Aug 14th to 16th - Oregon coast

Aug 14th - Fri - to Lincoln City OR
We said goodbye to Billy & Lauri and headed south on the beautiful coast Hwy 101. We had planned to go to Waldport but made one of our last minute changes and ended up just south of Lincoln City at the Chinook Bend RV park on the Siletz River.
After setting up and having lunch, we headed back to Lincoln City and the Chinook Winds casino (of course!). We were not doing too well when Terry’s brother Skip walked up. He & Kathy and Kathy’s brothers & families are vacationing nearby. I knew they were on the coast somewhere but wasn’t sure exactly where they were. Skip was doing well on the slot machines and told us about the “Jaws” machines that we had not tried. Well, Terry ended up making our money back with enough extra to keep us going until we had a late dinner at the seafood buffet.

Aug 15th - Sat - Lincoln City OR
We walked about a mile on a trail along a dike and through a field at the RV park before going for a drive. We stopped at Depoe Bay, browsed through touristy shops, watched activity in the harbor and unsuccessfully looked for whales. We stopped at view points as we continued on to Waldport to check out a PA park - don’t want to stay there! We also stopped at an RV park where we have stayed and rented boats for crabbing. It has been totally redone and, as far as we are concerned , is way too pricey and the laid-back charm is gone.
On the way back we stopped at WalMart which turned out not to be a Superstore so also stopped at Fred Meyers. It was barely warm enough to sit outside for a while as long as we stayed in the sun. The RV park is near a mountain so the sun was down just after 6. We didn’t have lunch so had an early dinner and were able to finish cooking on the BBQ before the sun disappeared.

Aug 16th - Sun - to Florence OR
A beautiful day to continue the drive south on 101. We didn’t have a destination in mind so ended up stopping at Three Rivers Casino for a few hours. Had a great buffet brunch - but it cost too much!! I wanted to explore the area a bit so we stopped at an RV park just south of Florence. Not the best fit for us as most of the rigs are toy haulers with rigs to ride on the dunes.
We went for a walk on/in the sand dunes. The wind was really blowing and we were being sand blasted so didn’t go too far. Checked out Woahink Lake across the road - one fisherman on the dock that the wind was causing to bob enough to cause seasickness. The RV sites are separated by trees & shrubs that break the wind a bit so we sat out in the sun for a while. Then a lazy evening of TV & reading.

Aug 11th to 13th - Long Beach

Aug 11th - Tues - Long Beach
Lazy morning and then we went to the Ocean Park Eagle’s Club to play bingo at noon with Billy & Lauri. We arrived early - just after 11 - to get a table. Terry won a game and it paid $125. It cost $25 for both of us to play until nearly 4 and Terry splurged $10 of his winnings on pull-tabs which returned a whopping $1.
After bingo we drove north on the peninsula to Oysterville and then looped back to explore Jack’s grocery/everything store in Ocean Park. Next into Long Beach with a stop at a “museum”/gift store.
The guys aired up the bicycle tires while Lauri & I each made dinner. After dinner we got together for a few games of Sequence which the women won in a tie breaker.

Aug 12th - Wed - Long Beach
It rained last night and was cool & cloudy this morning so we and Billy & Lauri decided to go to Astoria which is only about 15 miles away. We went to the Columbia River Maritime Museum which is very nice. After an introductory film, you can check out 6 sections including fishing, ship wrecks & the dangers of the “bar” and the Coast Guard. You can also explore a retired lightship which is a floating lighthouse.
We stopped at a liquor store and then went to Costco for a couple of items and lunch. It was such a small Costco that the snack counter was outside with no seating - but we had our hot dogs anyhow since we were all hungry.
On the way back we drove to Cape Disappointment and walked to the North Head lighthouse. Shortly after we got back we all went for a bike ride. There is a wonderful paved trail through the grass covered dunes between Hwy 101 and the beach. We rode about 9 ½ miles.
A short break and off again for the Eagle’s Club in Ocean Park - this time to listen to very good and very bad karaoke and to have a hamburger & fries that we had been told was a very good meal for $4 (not so good!).

Aug 13th - Thurs - Long Beach
Nice weather for bike riding today so that is what we did. This time we went farther north on Hwy 101 before heading to the trail in the dunes and then went farther south than yesterday. The trail winds through the little hills of the dunes and is a great ride. We went into town on the way back and then had to backtrack to a grocery store. We stopped for a beer & lunch at LBT (Long Beach Tavern) and ended up riding 15 miles.
Lauri & I both did a couple loads of laundry before I made dinner for all of us. After dinner we looked at some of our favorite jokes which I then copied onto a disk and set up on Lauri’s computer.

Aug 7th to 10th - Monroe,Rochester,Long Beach

Aug 7th - Fri - Monroe
I’m liking this RV site more & more!! Barb made breakfast before we left for a trip to Mt. St. Helens. Larry thought it would be a couple of hours but the GPS said 3 hours. We hit some slower traffic on I5 but not bad. Unfortunately, we picked the wrong day for this trip. Mt. St. Helens was cloud-covered and we didn’t even bother to drive another hour (after the 3 hours) as we would not have been able to see the crater or anything else. We had packed a lunch so we enjoyed it before heading back.
We experienced a lot more slow traffic on the way back as it was 4:30 when we were near Tacoma. I saw the “Welcome to Tacoma” sign and was amazed at how much time had passed before we saw the Tacoma Dome. I had put a roast in the crock pot before we left so we just had to make veggies & salad for another yummy dinner. I even surprised Barb & Larry by producing freshly baked brownies for dessert.

Aug 8th - Sat - Monroe
Fresh baked muffins - thanks Barb! - for breakfast this morning. The weather was still cloudy & cool but no rain was forecast so we went golfing at nearby Blue Boy GC. It is a short 9 hole course and the only course that I have seen with a rock formation & plants in the middle of a green. Terry was helping Larry find a ball that he hit into a hedge and ended up finding a dozen other balls.
Barb invited another couple - Russ & Judy - to join us for dinner which we were able to enjoy on the patio after putting on light jackets.

Aug 9th - Sun - to Rochester WA
We made a quick trip for groceries before enjoying another breakfast cooked by Barb. We left about 10:30 for the hour and a half drive to the Lucky Eagle Casino at Rochester. This is our parking spot when we visit our son & family as we cannot turn around in their yard to get back out their LONG driveway.
After registering for our RV site, we had to spend some time in the casino where I came out a few dollars ahead. Then it was time to start dinner. Dean, Jennifer, Victoria & Cameron arrived just before 5. The sun had come out and we were parked beside the only picnic tables by the RV spots so we could chat & eat outside. Grandson Cameron (7 years old) has grown out of his incredibly shy stage. He is a store-house of obscure animal facts and has an amazing repertoire of large words which he uses correctly. He helped carry everything outside for dinner so he & I got to spend time together which I really enjoyed. Our beautiful granddaughter Victoria is 15 and into texting like all other teenagers.
They had to leave early as they are looking after horses for friends so we returned to the casino for a while. Just could not leave with money in our pockets!!

Aug 10th - Mon - to Long Beach WA
We packed up and then went to the casino for a nice breakfast that was paid for by points on our player cards. Unfortunately, it was Senior Day and we had to take advantage of some free play. Took us a long time to lose it and a few more dollars.
We left at 1:00 for the 2 hour drive to Long Beach where we are meeting friends Billy & Lauri who we met in New York and are also full-timers. Billy called about 2 to find out where we were and to tell us that Lauri was making dinner for us. What great friends we have!
We drove past many acres of trees that were broken off or blown down by a sustained wind several years ago. They are being cleaned up by a logging company but there are still places where you can see the damage.
It sprinkled for most of the drive and then rained when we were checking in & setting up at the Sand Castle RV park. We had a good time catching up with Billy & Lauri and having a great dinner.

Aug 2nd to 6th - Spokane to Monroe

Aug 2nd - Sun - Spokane
Lazy morning with coffee and the newspaper. Skip & Kathy were coming home and I decided to make dinner for all of us so we went for a few groceries & lunch. When we returned, Skip and his friend Pat were there. Skip & 11 other men had been on a golfing & fishing trip to Canada so he & Pat were cutting & vacuum sealing salmon. Kathy returned home from her “girls’ weekend” about 4:30 and we had the evening for dinner and catching up.

Aug 3rd - Mon - Spokane
We finally had the time and a bunch of Kathy’s CDs so we could load music on Terry’s MP3 player. Those little things are amazing. It has 8 gigabytes of storage and it took 1.6 GB (and several hours) to load 307 songs. I also loaded Picasa on Skip’s computer and gave him a crash course in using it.
We went to Bill & Georgia’s for dinner. It had cooled down enough to eat out on their beautiful new patio. Then we moved inside so we could see the cards & board for one of our marathon sessions of Sequence which the women won.

Aug 4th - Tues - Spokane
Skip left early to run errands so Kathy made breakfast for her & us. We decided that we needed a speaker system for our MP3 player so we could listen to music other than on ear buds. First we made an appointment to get our transmission fluid flushed and then shopped for speakers. Went to visit EllaMae & Don where Terry tried out the speakers. Turned out a cable listed on the package was missing and we couldn’t use it so he took it back to Big Lots where they opened a couple of others and found the cables missing in them also. Terry got his money back and returned to EllaMae’s just in time to go for the transmission flush.
But it just wasn’t his day! They got the truck up in the hoist and said “Oh, this is an Allison transmission and we can’t do it”! This is the same place that put new brakes on the truck a few days ago.
We stopped for a few groceries on the way back to S&K’s where they made us a wonderful dinner. Kathy had bought some “flameless” candles (an LED light in a wax shell) so, since the temperature had cooled down below 90, we moved outside to enjoy the candles, more wine and the great view.

Aug 5th - Wed - to Leavenworth WA
We had an 8:30 appointment to get our 5th wheel brakes worked on this morning. After checking out the wiring and pulling the tires it was determined that the best thing to do was replace all the brakes. We also needed one tire as for some unknown reason just one tire had worn through to the steel belts on one side and Terry had noticed it when we were packing stuff to leave Skip & Kathy’s. The tread on that tire and the others is still fine. The brakes were supposed to be delivered at 11. They called us at the casino at 11:30 to say they thought we needed new leaf springs. We had to go back there so Terry could show them two of the old springs that we kept when they were all replaced last year in New Jersey. When we left for lunch at 12:30 they hadn’t stated putting it back together.
We finally got on the road at 3:30 and decided to take Hwy 2 to Leavenworth. Nice drive through lots of wheat fields and then a long hill down to the Columbia River. We made the mistake of staying at the KOA in Leavenworth without asking the rate first - $50.50, no sewer and parked away in the back in “the meadow”. Won’t do that again.
Still hot all day. It was 91 at 6:30 when we arrived in Leavenworth.

Aug 6th - Thurs - to Monroe WA
Did some cleaning before leaving at 10:00 to visit our friends Larry & Barb who we met a couple of years ago in Alaska. It should have been an hour and 45 minute drive but about 25 miles from Monroe there was an accident on the highway. A semi had taken a curve too fast, pushed a large section of concrete barriers several feet towards the river and tipped a load of very smelly sludge. The tractor was off the road but the trailer was on it’s side in the middle of the 2 lane highway. Shortly after we stopped (3rd in line), vehicles came through from the opposite direction by driving partly on the grassy shoulder. Just as we were about to move, the police showed up and stopped all traffic because there was slippery brake fluid on the road and “there wasn’t room to drive past” even though a huge commercial bus had gone through there minutes earlier.
An hour later the trailer had been moved slightly so it was only blocking one lane and we got to go. Luckily, our side moved first. I counted about 300 vehicles lined up for 3 miles waiting to go west. Unfortunately, we had to drive through the sludge spilled on the road so when we stopped for fuel just down the road we cleaned off the front of the 5th wheel before the splatters dried completely.
Barb had lunch waiting for us which we enjoyed outside. The weather is much cooler but comfortable with long pants for the women and shorts for the hardier (!) men.
The guys took the truck to a car wash to get rid of the sludge behind the wheels and in the wheel wells. We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting, had a great dinner and retired to our home parked in the long driveway.

July 30th to Aug 1st - Spokane

July 30th - Thurs - Spokane
We went to Terry’s Mom’s house this morning and arrived in time for breakfast - good timing! Don had something wrong with his back and could not stand upright to walk so I drove him to his doctor appointment at 10. The doctor diagnosed a sciatica problem and prescribed some pain pills which we got on the way home. Terry went to Blue Crick RV to talk about the brakes on the 5th wheel. They tested the brake controller and figure it is OK. We have an appointment on Wed morning so we will be here longer than we thought.
After we had lunch at EllaMae’s, we went shopping for a few items. We hit every store we could think of on this end of town looking for a metal letter tray to match one that we already have. We haven’t had ours for long but it appears that they are no longer available. We returned to S&K’s to drop off our purchases and make a salad for dinner. Back to EllaMae’s for a nice dinner made by Terry’s sister Cindy.

July 31st - Fri - Spokane
I finally found some ripe peaches yesterday so we enjoyed them for breakfast. Terry puttered around on the 5th wheel and I worked on the computer before we went back to EllaMae’s. Terry was going to mow the lawn there but Cindy had beat us to it and was almost done. We did some weeding and then took off on our continuing search for a letter tray. We finally found a couple that are not the same as the one we had but will work. Back to S&K’s to relax and have dinner.

Aug 1st - Sat - Spokane
We stopped in to see EllaMae but she & Cindy were out shopping so we came back to S&K’s where Terry cleaned the bugs off the 5th wheel and I entered expenses on the computer. In the early afternoon we went to the Coeur d’Alene Casino. I had a run of luck and was able to cover Terry’s losses, our dinner and bring back a few dollars. We often split a very good, very large country fried steak at the casino. They changed their menu to offer a smaller portion (suitable for one) at a lower price. It is an ample dinner with a large Caesar salad, rolls, meat, mashed potatoes, a small biscuit & gravy - all for $6.99. Eat your heart out Canadian readers!!
Very hot today. Spokane broke a record at the official airport weather station at 101.

July 24th to 29th - to Pemberton,Surrey,Spokane

July 24th - Fri - to Pemberton B.C.
I made Buck & Snow (horse & donkey) very happy this morning by putting them out in a pasture so no one has to feed them while Marg is in Pemberton. We got a few other things organized and left about 10. Too many miles down the road to return, I figured that we had forgotten to take chicken out of the freezer to take with us. Marg confirmed this when we stopped to stretch our legs at Hat Creek so I rode with Marg so we could shop in Lillooet for more chicken. We also stopped at a produce stand and had Terry & Dad wondering if we would ever join them at the lunch spot.
We continued on the Duffy Lake road to Pemberton which includes some very steep hills - one is 18 %. There was construction and crack sealing crews on the road so we were stopped a few times. One timely stop allowed our brakes to cool before the last, steepest hills.
We arrived at brother Bob’s at 4 and set up between the house & the barn. Marg parked in the driveway so Dad would not have so far to walk. Brother Doug & his wife Judy arrived shortly after us. They live in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island and had a long trip. Their son Dennis and his wife Nina arrived about an hour later.
It was very hot so we set up lawn chairs and a couple of large folding tables in the deepest shade we could find. Bob raises & markets Pemberton Valley Natural Beef and provided steaks for dinner. We were joined by friends Allan & Shelley and by Bob’s son Trevor who lives nearby to make an even dozen for dinner.

July 25th - Sat - Pemberton
Judy made waffles & blueberry sauce for breakfast - yum! Then a trip to the cemetery to visit Mom’s grave. Doug, Judy, Dennis & Nina rode their bicycles while Marg, Dad, Terry & I followed in Doug’s car since we had not unhooked from our 5th wheel. We carried on afterwards to visit Dad’s friend Elmer who was not home. We chatted with his wife Ruth for a while, drove further up the valley and returned in time for lunch.
While Dad was having his after lunch rest, Terry unhooked our truck and he, Marg & I drove to town. We wanted to fuel up without having the 5th wheel in tow and also wanted something to do. We browsed through some stores, bought a few items and checked out some boots to replace a pair that Dad loves but are pretty ratty. Some huge raindrops came down just before we headed back and the clouds up the valley were very dark. When we got back, everyone had moved lawn chairs under cover and were standing under trees or eves to keep dry while the rain moved by. Lightening had hit the mountains and there were 4 fires burning that we could see. Helicopters immediately started checking them out and then dumped water on 2 to contain them.
We had a nice surprise when we returned from town. Aunt Jessie and Ed had arrived. No mud to mess up their parking this time so they were set up right behind us and made it 12 for dinner outside again.

July 26th - Sun - Pemberton
Dennis & Nina left early this morning on their way to Banff and then as far across Canada as their vacation time allows.
Judy wanted to go to the Doggie Fest in town so she & Doug rode their bikes the 10 or so miles and the rest of us followed later in 2 cars since there were 7 of us. There was a silent auction, a kids’ tent, a BBQ area and an agility course. There were a few dogs being put through their paces on the course. Some of our group had lunch and we asked when the agility competition would begin. Turns out it was just a demonstration and a chance for dog owners to work with the trainers.
We did have another reason for going to town and that was to have Dad try on and hopefully buy the boots that Marg & I checked out yesterday. The boots were too hard to pull on but I found a pair of slip on shoes that are sturdy enough for Dad to wear on the farm and he wore them out of the store. Bob ended up buying the boots that Dad looked at and a great straw type hat that offers more protection to ears & neck than a ball cap. Doug & Judy got into the swing of things with a leather cap for Doug and a purse for Judy.
We have a couple of big tables still set up outside so we had lunch in the shade. Doug & Judy were way overheated when they got back.
Bob & Doug took Marg’s motor home into the relatively cooler root house - which is now a shop - to work on the wheel well. Marg & I offered encouragement, held lights and fetched things. They got it patched up in time for Bob to shower and start barbequing chicken for dinner. It was lovely sitting outside until mosquitoes suddenly and fiercely appeared and sent us inside.
The largest mountain fire was had way less smoke this morning but as the nighttime moisture disappeared and the weather heated up, it flared up again so we saw more helicopters with water buckets.

July 27th - Mon - to Surrey B.C.
Doug & Judy left at 7 to catch the 10:10 ferry from Horseshoe Bay. Aunt Jessie & Ed were next to leave about 9 and we followed shortly afterwards. There is a lot of construction on Hwy 99 from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics but the longest stop was about 10 minutes.
We planned to stay at the Pacific Border RV park with our friends Terry & Judy Huber but we couldn’t get them on the phone yesterday or this morning. I called the RV park and they said that Terry & Judy were away. We had decided to keep going south when Judy called and said they were just getting back so we got a spot and joined them. The RV park is right behind the duty free store and you wonder if you are on the right road when every lane includes “US Border” on the sign.
I have a very empty fridge but did have a couple of packages of baby back ribs (what else!?) in the freezer. Terry & Judy contributed all the rest and we had a nice dinner with them.

July 28th - Tues - to Spokane
Our long (for us!) drive today started with a 20 minute wait to get through customs and very few questions at customs. We hit a couple of slow stretches near Seattle, stopped for fuel and for lunch, stopped at a rest area to wake Terry up and arrived at Northern Quest casino about 3:30. Terry wanted to take the 5th wheel to Blue Crick RV tomorrow to get the brakes checked so thought we would stay overnight at the casino as it is on the same side of town as Blue Crick. Well, our “allowance” didn’t last too long at the casino so I persuaded him to take advantage of sister-in-law Kathy’s offer to park in their driveway. Kathy & Skip are not home right now but they generously included the use of the house which we really appreciated this evening with the weather remaining hot.

July 29th - Wed - Spokane
First to a brake shop and made an appointment to get the truck brakes worked on this afternoon. Picked up our mail and then ordered contacts from Costco. Good thing I have a couple of pairs left as they take a week to get here so we will have them sent to our mail box and then forwarded to us somewhere. Then we crossed another thing off our list by getting front tires for the truck.
We stopped at another shop to discuss our 5th wheel brakes and haven’t decided how to proceed yet. After lunch we went to Whites where Terry used to work to pick up the chairs that we ordered. Back to Skip & Kathy’s to put the chairs together. They look nice and are so much lighter to move around which we have to do each time we move.
I stayed to catch up the blog and do some laundry while Terry took the truck in for the brakes. It took longer than we expected so I had dinner ready when he got back. Now relaxing and enjoying the view from S&K’s windows.

July 20th to 23rd - 100 Mile House

July 20th- Mon - 100 Mile House
We went back to the final clean up of debris where we “logged” behind the house when we first got here. We figured a couple of loads would do it but 5 loads later we said it was OK. Then we picked up 2 more loads in another area near the house before going in for lunch.
Marg talked to brother Doug last night and he figures that he & brother Bob could fix the motor home wheel well when we visit at the end of the week so we spent nearly 2 hours cleaning up all the dust and sealing the hole inside with duct tape. Marg took the opportunity to do some reorganizing and decluttering as well.
Then we all cleaned up and went to play golf. Dad rode along in a cart and nearly had to take off his shoes to add up our ugly scores! We had great schnitzel dinners at a local restaurant and were home shortly before 7. When Marg & I did chores, she got a chance to pet and play with a kitten that I have been trying to tame. Marg has an old neutered male cat that is very old so she would like another that is quiet enough to pet and come up to the house - but not in the house. We named the kitten TaG.

July 21st - Tues - 100 Mile House
Marg & I ran the sheep through pens to count, give worming medication and separate the rams. Terry took the 5th wheel into town to dump the black water tank and to run it and the truck through the car wash. We ordered 2 chairs which are waiting for us in Spokane so we took out our existing chairs to leave them here for Aunt Jessie to pick up.
Friends Al & Cecile stopped by to check out the new bathroom and storage shed. They had a look at the new, unused wood splitter and Marg decided it was a good time to hook it to the tractor and try it out. Didn’t take long to get it hooked up and split a small stack of rounds. It moves a lot slower than her old splitter but will be just right for Marg & Dad to handle.
It was too hot to work outside so I started some sewing projects while Terry & Dad beat the heat with a cool drink on the porch. Aunt Jessie gave Marg a sweatshirt that was way too long so I remodeled it and took 8 inches of the sleeves and 6 inches off the length. Should have bought a new sweatshirt! Had the right color thread in the machine so shortened a tee shirt for me.
After dinner Terry, Marg & I went to Nicole & Francis’ so I could help Nicole on her computer. She has a dial up internet connection which of course is slow but she thought maybe there were other problems like a lack of disk space. We gave her a lesson on downloading pictures from her camera and backing up files. Didn’t get back until shortly before 11.

July 22nd - Wed - 100 Mile House
We got out early for some more “logging” to try to beat the heat - it didn’t work! Very hot. We cleared a trail that Marg uses for cross country skiing as well as being a route for the ATVs across the farm. We cut down several trees that the ice storm caused to bend across the fences. We used the tractor to support the trees as they were being cut so they didn’t take down the fence and then piled the branches & wood.
Marg & I went golfing with the weekly ladies group this afternoon. Marg had one of her best games - and I didn’t! We are going to Pemberton to visit my brother Bob on Friday so we went grocery shopping when we finished our round of golf. We are one of the earliest groups to tee off so there is a long time to wait for prizes & drawings if we have dinner right after golf.
When we got home, I worked with Marg on her computer - spreadsheets and Picasa.

July 23rd - Thurs - 100 Mile House
After getting laundry sorted and the first of 4 loads going, Marg & I installed a couple of pieces of molding to complete the basement ceiling repair. Dad ended up with the lovely job of washing out 3 paint brushes that have been stored in plastic wrap to use another day. Terry helped me cut out & sew a quilt cover for an OLD wool quilt of Marg’s that was made by my grandmother. Then we discovered that a lot of the stitching was broken and the wool was bunching up in places. So I had to redo a lot of the hand stitching. Terry remembered that our wool quilt had a big wad of wool in one corner so it was taken apart and repaired next. Marg even carded some of the wool to restore some loft. Then a lot more hand stitching with Marg’s help.
After lunch we cut & washed a lot of lettuce from the garden as the warm weather is wilting it. Marg & Terry cut down a 2 more dead trees to end the logging projects. Put a bunch of stuff away in the 5th wheel and then Marg & I went to town. We dropped Sage (Marg’s dog) off to stay with friend. Sage is a great traveler and well behaved but my brother Bob has a young dog, my nephew has a dog and my brother Doug will probably bring a dog so it is best to leave Sage with the sitter. We did more grocery shopping and a couple of other errands. Arrived home in time to get dinner under way. While it was cooking, I gave Terry & Dad haircuts and Marg made Rice Krispy squares. After dinner, I sewed snaps on the quilt cover and Marg watered the garden. Phew!!
I will not have internet access for the next few days so will not be replying to emails or posting my blog.

July 17th to 19th - 100 Mile House

July 17th - Fri - 100 Mile House
I cannot believe that the “finishing touches” on the bathroom can take as long as the major stuff! I was putting some items back in cabinets when Francis & Nicole stopped by for a brief visit. We worked on the door & last few pieces of siding on the storage shed before lunch. After lunch we had to exchange a towel bar (who knew the missing medicine cabinet would get in the way of a towel bar!), get screws for the storage shed hinges, buy a door latch and find ceiling tiles for yet another project - fixing the ceiling where Marg had a new wood heater installed a couple of years ago. Also picked up a set of towels to add some wow to the new bathroom.
We installed the door in the shed (fine job if I do say so myself!) and put finishing strips on 2 corners before it was quitting time. Just as we were sitting down for dinner, Marg drove into the yard. We had to show off our handy work after dinner - Marg was suitably impressed!

July 18th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Marg & I did laundry and cleaning before Marg left to have lunch with a friend. Terry put the latch on the storage shed door and finished the corner trim. I joined him in time to put stuff away and sweep the shed. We started putting up the new ceiling tiles and discovered it was not as easy a job as Terry expected. He thought he could cut off the interlocking edges and glue the new tiles. The glue was not as quick setting as we expected and the tiles were impossible to cut neatly. Luckily Marg came back in time to “calmly & quietly” help us complete most of the tiles. We ended up with sticks & boards supporting glued tiles until they dried.
We had to hurry to do chores, change clothes and get to Al & Cecile’s for BBQ dinner. There were 18 people there for a very nice dinner. It was a nice enough evening to sit out before & during dinner but it cooled down quickly and the wimpier guests moved inside for dessert & coffee.

July 19th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Marg & I spent the morning completing the ceiling, doing more laundry & cleaning and planning dinner with guests to take advantage of a salmon that Marg brought back from her trip to Bella Coola. Terry filled our buddy burners and made one for Marg. It took him a while since he had to clean the propane stove after he spilled wax on it. Marg’s motor home has been very dusty inside for several trips so she & Terry pulled out drawers and discovered a hole through the wheel well that Marg figured was caused by a blown tire. Doesn’t look like we can fix it so will probably take it to the repair guy tomorrow.
Marg & I made a trip after lunch for a few groceries for us & the cats. Put dessert together when we got back, watered the garden and prepped for dinner. Terry went gopher hunting when we were gone and decreased the population by 8. He was huffing & puffing when we got back as he had just returned the sheep to the correct pasture after a gate was mistakenly left open.
Toni & son Michael and Francis & Nicole joined us for dinner. Then Terry entertained them with jokes that we have saved on the computer. As Toni was leaving, I noticed a couple of sheep on the wrong side of a fence so Marg & I went to investigate. Lambs were crossing under a fence by going through a watering trough so we nailed up a board to prevent them from continuing to do so.

July 13th to 16th - 100 Mile House

July 13th - Mon - 100 Mile House
We got an early start this morning and were wondering what to do before being sure the stores would be open. The sheep settled that question for us by getting into the shearing end of the barn last night and making a huge mess of the fleeces piled there. It took two huge loads on a wagon behind the ATV to haul it all to the burn pile. Then we got to go to town - again! - for paint, nails, etc.
Terry started on the shower plumbing while I did some painting on cupboard doors. He had a problem with the hot water connection - it appears as if the shutoff valve leaks a bit - but got it all done with no leaks.
We framed the front end of the storage shed for a door. It took us longer to decide how large the door should be (we are making it) and where it should be placed than doing the framing.
After dinner I primed the sheetrock that we used for the new walls by the shower so they will be ready tomorrow.

July 14th - Tues - 100 Mile House
Got the walls glued on the shower and the side rails attached but couldn’t go further as we hit a “leave for 24 hours” step. Dad worked on trying to mix the lumps out of an old but unopened can of white paint that we hope to use on sheds & barns.
Then - SURPRISE! - another trip to town. This time to take Dad to have stitches taken out of his ear (from his biopsy last week) and for his regular blood test. Had lunch at KFC, got a few groceries and hit the hardware store again. Glued the corner panel into the shower and then Terry headed out to work on the storage shed while I painted the walls in the bathroom. Since we changed the wall color, Terry had to remove the toilet tank so we could paint behind it again.
I got tired of painting so helped Terry for a while until it was time to do chores and make dinner.
Terry got a second wind after dinner and decided to mow the “lawn” areas in the garden, beside the greenhouse and around the fire pit. Of course I couldn’t sit and watch so I did some weeding and took over the mowing when Terry needed a break. Then it was still light so we took a tour of the fence line on the ATV’s.

July 15th - Wed - 100 Mile House
We finished the shower installation with top rails and doors and then caulked everywhere which requires another 24 hour curing time. I put a second coat of paint on the walls and finished painting the cabinets. Terry & Dad built the door for the storage shed.
Terry & Dad loaded all the old fixtures, boxes from the new fixtures and all other accumulated garbage in Marg’s truck and made a trip to the dump.
I went golfing with the weekly ladies’ group - didn’t do very well. There was a short downpour just before our group teed off but then it cleared and was hot & muggy. Went home afterwards and made dinner for all of us rather than having dinner at the golf course.

July 16th - Thurs - 100 Mile House
We worked on piddly little finishing things on the bathroom this morning and then went shopping for towel bars, etc after lunch. Also mandatory stops at the grocery store and the liquor store.
More painting, putting on cabinet doors, hanging the medicine cabinet and hanging a remodeled storage cupboard took us the rest of the afternoon.
Another warm day that we did not get to enjoy much as we spent most of the day inside.

July 9th to 12th - 100 Mile House

July 9th - Thurs - 100 Mile House
Yet another appointment in town for Dad - this time to get his new hearing aid fitted & calibrated. While he & Marg were gone, Terry & I gave Ed & Aunt Jessie ideas for organizing their 5th wheel and then gave them a lesson on their GPS. It is a Magellan rather than a Garmin like ours but we were able to figure most things out. They left about 11:30 and we immediately started tearing apart the downstairs bathroom that is going to be remodeled. After lunch and more demolition, Terry & I went to town for paint and a couple of other items.
Nice BBQ steak dinner and relaxation.

July 10th - Fri - 100 Mile House
Marg left this morning for a week’s vacation. She took her motor home and is meeting 2 sets of friends for camping and fishing. We washed the bathroom walls & ceiling with TSP to prepare for a primer coat and took out the toilet. We finished all the primer just in time to clean the brushes before lunch. It needs 8 hours to dry so after lunch we headed out to work on the storage shed. We put on the ridge cap and then put a ridge cap on the little roof over the back door - don’t know why the roofers didn’t put one on.
Next we started on the siding on the shed. We have 8 x ½ inch boards from the scrap pile at the mill. We make lap siding out of it by cutting little wedges to support the boards as they are overlapped by an inch. Works great. We cut the wedges and did half of one side before we were interrupted by happy hour.
We painted the ceiling and walls in the bathroom after dinner - it was close to 9 by the time we finished.

July 11th - Sat - 100 Mile House
This morning we put down sticky back floor tiles in the bathroom to prepare for putting in the new toilet. Dad sleeps downstairs and does not need to be going up the stairs at night to use the bathroom. Marg measured incorrectly so we didn’t have enough floor tiles and had to made a trip to town for non-matching extras that we could use under the shower.
In the afternoon we finished the siding on both sides of the shed in very hot weather. Luckily, the shed is mostly shaded in the afternoon. After dinner we installed the toilet so put in another long day.

July 12th - Sun - 100 Mile House
We discovered that even though the old & new shower enclosures are the same size, the old one did not fit right against the walls so the drain is not in the right place for the new shower. We have to build out the walls by 7/8 to 1 ¼ inches. So another trip to town for sheetrock and more plumbing parts to move the taps with the wall. Unfortunately, 100 Mile House is a small town and the hardware store and lumber store are closed on Sunday. We also hoped to buy more paint as we have changed our color scheme. We painted the ceiling a light color and the walls a light tan. There is no window in the bathroom so, with the lack of light, the ceiling takes on the color of the walls. The cabinets are rough cedar which we were going to paint the dark color with light doors. Two or three coats of “superior stain cover” undercoat still allows color to bleed through on the wood so now we are going to paint the doors dark as well (the bleeding color is the same as the paint) and change the walls to the light color.
Before we could get the shower base in place, we also had to cut down the drain pipe. We found a sheet of sheetrock in the shop and figured out that we could cut all the pieces that we needed so we put up one wall and cut the other which we will put up after the plumbing is done.
Back to the storage shed in the afternoon. We framed a window and installed siding on the back wall. Right after we nailed the last piece, Dad made a suggestion that would made the shed look better so we pulled off 5 rows of siding and redid them. Another hot day so I watered the garden.

July 6th to 8th - 100 Mile House

July 6th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Terry, Marg & I left just after 8 for a shopping trip to Kamloops. We are planning on remodeling the downstairs bathroom so bought a shower stall, toilet, sink & flooring. Cousin Pat met us so we could take advantage of her contractor’s discount on some of the items. Of course, not all items were available in one store so we ran around town in pouring rain to get everything we needed. After lunch and grocery shopping we spent an hour and a half at the casino where Terry covered some of my losses and Marg didn’t lose much.
We drove home via Little Fort - sort of accidentally and on the wrong (non highway) side of the Thompson River. We took the McLeure ferry across the river before reaching Barriere to avoid a section of gravel road. The ferry is tethered to a cable and uses the river current to cross. We and another truck made a full load - a fun experience.
We stopped for dinner at the Iron Horse restaurant in Lone Butte and got home about 9:30. Dashed out in the rain to do chores.

July 7th - Tues - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!
My birthday was a good excuse for a barbeque “party” so we had to do some housecleaning and setup. Of course, since we planned an outside BBQ, it had to rain yesterday & today. So we set up tables to have it inside. Marg had to take Dad to the doctor to have his ears cleaned and picked up a few last minute groceries.
Friends & relatives in attendance were: Francis & Nicole; Al & Cecile; Val & Steve & 2 houseguests; Sharon; Jane; Janet & Bill; Toni & Micheal; Rick & Pat & grandson Landon & son Chris & granddaughter Christina & grandson Cameron; Aunt Jessie & Ed.
We had a little “entertainment” when Ed tried to park his 5th wheel in the muddy front yard. His 2 wheel drive truck started spinning so he unhooked and Terry hooked up our truck which is 4 wheel drive. First Marg had to use the tractor to pull Ed out of the way. But Terry couldn’t get enough traction either so Marg ended up hooking up to the rear of the 5th wheel and pulling it & Terry backwards to a point where he could get going down a small incline, make a turn and drive out to a grassy field where he turned around and pulled the 5th wheel to a level spot on grass by the corrals. Guests not involved in the parking effort lined the upper porch railing to view the entertainment.
We all had a wonderful time eating & visiting.

July 8th - Wed - 100 Mile House
Marg had to take Dad to another doctor appointment for a biopsy on his ear this morning while Pat & I made breakfast for the rest of the gang (us & her family who stayed the night). Pat, Rick & Landon left for home just after 10. Then Marg took Chris, Christina, Cameron and Ed fishing on a nearby creek while Terry, Dad, Jessie & I took it easy.
We built a fire in the picnic area behind the house and roasted hot dogs for a late lunch.
We gave Jessie some instructions for starting dinner and Marg & I went golfing with the weekly ladies group. Normally we have dinner at the golf course restaurant but today we finished our round just before a little rain storm and came right home for dinner.

July 3rd to 5th - 100 Mile House

July 3rd - Fri - 100 Mile House
I “excused Marg from work” today and told her to go on an outing with a friend who called this morning. That meant I had to help Terry continue building the storage shed today. Carpenters we are not! After lunch Terry & I took an ATV ride looking for the coyote - no luck.
Marg returned in time to fold the laundry and help make dinner. We barbequed and ate outside to enjoy some lovely weather.

July 4th - Sat - 100 Mile House
We got the metal roof on the storage shed this morning. After lunch Marg & I went to town to pick up the chain saw and run a few other errands. We were almost home when Marg remembered that we had to buy the ridge cap for the roof so we went back. Terry was changing a set of Dutch doors on the barn to open on the opposite side in preparation for building a hay storage shed by the barn. Because of the construction, he couldn’t just turn the doors over. He had to move the hinges to the other side and then they didn’t fit as well.
We selected and moved the boards for the storage shed walls but didn’t have time to start working on them.

July 5th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Terry did some adjusting on the barn doors this morning while Marg & I puttered around in the house & garden. Then we all went logging behind the house - nearly done there. After lunch we decided it was too hot to pick up the remaining branches. Marg took the gun on the ATV on another search for the coyote. Dad, Terry & I were relaxing on the porch when we heard a gun shot. A couple minutes later we heard another shot and figured she must have got the coyote since it would have been long gone if she totally missed the first time. Well, she did kill a coyote that had gotten caught in the snare. She missed the first time and Sage (her dog) jumped off the ATV as she hates loud noises. Unfortunately, Sage was tied up and nearly hung herself so Marg had to deal with her before she could shoot at the coyote again.
We all cleaned up and played golf at the local Marmot Ridge golf course - short 9 hole course. Then we went out for a nice dinner. When we returned, Marg & I went to get the coyote and bury him.
Very warm today and still warm tonight.

June 30th to July 2nd - 100 Mile House

June 30th - Tues - 100 Mile House
Back to the logging behind the house. There were some trees that needed major persuading to miss the fence and the power line. Marg lifted Terry up on the tractor loader to place a rope as high as possible which he then used to pull the tree in the opposite direction from where it was leaning. Then it was my turn to get a lift in the loader to trim dead limbs from several large trees. We hauled away the largest debris and then Marg & Terry went back to the storage shed while Dad & I cleaned up small junk behind the shop where the storage shed is being built.
When we went in for lunch, we realized that we had not seen Sage (Marg’s Border Collie) for some time. Marg assumed the worst and took the ATV to look for her in the sheep pasture. After driving all over, Marg finally found Sage in the chicken house. She slipped in when Dad went in there and she will not bark to let you know she is there.
After lunch, Marg, Terry & I went shopping and took the small chain saw in for some adjustments.

July 1st - Wed - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA!!
We did a few small jobs this morning - laundry, cleaned up several years worth of sunflower seed shells under the bird feeders, secured the metal roof on the barn by putting Terry on a ladder on the loader of the tractor and straightened the step on the tractor that Marg caught on a stump.
Then we went to take in some Canada Day events at Heritage House at 108 Mile. The Lions Club was selling hamburgers so we took advantage of that for lunch. There was a little stage with entertainment (music, Tai Quan Do, square dancing and belly dancing) which we enjoyed while we ate and afterwards. There were vendor booths to be explored and Marg saw many acquaintances.
Next we dropped off a couple of wheelbarrows that Dad had repaired and stopped to visit Marg’s guardian dog that she had to give away because it played too rough with the lambs. She is now doing a great job of keeping deer from eating the plants in a nursery.
Marg & I finished laundry and worked in the garden when we returned. Took a quick ATV loop to check the snare (empty) & made dinner.

July 2nd - Thurs - 100 Mile House
Sad entry today - our Dolly is no longer with us. We will miss her a lot but we are ready to enjoy the freedom of not having a pet.
Marg & I stuffed our pockets with tissue and carried on with gardening, working on the storage shed and getting haircuts. Terry went after a coyote but didn’t get close enough for a shot. Our niece Katrina, her daughter Robbie and her aunt Brita stopped by for a short visit on their way home from visiting relatives. They were planning on staying overnight but decided to get a couple more hours of driving in while Robbie was (hopefully) sleeping.

June 27th to 29th -100 Mile House

June 27th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Don’t know what is going on - we got another day off today and went to the Williams Lake Stampede. We left just before 10, got a close parking spot and went to see what was happening. Chariot races were nearly over so we got grandstand tickets that were reserved seating and good for all day. After the chariot races we watched pony chuck wagon qualifying races. They ended about 11:30 and we thought we would wander around and get lunch. Turns out there were only a dozen vendor booths and nothing else to do so we drove the short ways into town and had lunch.
Terry had to park much farther away when we returned. We were just in time for the rodeo which started at 1:00. All the usual rodeo events which were very organized and moved right along. In the rodeo intermission there were pony chuck wagon races. After the rodeo, there was an event called a “ranch challenge” where 10 ranches formed 3 person teams and competed in cattle cutting and wild horse racing. We only stayed for the first round of cattle cutting by all 10 teams and then headed to the casino.
By now it was 5:30 (a long time on hard benches with no backs!) and the casino was very busy with so many people in town for the stampede. It took about an hour for Terry, Marg & I to lose $20 each.
Marg & I made a plan so when we got home she did chores, I started dinner and Terry made drinks.

June 28th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Back to work! We switched to taking out trees behind the shop where Marg wants to build the new storage shed. Terry used a ladder to tie a rope to most of the trees to “persuade” them to fall where they wanted them. Worked very well. We hauled off all the limbs & small trees and towed several trees to the wood cutting area.
After lunch, we started building the storage shed. Of course the spot where we wanted a concrete block had huge tree roots. We moved somewhat but Marg finally had to get the chain saw to get rid of some roots. We got the floor built and called it a day.
After dinner, Marg & I took the ATV to set a snare at a spot where she noticed a trail under the electric fence - probably from a coyote.

June 29th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Marg & I locked the sheep in last night so we could count them this morning. Seem to be missing one ewe and 3 lambs. Friends Francis & Nicole stopped by for a bit and then we worked on the storage shed which is supposed to be our “reward” for clearing trees. Sounds a little weird when more work is the reward for working!
After lunch we had to go back to cleaning up trees by the barn. We felled all the trees that were leaning towards the barn and then Marg & Terry really went to work just behind the barn and got rid of all the dead, leaning and broken trees in a small area. We picked up all the branches and raked up all the little pieces since it is pasture.
Marg, Terry & I took the ATVs to check on the snare (no coyote) and Marg showed Terry a trail that she wants cleared so she can go cross country skiing in the winter.
No afternoon rain today.

June 23rd to 26th - 100 Mile House

June 23rd - Tues - 100 Mile House
More work in the woods this morning. We have quite a few logs now in the area where we will cut them up later for firewood.
In the afternoon, Dad & I finished the trim on the barn bird houses. Then Terry joined us and we put together a box to be used for transporting bottles of wine from a wine shop. Wine is expensive in Canada so a lot of people buy kits and then use the facilities at a wine shop to make their own wine. A friend of Marg’s was using cardboard boxes to carry her wine so Marg & Dad made 3 boxes that carry 12 bottles each. We discovered that not all the pieces were cut so we will have to finish the box another day.

June 24th - Wed - 100 Mile House
Cool, windy, rainy morning so we finished putting together the wine carrier box. Then we loaded up Marg’s truck with all the stuff sitting around that needed to go to the garbage dump and made that trip. Dad picked up a pair of cross country skis in the “too good to toss” shack that he will use to build a sled.
Marg was home when we got back so we wandered around a bit to show her our progress on various projects. After lunch I helped Marg empty the motor home and got some laundry going after Marg found the filter on the cold water hose that was keeping the washing machine from filling properly.
Marg & I went golfing with the ladies’ league and then had dinner at the golf course restaurant. Terry went to KFC to pick up dinner for him & Dad. He figures they use banty chickens here as the pieces were so small!!

June 25th - Thurs - 100 Mile House
Marg made phone calls, caught up on mail and tended to the garden which I had neglected a bit before she joined the rest of us in the woods. Terry dropped a tree on the “emergency” outhouse. Luckily it was a small tree and didn’t do any damage. After lunch we moved slightly to take down some trees that were either leaning over a fence or towards a barn. Marg maneuvered the tractor to support the tree on the forks of the loader and Terry cut down the tree. Worked great - no damaged fences or barn thanks to Marg‘s expert tractor driving. We picked up 3 loads of debris and called it quits so we could clean up to go to dinner.
It was friend Francis’ birthday today and his wife Nicole invited us and friends Al & Cecile over for dinner. Good friends, good food - what more can you ask?! I rarely use the expression but dessert was a rum cake “to die for”.

June 26th - Fri - 100 Mile House
We took a break today and went to the Farmer’s Market in town this morning. Dad really enjoys a band that plays there occasionally but they weren’t there today. There were quit a few vendors and the sun was shining so we enjoyed wandering around. Next a stop to get Dad’s blood test done and then on to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the feed store and the lumber mill for some 2x4s and some free “scrap” ½ x 6 inch boards.
After a late lunch we intended to hit the logging again but first had to sharpen & gas up the chain saws. While Marg was doing that, Terry started cleaning out a storage shed under 2 fuel tanks on a stand. The plan is to move the tanks and build a storage shed in its place. Since it was all cleaned out, Marg got the tractor and moved the stand & tanks to a place where it is easier to access & load when we find someone who wants it. Next we had to repair the platform that fits on the tractor forks. We ended up replacing the whole back portion which took us right up to chore time and happy hour.

June 19th to 22nd - 100 Mile House

June 19th - Fri - 100 Mile House
A change today with rain in the morning instead of the afternoon. So we worked in the shop in the morning and went logging in the afternoon. This is getting to be a little repetitive and probably boring for our readers but it is too much hard work to be boring for us!

June 20th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Cool, very slightly drizzly morning - perfect for more logging. We have a huge pile to be burned in the fall, preferably after a snow fall so it doesn’t get away. My niece Katrina (brother Bob’s daughter), her daughter Robbie and her aunt Brita are coming today to spend the night on their way to Pemberton and Salmon Arm respectively. So I did some cleaning and changed bedding in preparation.
We were expecting them for dinner but Katrina called just before 6 to say they were still an hour away so we went ahead and ate.
Robbie is just over 2 months old. Dad was so looking forward to holding his first great-grandchild. Robbie was not too co-operative about being held after a full day in the car seat but Dad & Robbie cooed and laughed at each other.

June 21st - Sun - 100 Mile House
Katrina wanted banty chicken eggs for breakfast so I made bacon, eggs & fried potatoes. I gave Brita a brief tour on the ATV and they left about 10:30. We headed for the woods and put in a couple of hours before lunch.
Dad had the bright idea of cleaning up an area behind the shop. We ended up with a full load of sticks and a partial load that he will dump tomorrow before going back to the real logging. Dad & I started working on some log cabin bird houses until there were too many questions that needed Marg so we switched to a couple of red, hip roof barn style bird houses. They need trim for doors & windows so we got out an itty bitty chop saw and got part of it done. Terry finished the final fitting on the TV cabinet and got most of it glued and nailed.
I intended to do my blog tonight but got hooked on one of the computer games that Terry has been playing and just didn’t get anything else done.

June 22nd - Mon - 100 Mile House
Put a load of laundry in before we went logging. Put in 3 ½ hours and 5 tractor loads before our bodies said “enough!”. Terry misjudged the direction of a tree that he was falling so we had to spend some time dragging it with the tractor and a chain to get it to fall past the tree & old stump that it landed on.
We gave Buck (horse) and Snow (donkey) a treat and tethered them out to eat grass for a change. They are normally in the corral as Buck cannot handle much grass.
After lunch we cleaned up and went to town to get some trim for our TV shelf, take Dad for his monthly blood test and stop at the grocery store. Turned out Dad needed a new special blue card which we did not have so he couldn’t get his blood testing done.
Dad & I then spent some time in the shop putting trim on the barn style bird houses while Terry worked on the TV cabinet. It is looking good!
Chores, dinner, TV, crossword puzzles - the regular.

June 16th to 18th - 100 Mile House

June 16th - Tues - 100 Mile House
Back to our logging project his morning while it was still cool. We didn’t stay cool for long though - this is hard work. My arms are covered with scratches & bruises and the mosquitoes love Terry. Dad hangs in there with us driving the tractor and then the 4 wheeler when we drag a couple of logs to the area to cut up later for firewood. We quit before lunch as it was getting too warm and we were getting too tired.
The cable TV has been acting up so a technician came today to see what was wrong. A couple of big trees are interfering with the signal, especially when the wind blows the branches. He replaced a part on the satellite dish, realigned it a bit and it hasn’t had a problem since.
We crossed off an item on our to-do list by insulating and covering an old door opening on the shop to help the heater keep it warm in the winter.
We have a project of our own in the 5th wheel. We are adding shelves to the big TV cabinet since we got rid of our old, large TV and have a smaller LCD model. Terry bought wood yesterday and got started on it today. Rain again this afternoon. The grass may catch up to the sheep if this keeps up.
Couldn’t drag Terry away from computer games tonight. He didn’t give up until he beat Marg’s score at midnight.

June 17th - Wed - 100 Mile House
We got a call that the electric fencer was repaired so we picked it up & installed it. Then we had to check the whole fence to make sure all the sections had enough charge to keep the sheep in. The pastures that the sheep were grazing were running out of grass so we had to get them into a bigger area. Everything went well (Marg had repaired the fence earlier before the fencer quit) so we opened different gates for the sheep.
After lunch we hit the tree cleaning up project. We had to make an opening for the tractor into a different section so we wouldn’t have to carry debris so far to load on the tractor. Luckily there were trees that needed to be removed and we got through. After a couple hours of hard work, Terry noticed some really black clouds and suggested that we get all the gear and ourselves under cover before the rain hit. Just in time! We ran for the porch where we sat and watched hail & rain and listened to thunder. I was supposed to play golf but I don’t start a round when it is raining. Also, the temperature dropped many degrees with the rain and I get cranky playing golf when I am cold!
Then the usual evening routine of chores, dinner & relaxation.

June 18th - Thurs - 100 Mile House.
A haircut for Terry this morning and then we worked on our TV cabinet until we had to take Dad for a hearing appointment at 11. Terry ran some errands while I waited for Dad. It ended up taking over an hour for his hearing tests. We went to a couple of stores and then had A&W hamburgers for lunch.
When we returned, Terry continued working on the TV cabinet shelves. We barely had time to think about getting back to the “logging” when the afternoon thunder started rumbling and changed our minds. Sure enough, more welcome rain. We puttered around some more, retrieved the sheets that I had washed and made the bed, did the chores and then headed inside for happy hour, dinner & TV. Also computer games for Terry - he is hooked on trying to beat Marg’s scores on her games.

June 14th to 15th - 100 Mile House

June 14th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Marg has a short list of projects to keep us busy so we got going on one this morning. Last winter there was a bad ice storm that made a mess of the trees on the farm. A lot of trees have the tops broken off and many are bent over and will break with snow next winter. So they all need to be cut down and removed. There are also dead standing trees, fallen trees and scrub trees to remove. We had 2 chain saws, 2 ATVs and the tractor and kept them all working. Marg & Terry felled & cut up trees. We had to tie ropes to some trees to persuade them to fall away from fences. We loaded branches & junk on the front end loader on the tractor, drove a short way around the house and created a pile to burn in the fall when the fire danger is not high. Logs suitable for firewood were dragged to an area to be cut up later.
We took a lunch break and went back at it. We stopped about 3:30 so we could shower and make dinner for friends Francis & Nicole. Evening chores are minimal right now and I got a lesson from Marg on what needs to be done. We had a nice dinner and visit with Francis & Nicole. Everyone except Marg was falling asleep by 9.

June 15th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Counted bruises and sore muscles today!!
Marg left for a week long vacation this morning. I sent my cell phone with her as I feel like I might need to call her - not much time for instructions.
We went back to the tree cleaning up project. We got a lot done - Terry on the chainsaw & heavy lifting, Dad driving the tractor to dump the loads of trees & branches and me picking up & loading the tractor. We decided to quit about 11:45 as it was getting quite warm and we were all tiring. We thought at the time that we might do some more when it cooled down but that didn’t happen.
After lunch Dad & Terry went on a farm tour and then we started on another item on our to-do list - replacing screen in a screen door. We tore off all the wood slats & screen and then discovered that the roll of screen was only enough for the bottom - guess Marg figured the top was OK! We had a couple of other errands so we made a trip to town - bank, grocery store, feed store, building supply store and glass shop for screen.
We finished repairing the screen door and it was time for chores and dinner. There was thunder rumbling during the afternoon with some showers and then a short downpour while I was doing chores.

June 10th to 13th - Spokane to 100 Mile House, BC

June 10th - Wed - Spokane
Today is EllaMae’s birthday but we will be waiting until Cindy is here to celebrate it tomorrow. Gary came over for lunch and showed us some of his wonderful waterfowl (and eagle) pictures. We picked up our mail and were surprised to see that my driver’s license (with EllaMae’s address) was sent to our mail box.
Bill & Georgia had us over for dinner this evening. We had so much catching up to do that we didn’t even play Sequence.

June 11th - Thurs - Spokane
Cindy, Don & EllaMae went to the casino at Worley after breakfast this morning. We returned items to the 5th wheel in preparation for leaving early tomorrow and then went to have lunch with friends Dan & Dottie. We visited for a while more after lunch and then came back to finish laundry and packing up. We are not sure if Marg will have her water pump repaired so figured we better wash all dirty clothes.
At 5 we all went to Skip & Kathy’s for dinner to celebrate EllaMae’s birthday. Gary & Suzanne were also there. We had drinks & snacks and then played Ladder Golf - the outdoor game where golf balls on the ends of pieces of rope are thrown at a “ladder” in an attempt to wrap the rope around a rung.
The car was loaded more heavily on the way home after a nice dinner and birthday cake!

June 12th - Fri - to Logan Lake, BC
We left at 5:20 for the 8 hour drive to Logan Lake where we will stay overnight with my cousin Pat & her husband Rick. Uneventful drive - easy customs stop, breakfast in Headley, lovely weather. Pat arranged a get together with 4 other couples that we have met previously. 3 couples live in Logan Lake (Lynden & Charlie, Ian & Pat, Don & Joanne), the other couple was Claude & Val who we met up with earlier this year in Tucson.
I helped Pat with some food prep for the party, we made a quick trip to town for a few items and stopped to see Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) condo. Terry & Rick took a little walk followed by naps to prepare for the party.
It was great seeing everyone again and we all had a good time. Too much food and lots of laughs.

June 13th - Sat - to 100 Mile House
It was great to sleep in our own bed last night! Pat made breakfast this morning to give us fuel for the just over 2 hour trip to Marg’s (sister) in 100 Mile House. We stopped for diesel and then at the sani station in town to dump and fill our water tank. Arrived at Marg’s just in time to set up before lunch.
We only had time for a little looking around the farm before a couple (George & Helen Purden) who knew my parents stopped in for a visit. By the time they left it was time for a few quick chores and dinner.
Marg has satellite internet and a router so I have a wifi connection while we are here - very nice.

June 7th to 9th - Spokane

June 7th - Sun - Spokane
I took a turn making breakfast this morning. My sister Marg was supposed to accompany a friend to Ft St John for a few days but when I spoke with her this morning she said her water pump quit so she could not leave Dad & a “sitter” with no water and no electric fence. She knew the water had a problem and had made an appointment but the earliest she could get a plumber was Thursday. Cindy left about 10:30 to fly home to Portland.
EllaMae has an electronic picture frame that Terry’s brother Harry had loaded with pictures. He suggested that I add some of our pictures so I edited some that were on the chip and then added some of ours - a time consuming job followed by a late lunch.
We had made tentative plans to meet Bill & Georgia for dinner but Georgia’s Mom was not doing well so we decided to go to the Coeur d’Alene Casino for a while. I won a few dollars which kept me going until we took a break for dinner. We split the Southern Fried Steak dinner and it is so large that I could not finish my half and Terry was too full from his half to eat more of mine. The casino finally ate our “allowance”.
Georgia’s Mom passed away this evening.

June 8th - Mon - Spokane
A couple of errands this morning. The first sewing machine place did not have my bobbin case so he sent us to another store closer to town. On the way, we stopped to chat with friend Gary in his carpet store. Got the bobbin case and the very nice clerk checked out the needle threader and told me what I might have been doing wrong when it didn’t work.
After lunch, we tried a couple of places to get an oil change and ended up getting it done in Liberty Lake. Back to EllaMae’s for dinner & a quiet TV evening.

June 9th - Tues - Spokane
Skip & Kathy stopped by for a visit this morning. We went on a short shopping trip and returned just in time for lunch. Suzanne (Terry’s sister-in-law) came over to do some paperwork and we had a nice visit with her. Terry was antsy so after dinner we went to Northern Quest casino. Didn’t cost much this time for a full evening of gambling.

June 4th to 6th - Spokane

June 4th - Thurs - Spokane
Cindy arrived last night (after I posted my blog) for her weekly 4 days to look after her Mom.
We played golf at Fairways CG this morning with good friends Mike & Mary. Weather was beautiful, the course was in good shape and the company was super - but they made us look like the duffers that we are. Then on to lunch at Northern Quest casino which is undergoing a huge expansion and remodeling. Of course we all had to try out the slot machines after lunch.
We got back in time for a nice dinner prepared by Cindy and Don.

June 5th - Fri - Spokane
We took the 5th wheel in for the slide adjustments. Made a short trip to a nearby WalMart, returned to find out & approve what needed to be done and then went to Northern Quest casino to pass the time until it was done. I lost my allowance but Terry managed to win enough to get us back to even. We had lunch there before picking up the 5th wheel. We were really happy with the work that was done and felt that the price was reasonable.
Phone calls back & forth with Marg today as her electric fence quit. We were trying to figure out if we could get a new energizer for her here.
The ball game went to 10 innings tonight before the Mariners lost.

June 6th - Sat - Spokane
Terry & I went searching for a roll-up blind for Don & EllaMae’s patio. The late afternoon sun shines under the end of the roof so it is too bright and hot to enjoy dinner on the patio. We finally found exactly what we were looking for at Lowe’s. During our shopping, we bumped into friends Dale & Patsy and stood in the aisle at Home Depot and chatted for a while. A short stop at Costco (including a hot dog) and we headed back. Decided to check out a new WinCo grocery store - nice store with good prices but some people don’t like bagging their own groceries.
Terry & I installed the blind - works great. I decided that I had to get the other 2 zippers done on Terry’s short so I ripped out the old zippers while we all watched the end of a movie. Managed to get the zippers done before dinner. But as I was trying to mend some jeans, the thread snarled up. The bobbin case pulled out when I was getting the thread out and it has a piece broken out of it. Don’t know if it just happened but we have to get it fixed.
Sleepy group here this evening. Guys are snoozing in the living room and Cindy & EllaMae are getting a little shuteye while they are not talking to me at the dining room table.

June 1st to 3rd - Spokane

June 1st - Mon - Spokane
We made our to-do list and started working on it today after a visit from Terry’s brother Skip and his wife Kathy. Driver’s license office was closed so couldn’t get that done. Got license tabs for the truck & 5th wheel, made a stop at Costco and went to an RV place to make an appointment to get the slides on the 5th wheel adjusted. While we were there we had to check out the Montana that has caught our eye - we’ll keep ours for a while.
Don had ribs boiling when we returned and I used leftover carrots & potatoes to put together an au gratin casserole for an easy dinner.
Don & EllaMae like to watch baseball so we are learning to commiserate with them when the Seattle Mariners blow yet another lead.

June 2nd - Tues - Spokane
I got an eye exam this morning and then spent 45 minutes waiting to get my driver’s license renewed. When we changed our address to our mail box 2 ½ years ago, 2 employees allowed Terry & I to use that address. This time, the guy who waited on me said that according to WA state law I had to have a physical address. When I said we lived in our RV he asked where it was and I told him it was parked on the street in front of my mother-in-law’s house. He asked for her address and I was surprised and unhappy to see that address on my temporary license. That means my new license will be mailed here and Don will have to forward it to us.
Visited a couple of stores, washed the truck and returned to the house. Don & I had sorted through the freezer and I used a “well aged” steak to make stroganoff while Don made a run to the grocery store.
Mariners won tonight!

June 3rd - Wed - Spokane
3 overripe bananas demanded to be used in muffins this morning. Then I had Terry haul in my sewing machine so I could replace zippers in 4 pairs of his shorts. They all have nylon zippers that split open at inopportune times. He loves the shorts and they are fairly new so I figured I would see what I could do. I was a bit of a pessimist and only bought one zipper so after I struggled through one replacement we made a trip to get the other 3 zippers.
Terry’s brother Gary came for lunch today which he does most Wednesdays. It was good to see him again. After lunch Don mowed the lawn, Terry trimmed with the weed eater and EllaMae & I sat in the shade and watched them work. But I took my turn later and trimmed some plants overhanging from the neighbor’s yard. Then I cussed my way through replacing another zipper.
We introduced Don & EllaMae to Frito Pie for dinner. I am blogging while the others watch another ball game.
The weather is lovely here right now. Breezy mornings, sunny all day. I am happy that we are sleeping in an air conditioned house.

May 28th to 31st - Pendleton to Spokane

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.