Christmas Visit

With the repairs finally completed we search for a relatively close spot, so we could get in a Christmas visit before heading for California. New Orleans seemed to fit the spot so spent about a week there. Parked on canal pretty close to downtown and Bourbon Street.

Time for short visit to St. Louis for last visit of year with family. But not with the iRV so we stashed it in Canton, MS, for easy access to the California route.

Heading back to Canton to pick up the iRV. Had to traverse some snowy roads and trucks in Illinois to get there.


Finally got back to Canton to the iRV and began the trek to California. Picking up couple hours on the way made it in 4 days with stops in Terrill, TX, Odessa, TX, Lordsberg, NM. Arrived at our home for the next couple months, Outdoor Resort Indio. Weather is 45-50 at night, 70-80 during the day, sunny and dry. Sorry about that!
Hope you all brought in the new year right. We did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repairs

Well here we are at Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. in Red Bay, AL. There are a lot of coaches here to get service and it is first come, first served. Fortunately we were here Nov 1 to "get in line" and are now back to get the work done.
They have specialized bays to address various issues. Our list included things that would require visiting 3 or 4 bays so we are going to have a longer stay than anticipated since they only schedule you for the next bay after service is completed in the previous bay. Seems like a rather antiquated system. Efficient for them, possibly time consuming for us. Oh well that is RV life!

While here took a tour of the manufacturing plant. We were able to get up close and personal while they put these things together from bare chassis to final component installation.

They look pretty funny leaving here and driven about 10 miles to Bennett, MS for painting. Then come back for final cleaning and testing.
Not just a box on wheels. Lots of cleverness learned from everyone from car to airplane manufacturers built in and the latest in technology.

The benefit of coming here is that they know the product they are fixing and see things we didn't that needed attention. For example we didn't realize we had a windshield leak until all the rain we have experienced on this trip. So new weather-stripping was needed.

Not much to do here. Very limited restaurants, and it's a dry county, and you know how we loved that!

Weather cold, like 20's at night. Not the kind we seek in our travels. So we are looking forward to the day we leave here and find that warmth. Plan to travel to St. Louis for Christmas and then off to sunny and warm Palm Springs, CA.

Thanksgiving

Spent few more days in the panhandle area of Florida, Seaside, Grayton Beach. Weather nice except the cold front that hit most of the US hit Florida too. Nights into the 40's. Did get in some golf at Santa Rosa Beach and Sandestin. Got some golf course advice for Canada from Andy and Julie, our playing partners at Santa Rosa who live in Toronto area, when we mentioned our plans for next summer's travel to northwest Canada.

About time to return to St. Louis for Thanksgiving with family and friends. Traveled to our favorite Alabama location, Athens, for return visit with Mike and Terri, Dave and Mary II. Then stashed the iRV at a very nice indoor facility nearby, thank you Mike, and headed to St. Louis to free load off more relatives, Carol and Rick.
Three great dinners with Rick's family, Mary's family, and my family. Visits with Dan and Suzanne, Bill and Sara. Round of golf with friends at Meadowbrook.
And Christmas party with the Lemmings.

Nice visit.

Gulf Shores and Oysterfest

Mary found us a really nice rv park, Bella Terra, about 5 miles from the beach, to spend a week. We have a nice view overlooking the lake. First night there was happy hour, free wine and snacks. Our kind of place. Afternoon weather about 75, very pleasant.
Saturday went to the "Hangout" at the beach for Oysterfest. A whole slew of booths for restaurants specializing in oysters provided a wide range of tastes, and chefs demonstrating how to prepare these things. Mary loved it.

I do not like oysters but the champagne, bloody mary, and beer booths worked for me.
They had many tv screens tuned to college football, mostly with the Auburn game. But found Mizzou and watched some of the romp over Kentucky.
Of course the big talk was the Alabama-LSU game that night. There were a large number of fans advertising both schools there. I had to get a photo with someone from each school so Mary found me a couple passionate supporters:



I had my eye on several other supporters that might have been fun to be photographed with but Mary insisted I not.






There was a large crowd there so it was interesting people watching. This time of year many winter residents are showing up, so there were people from all over.
So with live music, eating and drinking, and lots of people, it was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Birthplace of the Irv

Arrived at Tiffin in Red Bay, AL, the birthplace of our Irv, thinking we would spend a few days getting some work done. We knew they didn't take reservations anymore but were told this would be a good time to get the service done. Well dopy us. There were about 150 coaches in front of us and we were told it would be about 3 weeks before we could get serviced.
Luckily our most pressing issues were resolved when they referred us to a shop across the street that did repairs. They did the essential work we needed that day. We registered for service for the rest of our list and headed for a visit with Mary's brothers in Athens, AL, about 1-1/2 hours away.

Then it was time to continue our journey with the caveat that we needed to be ready to return to get the servicing done. So what does one do in Alabama for a few weeks? Well how about some golf on the Robert Trent Jones golf trail. Good idea Charlie!


Pretty flat swing there!

Started at Oxmoor Valley, the Ridge course, in Birmingham. Course has lots of hills so if you do not keep it in the middle of the fairway you can fall off the side and lose a ball. Hadn't played in a week or so. Enough excusses? Didn't score very well, but weather was ok. Next round at Ross Bridge, also outside Birmingham. We both played better so obviously had better opinion of the course. But it really was a much nicer course. And the facilities there were very nice too.
Next moved on to Prattville, AL just outside of Montgomery and played at Capital Hill, the Judge course. Similar conditions to Ridge course at Oxmoor. Not as nice as Ross Bridge. Weather cooler and windy, and the scoring was not as good either.
The weather was expecting to get cooler so decided to move further south towards Gulf Shores, AL.

On the Road Again

Well November is here and it was time to continue the adventure. First trip not too far to get reacquainted with the Irv, Memphis, TN. We stayed at Elvis' place, Graceland. Of course he has an RV park.

Spent a few hours touring the grounds. Quite a wardrobe. And you can buy one for about $2,000! Mary wanted me to get one but I didn't think it was me and I didn't want to pay extra for the shoes.

Spent couple of hours touring the home and other buildings. House is somewhat modest in size by today's celebrity standards. I'm sure he would be living in something much more exotic today.
Several museums there with variety of exhibits and memorabilia including collection of cars and a couple airplanes. He had plenty of $$ to buy stuff, and did.
Didn't fully realize how many records he made and sold back then. Got a lot accomplished in only 42 years!
It was fun seeing videos of some of his performances and hearing his records again. Yes I did listen to him as a youngster. Thank you....thank you very much.

Next stop Red Bay, Alabama, the birthplace of the Irv, for some fix-ups!

Devil's Tower and St. Louis

Devil's Tower is a very unique mountain of volcanic rock that looks just thrust up in the middle of nowhere. It was the star of the movie Close Encounters of the Third (or was it Fourth?) Kind. No our RV is not a one-humped camel!

It's now time to motor home to get our current home (sticks and bricks) cleaned out and up for the new owners.
First stop was Rapid City, South Dakota to get driver's licenses. Then motored across the state to Sioux Falls. Then visited our mailbox in Madison, South Dakota and completed voter registration. We are now official South Dakotans.
Didn't want to get back too soon so played a round of golf at Prairie Greens Golf Course in Sioux Falls. Nice, fun layout.
A few days driving and we were "home" once again.

Glacier Park

Completed latest RV repairs and moved out of Oregon.
Since house finally sold we decided to head towards home. So itinerary is Glacier Park, Devils Tower, and travel through South Dakota towards St. Louis.
Started with a one night stand at Walmart in Kennewick, Washington. Windiest night e ever experienced in RV. Thought we would blow over. Not much sleep but it was exciting.
Next moved on to Glacier National Park via Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Glacier Park is spectacular. Stayed at KOA West Glacier campground and took all day tour of the park on convertible red bus. Great way to see and learn all about the park.

 

 

At suggestion of Ed whom we met in Florida we stopped in Polson, Montana just south of Glacier Park. Great spot overlooking south end of Flathead Lake. Hanging out at Polson Motorcoach RV Resort we, as often happens, found people with St. Louis connections at happy hour.
Next destination, Medora, North Dakota and Teddy Roosevelt National Park. Attended the Medora Musical which has been putting on shows for about 50 years initially to commemorate Teddy Roosevelt's 100th birthday. Its a fun show in outdoor amphitheater. Toured national park and played golf at Bully Pulpit Golf Course. Fun layout with some great views of the Badlands on the back nine. Visited the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Next stop Devil's Tower, Wyoming.

Photos

RV's require technical knowledge.

Nice downhill on the way out of Leguna Seca.

Wish we could have taken a lap around the track.

Trees are big in Yosemite.  

The Clothespin Tree

New friend...they had a petty zoo at Yosemite RV Resort.

So, we found another winery...Chimney Rock, Napa...Mary's wine is from a $150 a bottle...and yes,
there was a nice "revisit" for my complimentary pour.

Oregonians like their salmon.

Oregon Coast lighthouse.

The family spends time together outside.
 (ok, Lance would run away if we don't keep an eye on him)

Dogs, chickens, cats...they have it all at Carr Industries where we had new TVs and blinds installed.

Mr. Meow was almost a kittynapping incendent on Tour de RV...cool cat. 

Aaahhh...we now have satellite tv!

Soter winery in Willamette Valley, OR

Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge...scary stuff here.

Hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.

There's a lot of cheese at Tillamook!

Wine cellar...wine now, shower later.

Wild Goose Island is just right of my ear. Geologists say this island used to be on top of the
mountain to the far right....glaciers are amazing things.

Charlie

Mary

Oregon Still!

Stayed in Dayton, OR just south of Portland few nights in wine country.Willamette Valley specializes in colder climate grapes like pinot noir. Tasted several from Sotor, Elk Cove, Argyle, King Estates, Anne & Annie and several others. Found some good ones, bought several as usual.
Next moved on to Mount Hood. Stayed at park just outside Mount Hood National Forest. Spectacular mountain!

Mount Hood

Mount Hood from 22 miles

Hiked a few trails; Mary trying to kill me.
Played golf at Resort at the Mountain.
Next moved on to Troutdale, OR just outside Portland. Nice place right along Columbia river. Toured the Columbia river gorge toward The Dallas, OR. Beautiful scenery of river separating Oregon and Washington.

Of course we had to hike 1 mile up to the top. Did I say I think Mary is trying to kill me!
Also went on sunday bike ride in Portland including lots of local band support.

Moved on to the coast again staying in Nehalem, OR. Nice little RV park right on river. Visited Astoria, WA where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1804-05. Toured Tillamook Creamery. Imagine us touring and tasting at a facility not related to alcohol.
Next moved back to Eugene for some follow-up work on the RV, sun and privacy shades installed in front cabin replacing old curtains. Unfortunately had a problem with RV leveling jacks requiring ordering a part with several day delivery.
So went to Bandon, OR. Very cute little town. Visited couple nice restaurants. Mary claimed it was the best salmon she's had. Played golf at Old MacDonald course at Bandon Dunes. Very tough, windy, links style, tight lies, large rolly polly greens. Did I mention enough reasons to shoot a terrible score?


Tough up hill par 3 into wind!

Also played Bandon Crossings Golf Club. Nice course, with real grass and off the coast so less windy.
Back to Eugene, OR to get the new part installed.
Next stop, get out of Oregon and head toward Glacier National Park.

Catching Up

We are not very prompt in updating the blog. Here is a summary of what has been happening since Yosemite. Will be adding more comment and pictures.
Moved to the northern coast, Klamath, CA. Hiked around area of giant redwood trees, one we drove the car through. Spent July 4th in Cresent City, CA for fireworks display over lighthouse; quite spectacular. Inaugurated rebuilt deck at rv park, with dinner and a band that included, surprise, an Italian opera singer who was quite good.
Finally left CA and moved up the coast to Florence, OR. Very nice little town with very cool weather but very windy in the afternoons. Played golf, in morning, at Sea Pines Golf Club. Got windy on back nine but was nice course and lots of fun and I actually played better in the wind. Maybe I'm a wind player. Explored coast north of there viewing spectacular coastline and sea lion caves. Newport, Or was very scenic lunch stop along the water. And of course there was a wine tasting room along the way.
Next moved to Eugene, OR. Took coach to Carr Industries for some improvement work. We finally have an HD satellite dish and DirectTV. Just in time to watch some of the Tour de France and the British Open. Stayed in a Marriott for a few nights while work being done. First nights not in coach since April. Played golf at Diamond Woods Golf Club. Nice little tree lined course with great greens. Road bikes on trails along Willamette River. Some nice restaurants too. Regret we didn't attend the Oregon Country Fair in nearby Veneta, OR. It is a gathering of a wide range of people. Apparently it used to be mostly an opportunity for hippy types to gather and do alcohol and drugs. Lots of hitchhikers in Oregon trying to get there. Now "cleaned up" but still a wild looking party. The parking lot didn't completely empty until 5 days after the event. We speculated that was the longest jail sentence given.
Next stop is the Willamette valley area south of Portland. I hear there is wine there!

California Yosemite

Half Dome

El Capitan

Fun drive up a very steep and winding road for 8 miles to get to Groveland, CA just out outside Yosemite National Park. Great weather until the day we left in the rain. First rain we encountered since Talladega. 

Yosemite is a must for scenic beauty. Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite falls, Nevada falls. Just one beautiful scene after another.




Several short hikes got us to some fabulous view points.









Also hiked into giant Sequoia trees which are unbelievably large. One with a walk-thru path.

Lunched along-side the river running through the park which was ice cold. But there were people and kids floating in inner tubes along it. We watched.
Spent day learning about the environmental efforts of the area. Water is the most precious resource around here.

Next Stop Napa, CA

California Part III

Do you know how many wineries there are in Paso Robles, CA? We don't either but apparently there are more than 250. Maybe our first mistake was parking at Wine Country RV Resort, which was right next to EOS vineyard and winery. So we got off to a fast start.
Visited several other wineries, Justin, Croad, Aaron Hill, tasted many wines, and of course bought some. All were very good and we took some home from each. The RV is starting to get a little full and we have just begun to get into serious wine country.
Didn't only taste, drink wine but played some golf too, right up the road at Hunter Ranch Golf Course.
Cute little town center with nice restaurants where we lunched a couple times. Weather was near perfect.

Next stop was Monterey area. Parked at Laguna Seca Raceway, part of a Monterey county park. Great view from the hillside once we made it up the 16% grade. There was an event of the Historical Motor Society going on. Really cool old Indy and other sports cars in various racing groups.
Only about 15 minutes from Monterey. Visited the aquarium. That's two within a couple weeks which has to be a record. Went wine tasting and buying at Paraiso and Talbott, two of our favorites.
Nice dinner in Carmel after watching the sun set over Pebble Beach. Oh to play there again, but not this trip, :(
Toured the beach area where there are some very nice little homes with great sunset views.
Weather still very nice, everything in RV working fine!

Next Stop Yosemite National Park

California Part II

Moving north from Orange County to Ventura Beach RV Park, Ventura, CA. Along the coast between LA and Santa Barbara. A few days of relaxation.

Visited couple wineries in Ojai, CA. Are you seeing the theme here! Of course we have to buy something at each winery we visit. But without good cellar storage we have to be selective or drink faster. You can guess which is more prevalent!

Rode bikes along the beaches at Ventura and Santa Barbara (a beautiful place).

Best biker rack, ever.

We visited President Ronald Reagan's library. Beautiful scenic location with great vista of countryside. Reagan library much more elaborate than Nixon's. Think he had more friends with more money.
Museum also includes Lincoln exhibit with lots of original documents and photos.

Charlie, Ronnie and Nancy

President Bush on a bike!

Air Force One...pretty impressive!

Ronnie and Charlie on their horses.

Berlin wall

I know in my heart that man is good.
That what is right will always eventually triumph.
And there is  purpose and worth to each and every lift.
Ronald Reagan

Mary has several times commented "we could live here". In addition to the wine we are enjoying the fresh fruits and vegetables that are plentiful here. Perhaps my scheme to find a new home might be working?
Moving further north from here, Paso Robles, CA.