May 28th - Thurs - to Pendleton OR
Headed out past all sorts of crops to the Wild Horse Casino which also has an RV park. Set up, made lunch and went to check out the casino. Rick & Pat were going to do some shopping in Boise so we knew they wouldn’t be here for a while. Pat joined us at the casino and then we went back to the RV park for happy hour. Dinner out - seafood buffet at the casino. We all pigged out on crab & clams - very good.
Lucky Pat once again lived up to her name and stashed her winnings in Rick’s pocket before it all went back into the machines.
May 29th - Fri - to Spokane
We took advantage of breakfast coupons before leaving Pendleton this morning. We chose to take the highway route (4 hours) through Pasco rather than the windier, more easterly route through Walla Walla. Nice drive, lovely weather. We are staying at the Hughes Campground (friends Bill & Georgia’s backyard!) for a couple of days. This is not the greatest time for them to have guests since Georgia’s 96 year old Mom had 2 strokes a week and a half ago. She is out of the hospital and in a nursing home but not doing well. Georgia’s sister Arlene and her husband Joe are here from Minnesota.
Pat & Rick made some stops and were a couple of hours behind us. Bill & Georgia’s back deck is being renovated so we all gathered in the shade of the shop near the “campground”. Pat & I made dinner and Georgia provided dessert. A busy day and mosquitoes resulted in a fairly early bedtime.
May 30th - Sat - Spokane
Georgia made a pancake breakfast for all of us before she, Arlene & Joe went to see their Mom. Pat & I went shopping while Terry, Rick & Bill used the pressure washer to blast off the solid layers of bugs on the rigs. Pat & I returned in time to make lunch. Then Pat & Rick and Terry & I went for more shopping. Rick took advantage of his 3 personal shoppers to find a pair of sandals and fail to find a pair of shorts. Terry was tickled to haggle down the price on a TV mount for our new flat screen.
Got back in time for an abbreviated happy hour before dinner prepared by Georgia & Arlene. Then they went for a short visit with their Mom. Next all of us except Rick played Mexican Train dominoes and added a “Chicken Domino” twist to make the game go a little faster. We finished at midnight (latest most of us old folks have been up for a while!) and headed for our rigs. A sprinkler was hitting our truck & 5th wheel and the swing set beside us so I had to get Bill to turn it off. An incident like this might be grounds to get our money back - oh wait, we didn’t pay any money for this wonderful site!!
May 31st - Sun - Spokane
Pat & Rick headed for home this morning. I was putting a batch of Jelly Biscuits (email for the recipe if you are interested!) in the oven when Bill & Georgia and Joe & Arlene returned from church and a visit to Georgia’s Mom. After coffee & biscuits, I spent some time showing Bill how to use one of my favorite programs - Picasa. For the uninformed few, Picasa is free software to manage digital pictures.
Then on to Terry’s Mom’s house. Sister Cindy was still here (she comes to look after her Mom each weekend) so we got to see her for just a short time before her mother-in-law arrived to drive her to the airport.
We hauled in our big basket of laundry and had a relaxing afternoon. I spent time on the computer figuring out how to cancel EllaMae’s AOL account when no one could remember her password or security question. Hopefully I got it done. Don made a good dinner and then we looked at a lot of our travel pictures. EllaMae is doing much better than when we were here last year. She cannot walk but sits up straight (she listed to the left last year), uses her left arm more and participates in conversations.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 25th to 27th - Winnemucca to Boise ID
May 25th - Mon - Winnemucca
We returned for the $3.99 ham & egg breakfast this morning. Then we took a drive by some “in the woods” camping spots up into the hills above the town. We passed by some very nice housing areas that you cannot see from the highway area. Stopped at a grocery store on the way back to the park where we dropped Rick off. He was going to do some chores while the 3 gamblers returned to the casinos.
Once again I had a short lived lucky streak that kept both Terry & I in the black for a couple of hours. Lucky Pat struck again and made off with some money. I’m not sure what she told Rick so I can’t put the actual amount in the blog!
Back at the RV park, Pat & Rick did laundry and then I remembered that I wanted to wash our sheets so got that done just in time for happy hour and a combined dinner. We pulled out the cards for Hand & Foot Canasta and the guys let Pat & I win - sure they did!!!!
May 26th - Tues - to Boise ID
We left at 7:45 for today’s 3 ½ hour trip to Boise. Nice roads with little traffic most of the way. Up & down hills/mountains, lots of scrub land, some irrigated & isolated farms and then land that will support cattle. We drove though a stretch of road where there was an insect infestation which we think were Mormon crickets. They were swarming down an embankment and onto the road where a lot of them were run over. The road was red with squished bugs for about ¼ of a mile.
We arrived at the On the River RV park about 1 (back to Mountain Time), set up , had lunch and then scrubbed the bugs off the truck & 5th wheel before we got too lazy. Pat & Rick arrived just as we were finishing. Terry took me for a haircut and Rick took his truck for an oil change. We got back just in time to head to Linda & Steve Holder’s house for dinner. Steve wasn’t home but Linda was a great hostess and made a wonderful dinner. After dinner, we went for a walk on a path along the Boise River which is very close to their house and close to the RV park.
May 27th - Wed - Boise ID
Started today with a 9 o’clock tee time at the Plantation golf course where Steve & Linda are members. Linda, Rick, Terry & I played and Pat enjoyed a nice walk with us. The weather was perfect and all of us got enough good shots to make us want to play in the future. Then we enjoyed breakfast on the patio at the golf course. Back to the park to drop the clubs, picked up Linda and went to Camping World. Rick was looking for a bicycle rack which he found on sale - bonus!! On to Costco and then back to the RV park. Pat & Rick took off again while Terry & I set up chairs & tables and boiled baby backs for dinner.
We invited Rick & Diann Stone (spent some time with them in Mesa/Apache Junction in April) to join us & Linda for dinner.
Terry went with Rick S. to pick up a TV that we are buying from him while Pat & I took a walk around the RV park. We briefly considered playing cards but everyone was ready to crash after a busy day.
We returned for the $3.99 ham & egg breakfast this morning. Then we took a drive by some “in the woods” camping spots up into the hills above the town. We passed by some very nice housing areas that you cannot see from the highway area. Stopped at a grocery store on the way back to the park where we dropped Rick off. He was going to do some chores while the 3 gamblers returned to the casinos.
Once again I had a short lived lucky streak that kept both Terry & I in the black for a couple of hours. Lucky Pat struck again and made off with some money. I’m not sure what she told Rick so I can’t put the actual amount in the blog!
Back at the RV park, Pat & Rick did laundry and then I remembered that I wanted to wash our sheets so got that done just in time for happy hour and a combined dinner. We pulled out the cards for Hand & Foot Canasta and the guys let Pat & I win - sure they did!!!!
May 26th - Tues - to Boise ID
We left at 7:45 for today’s 3 ½ hour trip to Boise. Nice roads with little traffic most of the way. Up & down hills/mountains, lots of scrub land, some irrigated & isolated farms and then land that will support cattle. We drove though a stretch of road where there was an insect infestation which we think were Mormon crickets. They were swarming down an embankment and onto the road where a lot of them were run over. The road was red with squished bugs for about ¼ of a mile.
We arrived at the On the River RV park about 1 (back to Mountain Time), set up , had lunch and then scrubbed the bugs off the truck & 5th wheel before we got too lazy. Pat & Rick arrived just as we were finishing. Terry took me for a haircut and Rick took his truck for an oil change. We got back just in time to head to Linda & Steve Holder’s house for dinner. Steve wasn’t home but Linda was a great hostess and made a wonderful dinner. After dinner, we went for a walk on a path along the Boise River which is very close to their house and close to the RV park.
May 27th - Wed - Boise ID
Started today with a 9 o’clock tee time at the Plantation golf course where Steve & Linda are members. Linda, Rick, Terry & I played and Pat enjoyed a nice walk with us. The weather was perfect and all of us got enough good shots to make us want to play in the future. Then we enjoyed breakfast on the patio at the golf course. Back to the park to drop the clubs, picked up Linda and went to Camping World. Rick was looking for a bicycle rack which he found on sale - bonus!! On to Costco and then back to the RV park. Pat & Rick took off again while Terry & I set up chairs & tables and boiled baby backs for dinner.
We invited Rick & Diann Stone (spent some time with them in Mesa/Apache Junction in April) to join us & Linda for dinner.
Terry went with Rick S. to pick up a TV that we are buying from him while Pat & I took a walk around the RV park. We briefly considered playing cards but everyone was ready to crash after a busy day.
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 22nd to 24th - Winnemucca NV
May 22nd - Fri - to Winnemucca NV
We got an early start for the 3 hour drive this morning to the Hi-Desert RV park (PA) in Winnemucca. Set up and then started several loads of laundry. Had a sandwich for lunch while the laundry was washing - so much to do that we have to multi-task! Pat & Rick are also arriving today so after the laundry was done I did some prep for dinner, we scrubbed the bugs off the 5th wheel & truck and relaxed in the sun.
There is a motorcycle rally (Run-A-Mucca) in town for the weekend so we expect to see a lot of bikes like the 2 that moved into the RV site next to Pat & Rick.
Pat & Rick arrived about 3:30. After they set up, through dinner and after dinner we tried to catch up on nearly a year of not seeing them.
May 23rd - Sat - Winnemucca
We all went for a very good $3.99 ham & egg breakfast this morning. The casinos here are small and most are part of a hotel or restaurant. So after eating we had to try out the adjacent casino. Lucky Pat (as we call her!) lived up to her name and came out money ahead while Terry & I continued to donate.
Next to WalMart for a few items.
Pat’s turn to make dinner today. Before happy hour we napped, watched TV and/or read a book. While we were sitting out later, the wind came up and dust started blowing. We had to close all windows and move inside. There is good cable TV here at the park so we watched a couple of “Deadliest Catch” episodes after dinner since the wind was too cool for us to head back outside.
May 24th - Sun - Winnemucca
We had a 9 o’clock tee time to play 9 holes at the nearby golf course this morning. It is a full length course, in nice condition and the weather was lovely. Pat injured her shoulder last winter so she cannot play yet - just enjoyed the walk and commiserated with the rest of us when we made the expected bad shots!
We dropped off the clubs and went back to WalMart to try to find some shorts for Pat - no luck. Back to the park for lunch and then downtown to check things out.
There was a street market in conjunction with the motorcycle rally so we wandered through that before going to a casino where Pat immediately won some money. That casino and another were not nice to Terry & I until Terry won some and we persuaded him to cash out before he lost it all again. So at the third casino we started with money that Terry had won and I finally got a co-operative machine where I grew my $5 to $120. And Terry was winning as well so unfortunately we will continue to gamble!!
Hamburgers on barbeque for dinner (yum!) and then the cool evening wind sent us inside to watch more episodes of “Deadliest Catch”.
We got an early start for the 3 hour drive this morning to the Hi-Desert RV park (PA) in Winnemucca. Set up and then started several loads of laundry. Had a sandwich for lunch while the laundry was washing - so much to do that we have to multi-task! Pat & Rick are also arriving today so after the laundry was done I did some prep for dinner, we scrubbed the bugs off the 5th wheel & truck and relaxed in the sun.
There is a motorcycle rally (Run-A-Mucca) in town for the weekend so we expect to see a lot of bikes like the 2 that moved into the RV site next to Pat & Rick.
Pat & Rick arrived about 3:30. After they set up, through dinner and after dinner we tried to catch up on nearly a year of not seeing them.
May 23rd - Sat - Winnemucca
We all went for a very good $3.99 ham & egg breakfast this morning. The casinos here are small and most are part of a hotel or restaurant. So after eating we had to try out the adjacent casino. Lucky Pat (as we call her!) lived up to her name and came out money ahead while Terry & I continued to donate.
Next to WalMart for a few items.
Pat’s turn to make dinner today. Before happy hour we napped, watched TV and/or read a book. While we were sitting out later, the wind came up and dust started blowing. We had to close all windows and move inside. There is good cable TV here at the park so we watched a couple of “Deadliest Catch” episodes after dinner since the wind was too cool for us to head back outside.
May 24th - Sun - Winnemucca
We had a 9 o’clock tee time to play 9 holes at the nearby golf course this morning. It is a full length course, in nice condition and the weather was lovely. Pat injured her shoulder last winter so she cannot play yet - just enjoyed the walk and commiserated with the rest of us when we made the expected bad shots!
We dropped off the clubs and went back to WalMart to try to find some shorts for Pat - no luck. Back to the park for lunch and then downtown to check things out.
There was a street market in conjunction with the motorcycle rally so we wandered through that before going to a casino where Pat immediately won some money. That casino and another were not nice to Terry & I until Terry won some and we persuaded him to cash out before he lost it all again. So at the third casino we started with money that Terry had won and I finally got a co-operative machine where I grew my $5 to $120. And Terry was winning as well so unfortunately we will continue to gamble!!
Hamburgers on barbeque for dinner (yum!) and then the cool evening wind sent us inside to watch more episodes of “Deadliest Catch”.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
May 19th to 21st - Utah to Nevada
May 19th - Tues - to Fountain Green UT
Uneventful drive through valleys and more mountains to Burns Bros Ranch & RV park just east of Nephi in Fountain Green. Unfortunately, we made a reservation - credit card requested & given - for 2 days. When we saw the park we would rather not have stayed at all. It was in the middle of nowhere in farming country (as the “Ranch” in the name might imply!) and badly needed mowing. We decided we would stay one night and told this to the young man checking us in. He called the woman who made the reservation and she said we could get a credit for a future stay for the second night. Terry came unglued at this and she ultimately said we could stay one night. The young man said our credit card would not have been charged until we checked in.
We joined the other 5 rigs scattered about the many sites, picked up one fuzzy TV channel and wondered what to do. A huge windstorm gave us something to do for a while - wondering if we were going to be blown over!! It got so bad that we pulled in the slides so Terry could turn the rig to have the wind hit us front-on instead of broadside if it got worse. We saw later on a weather report that towns around us had wind gusts from 45 to 60 MPH.
The young man working at the park was able to answer my question about a great many metal barn-type structures along the road. They used to house turkeys but apparently the market is not supporting them now so some are used for pigs and some for sheep and the rest are empty.
May 20th - Wed - to Wells NV
Out of the frying pan into the fire - almost! Wells is a very small town with nothing much to do. I think I mentioned previously that we are meeting my cousin Pat & her husband Rick in Winnemucca so that is giving us time to spare. Mountain Shadows RV park is OK (PA) with a row of permanent rigs, a couple rows of pull-throughs and a row of back-in for transients. It was pretty empty when we arrived but the pull-throughs almost filled up by evening.
When we were approaching town, there was a sign on the freeway saying the road was closed and we had to exit so we pulled into a service station to fuel up. I called the RV park and received directions since we couldn’t get off the freeway at the given exit. We were at the intersection of Hwy 93 (N/S) and Hwy 80 (E/W) and there were trucks everywhere. Westbound traffic could exit where we did and then get back on the freeway on the other side of town. But eastbound traffic was stuck until the highway opened. We found out later that there was a high speed chase, the pursued car went the wrong way on the freeway and was stopped by a police car but then said he had a chemical bomb in his car. Turned out there was no bomb but the freeway was closed for over 2 hours.
May 21st - Thurs - Wells
Relaxing morning and then we went to check out “historic front street”. Turns out there was an earthquake here in Feb 2008 that did a lot of damage, especially to the historic buildings. They are all falling down and roped off. So we decided to go golfing. Decent full length 9 hole course. Not a lot of golfers and we were the only ones walking. After 9 holes I had developed a blister so I had to make a quick run back to the RV park to put on different shoes. Then Terry also ended up with a blister so he played several holes in his bare feet. I think it improved his game. Actually, his drives were amazing and his back nine was great until we both faded from the heat and unaccustomed 18 holes.
I had put a pork roast in the crock pot and we golfed through lunch time so I made an early dinner. Then I convinced Terry to drive to Angel Lake. The desk clerk at the RV park said it was a very pretty drive. It is also a very steep drive. 12 miles across some hills and then up the side of a mountain. The little lake is still mostly covered with ice but that did not stop several people from fishing. Didn’t see anyone catch anything.
Finally time to sit out & read/watch TV before catching up on the blog. Same scenario as yesterday - the park mostly emptied out this morning but pull-throughs are full now.
Uneventful drive through valleys and more mountains to Burns Bros Ranch & RV park just east of Nephi in Fountain Green. Unfortunately, we made a reservation - credit card requested & given - for 2 days. When we saw the park we would rather not have stayed at all. It was in the middle of nowhere in farming country (as the “Ranch” in the name might imply!) and badly needed mowing. We decided we would stay one night and told this to the young man checking us in. He called the woman who made the reservation and she said we could get a credit for a future stay for the second night. Terry came unglued at this and she ultimately said we could stay one night. The young man said our credit card would not have been charged until we checked in.
We joined the other 5 rigs scattered about the many sites, picked up one fuzzy TV channel and wondered what to do. A huge windstorm gave us something to do for a while - wondering if we were going to be blown over!! It got so bad that we pulled in the slides so Terry could turn the rig to have the wind hit us front-on instead of broadside if it got worse. We saw later on a weather report that towns around us had wind gusts from 45 to 60 MPH.
The young man working at the park was able to answer my question about a great many metal barn-type structures along the road. They used to house turkeys but apparently the market is not supporting them now so some are used for pigs and some for sheep and the rest are empty.
May 20th - Wed - to Wells NV
Out of the frying pan into the fire - almost! Wells is a very small town with nothing much to do. I think I mentioned previously that we are meeting my cousin Pat & her husband Rick in Winnemucca so that is giving us time to spare. Mountain Shadows RV park is OK (PA) with a row of permanent rigs, a couple rows of pull-throughs and a row of back-in for transients. It was pretty empty when we arrived but the pull-throughs almost filled up by evening.
When we were approaching town, there was a sign on the freeway saying the road was closed and we had to exit so we pulled into a service station to fuel up. I called the RV park and received directions since we couldn’t get off the freeway at the given exit. We were at the intersection of Hwy 93 (N/S) and Hwy 80 (E/W) and there were trucks everywhere. Westbound traffic could exit where we did and then get back on the freeway on the other side of town. But eastbound traffic was stuck until the highway opened. We found out later that there was a high speed chase, the pursued car went the wrong way on the freeway and was stopped by a police car but then said he had a chemical bomb in his car. Turned out there was no bomb but the freeway was closed for over 2 hours.
May 21st - Thurs - Wells
Relaxing morning and then we went to check out “historic front street”. Turns out there was an earthquake here in Feb 2008 that did a lot of damage, especially to the historic buildings. They are all falling down and roped off. So we decided to go golfing. Decent full length 9 hole course. Not a lot of golfers and we were the only ones walking. After 9 holes I had developed a blister so I had to make a quick run back to the RV park to put on different shoes. Then Terry also ended up with a blister so he played several holes in his bare feet. I think it improved his game. Actually, his drives were amazing and his back nine was great until we both faded from the heat and unaccustomed 18 holes.
I had put a pork roast in the crock pot and we golfed through lunch time so I made an early dinner. Then I convinced Terry to drive to Angel Lake. The desk clerk at the RV park said it was a very pretty drive. It is also a very steep drive. 12 miles across some hills and then up the side of a mountain. The little lake is still mostly covered with ice but that did not stop several people from fishing. Didn’t see anyone catch anything.
Finally time to sit out & read/watch TV before catching up on the blog. Same scenario as yesterday - the park mostly emptied out this morning but pull-throughs are full now.
Monday, May 18, 2009
May 16th to 18th -Utah parks
May 16th - Sat - Panguitch/Bryce Canyon National Park
We had a wonderful day in the park. The weather was perfect - not too hot, comfortable in long pants and short sleeves. We made a short stop at the Red Canyon info center and then decided to go to Bryce Canyon first. We drove to the far end of the road, took many pictures and then stopped at all the view points on the way back since they are then on the right side of the road. In Bryce Canyon you view the amazing rock formations from above, rather than from below as you do when you drive through Zion Ntl Park. Several view points have short trails to even more incredible scenery. The road & trails are all at least 8000 ft above sea level so even short inclines on trails make breathing difficult. We had packed a lunch which we enjoyed at a stop with picnic tables.
We had gotten an early start so we had time to continue on to Kodachrome Basin State Park. We were very disappointed there. I think you have to be a hiker and an avid photographer to appreciate this park.
After dinner I persuaded Terry to return to Red Canyon and walk some paths to take pictures since we are leaving tomorrow. The sun was just setting and there was no one else on the trails so I really enjoyed my walk. Terry took shortcuts and waited for me.
May 17th - Sun - to Torrey UT
It got very cool last night. I am happy not to be in one of the several tents in the campground.
Not a long drive today - a couple of hours. We were on Hwy 12 which has been designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road indicating that it has one-of-a-kind, exceptional features. It was an wonderfully scenic drive - not so much for the driver as for the passenger who could look at all the scenery.
We climbed to 9600 feet at one point. Unfortunately, most view points were on the left side and, since we were towing the 5th wheel, we could not stop at any. One section of the road ran along a narrow mountain ridge that was barely wider than the road with steep drops on both sides.
We picked a site as instructed by a sign on the office door of the Wonderland RV park and set up. We went to a nearby visitor information center to get brochures for tomorrow when we will go to Capitol Reef National Park just down the road. We drove into the small town of Torrey and then just relaxed for the rest of the lovely warm afternoon.
May 18th - Mon - Torrey/Capitol Reef National Park
Looks like we are trying to hit all the National Parks! Just a few miles to the park boundary and a short walk to our first viewpoints. A stop to see some pictographs and then a hike to Hickman Bridge (arch). It was a mile each way and it was hot. Uphill most of the way there otherwise we would not have continued - only did so knowing the return trip would be downhill. Saw 4 bighorn sheep with full curl horns.
Then to Gifford Farmhouse to check out the homemade pie & ice cream - very good. Revived us to go on the 10 mile scenic drive into the park. The rock formations are varied and incredible. We checked out 2 dirt roads where you drive down washes & gullies, sometimes with straight, solid rock walls. There were trails at the end of each but they were classified as “strenuous” and we barely handled the “moderate” hike earlier! I will post too many rock & mountain pictures shortly.
We crashed and relaxed when we got back. After dinner we drove across the street to wash all the dirt off the truck.
We had a wonderful day in the park. The weather was perfect - not too hot, comfortable in long pants and short sleeves. We made a short stop at the Red Canyon info center and then decided to go to Bryce Canyon first. We drove to the far end of the road, took many pictures and then stopped at all the view points on the way back since they are then on the right side of the road. In Bryce Canyon you view the amazing rock formations from above, rather than from below as you do when you drive through Zion Ntl Park. Several view points have short trails to even more incredible scenery. The road & trails are all at least 8000 ft above sea level so even short inclines on trails make breathing difficult. We had packed a lunch which we enjoyed at a stop with picnic tables.
We had gotten an early start so we had time to continue on to Kodachrome Basin State Park. We were very disappointed there. I think you have to be a hiker and an avid photographer to appreciate this park.
After dinner I persuaded Terry to return to Red Canyon and walk some paths to take pictures since we are leaving tomorrow. The sun was just setting and there was no one else on the trails so I really enjoyed my walk. Terry took shortcuts and waited for me.
May 17th - Sun - to Torrey UT
It got very cool last night. I am happy not to be in one of the several tents in the campground.
Not a long drive today - a couple of hours. We were on Hwy 12 which has been designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road indicating that it has one-of-a-kind, exceptional features. It was an wonderfully scenic drive - not so much for the driver as for the passenger who could look at all the scenery.
We climbed to 9600 feet at one point. Unfortunately, most view points were on the left side and, since we were towing the 5th wheel, we could not stop at any. One section of the road ran along a narrow mountain ridge that was barely wider than the road with steep drops on both sides.
We picked a site as instructed by a sign on the office door of the Wonderland RV park and set up. We went to a nearby visitor information center to get brochures for tomorrow when we will go to Capitol Reef National Park just down the road. We drove into the small town of Torrey and then just relaxed for the rest of the lovely warm afternoon.
May 18th - Mon - Torrey/Capitol Reef National Park
Looks like we are trying to hit all the National Parks! Just a few miles to the park boundary and a short walk to our first viewpoints. A stop to see some pictographs and then a hike to Hickman Bridge (arch). It was a mile each way and it was hot. Uphill most of the way there otherwise we would not have continued - only did so knowing the return trip would be downhill. Saw 4 bighorn sheep with full curl horns.
Then to Gifford Farmhouse to check out the homemade pie & ice cream - very good. Revived us to go on the 10 mile scenic drive into the park. The rock formations are varied and incredible. We checked out 2 dirt roads where you drive down washes & gullies, sometimes with straight, solid rock walls. There were trails at the end of each but they were classified as “strenuous” and we barely handled the “moderate” hike earlier! I will post too many rock & mountain pictures shortly.
We crashed and relaxed when we got back. After dinner we drove across the street to wash all the dirt off the truck.
Friday, May 15, 2009
May 13th to 15th - Pahrump to Panguitch UT
May 13th - Wed - Pahrump
I made my delicious (if I do say so myself!) jelly biscuits for breakfast which we enjoyed with coffee outside - in the shade. Next a trip to Radio Shack & WalMart to get the TV for outside. I caught up the blog while Terry ran wires from the bedroom to the large storage compartment. Terry now thinks the 19” TV is a bit small but I think it is just fine as long as he keeps the volume down so the rest of the park does not have to listen to it.
We had the leftover baby back ribs for dinner. There were so many that we were not able to finish them. Last night we had joked with our neighbors Bob & Loretta about being able to watch “Wheel of Fortune” on the TV outside so they joined us to do so and to chat for a bit.
May 14th - Thurs - Pahrump
Busy day. Before 10 we had cleaned the underside of our awning, cleaned the bugs off the front of the 5th wheel and the truck, dusted the truck and laundered a load of sheets. Then we walked over to the casino and had an excellent breakfast for a low price. We drove all over town looking for Velcro without a sticky back - could not find any. I got a piece of fleece material and sewed a cover for the new TV to protect it when we travel.
The laundry room is right across the street from our site so I decided to do a couple more loads in the afternoon. While they were washing, we walked to the pool for a cooling dip.
Nice dinner on the BBQ, chat with neighbors, relax.
May 15th - Fri - to Panguitch UT
Left about 7:30 this morning. Terry wanted to avoid going through Las Vegas so we took a slightly different route - which took us through Las Vegas! Some construction slow down but not too bad.
We stopped at a casino in Mesquite for breakfast & fueled up in Cedar City. From Cedar City we headed east on Hwy 14 which goes up to 9900 feet and then back down but I don’t know the elevation where it joins into Hwy 89 heading north. Very picturesque. We saw quite a bit of snow on the ground when we were driving along grassy, lightly wooded areas on top. There are also a surprising number of nice, mostly log construction, “cabins” along Hwy 14.
We are staying at the Red Canyon RV park south & east of Panguitch, 15 miles from Bryce Canyon National park. It is a small park, pretty basic. The weather is much cooler (75 when we arrived) and there is a slight wind. Utah is in Mountain Time so we are an hour ahead of our PDT friends.
I made my delicious (if I do say so myself!) jelly biscuits for breakfast which we enjoyed with coffee outside - in the shade. Next a trip to Radio Shack & WalMart to get the TV for outside. I caught up the blog while Terry ran wires from the bedroom to the large storage compartment. Terry now thinks the 19” TV is a bit small but I think it is just fine as long as he keeps the volume down so the rest of the park does not have to listen to it.
We had the leftover baby back ribs for dinner. There were so many that we were not able to finish them. Last night we had joked with our neighbors Bob & Loretta about being able to watch “Wheel of Fortune” on the TV outside so they joined us to do so and to chat for a bit.
May 14th - Thurs - Pahrump
Busy day. Before 10 we had cleaned the underside of our awning, cleaned the bugs off the front of the 5th wheel and the truck, dusted the truck and laundered a load of sheets. Then we walked over to the casino and had an excellent breakfast for a low price. We drove all over town looking for Velcro without a sticky back - could not find any. I got a piece of fleece material and sewed a cover for the new TV to protect it when we travel.
The laundry room is right across the street from our site so I decided to do a couple more loads in the afternoon. While they were washing, we walked to the pool for a cooling dip.
Nice dinner on the BBQ, chat with neighbors, relax.
May 15th - Fri - to Panguitch UT
Left about 7:30 this morning. Terry wanted to avoid going through Las Vegas so we took a slightly different route - which took us through Las Vegas! Some construction slow down but not too bad.
We stopped at a casino in Mesquite for breakfast & fueled up in Cedar City. From Cedar City we headed east on Hwy 14 which goes up to 9900 feet and then back down but I don’t know the elevation where it joins into Hwy 89 heading north. Very picturesque. We saw quite a bit of snow on the ground when we were driving along grassy, lightly wooded areas on top. There are also a surprising number of nice, mostly log construction, “cabins” along Hwy 14.
We are staying at the Red Canyon RV park south & east of Panguitch, 15 miles from Bryce Canyon National park. It is a small park, pretty basic. The weather is much cooler (75 when we arrived) and there is a slight wind. Utah is in Mountain Time so we are an hour ahead of our PDT friends.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May 10th to 12th - Pahrump NV
May 10th - Sun - to Pahrump NV
Turns out that Terry & the swap meet vendor were not communicating too well so the TV mounts were not what we wanted. The detour to meet him added about 30 miles to our trip today and sent us over the Hoover Dam which is a pretty way to go and the security check takes only a few minutes.
We are staying at Terrible’s Lakeside which is a very nice park with the sites around a little man-made lake. Lots of grass & trees.
I made a late lunch after we set up and then we went driving and hit a couple of casinos where I came out a few dollars ahead and Terry didn’t lose anything - what a change!! Back to the park where we went for a bike ride, a swim and took a peddle/paddle boat for a lap around the lake. The peddles are too close to the seat so it is not comfortable to go too far or too fast. Got out the BBQ for dinner. It was warm today but the neighbor’s rig and a tree provided late afternoon shade so it was lovely.
May 11th - Mon - Pahrump
To WalMart for a few groceries and Terry checked out the TVs again. Yet another casino and Terry hit a little lucky streak this time. He ended up with enough points on his card to get “2 for 1 buffet” for a late lunch. Back to the park for a cooling swim followed by a relaxing drink. Then walked to the on-site casino for a bit. You’d think we would be tired of casinos by now! True gamblers I guess.
Since we had a late lunch, I also made us a late dinner.
May 12th - Tues - Pahrump
Sightseeing in Death Valley today. We ate breakfast, headed out shortly after 8, filled up with diesel and over-rode Wanda’s instructions for miles. She wanted us to go many miles out of the way. We stopped for a short walk to the Zabriskie viewpoint where there is different scenery every way you look. At the park Headquarters & Visitor Center in Furnace Creek (-109 ft below sea level), we watched a short, narrated slide show and went through an interesting museum of the park history. We choose to go north to Scotty’s Castle rather than south to Badwater so we missed the lowest point (-282 ft) in North America. It is quite a long drive to Scotty’s castle - 58 miles from Furnace Creek. We arrived just in time for the noon 50 minute tour of the castle which was well worth the time & money. Very briefly - Scotty’s Castle was a vacation home owned by a wealthy man from Ohio named Al Johnson . William Scott was a con artist who ended up being a good friend of Al’s after conning him into investing in a non-existent gold mine. Al built his home over a long period of time, allowed Scotty (for various reasons) to call it “his” castle and supported Scotty with a lot of money over the years.
We did not find a place where we wanted to stop for lunch on the way back (came back on Hwy 95 rather than back through the park) so had a small snack with a cool drink when we returned. Then we walked to the casino to have the $9.99 baby back rib special. You get a whole, LARGE rack of ribs so we have plenty for dinner tomorrow night. If we had seen a plate before we ordered we would have split the dinner.
We were enjoying the perfect “sitting out” weather when a new neighbor walked by. He (Bob) joined us, then a couple (Jim & Sharon) from the other side of us came over (we had spoken with Jim earlier) and then Bob’s wife (Loretta) came out. Jim & Sharon are really new (1 week!!) full timers. Non-stop talking & a buddy burner made for a great evening.
Turns out that Terry & the swap meet vendor were not communicating too well so the TV mounts were not what we wanted. The detour to meet him added about 30 miles to our trip today and sent us over the Hoover Dam which is a pretty way to go and the security check takes only a few minutes.
We are staying at Terrible’s Lakeside which is a very nice park with the sites around a little man-made lake. Lots of grass & trees.
I made a late lunch after we set up and then we went driving and hit a couple of casinos where I came out a few dollars ahead and Terry didn’t lose anything - what a change!! Back to the park where we went for a bike ride, a swim and took a peddle/paddle boat for a lap around the lake. The peddles are too close to the seat so it is not comfortable to go too far or too fast. Got out the BBQ for dinner. It was warm today but the neighbor’s rig and a tree provided late afternoon shade so it was lovely.
May 11th - Mon - Pahrump
To WalMart for a few groceries and Terry checked out the TVs again. Yet another casino and Terry hit a little lucky streak this time. He ended up with enough points on his card to get “2 for 1 buffet” for a late lunch. Back to the park for a cooling swim followed by a relaxing drink. Then walked to the on-site casino for a bit. You’d think we would be tired of casinos by now! True gamblers I guess.
Since we had a late lunch, I also made us a late dinner.
May 12th - Tues - Pahrump
Sightseeing in Death Valley today. We ate breakfast, headed out shortly after 8, filled up with diesel and over-rode Wanda’s instructions for miles. She wanted us to go many miles out of the way. We stopped for a short walk to the Zabriskie viewpoint where there is different scenery every way you look. At the park Headquarters & Visitor Center in Furnace Creek (-109 ft below sea level), we watched a short, narrated slide show and went through an interesting museum of the park history. We choose to go north to Scotty’s Castle rather than south to Badwater so we missed the lowest point (-282 ft) in North America. It is quite a long drive to Scotty’s castle - 58 miles from Furnace Creek. We arrived just in time for the noon 50 minute tour of the castle which was well worth the time & money. Very briefly - Scotty’s Castle was a vacation home owned by a wealthy man from Ohio named Al Johnson . William Scott was a con artist who ended up being a good friend of Al’s after conning him into investing in a non-existent gold mine. Al built his home over a long period of time, allowed Scotty (for various reasons) to call it “his” castle and supported Scotty with a lot of money over the years.
We did not find a place where we wanted to stop for lunch on the way back (came back on Hwy 95 rather than back through the park) so had a small snack with a cool drink when we returned. Then we walked to the casino to have the $9.99 baby back rib special. You get a whole, LARGE rack of ribs so we have plenty for dinner tomorrow night. If we had seen a plate before we ordered we would have split the dinner.
We were enjoying the perfect “sitting out” weather when a new neighbor walked by. He (Bob) joined us, then a couple (Jim & Sharon) from the other side of us came over (we had spoken with Jim earlier) and then Bob’s wife (Loretta) came out. Jim & Sharon are really new (1 week!!) full timers. Non-stop talking & a buddy burner made for a great evening.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
May 4th to 9th - Laughlin NV
May 4th to 9th - Laughlin NV
We checked in here for a week before we knew there would be an unseasonable hot spell in the weather. The 6th through today have been over 100 degrees - yesterday & today officially 103. So any plans to ride bikes around the large RV park were abandoned. We have done a lot of walking along the river walk to various casinos. The casinos have not been nice to us but you can keep cool in them. The air conditioner in our 5th wheel cannot keep up with mid afternoon heat so it gets to about 85. Any movement causes sweating! I even put my convection toaster oven outside to cook dinner.
We have also done some driving around the area but there is not much to see. We have already been to Oatman so didn’t go there again. Cars started arriving yesterday for a big car show so they have been parked all over town. We found a swap meet today and are going to meet a vendor when we leave here tomorrow to buy a couple of TV mounts that he had at home.
We checked in here for a week before we knew there would be an unseasonable hot spell in the weather. The 6th through today have been over 100 degrees - yesterday & today officially 103. So any plans to ride bikes around the large RV park were abandoned. We have done a lot of walking along the river walk to various casinos. The casinos have not been nice to us but you can keep cool in them. The air conditioner in our 5th wheel cannot keep up with mid afternoon heat so it gets to about 85. Any movement causes sweating! I even put my convection toaster oven outside to cook dinner.
We have also done some driving around the area but there is not much to see. We have already been to Oatman so didn’t go there again. Cars started arriving yesterday for a big car show so they have been parked all over town. We found a swap meet today and are going to meet a vendor when we leave here tomorrow to buy a couple of TV mounts that he had at home.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Apr 30th to May 3rd - Hemet, Laughlin NV
Apr 30th - Thurs - Hemet
Did some shopping today. Quite a few uses ago, my convection toaster oven started burning the top of everything. We checked 4 stores before finding what I wanted at Target. Then Terry spotted an ice maker there that he just had to have so we got it too.
Barry & Yvonne invited us over for dinner amd we enjoyed a great steak meal. We also enjoyed sitting out on the front porch after dinner.
May 1st - Fri - Hemet
Worked on emails and tried to plan our next three weeks this morning before doing laundry. Grabbed a very good hamburger poolside at the RV park before Barry & Yvonne picked us up to go golfing again. We went to Seven Hills GC. Summer rates started today so it cost $14 for 18 holes and a cart. The course was in great shape. I could get used to this type & price of golf!
I put a roast into the crock pot before we left so just had to do potatoes & veggies for a great dinner for all of us. The weather was absolutely perfect to sit out after dinner and enjoy a buddy burner for a while.
May 2nd - Sat - Hemet
Barry & Yvonne took us on a big sightseeing loop today. They picked us up at 8:30 and we headed towards the coast. An hour drive took us to a huge golf store where Barry & Yvonne both bought a new club. Then on to a large outdoor swap meet/market. The weather was lovely for walking up & down the whole place.
From there we stopped for lunch and then went to Newport Beach. We took a tiny ferry to Balboa Island, squeezed through the very narrow streets and off the other end by a bridge. We intended to head south a bit and then go to Capistrano but our tour guide kind of missed the turn so we got to see more scenery and came back via Oceanside.
Back to our rig to water & feed Dolly and then to a Chinese restaurant across the street for dinner. We are leaving tomorrow so we said goodbye to Barry & Yvonne after dinner.
May 3rd - Sun - to Laughlin NV
We did one of our “change our minds as we’re driving” routines today and ended up in Laughlin instead of Pahrump as planned. We are meeting my cousin Pat & her husband Rick in 3 weeks so figured we had some time to burn.
Most of our drive today was though miles of nothing in the Mojave Desert (Hwy 40). Quite a few hills. It was very warm when we checked into the Riverside Casino RV park. We relaxed outside for a while and chatted with some neighbors. Then we went to see Robosaurus - a huge robot that shoots flames from its nostrils and crushes cars in its claws & jaws. Why? Because it was nearby and we can add it to our “quirky” list.
Of course this lead us to a casino. For a change, Terry won enough small amount at the slots that we broke even when we left at 9:15. Talked to Marg (sister) on the phone and cooked a couple of lovely artichokes for dinner.
Did some shopping today. Quite a few uses ago, my convection toaster oven started burning the top of everything. We checked 4 stores before finding what I wanted at Target. Then Terry spotted an ice maker there that he just had to have so we got it too.
Barry & Yvonne invited us over for dinner amd we enjoyed a great steak meal. We also enjoyed sitting out on the front porch after dinner.
May 1st - Fri - Hemet
Worked on emails and tried to plan our next three weeks this morning before doing laundry. Grabbed a very good hamburger poolside at the RV park before Barry & Yvonne picked us up to go golfing again. We went to Seven Hills GC. Summer rates started today so it cost $14 for 18 holes and a cart. The course was in great shape. I could get used to this type & price of golf!
I put a roast into the crock pot before we left so just had to do potatoes & veggies for a great dinner for all of us. The weather was absolutely perfect to sit out after dinner and enjoy a buddy burner for a while.
May 2nd - Sat - Hemet
Barry & Yvonne took us on a big sightseeing loop today. They picked us up at 8:30 and we headed towards the coast. An hour drive took us to a huge golf store where Barry & Yvonne both bought a new club. Then on to a large outdoor swap meet/market. The weather was lovely for walking up & down the whole place.
From there we stopped for lunch and then went to Newport Beach. We took a tiny ferry to Balboa Island, squeezed through the very narrow streets and off the other end by a bridge. We intended to head south a bit and then go to Capistrano but our tour guide kind of missed the turn so we got to see more scenery and came back via Oceanside.
Back to our rig to water & feed Dolly and then to a Chinese restaurant across the street for dinner. We are leaving tomorrow so we said goodbye to Barry & Yvonne after dinner.
May 3rd - Sun - to Laughlin NV
We did one of our “change our minds as we’re driving” routines today and ended up in Laughlin instead of Pahrump as planned. We are meeting my cousin Pat & her husband Rick in 3 weeks so figured we had some time to burn.
Most of our drive today was though miles of nothing in the Mojave Desert (Hwy 40). Quite a few hills. It was very warm when we checked into the Riverside Casino RV park. We relaxed outside for a while and chatted with some neighbors. Then we went to see Robosaurus - a huge robot that shoots flames from its nostrils and crushes cars in its claws & jaws. Why? Because it was nearby and we can add it to our “quirky” list.
Of course this lead us to a casino. For a change, Terry won enough small amount at the slots that we broke even when we left at 9:15. Talked to Marg (sister) on the phone and cooked a couple of lovely artichokes for dinner.
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