The Rick and Pam Show

Pam's second quilt

2011-01-02T06:26:00.001-08:00

Mom's Christmas present - A queen size quilt to match her bedroom colors!

Our new Rose

2010-12-30T12:49:00.001-08:00

Meet our new girl, Rose, a 10 week old standard poodle. Yes, she gets along with the cats just fine, and seems to be a smart girl. We got her on the 29th and are working on her going up and down stairs, she's never seen them before!!! Going up isn't a problem, its the going down that gets her!!
We've been without a dog for so long, it was finally time and we've always had Standard Poodle. She reminds us alot of our first big boy, Sir, both in temperment and looks. Plus she give really good cuddles. She should go about 70 pounds when full grown and has already started going with Pam to the grooming shop everyday. She'll end up with fancy trims, color, bows, nails, etc... all that foo foo stuff!!!

Pam's new workplace

2010-12-28T10:27:00.001-08:00

As some of you know, Pam accepted the head groomer position at a new high tech pet resort and spa, that is so high tech, and so out of this world, she's in groomer's heaven!! We'll be staying in AL for a while to be close to Mom and family. Off the road for a while for Rick to have some much needed medical attention with one set of doctors and not having to fly up to the Seattle area to go to the Cardiologist. Pam really feels right at home again since she was raised in this area and Rick is dealing with it!!

here's some shots of the new place!

Clean Grooming Area

My own washers/dryers

Below : bathing/drying area

More of the bathing/drying area including walkup tubs and walk in showers.

Lobby and reception area

Below, cat boarding and play area

Dog daycare area, including flatscreen TV (below)

Another view of the doggie daycare area. Outside play yards surround the building

Boarding Villas include cable TV, soft music, and larger rooms along with viewing on internet cameras!

TV inside the villas and to the left, the internet camera

Inside furnishing of the villas.

Food prep area for the dog boarding. Bigger, more furnished than most home kitchens

Another view of the rest of the kitchen. They have 2 dishwashers along with 2 set washer/dryer.

Inside a clubhouse suite.
the Cabana runs include outdoor access

Below, looking through a Cabana to the outside access

Christmas in Dixie

2010-12-25T11:15:00.001-08:00

Spend Christmas Eve at Mom's enjoying great food, good company, and of course, PRESENTS!!!

The Hamby's = Cheryl, Rick, and Pam with Mom and Benji

The Kromis Family - Philip, Seth, Cheryl, and of course Mom

Brother Rick's family - James, Becky, Rick and of course Mom

Rick and Pam with Mom and Benji

and the best surprise of all

A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Had a great time with the family all together for Christmas for the first time since 2001. It's really good to be home!

Guess we're in Alabama for a while

2010-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Pam accepted a job as head groomer at a new high tech pet resort here in Madison and is really excited!!! It's the shop she's always dreamed about, high tech everything, real bathtubs for bathing and even large shower areas for the big dogs, along with hydralic tables, you name it, this shop has it and she's in groomer's heaven. The resort is all high tech and will open this week, with open house near Christmas and Grand Opening in January. Right now she's the only groomer (so far) until the clientele grows, then will be head groomer. The resort has doggie day care, boarding with 3 levels of opulence (highest one includes cable tv for the dog and online cameras for the owners, and gorgeous kitty condos for the cat room. All is very high tech and no expense has been spared. She loves it!!!

This also allows her to stay closer to Mom and family. Mom turns 85 in January and is starting to have the old age problems. She has congestive heart failure and it is starting to give her problems, so it's good to stay close if we're needed and she feels right at home again.

The cold is a bummer, but oh well, Christmas time is supposed to be cold!!!! More news later as things happen!

We're in N Alabama with family

2010-11-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

I've had several people tell me I needed to update the blog and website, so quess I'll do that today!! We're currently in Madison, AL outside of Huntsville with Pam's family for the holidays. We've had some GREAT weather up till 3 days ago, and winter has arrived, although not nearly as bad as the great NorthWest!!!! Lots of rain and cold, but no snow thankfully!

We left Maine a couple of days after we had planned to, Rick was in the hospital with a mini-stroke. He had no control of his left side when he woke me up, I called 911 and followed him to the hospital. By time the ambulance arrived at the hospital (about 15 miles away) the symptoms had resolved themselves, but they still treated it as active. He had a CatScan, which showed no bleeds thankfully, then was admitted 10 hours later as he was still having some tingling in his fingertips. We decided this was the smart plan, otherwise something may of happened where we didn't have a place to stay and no friends around. Many tests, specialists, MRI's, and labs later (2 days) they let him leave as no more symptons had reappeared and only the tingling in the fingertips remained.

We left the next day and took our time (sort of) heading down through New England, Virginia, etc, managing to put some new states on the map and seeing some really beautiful countryside on the way. No problems with Rick and at all, but we were relieved to arrive in Huntsville and be close to family and major hospitals. (Mom and Benji)

We arrive at the Marshall Space Flight Center Museum campground on the 25th of Oct , made arrangements to stay there a month while we found other (cheaper options) even did some tree chopping (with permission) trying to get our new rooftop satellite some signal!

Had a great dinner with my family, all except one nephew sho is away at school at Auburn. We all ate 2 pounds of lobster meat and other great goodies and had a good time with most of us together again.(my brother Rick and brother-in-law Philip)

We found a mobile home park with 1/2 acre lots and good rent rate and moved there, it's about the same distance to Mom's house and much quieter than over by the Space Museum. We've met a few of the neighbors, one walks alot and come by frequently to visit with Rick. All in all, not a bad place. We've put out the bird feeders and are seeing beautiful Cardinals, both sexes, Blue Jays, and of course lots of House Finches and some unknown type of sparrows. The chimes are hanging, the front apron is up, so we are set in for the couple of months we'll be here.

Rick has set up his wood shop in Mom's basement, where my dad had his wood shop, so we go over frequently for me to visit and help Mom as I can, and Rick gets in his relaxing woodworking. He has taken up some carving again too and will be taking some classes in it at the Sr Center in Huntsville.

I've finished another quilt top and it is currently at the longarm quilters and now I'm slowly working on a lapquilt for myself, then one for Rick and Mom of Alaska Memories! I've also started beading again, haven't done much in the last year or so, just finished a 3D hummingbird necklace.

Thanksgiving day arrived and for the first time in. many many years, my family would be together. (The last time was after my Dad died in 2001 and Rick and I flew home for the first Christmas without Dad.) But it wasn't to be, my brother was sick!!! So his wife got him and herself a plate, then went home (which is next to mom's house) and at with him. We missed them both, but had a great time with the remaining family. My nephew came home from Auburn for the holiday, but the other nephew went down to Birmingham with his girlfriend. Maybe Christmas Eve ALL of us can get together!!!

Winter has arrived in Alabama now, so not so much sitting outside in the sunshine. We'll be here through January at least, Rick flies up to Seattle on January 17th for his Cardiologist appt and will be there a week, then we'll decide whether we leave for FL or continue to stay. Mom has congestive heart failure and both my brother/sister still work so I can help out as necessary with Dr appts, etc. So we'll see. Will post our plans as we decide them!!!

We love the Saco Maine area!

2010-06-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

We moved in, started work, had some rig problems, and lots of rain, but still love the area. The Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA that we are working at is fun, the owners are really neat, and there are couples from Kentucky, Oregon, California, and Maine working here along with some of the locals. We've already had a lobster dinner, 2 lobsters with sides for $21.99, can't beat that with a stick!!!!

Our converter decided to take a hit and took out the convection oven and the air cleaner with it, so that could of been worse. Thankfully our RV coverage will cover the repairs/replacements for us!! That should all be completed by mid-July, in the meantime we are without a microwave/oven, other than the gas oven that came with the rig. Oh well! Such is life!!!

We've done some driving around, we are within 30 miles of 6-8 lighthouses!! We are all of 4 miles from Old Orchard Beach, very similar to Santa Cruz, boardwalk and all. We're 30 minutes from Portland, and actually have really good shopping, Sam's, groceries, etc all within 10 miles or less.

This is all around a better fit than the job in MA, we're much more comfortable here and not afraid to be ourselves, west coast attitudes and all!!!
More later.......

Not staying at Oakham, MA for the summer

2010-05-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

Things didn't work out at Pine Lakes Family Campground, so we will be moving on as of Sunday, May 23. We'll head over to the Catskills Adventure Park if a workamping position somewhere else doens't come available, will traipse around New England for a while before heading south for the winter. Will try to keep things posted here as they develop.

Finally, we get to see Vallecito Resort, Friends, and CO!

2010-04-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

We left the Grand Canyon and snow around 9 a.m. and headed Four Corners, then on to Durango, Bayfield, and Vallecito Lake in Colorado.

We were really bummed, the Four Corners Memorial (where New Mexico, Arizona, Coloradao and Utah meet) was closed due to construction. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners_Monument
Since GPS's became so readily used, the people who matter found out that Four Corners is actually in a different spot, 1,807 feet (551 m) east of where it is now located, so we are assuming that the construction is moving the placard, but don't know for sure, just really bummed.
The picture below is one of the many uprisings throughout the Navajo nation and the memorial drive.
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About 5 pm that afternoon, we finally arrive at Vallecito Resort!!! YEAH!! but wait!! MORE SNOW, only ALOT deeper!!! Doug kindly bulldozed us out a spot, next to their rig, so we'd not have to park on snow!!!

Doug coming out of the office/store that he's remodeling. They had to come in early as the dance hall sidewall decided to explode outwards from the roof, snow didnt shed off and boom there it went. More pics of that later.

The picture below is the first of 14 carvings throughout the Vallecito Valley. The missionary Ridge Fire of 2002 destroyed 28 or 58 homes in this valley and 1 tree feller was killed.

These carvings were done from pictures taken from during the fighting of the fire and subsequent fire storm that sweep through this area. The carver, the late David McGinnis, did this project as a tribute to the firefighters and help restore tourism to the Vallecito Lake area. Each carving is 18 foot tall and weighs up to 2,600 pounds. Each carving has a name and number assigned and this one is called "Fireman with a Shovel". We'll post more of the carvings as we get to take the pictures, so look for more shortly!

Sedona, and the Grand Canyon

2010-04-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

While we were in the Camp Verde area, we decided to do some sightseeing to Sedona. What can I say, but WOW!! More pictures are posted on my facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040747&id=1149215174&l=77fcd7fb6f

The beauty of the Sedona, no picture does it justice.

A Century plant putting up a bloom stem. In Jerry's cousin's front yard in Payson, AZ

Laura, Jerry, Pam and Rick, near Sedona Canyon.

Then we headed to Vallecito, but decided to spend a night in Grand Canyon instead of Tuba City, AZ. What a afternoon and night we had!!

Here's a few pictures, but I uploaded a bunch to my facebook page. Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040801&id=1149215174&l=cca5670c04

The two of us at one of the turnoff. We had another tourist take this picture, but he didn't warn us that he was taking it and we were not ready!! No we were not mad, upset, or whatever, at least not the way we look!!

Oh the Granduer of this canyon!! We actually had a snow storm come through as we were there, dumped about 2 inches on the area!!!

Yep, it's COLD!!! Back at our rig, after dinner, it had already started to freeze!!

Next morning, cleaning the 2" of snow off the slides so we could pull them in!!

More of our travels on the way to Vallecito Resort, near Bayfield, CO coming in the next blog!!

On the road again!

2010-04-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

We finally got everything done that was to be done on the truck and left the windy, dry, dusty, earthquake rocking Yuma area on Tuesday!!! Stopped in Casa Grande, AZ for the night and went to dinner with our son Donald (lives in Tucson). Then started the drive north on Wednesday, climbing in altitude till we got to Camp Verde (near Sedona, AZ) where we'll be for 5 days. Man can we ever tell we were at sea level and now aren't!!!

Truck pulled like a champ, other than we really ate up the diesel. Not only were we climbing, but both days we were facing 15 mph winds, mostly heading right into them, so needless the say the mileage sucked!!! Or should I say, the diesel was sucked, right up that is!!! Hopefully next Monday as we head to Durango, CO the winds will not be helping suck up the fuel so bad, the climb should do enough of a job on it!!! Come on truck engine, break in!!!!

Good thing we have plenty of travel time to get to MA

2010-04-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER delay !! First the salesman doesn't give the okay for the installer to order the parts to install our TransferFlo tank into the new truck, but then a "computer Glitch" at TransferFlo delays us even MORE!!! Everything else is done on the truck so that tank is all we're waiting for now. SOOO now it's late Monday or Tuesday before we can get out of here ARGHHHHH!!!!!! At least Pam has plenty of time to get the rig ready to go without killing herself!!!

The season is ALMOST over!!

2010-03-25T07:42:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, March 30 is our last day of work here at Pilot Knob. I am really beginning to hate the desert!! A good bit of rain this winter so everything is blooming, along with the allergies. We'll both be sooo glad to get out of this dry and sandy. Several sand storms this winter, so needless to say the rig needs a real good dusting out, will do that once we are out of here. We'll go from here to Casa Grande, stay a night or two, then on north to Camp Verde, a couple of days there to get used to altitude again, then on up to Vallecito RV Park near Durango, Co to visit with Kay and Doug Knight for a week or so. Once we get moving from Durange, we'll meet up with Jerry and Laura Milano to continue on our way up to MA for the summer, stopping at Canton OH (football hall of Fame) and Niagra Falls. Rick will finally get to add some new states to the map as we go!!!

BTW, the 2001 Chevy Silerado we had has gone bye bye. After being told by several mechanics that it would be better to get another truck, and them not get money from us!!! (that alone is amazing) we bought a 2010 Ford (goodbye Chevy) F350 Truck.

2010-03-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Back to samo, samo!!!!

2010-01-27T20:18:00.001-08:00

After Rick's exciting visit to Yuma Regional, all is well, he was in the hospital for 2 nights, nothing was found that was any different after another angiogram, so no idea why the cardiac emzynes were rising. Oh well....

So, as of April 1, we'll be on our way to Massachusetts to work for the summer of 2010. Will post more on that later.

another trip to the cath lab :(

2010-01-08T16:16:00.001-08:00

What a way to start the new year!!! On Thursday morning (1-7), Rick woke me up by breathing funny, like he was having a bad dream and running, snoring along the way. Couldn't get him to stop snoring, turned back over with my pillow over my head, and all of a sudden, WHOA, I couldn't wake him up!!! My nightmare of nightmares!!! I jumped up and checked his sugar, WAY LOW, tried again to wake him, ran to the fridge to get the emergency shot, mixed it and gave it to him, he didn't even flinch, and his muscles were seizing up. Can you say Diabetic Coma!???

Gave the emergency shot and waited about 10 mintues, still no response, so dialed good ole 911 and got the ambulance rolling. By the time they FINALLY arrived, 20 minutes and another phone call has passed. I had called a neighbor to have them go to the gate and let the ambulance in, his wife came over to see if she could help, and Rick was starting to respond to me now. Very very scary!!! He still couldn't talk, but could listen and respond slightly to my talking to him, telling him everything was fine, etc. EMT finally got in to him, got him sitting up and wham, major nausea hit him, side effect of the emergency shot. Another 2o minutes later and they had him walk out to the gurney, and put him in the ambulance, and he didn't dare protest, I'd of killed him. Those of you that keep up with this blog know that last year after having an ambulance respond, he refused to go to the Casa Grande hospital and Medicare in their infinite wisdom deemed the ambulance "medically unnecessary" since he wasn't transported, so he knew he was going this time.

Arrive at Yuma Regional, where the ER doctor and staff quickly got Rick stabilized and ran lots of blood test, one being for heart attack emzynes. Lo and Behold, it came back elevated, so they decided to admit him for observation and keep an eye on those levels.

This morning Rick was ready to leave with or without doctors blessing when they finally came in and told him what was going on, the emzynes kept rising, not a good thing. They did arranaged for him to have another visit to the cath lab (#15) and thankfully nothing showed up that would be causing the emzymes to rise. No stent was inserted, and all looked just fine, so it is one of those medical mysteries why the emzyne keeps rising. Oh Well, so if everything goes as planned tonight and he behaves himself, he should be able to come home tomorrow, a few blood cells lighter (testing every couple of hours) and continue on with life.

Just another great adventure in the life of the Rick and Pam Show!!!!!

Warm, sunshine, and ?????

2009-10-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

We've arrived at Pilot Knob RV Resort for the winter now. It's just across the CA border from AZ and about 1 mile from Mexico. So we get it all, Border Patrol cars, trucks and choppers, Chopper from Yuma Proving groiunds, all in all, alot of flyovers each day, but we are at least here and no problems coming down from Fall City, WA !!!! HURRAHS!!

Through snow, wind, and altitude

2009-10-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

We're in Pahrump now for the next two weeks. Temps are low 80's days to mid 50's nights and SUNSHINE!!!! We went over 7ooo feet on the way here, stayed a night at that altitude and totally felt it!!! We saw 4-6" of snow, none on the road thank goodness, it was so beautiful!! Didn't see too many animals as we don't tend to travel early mornings or late evening when they tend to be moving. In Ely NV, the hunters are out looking/shooting so the elk, deer, pronghorn, and anything else are really skittish!!

So, here we're going to sit for a couple of weeks (Till the 22nd anyway) then probably go to Bullhead City, then on down to Yuma for the winter.

On the Road again

2009-10-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

We got tired of trying to wait out the winter storm warnings in Montana, so are heading south via Pendleton, OR down to Pahrump (about 4-5 days, so going slowly) to get farther south to warmer weather. Oh well. We're both disappointed that we couldn't do the Montana route, but didn't want to take a chance of getting caught in snow and having to sit until it clears. Maybe next spring we can come back that way back to doctor appointments in Bellevue.

Good traveling weather today, sunny and in the low 60's, stopping at Pendleton tonight at the Wild Horse Casino for the night, then on southward tomorrow and the next couple of days.

On our way, FINALLY!!

2009-10-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

We left Fall City on Friday, Oct 1, and stopped in Cheney, WA (near Spokane) for a couple of days. We went and had lunch with a good friend, Sharon, at Red Lobster (thanks Sharon!) and enjoyed our visit with her. We can tell we're a a higher altitude (2500) as both our lungs are telling us. Rick still isn't feeling the greatest (coughing can really take alot out of you) and the weather on the route we wanted to go isn't cooperating, so we decided to stay at Ponderosa Pines in Cheney (membership campground, gee, that K/M membership is earning it's upkeep fees) until the winter storm passes through Butte, MT as we want to try a different route going south this time. Sooo, we'll be here till Monday or Tuesday, then make the run to I-15, just west of Butte to start heading south. From there down to Pahrump, the weather looks real good, sunshine all the way.

Yesterday (Saturday) we drove about 10 miles or so to Turnbull Wildlife Refuge and did the Auto route through there. Nice refuge, but most of the wetlands were dry. WA state sure needs some rain to make up for the dry summer, but from the sounds of the weather forecasts, they'll get it in snow again this winter. Strange climates going on!

More later

We are FINALLY Getting to leave the Seattle area!!!

2009-09-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

Rick got the finally clearance from the heart doctor and we'll be leaving the 1st of October to start heading south for the winter. We accepted a job at Pilot Knob, for the same person we have worked over the summer with, and will be there around Nov 1. We'll be in Pahrump for a couple of weeks, something around the 6th or so, hopeing to meet up with Kay/Doug Knight on their way to Oregon for a couple of weeks, and us going a different way to Las Vegas!!

We went to the airport and met the girls from Bulgaria as they had a short layover (Eva & Simono from Alaska 2008) The two blondes looked GREAT, nicely tanned, although some peeling action going on and we really enjoyed the visit with them. They'll head to Houston, then to Chicago for two day, then on to Bulgaria to return home. We sure enjoyed seeing them again and we'll post pictures in the next couple of days.

Rick's home and feeling a little better

2009-09-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

They stented an artery that hadn't been stented before and was able to watch and see the blood get flowing again right away!! Oh the miracles of modern science! We'll know more once he starts moving around more and as he feels better, still dealing with the thyroid issue which now shows that it is at the right point. We'll see!

So, plans for now are staying here in Fall City, doctor appts the 25th of this month, then leaving shortly after that to start heading south
Pam and Rick

2009-09-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Rick had an angioplasty (another stent) done today and the stents put in last visit (may this year) are fine, but the doctor added another stent to another artery to try and free up the flow more and get rid of the water retention problem that appears to be causing the thyroid problems. He'll go back to the doctor for follow-up on the 25th of Sept and we'll see what happens from there.

This makes 14 trips to the Cath Lab, and 10 stents since 1999!

More news as it happens in the Rick soap opera!!

Changes to our movements AGAIN!>!>!>!

2009-09-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is almost time to leave WA state and WHAM, Rick's doctor says "Hang around another month". He went in for another Nuclear Stress Test, good news, heart looks great! Bad news, something is definitely going on and it all is pointing to his thyroid. Rick has taken thyroid for over 20 years now and it is totally out of balance apparently! Okay, no problem, that's the really nice thing about our RVing lifestyle, we can make abrupt changes to our plan.

As we all know, life is what happens as you are making plans!!! So, as of now, we'll be in Fall City until after Sept 25th, and if nothing else stops us, we'll head to Yuma, AZ (Pilot Knob WHR) for the winter to work there. We'll go via Pahrump, and possibly a couple of other places, taking our time as usual, especially once we hit the warmer places!!!

It's been a marvelous summer to be in WA though, sun almost daily since May, in fact, it's been an extremely dry summer and beautiful, including days of record breaking heat.

We've enjoyed watching a family of Raccoons for the summer, will try to post some pics in the next couple of day. Rocki, Mom Raccoon, came in with 4 babies one afternoon, to eat some peanuts we had for the squirrels/birds, and she has since blessed us with being able to watch them grow!!..

Well, keep checking back to see the ongoing saga of Rick and Pam!!!

Three more weekends (counting this one)

2009-08-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

and we're outta here!!! We'll meet up with Laura/Jerry to head to CO to visit with Doug/Kay, then we'll stay at Vallecito with Doug/Kay until they leave or we can't handle the altitude of 7k!!

Then we'll slowly head to Pahrump for a couple of weeks, then on down to Pilot Knob near Yuma AZ for the winter where Pam will be working in the office and Rick doing security a couple of days a week.

So if you're out and about this winter, snowbirding like we do, come by and see us!!!

YEAH, we're getting emails again

2009-07-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

It is just amazing how much you depend on email and don't realize it until you don't have it!!!! We are up and running again so send it to us!!! If anyone had email bounce, please resend it.

So, summer is getting close to an end. It has been a wonderful summer to be in the Seattle area, there has only been a couple of days of rain since we got here in May, it is really TOO dry for this area. The wild rhodedrendoms are drooping, it's is really sad to see, and of course, there is a fire ban in the county, probably most of the state, due to the dryness. Apparently the NY area is getting all our rain!!!

We are planning on leaving here on September 8th and head slowly up in elevation till we reach Durango, CO and will spend some time there with our good friends Kay and Doug Knight at the campground that they manage. From there, we haven't really decided for sure what we're doing yet. Rick wants to go to TX and Pam doesn't, does that tell you anything!! We'll see how the wind blows and what winter jobs may come up for us.

We aren't getting any emails

2009-07-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Our son who pays for our website let his credit card expire so everything is down and not working yet!! OUCH!! When your main communication is via email and internet, it sure puts a crimp on things. No telling how much email is bouncing back, hopefully no real good job offers for the winter!!!!

We are still in Fall City, WA until after Labor Day, then over to CO to visit with Kay/Doug Knight, then on down to warm winter areas. We really haven't made any plans yet, it will all depend on if we get a good job offer for the winter or not. Rick seems determined to go to Texas and then eastward for next summer, but I'm not so sure about that, needless to say it's been a MAJOR discussion this summer!!!

I can't believe that an ambulance call could be so expensive. While in Florence, AZ , Rick had an extremely low sugar (38) and the resulting lack of control from it, couldn't talk, couldn't stand or walk, just couldn't do anything or have any control. So I called 911, got good response from the ambulance crew who proceeded to give him dextrose via IV . Once he came around, he didn't really want to go to the hospital in Casa Grande (horror stories about it) and he was able to eat, talk, move. Well, next time that happens, he will go to the hospital, it won't matter where it is. Medicare won't cover the $1,000 bill as it wasn't "medically necessary" since he didn't get transported to the hospital. So guess who gets to pay it!!! The working woman of course. Good lesson learned. See, you can teach old people new tricks!

In the meantime, we've been enjoying an especially beautiful summer here in the Seattle area, one of the driest on record. Even the wild Rhodies are drooping from lack of moisture here!! But no complaints about the weather from the humans of course, other than the campers who think you have to have a fire when you go camping, even if it is 89 degrees outside. The county issued a burn ban again last week that will probably go through the summer now. We who don't like the smoke are cheering of course.

more later!!!!!

Our plans for this summer

2009-06-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well, we had planned on going to Colorado to help our good friends Kay and Doug Knight at Vallecito Campground but those plans have been changed!! That's the wonderful thing abou this RVing lifestyle! So instead of leaving, we decided to stay at the Fall City Resort for the summer. When Pam went told her boss she would be leaving he offered her a paying job instead of the volunteer position she was in!!! She is doing the same job, just not for free now!! Rick is doing some security, mainly down at the park pool, watching the rugrats drown, but not allowing them to run, bring in food, glass, or outside toys, etc. SOOOOO he gets to sit and watch the cuties in their skimpy bikinis, enjoy the weather and the sites, and read or do his Sudoko, for 3 days as needed. What a life!!!

Final chapter of this episode...

2009-05-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi All;
Well, I’m out of the hospital and back at the rig. We will wait for 7 to 10 days and see the Dr. again. He has already said that there is no reason for holding us to the area beyond that. We will then be headed to Colorado for the summer providing the altitude doesn’t get to me.
So here is what has happened, I had an angioplasty done yesterday with two new stents added to my heart. One of the bypasses has failed completely, one is great, and the one with the 2 new stents is at the bypass junctions. It appears that the drama will continue for the rest of my life. Don’t become Diabetic, it’s a bitch…
At any rate, I’m as good as it gets for now, just resting after the angio and getting ready to do some stuff before we leave the area.

Chapter 4 - more informative posting

2009-05-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Soo, the angioplasty is over now. One bypass has closed off completely, the same right side that kept closing with previous stents before the bypass, so no biggie. One had both connection sites that were blocked so they are now stented and the third had no problems at all. He'll stay the night in the hospital and if nothing goes awry, home tomorrow. Will try to keep the blog updated as to what is going on, but right now, we're rather happy with the outcome.

Chapter 4 - short version for now

2009-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Rick is in the hospital having an angioplasty done, he's been up there over 2 hours now, and they are inserting some more stents. This means some of the grafts from the bypass are clogging. Tonight after we've talked more with the doctor, will post more.

Next Chapter

2009-05-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all;
Went in to the Dr. this morning for an Echocardiogram, they found no extra fluid around my heart so that rules out congestive heart disease… then went to the hospital to have the fluid in my lung drawn out, it was bloody which also means that the lung is the culprit… Now we wait for the lab results on the fluid from my lung… Monday…
I’m doing okay this afternoon and will be ready to go this weekend… Chapter 4 next week, just like any good soap opera…

Health, Chapter 2

2009-05-13T18:51:00.001-07:00

Well, hello to all, Dr. just called and I have more information now… It appears that I have water in my left lung, I go to have an EKG in the morning, then to the hospital to have the water drawn from my left lung… they will test the fluid and let me know what is next… it could be cancer, but not likely… it could still be my heart causing the problem but I think not.. it could be an infection in the lung or something else in the lung and that is all curable…
I’ll let you know when I know more…

2009-05-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

Saw Dr. today, he ordered a chest X-ray, took me off Cozar, and scheduled but not necessarily needs a cath lab angiogram on Thursday… So, I may be at dinner on Friday or not and I may be here and cooking this weekend or not… check with us tomorrow when we find out what the chest thing did… If it’s the chest being abnormal then it’s good and I get some meds or something to fix it… if it’s the Cozar causing the problem I owe Ilse(Dr.’s assistant) some flowers for believing me that this might be the problem… if it’s not the chest or the Cozar, then I will be in Overlake Hospital on Thursday having my 13th angiogram, the 12th done by Dr. Kures… then we will find out if it’s my heart or not… The other option here is that it may be Valley Fever, which I am showing most of the symptoms except the fever, which is a probability…

I want you all to know that I had another post ready to send to you… not one I ever hope to really send but just so you know… Pam, my love, will send it if need be…

The one comment I have to make is: One is judged by the people He/She touches in a positive way, not by the amount of money or toys… I hope that is true for me in the end… (which is not too damn soon, just so you know) I just wanted to pass that along is all… :>)

We are leaving the warm to go to the cold

2009-04-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time to finally start our trek for Seattle. We leave Pahrump this morning and go to Vegas for a few days while we get the trailer repaired. Then on Sunday we leave Vegas going up I15 to St. George Utah, two days there to visit Zion National Park. Then on the road north, we will be spending a couple of days on the Columbia River and then into Fall City on the 9th of May.
So for all of you in Seattle, the 9th is our arrival date. See you soon.

Pam's Totally FINISHED Quilt!!

2009-04-17T12:39:00.001-07:00

I finally got the binding done on my first quilt and it is now on the bed along with pillow covers made by a good friend at Desert Gardens (Thank you again Betty!) So here it is in all it's glory, but the picture doesn't really do it just, you have to see it in person!

Travel Time again!

2009-04-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

We left Florence, AZ on Friday, April 3 and went to Quartzite to stay the weekend with Doug and Kay, and her families that are there also. Had a great visit, lots of wind, of course, it's the desert after all, and Pam finally got to start relaxing again, not worrying about work!!!

We left there on Sunday, heading to Vegas and a night at Sam's Town RV and had a great late lunch with Jerry and Laura at their son's house, then back to the rig for an early wakeup the next morning as we had an appointment in Vegas for having the axles on the rig aligned. Well, that didn't happen AGAIN!! This time it wasn't a bearing, it was the shocks (Big rubber things) on the rig were pulling away from the steel walls they are mounted to. Called MoreRides... Let's see, $218 each, plus installation and there are 4 of them that are all doing the same!!!!ARGHHHH!!!

Oh well, that's a first of the month expense, good thing Pam worked all winter for money!!!!
So, we are now in Pahrump, in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, for the next couple of weeks, then will head up to the Pacific Northwest and away from the sunshine and dryness. We'll miss the sunshine, but not the dryness at all!!!

Pam managed to get her 1st quilt done over the winter, with much encouragment from the quilters at Desert Gardens!!! It's now been over to the long-arm quilting machine (thanks Ken) and is ready for it's binding!!! Here it is!!

Sorry, can't make it any larger, this is from a friend that emailed it to me and it won't allow me to make it larger@#@#@#

Hi Everyone...

2009-03-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, we are about to end our stay in Florence for the winter and start heading back up to Seattle. We have to be there no later than the 15th of May which is about 2 months too soon!!!! Oh well...

Pam ends her stint as the Activities Director here on the 30th and we will be heading over to Quartzsite to visit with Kay and Doug for a couple of days on the 1st of April. A couple of days there and then we will be going to Las Vegas to have the axles worked on and then over to Pahrump until the end of the month when Jerry and Laura can join us for the trek up to Seattle.

While here in Florence Pammy got some new experiences including: getting to ride an ATV for the first time. She went four wheeling all over the desert one day...

Actually we had gone out to visit the 80 Arm Cactus, a Saquaro (sp?) that is estimated to be over 500 years old:

when we got locked into the land management land we were on and had to go out the "hard" way over ATV trails. I'll let her tell about that trip when she gets on here next.

At any rate we are looking forward to starting north but not too fast... See you all soon...

From Pam: It was GREAT Fun!!! The 2 wheel drive truck that had the ATV's got stuck one, so they unloaded them and asked if I wanted to ride on!!!! Do Rattlesnakes bite!!! YESSSS

We were both in shorts, sandals, and no helmets (they hadn't planned to go atving) but we put on hats, sunshades, and bandanas and had a great time. Sue is very experienced at riding and was a wiz, I took some time getting used to the drive, it's not a Harley after all, then finally relaxed and had a GREAT FUN time!!!!

We all eventually got out, even the two wheel drive truck, but the 2 hour trip turned into 5 hours, something like Gilligans Desert Retreat!!! Some of us kept waiting for someone to yell "You're on Candid Camera!" or that we were in Senior Survivor!!

Just another day in paradise...

2009-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know, it's been in the mid to high 80's for the past 7 days and expected to stay at least in the mid to high 70's for a long while.
The managers that are here have decided not to come back so we are trying to get Doug and Kay an interview with the company. We still don't know if we are going to get to come back next year since the current outgoing managers are not committing to hiring for next year so the the new managers can make their own choices. If Kay and Doug get the job, then we will definitely be back next year.
Oh well, life goes on... Have a great day one and all...

Catching up...

2009-02-24T12:12:00.001-08:00

Gee, here it is almost the end of Feb. My how time flies when you are having fun... We have been enjoying our stay here at Desert Gardens and really hope that they will have Pam back next year as the Activities Director. Alot has happened since we started here, but most of it is typical of "owner" parks. We really liked the new managers but now they will not be back next year, for family reasons they are going to Colorado to work. So, now we don't know whether Pam is going to be invited back or not. The new management company isn't much on passing along information to the workkampers.
We have an end date though, we will be leaving here sometime after the 10th of April and starting our slow trek north. We have to be in Fall City no later than the 15th of May for Pam to start her new "volunteer" job there. Me I'm going to just continue to be a "kept" man. Actually we expect to know whether the doctors can do anything for my breathing issue by the end of June and will decide then if we are going to continue staying in the Northwest or start doing some traveling.
The current plan is to leave here on the 11th or 12th and head to Las Vegas. I still need to have the axles aligned and I want to have the fellow who was so good last time we tried do the work. Then we will head over to Pahrump for a stay, probably be there the 15th of April and stay until the end of the month. At which time, Jerry and Laura should be joining us for a trek north. We are hoping to go up through Utah, Idaho and into Washington from the tri-cities area.
We'll try to remember to post more often and keep everyone up to date... Take care everyone!!!

Merry Christmas to All and a Happy New Year

2008-12-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth out here before the end of the year. It's been a crazy year and we've had a great time going with the flow. Right now, if you don't know already, I'm a kept man and Pammy is working herself to death... Actually she's having a great time but putting in a lot of hours. We are at Desert Gardens RV Oasis in Florence Az and would welcome anyone who wants to come by and visit. The sites rent for $30 a night and are large sites. Or come by and stay the day and visit. Lots of people here but they aren't our friends yet. Have made a few new friends but generally the "cliques" stick together and we are just the worker bees... Mostly nice folks here with your normal few exceptions, but that's to be expected...

Anyway, just wanted to say Merry Christmas and wish everyone a great New Year... so far we have had one job offer for the summer but turned it down and are still planning on being in Seattle for the a good part of the summer...

See you soon

Slight change of plans for us

2008-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

We have accepted positions at http://desertgardensrvoasis.com/index.html for the winter as Activities Director (Pam) and Jack-of-all-trades (Rick). We will leave the Pahrump/Las Vegas area on Wednesday, Nov 19 and arriving at Florence, AZ on the 20th or 21st and are scheduled to stay until April.

We haven't made any changes to our reservations yet, especially those for December and January as we've had changes before that we needed to have a site right away and want to make sure that since those are the busiest months, we have a place to go if we need it!!!

We'll be working 12 hours each for our site, then Pam will work another 28 for a total of 40 hrs per week, and we'll get that flat screen tv sooner or later!!! This just helps out with the shortage that we have for the winter's purchases since we didn't get the seaon-end bonus as was origianlly promised from the place in Alaska.

That's all for now, more to follow as we get to our new position/place and see what it's like!!!

We're Working on our new Web Site!!

2008-11-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

One of our sons has created an awesome new utility for creating your own websites and we are in the process of updating ours to the new format!! Go take a look at it, it is still in progress but the Itinerary page is up-to-date FINALLY!!! We're having problems making reservations, but are slowly getting some of them made.

Hope your Presidential candidate won, ours did!!!

Well, we're not going to Texax afterall!

2008-10-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

We got an email from the resort we were going to in Port Aranas Tx and they hired another couple!!! We thought we had a solid commitment, that's what we get for thinking I guess!!!

Sooooo, we'll take a look at everyone's travel plans and see where we can meet up with all our friends and family over the winter. We're not going to commit to anywhere until just the right job comes along or next summer, whichever comes first!

So look for us at the favorite hangouts!

Dang only the 3rd day of a new month and....

2008-10-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here I am posting again... I guess when things change at a rapid pace, we must inform more often. At any rate if you haven't recieved email to the effect from Pammy, you can hear it here... We have accepted a position in Port Aransas, Texas. Right out on the island at the Gulf Waters RV Resort. The web site shows a pretty nice place, some are owned by RV'ers and others are for rent. Pam will be working in the office doing the normal stuff taking reservations, checking people in and such and I will be escorting to the site and doing light gardening and security. This is another 4 days on 4 days off situation and that works for us. It's even for pay! The Resort is realitively new and growing (another 40 sites are going in) with 125 sites so far. At any rate we are supposed to be there for a year and then we will see from there. Should be interesting.
So, we will be leaving Seattle on the 10th unless the doctor changes our plans. Should be in Pahrump around the 16th and will stay there for as long as we can and still make it to Texas by the 4th or 5th of Nov. For those of you who are going to meet us in Pahrump, see then.

Work Kamping has it's ups and downs

2008-09-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone;

As you can see this is the 3rd post in one month, I must have alot to say this month.

We are in Tok and getting ready to head into Canada, so no cell service and internet may be spotty for the next couple of weeks. This post is more about what just happened to us than anything else however.

We just got disappointed by our summer employer to the tune of over $3000. He came up with some bogus excuse not to pay us our "agreed" upon end of season bonus. We could not believe what he did! We bail him out at the beginning of the summer and do better than he expected all summer long and then he won't pay us our bonus. Lots of words have flown over the past several hours and several emails have gone out. I don't know what to say, as workampers you really have no recourse in a situation like this. This is the "down" of being a workamper. That an employer would cheat people out of their money is unbelieveable to me. Maybe I'm too trusting or just stupid. At any rate, we worked hard for him and got nothing for it. Let this be a lesson to everyone, GET IT IN WRITTING!! People can not be trusted anymore.

The more I know people the more I like my cats!

We will barely make it back to the lower 48 and won't be able to do any of the planned side trips now, so we will probably be back in Seattle sooner than planned. See you all soon...

Twice in one Month, Amazing

2008-09-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hi All;
Once again, thinks have changed. Like I said we were being talked to by one of the WH resorts and have decided to join their "volunteer" staff for the winter. We will still be leaving tomorrow and heading down to the lower 48. We don't have to be there until the 1st of Nov. so we will probably not "rush" through any of the stops.
We will be staying in St. David for the winter and hope that we get to see everyone while we are there. I would rather be moving around and seeing folks but this is not a bad deal since some of the kids are in Tucson and we both like the St. David area. So, if we don't see you along the way down, let's hope we get to see you while you are staying at St. David.
As of tomorrow we will have spotty internet service and no cell service so if you don't get a response right away, don't fret, we are having a blast in Canada. See you all soon.

So Sept. brings changes

2008-09-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hi All;

As usual, nothing in our lives is written in stone, thank goodness. We have changed the date that we will leave Healy, Ak to the 22nd of Sept. That allows for all the housekeeping staff to get out of here ahead of us. We will be going from here to Fairbanks and Tok then over to Watson Lake, YT. Then it's down a different route than the one we took up, we are going to take the Cassiair Highway down to Prince Geoge. We wanted to go on the ferry and take the inside passage down but the cost was WAY TOO MUCH. It would have cost over $5k to do that, we can travel down the highway for half that. It's really too bad too as we thought that would be a great treat to finish off this wonderful trip. Oh well, life goes on and maybe another time.

At any rate we are going to be in Seattle for about 2 weeks and then it's heading south for warmer climates and less rain. As of this entry we are going to stop in Portland and visit with the kids for a few days, then we are going to stop over in Coos Bay and visit with that set of kids. I also need to make a run to Kerbyville and get some burl pieces to work on. Then it's off the Pahrump, Nv for a few weeks. We have been contacted by a Western Horizons park that is looking for assitant activities people and if they decide to have us do that we may have to cut some of our stays a little shorter since we may need to be at the park sooner than we had thought. For now no plans to "hightail it" to anywhere.

So now the news from the Denali Park Hotel. We still don't know if they are going to ask us back but I have pretty much decided that I don't want to come back to Healy. (Notice that I say "I" for the first time in this entry, Pam is still thinking about it and we all know what that means) We would both like to come back to Alaska and if we do I think that we would probably try to get a position somewhere down on the Kenai Penn. We really liked it there when we visited and would like to spend some more time there. At any rate, we shall see. It's been alot of fun here and we have enjoyed the things that we have gotten to do. I will share a picture or two with you but most of you have our "Flickr" address and there are more there

The first image is a "clear" view of Denali (Mt. McKinley), that day I got several shots of the mountain including from the "south", this is a shot from the North side of the moutain. The second shot is from our Glacier cruise of one of the glaciers (Surprise Glacier) calving. It was very cool (no pun intended) and the sound was very loud. Hope you enjoy. For those folks who are missing some of the pictures that we are taking, I'm going to put a package together with them and send it out to everyone. If you get to see us in person, I have some fantastic shots to show and would be happy to share them.

So this is my entry for now. I will try to get another one up before we leave so that we can keep everyone up to speed with our continuing saga and journey through life. Let us know what you think and hope to see everyone soon....

At least once a month isn't that bad...

2008-08-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hi All;

Once again I find myself apologing for my tardiness in posting here. It just seems that our time moves so fast and the next thing we know we are into the next month. For those of you who are interested, I have a "tendative" plan of travel set up with emphasis on the "tendative" part.

21-Sep Lv. Healy, Ak; Arrv. Delta Junction
22-Sep Lv. Delta Junction; Arrv. Destruction Bay, Yk
23-Sep Lv. Destruction Bay; Arrv. Whitehorse, Yk
24-Sep Lv. Whitehorse, Yk; Arrv. Jade City, Yk
25-Sep Lv. Jade City, Yk; Arrv. Mezaidin Lake
27-Sep Lv. Mezaidin Lake; Arrv. Kitwanga
28-Sep Lv. Kitwanga; Arrv. Prince George
29-Sep Lv. Prince George; Arrv. Cache Creek
30-Sep Lv. Cache Creek; Arrv. Fall City, Wa
19-Oct Lv. Fall City; Arrv. Portland
22-Oct Lv. Portland; Arrv. Rogue River
23-Oct Lv. Rogue River; Arrv. Fernley
24-Oct Lv. Fernley; Arrv. Pahrump

The rest of this is TBD
From Pahrump to Ehrenberg
From Ehrenberg to Winterhaven
From Winterhaven to Indio
From Indio to Casa Grande
From Casa Grande to St. David
From St. David to Las Cruces
From Las Cruces to Sierra Blanca
From Sierra Blanca to Boerne
From Boerne to Rockport
From Rockport to Abita Springs
From Abita Springs to Robertsdale
From Robertsdale to Huntsville

From here on, and actually from Pahrump on is still up in the air and subject to change at any given time. Alot depends on whether we are going to work in Alaska next summer or not. I'm inclined to believe that we will probably not come back up here, which is sad in a way but not so bad, since I can check Alaska off my "bucket list". We both would like to come back and see a bit more of the state and do a few more things but we will see what happens. For now we are not planning on coming back up here.

I did want to add a picture for your enjoyment, this is a Least Weasel, and a neighbor of ours. He/She lives under one of the buildings near our rig. The Least Weasel is the smallest carnivor in NorthAmerica and very ferocious. We just think of him/her as cute. They are only 10 inches long and eat the Snowshoe Hares that are all around us.

Been Awhile, Sorry...

2008-07-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry to say we are remise in posting... It's been a busy time here in Alaska. I will say that we are having fun but it's been very busy. Pam is working on putting a large amount of pictures up on a site called "Flickr". When she has the site setup and the pictures added she will let everyone know. I got a new camera for my birthday and I'm having a great time taking pictures with it. I got a Nikon D80 since my old 35mm was a Nikon and I like their products. Besides, I only had to buy the body because I already had lenses that would work with it. At any rate both Pam and I have been taking lots of pictures and we want to share them with you so she is fixing the "Flickr" site for you to view them.
Time to talk about this winter... Pam and I have decided that we will be heading south for the winter. We may be coming back up here to work at the hotel again next summer, that is to be determined. The owners are discussing that possibility. However, we got to figuring it out and it would cost us just as much to stay here for the winter as it would to go south and come back up, since we would really like to be warmer than 25 to -40 this winter we have decided to go south. So, we will be leaving here around the 18th of Sept. and heading down. I have a Dr.'s appointment on the 15th of Oct. (that may change) and then we are free as a bird (at least so far) from that point on. We are considering working this winter if we are going to come back up here for the summer, if not returning to Alaska=no winter work. If we aren't going to return, and we would like to so that we can see even more, we will probably hang around the southwest for a few months and then start heading east. It's getting to be time for us to try the east coast for awhile.
At any rate, still lots of things to decide before definite plans are made. The only planning I'm doing right now is when I'm going Halibut/Lingcod fishing in August and which direction we will go when we leave here in Sept.. It's a matter of whether we go down to Anchorage and then head out of Alaska from there (different route to Tok is all) or whether we just go to Fairbanks and do the same route we did when we came to Alaska. Some of the decision will be determined by the weather. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and hope that we get to meet up with all our friends when we get back to the lower 48. I promise to keep you up to date as to what is going on as it happens or at least within a few days of it happening.

Animals and Sunsets

2008-06-26T20:59:00.001-07:00

We've had all sorts of visitors (animal-wise) and enjoy seeing them all. Here are some of our animal friends.

Mamma Moose and calf Red Cap Finch at the bird feeder

Black Cap Finch above Red Squirrel Bird - at least he thinks he is....

Baby Snowshoe hare in one of the rooms Snowshoe Hares are all over the place!!

A mother moose and her twins came to visit one day and Rick grabbed the camera!

and last but not least, a GORGEOUS sunset (about 12:20 a.m.)

Behind the trailers Mount Healy in the sunset glow

firey ski, about 1 a.m.

Our Days at Denali Park Hotel

2008-06-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that June is almost gone!!! We've been working hard, but playing at the same time. Here's some pictures of the crew that we work with relaxing and enjoying the season.

The pictures below are taken at a campfire with all of us, including the Golden Retriever - Chewy. Some of the girls had never been to a campfire and never had S'mores, so we all had alot of fun!!

By the way, these pictures were taken from 11:00 p.m. to about 1:00 a.m.

Rick chatting with friends in WA state. L to R - Rick, Lyazzat, Eva, Mariela, Mariya, Rob, Simona, Alina, Jo, Don, and of course, Chewy

Rick and Lyazzat- she's from Kasastan Lyazzat, Eva, Mariela, Mariya, Rob, and Simona

Alina, first time for S'mores! Eva, Mariya, and Rob

Simona, Alina, Jo and Don Lyazzat, Eva, Mariya, Rob, and Simona

This is a movie of some of our fun, enjoy!!!

Lyazzat and Alina are from Kasastan. Eva, Mariela, Mariya, and Simona are from Bulgaria, and Rob is from Colorado. Jo is from New Mexico, Don is from Florida, and then there is us....

Below, inside the office having a staff lunch of Salmon!! (these pictures are daytime, unlike the ones above that were nighttime.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE OLD FART!!!

2008-06-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

Today is Rick's 60th birthday so sing him "Happy Birthday" loud enough for him to hear up here in the wilds of Alaska.

We took 4 days off from work and went to visit the Kenai peninsula below Anchorage.
We saw LOTS of gorgeous scenery!!!!

Views from our hotel in Homer

Homer Spit (Below)

Saw lots of COMBAT Fishing on the Russian and Kenai Rivers.... Combat fishing?? Wall to wall fisherpersons!

Saw some nice King Salmon caught!

The welcome bunny at the hotel and a Red Squirrel that doesn't think he's a bird.

Bird Sancutary near Anchorage with lots of nesting gulls and terns.

Bottom Right - Bald Eagle in Homer

This eagle (below) landed in a yard in Homer as we drove by. Then took off with a Halibut carcass the homeowner had put out for it.

More scenery from Homer and one of the trains that are full of tourist (this one was near Anchorage.)

More of the bird Sanctuary L - Artic Tern hovering R - Some type of loon

Seagulls that weren't afraid of anyone!!! Again at the bird sanctuary.

This robin was singing a great song at the hotel in Homer, and the eagle (r) flew by below the hotel as we were sitting outside.

View of the Homer Spit, it juts out 4 miles into the bay (L) Magpie (R)

The latest news from Alaska

2008-06-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hi All;

Sorry we haven't been posting lately, we have been very busy since getting to Alaska. I will try to get some pictures up soon but for now just a few words on what's happening.

We got here on the 5th of May and have been working since about the 10th. The managers that were here when we arrived have left and the owners decided to make Pam and I the new managers. Here's a first, managing a motel. Since the other couple that is here are friends of ours and traveled here with us, we all know about the same about the business so we can all make the same mistakes. I will say it has been interesting so far. We are still managing to get our 4 days on and 4 days off schedule, we just aren't leaving the area but once or twice a month is the only difference. The work isn't much different other than I have to run the maintenance person and make sure certain things that I would not have been involved in are done. Anyway, more $$'s and responsibility. Pam is the one with real work load but she was going to have to do that part anyway as the previous managers were not "getting it" when it came to the paperwork involved in running a motel.

We have been to Anchorage but just for a day and didn't really "see" much. We had a trip planned to go to the Arctic Ocean but after finding hotel rooms (bare twin bed rooms) for $235 a night, we have decided that we could spend $800 to $1000 on other things much better. Like a trip to the Kenai and fishing or a new "gold" finder, or a new Digital SLR, or just pay some bills now and worry about those other things later. We are still going to go to the Arctic Circle just not as far as the ocean since that is just a "day" trip from Fairbanks.

So, all and all things are going good, my hand has gotten better although it is scarred pretty badly. My health is good, I've cutting back on the adult beverages and have started loosing some weight again, damn that's a hard one too... I gave up politics, and discussing religion, and s.. and now adult beverages too... just put me in the ground... We are both looking forward to getting in some fishing and even have a fly fishing guide here locally who is going to take us out and teach us how to catch fish in Alaska and he is going to do this for free! Pam grooms his three doggies... nice to have friends in the right places...

I promise, pictures to follow, we still haven't gotten into the park to get pictures of the bears and such, as soon as we do, I'll make sure they get posted

One Last Word about the Alcan Highway

2008-05-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

For those of you that haven't driven the Alaskan Highway through Canada,

here's some last words!!

Winding In and Winding Out

Fills my mind with serious doubt

if the man who built this road

was going to hell or coming out.

Sgt. Troy L. Hise 1943

Final Travel days!

2008-05-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

As we finished up our next to last leg of the trip, here comes the gorgeous scenery again, this whole trip has been truely beautiful for the eyes!

Here it is FINALLY!!! WELCOME TO ALASKA!!!!

Stayed the night in a mudhole of a campground (due to the snow melt, and permafrost not melting yet!) and drove the rest of the way to North Pole, AK the next day.

Santa’s House
fBeore we made it down to Healy, we stopped in Pam’s old stomping grounds of Eilson AFB, in the town of North Pole, AK. Yes my dears, there is a Santa Claus and he lives here in his own house with his reindeer of course!

Santa’s Reindeer. (Rudolf was away for the week in warmer climates!)

Home for the next 4 months!!!

We drove from North Pole to Healy in about 3-4 hours, and arrived early afternoon to a sunny beautiful day! Got the rigs set up and sat down for socializing with other workers and having adult beverages!

There are 3 rigs of workampers along with the managers who live in one of the train cars. There will also be 5-6 young ladies from Russia and Bulgaria arriving to do housekeeping (they'll stay in the dorms) in the next couple of days.

Below: Meet Chewbacca (Chewy) a 9 y/o Golden Retriever, who is the proud owner of several tennis balls, footballs, and what ever sticks he happens to like!! (He belongs to one of the workampers and loves to chase his toys when you throw them!)

Sights around the hotel:

and finally, we drove down 70 miles or so to see if Mt McKinley once we had been here for a day or so!

We have made it to North Pole, AK!!

2008-05-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

We're in AK finally, will post more in the next couple of days!!!

Alaska Trip - Days 10-11

2008-04-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Monday, April 28
Today we did a rest day in Watson Lake, home of the famous Sign Forest, and it is truely a forest! It sits on close to an acre, added to yearly, is now over 70,000 sign. Started in 1943 when the highway was being built and a lonely, homesick G.I. put up a sign to his hometown in Illinois and thus started the forest. He and his wife came back 50 years later and rededicated the signpost forest and he was amazed at the growth of it.

When Pam went through here 35 years ago, it was only about 1/8th the current size.
Here are some pictures of the signpost forest:

After visiting the signpost forest and picking up a few groceries and a few litres of diesel ($1.429 ltr = $5.417 gln, highest price yet, welcome to the Yukon!) Since the Northern Lights Plantierium was closed, we spent the rest of the day resting, relaxing, and had a nice evening play Polish Poker. We have hooked them to that game!!!

Tuesday, April 29
One the road again heading for Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon Territories, 271.8 miles away. Saw some wonderful scenery of frozen ground, lakes, and rivers. This is a picture of the Yukon River, 3-4th largest river in North America.

Saw a Bald Eagle, Swans (either Trumpeter or Tundra, weren't close enough to tell the difference) more Caribou and our first Squirrel (Ground we think).

Roads weren't too bad, however, by another week or two they will be. The asphalt is broken in several places and although they are starting repairs as things defrost, more breakage and frost heaves will occur. Pity to the hoards coming up later in the year!!

Stopped at Nisultlin Trading Post to fuel up, had a discount card for $0.03/ltr off, and they were cheaper than in Watson lake. Paid $1.369 ltr ($5.182 gallon) and put in the largest amount yet (61.376 gallons or 232.31 ltrs) and felt like we should take out a loan to pay for it!!! Oh well, the Yukon scores again.

Held off for lunch to try Mukluck Annie's Salmon Bake that everyone who's traveled this road has told us about. CLOSED!! We're finding this alot with the touristy stuff. Oh well, that's what happens when you run ahead of the pack.

Stopped around 2 p.m. for the evening at Hi Country RV Park just outside Whitehorse. Paid for 2 nights as we want to do some sightseeing, at least there are stores here. There are 4-6 museums here, but of course, not open until Mid-May. ARGHHHH!!

Saw our first of many mosquitos, landed on Pam's arm!! It's so hard to imagine how they ever survive the winters, but they do, in hoards.

Just preparing us for the summer!

And the last picture of the day!!
Warm Snuggly Kitties on their beach!!

Sometimes I'd like to be a cat,
Eat, Sleep, Play, and necessaties
Nothing else to do
But let the humans wait on you!!

Alaska Trip - Days 8-9

2008-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

Catchup of pictures from previous day

We're currently in Watson Lake, Yukon Territories, Canada for a day of rest, had two pretty rough days of travel. The super freeway occasionally became more like the old highway for small sections. Had to stay alert for the frost heaves more, got bumped around alot, (like being on a bucking bronco is more like it!) and a long day yesterday. Had planned to stop after 168 miles at a hot springs povincial park, but decided to push ahead instead. We have no cell service here at all (all the cities so far have had it, so this is a surprise) but the WIFI is okay and the park gives a great discount for people going up and back for working in AK. Really really nice of the owners!!!!

Watson Lake is where the famous Signpost Forest is, so will post pics tonight or tomorrow for the sightseeing around here. In the meantime, since the WIFI is good, decided to go on and post some of the pics from the last few days!! Enjoy!

Milepost "0" in downtown Dawson Creek

Alaska Hotel and Pub - Downtown Dawson Creek, right by the intersection that has the Milepost "0"

Rick, Pam, Jo, and Don at the Alaska Pub

inside the Alaska Pub, neat place!!!

Our friend Lois Hill, at the gift shop of the Dawson Creek Museum

The display area for the building of the AlCan highway inside the musuem. The TV in the center is showing a really good film about the making of the highway, telling alot of details that the PBS and History Channels didn't show. Very informative.

Sunday, April 26, Day 10

Left Fort Nelson this a.m. about 9ish again hoping to see more animals and we did!! Saw lots of Buffalo, both wild and fenced herds, Caribou, Rock Sheep, and hawks. Roads weren't too bad, but alot more intense watching as the frost heaves/potholes are not marked. Don took the lead today as he goes up the mountains a little faster (lighter trailer) than we do.

Saw lots of warning about animals, mainly Deer, Moose, and Caribou.

beautiful veiws of the Canadian Rockies

Jo, Don, Rick and Pam in from of Stone Mountain.
(Can you see why they call it Stone Mountain.)

Part of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.

Stone Sheep on the highway (not Big Horn Sheep)

Caribou cow, she was just standing by the side of the road until we stopped, once we moved one, she came right back up. Was licking up salt.

Wild Buffalo along the side of the road.

(Below - inside the Toad River Cafe/Lodge)

Another view of the ceiling full of hats! Over 7,400 now) Great way to insulate your roof!

Folded Mountain - this picture doesn't do it justice, you can literally see why they call it folded geology.

And lastly -

What the road giveth........

(downhills)

the road taketh away!!!!!???

(Uphill AGAIN!)

Alaska Trip - Days 3-7

2008-04-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday - 4-20 - Day 3

Woke up to COLD COLD COLD!! 22 Farenheit and threatening snow again. We hit the edge of the Rockies today, had snow on/off all day, but clear roads. Stopped several times at rest stops to warm up the trailer for the cats, got down to 48 at one point.

Saw our first moose today!! Along one of the rivers, nice looking cow. Also saw Snow Geese, Elk, Magpies, and Beaver Trees. Ran into our first frost heaves today!!! Such fun, found out what will stay up and what won't.

(Frozen Lake)

At one of the rest stops alongside a frozen river. We're standing on about 4' of snow.

Snow, snow and more snow, but none on the roads.

Warning to watch for Moose and a sharp curve ahead. Yep, that's about 6' of snow.

Snow along the roadside that is taller than the truck!

Arrived in Dawson Creek with snow falling to stay at the Northen Lights RV Park. Cost si $28.50/night with Good Sam membership.

Call Lois Hill who lives here. Pam bought some Bengals from her in the previous life for our Cattery.

Drove 273.01 miles todaym, average speed was 40-50 due to frost heaves.

Monday, 4-21 Day 4

Rick was woke up about 5:30 from the sunlight. Sunrise is around 4 a.m. now and sunset around 9 p.m. so we covered his window.

Went to lunch with Lois, then went out to her house for dinner and to meet the cats. What beautiful Bengals she has!!! Four retired cats are in the house, with 3 in the large shop/garage. Had Moose roast for dinner, Rick's first time for Moose. What an awesome dinner and her house has a wonderful view of the farm area around them.

Stopped at a Canadian state liquor store, OH MY GOD!!! The prices are terrible, worse than in the state of WA or OR!!! 1.14 litre of Absolute Vodka wa $34.25 (Smirnoff was only a dollar less, so go for the gusto!)

Tuesday, April 22 Day 5

Don/Jo are still in Edmonton, can't get out due to snowy roads! His blackwater tank is frozen too, what a predicament.

Went and bought Antifreeze for our 3 holding tanks, did laundry ($4 for a double load) brought them home to dry as the price was $0.25 per 3 minutes. You can actually take showers at the laundrymat, $0.25 per minute!

The buffets in this town are not great and way overpriced for what they are! $9.95-$10.95 for lunch that should be around $5.95 at the most. Won't go back!

Lois and Ken came by with some Moose antlers for Rick to scroll. What a selection! They hunt every year and have found some that were dropped also.

Exchange rate today at a local bank was $25 US for $24.58 CND ($98.4/$1)

Wednesday 4-23 Day 6

Filled up today at $1.259 ltr (4.765 gallon) Diesel, and one 30# tank of propane was $.739/#
Drove 325.5 miles before filling, averaged 9.51 mpg

Paid for 2 more nights since Don/Jo will be in today. They will stay at Tubbies RV Park down the road as their bathrooms have water and they don't here. Until they get their blackwater defrosted, they have to use the facilities.

Finally were able to hook up water, the temp actually got up to the upper 30's today, but another storm is coming in tomorrow. Filled fresh water tank, dumped holding tanks, and took showers. We have been buying bottled water for ice, drinking, and of course, the cats. What costs $0.74 in WA (at WalMArt) cost $1.88 plue $.04 recycling and $0.20 deposit.

Don/Jo made it in finally, along with about 10 other Rv's coming in from Edmonton.

Don/Jo, Lois/Ken joined us for Rick's Enchiladas, and my Chili Relleno/Mexican Cornbread. So we drank, ate, and chatted

Thursday, April 24 Day 7

Snow AGAIN!!! All those people from Edmonton must of brought it with them! We paid for another day, Don/Jo need a down day after the stress and the steamer guy is coming to defrost their tanks for them (Costs $100, not bad really)

Went to A & W for lunch, would go back, was really good. Stopped downtown at the offical Milepost 0 and took pictures then went to the Alaska Pub for a couple of drinks, had alot of fun with the bartendress and some of the local color.

Friday, April 25, Day 8
Got up to Beautiful SUNSHINE and 32 degrees!!! Walked around in just a light sweater instead of heavy coats, snow boots, etc.

Went to the Dawson Creek Musuem today with Don/Jo and Lois came by to touch base with us again. Didn't realize that the plans for the Intercontinental Highway (Alcan Highway) were actually being debated for up to 10 years before the US/Canada decided to go forward with it after the invasion of American soil in AK. Watched a real interesting film about the plans, building, etc of the highway.

We're really looking forward to get on the road moving again tomorrow, hopefully nothing comes up again to delay us more.

Saturday, April 26 Day 9

Sunshine and clear skys, 34 at 7a.m. so off we go forward on our adventure!!! We hit the Alaskan Highway today from Milepost 0!!!

Didn't see much of wildlife today, lots scenery though!! Did see a Fisher (weasel family), Grouse, Red Tail Hawks, and Mule Deer.

This road is a super highway compared to when Pam came up with her ex 35 years ago!!! Curves have been straightened out, it's wide and very little to no rough potholes!!! What a major change!!!!

Stopped at Fort Nelson for the night, small town, of course, but very quaint. We definitely beat the rush in, had about 5-6 more rigs come in after we did. On to Laird Hot Springs tomorrow to hopefully stay for a day or so and soak out the soreness of the road!

Will post more pictures in the next couple of days as I can get WiFi as we go further north on our great adventure!!

Alaska Trip - Day 2 - Saturday April 19

2008-04-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

Got up to 23 degrees and light dry snow so headed out about 9ish for our drive to Prince George. No as much scenery, but just as much, only different. More high altitude scenery, still winter up here, not as much blooming already to be killed off by the cold. At one point the thermometer in the truck showed 17 degrees!!!! Lots of headwinds today, with blowing snow, but it was so cold, it was a very dry snow, unlike what Seattle got today!!!!!

Stopped an Sintich RV Park around 3ish, waters not on yet, they still have a good bit of snow left over. Only hooked up electric again, but at least it was 50 amp this time!!! Trailer temp was down to 40 degrees, poor kitties were all curled up together and boy did Pam catch h#$* from them when she came in to turn on the heat!!!

Bought diesel again, it's actually cheaper the farther north we go, at least so far. Paid $1.223/Liter (122.73 liter= 32.73 gallon, price was $4.629/gallon) Traveled 275.8 miles - averaged 8.3 mpg due to 20 mph headwinds and more mountains to be climbed.

We're off to Dawson Creek in the morning, meeting up with Don and Jo either tomorrow or Monday, stay at Dawson Creek a couple of days, then on for our Northern journey.

Alaska Trip - Day 1 - Friday April 18

2008-04-18T19:14:00.001-07:00

We made it out of the Seattle area, apparently by the skin of our teeth!!! Cam Goan reported that they had lots of white this afternoon!! We made it through the Canadian border with no problems, even though we (especially Rick) imagined every possible problems!!

The southern regions of British Columbia are beautiful, we ran along and than through valleys and canyons of the Cascades, lots of scenery!!! Here's some pics of our day.

Across the border, into southern BC. This was the first view of the Cascades from Trans Continental Hwy 1.

First rest stop north of the border, thought I'd show part of the mountains and the rig to show we're really on our way!

Mountain gap behind the rest stop, up close as I could get anyway.

Showing the snow level above us!

Yes, that's real snow!!!

Close up of that real snow!

View from the last rest stop before we came into Cache Creek, BC, for the first night's stop.

We arrived at the Brookside Campsite - nice campground with full hookups ($30 for large rigs such as ours), however, since it was already only 36 degrees at 5 p.m., we opted just to hook up electric since the water/sewer hoses would freeze during the night! Nice campground, good wifi for $2 a night extra. If you're coming up this way, we can highly suggest this campground.

Filled up in Monroe on Thursday at $4.339/gallon. Filled up again in Cache Creek at $131.9 per liter ($$4.99/gallon not back considering the cost in WA)

Total miles today is 295.3, average mileage since last fill up is 13.01!! That total is non-towing and towing combined for the total of 437.8 miles. since last fillup.

So a cold night, then on to Prince George tomorrow, hopefully, snow showers are predicted here tonight and possibly on the way tomorrow.

More when we can!!!

Rick and Pam (by the way, when it's this font, it's Pam posting)

North to Alaska - Finally!!

2008-04-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

North to Alaska, here we go. We left this morning to go up to Cache Creek, BC for our first stop on the way north and thought I'd post one last post.

I failed to mention some very good friends that had us and other friends over for dinner and drinks the first weekend we were here and need to remedy that. Kim and Angie Davis, sons Chase and Austin, had us, Mike, and the Goans over for a wonderful Ravioli and salad dinner and socializing, then Mike and Rick surprised Pam with a birthday cake and gifts (actually it's April 30th, but since we won't be in the area....). It was also a surprise for Kim, Angie, Cam and Steve as Mike and Rick hadn't told them about it!!
Thanks again for the great evening of fun and socializing!! Sorry I forgot to get pictures, even forgot to take the camera, DUH!!

We've taught several people Polish Poker, had fun doing it, and manage to drink and laugh too much a couple of times, all in all really enjoyed our time in the Seattle area, other than the crappy wet weather, but that was just getting us ready for our travel weather.!!!!!

So off we go on our great adventure, we'll try to post as we go when we can get a WIFI signal. We do have the phones on an international plan so we can get phone calls, so won't feel totally cut off.

Pam and Rick

Hello from the damp/cold of the Seattle area!

2008-04-13T10:53:00.001-07:00

Sorry we've taken so long to post, Rick isn't typing well due to his hand, and is always on the computer playing games!!!

Okay, for those who need to know, Rick fell in Portland and mashed up his left hand pretty bad (see previous post). The real story is he and our son, Ken, were badmouthing each other as men do and Ken challenged "You'll have to catch me first old man!" Needless to say the race was on. Ken zig and Rick zag and fell headfirst into the concrete curb outside of a marvelous pizza joint! Kim and I both thought he had hit his head, but thankfully he didn't (of course the concrete wasn't in great shape after Rick's hard head hitting it!) but apparently caught himself with his hand and left side.

The hand is doing great, slowly healing, but healing and he is using it a good bit.

We went to Ken/Kim's house the next day and had a great dinner of ribs and played cards (Yes, Jerry, we taught them Polish Poker!) and had a great visit with them.

Later that evening we even got Dylan (16 year old) to come play with us.

Dylan, Kim and Ken Gill

All in all, we had a great time visiting with family, went home tired, but full and rested, ready for our next day of travel to the Seattle area.

Travel to Seattle was wet and Pam had to drive as Rick's hand was still in the splint. No problems, but some beautiful snow on Tiger Summit neas Sammamish (Hwy 18 to I 90).

We got settled into Tall Chief WHR at Fall City and proceeded to have a couple of adult beverages!!

We decided to take a day trip to the Olympic Peninsula to visit friends there, so took a ferry over and back, relieving old times in the Great Puget Sound area, however, there have been a few changed since 9-11-01 Yes, that's a Coast Guard boat with a 50 Caliber Machine gun on front. One on each side of the ferry escorted us out a good distance from the ferry terminal.

Salmon Pens - yes this is one of the places where they grow those "farm-raised, color-add Atlantic Salmon" you can buy in the stores.

There were seabirds and seals all over the place waiting for that delicious escapee!!

Rick fell right back into the Ferry habit! When we first moved to the Seattle area, we lived in Bremerton and he took the ferry every day to work at Microsoft, twice a day!!

Once we got into Bremerton, we drove through beautiful country to Shelton, WA

Christi Hall, with Rea (4 yrs) and Roz (14 yrs) holding one of her great Savannah kittens. We bought our first Bengal from Christi and have remained good friends. (Joey, husband, was at work)

Hugs and great to see you Christi!!

Then on the road again to Port Orchard, WA

Dan and Leanne Landon, had a great dinner in their new home and relived alot of old times working at the Bremerton Shipyard (computers of course) when we first moved up to Seattle.

Dan, Leanne, thanks again for a great dinner and all the GREAT wine tasting!!

We caught the ferry back to Seattle, and again, arrived home tired but rested and glad to of seen faraway friends again!

The next couple of evenings were also spent visiting friends. Fall City is on the other side of the Carnation Valley from Monroe and of course several of our friends are in Monroe!! We also met others for lunch!

We met some old buddies at lunch one day!

Rick, Steve Goan, Jim Meredith

They all worked together at the Big M, Steve and Jim are still there in one capacity or another. Jim is the first Test Lead that Rick worked for at the Big M.

Great seeing you again Jim and enjoy your soon to come 4th retirement!

Steve and Cam Goan and the Himis (chihuahuas) ChiChi, Turk, and Jessie

We have stayed with Steve/Cam several times when we had to come for doctor visits for Rick, including 10 day in 2006 when he had the unexpected bypass! Cam drove down with Pam to Mount Shasta (9 hrs) to load and bring back the 5th wheel and cats! (11 hours back)

Thank you Steve and Cam for all the support you've provided for us over the years!

Mike Pozlusny (Poz) (hope I spelled that right) Rick hired Mike into the Big M many years ago and yes, he's still there also!!! Mike comes over to the rig regularly to visit and have dinner, work on the computer as needed, and just hang out!! If you've met him, you know what type of character he is!!!!

Hugs to you Mike!!!!

and Last but not Least, Pam has managed to get some beading done over the last couple of weeks, with help of course! (taken in Fallon, notice the sunshine!)

edited 4-18-2008

More Friends and of a surprise

2008-03-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well, we are finnaly in Seattle... We stopped in Portland and saw the kids, unfortunately I met the streets of Gresham... The kid moved... nevermind, let's just say I'm getting too old to screw around... so just enjoy the pictures you can make up whatever story you want... in fact let me know how this happened...

So, I can't wait for your comments...

Next, some more of our friends... This is Rob & Tina, they have known us for a long time... They were around for our poorer days when we lived in the Rogue Valley... Truely a friendship that stood the test of time and will be going on for a long, long time to come..

This couple is very special too, the only reason we know them is because Bob is as crazy as I am... after meeting them, Bob starting introducing me as his cellmate in prison (I got him for pack of cigs)... Trufully they are two of the nicest people you ever want to meet... Cheryl puts up with Bob and I getting slooshed and talking about our war time... Hang on tight to her Bob there are a few guys that look at this blog who might want to take her away from you....

Travels through Lassen National Forest and to Medford

2008-03-28T13:01:00.001-07:00

Now that we've made it this far, here's some pics we took along the way through snow and all!

These two are as we were going from Susanville, CA to Mt Shasta, CA via SR 44 and SR 89 through Lassen National Forest. Temps were in the low 30's and it snowed on and off through the 3 hours it took to go this way.

What a beautiful site it was especially since the snow wasn't sticking on the roads!!!

We arrived in Medford at Valley of the Rogue State Park around 5 p.m., settled in and had a couple of martinis, it was a pretty tense day!

We did the doctor appointments we had stopped for on Thursday morning, visited with some old friends at their State Farm office in Gold Hill, then went up to some other friends for dinner and socializing!!!

We've known Rob and Tina (holding Leroy, one of about 8 farm/house cats) Lindner for over 29 years and always have great food and great conversations when we go up to their 10 acre farm outside of Medford, up in the mountains.

Had great veggie lasagna, salad and lots of good wine, Pam went out with Tina to feed the critters and got to ohh and ahh over less than 24 hr baby goats, plus meet the new Anatolian Shepherd that now guards the homestead!!!

Friday morning we hit the road again heading north to Portland for the weekend with our son Ken and family, and guess what???

Snow AGAIN!!! this time as we passed just north of Grants Pass OR!!

But at least that is all the snow for today!!!!! The rest of the trip has been nice, some rain, but mainly partly sunny.

Everything is greening up so nicely, the daffodils are blooming, the forsythia is golden yellow, and the whites and pinks are all over the trees. Ah sping time in the Pacific NW!!!

WE MADE IT!!!!

2008-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

We made it to Medford, saw lots of snow coming from Susanville, Ca to Mount Shasta, Ca. Took pictures of the snow as we came through it, will post pics later today or tomorrow. Roads were clear, no problems, and the truck pulled like a champ (of course it had better!!!).

On the road again, FINALLY

2008-03-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Here we go, heading to Medford today, hoping to make it by tonight, will be a very very long day!! Picked up the truck this morning, loaded everything up and got ready to hit the road, when what happens, we see old friends in the park!!! Barb and Lou, our asst mgrs at Moss Landing RV Park were out walking their dogs! They had been in the park for the last week also, we had just not seen each other!! So we stood and talked to them for a while, then had to get moving. But it was so nice doing some catchup with them, they both looked wonderful and are on their way to Eagle Lake to work for the summer. They will be in Fallon until next Monday, visiting with family that live nearby!!

We are dealing with high winds, possible snow on the mountains, and lots of mileage today, so check back to see if we made it!!!

Stupid, Stupid Tourists

2008-03-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I followed Pammy once again and you should see what happened!!! Actually I was in the lead for a bit too so it's not ALL her fault. What was supposed to be a short mile hike turned into a long 2 to 3 mile mountain climb. Eat your heart out Jerry, I can climb mountains at altitude! We are at 4000 ft. here in Fallon. Being bored with not a lot to do around here, we decided to go out on an adventure. We first went to the Stillwater National Refuge, not much there. Saw a few White Pelicans in the very, very far away, distance; some Canada Geese and a bunch of Coots. Then, since we were already east of town, we decided to go to Grimes Point. Petroglyphs and other acient things at there. Oh, by the way, we were looking at items from up to 8000 years ago and watching F18's do touch and goes out at the Naval training center. Very cool when you think about it. Were is the ocean, you might say, well the whole valley was one of the largest lakes known in prehistoric times. We walked around the archaeological site where the majority of the petroglyphs were and learned a few things, here is just a sample:

Then we decided to go visit some of the caves that the indians of the past used in prehistoric times. This is where the stupid tourists come in. Since you are walking in areas that are "natural", trails are not well marked or real obvious, soooooo....

Pam and I started off on our adventure expecting a 1 mile hike to see several caves and other things from the past. In doing so, we got to station 1 and then wandered off thinking that we were on the trail and wondering why we hadn't come to the next station. Of course our tour guide was trying his best to show us the right way.

We climbed up a saddle that a mountain goat might question it's sanity, and then on up the mountain only to find that we were WAY off the beaten path. However, there had been a lot of fools in the past because we were following a trail of sorts, one that had been used a lot. Anyway, stupid us finally found the right trail after about an hour and a half of playing goat. Here are some shots to show just were we went, enjoy...

The one of us, is just to show that we really were the idiots up on top... That is the valley behind us and what was the lake 7000 years ago, that they estimate got to be 700 ft. deep when it was at it's fullest.

It was really amazing up there to see for miles and imagine what it was like all those years ago.

Way down there was our truck and two Ranger vehicles. We thought they were there to rescue us but no, alas they just wanted to go for a "short" hike.

The most amazing thing about it was that I never hurt other than I couldn't breathe real well for a bit there. The other thing was, it was REALLY worth the climb!

On another note we are pretty sure that our parts are going to be here on Monday, and that means that they will probably be done by Wednesday or Thursday... Later

Broken Down...

2008-03-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Broken in Fallon is the first image and Broken in Tonopah is the second.

Here we are broken hearted, tried to climb a hill and only sputtered... I know, I know, it doesn't ryhmn... Life's a beach, just deal with it! We are currently in Fallon, Nv the oasis of Nevada. If you don't know about it, Fallon is part of a farm area outside of Reno. We left Pahrump, early on Tuesday after a 5 day stay that was extended by one day due to high winds. On the way into Pahrump on the freeway interchange in the middle of Las Vegas, we had a problem with the truck when it stalled on the freeway. I managed to get it on in to Pahrump carefully, we weren't too concerned since this type of thing had happened before and was simple matter of changing the fuel filter. So, I had the oil changed, the fuel filter changed and everything checked. Unfortunately, I did not go to the Chevy dealer and have it scoped because this had happened before and was solved with the fuel filter. We left Pahrump fat dumb and happy, got about 200 miles out into the middle of nowhere and started climbing hills. We started having the problem again... We had to stop in Tonopah to get it checked out. Believe me when I say, there is nothing worth stopping in Tonopah for... At Bumper Towing, the only mechanic shop around, we had to wait an hour for the guys to come back from lunch then, the fellow who put the computer on the truck didn't do it right! He could not find any codes and we had to continue with our trip with fear in our hearts.

Fortunately, I discovered that the only time we had the problem was when we were pulling a hill and shifting down. The traffic was light so I was able to get past the problem fairly easily and we headed on into Reno. We decided that the first Chevy dealer who had a diesel machanic was our destination. Thus Fallon, had it checked yesterday and it turns out to be our fuel injectors. So now we wait in Fallon for the fuel injectors to shipped from back east and then they will be putting them in hopefully on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It's a 10 hour job. Oh well, life goes on. We will be heading north as soon as we can, making up our appointments as we can and heading up to Portland and Seattle. We will miss Easter with Ken and family and visiting with friends in Medford. The plan is to be in Seattle (Fall City) around the 1st of April. Wish us luck!

More Friends along the way and some other stuff

2008-03-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well I finally have decent internet service so here I am again. I tried to post once already and it got lost, I did something stupid I'm sure.

Anyway, here are some more friends along the way...
The first one is a couple we have known the longest, at least of our RV'ing friends. Pam and Ralph and now Cookie, have been around the country with us several times, including having spent a winter in Florida with us. Cookie is a new member of their RV'ing family, good luck...

The next couple are Gene and Joey, they used to stalk Pam, just kidding... When we first met them they had two doggies that refused to groomed by anyone other than Pam, so Gene and Joey arranged to be at the same places we were every 6 weeks. Their puppies have since gone over the rainbow bridge but are still remembered.

Enjoy these photos and as we run into more friends they too will be posted.

Next, I have added some links for everyone, hope you go visit others and see what you can see...

Friends along the way

2008-03-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

For those who don't know them here are a few of our friends that we have met along the way. First let me introduce Jerry and Laura from Michigan, they have been traveling with us for the last several weeks and worked with us one summer at Lake Siskiyou. They are proudly showing off a scroll art piece that I made for them. Great friends and we are going to miss them for the rest of this year. Hopefully we can hook up this next winter.

Next, I would like to introduce Don and Jo, they will be meeting up with us in Dawson Creek in another couple of weeks and then heading up to Alaska with us to work at the Denali Park Hotel in Healy, Alaska. We are all looking forward to our trip to Alaska this spring and summer. Lots going on while we are there. Anyway, Don worked with us in Lake Siskiyou the first summer we were there. He and I worked security from 6pm to 2am and had a great time. The images below are from Tombstone (Don and I with the Sheriff) and from the Desert Museum (the four of us).

More about us going to Alaska for those who are interested. We are headed up there to work at the Denali Park Hotel in Healy, as desk clerks (they are calling us asst. mgr's. but I call it just being a desk clerk). We get to go on several tours for free since we are responsible for selling the tours to our guests. Tours like, horseback riding into Denali, river rafting, fly in to the glaciers and I think there is even a fishing trip in there but not sure about that one. We will be working 3 to 4 days a week which leaves us a bunch of time to enjoy some adventures of our own. Pam and I are looking forward to doing a little gold panning, exploring, and fly fishing. I'll keep you posted on what is going on as I can.

Enjoy this post, I'll try to keep up with comments and more postings as I can.

First Post

2008-03-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is the first post for our new blog, I'll try to figure out what I can do on this thing as quickly as possible. This is for our friends and family to find out what we are doing and where we are with the most up to date information and pictures.

The first picture for you to see is me almost 60 years ago... (that's me on the right)