob & Laurel and we helped pack last year in Washington to move back here) we had Pizza (different than back home) and played a game of hand & foot.  Mattie got to go and had fun playing with their Zoe, a silky terrier.  Friday we had breakfast with them at the Casino overlooking the Kootney River.  Packed up and left for Spokane.  We are looking forward to a quiet campground with no TRAINS.  Don't know if we will stay here again as it has gotten so noisy. JVP

Idaho

   July 15th  Arrived at Blue Lake Campground here in Naples, Idaho.  Bob & Laurel came over later in the afternoon.  We went to Mexican food for dinner in Sandpoint, about 20 miles down the road & it was very good.  Monday, John went with Bob & Gary to the planning department as they are going to get water from the creek, store it in a huge pond and use it for irrigation for a big garden and make a pasture for some sheep.  Us girls went to lunch and shopping in town.  Later that evening we had BBQ'd ribs, corn and those of you that know Laurel fixed all kinds of extras.  Gary & Rena (their son), Jeremiah (grandson & family), Kenny (son), Crystal (daughter)  good friends that we helped move last year from Tacoma area to here all came for dinner. Mattie hasn't found anybody to play with yet.  There are more trains coming by the campground this year so trying to get use to that while trying to sleep. Weather is great in the 80"s and not so cold in the evening. JVP

Last Day in Yellowstone Park

 Old Faithful

                                        

Sat  July 13th We left this morning and drove to Jellystone Park here in Missoula, Montana.  We were lucky to find a campground today as something is going on around here.  We had a beautiful drive along a huge lake and canyon.  Yesterday we packed a lunch and drove around more in the West end of the park.  Didn't see too many animals today but we are in the end of the park where there are beautiful pools of hot water, geysers and we made it just in time to see Old Faithful go off without waiting for an hour.  Weather was a little windy but the coolness was enjoyed by us.  Zilphia fixed us all stroganoff dinner and I fixed us a vegetable.  We played a game of golf until dark. JVP

Yellowstone

                                             Lower Falls

                                             Grazing Buffalo (Bison)

                                              Dragon's Mouth

July 10  We arrived here in West Yellowstone at Grizzly Bear RV Park.  It is a huge park with over 400 spaces and each spot has grass, picnic table and space between spots.  Jim & Zilphia arrived late after driving 400 miles from their son's home.  Julie did good with her surgery and is home now.  I had dinner ready for the Gibson's when they arrived.  They also found that a spring hanger on the trailer was broken and so he found a place here to get it welded.  We shopped around town a little and had lunch since we are waiting for trailer to be done.  In the evening we went to the local playhouse and saw Fiddler on the roof.  It was a great play and the young actor's did a great job.  Tonight they do another play and the next night a different one again.  I can't imagine learning all those lines for 3 different plays.  Today we drove around the National park on one of the loops and were gone most of the day.  We saw a lot of Buffalo, elk and a deer.  Had a late lunch in the lodge.  We did quite a bit of walking today and steps so tired tonight.  Got home and it is showering so guess we will eat inside tonight. Tomorrow we go exploring again. JVP

MOVING ON

                                              God Sky

                                            

JULY 9th  We spent the morning at the Gibson's place in Emmett, Idaho.  Mark & Julie left for the hospital early as it was surgery time.  We had a beautiful morning and the sky was just beautiful-like Julie said a God Sky.  We slowly got ready to go and hope Jim & Zilpha can join us soon.  We got to Craters of the Moon by late afternoon. Went to the visitor center first so we knew what to see.  It is a vast area with Lava all over.  It was surprising to see trees and little flowers growing in all that lava.We unhooked the car and took Mattie with us and drove the 7 mile loop around the park.  There are so many different kinds of lava and the colors are pretty inside the lava.  Some of it is so fragile and others real hard.  The wind was really blowing hard to walk around and traveling to our next place.  Arrived late in Idaho Falls.  John was here when he was in the Navy.  The weather is cooling off as we go so that is good.  We are learning our places with Cheryl in the motor home and are getting comfortable. Here are some pictures of the Lava flow.  The total area is 750,000 acre National Park.  JVP