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 !  :)

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER !

I can't tell you how many times I have tried to write this blog and for some reason nothing jumps out at me for inspiration.  Up this morning at 7:30.  It rained last night and morning temps are a balmy 42*  (no frost).  It's so very difficult  :)  to be 'retired' again with the whole rest of the year to play !

We are both having our morning coffee and reading, on FB, all of your activities.  Chris & Jack just got back from a little getaway in Vancouver,BC., Kelly & Scott are playing in Cabo, Arline is writing her articles and books in Arkansas, Mary Ann is nursing a swollen toe in Yuma, Az., Bob & Linda are enjoying walks on the beach (& Bob hopefully is on the mend from a twisted muscle in his calf playing Pickleball) at Seaside, Ore., Jacob is on his way home from WAZZU for a few days, Jo is with family and Char is keeping us posted on the goings-on back at the busbarn. AHHHH....technology can be wonderful !

I have found, however, that technology can be distracting.....and that is what has led to my inability to stay focused on writing this blog.  I pulled up Blogger and one of the posts I follow had the most incredible ideas for small quilts, wallhangings and 'mug rugs' (like coasters only quilted in beautiful artwork, etc.).  I especially like the Fall & Halloween designs....my favorite time of year, anyway.  Well, it was about an hour of downloading patterns I just had to have!  So...

Our last days  at Grizzly are truely bittersweet.  We feel very at home out here in the woods.  The trees are turning color and the animals are down from the high hills.  It's mating season, so can we hear elk bugling, the wolves baying at the incredible full moon and the wonderful silence.  Norm comes back after a day of fishing and everytime he walks in the door he says, "Man, I could really get used to this !"  (He's been fishing for  a couple of months !.) 

 

Our workamping experience was good as well.  The group we had this year seemed very cohesive and I know us girls were in stitches most of the time.  Even the 'grumps' didn't seem to affect us as much.  I took some pic's of my little cubby so you can see where I did 'my thing' for the last months. Mine is

 the one on the right side. (The neat one !)  The photo below shows the area in front of my cubby...it's a small gift shop area.

On our last day (Thurs) Brenda & Mark (managers) had a little going away party for us and one other couple who leave on Mon.  So far all but two couples 'say' they will be returning next year.  Our exit interview was Thurs and probably the shortest one, yet. As I walked in Norm had already said "Yes, yes &
yes !"  Guess that made that easy ! 

Several of us have birthdays in Oct. so I made small quilted (surprise !) table-topper/wallhangings for them.  This is my friend Maria, she's from Oakhurst, Ca. near Yosemite Natl. Park.  We are all into fall colors so these were fun to make.  Elsa & I were going to go get a pumpkin to put on the counter but....no pumpkins, yet !  RATS !! 





Hmmmmmmmmm..........
I guess my 'puter doesn't want to post anymore pic's right now so I'll have to post them later. 

Well, you get the idea that I am 'consumed' with my quilting !  Norm says we have to start getting ready for travel so I had to put her away for a little while. :{  One of the gals got me started on Pintrest.  OMG !!  Another monster has been created !  Do you know you can find any imaginable craft idea on that thing ?!  Spent too much time on it last night..... But, now I have some cool ideas for my Christmas cards and some for my card stache.  Always something ! 


Norm just left for an afternoon/evening of fishing so his question to me was, "Are you going to be OK here without me ?".  My response (now, I have to act anything but the dileriously excited person inside me and say "Oh, honey, I'm not sure.... so take very good care of yourself.  I'll TRY to find something to keep me busy while you're out having the time of your life."  Right..NOT  !   :}

Well, my friends, stay safe and happy !  Do what you love....love what you do !

   Chris

"BATS IN THE BELFRY"

    We have started to feel a bit of transition here at Grizzly & Yellowstone.  Families are heading home to get ready for school and the park is filling up with retirees and full-timers.  One of our Workamper couples left last week and starting Labor Day we will lose one couple every week til there are only the managers and one other couple.  They will close the park down for the season and go their merry ways

     This year it has been a very dry and warm (for us) season.  Lot's of folks trying to get out of the three digit temps and the fires that have hit so many places.  We count ourselves fortunate that it didn't get too much over 85* and cooled nicely at night-time.  No severe fires to speak of either. 

     We have found that people are quite impatient, more-so than usual and it has lead to several fatal accidents in the park.  Stupidity is running rampant !!  Norm has posted a few of the incidents including the fellow who walked off the boardwalk to get a better pic of a fumerole ( a vent in the ground that releases hot steam and boiling water).  There were signs posted saying "DANGER..STAY ON BOARDWALK...GROUND IS UNSTABLE" all over the area .  As he approached the vent the ground under his feet gave way and he slid into a boiling pool of water !  It took about 10 minutes for the Medics to get there and another 10 to get the helicopter out to pull him out of the water.  I know this is gross but how long does it take to boil a piece of meat ?  Last we heard he is still alive but very heavily medicated to endure the pain.  His prognosis isn't good.

     There have not been the bear maulings like last year but several buffalo gorings and chases.  These were all instigated by tourists, of course, but none the less un-necessary. I had to laugh at the lady who wanted to know, "At what altitude does a deer turn into an elk?".   Oh, I guess I told you that one already  ....!

     Yesterday, I'm working on some cards to send to a guest and Norm yells out "O M G !!  DO YOU SEE THAT ?".  Now, I haven't the slightest idea what he's talking about but with the tone and hysteria in his voice it has to be INCREDIBLE !  Scared the ba-jeepers out of me but as soon as I was able to change my shorts and grasp the situation.... Yup..  there on the outside of our windshield and under the solar screen is a Bat!  and I don't mean baseball.  It tucked itself in for a little nap until dinner time !  Norm went out and dislodged it, placing it carefully in the forest behind us.  WOW !!  Such excitement !

 

     Funniest thing !  One of our guests was out touring the Big Park in their little, black, Smart car.  A number of peple in cars ahead of them stopped to take photos of a herd of buffalo walking across the road so a huge traffic jam was created.  The buffalo are starting their 'rut' (mating season)so we try to inform them not to get too close.  Well, as you can probably guess, one really big guy decided the Smart car looked like a very lovely lady and started to run towards it ! YIKES !!!     The guy sees whats going on and makes an executive decision to hit the gas and pull out and around much of the jam to get away !!  He was so funny and could hardly believe what happened !!!   What a story for his journal !

 

      Norm continues his part as PR ambassador for our park.  He really made an impression with the "Old Farts Club" when they were here.  Seems he would show up at their sites about lunch time with the mower, to mow, and then drive it right up to the end of their picnic table and turn the mower off !  They started setting a place for him after a couple of days !  I wondered why he wasn't as hungry as usual.  :)   Anything to stir 'stuff' up !!

 

We drove out to Mesa Falls last week and the views of this waterfall are spectacular.  In the picture on the right, if you look closely on the upper right side of the falls you can see a red kayak manuevering down the river !  Crazy !!  The other pic is taken right at the brim of the falls.  It feels just like you're going over !  There are so many things to see and do here !  Love it !

     I must put on my thinking cap, and decide what quilt to do next.  It is beginning to look like a quilt store in here but each quilt teaches me something new.  Sometimes it's colors, or textures or just patience but I really find it fun and rewarding.  (It's also the reason I'm not on FB or Blogging as much.  :(  ) Norm is keeping a lock on his underwear drawer, though....he says I've quilted everything.  Not quite !

     Hopefully, each one of you are doing well, also.  We do like to hear your stories and adventures on FB.  Needless to say we are having the time of our lives !   

    

    

    

AUGUST 2012

     We are 10 weeks into our time here At Grizzly and have 8 weeks left.  This, being our 2nd year has not had the surprises we incurred last year, but we have three new couples (new to us) that have had numerous issues.  The most common being how much physical work is required by the guys and for us girls it's not only working the computer program (campground manager) but dealing with the public !

     The "games" have started about who's coming back next year and no one wants to commit in case one of the others do or don't show up.  It's like being back in Jr Hi.   Actually,  though, I think we have a pretty compatible crew this year.

     On our days off, we have three/week, we usually spend one day exploring the big Park or the surrounding area, one day getting our shopping / laundry done (you've heard all the hours Norm has spent waiting for me at Joann's, and one day Norm goes fishing and I clean house and sew.  My latest creation has been an appliqued  Iris which has been made into a table-runner or wall-hanging,  I saw the pattern & picture and had to try it !  It is from the same series as the calla lilies I did a few quilts ago.  I find my preference in design runs towards the more artististic rather than the traditional.  Maybe it's the colors and the feeling of a more dramatic result than the traditional quilts.   The one I'm working on now is fairly simple and done in pastels.  Norm says it's a bit drab (he likes lots of color & contrast) and so I have decided to 'spruce it up' by putting an appliqued floral vine on two opposite corners.  I'll post it when its finished.  Already have some ideas for a couple more quilts I'd like to make.  I think I've turned into a quiltin' fool ! :) 

     Last evening it was so warm in the coach so I took my ironing board outside on the picnic table to make leaves and flower petals for the floral vine.  My mind wanders about some of the problems going on at work and suddenly it hits me...like one of those Ah-Ha moments....
I'm sitting in one of the most beautiful areas, staying in a $65.00/night campsite for practically nothing, looking at the most incredibly huge, orange, full moon and creating pieces for something I really enjoy .....and I'm worried about dumb stuff at work ?  Had to take a moment and remember how many times in the past I wanted to be doing anything but working at a 'real' job !   Funny, my attitude certainly took an upward turn !  Really loved it !!

     That thought in mind I recently found my new philosophy or mission statement, if you will,  "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in  an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WooHoo" what a ride !"

     Have the most fulfilling day possible, my friends !  :)

    


   
    

Our neighbors and co-workers, Dave & Terrie came back from 3 days in Idaho Falls last week with this puppy !  He is a pug & shiit-szu mix, 7 weeks old and his name is Bently.  Sooo cute !
We've been out looking for a different sort of animal this last few days.  Norm has posted many of the shots of bears and buffalo but wanted to add a few more.  We go into the Park after work so we are there just before dusk.  Now that it's warming up the animals are moving into the higher hills but come down to drink from the rivers. 

  We were fortunate enough to find this cinnamon black bear foraging for grubs. They are not all that common in this area so we were pretty excited to watch for awhile.   I'm a bit concerned about the condition of her fur....we didn't know if she is changing from winter to summer coat or if it is some type of mange or other skin disease.  

Norm posted a similar pic of this family of grizzlies that we found on one of our hikes. They were busy pulling up roots and bugs and didn't seem too concerned with our presence.  One of the twins stood up to take a look so we skeedaddled on down the trail.  It's always scary to run into unexpected animals but we try to give them a wide berth and act non-threatening.

While at work this week a lady came in and asked, "At what altitude do the deer turn into elk?".   I had to turn around, away from her before she could see me break down with laughter !!  We've had some more really dumb questions !  One more was "If the power goes out in the Big Park does Old Faithful still go off ?".  DUH !!  I love this job !!  

Our season this year began with warm weather for May. The RV Park was filling up nicely. Then it rained and snowed over Memorial Day and we got cancellations causing our vacancy numbers to drop.  This week the weather is finally co-operating with some sun and warmer night-time temps.  Father's Day Week-end is almost completely booked.  Good news !

I was also able to finish the Calla Lily Quilt I started in Lk. Havasu the other day. I'm very happy with the result just not real sure where to put it !

Well guys, that's what's happening in my world this week.  Hope each of you are enjoying your days as much as we do !  :)

FULL CIRCLE !

It doesn't seem possible but we have both been retired (at the same time) for a year now.  We are back at the Yellowstone Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone, Mt. and have come full circle ! 

 Upon our arrival we had to go into the Park to get re-acquainted.  So glad we did, the weather was cool and animals were more visible than any other time of the season.  Spring came earlier so many of the buffalo had already dropped their calves.  Those little "red dogs" were everywhere !  Now, the Elk are having their calves.  It it so exciting to see the routine Mother Nature provides.  This little guy was trying very hard to nurse but mama didn't seem too interested right now !

On this particular drive we were able to watch a single 3 year old Grizzly graze in a field, not 50 ft from the edge of the road. You can see him here.   A mother Grizzly with a set of year old cubs put on quite a show for many spectators in a large meadow on the way to Mammoth.  The cubs tumbled and growled practicing their fighting skills on each other.  They will be on their own later this summer and mama will more than likely breed in the fall and have another cub next winter.

The Pronghorn Sheep wandered in herds up near the Lamar Valley.  I don't think we have seen this many together in the Park before.  One of the other couples said they are bearing their young now, too. They watched a new baby trying out it's legs and standing, but soooo wobbly.

In all, we were able to watch & photograph 10 bears...two were black bears, the others all Grizzlies !  WOW !! By the time our 'house' was in sight both of us were exhausted.  The altitude here is 6,660 ft and we've found it is taking a bit to get used to it, again.

After our first few days of work the managers, Brenda & Mark, threw a little party welcoming all the crew for this season.  Dinner was provided and we got a chance to meet the newbies and re-connect with those of us who were here last year. (Everyone loved my quilts and Mark said he could sell them in the store !)

So, all is going well and we're all beginning to settle in, sorta.  We wake up on Friday morning and are greeted by at least 7" of snow covering EVERYTHING !  Yikes !!  The guys that are scheduled to work today now have to find things to do inside.  No lawn mowing today !  This is Memorial Day week-end and the park has about 100 reservations on the books. By the end of the day almost half have cancelled and those that were supposed to leave had to extend their stay...they couldn't leave !   The snow melted later that day but we continued to get flurries.  Roads in YNP were closing because they are higher in altitude.  Nobody was going very far.  Ahhhhh...the life in the mountains !!

Our first full week of work is over and we now have the next three days off.  We're so very tired but maybe we should take a quick drive into Madison which is 14 miles into YNP and see what's going on !  Hmmmm......Hey Norm, don't leave without me....I just have to grab my coat !!!!