Day 7-8 of our trip.

Monday, May 16, 2011 

Day 9, California Trip

Right now I am sitting in the RV tucked under a highway in Sacramento, CA.  We have just arrived having left Mary’s around 9:30 this morning.  It was an easy 3 hour – no wrong turns kind of drive.  A little rain off and on mixed with sun.  Bob decided on a downtown exit that was a great call!  We knew this 2^nd stage of the race finished downtown by the capital.  We parked at a 2 hr spot, took the bikes off the rack, got Bucky into the backpack and pedaled toward the capital.  Within a few blocks of parking Bob spotted some of Sacramento’s finest, stopped introduced himself and started chatting.  Seeing that I was hungry I wanted to find out first if our parking spot was going to be ok, since we were going to be more than 2 hours.  They quickly informed us that the parking enforcement division didn’t give any breaks – even ticketing unmarked squads!  So lucky we asked.  And what a nice group of guys.  After giving us a brochure about the race they directed us to the nearby train station RV/bus parking.  Bob expertly backed it into two level spots and went to get the parking sticker.

The race should be ending at the capital around 3:00 pm with a 4 lap finish. 

Now backing up to Saturday, May 14  - day 7 (since Bob failed to compose the ships log for the last two days).  We woke to grey skies so unable to get a sunrise picture again.  I  missed getting a picture of the sun rise yesterday because the camera was in the RV and we weren’t.    Mary put breakfast foods out early – so we could be ready at 9:00 when the farmers market opened.  We drove into town and with exceptionally good timing we met Sheila Ochowicz who was just arriving.  We stopped at a few shops, Fideaux, a dog store, to buy Bucky a new Kong since we forgot his at home and he loves to have that thing with peanut butter as a treat to work on when we leave him alone.  We went on to Farmers market for a bit and then we decided it was time to think about eating.  I just love vacations with girls – we are always thinking about food!  Mary decided on a cute place in the town of Geyserville.  The lunch was great!  I split pizza with Sheila and we each had wonderful soup.  Bob had Mary’s fried egg on my bread and he was happy as always!  We finished lunch and drove back to Mary’s.   Sheila, Bob and I got ready for a bike ride.  Mary gave us directions for an 11 mile loop.  We put the bikes in her pickup truck since it’s pretty dangerous to ride down into town with the winding narrow roads and fast cars.  We parked, took a picture and off we went.  What a beautiful ride!  Saw lots of bike riders, vineyards and lots of rose bushes.  We added a few miles and ended after 20 miles to go back and jump in the pool and hot tub. (Bob is taking over the log spot now since Paula is making the smoothies, more about that later) Paula and Sheila made a fab dinner, Erin Schneeman’s mustard chicken pasta. 

Sunday, May 15^th, we decided to stay at Mary’s and have fun and then watch the television coverage of the 1^st stage of the race.  We went for an early hike at Sonoma Lake Park.  Buck again thought he was in heaven.  He could run free of the leash and sniff everything.  Then lunch at Mary’s (finally I can get a grilled cheese).  We curled up with blankets to watch the tour coverage at 2:00.  Phil and Paul came on the screen with snow coming down and told us they cancelled the 1^st stage due to snow and ice.  Good thing we hadn’t driven up to Tahoe to see that.  So, we got to do my favorite thing.  Relax.  And snack.  Paula, Sheila, and I went for a nice woods hike around Mary’s property, more heaven for Buck. We got done with the hike and  Insert - Paula here again - Bob forgot I got to do some lap swimming in Mary's salt water pool.  Bucky has been barking at us when we've been swimming - he didn't want to join us in the pool, he just didn't want us in there.  So this morning I told Bob I really wanted to swim without Bucky bugging me so could he please hold onto him if he was going to be at the pool with me.  It was the greatest!!  Mary asked me why I liked it so much.  I mentioned my new googles, wearing the swim cap so hair wasn't in my eyes - it's a bright yellow Alcatraz swim cap James gave me a few years ago.  James has done the Alcatraz triathalon numerous times, and lately gets up to swim at the St. Kate's pool up the block from our house.  Finally I get to use it - and it couldn't have been at a better pool ever! - and I got the whole pool to myself - didn't matter if I swam like a wiggle worm I wouldn't be in anyone's way.  And if I got a really bad charlie-horse due to the fact I haven't really swam laps since I was pregnant with Eric, Sheila could jump in and save me.  I'm sure 
Bob would throw me a towel and say grab on!  But the really best thing about swimming in Mary's clorine free pool is the scenery.  Because I don't have proper form with the whole turning the neck and keeping the mouth only slightly out of the water to get air - I turn my head and my shoulders sort of follow, so I could see the roof top of the house.  The other direction I could see the green lucious grass!  I swam for about 40 minutes before I took a nice hot outdoor shower.  Then we had another nice dinner that Mary made and of course nice wine, more relaxing - no check Bucky for tics since we spotted one on the floor, then Sheila left to drive back home and shortly after we went off to bed. 

That’s it for our weekend with Mary.  We had a great time and now have wonderful memories and pictures.  The next log entry you read will be the 1^st bike race coverage.  Hope you enjoy.    

Day 6 of the trip.

Friday, May 13^th, day 6 of our trip.

Hi everybody.  Paula told me since I didn’t have to drive the rig today, I have to type the log.  I begged and pleaded with her to no avail.  So, bear with me here.  Great day.  Weather was just right.  We made waffles for breakfast (thank you Connie for the waffle maker).  We mostly sat around and relaxed.  Around lunch time we took a drive in Mary’s Mercedes (Mary let me drive, very nice car, I didn’t push it too hard though since I didn’t bring my helmet and fire suit) up the valley to find a lunch stop.  We ended up at the Frances Ford Coppola winery.  Lovely lunch.  We did some shopping for knick-knacks in the winery store.  I just love perusing stores for knick-knacks.  I’m sure the wine would taste great if I drank wine.  Noticed a Bentley and a Vette in the lot.  Came back to Mary’s for more relaxation.  We went swimming and Buck checked out the water some more in the pool.  He still isn’t too sure about it.  I think with some more good exposure to swimming he’s going to like it.  More relaxing.  Paula and I played some tennis.  I didn’t bring my tennis outfit though, darn.  We stayed in for dinner (yee-haw, I was plum tuckered out from all the knick-knacking we did today).  Had wonderful conversation with Mary.  And now we’re turning in.  Actually Paula has been asleep for some time whilst I’ve been struggling through this log entry.   So, that’s about it.  Oh ya, did I tell you we did some relaxing today?  Thanks for dropping by.  I’m going to start up the RV tomorrow and drive around Mary’s yard so I don’t have to type the log. 

Day 5 of the trip.

May 12, 2011

Day 5 – After the 4:00 am train whistled we went back to sleep until 6:00.  Woke to the sun shining and a blue sky!  Wanted to get an early start so we pulled out of the KOA and headed to California via Hwy 80.  At around 9:30 we pulled into a rest area with a mountain view and it was snow cover beauty.  The rest stop picnic tables were nestled amongst the pines.  We sat at a table with our cereal bowls and cereal and enjoyed the view.  Shortly after sitting down a Hummer pulled in next to us with a car hauler with Ferrari decals. Also, were the words “Scuderia Experience”.  Well, of course Bob wanted to find out if that really was the car being transported so he saw the driver come out of the Hummer and went to talk to him. The guy opened the trailer and there was a F430 Scuderia!. Later, Bob googled it to check the price.  Around 275,000!  Oh, and his car hauler had a big screen TV.  Who has time for TV when working on the car?

Before we got underway I asked Bob about our route.  I had been looking over the map and decided we should re-route since I thought we could cut-off quite a few miles if we cut over from Sacramento to Healdsburg instead of going down to San Francisco and then back up.  My one contribution to the navigation on the trip – since I haven’t participated in the behind the wheel it was the least I could do!

We had a magnificent trip through Nappa Valley and Sonoma.  We arrived in Healdsburg at 1:15 and parked on a road Connie, Katie and I had parked on for a morning run, right outside a Vineyard.  We called Mary around 2:15 to make sure she had arrived and she said come on up!  The RV made it up with no problem – Bob locked it into first gear and climbed up the hill.  Mary was in meetings with “her people” in the driveway – landscaping types, so of course Bob had to give them the air horns – several times.  We met Mary’s handyman, Francis, who had mowed the field next to the driveway so that is where we set up “camp” with the motor home.

Since Mary was busy with appointments we decided to go for a run with Buck and hopefully tire Buck out before we introduced him to Mary’s house.  The run was great, met quite a few of Mary’s neighbors as they drove by and waved.  One stopped to say hello thinking I was Mary.  We finished the run – and yes Buck wanted to pull me faster up Mary’s hill, which took me 2 minutes, 38 seconds-

After our run Mary joined us down at the pool.  Buck ran around the pool sprinting lap after lap. Until he spotted Mary’s pool cleaning contraption.  He walked down the steps into the pool where Bob and Mary were standing.  Then he decided he needed to check-out the moving hoses on the cleaner.  So, thinking the water was the same depth across he lunged toward the hoses only to discover there was now deep water beneath him.  Once he got to the other side of the pool he decided that was enough for swimming!   I decided I better try out the pool since Mary said we were the first in for this season.  It was a bit chilly, but an avid swimmer like James and Anne would say it was perfect for doing a workout.  I did get Buck into the pool but only to the step.  He didn’t want to join me.  In fact he cried when I was doing a few laps – Bob thinks he was worried about me!  After the swim we changed for dinner and drove into town to eat at Baci.  Our meal was delicious, as well as the red wine Mary choose.  The night was beautiful and the night air was just beginning to cool as we walked back to the car.  As we headed back to Mary’s, Cousin Jerry called to comment on “American Idol”.  Since he was an hour ahead of us he knew the results but wouldn’t tell us.  American Idol is one show Mary watches so we decided to watch before we called it a night.  I grabbed my unfinished glass of wine and we headed into the TV room, Mary carrying the Chocolate biscotti for dessert.  After the show Bob & I went to the RV to get Buck and our night bags because we were sleeping in one of  Mary’s guest  bedrooms – Mary said the sun rise is wonderful.  Bob and Buck had since started dreaming as I finished up writing the days events.    

Day 4 of the RV trip to California

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Day 4 – Flying J wake up to more grey skies and light rain – perfect!  Rain would stop by the time we got on the road.  Decided to sleep in.  By 7:30 took Bucky out to explore the grass area, as we were tucked in with all the other semi trucks in the massive cement parking lot.  Made eggs and toast for breakfast before Bob would purchase new wiper blades – hopefully just in time for sunshine!

While Bob worked on the wiper blades I checked my work emails and Bucky proceeded to destroy Kleenex from the garbage bag until Bob pounded on the window to get him to stop.  We drove off around 10:30 and shortly after Eric called for his daily route check-in.  Knowing we were leaving Salt Lake he suggested we stop at the Salt Flats and take a picture.  We did see the Salt Flats – but much of the area was still covered in water, either from the rain or snow melt.  As we drove the sun would come out, followed by rain and the sun again.  And so we drove on enjoying the magnificent mountains for our scenery, Bob taking pictures along the way.

Ok-I didn’t finish the day with my final entry and it is now Thursday.  Our afternoon yesterday was spent driving through Vegas and we took our break around 5:30 pm in Reno.  We found a Walmart, parked and got ready for a run.  Bucky couldn’t believe it- another run off-lease  Actually our trail run was better suited for mountain goats!  And we were at altitude – Bob says 10,000 feet (but I know better).  After our run we cleaned up and went into Walmart to find frozen dinner, an ice bag and ice for Bob’s swollen ankle – old nagging problem that flared up probably due to all the driving.  Bob also checked-in with a store manager just to make sure it was ok to park overnight.  Not to my surprise overnight parking was not allowed.  I had commented when we drove in that the neighborhood seemed ritzie – our trail run was in an area was an area of land in the middle of fancy houses.  The manager told us just go get back on the highway and go about 4 miles to Boomtown.  It is the last big exit before California.  Boomtown is a huge casino area and she said all the truckers park there for overnight sleeping.  We found the place no problem and proceeded to park.  Before we shut down a gentleman walked up to the drivers side to talk to Bob.  He said he was driving a Prevost bus/camper and the security guard for the casino said campers couldn’t park in this lot but were allowed at the KOA down the block.  We could park in section H free of charge from the usually $44/night just for one night.  So we happily drove over there and spent a quiet night until the 4:00 am train sounded the horns! 

Paula's "Ship's Log" of our RV trip to California

Paula has been keeping the "Ship's Log" for our trip.  In case anybody wants to come along with us vicariously.  Enjoy.

California Trip – Wed. May 11, 2011

Day 3 and I’ve decided to type the trip log instead of writing in the journal. 

We started the trip on Sunday, May 8 at 4:00 pm.  Drove to Hartford SD and slept in a RV sales/service place. (see journal for more details). 

 Monday, May 9 – Driving through South Dakota. It was grey and rainy but the rain was light and sporadic so not bad.  Around 3:00 Bob thought it would be good to find some place to go running so when he spotted the Black Hills National Forest visitor center he decided to pull in and ask about hiking trails.  Ginger, the information lady sent us on our way with maps and the reassurances that yes the RV would get through the roads just fine.  We probably wouldn’t see anybody else around.  We missed the turn-off but were able to find a lot that Bob maneuvered the RV around in without any problem – of course!  When we found the road we were looking for we both decided it certainly wasn’t marked so anyone could actually see the sign that was in the bushes.  The gravel roads leading to our hiking paths gave our bikes quite the dusting!  But it was all worth it!  Bucky was in heaven – running ahead, stopping to make sure we were still coming- and then running on ahead again.  He is really good about coming back when he starts getting too far ahead of us.  The trails were great, not too treacherous, but Bob did manage to scrape his left side of his face and he didn’t even remember running into any thing.  He didn’t know he had the scrape until I asked him about it. After the run we showered and got back on the road for a bit more driving before dinner. After driving about an hour, we decided to pull over in a school parking lot and have some dinner while we watched the lightening storm and the massive rain storm.  Bob broke open the new waffle griddle Connie just gave us for our trip.  It was great!  Bob made the waffles!  We have been eating with my red rose at the table – quite elegant – MJ gave it to me on Mother’s day.  We only forgot to stow it in the kitchen sink once when in route and it didn’t even tip and spill all over the computer!  Slowly it is loosing it’s petals but for now it graces our meals.

Bob decided he wanted to drive some more so off we went in the rain.

During the drive, we listened to “Marley and Me” book on CD that Sue Bauer lent us for the trip.  The story is all about a yellow lab- Marley- who is really, really rambunctious, He has issues regarding obedience, storms etc.  I think Sue wanted us to see how good Bucky is compared to this canine!  

We drove until about 10:00 pm and found a city park –rest stop in Wright, Wyoming.  It had a nice play area and a pond with ducks.  We went to bed to the sound of rain.  We woke the next morning with an RV parked right next to us – didn’t even hear them come in!

Tuesday, May 10 – outside temp 38!

We have started the last couple of days by rising around 6:00 and after taking Bucky out for his morning duty getting on the road for a little while before pulling off for breakfast RV style.

 

Yesterday when we pulled-over for breakfast we decided to pull into a water park that wasn’t open yet for the season.  The lot was empty except for recycling containers and one older camper parked at one end.  When we finished eating and decided to get on the road Bob started up the engine and started pulling out.  At that exact moment an elderly woman, sunglass clip-ons – in her Buick decided to pull in for recycling drop off.  It was a stand-off!  Bob had to back up and as he started to back-up she made her b-line on our left to the bins – not much room but by-God she was going to recycle now!  She just kept smiling and leaning into her steering wheel.  One of those – what the heck- moments.  Bob just said –“Well she is driving a Buick”- car of elderly choice! 

Trip route Tuesday was through Wyoming.  Light rain and grey skies – good for driving.  As the day went on and we got closer to Salt Lake City Utah, the rains turned to large snow flakes but nothing sticking to the ground.  We called nephew Mike earlier in the day to check his plans.  He was free for dinner so we would drive to his apt.  Mike came out to meet us in the RV and shortly after his girlfriend Sarah arrived.  What a cutie!  We asked Mike to pick a restaurant so he drove us all to “Porcupine” a very “hopping” place.  We sat upstairs in the balcony with skylights looking out into the mountains.  The food & beer was great!  We drove back to Mike’s and I made chocolate chip cookies while Mike and Sarah read the directions to “Qwirkle” a new game Connie gave Bob for his birthday.  It’s sort of like dominos with color and shapes.  Sarah had to leave to go check on things at work so Bob, Mike and I finished up the game before saying good-bye.  Mike and I tied with 101 points!  Mike and Bob decided it would be good to avoid morning traffic so we would drive to the Flying J about 10 miles down the highway and sleep there for the night.  Mike had a 9:00 am weight workout to get to in the morning so we hugged good-bye, yes Bucky even got hugs from Mike, and off we went.

Picture update

I just figured out some of the pictures of the truck are messed up. I did some re-organizing of my Picasa albums and apparently that screwed something up here. So, here's a good shot of the truck, and Paula.

And now our camper is all tucked in nice and warm for the winter. I started tearing apart the kitchen to put in a oven. It had a counter top 2 burner cook top and a convection microwave. The convection m/w was too small for proper baking. So, I'm putting in a stove with a nice big oven.