December 31

Where did this year go, I still have things that need to get done before 2015 is over.  Wait a minute, I know how to take care of this, I will just take the honey do list and change it from 2015 to 2016.  That works for me, now all I have to do is get Cyndy to buy into it.
We have done a lot of traveling this year, we have done 3 caravans, starting with Copper Canyon last spring,  Alaska in the summer, and then the West Coast America in the Fall.  No wonder this year went by so fast.  I was looking at the mileage we did this year and it was almost 20,000.
Anyway back to what we did on New Years Eve, we did some shopping, Cyndy likes this, me I am the type that goes into store picks up what I need then leave, but today we took our time and still got just what we needed.  After going to Costco, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, then Winco we were on the way home.
I did get Cyndy's embroidery soft ware loaded on to her computer today.

It loaded real easy and now Cyndy is happy and have a lot of fun learning how it works.

Here she is working with different patterns, She has been back in her new sewing room.  All I hear is this is so cool, or this is so neat.
I also got another honey do part of the way done today, we need to lighten the load on the slide with the pantry on it.  So I added another shelf to one of the stationary cabinets and unloaded 1 plus shelves and we put the panes in the pantry.

The pans are lighter than the stuff that was on this shelf.

Tomorrow we need to go through these two shelf's and see what will fit in this cabinet after I add another shelf.

Well at least we will have tall the pans in the same place now!!!!!
We are going to do something tonight that really makes scents, go to bed early and get up and watch the Rose Parade, that will be fun and no hangover, I like that even better.  They say with age come some knowledge.

December 30

Early morning, up a 6:00 AM, I really got to stop getting up this early.  Maybe tomorrow morning I will sleep in!!! HA HA, me sleep in, Cyndy says if I make it past 7:00 AM I have sleep in.  We will see tomorrow.
Any way back to why I was up so early this morning, I need to be at the Ford Dealership so I could get the rear end fluid changed.  They said that it was a first come first served.  I was the the second one in line and I was out of there by 10:00 AM.  They didn't say they were fast.  Also they did a piss poor job of washing the truck, who well at least some of the road grim is off.  By the way the Ford Dealership was Fiesta Ford here in Palm Springs.  I talked to a couple of customers and they said they are OK, but this place is better than the other dealer on the West-side of Palm Springs.
Now on to the other problem we have with the slide out.  The repair gentleman showed up about 11:30 AM, watched the slide move in and said stop.  He got a ladder and looked at the the cable's and motor Assembly, and had me move it again.  He said it was the gear box that was causing the problem.  That's when the problem really started. He told us he has seen this happen before and it would be easy to fix with a new gear box.  After a few phone calls and he said I think we may have a problem.  Being near the New Years Eve, and a long weekend it might be Monday before he will know anything.  So we are hoping to here from him by then.  At least now we know what is causing the problem.  We need to get stuff out of the up above storage area and put things up there that we will not going to use for a while.  Because if the slide does not get fixed tell we get back to the dealer, I don't want to have to bring the slide out and end tell it is fixed.
This afternoon our counter parts Jim & Cherrill Roberts showed up and we went for a ride down towards Salton City.  I need to go to Steve's ATV Rental to take the LED Lights off of our RZR we sold him.  We got there and it was rented out so we showed Jim & Cherrell around the area and by 4:30 PM the RZR was back and it took just about 5 minutes to get the lights off and we were on our way back to the coach.  We stopped for dinner at Mario's Italian Cafe, a great little Italian Restaurant.  It was great visiting with Jim & Cherrill and it will be fun working with them at Indio & Quartzite.
Tomorrow is NEW YEAR EVE what do you have planned.

December 29

What a day, we made it to Palm Springs with no problems.  We pulled into the park at about 12:30 PM and was able to find a 50 AMP site with no problem.  We got set up and found a problem with the coach when putting out the slide.  We have not had any problems with any of the slides tell today.  As we put it out it seemed to be binding up, I think a roller is the problem.  All I know is it made a loud notice and shock the trailer slide real bad.  We have a mobile service coming by tomorrow I am hoping it is something small and will be fixed easy.  We tried to find a place to take it to under warranty, but every where we called it would be two or plus weeks before they can get to it.  So we will see how it goes tomorrow.
Now back to our drive today.  We left out of the RV park at about 7:30 AM and headed east on I-58, we only have about 230 miles to drive.  As we started up to the high desert I seen a reader board sign that said snow & Ice Ahead, boy that is  all we need.

Yes we did find some snow, but none on the road, YAH!!!!  The roads were dry all the way up and over into the high desert area.  It was still a little cold but it was warming up as every hour passed.  The news said something about the cold should be gone here today or tomorrow.  All I know is the road was good.

I never get tired of see Joshua Trees they have there own personality, everyone of them are different in there own way.  We are at 3000 feet where we find them.
I always know we are getting close to the Palm Springs Area  when we see these windmill's.

  One of these day I would like to go on a tour of these big windmill's and see how they work and just how much power they make.  Hay, I just added another thing to do on my bucket list.  We all have one and it is great to add things to it all the time.
I was reading a fellow bloggers web site today (http://gypsyjournalrv.com/category/nicksblog/) and really had to think hard about what he said about those little voice you here in your head once in a while.  Two day ago when we ended up at the casino, we were thinking about staying at a truck stop but the little people in my head said to keep driving.  Read his blog it was good.
Tomorrow we have a few things to get done, one is getting the truck in and having the rear end fluid changed, so tomorrow morning I will be at the shop early in the morning, like 7:00 AM so I can get in and out.  Then the repair guy is coming by for the coach, and if we have any more time it is a fast trip to Salton City to get the LED Lights that I had on the RZR so I can put them on the truck, it will help with night time driving I hope.  Tomorrow is another day in the Olsen's life of travels and who knows what.

December 28

We are in Bakersfield tonight, we got into this Passport America Park about 3:30 PM.  It is called Desert Palms RV Park.  It is really nice park, with 50 AMP and only $15.00 per night.  The only problem is the train that goes by once in a while, I don't have a problem, but will let you know how Cyndy did tomorrow.
We were up early this morning and on the road by 7:00 AM.

We found the sun, it seems like all we have seen since we have been back in Washington is rain.  But today the sun showed it self, yah for California.  We had a pretty good drive down 101, when we got to 580 to drive over to I-5 the traffic started to build a little but not to bad.

 This is the 580 bridge and not to many vehicle running us off the road.  I think the holiday week is the cause of this.

 This is looking out towards San Francisco Bay the bridge in the distance is the I-80 bridge.

This is one city I want to stay away from when towing a 5th-wheel.  One time I ended up in down town San Francisco and never want to again.
When we hit I-5 we started see these signs.

It really bother me to start with but when I seen a flag blowing in the wind the way we were going I was happy.  We never had any real bad winds so that was a plus for us. I forgot how rough this road is in places, I always thought 99 was the rough road.  When we go back north I might have to try 99.  Tomorrow we are hoping to get into the Palm Springs TTN, if any of you have been there before you know that they have a few palm trees and they are some what close together.  If we can't find a spot we will take off down to Salton City and stay at our friends place there.  I am hoping that we stay at the TTN because we will be closer to the first RV Show we are doing.  We will just have to wait for tomorrow to see where we land.

December 27

We are done driving for another day, we ended up at Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino.  It is about 3 miles off of 101, and it is free parking.  The dinner was OK, Cyndy's meatballs were really spice, but my Chicken Fettuccine was great.  We have been wanting to dry camp and use the generator a little so this is a good time to do it.  Now a little bit about the drive today.
We left Coos Bay at 7:00 this morning heading south on 101, hoping not to find any snow.  But we did find some stormy weather with sea's breaking around the rocks pretty good.

We really like the Oregon and northern California coast a lot.  It is fun drive this coast line and seeing all of this great sites.  It rained off and on all day.  When we got to the Redwoods at about 1200 feet it was trying to snow on us a little.  We tried to get some pictures but no luck, so I keep the peddle to the metal and got out of this area.  One of the reasons to come down 101 was to stay away from the snow.  I here the I-5 pass is getting a lot of snow, glad we came this way.

This is the reason for driving 101, I don't do snow when pulling a trailer.  Well tomorrow we are hoping for another good drive day and our goal is Bakersfield and hope this Passport America Campground is open, the one we were trying to stay in tonight was closed, oh well, this is better free and the meal only coast 30 bucks, so I guess the camping cost us $30.00, no I like the free better.

December 26

Today was the start of our drive back south to Indio, California.  We were up early and on the road by 8:00 AM.  It was a beautiful cold morning in the 30 degree mark.  Had ice on the windshield, so that slowed us up just a little.

 As you can see the sun was out and very little traffic leaving the Tacoma area heading south on I-5.

Down by Chehalis on I-5 we got a good view of what is left of Mount St Helen's.  We really didn't have much traffic tell we hit Chehalis area then it opened up after we went through some work areas.  I had the cruse control on 58 and didn't have to slow down to much.

We took 205 around Portland so we didn't go through downtown on I-5, it may be a couple of miles farther but very little traffic today.

Plus we would of never seen this view of Mt Hood in the distances.  It was a real clear dirve tell we got down by Salem and then the clouds start to role in.

 As in Washington Oregon has had a lot of rain the last three weeks and a lot of there rivers are still at or over flood stage.  This is the Umpqua River, I don't think I have ever seen it this high in all the years coming down to Coos Bay area.
Well tonight we are staying at the KOA in Hauser on 101.  This is a real nice park and if you need a night or two to get of the road this park is great. I know the owner personally and they are great people.  Tomorrow we are hoping to make it to Willis, California and stay in a Pass Port America camp ground.  We will see how we do, we might stop sooner who knows.  We got tell the 30th or 31st to be in Palm Springs.

December 25th

Merry Christmas to all because ours has been great this year.  Today our God Daughter Decia & her husband Chuck opened their house up to a great Christmas Dinner. The morning started out at 4:45 AM with Cyndy and I getting up to start the turkey.  By 6:30 we had it stuffed and in the slow cooker for a long morning of cooking, we hope it is done by 2:00 PM.   After we both sat done and relaxed for a few minutes, it was off to our grandsons house for Christmas morning breakfast and watching him open his presents.

He did pretty good, I heard Santa likes to spoil him as much as Mom & Dad do.  Now you know Nana & Papa would never spoil him at all.  After a great breakfast with our Daughter and there family, it was great spending time with them.  After we were all done it was time to head back and check on the turkey.  After checking on it we took a fast trip down to visit with my sister and her family.  We haven't seen her husband and our nephew Brian in a few years.  We see my sister just about every time we are in town, so it was nice to visit with them for a while.
  It was time for us to get back home because dinner will be pretty soon.  All of us worked real hard and got the Turkey, Ham and all the fixings done and ready to eat by 2:00 PM.  Well it was 2 or something when we ate, after we finished eating I thought of taking some pictures, better late then never.

 Here is my son and his two youngest daughters, it was great to see them.  We have been around for over two weeks and they have been very busy and living about 20 miles from us, so we haven't been able to see them much.  They moved out pass Yelm now instead of living here near Tacoma.

 Here is a couple of more of the family after a great meal.

 Ok, now what to do with all olf the left overs, we got a few it will make it nice for our travel south.

 Not much Turkey left, we went through almost 20 lbs of turkey and 20 lbs of ham, big family gathering, almost 20 people here today.

 Morgan & MJ got a couple of neat looking hoodys from ther Aunty!!!

 This is Decia's oldest son, he is a big Seahawk's fan.  We had a great day with all of the family, lets see if I can name everyone that was here.  Dennis & Rose, Decia , Chuck, Tyler & Hunter with his girl friend Emile, Janice, Jeff and Jared, Jason, Lisa, Morgan, & MJ. Steve the neighbor next door, and Ray and his wife ( can't remember everyone's name.)  I don't think I forgot anyone.
Well tomorrow morning we start our trip south to Indio, we are hoping to get out of here around 7 or 8, we will be heading down I-5 to 38 in Oregon where we will head over to 101 and Coos Bay.  There is to much snow in the mountains for me, and it is better to take a couple of extra days then fight with snow and bad weather.  I am hoping to get down to Sacramento by Sunday night. Got to have some kind of plans.  I got all of the water and sewer hoses put away tonight so all I have to do is role up the power cord and hook up the truck.  Cyndy has been busy putting things away in side.  It looks good and we are just about ready to roll.

 Spike is busy trying to hide his rawhide so Turbo doesn't get it.

 Turbo found one of Spikes toys and playing with it, Spike is waiting for him to put it down.  Well it is getting late and a long drive tomorrow and the next couple of days.  Will keep you up to date where we are.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas with there Family's, Friend's and fellow RVers.

December 21

Four days tell Christmas, and guess what?  We had snow today, well at least it was falling white snow, but none of it stuck any where around here.  Now if you were above 1000 feet you got snow and it stuck, and will be around for a while.  By 4:00 PM it had turned back to rain.

It really was snowing in this picture but did not turn out at all.  They are say that we might get some snow tomorrow night and maybe into Wednesday.  By Christmas no rain or snow in the forecast.  We might still get out of here by Saturday, we will have to wait and see.
Now the truck when I was at the dealer on Friday said it would be done today, guess what it is not done.  I would rather have them take there time and do it right this time.  So when I talked to my service writer this afternoon she said it looks like tomorrow when they will have it done.  All of the parts made it so will find out tomorrow morning sometime.
Tomorrow we get Jared and have him for breakfast and then take him to wrestling camp.  He is going the next two days and spent today their also.  It is great see him work so hard at this, we are very proud of him for keeping up the great work.  How knows we may have snow tomorrow!!!!!!
Five days and we start heading south, not counting but looking forward to it!!!!

December 20

We started out our day today with a fast trip into Jo Ann's for Cyndy to get the right thread for her embroidery machine. The stuff they sold her the other day was not right and broke before she was even half way done with the first pattern.  She is happy again and this thread is working great.
I have done really not much of anything this morning or for the hole day.  Did get the gray water and black water dumped, sure like the new sewer pump I got for draining the waste up to the out let for sewer.  It works real good and make the job so easy.  I have been busy planning our trip south which will happen in 6 days.  I have plan "A" for I-5 and plan "B" for 101 south on Coos Bay.  After looking at the cam for the passes, it is looking more like we will be going 101 right now.  So it will take us an extra day but know big deal.
I am hoping they get the truck done tomorrow, miss the old boy!!!!!
Yesterday we got an early start, Jared was wrestling in Sumner and needed to be there between 7:00 and 8:30 AM for weigh in, we got there early and then we took them out to breakfast at Dixey's in Sumner, we haven't ate there in a while and it was still great.  They only serve breakfast and lunch here.
Here is some pictures of what it looks like at the Holiday Wrestling Tournament.

 In this area there is 6 matches going on at one time, and in another part there is another 4 matches going on.  It is fun watching these young girls & boys wrestle, they really put there heart into their match.

 Here Jared is the far guy, he won this match.  He was up against a bracket that is better than what he has been wrestling.  He lost his first two matches but this one he put it together and came out with a pin!!!  

 Here he is getting his first pin of the day, way to go big guy!!!

  He placed third in his weight class today, way to go!!!
We enjoyed watching him today, but my butt is hurting after setting in the bleaches most of the day.  Christmas 5 days away and in 6 days we head south.  I hope we can go down I-5.

December 18

Today was and early day for me, I was up at 6:30 AM, yes there are two of them in one day.  I had an appointment at Sumner Ford for 8:00 AM to get the rear end on the truck looked at after we found some metal on the check plug.  I showed up there at 7:30 AM, I like to be early.  They took me in right away and by 9:00 AM they came out with the bad news.  The pinyon (sp) bearing on the tail shaft of the rear end had failed.  I was told that there was a 2 year warranty on it so now came the problem.  They told me that on all Ford parts there is a two year warranty, but the problem being the 4:63 gears are aftermarket and they may not be covered.  He said they would order the bearing and it looks like everything is covered, I feel a lot better.  About two hours later I received a call from the service personal at Ford and he said that after talking to the people that build the 3:46 gears  they don't know what could cause it.  The next question he asked how much weight I was hauling and I told him the trailer tongue weight was about 2500 lb and that the trailer was maybe 18000 total weight.  He was a little worried about the weight but he knows a lot of people that haul more than that.  So know problem there. After finishing talking to him it looks like Monday afternoon we should have the truck back all fixed.

What you think, it might pull the trailer.  We have borrowed our daughters car tell the truck is fixed.  Tomorrow we are heading out early to watch Jared wrestle his last tournament this year.

December 17

Today we headed up to our friends Dick & Rose in Mineral Lake.  Cyndy has been looking forward to this for a couple of days. Rose has been Embroidering for a while and Cyndy was hoping to get some help from Rose.  I asked Rose if Cyndy was a good student today, and she said with a little practice she could be her best student.  I asked what do you mean by that?  She said with about a week of training she would really be good, so this February, March & April we will be spending a few day a month up here while Cyndy is busy learning more about embroidering.  Here are a few pictures of what she did today.

 Neat Snow Man

Here is her first snow flake, they both look great.  These are coasters.
I will say the rain has caught up with us again.  It started this morning and has not stopped all day. Anybody need some rain shipped to them, I can send it to you real soon.  I will say if you are heading from Eastern Washington to Western Washington over the pass's you will run into a lot of snow.  They say up to 3 feet of snow in the next 24 hours, good for skiers, but not for travelers going east of west.
Yesterday we went to our grandsons first concert, I can remember going to our kids first  concert and I think I used ear plugs.  Just joking!!!!  Anyway they did great for 5th graders.

 Jared is the one in the red & black stripped sweater.  Here they are getting ready.

I will have to say one thing I didn't here any squeals from the them, great job kids.  There were a lot of proud parents here.
While up at Dick & Roses I went to Morton to get the trucks oil changed, I like doing business with the Ford Dealer their, they treat you good and do a super job, but they found a problem.  When checking the rear end the magnetite had some metal on it.  So I called the Ford dealer in Sumner where I had the new rear end installed in August and set up a appointment tomorrow morning, I hope it is and easy fix.  Will find out then, oh yah it is still under warranty!!!! yah!!!!
 

December 15

The last two days have been great.  The weather has been a little cooler, but no rain which is good.  I have been busy getting more things done outside.  Yesterday, I was able to get everything moved out of Decca & Chucks garage and put back into our garage.  I only have one more thing to do and that is to level one of the drawers on the new cabinets that I put into the back.  I think tomorrow with the weather changing I will work on that.
Yesterday, Jared got out of school early so it was my job to go and pick him up from school.  I brought him home and Nana fixed him his favorite lunch, chili & noodles.  Then it was time for him to play on his kindle.

For some reason the boys really like Jared, it looks like they are standing guard over him.  It is great to have him around we enjoy all of our grand kids but this one shows up more than the others.
I did get a lot done outside yesterday.  Dug the Christmas tree and all the other decorations out from the storage bind under neath the front of the coach. I set up the tree and Cyndy and Jared put some decorations on it then his mom showed up.  I also installed the new attic vent cover on the top of the coach.  Hope that takes care of the leak.  Will find out when we hit the road after Christmas.
Here is the inside of the coach with lights up and tree set up.

We have lights all around the room but this is the side with the most.lights.  Cyndy is happy now that the inside of the coach all lite up.  Merry Christmas our house is ready for Christmas.
A couple of days ago I went to drop the air pressure on the airbags on the truck and the one on the right had no air left in it.  Tomorrow I have an appointment at Les Schawb to check it out, hope it is just a line problem, will find out!!!!
Tonight we went out to dinner with Denny & Rose at Red Robin, after dinner we head over to their house to play some hand & foot card game.  It went real good, boys have won two games scene we have been home.  I told Denny lets stop now while we are a even with them for the games we have played this year.  It will be a first for us to be tied with them in the last 5 years of playing cards.