Last Friday morning Louise and I awoke about 5am and headed for the airport in Las Vegas. Louise was on her way to Coeur d’Alene for Joelle’s 40th birthday. Leslee and Mikleane were also on their way to CDA as well but had no idea that Louise was going to surprise all 3 of them. We were unable to be around for any of their 40th birthdays, so Louise decided to make this surprise trip to celebrate all three at once. It worked out just about as planned…the best thing is they all had a great time. Happy Birthday Joelle !!!
The last few days have been spent close to home except on Halloween. About 4 we headed for Las Vegas to see what Halloween is like there. Our main objective was to spend the early evening in the “Fremont Street” area. After a short stay along the strip we headed for Fremont and a place to park our car. We were treated to some wonderfully designed costumes from young kids to adults all night. The casinos weren’t too good to us financially, but it was still fun. One place we were on the hunt for was a small casino that serves these little frozen cocktails…kind of like Baskin and Robbins…26 flavors or more…twas yummy…we made a short night of it by getting back home just before the “witching hour” (mid-night). Now the rest of this week, a trip to Wal-Mart and another grocery store a couple of times and that is about all. Yesterday we invited Peg and Bruce to join us for lunch here at the winery. We really enjoyed the lunch. We had been told how good it was and it didn’t disappoint us. Bruce gave me a hat from KarmaBum (the web site that carries their European journal) and I gave him one of the flag poles like we have at the front of our coach. We plan to see each other somewhere out there in our travels, but right now it is an open book. Last week we met a couple originally from the Netherlands. They have their motor home across the street from us. Herman and Tony came to the states about 1974 and settled in California. Wouldn’t you know it, he went into real estate and soon after started his own brokerage with a partner. We’ve enjoyed hearing and telling stories about their and our trips to Europe. They purchased a book that gives them all of the convents and monasteries that accept overnight guests. It has been a wonderful way to travel through Europe for them. On Friday we check out of this campground and will head back to Death Valley. This time we will take the time to explore the southern end of the valley. On Sunday Herman and Tony will be joining us.