THE STRIP !!

      Well, boys and girls.......we put on our big girl/boy clothes and ventured into unknown realms (at least for us).    Took the kayaks off the Jeep roof so we could enter parking garages downtown.   

      Our first stop was the Fremont Street Experience.   It's at the north end of the Vegas Strip and is a covered mall.   Several casinos such as the 'Golden Nugget and Binions' take up much of the area but little shops for cigars, fake perfumes, cowboy clothes and of course Booze are found here.   As we walked up one side and down the other we were buzzed overhead by some zip-liners.   Must be part of a night-time act.  Being here in the day-time, it looks like the bad part of downtown Seattle but maybe at night it gets comes to life and is impressive.   We'll have to check.   There are people all over outside the casinos who try to give you "free" tickets for stuff ....must be a gimmick in there somewhere.   We must have TOURIST written all over us !  Just cause we look like deer in headlights !    OK. so enough of this fun let's head down the really good stuff. 

      We head south a couple of blocks and we're now on the "Strip".   The first major obstacle is parking.   Some places have metered parking for $1.50-$3.00 an hour but being the frugile people we are a free parking is what we'd like.    Oh yea, free parking at the Miracle Mile Shopping mall !   Floor 5C, and we're on foot again.   The escalators take us to a mezzanine but we don't know where the exit to the strip is.  A nice concierge guy says that way just stay to the right.   We walked forever until we saw daylight !   This mall is literally a mile around !  Incredible !   I might mention the fire alarm is blaring in our ears and that nice guy said if it was REALLY important he would have been notified.  Right....all we can think about is should we go get the Jeep outta there or is everything OK ?

      Finally, out on the street and the Bellagio Hotel is in front of us.    Everybody says "Go to the Bellagio. it's fabulous!"  Things must be different cause it isn't the grandeur we expected.   Yes, the ceiling is beautifully covered with huge blown glass Flowers done by Dave Chihully but they all are casino's and from our perspective they all look the same inside.   The conservatory was closed for a change in decor (Christmas), ... bummer... so we opted to splurge and have lunch at their buffet.  YUMMY......it was delicious but spending $50.00 + for lunch ??????  It's all quite ........I don't even know what the right word is but this is not us..... ...I'm glad to experience all of it but we are both exhausted.    Guess we are more at home with simpler things !

LAS VEGAS !!

      We are in Las Vegas until Wednesday.   It's totally a different place than we are used to or even comfortable with.  After spending an hour at AT&T, (Norm's new smart phone is not being very smart) we opted to stop across the street for a burger at Carl's Jr.  Norm had his famous star burger with side salad and I had a teriyaki burger...YUMM !   I had to go to the restroom to wash off the teriyaki sauce that was all over my hands when the gentleman sitting behind me said "Don't think you want to go in there right now".  Ok, I thought he was pulling my chain so I went anyway...you guessed it !   There was a drunk (man) sitting on the throne in the Women's room !    The gentleman laughed and then went to tell the clerks behind he counter.  They weren't even going to check til the gentleman went first.   Crazy ! He finally did leave, some minutes later.    Whew !!   Well....so much for that......just then two younger boys got up from their table, meandered to another table that a guy just left to go get salsa for his burger, paused, reached into the bag and out the door they went with the guys burger !  OMG.... I think we're in the wrong place !   This sure doesn't help us feel all warm anf fuzzy !

      Thought we'd drive out to Hoover Dam and get out of town for awhile.   It is HUGE !  Our first stop was going to be the Visitor's Center (it was actually the Men's Room, but that's a different story) only to find out they charge and admission fee...for the Visitor's Center ?   There was a fee for everything (except the Men's Room) so we walked the perimeter of the dam and took lot's of pic's.   The constuction began in 1931 and took 4 years to complete.  Over a million tons of concrete was poured by the end of completion.  The eerie thing is several workers lost their lives during construction and a few (didn't hear the exact number ) are still entombed here.   Standing over the very top and looking down the face of the dam gives an almost nauseous feeling......it is a  L O N G  way down.  Lake Mead is the result of the Colorado River being dammed and the border between Nevada and Arizona runs down the middle of the dam.  Our Jeep was parked in Arizona (which is an hour ahead in mountain time ) and we were in Nevada.  Cool !  

      Tomorrow , we venture out again to find the paint store that mixes the formula for our Coach. ( I guess it takes a couple of days to mix. )  Then, I think we'll find the Apple store to see if they can help with the 'dumb phone'.   Norm's making me crazy over that thing.  Many more adventures to come !  ( I can't help but be a little nervous as to what they are !!)  :)

     

ON THE ROAD AGAIN !!

      I am finally back online.   We have spent the last month going to Doctor's and Dentist appt's, visiting Norm's Mom and cleaning out un-necessary 'stuff ' from the coach.  Lots to do but the weather was getting worse so we left 4 days ago.

      The first night out we spent the night in Eugene, OR.  It was quite cold (about 39*) .  The next morning was just as bad and we heard they were expecting several big rain storms for the rest of the week.  Norm's goal was to just get over the Siskiyous before they got really bad.  As it turned out there was a bit of snow but none on the roads. ( Interesting, the sand they use is red.)  California has inspection stations near the border.  We were expecting they would be concerned about plant materials so we had none.  Who would have thought it was fruit of any kind that is not allowed.  Now, I know many of you are saying to yourself ...didn't they know that ?  Let me exlain.....NO we didn't !   Our travels, though extensive, are really limited to the Pacific NW.  This trip has placed us in areas we have not been in before.  So, if some of this sounds naive it's because it's all new to us.

      Willow, CA was our next overnight destination but it was under construction.   Darkness now comes earlier and since we don't know the area Norm decided to press on.   60 miles later we stopped in Woodland,CA which is a bit N. of Sacramento. 

      Day three, we are seeing palm trees pretty regularly and groves of trees lined the freeway as far as we could see, until we turned  E. to Bakersfield.  Truck drivers are even more dangerous here than in Seattle.   They pass, then cut over right in front of our coach kicking up anything on the road.  Norm says, if we get to Lk Havasu with our windshield intact it's gonna be a miracle !

      So now we are officially in southern CA.  We're both a little nervous, Norm thinks it's cause everything is 'unknown' .  Even the trees are weird....I think they're Yucca's but not sure.  I feel like a fish out of water, as it were, nothing is familiar to us...so very cool...but scary! It even smells different !   We arrived in Las Vegas yesterday afternoon and OMG !!!    I've never been here before and I couldn't believe all these huge hotels in the middle of nothing but desert!  I'm quite anxious to get out & explore "the Vegas Strip".   We got the coach settled in for a few days & temps are in the high 60's.  We hear birds singing away....again.... don't know what kind... but it's nice.

      Today is Thanksgiving !  We woke to blue skies and about 75*.  Norm's Mom told him it's still raining and cold in Bothell......we are grateful to have sun and warmth.   Dressed, fed and in the Jeep to go see town.   Talk about overwhelming !!   We can't even find a grocery store...don't they fix meals at home ?  By the middle of the afternoon we're exhausted...all I do is check the map and Norm's I Phone map app and all Norm does is make U-turns cause I got him on the wrong road!!   Sheeesh !!   Think we'll go back to the coach and fix tuna sandwiches for dinner !

      HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !!

     

      

     

HALLOWEEN WINDOWS !!

             Yesterday was a very busy one for us.   First,  there was alot of commotion, etc coming from the Men'S side of the Park's bath-house.   Norm came out screaming like a little girl !!  "What on earth is going on?" I asked.   "Group shower !"  he pants back.   Turns out it was Norm and three frogs !   This man is soooo funny !

       We had an appointment with a guy who fixes 'creepy' windows.  AKA...Halloween Windows !   He drove to our site about 9:30 am  in a truck pulling a smaller, nice, work trailer.  He and his helper immediately began removing all the windows of our coach on the passenger side.   We were impressed with the efficiency and the care that was taken reguarding our house.   One guy on the out side and one on the inside.   In no time at all they had removed the inside levelor blinds and valances and placed them on the clean drop cloths they brought.  OOOooooo....this is scary !  Our house looked so.....busted !   The windows were wisked into the trailer and some pounding and banging began .   Our thought was this must be some kind of secret formula that cannot be revealed to anyone !

       I decided, since the blinds were out I would use the time to clean them.   I forgot...each slat has to be cleaned ...on each side.   My back was killing me by the time I finished one and I had three 72" x 33" blinds to do.   Should never have started that project !  =(     Norm held the lawn chair down and supervised.

      A couple of hours later the windows were brought out and carefully put back in place.   Outside guy put them in the gaping holes as inside guy screwed them in .  When each one was back where it belonged outside guy put a neat little bead of silicone around each window, to keep the rain out, and inside guy had the task of putting the rubber seal around them and replacing all the blinds and valances.   They worked very well and efficiently.  We were impressed with how quickly and meticulously they did their jobs.  Whew ...

      Norm called the friend who recommended this company to us earlier in the day...no answer.    When Norm called later to tell  'friend' how pleased we were with the job...low and behold....'friend called back !  He must have thought Norm wasn't happy and wanted to wait until it was all over and done well before he answered !  HA  =)

      We can't believe the difference this makes. Check these pic's.  We knew our view and some light was obstructed..but now we almost have to wear sunglasses !  COOL......VERY COOL !

       Sooo.....one more project completed and on to the next.   I'm pushing, hard, for a new couch ! Yay !!

(Just a note:  that is Norm's kayak on top of our Jeep, outside the window,  I knew somebody would comment !)

BEND, OREGON

      After spending time with family and friends in Idaho we ventured on into Oregon.   It is approximately 320 miles from Boise to Bend and it is more than we normally like to travel but we pulled into the  CAT Service place by 4:00pm.   Monday morning Griz went in for new fluids, belts and filters.   Big smile on its front bumper when we returned !

       We are now at the Sunriver, Thousand Trail RV Park and Wednesday, tomorrow,  Griz gets it's windows de-creeped.  (The seals around the insulated glass are no longer staying in place....looks like they are 'creeping' toward the center.)   Soooo,  Mr Dave is coming to repair them.   We're hoping for....fabulous results !  

      This morning we drove to Bend.   It has a great waterfront park along the Descutes River complete with bike/ jogging trails, pic-nic areas and large manicured lawns and natural gardens.   We happened to  noticed a group exercising  in a covered gazebo and dogs playing in a dog park near-by.  Statues and creative sculptures dotted  the parks.   My favorite is this kayak sculpture.  These are Eddyline Kayaks.....just like the ones we have so we found it very fun !

     Norm and I come here almost every summer to kayak and enjoy the warmer weather.   In October, we are usually back at work, driving school bus, so we are feeling like we are playing hookey !    I keep telling him we just finished working so, now, it's our summer.   The problem is...the weather is cool.  Fall has definately arrived !   (Whole different place when it's not hot.)  

      We did get one very important thing done today.   I was finally able to get my SENIOR PARK PASS !
This enables the holder to enter any National Park, BLM area, US Forest Service or Fish & Wildlife area, free and only costs a one-time ( in your lifetime) $10.00.   Everyone who turns 62 should get one.  It's one of the few benefits us "old" folks still have to look forward to.   Rumor has it, the Government is talking about 'adjusting" this which would mean some kind of additional fee would be charged at each park, maybe 50% etc .   Anyone who already has one would be "Grandfathered" .   Soooo...go get yours !     My only complaint was....I was expecting a marching band, balloons, trumpets and maybe ice cream !!   All I got was a grumpy, heavy-set, older woman gruffly asking to see the ID of the purchaser.    Hmmmmm........just not what I envisioned !    Oh, well....Ouuuuuu....Norm said we'll celebrate with a teriyaki burger at Carl's Jr !!
YEAH !!!   Now, for a little chocolate cake !  =)

FAMILY

     Meet my Aunt, Bonnie !  She is my Dad's sister and my last remaining relative other than my own family.  

     We left West Yellowstone on Tuesday.  It rained from the time we left and continued until today, Fri.  Tuesday evening we just happened to cross paths with our friends from Lk. Havasu.  They are returning after spending the 'summer' at their place at Longbeach, WA.   Time seemed to fly by and we ended up having breakfast together the next morning!  Finally broke away after lunch and they went East...we went West.  Having time to stop for awhile and visit friends is a real luxury for us.   In the past, we were always pressed to arrive at a given destination by a particular date and/or time.  Love being able to "stop and smell the roses" as it were !

      Boise was our next stop, all of 130 miles away.   Our exterior 50 amp plug had worked it's way loose from the cord leaving a myriad of wires exposed to the elements and Norm's fingers.  Camping World was just off the freeway so....RRRRRRR!!!! we hustled to get in brfore it closed.   They could maybe get us in the next morning so we camped out in their parking lot for the night.  Couldn't plug in so no heat except the furnace which would run almost all night.   Snuggle time !

     The plug was installed and away we go again.....found a small campground for the night.   I called my Aunt and she was so tickled to hear from us !  She didn't know we were just down the road.....I love to 'drop in' on folks !  =)   Her son, Vic, my cousin, was able to stop in briefly as well.  Again, the time just flew  and before we realized Bonnie had missed her dinner.  Hmmmmm.......gee golly.....guess we'll have to take her out.  (She's in a very nice assisted living facility here in Boise and not far from Vic's house).   Going out was a treat for her...so off we go to the GREAT WALL Restaurant.  Chinese buffet !   GAD'S !  

     This morning another trip to Camping World !  New step covers for the outside retractable steps and a new roof vent cover for our Fantastic Fan over the kitchen.  My tiotty has been ordered and now I'm on the lookout for a new couch !  :)    Griz needs some sprucin'up, inside and out. 

     Tomorrow we hit the road again heading for Bend,OR.  Our windows are "creeping" ( I hate it when they do that!) so we have an appointment to get them fixed. 

     Right now, however I am being pushed to "Get Going" !  Cabela's is about 5 miles up the road and somebody in this house thinks it would be a SUPER idea to go and "check it out !".


    

GRIZZLY GOODBYE'S !!!

      This was our last week at Grizzly RV Park and it's been a busy one !   Last week-end the park roads  (here at Grizzly)  were seal coated.   What a pain !! We had to move reservations to sites that would be done later and still keep access to their rigs.   You would have thought those of us in the Office were out to "get" our guest campers.   Men would come in and complain about how they couldn't walk the 50 ft to their rigs because of this or that.  They yelled at us, even swore, threw tantrums and threatened to drive over the seal-coat if they were blocked in !  GOOD GRIEF !!   The manager would step in and offer to refund their money but they had to leave NOW!   Since there isn't another place like this one closeby they would huff off but never would leave.   (Darn)

      At the end of each workamper couple's contracted stay the manager's have us come in and they give  their evaluation of our job performance and ask for suggestions of how to improve things.   We must have done okay because we were invited to come back next year.  Hmmmmm........?!

       Fall doesn't last long here.   Two days ago the Aspen and Cottonwood trees were all green.   Now they are a beautiful amber color and I noticed the leaves have fallen considerably.   Nightime temps are below freezing even though the days continue to be warm and sunny.   It has been absolutely wonderful all summer long.  Snow is predicted Thurs or Fri so Norm wants to get moving way before that.    It is going to be difficult to go back to Seattle and the rain if only long enough to get our medical/dental done.

       It's interesting to see the beginning of the season, last May, and now the end of it.  Many of the facilities in YNP closed right after Labor Day which surprised us.  The only campgrounds open now are Madison, Mammoth and two very primative campgrounds at the far north of the Park.   We've noticed alot of younger retiree's have been traveling since Labor Day and our park has remained busy,  and about 90% full every night.   Many of the stores in town are having sales and will be closing this week.

      We spent the day today cleaning inside and out and Griz is looking pretty sharp!  The kayaks and the bikes are on the Jeep and all looks ready to go.   I wish I could accurately express how weird it feels to know we are heading off to another adventure and not know what to expect.  We have no timetable , no adjenda and no clue what we'll find around the next turn of the road.  Exciting...Yes.... but kinda SCARY, too !

      Norm came in and asked if I wanted one last buzz into YNP.    You bet !... so off we go..  We just can't get enough of this place !