September 7, 2014---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

This morning, I continued on my quilting project.  I didn’t make any mistakes that I know of.  I am in need of some more fabric so I hope Lori will be able to help me with that.  She knows the good places to shop for that kind of thing.

JP, my MAC guru, came to help me with some things.  He has so much knowledge and I have so little.  There were several areas I needed his help on and, as usual, he came through like a champ.  And then Grandpa needed some help.  Not as much as me, but some, nonetheless.

After we finished the computer lessons/fixes, we sat and talked.  JP is such a special person in our lives, and we are very happy when we can spend some time with him.

Bill and I went to Lori’s late this afternoon.  She and her dad went to Panda Express to bring dinner back to her townhouse.  That’s always a good choice.  While we ate we watched the Bronco game.  At half time, we came back to finish the game at home.  They had a good first half, but lagged during the second half.  Fortunately, they were able to hold the Colts off, but it wasn’t pretty.

Up date---In-N-Out count as of yesterday, 17.

September 6, 2014---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

The Elks Lodge sponsored a dog show today.  It was a small one, but it was their first time to have the event.  I don’t think the Westminster Kennel Club needs to be concerned about the competition, but it was a fun event.  There were seven booths, plus the Boy Scouts serving lunch.

One of the activities was the dog competition.  There weren’t very many entries, but it was a fun event to watch.  One was for best costume.  The dog in the hula skirt won.  It was the only entry.  Just before it entered the “ring” the grass skirt fell off.  It was funny.  If Maddie had been there in her scuba diving costume I’m sure she would have won the blue ribbon.  

The dog with blue eyes won for the prettiest eyes  There were about five entries for that one.  Hapa, if you had been here you would have won with your one brown eye and one blue eye.  And Joey would be a shoo in for the best trick...two tennis balls in his mouth at once.  A “dancing dog” beat out two others.

Of about seven entries in the tail wagging contest, the winner was the only one to wag its tail.  The others were a big disappointment to their owners, I’m sure.  Willie, where were you?  You would have knocked all the rest out of the contest, both literally and figuratively.

Tucker certainly would be the winner of the most obedient.  When Lori walks him, he seldom leaves her side.

There was a droopy ear contest, with only one entry.  Maybe next time they will have a prize for “tippy ears.”  That would be yours to win, Max.

There was a lot of good information on rescue dogs and on service dogs.  I was particularly interested in how dogs can be trained to help people with diabetes.  Two vendors of pet supplies had booths.  I was able to do a little Christmas shopping.

Natalia came at 2:00 with Tucker and Maddie.  The show was already over, so we all went to In-N-Out for a late lunch.  I’m sure all five of us had naps in mind when we parted company.  I know Rip and I did.

Bill and I watched Oregon whip up on Michigan State and then watched the NASCAR race.  Jeff was second.  It wasn’t a particularly exciting race, but it must have been a hot one.  Jimmie Johnson collapsed from heat exhaustion and had to be taken to the Infield Care Center on a stretcher.  I think it was a wonder he finished the race!  

September 5, 2014---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

Happy Birthday, Connor.  Eighteen years old already.  Where did the time go to!  Make your celebration on this day a wonderful one.

I spent most of today working on my quilt project.  I am so out of practice.  It is discouraging because it makes me more aware of my advancing age.  Yuck!  I am really having to pay attention to the measurements.  Tonight I cut a piece of fabric the wrong size and now I have to figure how to correct my mistake.  Yes, I do love a challenge.

The Elks Lodge where we are parked had a special event today.  And the parking lot was full to overflowing.  It was a dedication ceremony for a CHP officer shot in the line of duty two years ago.  He was issuing a traffic citation at the I-680/Hwy. 24 interchange, which was named in his honor.  On the news tonight, the story covered by two TV stations, it was reported to be the most dangerous intersection in the state.  And I can tell you it is not my favorite place to drive.

Natalia and Mario drive it every day going to their jobs.  But they both agree, traffic is terrible here.  Bill said since being here he has had to learn all over again how to tailgate, because if you don’t, you don’t get anywhere!

When writing my blog the night after we got here in Walnut Creek, I forgot to add to my 2014 count of In-N-Out meals.  The count is now to 16, and I fully expect to add several more visits before we leave this area.

September 4, 2014---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

This morning on Good Morning, America, the new Dancing With the Stars cast was introduced.  NASCAR driver and car owner Michael Waltrip is one of the stars.  That should be interesting.  He’s kind of a clown.  The new series starts in ten days.

Lori and I went to the new Hobby Lobby store in Concord today.  At least I think we were in Concord.  Everything in that area just seems to run into each other.  The store was very nice and very big.  We didn’t spend a lot of time there, but I hope to go back again and just wander around.  They had a huge area of Christmas items.  I know most of you think it is too early for those things to be out, but for those of us who make gifts, it is not too early to start.  In fact, it may be just about getting to be too late.

We went to Sam’s Club for lunch.  I know it is in Concord!  The store has been enlarged and rearranged.  But they still have good hot dogs.

After lunch, we went by Lori’s storage unit to get her sewing machine.  She had a dress she needed to alter.  And I have started a quilting project.  I thought those days were over, but I guess not!  I am going to try to get the machine work started while I am here, quilt on the road, and finish the machine work when we are at Michelle’s in Loveland.

Natalia cooked dinner tonight.  She made lasagna in the crock pot.  It was just like cooking it in the oven.  It was so good.  I had never thought of doing it in a slow cooker.  That’s something I could do in the motorhome, if I were of a mind to, that is.

Bill came for dinner.  We sat on the patio to eat.  The weather was so pleasant.  It was a treat to sit out like that.

September 3, 2014---Klamath River Rest Area to Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

Super Driver was sitting in the driver’s seat driving down the road at 6:40.  I was traveling in the same direction, but from the back of the MH where I was sleeping in the bed.

I was in the copilot seat by the time we pulled into a Rest Area to eat breakfast.  I never miss a meal!  Bill also took time for a nap while I took care of some minor chores.

We stopped south of Corning at the Rolling Hills Casino for fuel.  Diesel was $4.03. Ugh!  After stopping at another Rest Area to dump the holding tanks, we were on the road again, heading for Walnut Creek.

We parked at the Elks Lodge and paid for a week.  It was about 3:00 by then.  We spent the remainder of the afternoon resting and cooling off.  The temp was in the mid 90s today.

In-N-Out was my choice for dinner tonight.  No one argued.  And it was so good.  Yum, yum!

Bill talking about race cars and Mario and Lori hanging on his every word.

It was good to see Lori and Natalia and Mario and JP and Rosy.  JP is my Mac guru.  I have asked for some special help while we are here.  Bill and I both have questions for him.

September 2, 2014---Eugene, Oregon to Klamath River Rest Area, California

September 2, 2014---Eugene, Oregon to Klamath River Rest Area, California

Our appointment for the motorhome was at 1:00.  Just as we were about to eat breakfast, a technician came to get the “house.”  We didn’t mind being taken in four hours early.  And it was a good excuse to go to McDonald’s for breakfast.

The booth next to us was occupied by a homeless man.  Don’t worry!  I didn’t try to engage him in conversation.  I thought it would rude to interrupt him.  He was talking to himself and continued his narrative the entire time we were there!

We went to Costco for gasoline and to a Post Office to mail Connor’s birthday card.  We had been back at Kaiser for about half an hour when they took the MH out for a “joy ride,” aka a test drive.  Everything seemed to be OK.

At 12:15, we were doing our Willie Nelson thing, “on the road again,” going toward California.  The drive south on I-5 is really pretty.  Lots of trees and pastures to look at.  Many of the fields were planted with corn.  And of course, there were blackberries covering most of the fences.  

The weather was nice most of the time we were in the Eugene area.  It was warmer than we might have liked, but the Honda has a good air conditioner and so does the MH.  We were able to run around a lot and get cool when we got home.  We didn’t suffer much.  

Today there were lots of white, fluffy clouds with small patches of blue.  We met several semis loaded with pumpkins.  That’s a sure sign of autumn.  Years ago, when I was teaching second grade, I wrote a poem for my class.

My pumpkin has a funny face

As funny as can be. 

He’s snaggle toothed and cross-eyed,

But he’s beautiful to me!

Of course, you know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The further south we drove in Oregon, the drier and hotter it got.  There are still lots of trees, but not the forests like we have been driving through, but that started to change as we started up the Siskiyous and got to a higher elevation.  I like the vegetation at higher altitudes.  It was a long climb up to the pass to 4,300 feet.  Bill likes thicker air...more air at lower elevations.

We were in very heavy truck traffic when we crossed the California state line.  I yahooed quite loudly, but Bill just pretended to honk.  He didn’t want to deal with road rage from the “big guys.”

It was nearly 5:15 when we pulled into the Klamath River Rest Area.  Mileage for today was 208.  Not bad for our first day on the road.  Willie Nelson would approve, I’m sure!

September 1, 2014---Kaiser Brake and Alignment, Eugene, Oregon

After a rather lazy morning, I did manage to accomplish a thing or two.  It was Labor Day.  Does that mean I’m suppose to work or take the day off?  I’m not really very sure, so I covered all my bases.  I sort of worked and kind of took the day off, too.

I was able to solve the problem of the finish on the alcohol ink necklaces, I think.  I changed the way I applied the acrylic, using a watercolor brush with fine bristles.  I put the final coat on tonight so I will be able to pack them all away.

Hopefully, we will be able to leave Eugene tomorrow.  They haven’t given us a specific appointment time, but we are hoping to get the coach in early.

I don’t have much to report on tonight.  I only went out of the motorhome once today and that was to get a paint brush out of one of the basement storage places.  I’m usually more of a gad about than that, but it was nice to stay in and do some odd jobs!