Sunday, December 29, 2013

December 29th

What a great Christmas, we got to see a lot of family members and had a good time.  It was great to see all of the grand kids open their gifts and see what Santa had given them. I would like to be on the grandkid's Santa's list they scored!!! Even their mom & dad's must of been good also, because Santa was good to them too.
Cyndy and I are doing good, other than the cold we have been passing back and forth.  We have broke down hooked up the coach and went for a short trip to Seaside, Oregon.  It felt good to at least tow the rig and make sure everything is working OK, and it is. Our $800.00 freezer that we got a few years ago has been just to small for what we use it for, so yesterday we went to Home Depot and got a 5 cubic foot freezer for under $200.00 and we have more room to freeze things now. The Domino freezer still works so will try and sell it when we get back home, unless some one here would like it.
We are going to meet some friends here today, Brian & Rita.  We are looking forward to spending time with them.  They have a retirement house they are looking at over near Long Beach, so we are going to make a trip there tomorrow, I think.
Other than what I said above we are doing good, and enjoying life.  We hope everyone will have a safe and Happy New Year. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

December 10th

We have been having some really and I mean real cold weather.  They say it is the coldest it has been in years.  I know for sure that this is the coldest we have been in since we retired in 2007.  It got down to 12 degrees Saturday and has been warming up everyday since.  Today it was down to a low of 28 and suppose to get up to 38 sometime today. We even woke up to a little snow this morning.
Just a little snow to cover the roads and our RZR.  It is pretty much gone now and the clouds are coming in and it will be raining again soon.  At least the weather will be warmer in the high 40's.
We both have been doing pretty good, Cyndy has been busy sewing things for the grandkids for Christmas.  I think she is just about done.  I try to stay out of her way when she is sewing.  I have been keeping busy by driving School Bus and playing with things around here.  We have been going to wrestling tournaments with Jared.  The last one he was at, he pined all three of his opponents and received a medal for first place in his class.  He is really doing good.
 We also got to spend some time with Mikael and Makenzie after being home for 3 months and we also played with our other two grand daughters MJ and Morgan.   It is always fun seeing the kids and spoiling the little ones.  So the next two weeks we will be busy getting the last few things for Christmas and looking forward to the holidays.  right now we are planning on going to Seaside for a week after Christmas.

Monday, November 25, 2013

November 25th


Thanksgiving is right around the corner and then in just less than a mouth we will be seeing Christmas.  The holidays are fast approaching and this old fart is looking forward to them.  The great food and family time that we get together.  It is also time for us to get ready to head south for some of that warm weather.  But right now it sounds like it is just as cold their as it is here in the northwest.  We have been having some beautiful days lately, just a little on the cool side or should I downright cold!!! 

We are planning on leaving sometime after the first of the year.  As a full timer sometimes it is hard to set a date when you will be leaving.  If it was up to me we would already be on the road looking for some warm weather.  But I did promise Cyndy that we would be home thru the holidays, and if mom isn’t happy no one is!!!!

We are planning on being in Quartzite around the 18th of January for a few days visiting with some great friends and going to the RV tent while there.  We might find something we just can’t live without.  Then it will be off to Apache Junction for a mouth.  We will be staying at Countryside RV Resort for two weeks then move down the road about 2 miles to Golden Sun RV Resort for the next two weeks.  We made these reservations because it can get hard to find a spot in these parks if we wait too much longer.  We are hoping to get out in the RZR’s a few times while there with Lucas & Tony.

We are waiting to hear back from some other people, we want to meet up over in the Salton Sea area and play a few weeks their also.  So for the next few weeks we are still setting still and watching the world go by.  Have a great Turkey Day.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

November 16th

We are doing really good.  We have been busy going through things and seeing what really need to keep on board and what we don't need.  The local charity's have been getting a lot of cloths and stuff.
Today we went to our second wrestling event for our grandson Jared.  He has been working had and learning a few good moves.
Here he is warming up before the matches started.
Here he is waiting for his match to start.
He is watching his team mate here and waiting for his match.
Pin him Jared, and he did in just over 15 seconds.
Here he is with his pin start.  Every time they get a pin they get one of these stars for there sweatshirt.
Today was a busy day and we had to leave the match early because one of our other grandkids where having a birthday party today also.  MJ turned 4 this weekend so off we headed of to the birthday party. 
Everyone is singing here happy birthday and she is watching the candles real closely.  She is really growing fast and I can't believe she is already 4.
Here is MJ opening all of her presents with the help of her little sister Morgan.  Mom is also helping a little bit.  It was great seeing all of the family, I did get to say hi to my two brothers which I have not seen in a while. 
I don't know yet when we will be leaving the northwest, but will start planning here shortly.  We want to head south after the first of the year and meet up with a few people in California and Arizona.

Monday, November 11, 2013

November 11th

I would like to thank all the VET'S for keeping this land free and giving us all the rights to move and do what we like, one being a full time RV'er.  I also am a Vet from the Vietnam era.

We have been very busy this last week. We made a very fast trip to Palm Springs for a Adventure Caravan advance training class we needed.   The main reason for going was the training and find out what trips we will be doing in the future. On Wednesday morning we dropped Turbo off at a kennel (we hated doing that but it was for his own good).  Then it was off to Palm Springs.  We arrived there on Thursday around 9:30 AM.  It was the last day of the Mega Rally so we jump in to help any where we could.  There were a lot of past guest that have traveled with us and we had some nice long talks.  
On Friday we said our good-byes to all of the guest and started right into advance training that went through  Saturday at noon. 

We did get a couple of trips for next year and years to come.  First off we will be heading to Rapid City for the Mega Rally.  This starts on May 13th thru May 23rd, 2014. On July 1st thru July 8th, 2014 we will be Assistant Rally Masters at the Calgary Stampede we are really looking forward to this trip, it should be a lot of fun.  Then to finish off this year we will be heading down to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta to help out cooking meals and helping out and learning what happens at this event.  If any one would like to join us please feel free to contact us and we can get you signed up for any one of theses events coming up next year.  Also would like to put a bug in your ear, in 2015, starting June 17th we will be taking another great trip to Alaska.  We will be the Wagon Masters on this trip and would like to have you travel with us and Adventure Caravan.

It was great to talk to so many different staff members that were also in Palm Springs.  Saturday at 12:30 we headed back to Washington and arrived home by 8:00 AM.  We have Turbo back and enjoy his company again.  I think he missed us as much as we missed him.  Any way we are back in Washington for a couple of Months then it will be off to the warm weather.  After being in Palm Springs for that short trip I miss the WARM WEATHER!!!

Well it is off to the dentist for cleaning and other things I hope not, I hate pain!!!!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November 2nd

Living in the northwest has it plus and minus's.  When the weather is good it is great, but when it wants to get down right nasty it can.  Today is one of those days, wind is blowing and the rain is falling.  All the trees with the pretty leaves are getting stripped off it this high wind.  The other day Cyndy and I went for a short drive to catch some of the fall colors around here.
Yes this was one of those real nice fall days, suns out and we are enjoying it.

One thing nice about the northwest is we have trees that stay green year round.
I think that is why they call this the evergreen state.
Mount Rainier is out in all of his or her glory, we enjoy watching the mountain during the winter when it builds up with snow.
Today we went and watched our grandson Jared wrestle, there were over 300 kids ant this round of robin wrestling match that is on all weekend.
Jared is the one on his knees, but he doesn't stay their very long.
Getting away here.
He is doing pretty good for his first full year doing this sport.  I hope he keeps at it, he does have a little bit of a temper when he losses.  I don't know where he gets that from!!!!
We will be leaving here Wednesday for a fast trip to Palm Springs for our Advance Training with Adventure Caravan.  We are looking forward to getting back to traveling with them.  We should know what trips we have for the future when we get back.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

October 24th

We have been doing great.  Cyndy is busy sewing things for the grand kids Christmas presents.  I have been driving bus part time.  So we have both been staying out of some trouble.  We have had some great times with all the grand kids also.  More to come.
Last weekend we went on a short road trip to see some old friends Larry and Marlene.  They were our first tailgunner we ever met for Adventure Caravan and they were our tailgunners when we wagonmaster our first trip to Alaska.  It was great to meet them in Elma at the Rusty Tractor.  They had real good food and at a good price also.  After about 2 hours of talking and eating we headed back to their rig to play a few hands of cards.  We finally headed home about 4:30, we really like our visits with them.  Larry is a hoot!!!
Not much else happing here but a lot of "FOG" lately.  They say we have another week of this kind of weather.  I think it is better then the rain, but during the rain you can at least see more then 10 feet in front of you. 
Watch out Halloween is right around the corner!!!!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October 9th

There is a saying "That when you start to get old the time really fly's by".  It doesn't seem like it has been over two weeks since my last post.  We are having a good time back in Washington seeing all of the kids and watching them grow.  The days just seem to fly by.
Last weekend our Daughter and her family invited us to go with them over to Mose Lake to play in the dunes.  We have not been out in the RZR's since we left Oregon, so it was about time to play a little bit.  We left Friday afternoon and was over there in about 4 hours or less.  Here is a few pictures of us out playing.
Here is Jeff jumping.
Yep Jared following dad's tricks, Mom wasn't to happy watching her baby jump.
Dad getting more air time.
Out of focus, but Jared got more air then dad did that time.


Ok, so I got high centered just a little, it only took a little push back and back to playing again.
 
Janice liked playing on these little tracks that are all over the place out here.
With Jared right behind her.
 
Keep going Jared you will catch mom soon!!!!
We had a great weekend and the weather was great, no rain, just sun shine!!!
As you can see not a lot of people here this weekend.
We had a nice spot, a couple of more trailers and we could have a closed in circle.  Maybe next time there will be more people coming over with us.  It will be the last time this year, the weather will be starting to get a little on the cool side. 
Sunday on our way home the weather was great and Mt. Rainier was out for all to see.  We no when we are getting close to home when we see the Mt.  The weather is changing and it will be rain for a few days now, but by this weekend it might be nice and I can get the RZR's all cleaned up before we head out for another weekend of playing some where.
 



Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 28th

They said earlier this summer we might be in for what we call an Indian Summer.  Well that got blew out the door because we have had a record breaking rain fall for the month of September.  The next couple of days will put us over 5 inches for the month, with most of that coming in today and tomorrow.  We have batten down the hatch and waiting for this weather front to blow out of the area.  So this is the type of weekend to sit in doors and play on the computer and do a little bit of research on future trips we might be wanting to take.
The other day I took some pictures of our cousins "Rat Rod" in the making.
 As you can see it is starting to come together.
If everything goes as planned and nothing ever does.  They will start painting it this next week.  I guess they are going to paint it with a couple of different coats then do some more block Sanding and then the final coats will be put on.  Then it is time to do all the wiring and get this thing running.  Looking forward to seeing it on the road.  It has been a very long process getting it this far.
I though I would take a few pictures of where we are staying now.
It is a pretty nice area and we really want to thank our host for putting up with the red neck campers.
Also notice the RZR is covered and dry.  Turbo really likes this area because he can get out and run.
 He really likes the area for running as you can tell, I just wish he would bring the ball back to me.  Still working on that.

But after a good run he does like to take it easy.
This picture was taken last Monday before the weather really went down hill.  Hope we make it through the next few days of rain.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

September 17th

We have just about got all of the doctor stuff out of the way, so it is time for us to play a little bit. Yesterday we went to the Washington State Fair here in Puyallup.  Not much has chanced over the years.  We did stop at the dairy barn and have our Ice Cream Cone.  I always have to have at least one cone.  We walked through all of the buildings, seen all of the animals, from goats to pretty little rabbits.  We had to stop at the Seattle Fudge, then on to the taffy shop.  After watching the pulling of Taffy we got a banana and chocolate stick.  Then it was getting close to dinner time, so I had to have a fair burger with all the trimmings.  I think we did more eating around the fair then anything else.
The main reason for coming to the fair today was to see Alabama.  The last time we seen them was 10 years ago here at the fair.  They put on another great concert, the only problem was we did have a little bit of rain but that did not dampen the spirit of the crowd.  They played a lot of there old hits and a couple of new ones.
This next week I am going to try and catch up with a few old friends and find out how everyone is doing.
And yes the king has a nice brand new red blank to lay on, along with Cyndy!!!!
 
 
A couple of days ago we got asked if we are still working for Adventure Caravan, and the answer is yes and we are hoping to have a few trips to tell you about in the coming months.  So if you would like to travel with us, keep an eye on our blog.
 


Thursday, September 12, 2013

September 12th

We have been home for just about a week and the weather has been great.  It has been really hot in the afternoon, so we take a little time to just put up our the feet and relax a little.   We have been able to visit with almost all the grand children.  Morgan & MJ have been fun to just sit with and play with.  MJ is getting real good with her numbers and letters.  Morgan is up and walking every where.  Jared is doing great, he has a new ATV and he loves to talk to papa all about it. 
I have got a few things fixed on the coach that I have been putting off, and Cyndy keeps adding stuff to the list.  Maybe some day I will have everything done.  I doubt I will ever get everything done, but it is nice to hope so.  We have also been doing the Doctor thing, we have a few more to go then will have that all out of the way.
Jared wants us to go to Sand Lakes with them in October so we are thinking about going their with them. They are going their this weekend, hope they have a great time.  We have plans for a football game at one of the oldest High Schools in Tacoma this Saturday.  Cyndy's Uncle Joe, is the oldest living grad from Stadium High School., and will be the guest of honor.  He is 98 and still doing great.
Not much else going on, we got a letter from Adventure Caravan to put together a wish list for 2015 & 2016.  So hopefully we will have some trips in the years to come.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

September 8th

We made it back to Spanaway yesterday afternoon.  It was great to be back in the area we call home.  We stay at our cousins house, which makes it real nice for us.  Turbo likes it a lot, because the back yard is fenced in and he can run as much as he wishes.
It feels great to be doing nothing, Cyndy said this morning; isn't it nice we don't have to get up and go to work!!!   We both are happy to just lay around and do nothing, but these next two weeks, we have appointments for all of our doctors that we need to see.  That doesn't sound like much fun.  We are looking forward to visiting with family and helping out were we can.
Today we are having a family dinner with our kids and Rose & Dennis kids.  Our two daughters get along real well and we are both happy for that.  Anyway we are setting for a while, so until anything else comes up I will be sure to post it.
Oh, talk about making a dumb mistake, I order a tool and had it shipped to what I thought was our cousins house, well it end up going to Salton City.  So tomorrow I will be doing some calling and hoping to get it rerouted to this address.  Next time I will make double sure of the correct address.

Friday, September 6, 2013

September 6th

Woke up this morning with the sound of rain on our roof.  Rolled over and went back to sleep and woke up hour later and had slept in untell almost 8:00 AM.  That's late for me, Cyndy just rolled over and went back to sleep.  Turbo wanted out, but with the rain falling he was back in and up on the bed before I could get my shoes off.  He didn't want anything to do with that rain, I don't blame him because I was glad he didn't want to walk all over the place.
I decided to fix  my wonderful wife her favorite breakfast, sausage and gravy over biscuits.  Really I was getting hungry and wanted something to eat, so that is what I fixed for breakfast.  Besides Cyndy likes it too! 
After breakfast we headed up to the outlet mall, what a let down.  No more Black & Decker store, and a lot of stores closing out.  Asked one of the folks in Bass why they were moving out and they said landlord kicked them out!!!  I will be wondering what will be coming back to this place, I miss my Black & Decker store.  We did make it to the Kitchen Gadget Store, we looked all around it, up and down every isle in the store.  But we still did not find a thing we could not live without or replace something we all ready had.  We are still trying to see if we can get a toaster oven in our rig, just have to find some where to store it when not in use.  We will have to think about this one.
We headed up town to look at some of the old cars parked around town.
 Liked the looks of this T-Bird!!!
What a great tow rig for a 5th-wheel or travel trailer.
This had to be one of our favorite trucks here.
 
Cyndy liked this car and I thought it was ok!!!

They wanted a pretty penny for this one, $35,000.00
I liked this one the best of all rigs that are here, 
got to love Papa's Toys.  Its all about who has the biggest toy, and I think this guy has it when it comes to a wagon.
We went by Terry & Nick's tonight and said our good-by, and hugs.  What great people, our paths will most likely cross this winter at sometime!!!  We were hoping to see Dave & Lynn, but we passed them on the way out of the park and said our good-by as they were heading out to dinner.
Tomorrow morning we will be leaving here and heading for Spanaway, Washington to spend a little bit of time with our kids and grandkids.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

September 5th

You got to love full timing to really understand this next statement.  You meet the neatest people in the world on the road and they are friends forever.  Today we finally got together with
 Dave & Lynn Cross.  We first meet them at a Gypsy Rally.  While we were talking to them up walks another couple,
Nick & Terry Russell.  We got our hug's from everyone and started talking about everything under the sun, well I should say cloudy day.  It was great to see both couples.  Next there was a car show going on in town and they did a cruise by here in the park.  Here are a few pictures of some of the cars.  Can't show them all.

Like the camshaft for a front bumper!!!

Nick was checking out a new job as Taxi driver, but couldn't pick up anyone!!!





This had to be our favorite of all the cars that showed up here at the park.

Yes, their is a roster in the cab!!!
After the cars were all through driving by the 6 of us headed out for dinner, and a lot more talking about what has been going on with our life's.  Nick keeps everyone laughing and we had a great time.  Looking forward to visiting with them again tomorrow. 
Oh yah, I almost forgot, I got all the sand washed of the rig this morning and it looks new again!!!!  The roof was the worst, but I made it up and down the ladder OK!!!
One other thing, we almost forgot what it was like not having to do anything but taking care of each other and just having fun.  Sorry to say, we are not going to miss that job!!!!