A get away to the Coast

We decided that we were bored and needed some R&R. So last Tuesday, a week ago now, we left Glendora and headed up the coast. We ended up in Buelton. The little Dutch community on 101 before you get to Santa Maria. The campground has been completely made over. This is now a first class 4 star campground. More expensive too. 

We have friends, John & Beth,  that were staying out at Vandenburg Air Force Base,in their fifth wheel trailer. They are retirees and have all those privileges, and are able to camp on the base. They moved to Florida a few years ago and are out here helping his mom and dad, they are in a nursing home. They have been in their trailer for a year, and will be working their way back home this summer. 

Anyway they took us on a tour of the base. (Vandenburg) A lot of prime real estate, You need a lot of room to shoot off rockets.  I guess during the war it was a busy place. 

Thursday, we had a late breakfast at Patti's Pancake House in town. Big pancakes. Toured the city and went to a museum, and checked out the local Dutch Church. John knew of a Falls out in the country. Not very much water going over the falls but was a pretty walk and beautiful anyway. 

The campground got very busy  on Friday and we left and went to Santa Maria to Costco to do a service call for the shop. It was easy, I have not lost my touch. On our way back to the campground we did some wineing and stopped by the Indian Casino for a look see. I was not that impressed. We got up on Saturday and left for home. The traffic was a nightmare when we got to interstate 5. Everyone leaving town. 

We went out for Mexican cuisine, at our favorite restaurant for dinner on Sunday and spent a quite Monday at home, having my brother Bud and Betty over for dinner. Here are few pictures of the weekend, and some Fantasy Tour guides that were on their way to Alaska for the summer. JVP

Our April camp out was at Emerald Desert resort in Palm Springs.  We left home and it was hot already but that didn't last more than a day.  Thursday found it windy and cooled off but every day after was still windy and cooler.  When we went into town it was nice behind the mountain which was protected from the wind.  We went to the Follies to watch the ladies sing and dance.  They all look wonderful with slim figures, great legs, good voices=I wish I could look that good when I get to be 70.  The oldest was in her 80's and sang great.  While we were there my temporary crown came off.  Made a trip to drug store and got some cement which lasted about an hour when I swallowed  the temporary with my salad.  No more eating now. Made another trip to drug store and found  something that is like a cap.  It didn't last long and it was out too.  We put it on again and I slept on it and it adhered good so I was able to keep it on for 3 more days until we got home and  the permanent was installed.  What a hassle and an experience.  John isn't sure he wants to take me camping any more as this is twice now he's had a problem with health issues for me.  Of course he wasn't doing so well himself.  Before we left his blood pressure got really low and he felt light headed.  Went to Dr. and gave him an IV as he was dehydrated. So he drank a lot of water while we were there and purchased a BP machine to watch his blood pressure which was fine after that.  Dr has since taken one of his pills away and cut another in half and he's feeling much better.  This month was our grandson Cody's 16th birthday and we had a great party at his parents house.  I finished up my bowling league but since we are going to be home for awhile I started the summer league.  We ended up in the middle of 10 teams so did Ok.  Everybody was home for Easter this year so I had dinner.  The kids had a great Easter egg hunt and the other day I found the last egg hidden in the planter now for 2 weeks.  Good thing it was plastic.  We took some family pictures=although not everybody was happy about that but you have to jump on these occasions or they slip by. 

Virginia and I went to Big Bear in March to get our fix for the mountains. We have been doing that a couple of times a year for many years. We go and look at houses for sale. Well this time we found one we liked and made an offer on it. The offer was accepted, and now we are in escrow for a home in the mountains. We are very excited. 

We have have so many things going on this spring. Graduations, birthdays, home repair, new home, and a trip this summer that starts in July. We have been looking for furniture, and have found some but have not had a lot of luck finding any for mountain homes, these days dark furniture is in. Well, I am going to stop now and try and post some pictures of the family at Easter. Will write more next month. John & Virginia

New Year of Travels

Here it is April and we need to get in habit of posting a little each month.  In Jan we went to Yuma, Arizona to visit our friends from fantasy tours.  Pat & Elmon our traveling buddies went with us and we camped in spaces that were empty in the trailer park.  We had a great time with lots of food and sat around the chimney fire at night.  We went to Algondoza, Mexico and John had some dental work (crown and cleaning) done in one day for a fantastic price while the rest of us shopped, drank margaritas, got haircuts, and got medicines.

  We camped with out group for our first monthly outing.  Was great to be with everybody to start the new year.  We went to the Hart Museum-he was an old time Western movie guy.  We enjoyed his home and had a great tour.

       Feb, we traveled to Auburn, Calif (near Sacramento) for John's sisters 50th Anniversary Party.  Woke up the next morning to find a dusting of snow on the ground.  It was a cold, windy weekend but a great party with lots of family and food.  Since it was still cool and rainy we decided to go over to the coast to Paso Robles.  It was still windy and wet but not as cold.  We visited some new wineries.  Then we were off to Pismo Beach for our monthly campout.  I started having some stomach pains which lasted several days and wanted to wait till I got home to see what it was but ended up in the community hospital with appendicitis and had surgery 2 hours later.  Spent the next 2 days their and than got to come back to motor home to enjoy what was left of the camp out.  I had laproscopic surgery so was a quick recovery and was able to make it home just fine.  Quite an experience-the hospital was very good, I had good care and my Dr. was tops in laproscopic surgery.  Got to see our nephew and his wife and kids since they are living there now.  Quite a change from Lancaster desert to the beach but they are settling in and like the beach.  

Our camp out for March was in Death Valley.  It was very windy getting there and we had a little rain when we left home.  Why does it always decide to rain the morning we leave and get everything dirty as we travel.  That was the only day it rained in a month.  We had friends join us in the motor home for  a few days and they got to experience dry camping-for those of you who aren't campers that means no water, no electricity, no dump so we have to be careful with water usage and lights.  We managed OK although all holdings tanks were full the last day and no more water.  Max and Buddy(our dogs) ended up sleeping in the back of the car at night since they didn't like us in their sleeping space and Max was snoring to loud in our ears.  We got to have dinner in the Furnace Creek Inn and had a wonderful tour of the Inn.  The weather was just right as it can get very warm there.  We took some rides through canyons we didn't know where there, saw some pup fish that like guppies but are in very salty water and took my little Saturn where all the trucks went.  Boy was it dusty! The flowers were in bloom but not as good as they were a few years ago.  Went by Reno to see my brother on the way home since we hadn't seen him in quite a while.  So that pretty much catches you up on travels.  We have added 3 new puppies to the family this year.  Terry (our son) and Devin (grandson) got Shorkies.  They are small little dogs, full of energy and are a cross between a Yorkie and a Shiatsu.  Then Jay(our oldest son) got a boxer puppy and have been up a lot of nights.  They forgot how much sleep you can lose but she's getting better as she gets older and of course we are all enjoying these new additions.  Work has slowed down some but we all still are working.  The kids have all enjoyed their winter at the desert riding motorcycles and dune buggies and are now turning their thoughts to water sports at the Lake.  We are looking forward to some longer trips this summer but are content to take our monthly outings.  Look for our April post at the end of the month.

Home on Sunday

We left Washington on Friday with no visiting in mind, heading straight home. We ended up with 2 long days of driving and one short. I put two story's in the CD player and drove. the time passes quickly when absorbed in a murder mystery. We arrived home on Sunday about noon. Jay and Lori invited us over for dinner, a good time catching up on happenings for the past two weeks. Virginia and I want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and hope you have a blessed holiday season. JVP

PS. These pictures were taken in Weed on Saturday morning.

A Great week with Friends

Friday, Nov 28th,  Weed, Calif.  Turkey day is over.  Our weather in Goldendale was really cold.  It rained on Wed and was foggy for a few days.  Temp only in the 30's most days.  We slept in the house.  We had a great Thanksgiving with Scott, Doreen and the dogs.  Had fresh turkey, yams, Doreen's dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.  I made us a pumpkin pie and green bean casserole. We watched Polar Express & Miracle on 34 Th Street while the guys tried out the new guns, John got.  We are headed home now and had a pretty good drive today.  The dogs are tired from playing with the big dogs at Scott's and glad to have their beds back.  All of Scott's dogs loved Buddy and Max's beds. They were in them through out the few days we were there.  We finished up our pie and turkey leftovers tonight on the road. We will be traveling tomorrow and be home on Sunday.   

Portland, Cold and Rainy

    Sun, Nov 23rd  Portland, Oregon   Well today is our last day before moving on.  We've had a good time visiting with the wedding party.  A lot of them came in from New Orleans, his good buddies-fireman of coarse, his parents and sister, her kids were ring bearer and junior bridesmaid.  Also his best friend and wife from New York were there.  So a lot of  people here from everywhere in US.  Sat it cleared up and was quite cool but dry.  The wedding took place in the Old Church =simple but nice.  Then we went for the reception at Oregon Science building's room.  Food, drinks, cake and DJ.  I guess the party ended around 2 but us old folks left around 10.  Today we had Lizzy & Leo for breakfast here at the motor home.  They are our good friends in LA"s kids.  We usually visit them while we are here and it was our turn to entertain.  John fixed his breakfast burritos and had a nice visit.  They are moving soon to Livermore, Ca., so will be a little closer to each other and their parents.  Tonight is our last visit with the wedding party=everybody leaves for home tomorrow, some left today.  We are meeting for dinner at a German restaurant called the Rheinlander.  We ate there with our kids and the bride, her brother and parents when the kids were just little.  Looking forward to it.  Anxious to be on the road=just a few hours down the road to Goldendale.  It has been quite cool here, only in the 50's today and windy.  

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

Thursday, Nov 20th.  Here we are in Portland, Oregon at Janzen Beach Campground.  We did a 370 mile drive from Reno to Seven Feathers in Canyonville, Oregon yesterday.  We loved the ride through the trees  between Susanville and Shasta.  We woke last night to hear the RAIN.  We ate dinner in the casino and John beat me 2 games to 1 of Cribbage back at the motor home. We drove most of the day in rain showers, with many rainbows. As I"m writing this its raining again.  Sounds really good as us Californians don't get to hear it much.  Hope it does clear up for the wedding on Sat.  Off to meet our friends for dinner, at the Blue Moon Tavern and Bar. It is downtown Portland, I hope we can find a parking spot. JVP