_25 November ‘08

Tuesday

So where are you going after Madera ????  “DISNEYLAND” !!!! 

We followed HWY 99 as far as it went and then joined I-5 just as we were driving into Los Angeles.  It was just after noon as we were driving through the city and fortunately found the traffic to be pretty light.

_The rest of the way to Anaheim and our campground were just the same.  After setting-up and having lunch, we settled in for the night and getting some rest before our full day tomorrow at the park.  By 8:30 the next morning we were out front and waiting for the Disney tram to pick us up.  Our first morning was spent strictly in Disneyland (that is, we didn’t get over to California Adventure…).  Our first ride was a quick circle around and around in the King Arthur Carrousel

_to be quickly followed by a ride in a cup in the Mad Tea Party. 

_Now, for those who really know me know I just can’t go too long before I have to find a great cup of coffee closely followed by a “treat”, and that’s just what we did.  We found the Blue Ribbon Bakery and Coffee House on Main Street USA.  The rest of the morning and into the early afternoon was followed by one ride after another…like The Matterhorn Bobsleds

_where you travel up and down, inside the dark mountain, on a very fast rollercoaster, Space Mountain,

_which is again, a very fast rollercoaster that runs inside a dark building, Astro Orbiter, Autopia,

_Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and the Sailing Ship Columbia.

_The crowds were moderate, so the lines to most of the rides were small to a max of 20 minutes or less so it made the day very comfortable.  The weather forecast showed that we might be in for some pretty heavy rain but, luck was with us…it held off until well after we were in bed.  We did head back to the coach about 3 with thoughts of letting our feet rest before going back for more after dinner.  At 6:30 the Christmas Lights Parade started and we were there early enough to find “the perfect” seat…on the HARD concrete curb.  We did have a great spot to enjoy the parade

_but the butt sure got numb…  the rain did start, and we thought it was about ready to down-pour, so we opted to cut our first night short and head home. 

_
24 November ‘08

Monday

Wouldn’t you know it, we had beautiful weather the whole time we were at Delta Shores, but this morning as we were ready to leave…thick fog awaited us.  We pulled the plug and headed down Hwy. 99, fog and all.  Our destination today was a long awaited visit with some good friends Herman and Toni.  Taking our time driving through the fog presented no problems, but as we were passing through one 3 mile section of the valley, someone had decided that burning the fields was a good idea…BULL SH--.  Man, when the smoke mixes with the fog and sits right on top of the highway, it gets mighty difficult to drive.  Anyway, we made it without any problems but were a little disappointed that we couldn’t see much of the sights as we passed through.  Pulling off of 99 and into Madera all we had to do was stay on Cleveland until we saw Herman waiting at the sidewalk in front of their clubhouse.  Herman helped us get parked and then led us over to their beautiful home.  Before we had a chance to see Toni we saw some of her talent…some absolutely beautiful roses that adorned their front gardens.  Cindy, their little lady dog, met us at the front porch and made sure that “all” were aware that we had finally made it.  Herman and Toni had just gotten back from a visit to Holland and of course, we wanted to hear about every minute.  After enjoying a glass of wine and looking at some of their travel pictures, we headed over to Sal’s Mexican Restaurant.  Herman and Tony told us it would be good and it was….really good.  About 10:30 and we had to say our good-bye’s and “Thanks for your hospitality” before heading over to the coach for the night.  When we opened the curtains in the morning we found we were basking in the sun again…”Love that sun”… 

_21 November ‘08 Friday

It was a quick drive up to Benicia this morning to get together with Bob and Laurie.  We met them this morning at Lindsay Art Glass & Blowing Company.  The last time we were with Bob and Laurie was in St. David, Utah and now getting to see them again was great.  They have traveled the states extensively and it is always good to talk with them and get some insight as to where we should consider going and what sites that we might see.  Well back to Lindsey Art…  The showroom was filled with some wonderful art glass from which most of it came out of the back room.  They had some great looking table lamps, along with vases of all size and description, and of course jewelry…  The prices seemed quite good although we didn’t find anything that we couldn’t live without.   A stroll to the backroom took us to a couple of chairs located just safe of the furnaces and in the company of a couple of artists. 

_They were blowing a small series of vase with a design that matched throughout the group.   We were all very impressed with the ease and ability of which they worked with this molten glass.  After being so impressed with the glass work, we wondered across the street to see if we could be marveled with a great meal.  Being a little lucky, we found that the Mexican restaurant we heard about was really quite good as well.  Maybe the reason it seemed so good was because we were so engrossed with our conversations that no matter how good or bad the food was we most likely wouldn’t have noticed it….all kidding aside, we all thought the food was very good.  Laurie took upon herself to “entertain” us with things to do in Benicia…  Lindsay Art Glass was the first place and then it was a quick tour by the original “State Capital” building as we were on our way to lunch.  Laurie had heard some great things about the Benicia Historical Museum so that was our next stop.  The Camel Barns Complex is where the museum is located as well as a collection of artifacts and a workshop.  This was a great stop for us to get a look at what the early town of Benicia was and the military history of the 1850’s and after.  The military history included a time of experimenting with the use of camels, imported from the Mideast, as pack animals.  After the Civil War, the experiment was abandoned with the remaining camels being shipped to the Benicia Arsenal and auctioned off to the public.  Well this was a full day that just seemed to fly by…again, it was really good to see Bob and Laurie and we look forward to doing it again, although it will be quite awhile due to both their and our travels into different directions for a couple of years.  After saying our “good-bye”, Louise and I found ourselves thinking about “what’s for dinner?”…  It wasn’t until we came to the corner that heads off to Isleton that we made up our mind… “What do you say about hitting Isleton for crawdads?” 

_This was going to be different, as neither one of us have had the “experience” of Crawfish or Crawdads…  Well, it was an interesting experience, tasty, but “interesting”.  We had 3 pounds of these Crawdads between us

_and if they were to take and weigh the skins and un-eatables I think there might be 2.8 pounds left in the “skin-bowl”…  Oh well, we did and we enjoyed…would we do it again?  Probably, but just to try a different presentation, such as in New Orleans. 

_19 November ‘08

Wednesday

Yesterday we finally made contact with Bob and Laurie (we’ve done a lot of great kayaking with them).  They have arrived at their home just outside of San Francisco after being on the road for quite a long time.  We’ll be getting together with them Friday afternoon.  I was hoping that we could get some kayaking time with them but it will have to wait.  After breakfast this morning, Louise and I went for a hike.  We followed the roadway along the top of the dike for a couple of miles and then returned an hour later.  Looking for a little more, we took the car to one of the boat launches close by and launched the kayak.  Finally, after 10 days walking and driving that dike road, we finally get into the water.  The water was like glass in the beginning but a little later into the paddle the wind came up and was hitting us from the left/front.  It wasn’t by any means a gale, but by the time we had paddled into it for over an hour, we were ready for nourishment.  Not wanting to be pushed deeper into the reeds (Louise thought there might be bugs in there..) we found a dock that some fishermen were using. 

_We paddled around to the far side so that the wind would keep us in the slip.  Settling down into the calm of the dock, we enjoyed our lunch and conversation with the fishermen.  Fishing wasn’t great, but they did have 2 very nice Stripers to take home for dinner.  With the weather being so great since we arrived, we’ve barbequed just about every night.  Last night was Salmon and tonight…great hamburgers…

_18 November ‘08 Tuesday

This last weekend we took a drive around a couple of the many dikes that dot this area.  We drove right out of the campground.  This dike roadway is extremely narrow with a drop of about 30 feet on the “dry” side of the levy and 5 feet to the water on the other.  On the water side we could see a few of the many birds that live in the reeds or the fields that line these dike roads. 

_We drove past a couple of homes that were built on the “dry” side.  They rose straight up over 30 feet on a pedestal so that the first floor could take advantage of a water view.   There are islands out there as well and on some of them they have built homes that are only accessible only by boat.   Later we came upon the little town of Isleton.  The town proper was really old with little single and two story buildings that have rusting steel sheets that make up the exterior siding.  It’s also “locally” advertized that Isleton is the “Crawdad of Crawfish Capital” of the World !!!  We all know that it’s just the locals that believe this, but it’s going to get us back to have a feast on Crawdad’s.  In the last couple of days we have run into Lodi to hit Lowes and pick up some groceries, and once back here we spent time washing clothes and the coach from top to bottom.  I took the bikes off the back of the car and we’ve even been riding them a little.  Louise read about this 13 mile bike ride that takes you to a couple of wine tastings as well as a great ride along one of the dike roads.  Now let’s see if we will do it…after all, we’ve been talking about getting the kayak into the water and so far…well let’s see what’s going to happen between now and Sunday, when we travel to Madera.

_
14 November ‘08

Friday

I was up and out early yesterday.  The sun was shining and they promised it to be at least 75 degrees before the day was out.  As I sat in my lawn chair, coffee in hand, it was almost hard to imagine the many days of wet that we had been through the last couple of weeks, that was until I looked up and saw how terribly dirty the car and motor home were.  It was then that I knew what direction my day was going to take.  Unfortunately it all had to be done with a “bucket only wash”…  Having worked my way through the “wash”, taken a short nap in the sun, I tackled setting up the HughsNet Internet dish.  I must have had a lucky 4 leaf clover in my hand…the signal was obtained in about 3 minutes, a record for me.  I had planned to run over to Benicia to see the crew at Advanced Elements Kayaks but that will have to wait until tomorrow now.  For the second day in a row, I was out early in my lawn chair, having my coffee and enjoying the warmth of the early sun on my body….mmmm good !!!

_Today we did make it to Benicia and we did see the crew at Advanced Elements.  I’ve now got a re-stock on catalogs and a dozen new hats to offer as gifts to those that just happen to ask (did you hear that Bruce ????).  I really enjoy going to the warehouse/office, but I enjoy hitting the water more, but that will have to wait one more day.  The rest of the day was a stop at Costco in Concord and then a run to the Napa/Sonoma wine country to do a little exploring.  The last time we were in this part of the wine country, was when our youngest daughter was 8 years old…today she’s (well let’s just say she’s over 38).  Our first stop was to visit the “Visitor Information Center” in Napa.  We were able to pick-up a map of all the wineries and get a couple of passes at the Lunde Winery for free tastings and a tour of their wine cave.

_It was a short tour of the cave but the tasting was more than expected and of some very good wines.

_The drive through the wine country was really pretty.  The leaves of the grape vines ran from light yellow to gold, pink, and dark burgundy, and with the contrasting hills…it was spectacular.

_Our drive home was a little bit unusual for us.  We had become entangled in “rush hour” traffic…  Our life-style normally keeps us out of this phenomenon, but there was no way out of this one.  It took us 2 hours to go approximately 25 miles and that was done mostly in the dark, thanks to daylight savings time…  I really don’t like losing the daylight so early.  

_12 November ‘08 Wednesday

Well this morning we are hoping that all will be finished with the coach.  It was supposed to be done Friday, but just as I was digging deep into my wallet, another tech walked up to say that he had another idea as to what might be our amperage draw (they couldn’t seem to find the problem over the last two days) but it would have to wait until Monday.  This gave us our weekend here which was totally filled with fun things, but it also gave us the opportunity to test the leaky slide and to test this new techs idea as well.  Unfortunately Saturday morning gave us one of the answers…our slide still leaks, not nearly as bad (which I must say wasn’t a nasty leak in the first place) but it was still wet after last night’s rain.  Now Monday and we’re back in the shop for one more day.  The topper on the slide is off and new tape is being applied as well as a small adjustment on the slide.  The electrical…well they have now definitely found what the draw is… It was found to be 2 of the 4 heating pads that sit under our holding tanks.  The answer is either to take the tanks out and replace the pads or just do without.  We are choosing to do without so if it ever gets to the point that the holding tanks could freeze, we are staying in the wrong place.  Ok, all is done… it’s still raining but not a leak in sight and now we are without a couple of heating pads but we’re all right with that as well.  Tuesday morning and still raining, we finally pulled away from Monaco Service and headed south.  A few hours later and we had crossed into California and low and behold the rain started to lighten up and then come to a stop…  It sure must be true, California needs rain and it’s shown by the lack of water in Lake Shasta.  We were by here just a year ago and the difference now is amazing.  The sloping red banks that seem to go down forever, used to be the normal lake level.  It sure looks bleak for the water needs of California.  Our first stop was Redding, California.  Just as we approached the city limits of Redding, Louise saw a road sign telling her that there was a casino in town.  Ok, you know we just had to go and after all, they have free RV parking too.  Louise really enjoys her time in the casinos so I enjoy taking her (at least most of the time…).  We walked over to the casino after setting up and made sure we signed up for our “promotion dollars ($10 each) and then took advantage of their $12 T-bone steak dinner.  I immediately lost my $10 and went home, but as usual, Louise stayed longer and merged her $10 into $32.  We were also given an additional coupon if we were to come back this morning.  It was for an additional $20ea.  And then, on top of that, the young lady that runs the shuttle gave us both one more coupon…this one for $10 each.  We decided to make short work out of these new gifts and quickly turned our new found wealth of $60 into $132 and quickly left town.  We are now sitting in our new campground beside one of the many dikes of the Sacramento River Delta. 

_27 February ‘08

Wednesday

Well I mentioned our “caravan” of 37 motor homes in my last post, but upon arriving here I was shocked to see another arriving just behind us that totaled 115 !!!  Gawd, can you imagine…  We are just one of over 2800 motor homes that are here now to partake in the semi-annual FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Rally.  There are about 300 vendors here that are displaying their products that fit the needs or wants of those of us that have motor homes.  Also the motor home factories have all of their new models here at “the best prices available” whether they’re priced at $2,750,000

__or $69,000. There is something here for just about everyone that wants a “new” motor home.  Louise and I have been jumping out of bed every morning since we arrived here at 7am to run, or fast walk, to our selected seminars.  There are about 6 seminars each day lasting 2 to 3 hours.  These are covering just about any and all subjects relating to RVing.  I’ve been attending more of the tech/mechanical side and Louise has chosen those from microwave/convection cooking, traveling by RV to Alaska and other exciting places. She also took a great seminar on fire and safety in the RV which was really appropriate after having our exciting ??? fire in the last coach.  We also have another opportunity to have the factory “Techs” come out to our coach again.  Today we had the Goodyear techs out to examine our tires.  It seems in the industry, RV tires should be completely changed out after 5th to 6th year, no matter how good they look, and ours looked real good.  Unfortunately we had to make the tire change…  Tonight we are the proud owners of 6 new tires but, had to write a check for $2,800.  Thank God we don’t have to do this very often…  On the other side we took the car (toad) in to have the auxiliary  braking system checked out.  This is the braking system that we put into action when we are pulling it behind the coach.  When we apply braking pressure to the coach brake the “auxiliary” system applies the same pressure to the car brakes.  Well anyway, the company that we purchase this system from 2 years ago decided that we should have a NEW system installed…ON THEM…NO CHARGE…I was a very happy camper with that decision.  When the days are finished (about 5) we find our way slowly (feet hurting) back to the coach.    FMCA has entertainment (50’s, 60’s bands and some other “Headliners”) on 3 different stages throughout the day but unfortunately we pass on the late show.  We are so tired that all we really want to do is head back “home” for a glass of wine and reflect on the day and get ready for the next.

_
19 February ‘08

Tuesday

The “Rally” day starts with coffee and juice (where are the donuts?) at 7:30am and breakfast a half hour later.  The educational seminars start at 9.  Attending these we learn more about our motor homes (and there’s a lot to learn) and how to take care of them.  This rally comes complete with 3 meals a day followed with “ice cream socials”, and wine and cheese appetizers…hell, this could be a lot of fun…

_This morning I met with one of the “Tech” reps that the Holiday Rambler Corporation sent.  They are here to meet with those of us that have problems or questions about our coaches and in a lot of the cases take a hands-on approach by fixing them.  There are only two of them, so if they can’t get to everyone now they’ll have the opportunity next week in Pomona.  Just before our “social” we got a knock at the door.  It was the Tech’s.  I gave them a tour of what I wanted them to look at and asked the questions of operation that I had wanted to know about.  Unfortunately I didn’t get a lot resolved but on the other hand, I got a lot more information than I had before.  On Friday, there will be 37 motor homes gathering out in front of the campground and will travel as a group to Pomona.

_Now can you see this…37 motor homes that range from 38 to 45 feet in length and all of us towing a “toad” heading down Hwy 10 for 100 miles.  I would be one of those “happy commuters” that would love this….ya right…  Anyway, I’ll let you know how this goes.

_
17 February ‘08

Sunday

We left the snow behind and headed off to Indio this morning.  Well the truth is, the snow was almost totally melted the day after it fell.  The aftermath of the storm left one of the main roadways badly damaged by slides and second main road was very slow to open because of wash-outs.  In taking all that into consideration we opted for the freeway system for a lot of today’s driving.  Indio is about 125-130 miles north northeast from Ramona so we headed for California 515.  About 75 miles later we were at Temecula, turning right and heading east to Indio.  What we didn’t expect was that we were just about ready to head down the “Pines to Palms”…  The Pine to Palms is the two lane roadway that drops from 4,400 feet to -50 in an almost totally vertical drop that is one hair-pin turn after another.

_I really didn’t want to venture onto such a drop in altitude because I’ve always got to keep my eye (or should I say “my foot”) on our speed or breaking power as we are going down the hill with our “toad” (our car) pushing behind.  To be honest I really enjoyed the ride and challenge while my partner, she who rides in the seat to my right, had other thoughts of “enjoyment or terror” at the time.  We’re heading here to Indio for our first “Rally” although this is actually called a “Pre-Rally”.  Pre-Rally because we (us being one Holiday Rambler motor home out of 72) are all going to travel together 75 miles to Pomona, California to attend The FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Rally.  Almost the moment we pulled into town we picked up the cell phone and called Leroy and Claudia to see if they were “home”.  They have decided that Indio is their new home away from home, or winter home area.  Louise and I were lucky to be here now as their daughter Carrie and her two sons and daughter are here visiting.  We haven’t seen her for a very long time and as far as her kids, this was our first time.  What a great family…  Yesterday we checked into our new campground and this morning we joined other “Holiday Ramblers” (the brand name of our motor home) to start the rally.