October 31, 2013---Michelle’s, Loveland, Colorado

Happy Halloween!

Michelle and I went to the Library during her lunch break.  On our way, we stopped at Taco Bell for lunch.  

On our way back, she took me to my hair salon for my permanent appointment.  I had let my hair grow out for several months so I wouldn’t have to get such a “kinky” permanent this time.  It is still very curly, but softer looking.  I guess time will tell if this new style is temporary or permanent.

When I got home, I worked on a bracelet.  I didn’t finish it until after super.  By then, kids were coming around to trick or treat.  When that was over, I got a new project on my loom.  I like to keep something to work on all the time.

October 30, 2013---Pueblo to Michelle’s house, Loveland, Colorado

We left Pueblo at 8:30.  There was some fog, but not enough to make driving unsafe.  Traffic wasn’t too bad in the Colorado Springs or Denver areas.  It seemed to pick up as we drove further north toward Loveland.

After parking the motorhome, we visited with Michelle’s group.  We had never seen their puppy, Max, so we had a lot of getting acquainted to do.

A little before 1:00, Joshua drove me to the beauty salon so I could get an appointment for a permanent.  9:00 tomorrow is my scheduled time.  While I was arranging that, Joshua drove to the High School to get Matthew and Connor.  They have early dismissal every Wednesday.

After returning home and eating a quick lunch, Bill and I went to see Meredith and her two pups.  We didn’t stay very long because this was one of her “working from home” days.

Bill and I both rested when we got back home.  We were still worn out from our ordeals yesterday.

I spent time in the house, visiting with everyone.  Meredith had brought Joey and Hapa to play with Max.  Dwaine came after he got out of school.  It had been four months since we had seen them, so there was some catching up to do.

After dinner, we watched Survivor before I went back to my own abode.  It was a long, exciting day for us.  Only 160 miles were put on the coach, but we were still tired. 

October 29, 2013---Santa Fe, NM to Sam’s Club, Pueblo, Colorado

We left Santa Fe at 7:00 this morning.  It turned into a very eventful day.  Not always good, but “fixable.”

From Santa Fe to Raton Pass all went well.  We crossed into Colorado (Honk, honk!  Yahoo!) and drove on to Trinidad.  We had planned to stop there for the night, but it was early.  We parked at the Rest Area north of Trinidad to rest before going on to Pueblo.

Bill discovered that the battery in the Honda was dead.  We drove on north for just a few miles before deciding that we needed to find a place big enough to move the coach around so he could jump the car battery with the coach battery.

We pulled into a business with a big enough parking area to maneuver the MH.  When Bill went to explain our problem, he discovered it was a fire station for this rural part of Colorado.  They offered to take care of our problem and we were soon back on our way north.

A strong wind had begun to blow.  Sometimes when we are in that kind of situation, the awning that is over the slideout will try to unfurl even though the slide was in.

Bill took the next exit so he could secure the awning.  He pulled off the road as far as he could.  This meant the right side of coach was down hill.  When he tried to put the basement slide back in, he couldn’t do it.  The slide kept wanting to roll back out.  

I went out to help push it back in.  I have very little strength, but with my help, we were able to get the slide in and secured.  As I turned around, I stepped in a hole and went rolling down the hill through weeds and dried grass.  The entire fiasco must have been funny to watch, but we were both so tired we couldn’t even laugh.

When Bill got the awning secured, we were soon on the road again.

We drove on to Pueblo and parked at Sam’s Club.  Bill took the Honda in for a new battery.  They didn’t charge us for the new one, because the old one was still under warranty.

So you can see that our day was filled with trauma.  The up side of it was not only the free battery, but we were that much closer to Loveland where Michelle and Meredith live.

What a day!  What a day!  The 286 miles we drove were certainly unusual and filled with drama.

October 28, 2013---Walmart in Santa Fe, NM

Peggy and I spent part of the morning and until mid afternoon working on projects.  She was putting the finishing touches on a Christmas wall hanging.  I did the bead work on a black and plum colored bracelet.  While we were working, we did a lot of talking.

Peggy had a meeting this afternoon so we told her goodbye.  When Jim got home, we got the coach ready to roll.  I left in the Honda.  When the guys got the motorhome out of their driveway, Bill followed me to Walmart, on the south side of Santa Fe.

The Seahawks won.  We didn’t see the game, but did hear that a goal line stand at the very end gave them the victory.  I feel sure that Brent was cheering loud enough for all of us!

We parked for the night at Walmart and will leave early tomorrow for Colorado.

October 27, 2013---Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

Bill and Jim went to do some more work on Jim’s motorhome this morning.  They were gone until mid afternoon.

I spent most of the afternoon in the house visiting with Peggy.  She was doing prep for dinner tonight.  Cort, Jim’s son, and his wife Darla, were coming for dinner.

I sat at the bar and talked to Peggy.  We both have so many projects to talk about.  Peggy is in a quilting phase now, but she also knits and does all sorts of needlework, plus stained glass and beading.  So we had a lot to discuss.  She has been so busy with her meetings that we haven’t spent much time without the guys around.

In the NASCAR race today, Jeff Gordon won.  It was his first win this season.  He has come so close several times, but today he made it, crossing the finish line first, with two other competitors close behind.

Later this afternoon, the Denver Broncos won, after a slow start.  They had a very good fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins.  The final score was 45-21.  Once they got rolling, they really took off.

Keeping in mind that the Oregon Ducks beat UCLA, 42-14 on Saturday, I’m sure you will agree that the Dane family had a winning weekend.  If the Seattle Seahawks win tomorrow night, we’ll all be really happy.  That’s Brent’s favorite team, and the rest of the family cheers for them, too, unless they are playing the Broncos.

October 26, 2013---Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

Jim and I went to a craft sale this morning.  It was very upscale, but that was no surprise.  Santa Fe is known for its artisans.

Before going back home, we went to McDonald’s for lunch.  I love running around with my brother.  We have lots to talk about and he doesn’t let me get very hungry!  That’s a good brother!

Bill and Jim went to work on his motorhome.  They installed a new water pump.  I stayed home and beaded.  That was my choice!  It was a good choice because I certainly know a lot more about beading than installing water pumps. 

We watched the Ducks game with Jim and Peggy.  Oregon won, I’m very glad to say.

When we went back out to our house I continued to work on my project.  I’m loving having time to pursue my hobby.

October 25, 2013---Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

Rain started to fall at midnight and continued until morning.  It was such a nice sound on the roof.  By the time we got up it had quit with only a few sprinkles off and on until noon.

We watched NASCAR qualifying from Martinsville, Virginia.  And of course, Gunsmoke was on several times during the afternoon.

I called Lori with an SOS this afternoon.  I told her I hadn’t been able to locate a source for size 2/0 seed beads.  While we were talking, she found a couple of sources online.  She will order two or three colors to see how their service, etc. is.

Peggy came out to visit after getting home from one of her many committee/board meetings.  She and Jim are both very involved in things in Santa Fe.

Jim, Bill and I went to Souper Salad for dinner.  Peggy stayed home and worked on committee reports.  The food at Souper Salad was really good...one of the best salad bars I’ve seen in a long time.  And there were lots of other choices, too.

Just as we got home a terrible rain and lightening storm blew in.  It was a hard rain and close lightening for about 30 minutes.  Then it blew out as quickly as it had blown in.

I spent the evening working on a new beading project.

October 24, 2013---Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

I spent the morning working on two beading projects.  It was a nice way to start the day.  Bill, Jim, and Peggy were gone and I had the whole place to myself.  So guess where I spent my free time...in the motorhome, my favorite place to be. 

Peggy came back at 1:30.  We went bead hunting.  Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Joanne’s, and two local bead shops...no one had what we were looking for...size 2/0 seed beads.  Rats!    I need that particular size for a new kind of bracelet Lori taught me to make.

We watched the news while we were eating dinner with Jim and Peggy.  As usual, there weren’t too many good things to report.

October 23, 2013---Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

This morning, Jim and I went to Los Alamos.  They lived there for many years, but moved to Santa Fe when Peggy retired from the Lab.  The Los Alamos National Laboratory was where the atomic bomb was developed.  Peggy was a chemist there for 32 years.  Jim was a realtor.

While there today, Jim ran into several people that he knew.  It was kind of like “old home week.”  We had several errands he needed to do, plus we went to see Cort, Jim’s son, and Cort’s wife, Darla.  We ate lunch at McDonald’s.  The only other fast food place in the town was Sonic.  It is rather strange that a town of 15,000 people is so limited on places for a quick meal!

Before going back to Santa Fe, we went to White Rock.  I had only been there once before.  Jim took me around to several housing developments.  We had a good time roaming around together.

Back at the coach, I worked on a beading project.  I am enjoying our new desk so much.

After dinner, the four of us sat around and talked for a long time.  It was relaxing.

October 22, 2013---Albuquerque to Jim and Peggy’s, Santa Fe, NM

We left the Sandia Indian Casino parking lot at 12:45 and drove north on I-25 to Santa Fe.

On our way we stopped at a Rest Area for a late lunch.  When we got into Santa Fe, we made a stop at Walmart before calling my brother, Jim.

Jim and Peggy have a beautiful home on the north side of Santa Fe.  They designed it.  They are both very artistic and their talent shows in their house.  It is a work of art.  I love visiting here.  From their porch you can see the city below.  At night, the view is especially nice with all the twinkling lights of Santa Fe.

There is space for our motorhome.  That’s really nice because we can spend time with them, but not be under foot all the time.

Today, we traveled 70 miles and I actually saw some critters.  There were eight buffalo in a corral.  Several of them were babies.

October 21, 2013---Gallup to Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, NM

Bill pointed the motorhome toward Albuquerque this morning  We had been traveling east for about 30 minutes when we crossed the Continental Divide.

Bill was getting tired so we stopped at a Rest Area.  It was the most complicated route to one we have ever seen.  We had to use two different round abouts, and then turned into a place that didn’t look like a Rest Area at all.  When we left, I wished we had left a bread crumb trail, but we were soon on I-40 again, heading in an easterly direction.

When we got into Albuquerque, we changed from I-40 to I-25 north, and parked at Sam’s Club.  It was lunchtime so we went in for pizza. 

After naps, we went in search of Hobby Lobby and a Super Walmart.  After two successful missions, we drove north on I-25 to Sandia Casino and parked for the night.  Tomorrow, after getting fuel for the motorhome, we will go to Santa Fe.

Today’s mileage was 158...a nice distance for one day.

October 20, 2013---Winslow, AZ to Walmart in Gallup, New Mexico

The Great White Hunter was victorious over the tiny foe, aka mouse, late last night.  The varmint was caught by its tail and still had lots of fight left in him, but the hunter was up to the challenge.  Alas, the “hitch hiker” was dispatched!  I cheered loudly for my hero.  Well, maybe not “loudly,” but I did say “Good job, Grandpa!”

We left Winslow at 9:15 after a great breakfast prepared by Chef Bill.  We were soon on I-40 with all 330 horses (all named Diesel) galloping toward Gallup, Mew Mexico.  

Okay!   Enough of this foolishness.  It was cold this morning with a clear, blue sky.  It was a good day for driving.  When we drove through the Hopi Indian Reservation, we noticed that some houses had Ceremonial Kivas in their yards.

Not long after crossing into New Mexico (Honk,honk! Yahoo!) we were on the Zuni Indian Reservation.  We saw an old Indian woman herding a small flock of sheep.

We parked at Walmart in Gallup, watched the first part of the NASCAR race from Taladaga and recorded the rest of the race.  We had passed a Cracker Barrel on the way to Wally World and Bill got a hankering for meat loaf.  So we backtracked a few blocks and ate a late lunch.  It was a good choice!

Not long after watching the rest of the race it was time for the Bronco game against the Colts.  It was a rough game...lots of penalties, missed catches, and things like that.  The Broncos came back in last half of the game, but couldn’t quite pull off a win.  It was their first loss of the season.  We were really bummed.

Today we only drove 128 miles, but for some reason it seemed three times that long.  We don’t know why, but we were both really tired when we finally got parked.

October 19, 2013---Seligman to Walmart in Winslow, Arizona

It got cold in Seligman last night...37°.  Br-r-r-r!

We crossed into Mountain Time Zone yesterday and couldn’t figure out why our cell phone clocks didn’t adjust.  Then we remembered that Arizona doesn’t go on Daylight Savings Time.  We don’t know why, but we knew it was that way when Brent was stationed in Tucson at Davis Monthan AFB.

The terrain went from scrappy rock strewn fields to small bushes to small trees to pine trees.  It certainly makes for a more interesting ride to have changes in the scenery.

OK!  Super Wildlife Hunter didn’t see a gecko.  It was a mouse!  Yikes!  That’s not on my list either!  When our friends, Dwight and Sheila, had a mouse on board in their motorhome, they finally resorted to 22 mouse traps to catch the little rascal,  When they were finally able to trap it, I presented them with a toy mouse as a keepsake.  Oops!  I hope it isn’t pay back time. 

We parked at Walmart in Winslow, AZ.  After lunch and naps, we went in to Walmart to do some shopping.   Our evening was spent watching the Oregon Ducks trounce Washington State.  I know our entire family is cheering!

Mileage traveled today---132 miles.

October 18, 2013---Barstow, CA to Seligman, Arizona

We were on the road at 8:15 this morning, heading east on I-40.  This region of California is rather barren.  At some point a very, very long time ago volcanos erupted in this part of the world.  We drove through several large lava flows.  In the recent past, however, there has been rain. The sagebrush is green.  It makes for a pleasant contrast.

We stopped in Needles, CA to eat lunch and let Rip Van Winkle have time for a nap.  While he was napping, I took the time to pick out beads for a bracelet to make on my loom that Bill made for me.  I have one more cross to make and then I can start a beading project.

While crossing the Colorado River we went into Arizona.  It has been quite a while since we have done our “state line routine” (Honk, honk!  Yahoo!).  Bill has practiced his part several times this morning.  He just wanted to be sure he hadn’t forgotten the “drill.”

We stopped at Walmart in Kingman, AZ.  I went in for a few groceries.  The parking lot was posted “No Overnight Camping.”  After getting just a few things, we got back onto I-40 and continued our journey.

Some of you may know that I would like to have a dog.  For us, in the motorhome, it isn’t practical.  I really have no desire for another kind of pet, but this morning Bill saw a gecko run across in front of him and dash under the desk and into the heater vent.  That critter as a pet is way, way at the bottom of my list.  Probably only slightly above a tarantula or a snake.  Willie likes to catch geckos in Brent’s back yard, but I don’t think we’ll hire him to do an extermination call.  I doubt the motorhome would survive.

Miles traveled today, 284.  We hadn’t planned on that many miles, but circumstances required that we travel further today.  And as usual, we were equal to the task.  Especially Bill!

October 17, 2013---Lone Pine to Flying J in Barstow, CA

The sun was just peeking over the rock formations of the Alabama Hills when we did our Willie Nelson thing this morning...”On the road again...”

We drove south on Hwy. 395 to Barstow.  On the way, we drove through miles of nothing except Joshua Trees and sage brush.  There might be critters out there, but you couldn’t prove it by me.

We pulled into a Rest Area about an hour after leaving Lone Pine.  It was time for breakfast.  The temperature was 51°.  I’m glad we had a nice warm coach to eat in.

At Kramer Junction, we stopped to rest for a few minutes.  Soon afterwards, we could hear shooting.  We remembered that there was a Naval Air Weapons Station close by, and they must’ve been out practicing.  It was good to know we weren’t under attack.  These days, you never know.  Sad, isn’t it?

We drove on into Barstow, left the motorhome at Flying J, and went to In-N-Out (#8) for lunch.

Once we got back to the MH, I worked on crosses while Bill napped.  We went to Walmart because I needed a new tube of glue.  While we were there we found a cache in the parking lot.

Now I know that you readers who are not In-N-Out groupies will not understand, but the rest of you will.  We went back to In-N-Out (#9) for supper.  We won’t have many more chances for quite some time, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity!

Today’s Travel Totals:  Mileage, 154...Geocaches, one!

October 16, 2013---Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

After getting off to a late start this morning, we went into Lone Pine to wash the Honda.  It was terribly dirty.  Before going back home we went to McDonald’s for lunch.

We looked at the calendar and decided if we want to get to Santa Fe by the 24th, we needed to leave this area tomorrow.  We don’t like to do “thunder runs (400-500 miles a day)” anymore.  If it became necessary we would do it, with both of us driving, but it isn’t our first choice.

I made two crosses this afternoon.  I wanted to give Kristi and Ellen each one.  It had been some time since I had made any, so I had to do some thinking.  It came back quickly and all went well.

Another motorhome parked in our area today.  It was a small rental Class C.  We saw the people coming back from a hike so we went outside to talk to them.  They are from England.  We chatted for awhile and then invited them in to see our house.  She said they had been wanting to see what a bigger MH looked like.  Most things in their part of the world are smaller.  We had a really nice visit with them.

Not long after they left, Kristi and Ellen came to tell us goodbye.  We hope our paths will cross again someday.  Two years in a row we have parked in the same area, so we’re all hoping it will happen again.

October 15, 2013---Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

When we were in Lone Pine last fall we met two young ladies camping at the BLM campground where we were camped.  Kristie made fabric baskets to sell at the craft sale.  Well, they were at the festival this year.  Her friend, Ellen, helps her at her craft booth.

When we parked in the Alabama Hills last week, they were just down the hill from us.  We visited with Ellen, but Kristie was busy sewing, getting things ready to sell at this year’s craft sale.

When we moved back up into the Alabama Hills, we parked at the same place where we had been last week.  Their rigs were in the same places, too.

This morning we walked down the hill to see them.  Ellen has a teardrop trailer that she pulls with a Honda.  She showed us the inside.  It is very compact, with every inch of space being used.  The back opens up to make a kitchen, with a tiny two burner stove, etc.  It is all kind of like a doll house.  

Kristie’s Casita trailer was parked on down the road a bit.  She was in the process of cleaning house so we didn’t get a tour of her “digs.”  She came to visit us later in the morning.  It was nice to see her now that the Festival is finished.  She has some free time now.

When Lori and I took the class on beading on a loom, I made a blue bracelet that I wasn’t too pleased with.  It was woven too loosely.  I took it apart and remade it, being aware of making it tighter.  I finished it this afternoon and I really do like it.

Not a lot else was accomplished today except relaxing, but that was good, also.  We don’t know how long we will stay here before we head for Santa Fe to spend some time with my brother, Jim, and his wife, Peggy.

October 14, 2013---Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

While Bill moved the motorhome back to the Alabama Hills this morning, I took some things to the thrift store on Main Street.  Every time I have cleaned a cabinet, etc. in the house, I have been collecting items to donate.  The Honda is so full that we decided to take them to the little thrift store here, or the CRV might burst at the seams.

I stopped at Johnson’s Grocery Store for a few items before going up to the Hills.  As far as I know, Johnson’s is the only grocery store in town.  And their prices reflect the lack of competition.

Bill was really tired today and took several naps.  While he “inspected the insides of his eyelids,” I caught up on some office work.  Have I told you how much I am enjoying our new desk/table?  It is wonderful!  I still haven’t learned how to successfully put pictures on my blog, so until I do, please take my word about the desk.

Today, I booked my tickets for Thanksgiving with Brent and his tribe.  November 20-December 4.  I am really looking forword to seeing them.  I had told Sara I would talk to her dad about spending Thanksgiving with them.  She said, “Oh, you can come.”  I told Brent what she said, and he just chuckled.  “That’s my Sara!”

The weather was nice for the Film Festival.  We hope it continues.  Blue skies and cool temperatures make this a very pleasant place to be this time of year.

October 13, 2013---Lone Pine, CA

Bill left early this morning to watch the last two Westerns on the program that he had any interest in.  He’s such a good cowboy.  He has really enjoyed Lone Pine and so have I.

Today, however, I chose to stay home and clean out the freezer.  What fun, what fun!  I surely know how to have a good time.  Wow!  After taking care of that domestic chore, I finished a bracelet I had started a couple of days ago.

When Tex got home, we went across the dirt lot to McDonald’s for lunch.  We came back to the MH to eat and watch the Bronco game, but, alas, it wasn’t on our network.  Lori couldn’t get it either, but she was listening to the game on the radio.  She would text me every time someone scored.  The Broncos won!!!!

The bracelet I finished today was orange and blue...Bronco colors.  I was supporting the team in my own way, eh?

We have been using McDonald’s free wifi since we are so close.  We will be moving the coach back to the Alabama Hills tomorrow so we’ll be back to our own Internet connections.

October 12, 2013---Lone Pine, CA

We went to the VFW building for breakfast this morning. The sign on the railing of the ramp going to the building read “Tie your horses in back of the building.”  That’s a new one for me, I think!

After eating, we went to the rodeo to watch team roping for awhile.  Small town rodeos are usually very entertaining.  This one was no different.  It was a little strange seeing some of the cowboys and cowgirls in baseball caps rather than western hats.

While Bill went to watch a movie, I went to the craft show at the city park.  There were quite a few booths there as well as food vendors.  I was looking for Kristy, whom I met at last year’s festival.  She makes fabric baskets.  

I finally found her in a building on the main street.  That is where the celebrities sell their books and pictures, and sign autographs.  I didn’t get anything signed, but just walked around talking to some of them.  Some of them were very nice, and some of them are snobs, like Roy Roger’s daughter.  I have seen her at several festivals and she is always the same.

I went to a panel discussion on stunts.  It is always an interesting topic, hearing how a stunt scene might take 10 or 12 hours to set up and prefect.  And all for about two or three minutes of film.

We watched the Ducks game Bill recorded.  Oregon won against the University of Washington.  Hooray!  We also watched the NASCAR race from Charlotte.  Bill had recorded it, too.  He loves fast forwarding through the ads.

October 11, 2013---Lone Pine, CA

Today was a busy day at the Film Festival.  Bill started out at 7:00 with a movie.  Needless to say, it would have had to have been a “once in a lifetime” movie to get me up that early, but Old Tex was raring and ready to go.

At 11:00, I went to a panel discussion about Hopalong Cassidy.  It was very interesting.  One of the guys on the panel was a Hoppy impersonator.  His costume was very authentic and his knowledge of Hoppy was amazing.  Two of the others on the panel had a lot of interesting things to tell about the cowboy that Bill was named after.  I really enjoyed the presentation.

We went to McDonald’s for lunch.  While there, I saw a young woman (Monica) in full Western costume.  I was especially interested in the beaded hat band on her cowboy hat.  It was beautiful.  I commented on it and she said that her mother had made it.  The lady with her said that I did beading, also.  I don’t know how she knew, but she did!  Monica wanted to see some of my work so I pointed out our motorhome and invited her over. 

Monica came and spent about an hour with us.  She comes to every film festival and dresses at Linda Sterling.  She explained that Linda Sterling was in the very, very early Zorro movies and played the part of Zorro’s sister who took over the “cause for right”  after Zorro was killed.  We had never heard of that series.  I tried to find it on Wikipedia, but our Internet connection wasn’t able to get the information.  I’ll try again another time.  

Tonight we saw the movie, “Ride the High Country” starring Randolph Scott and Joel McCrae.  It was the first movie for Mariette Hartley.  She’s one of our favorites!  After the movie, there was a panel discussion with her and L. Q. Jones, who was also in the movie.  Joel McCrae’s grandson was in the audience, but he didn’t go on stage to talk about his “grandpa.”

I saw something very interesting today.  A man and woman were riding a motorcycle.  There was a side car attached and in it was a Golden Retriever, with his tail just wagging and wagging.  He was so happy!

October 10, 2013---Lone Pine, CA

We moved the coach into Lone Pine this morning and parked at a temporary RV lot that the city set up close to most of the festival action.  We are between McDonald’s and the rodeo arena.  We parked here last year, and it was very convenient.

After getting everything in order, we went to Karl’s Jr for lunch, took it back to the MH, and watched NASCAR practice from Charlotte.  Qualifying was set for 4:00.  We completely forgot about it so we didn’t get to see Jeff Gordon win the pole.

I am still trying to learn how to add pictures to my journal.  So far, I am not getting all the steps done correctly.  I want to show pictures of the Alabama Hills where so many movies have been filmed.  Some of our favorite Westerns were filmed here.  

Tomorrow, we start full force with the film festival.  Yee haw!

October 9, 2013---Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

Just as we went out geocaching this morning, it started to sprinkle.  When we got to the location of the first cache, it was 52° and more than just a few sprinkles were falling.  Br-r-r-r-r!  After logging our find, we decided to go into Lone Pine to continue the hunt.

The first one we found in town was at the Forest Service office complex.  Of course, it was closed because of the government shutdown, but that didn’t slow us down a bit.  It was a quick one to find.

From there, we drove south on Hwy. 395 to Diaz Lake.  The cache was at the edge of the lake and Bill was able to find it very quickly.  Since we have never spent time here, we took a drive around to the other side of the lake.  There were lots of dry camping spaces, many of them reserved for the film festival weekend.

When we got home, we both decided it was a good day to stay inside, sit by the “fireplace,” and drink hot chocolate.

October 8, 2013---Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

We went into Lone Pine this morning.  I needed to go to the Post Office and to register for the Film Festival.  The PO was open...the registration place was not.

When we got home Bill finished installing our new LED lights.  That was a big undertaking, but the results made it worth it.  We have so much better lighting now and the new lights should take less power to run.

I spent some time today taking care of odd jobs around the house.  I can’t actually say I accomplished very much.  That seems to be the story of my life lately.

Mid afternoon I went back into town to mail a package and to register for the festival.  There are going to be some interesting panel discussions.  Hopefully, I will have great things to report.

Did you know that insanity in inherited?  We get it from our kids!

October 7, 2013---Bishop to the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

It was 11:00 when we left the parking lot at Von’s.  We stopped for fuel before heading south.  Our plans were to stop in Big Pine to do some geocaching, but we couldn’t find a suitable place to park.  The next time through the area, perhaps we will try harder.

As soon as we arrived in Lone Pine, we drove west to the Alabama Hills.  It is the site of many, many films, mostly westerns.  That’s right up Bill’s alley, eh?

We usually park a BLM campground not very far from here, but because of the government shutdown, that area is closed.  

During the actual Lone Pine Film Festival, we park in an area between McDonald’s and the rodeo arena.  That puts us close to the “action” and makes it really convenient for all of the festival activities.  It also allows us a place to rest between events.  

We went into back into Lone Pine on a couple of errands.  After using the Internet at McDonald's we headed for the hills.

I made Taco Soup for dinner.  We watched it closely this time so it wouldn’t end up like the vegetable soup yesterday.  Tonight everything was fine!

October 6, 2013---Bishop, CA

We went to McDonald’s for a late breakfast and to use their Internet connection.  It was a good place to sit and take care of some messages, app updates, and things like that.

We got back home in time for the start of the NASCAR race.  We watched the first part of it and then recorded the rest so Super Race Car Driver could inspect the insides of his eyelids...aka take a nap.

The race was still going round and round when the Bronco football game from Dallas kicked off.  We alternated between watching football and racing for most of the afternoon.  

When the race was over, we switched over to the game, only to discover that the “gizmo” hooked to the TV stopped recording the football game with less than two minutes left.  

I called Michelle to see what we had missed.  It seems as if we missed a very exciting finish.  With three seconds to go, Denver kicked a field goal and won the game.  I was really bummed that we didn’t get to see the exciting finish, but very glad the Broncos won.

My efforts at domesticity completely bombed today.  I made vegetable soup.  It was simmering nicely when I started working on a beading project.  I forgot all about the soup until it ran dry and started to scorch the pan.  So much for my culinary efforts.  I think I’ll just stick to toast!  

Bill, bless his heart, went to KFC for our dinner.  While we ate, we watched a movie, Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams!  We enjoyed both Bill’s dinner and Robin’s entertainment.

October 5, 2013---Bishop, CA

At 8:00 this morning, we went to the Tri County Fairgrounds, not far from where we have the motorhome parked.  There was a full schedule of events planned for today.

Our first place to stop was at the pancake breakfast, sponsored by the local Lions Club.  The pancakes and sausages were good and so was visiting with the couple sharing the table with us.  They were from Nevada and in Bishop for the car show.

With happy tummies, Bill went to the Car Show and I went to the Swap Meet.  I have no idea how many cars were at the show, but there were a lot.

The Swap Meet had a lot of sellers with a wide variety of items to sell.  Present were lots and lots of buyers, me included.  I went to just about all the booths.  My problem was that I bought several things right after I got there so I had some heavy purchases to pack around the rest of the morning.  

One of the vendors was a black guy singing as he worked around his booth.  He had a really good voice.  I bought something from him and he said, “I will have to charge you for this bag.  Oh, here is an old bag I can let you have for free.  Every time I look at it, I think of my sister-in-law, because she’s an old bag, too.”  When I good-naturedly scolded him for his comment, he said, “You just haven’t seen my sister-in-law!”  It’s always fun to meet someone with a sense of humor.

Bill had called to tell me he was walking back to the coach.  When we came into the fairgrounds we had followed some of the Car Show cars and parked fairly close to their registration table.  When I left, I went to the gate we had come in earlier.  It was locked.  Every place I tried to gain freedom was either locked or was a dead end.

I asked a lady walking along, where I could get out.  She pointed toward a trailer and said that might be a way.  It wasn’t!  It would have taken me to the Car Show area and I thought the Honda was too dirty to convenience anyone that I was an entry in the show.

I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the lady waving at me.  I turned around and went to her where she was unwiring a gate to let me out.  Then she rewired the gate.  It surely was nice to have a new helpful friend.

I hadn’t been back at the MH for very long when there was a knock at the door.  When we were camping at a BLM campground in Lone Pine last October, we met Craig and Betty and their scruffy little dog, Sammy.  They had read on my blog where we were parked here in Bishop and looked us up.  It was great to see them and, of course, I had treats for Sammy.  I also got to scratch his tummy for a few minutes and that made my day!

Bill and I relaxed most of the afternoon while we watched the Oregon Ducks beat the University of Colorado  It started out as a somewhat close game, but then the Ducks “turned on the heat” and won 57-16!

Sammy

October 4, 2013---Bishop, CA

The weather was much better this morning.  I spent some time working on my bead organization project.

We went to Taco Bell for lunch.  Afterwards, we decided to hunt for a couple of caches.  They were both northwest of town.  We drove for several miles along a canal.  We had to walk about a tenth of a mile to actually get to the cache site.  Bill made a good find, we signed the log and drove to the second one.

We weren’t so lucky with this one.  We spent about 20 minutes searching for it and then claimed a DNF.  Oh, well!  As they say in baseball, you win some, you lose some, and some get rained out.

There is a K-Mart in this shopping center where we are parked.  While Bill rested, I went shopping.  I haven’t been to a K-Mart in a coon’s age, whatever that means.  It was nice to stroll around the store at a leisurely pace.  I don’t very often do that.

I worked really hard on my project when I got home.  I have just a tiny bit more to do and I can claim the bead organization project finished.  Yippy, Skippy!

October 3, 2013---Bishop, CA

After a lazy start this morning, we set out to find some geocaches.  We have cached here in Bishop several times and have done all the in-town caches.  Today we drove into a pasture, but couldn’t get very close to the hiding place.  There were barbed wire fences between us and success.  

Before we got to the next “hidden treasure” a strong wind began to blow.  We were on a dirt road beside a canal.  Were made a quick find, but decided to call it quits for the day.  

On our way back into Bishop, a highway sign warned of high winds and suggested that trailers stay off the road.  We were certainly glad this isn’t a necessary travel day.

The wind brought with it a drop in temperature.  Bill got the catalytic heater. out of the basement and hooked up.  Natalia called it our fireplace and it felt that good today.  The only problem is that we can’t roast marshmallows.  Shucks!

I started on a bracelet and worked on it for quite awhile, but didn’t finish it.  After dinner, I did some more sorting and cleaning out of beading supplies.  Hopefully, I will get the bracelet finished tomorrow so I can send a picture.

October 2, 2013---Manteca to Von’s Supermarket, Bishop, CA

As soon as we got on the road this morning, I called the Park Service to see if we would be able to take Hwy. 120 across the northern part of Yosemite.  It has been closed because of the government shutdown.  We were told we could drive the route, but we would not be allowed to use any of the pullouts and there were no services available.  

About 40 miles from Manteca, I began not feeling well.  I thought it might be motion sickness because of the curves, but I’ve never had car sickness before.  Then there was the elevation gain, but that’s not a problem with me, either.  I counted out food poisoning, also.  I’m fairly sure I’m not pregnant, so that just leaves hunger.  I perked up after a snack, so that must’ve been the  problem.  A midmorning snack was just what I needed.

When we got to the park entrance, there was a stop sign.  Bill rolled up to it and just kept right on going.  Oh, no!  I had visions of having to spend the night in the slammer.  Actually, the person in the entrance building was on the phone and waved us through, according to Super Driver.  I like my version better.  It sounds much more exciting!

It was a very twisty road going to the top of Tioga Pass made more excitint by the crazy people on the road with us.  At one point, a car three ahead of us stopped on the road.  We nearly landed on top of the convertible in front of us.  

Appearantly, most people didn’t get the message about not using the pulloffs.  At one of them, there were probably 20 cars and one tour bus stopped.  We went around a curve and there was a woman standing in the middle of the highway, taking a picture.  Bill use the air horn and she ran off the road just as we got there.  Yikes!

We reached Hyw. 395 without further incidence and continued on south to Bishop where we parked at the Von’s parking lot.

  

Today’s Travel Totals:  Mileage, 222---Highest elevation, 9945.

October 1, 2013---Walnut Creek to Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, CA

We decided that before we did a “Willie Nelson” and got “on the road again,” we needed to go back to Verizon.  Bill had some questions he wanted answered about our Mifi.

Once that was taken care of, Bill was tired from the ordeal and wanted to take a nap before we ventured out into traffic.  So, alas, it was noon before we sang along with Willie Nelson. 

When we arrived in Tracy, the first sign I saw was for In-N-Out.  Of course, I “squawked” to go there for a late lunch.  We were able to park at Super Walmart, about a mile away.  

Lunch was great.  The bonus was a geocache in the In-N-Out parking lot.  That was a double treat.  Wow!

After a trip to Walmart for a few groceries, we drove on to Manteca.  We have parked at the Bass Pro Shop on several other occasions, so it was kind of like “old home week” to stop there. 

Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 57---Geocaches, 2---Critters, 1 llama---In-N-Out, #7.