Well, we have just returned from the first of several ice cream socials being held at the rally. Decadent!! We made a stop at the party in progress. My new best friend is the security guard, one of two hired for the party. It's unbelievable and so colourful!
Definition from google search: "The quinceanera party, with its throng of family and friends, shines a happy light on the 15-year-old Latina as she moves from childhood to womanhood".
The security guard is latino and a single Mum of several daughters who spent $15,000. on a quinceanero party for two of her daughters, 15 & 18, a couple of years ago. She said this family spent over $20,000. on this party! It's bigger than a wedding and very common in the latino community. It is almost 10:30pm here and the party started at 4:00pm. The music and dancing are still going on. I took a couple of pictures but they don't really do it justice.
Love to all, Janet
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Spring 2011 - We were snowbirds from mid-January until mid-April. Our travels with Kingsley included CA, AZ, OR, WA, BC & AB & then to Quartzsite, Arizona. We are not sure where Kingsley will take us next. Stay tuned!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds
We're taking it easy today. The rally starts officially tomorrow but, there are already more than 120 coaches here. We are seeing lots of familiar faces from the last two we attended. I have posted some more road pictures. We love the handicapped spot they gave us...right next to all the action. Tonight there is a fabulous latino coming-out party for a 15 year old girl happening next to us. Lavish decor, food & music. The guests are 'dressed to the nines' I will get pics.
More tomorrow.....Janet
More tomorrow.....Janet
Friday, March 28, 2008
Every kind of weather on the road to Santa Rosa
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Bernie drove up at 10:30 am having left Coeur‘dAlene early this am. We added water to both coaches as it was lovely and warm in Pasco and we thought we were safe to do so. The weather and the highways were great and we drove to Bend, OR where we stayed at Walmart. Shortly after arriving, it started snowing like crazy and the temp.dropped to freezing. By morning it was -7C and our furnace stopped working thru the night….warm under the covers but we could sure see our breath! Bernie had a warm coach so we sat there ‘til we thawed. The road as we took off was iced up and it was snowing. At least the sun is shining.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What a day this has been! We set off at about 8:30 am from Bend heading south on Hwy. 97. The roads were awful and Bernie (in the lead) was desperately looking for a way to burn a U-ey and go back to the Walmart because the road was so treacherous! We made it down the road about 30 miles and stopped for breakfast @ Cindy’s in LaPine. That felt better. Then we continued on until we were stopped by a horrific accident between a semi and a blue car, head-on collision. The semi went one way, spewing cases of potato chips over the road and the blue car went into the other ditch, hardly recognizable as a car. The car driver didn’t survive. It was very sobering.
We carried on traveling in conditions more like winter in Grand Prairie than southern Oregon in the spring and crossed the border into California where there was still snow. We were traveling most of the day at an elevation of between 3800 – 5000 feet above sea level and it was not pleasant!! We finally made it to Corning, Ca where we stopped for the night at a RV park on a lovely river…great fishing here they say. It is finally warmer and lots of fresh greenery about. Tomorrow we reach our destination in Santa Rosa. I requested a handicapped spot in the campground because it’s 3/8 mile from the campground to the activity buildings and I know Alan can’t handle that hike several times a day while we’re there. He’s healing slowly and there are no complications, so far. He has done almost all the driving on the trip and is feeling good. The leg is quite swollen and black and blue but doesn’t hurt.
Friday, March 28, 2008
We saw some amazing huge spring salmon mounted on the wall of the registration office of the RV park where we stayed last night. Their river, the Sacramento, also has tons of river otters but, we couldn't see any when we looked. We left Corning after gassing up and breakfasting at the Flying J truckstop and washing both our coaches which were quite filthy. We can't arrive in pristine wine country with dirty vehicles now, can we?
We left Corning about 11am and travelled down I-5 to Williams(check your maps). From ther we chose a route more or less as the crow flies to SR. Well, what a roller-coaster ride were we in for!! I think it's called the Petrified Forest Highway. We went up and we went down and we have never experienced so many hairpin turns ever! Alan was driving ,thank heavens!! Also, it was raining and the mist was so heavy that you could hardly see. Very scary!!! The speed limit for most of the road was 20 - 25 mph for all the turns. We finally reach our destination on "The Road to Santa Rosa at 5:00pm...we hit the rush hour in SR, too.
What a relief! They gave us a handicapped spot beside the main building..Thank heavens . The rest of the people have quite a hike.
Well, right now it is 9:30pm PDT and there's a steady drizzle outside. We hope that changes tomorrow to the traditional California sunshine. This really is a beautiful place and we are so happy to have arrived safe & sound.
Bernie drove up at 10:30 am having left Coeur‘dAlene early this am. We added water to both coaches as it was lovely and warm in Pasco and we thought we were safe to do so. The weather and the highways were great and we drove to Bend, OR where we stayed at Walmart. Shortly after arriving, it started snowing like crazy and the temp.dropped to freezing. By morning it was -7C and our furnace stopped working thru the night….warm under the covers but we could sure see our breath! Bernie had a warm coach so we sat there ‘til we thawed. The road as we took off was iced up and it was snowing. At least the sun is shining.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What a day this has been! We set off at about 8:30 am from Bend heading south on Hwy. 97. The roads were awful and Bernie (in the lead) was desperately looking for a way to burn a U-ey and go back to the Walmart because the road was so treacherous! We made it down the road about 30 miles and stopped for breakfast @ Cindy’s in LaPine. That felt better. Then we continued on until we were stopped by a horrific accident between a semi and a blue car, head-on collision. The semi went one way, spewing cases of potato chips over the road and the blue car went into the other ditch, hardly recognizable as a car. The car driver didn’t survive. It was very sobering.
We carried on traveling in conditions more like winter in Grand Prairie than southern Oregon in the spring and crossed the border into California where there was still snow. We were traveling most of the day at an elevation of between 3800 – 5000 feet above sea level and it was not pleasant!! We finally made it to Corning, Ca where we stopped for the night at a RV park on a lovely river…great fishing here they say. It is finally warmer and lots of fresh greenery about. Tomorrow we reach our destination in Santa Rosa. I requested a handicapped spot in the campground because it’s 3/8 mile from the campground to the activity buildings and I know Alan can’t handle that hike several times a day while we’re there. He’s healing slowly and there are no complications, so far. He has done almost all the driving on the trip and is feeling good. The leg is quite swollen and black and blue but doesn’t hurt.
Friday, March 28, 2008
We saw some amazing huge spring salmon mounted on the wall of the registration office of the RV park where we stayed last night. Their river, the Sacramento, also has tons of river otters but, we couldn't see any when we looked. We left Corning after gassing up and breakfasting at the Flying J truckstop and washing both our coaches which were quite filthy. We can't arrive in pristine wine country with dirty vehicles now, can we?
We left Corning about 11am and travelled down I-5 to Williams(check your maps). From ther we chose a route more or less as the crow flies to SR. Well, what a roller-coaster ride were we in for!! I think it's called the Petrified Forest Highway. We went up and we went down and we have never experienced so many hairpin turns ever! Alan was driving ,thank heavens!! Also, it was raining and the mist was so heavy that you could hardly see. Very scary!!! The speed limit for most of the road was 20 - 25 mph for all the turns. We finally reach our destination on "The Road to Santa Rosa at 5:00pm...we hit the rush hour in SR, too.
What a relief! They gave us a handicapped spot beside the main building..Thank heavens . The rest of the people have quite a hike.
Well, right now it is 9:30pm PDT and there's a steady drizzle outside. We hope that changes tomorrow to the traditional California sunshine. This really is a beautiful place and we are so happy to have arrived safe & sound.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Moving south through Washington
Easter Sunday
We spent the day recuperating from Friday & Saturday's adventures in the icy weather and the ER! We were both quite exhausted. Warwick & Caryl put together a splendid meal and we had a lovely Easter with them. We parked Kingsley in the Cherry Lane shopping centre in a spot where we could keep an eye on it from their place.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Left Penticton after lunch and crossed the border into the US without any hitches. They even let us keep a small steak and 2 lemons that we forgot we had! They were more concerned about whether we had lamb in our fridge. Travelled as far as Omak, WA where we stopped at Walmart, joining 8 or 9 other coaches for the night. It was a restful night.
We spent the day recuperating from Friday & Saturday's adventures in the icy weather and the ER! We were both quite exhausted. Warwick & Caryl put together a splendid meal and we had a lovely Easter with them. We parked Kingsley in the Cherry Lane shopping centre in a spot where we could keep an eye on it from their place.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Left Penticton after lunch and crossed the border into the US without any hitches. They even let us keep a small steak and 2 lemons that we forgot we had! They were more concerned about whether we had lamb in our fridge. Travelled as far as Omak, WA where we stopped at Walmart, joining 8 or 9 other coaches for the night. It was a restful night.
Beginning the trip to Santa Rosa
Friday, March 21, 2008
Well, we finally got started on the Road to Santa Rosa at 10:00 am on Good Friday. We stopped at fellow GMCer, Bernie Bartko’s place in Devon , to check out our coach wheels etc, before continuing west to Mt. Robson where we stayed the night in the deserted parking lot(totally alone)!
About 9:00pm, Alan went out check out the lay of the land and slipped on some ice and into a pool of icy water. He injured his left ankle and leg near the knee. Also, he was soaked through and in shock. We managed to keep warm and slept OK but, in the morning, he couldn’t put any weight on the leg. It didn't look good for continuing on into the states.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
We awoke at 5:00am am and decided to start driving at 5:45 in the dark. Alan was able to drive and wasn't too uncomfortable. I wasn't sure he would be able to get out of the coach as he couldn't weight-bear on that leg. We encountered snow, ice on the road, cloud cover, smoke & mist just in the first 2 hours! When we stopped at Little Fort, he was able to stand briefly on the leg and that was a relief. We kept going and I took the wheel for awhile. When we got to Vernon we went to the Emergency where they took X-Rays. The doctor said there was a break on the fibula...small bone below the knee... and the ankle was badly sprained. He said it didn't require a cast and shouldn't cause any problems while in the USA. It was a lucky day for us!
Arrived in Penticton at 5:00pm. Good to see Alan's sister, Caryl & husband, Warwick. We will spend Easter with them and recuperate from the events of Friday & Saturday!
Happy Easter Everyone!
Well, we finally got started on the Road to Santa Rosa at 10:00 am on Good Friday. We stopped at fellow GMCer, Bernie Bartko’s place in Devon , to check out our coach wheels etc, before continuing west to Mt. Robson where we stayed the night in the deserted parking lot(totally alone)!
About 9:00pm, Alan went out check out the lay of the land and slipped on some ice and into a pool of icy water. He injured his left ankle and leg near the knee. Also, he was soaked through and in shock. We managed to keep warm and slept OK but, in the morning, he couldn’t put any weight on the leg. It didn't look good for continuing on into the states.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
We awoke at 5:00am am and decided to start driving at 5:45 in the dark. Alan was able to drive and wasn't too uncomfortable. I wasn't sure he would be able to get out of the coach as he couldn't weight-bear on that leg. We encountered snow, ice on the road, cloud cover, smoke & mist just in the first 2 hours! When we stopped at Little Fort, he was able to stand briefly on the leg and that was a relief. We kept going and I took the wheel for awhile. When we got to Vernon we went to the Emergency where they took X-Rays. The doctor said there was a break on the fibula...small bone below the knee... and the ankle was badly sprained. He said it didn't require a cast and shouldn't cause any problems while in the USA. It was a lucky day for us!
Arrived in Penticton at 5:00pm. Good to see Alan's sister, Caryl & husband, Warwick. We will spend Easter with them and recuperate from the events of Friday & Saturday!
Happy Easter Everyone!
Monday, March 17, 2008
We still have winter!
Well, so much for well crafted plans for re-awakening our Kingsley this pass weekend! The snow started falling on Friday and continued thru Sunday. The cover stayed on until today when it was dry enough to remove it and fire up the motor.
We had lots of fun watching our grandson, Sam, swim in the Alberta Provincial Timetrials in Edmonton. He and his Mum, our daughter Barbara, came from Calgary Thurs. night and we made lots of trips back and forth, to and from the pool. It was great to have them here and be part of the excitement as Sam bettered his times in almost all his events. Our long-time friends Don Clark, daughter, Mary Jo & Garry Holmes came out to cheer him on and and visit with Barb who they hadn't seen for years.
Now, all the focus is on getting ready to go....we can hardly wait to hit the road! Our first stop will be Penticton where we hope to spend Easter with Alan's sister Caryl & husband, Warwick. Caryl is recuperating slowly from pneumonia and it will be good to see her for a couple of days.
That's all for today...time for bed.
Janet
We had lots of fun watching our grandson, Sam, swim in the Alberta Provincial Timetrials in Edmonton. He and his Mum, our daughter Barbara, came from Calgary Thurs. night and we made lots of trips back and forth, to and from the pool. It was great to have them here and be part of the excitement as Sam bettered his times in almost all his events. Our long-time friends Don Clark, daughter, Mary Jo & Garry Holmes came out to cheer him on and and visit with Barb who they hadn't seen for years.
Now, all the focus is on getting ready to go....we can hardly wait to hit the road! Our first stop will be Penticton where we hope to spend Easter with Alan's sister Caryl & husband, Warwick. Caryl is recuperating slowly from pneumonia and it will be good to see her for a couple of days.
That's all for today...time for bed.
Janet
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The cover is still on the beast! It comes off this weekend. Alan came home from RONA today with a 200 watt Power Inverter for Kingsley. This will power up all our gadgets: cellphone, dig. camera, laptop & GPS on the road. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and tucks in to a corner of the cockpit.
We leave a week tomorrow(God willing).
Cheers, Janet
We leave a week tomorrow(God willing).
Cheers, Janet
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Road to Santa Rosa
Hi to Friends & Family:
Well, this is my first posting on my brand-new blog! It is destined to be a record of our travels in the next two months(God willing!)
Eight days to go! We leave on March 20th for Santa Rosa, CA and the GMCMI Spring Rally. As we speak, Kingsley is sitting still covered with a shroud and surrounded with snow! Yesterday it reached +10C and that helped to dissipated some of the winter's dump of the white stuff. Today it's a little cooler but...there's a stiff wind and that is helping to evaporate the snow. We will move Kingsley and take him for a ride around the block this weekend when Barbara & Sam are here from Calgary for Sam's swim meet. Lots & lots to do before we leave Edmonton for up to two months.
I will try to add something every day and I am hoping that this will be a good way to stay in touch will all of you. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks......
Janet
Well, this is my first posting on my brand-new blog! It is destined to be a record of our travels in the next two months(God willing!)
Eight days to go! We leave on March 20th for Santa Rosa, CA and the GMCMI Spring Rally. As we speak, Kingsley is sitting still covered with a shroud and surrounded with snow! Yesterday it reached +10C and that helped to dissipated some of the winter's dump of the white stuff. Today it's a little cooler but...there's a stiff wind and that is helping to evaporate the snow. We will move Kingsley and take him for a ride around the block this weekend when Barbara & Sam are here from Calgary for Sam's swim meet. Lots & lots to do before we leave Edmonton for up to two months.
I will try to add something every day and I am hoping that this will be a good way to stay in touch will all of you. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks......
Janet
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