Christmastime 2013 !

     Christmas is the only time of the year that I have any trouble not having a stick framed house.  We have our favorite decorations up, little twinkling lights along the dashboard and many little seasonal table toppers strewn around. The coach looks quite festive but I miss decorating the yard, every room in the house and baking !  I used to love to bake... the gooey-er  the better... having cookie exchanges with the neighbors and making chain garland with the kids.  Sure we can still do most of these things.....just not the same.  Ahhh......loved those times. 

     I heard there was snow in WA.  (thanks for the pic's on FB ) and they closed school, Friday which meant Christmas Break has officially begun.  Being in southern CA, there is no threat of snow.  That's very nice !  We just aren't used to decorated palm trees and the such.  I asked Norm to drive us around after dark to look at lights ....... people here don't have the huge Christmas trees in their windows and few do lights. Neighborhoods are not like ours either.  They are communities inside rock wall fences and gates with security guards.  Okay ....  If it weren't for the Hallmark channel it wouldn't seem Christmasy at all.

     We are having a blast doing things we just checked on last year.  There are many small State or Natl. Parks around with some cool hikes and bike trails.  I think Norm posted the pic's of the Bobcat we came across on one of the trails.  It wasn't a very big one (we figured it was still young) but looked healthy. It was so busy stalking a mouse that it didn't mind our being there so we took a gazzilion pic's !  Funny thing, just a couple hundred feet further on that trail were 8 deer ! 

     On a recent bike ride I almost plowed into the back of Norm's bike...... he stopped suddenly to check on something he saw crawl into the "grass".  It was a tarantula about 3" across.  I don't think my feet hit the ground forever, after that !  No snake sightings for now as they are usually hibernating during the "cold" winter months and shouldn't be out til about March/April. 

    Talking with some of the locals we found out there are several places with caves that require flashlights to explore.  That's next !   It's fun to drive out on a seemingly flat road that doesn't appear to go anywhere and suddenly find huge outcroppings of rocks and rock formations. Gotta check those out !  Then, of course there are the typical tourist sightseeing tours and trips.  Our son was on a business trip last month in San Diego and said a tour of the USS Midway was a must see.  Norm says it's a WWII aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum.  Not my usual thing... but.... I'm game ! 

I am still quilting. I have one Queen size top done that needs some embroidery...  then I'll sandwich it together and quilt it.  I'm in no hurry so I have made lots of small quilted bags, "therapy" chicken pin cushions and some cute quilted mugrugs  (small placemats).  These I am using at my craft sales.  I get a chance to talk with others in the park & make enough to replenish my fabric.  

     Well, everyone, Merry Christmas &

 
an exciting 2014 to each of you !  We so like hearing what's happening in your lives on FB.  It helps us stay in touch.  (It was fun.......about a month or two ago we met some of our retired and just "tired" Bus Driver friends for breakfast.  Since we had been on FB we just continued conversations like we had seen them the day before !) :)  Gotta love that !
Norm wants more comments and less "likes".  He's so funny ! 

Chris n Norm

    



    

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

My, my... today has been one of the first in many weeks that we don't have our entire three  days off planned from morning til night !

As most of you know I have been busy getting a large, almost king size quilt done.  It turned out beautiful, I am happy to say, and I have improved my quilting skills expedentially.   Still lots to learn but my confidence at this point has no bounds. 

I recently purchased new software to start creating my own patterns.  This not only challenges my quilting skills but my ability to find my way around on my 'puter !  I am so thankful to the Mohave Community College in Lk. Havasu, AZ.  for getting me started in all this 1   1/2 years ago.  My sewing machine also does embroidery, so after downloading a gazillion free patterns/designs I will be incorporating them into my quilts.  Maybe you can see the pinecones that I embroidered on the border of this quilt.  I think it adds so much to the design !

 The need for a pincushion has sent me on another flurry.  I couldn't have just any old pincushion, it had to be special, different and it had to "speak" to me !  Norm surprised me the most because he likes them sitting on shelves, etc. so....I made a bunch.  After I showed them to the girls I work with I had to make more, giving one to each of them.  Then, I posted them on FB and had another bunch to get out for orders that were sent to me  plus what was selling right here at our coach ! WHEW !'    'Chicken' orders are down a bit, now, so thought I'd make a cute little pouch-type make-up or carry bag. 
My trip to Denver revealed the

 need for a couple little bags for various essential items.  Necessity right ?  OK,  so several of the girls at work are having birthdays..... you can see where this is going ?  I gave out these little pouches/bags as gifts, posted them online and POOF ... I'm now making bags !   Never a dull moment around here !
 
Norm has been busy doing maintenance work on the Jeep & coach and of course he must continue with his passion of fly-fishing.  We have had a number of recent bear incidents, here in the Park so my concern for his safety is always at hand.  Sometimes, he gets so focused on casting to a specific fish in the river that when he finally does look up, even he is surprised by bison, moose or even a bear.  He takes every precaution and knows what he's doing but it does leave me a bit concerned when he doesn't get home til well after dark.
 
The summer in YNP has been fabulous !  Warm days and cool nights with some rain & thunder/lightening showers scattered around.  We are seeing fires for the first time all season caused by lightening strikes.  They haven't affected us, yet, but Fishing Bridge Campground, in the Park, was alerted for possible evacuation a few days ago.  Thought we'd go in tonight and see what's going on.  There are several other fires in Idaho, around Missoula and Ennis that are producing a good deal of smoke but, again, we haven't been affected.  Here's hoping that continues.
 
Our jobs, here at Grizzly, are the same as usual.  4 1/2 months is a long time to commit to and we are well past half way.  One of our couples (Hi, Diane & Mike :) ) left on Wed so starting Sept 8th I think, we lose one couple per week.  Our last day is Oct 1st.   We'll plan to leave the coach here and drive to Denver for a visit with our kids & grandson then work our way back to Bothell. 
 
Norm's wants to visit his Mom.  His sister is doing an awesome job as caregiver but I'm sure it will be nice for her to have somebody there to help for a time.  From this point on we're not sure where we'll be.
 
Retirement and our RV lifestyle offers so much flexibility for us. No real schedules, which we love...but I would like to spend some time on the Coast this winter, working our way back down to the San Diego area.  However, we don't want a repeat of last year's drive through the snow, ice & sleet !  YUK  !!!  :(
 
Ooops, Norm's up from his nap so it's time to get a movin'  !  Hello to everyone.....for our friends at the busbarn, have a happy in-service and pick-day, (soo glad we're not there !)
to Joy Inniacello..we sent our thoughts and hugs...thanks for the up-date, Patty, I did receive your e-mail.....for everyone else BIG HUGS !  :)
 
 

BACK IN WEST YELLOWSTONE !

With all the fabulous fun and traveling we did over the winter we are now back in West Yellowstone, MT.  5 couples returned and 2 new ones have been trained.  Most things are as usual except the numbers of reservations on the books.  We've been here 3 weeks and this park is about 95% full.  We've had to turn so many reservations away all the way into the first part of August.  Good for business, however, tough on guests.

Spring came earlier this year and temps are in the 70's most days.  It is beautiful, now, but the warm days will bring the mosquitoes out.  Everyone is hoping the lack of standing water from snow run-off should keep those numbers down.

Spring has also brought some thunderstorms the last three days.  There is so much energy released you can feel it and the clean smell of the pine trees fill the air after a rainfall.  This is what I miss most in the desert.  It's great to have the sun shine everyday during the winter but eventually it get's way too hot and dusty and the sandstorms are not fun. 

Yesterday, we took a drive up to the Lamar Valley.  It's about 70 miles north & east of us but it is also home to many of the Park's biggest animals.  Sometimes it takes a long time just to go a few miles. The road along the Madison River was paved over an old buffalo trail......they continue to use it but cause some very l.o.n.g  traffic jams.  It frustrates many but it is just part of the experience.

 Eagles dot the river's edge waiting for a succulent trout to show itself.  This is one of a family that we have watched the last three years.  Next year we are hoping for a new addition.

 Fields and meadows are covered in many types of wildflowers.  I wish I could send you the sweet fragrances of a warm Spring day. 

Norm has been out fishing almost every day we don't work.  The "hatch" doesn't occur until about 6:30 pm so we have time to shop the cute little stores here in town, go to breakfast with friends or just lounge around the house.   That's funny....Norm does not lounge.....he has to be doing something all the time !   I get my quilting, etc. done while he's fishing and.. occasionally, I actually do ..lounge !  :)

When we first arrived I wanted to give each one of the ladies, that work here a  "chicken" pincushion.  Well, I have created a monster ! 

I make extra's cause Norm thinks they're fun (& they make great paperweights ! ) and they make great gifts to have on hand.  But, they keep flying the coop !  I have taken orders and shipped them and people here at the park want them !  OMG...

 I have started a quilt for our bedroom that is my first queen sized.  I took a part of it in to show the girls in the office and one of the new gals wants to buy it !  I can't decide if I want to sell it or not.  Norm says...go ahead.. you can always make another one !  Easier said than done.  I'll let you know what I decide.  

Tomorrow is another work day.   Nothing will get done here at home til our next day off, although I am going to try to make a class on needle-turned applique at a local yarn/fabric/misc. store here in town on Monday evening.  So very much to do !   .......or maybe I'll stay home and ..lounge !  :)

RV LIVING !

Yesterday, I had some real technical difficulties with this Blog.  So much to say...then after 45 min. of writing, it just went away !!  I really HATE that !!
OK, so here we go again.....

I have been asked to include more details about our travels as some of our friends are just getting started with the RV lifestyle.  Welcome aboard and get ready for the ride of your lives !  We have been "helpful" in getting several friends 'on the road' and have learned from them, now, as well. 

We purchased a campground membership many years ago and now only have minimal yearly dues.  Our sites are free at their parks so we use them a lot.  Next month we elected to stay in a private campground in Lake Havasu so we could visit a number of friends that will also be in the area.  Staying a month is usually more cost effective than paying by the night.  (If we leave earlier than our scheduled 'out-date' it's almost always cheaper or at least a wash, cost wise.)

Right now fuel is our biggest cost.  Staying for as long as is possible helps to keep that down.  All of dates were set up months ago and on paper it looked great.  I think we have extended our stays each time we move to a new area, though.  Finding our way around is always an adventure....thank goodness for GPS !  About the time we get to know an area it's time to move on ! 

Each place has it's own peculiarities.  Down here in the desert, it's so nice to wake up and know the sun will be out !  We live in shorts, tee-shirts and sandals and have enough 'dainties' so we don't have to do laundry for almost two weeks. (We don't have a washer/dryer in our coach. Opted for the storage instead. )  I've been known to wear the same shirt for more than one day...and Norm ?..... Well ? 

I love seeing the different cacti and plants.  Having flowers blooming in Feb. & Mar. is such a treat.  There are farmer's markets with all kinds of fresh locally grown fruits and veggies so salads and stir-fry for us.  We were in the Artichoke Capital last month and ate our fill of huge, fresh artichokes.  Local strawberries are at a number of roadside fruitstands along with grapefruits and lemons we pick right off the trees, here at the park.  I think Norm has already told you about the dates from the palm trees shading our coach.  ( Only eat one or two a day, folks ! )

For the golfer's....Palm Springs has over 100 golf courses ! 

Evenings are spent talking to other RVer's .  Just walk down the streets and somebody invites you to sit and share.  This is where you learn the really GOOD stuff.  This is our first time here so those who are in the know love to share all the great watering holes, restaurants, cheap places...Tues night Taco where it's $1.09 for three tacos !  things one must see, gardens, museums, lakes, hikes, bike trails, cool stuff for your rig... you name it ! 

We have a mail forwarding service so our mail gets to us once a week, I pay our bills over the phone .... anything big like insurances, etc is on auto pay.  TV is satellite and we opted for an automatic roof mounted version.  We had the portable dish and almost killed each other trying to get it set up each time !  Now, it's just a push of the power button.  Tough way to go ! 

Maintenance is ongoing ..... but we have found the more things get used, the longer they last. (As opposed to letting things just sit in storage. )  But, like in a house, things need to be fixed occasionally.

Jobs are available everywhere.  If extra income is needed, part time or seasonal jobs can be found in any area or place you may want to stay for a bit.  There are a number of resources ... Workamper... for one. 

FUN is why we're out here !  We don't do anything if it isn't fun !  I have enjoyed my quilting, etc. so much and have so many projects in my head just waiting to get made !  Norm is still waiting to get to Yellowstone so he can fish... his passion !  In the meantime, we hike, bike, sightsee , do nothing at all and taste our way where ever we are !  We knew, this is what we wanted to do since we first got married ! 

Hope this helps those looking to join us out here ! 

"Those who wander are not always lost ..."   ( my favorite quote !)

Palm Springs

I was hoping to regale you in our travels since we left Bothell last December.  But .... my creative juices were just taking hold when ( after writing for almost an hour ) the entire thing ...just ....went away !!!  I can't believe it !!  Well, I guess it wasn't that entertaining after all !

Currently we are in Palm Springs, CA.  It is beautiful here.  There is desert all around us, to be sure, but it's amazing what the addition of water can do. The temps when we arrived were in the low 90's.  Norm finds refreshment in the pool and mine is in the air-conditioned coach, sewing !  It's weird to have so few younger folks around. A lot of canes, grey hair or no hair, wrinkles, etc.  Most of them are in bed by 9:00pm and their rigs are all dark.  (Uh-oh....I'm in bed by 9:00 !  Guess I'm officially an old geezer !)  LOL.  We are parked under palm trees that offer some shade. In the evening the sounds of the palm fronds blowing in the breeze is sooo calming and the numerous fruit trees  give a special tropical scent to the air.  I have to pinch myself to be sure this is real !

We are finding our way around but our favorite drive is down Highway 111.  There are over 100 golf courses in the area and each one has an entry that is more beautiful than the last !  Makes me wish we golfed !  It's funny to see so many golf shops, golf cart sales rooms, golf cart service, golf cart parking spaces and then all the golf therapy clinics !  OMG..... golf is a serious thing here !  (Norm is bummed out.. he's still looking for the fly-fishing stores !) 

Residential housing is laid out within enclosed walls complete with security gates.  Landscaping is fabulous.  Palm trees of all kinds, cactus, large and small and fragrant flowers and bushes everywhere.....and it's only March ! 

We drove to Joshua Tree Natl. Park on Friday.  The elevation is about 5,000' so the temps ran in the high 60's-low 70's, much cooler than in the lowlands..  It's a fairly small park compared to what we're used to but it has some great hikes and beautiful viewpoints.  I couldn't help noticing the difference between this area and PS.  There are no gated communities, no fabulous gardens.  The housing is meager at best and the sand and dust cover everything ! 

Lots and lots of changes for us but we never tire of them.  Have a wonderful Easter this Sunday !  :)