End of one year, Beginning of another

Bye Bye 2018. Hello 2019!

Christmas day at the pool

Not that 2018 was a bad year, but I am looking forward to this new year.

Small hurdles we have jumped have been repairs to our trailers fridge that was a problem for a few weeks this summer, it kept turning off, that turned out to be the electrical inverter not the fridge at all. We learned to go to where we have confidence in the technicians ability to diagnose the problem, and replace to one part needed first time. Then just before we left for the states the hot-water tank electrical element stopped heating the water, so got the same guy, Chris at PC Auto in Duncan to replace this. Fixed, or so I thought. He did say he had a problem with one hose, and he showed it to me, said wouldn't stop leaking, so he replaced it. All good I think, till we noticed wetness under the cupboard when we had Jim and Sharon here for dinner a week ago, and then became after-dinner entertainment. Who can look in the cupboard the longest, and where is the water coming from, and how do I access it. lol😆 This made for an interesting evening, as Keith and Diana stopped by, and came in for a yak, so all 6 of us now take a turn at looking at what was the problem.

I turned off the electricity to the tank, and drained it and wiped up what I could get at till the next day as I have best energy in the morning. That is another thing I have learned about myself that works good for me.

Next morning I took things apart, and dried it all up, and we waited with all the drawers out, and all the stuff out from under the sink, and the heat vents out to see what was the problem. Next day after a nights thought I remembered that there was a problem leak he fixed, so I refilled the tank, and found the leak, tightened the fitting and fixed. Well fixed for a short while then leaked again, this time I had a bowl under to catch the water. So now I tighten some more, and even though it stops, I have no confidence the fitting wont leak again. So now like my son showed me, look on the internet and see what others have done. I find out that there is a replacement part that has crimped fittings on the pipe, and this I like, now off to the RV store here with a picture of the pipe. Don't want to take it apart yet, we have water now.

Water heater rear at side of trailer

connections back of hot water heater 

I talk with the plumbing guy at the store and he suggests a hose that is used in house plumbing, and I agree, and off I go with what I think will work. Yes! This did the trick, had to drain and refill the tank again, but no leaks and I have confidence this will not be a problem again. Fixed, well not finished yet, all had to go back in, drawers, heat ducting, and stuff under sink, we Polly did stuff under sink.

Hmm, feels better to be back to normal. Ahh

Oh well not really, next to the saga the red light by the hot water tank switch comes on, Shit! Now what? On to the internet again as probably the thermostat, and look at what others have done. I get a video on you-tube that an Australian guy did, and did well, that explained how to diagnose the thermostat and if needed how to replace it.  Outside to the back of the hot water tank and the pressure relief valve is leaking, drip drip. OK I think this is an easy fix just re-position the valve as sometimes the valve just doesn't get seated correctly. The red light still on and water heating up too hot still a problem.

Like usual I just wait awhile and think of what is going on, and I come up with that the water leaking on the wires may have caused corrosion, and lets clean the connections before I take the thing apart. Water here has much salt in it, so yes that was the fix. I just cleaned up the connections, and Ta-DA Done. Ha Ha, I can laugh now, but with everything apart our home was looking like a mess, and not much room to move. On the positive, Polly makes adjustments as we go through this like "No Problem, I can do this" Makes me feel so good to have Polly help by just let me think it out.

I don't know if there is a moral to the story here, but I am seeing a theme in that the internet helps me when I have to do most anything now. I have learned through my son's prompting to use this as someone else has already had this happen, and has made a video of how to figure it out.

Another bit of learning is that as you know I like to take pictures, many pictures. This last year I realized that I take more pictures now with my phone than a camera, so before we left this year I got a new phone, one that could take better pictures. Huawei P20 pro, (Thanks to Ashley for the help) was my choice as camera was most important. I have spent almost zero time at getting to know how to operate this camera, just been pointing and shooting. With my camera I did spend much time learning how to use it, still much to learn, but this phone camera is all about the software I'm told. This is how it makes life just a little easier for me as just point and shoot, at least for now. I still have to pull out my Nikon if I want a close up of something far away, or want a very sharp image for some reason. For most all I want this phone camera will do it.

The other learning was that going through the many images one day, I said to myself, and then to Polly, holly crap, we sure did a lot this year, Wow, was a really good year!💗💖💕💔💓 As you can see I found out I can put in Emojis here huh.

Life has been good to us, and we have been good in our life. Polly is happy and healthy as she slides open the door and looks at me asks with squinted eye's and says "What time is it?" 5:52 I say, and she slides the door shut, and back to bed she goes. LOL I love that girl. Bosco lays beside me in what is Polly's seat when she is in the living room. He would be right up to me but the armrest separates us, and the laptop is on my lap, or he would be there. Me I do what I like as we go, and plan ahead for more interesting places to go, and things to see.

Friends in a funny face picture

People we meet are very friendly, and some are just even more than you can put in words. We met some new friends in Indio that we got to know fast, and will connect with again. Here in Yuma we met some new friends, and reconnected with others from last year.

Here we all are better picture

The one thing that helps us all stay connected as we go is Facebook. Such a great way to keep connected, and even with all the crap that goes on on "The Book" as Americo's Mom calls it, we manage to keep up with family and friends lives, and where people are and can we meet up. This makes life easier to stay connected.

This was our first Christmas away from Family, and even though was much different, we did enjoy being in the sunny warm weather, and able to enjoy the pool on Christmas day. Our friends are new to us, as we are to them, so as we get to know each other better we find the love for each other that we have with many friends before.

Love this life, and looking forward to another beauty year of fun, travel, learning and new friends.

Yuma now. Our life = Living The Dream, are we?

We are in Yuma now, was a short trip to get here and no stress on the drive, back at Fortuna De Oro for the next month or more. Different now as many people stay home till after Christmas, so we see a little different side of this place. Christmas, Ho Ho Ho! Here we come.

We have had many comments on our Facebook re-"Living the Dream". Some even say Living life Vicariously through your travels, or something like this.

Usually I think Hmm we are doing it right hey! Well having a good look at what we are doing we are truly happy with our decisions in life, and at this time in our life Polly and I have often had the conversation about what next? Plan? We often are going by the seat of our pants, and we like it like this way. No solid plan for what comes next gives us the option to change midstream what when and where we go, and who we are with. Man this is some beautiful freedom at a time in our lives when we can. Well almost! As I type Bosco gets up and starts the stretch, and passes a few times in front of me letting me know, now he sits and gives me the look! Back in a few, walk time!

Well that was a nice walk, Bosco was in the lead most of the way, he did his duty, and marked the trail all the way. We walked through the gate out into the desert not far from home. The trail or path is well defined, also someone has been marking it with rock piles, often with Quartz top rocks making it well, beautiful, and just a little more interesting. The desert is mostly rocks and gravel, with washes that are left from the rains that come infrequently here. We still have not seen a rain in Yuma. As we walk along Bosco has to stop for me as pictures are my marking, and I stop for him for his marks, a good symbiotic relationship.

Bosco smells the marker

 The washes have many forms of plants growing, and cactus of many kinds are usually where it is the driest above the wash. Like all forms of growth, there is a micro-site of growth, and here the landscape looks barren, until you try to travel a distance, then you realize all the different plants, and that they have a pattern as you go from place to place. I relate this to when I was planting trees. Until you look past the job at hand, you don't see the relationship all the plants have with each other. Here there is definitely a pattern, and as we walk I see the different patterns. I won't bore you with details, just to let you know, I'm having fun learning, and so is Bosco.

Our walk is about an hour, and he is satisfied, and so am I, time to get home, get cleaned up and get to the next phase of this day, Lunch at Cactus Garden RV park, as we have been told they put on a very good BBQ burgers or hot dogs, and more.

Well this was a great lunch, with much variety, and many people attending, sure was a good choice to hold off on breaky, and take in the BBQ. 3-4 long rows of tables, and 20 to 30 people at each table made for a full room. We sat across from another couple from Washington State, and got the best report on the Hydroplane races that happen on the Columbia River the week before Seafest in August. Where to stay, and where to watch the races, may even see them if we go, as they go every year now.  A very nice spread, and $7.50 for the 2 of us for more than enough to eat. We will return.

Cart at Cactus Gardens like a Dodge

Christmas decorations are everywhere

Then on to the Poker tourney, and another win, Gee I could get used to this winning kind of playing. Polly also did good, especially in the beginning, she said she felt kind of embarrassed as was huge pile of chips soon after she started. But as time passed she managed to share them with others. I on the other-hand never had any huge wins, but managed to stay to the final table and ended up with a split with Dave for the final amount, even got the high had too, that was fun.

Home we go, no shopping today as Bosco is waiting for us, and as we get in he always wants to jump jump! Hi Buddy, and not long and off we go again, this time to the dog park for a visit he likes this, so do I. I meet a woman from Oregon who tells me of her trip to New Zealand, and what she saw and where she went. Was very interesting, she and I agreed that when started travel we go away from our area before we travel close. Hmm, like ↷ over there, way over there ↷ has more to see. We both agree we need to see more of our own State/Province. Bosco met her dog but had no comment, at least not one I could hear.

I make my way back home and have a yak with some people I met yesterday from Minnesota that have happy hour every day with another couple around there propane fire, we joke and laugh about Canadian as the one guy likes to slander us in a fun way, and I back to him about the American way!

Relaxed, Happy, Fun, Warm, Beer in hand walk. Now a spaghetti dinner with friends tonight, Polly has no cooking to do. Gee does life get any better. I don't know?

I haven't talked about the warmth of the pool, or the diversity of the people we meet, or the beauty of the sunrise, the friendliness of all we meet, or the happy hour. Dam life is good.

So yes I think this is "The Life!" As for "Living the Dream", yes I guess we are. Our dream, may not be everybody's dream, but for now this is our dream, and we are fully enjoying every moment.

Loving our life here in Yuma. 

Moving day, here we come Fortuna De Oro, Yuma.

Left Right Center was a fun game we played. Thanks to all for the big win as luck was mine a few times as we played this game and a few more. Love this picture, so much fun!

Blog is a weird name for writing your thoughts about where you are what you saw and did, who you met, and what these experiences mean to you. So like me I looked the word Blog up and now I understand where it originated from. Web Log is what the term started from, then the term became weblog then the short we use now Blog.

OK all systems go now, I had to talk myself into writing this morning as I have done this before, and when we are moving I can take too long to write, and that can make us late to get going.

I start early today, and have relatively good internet right now, so GO!

We have had a really good time here at Indian Waters RV in Indio. People are friendly, like everywhere we go, and we met some that we have plans with in the future. The park is laid out in a very organised way, with very wide roads, easy to back in sites, with grass on some, and gravel on others. Pools are clean, and warm, chairs plentiful, and less people as early in the season. Hot tubs are very nice, and big private bathrooms, all with big showers. Clubhouse makes for some limitations, as only one place to hang out with bigger group, so when scheduled for on group, others not participating may not be allowed in. The plans call for another clubhouse soon, as well as another Pickle ball court, 4 not enough. We don't play, but is a big deal to many. I could say more, but you will have to come check it out sometime as nice place.

We came at a good time of year, and will return in November again next year all going well. The Tamale Festival in Indio was a good surprise, and the welcome back night here with a Mexican dinner this week with the owner showing up with his plans and a Q&A for the group was a good experience. First time we have seen an owner at an RV resort that spent the time to explain what his plans are for the future of his 11 resorts, and letting you know they have grown enough, and want to concentrate on these 11, and make positive changes to what he has, not to acquire any more.

Made plans twice to go up in a balloon, but never made it yet. will save that for the future. Sun is up now, Bosco has come out to join me, he doesn't write, but gives his curled up beside me support.

There is much to do here, and we have left some for next time. I did get the running boards on the truck well we were here, something Polly and I have both wanted for awhile. Good experience as the shop that did the job Crawlur-Offroad is a long term father son shop, and they did a great job. This is our Christmas present to ourselves this year.

We met a couple here that flew in from the island for a week, Susan and Scotty. Was a nice lunch we had with them, and I was kind of surprised as I had forgotten that Scotty worked weekends at Chemainus mill, so got to catch-up on some of the goings on there, and Polly and Susan worked at the Bay in Naniamo together, so they got some catch-up too. Was nice to see them.

The reason we came here was Neil and Deb, friends from Port Alberni were here, and they gave the invite to come and stay awhile, so we did. Thanks you 2, made for a very nice stop, and will look forward to visiting often as we travel.

 

Now off to Fortuna De Oro for a month to spend Christmas and New Years. Will be a very different year as first time away for Christmas. Looking forward to seeing friends from last years time we spent there, and like usual, meeting more people. Everywhere we go, there are just more friends to meet, love that about travel. Loving our life!

We are back on the road, California our first stop.

Our first blog post for almost 6 months. Nice to be back on the road.

 We spent the late spring and most of the summer in Port Alberni to spend time with family and friends. Arrowvale Campsite was our home base till September, close to our family, close to the river, and had all we needed available to us with all services at our site. Made for a good base.
Polly's Mom, Memere was in a home by the hospital, Westhaven, and we got to visit her regularly till she passed in the middle of June. Was tough, but we did know she was close to the end of her life, she was 98, and we all hoped she would make 100, but this was not to be. Was good we got back in May, as we had some good talks with her while she was still doing good. Memere was always sharp, and loved a laugh. Was hard when she passed, we all loved her very much.
We spent much time with our grandchildren, swimming in the river, and BBQ dinners by the trailer. Our daughters and grandchildren came to our site for Mothers day and Polly really liked that. Was a great summer, and we managed to visit with many friends and family all summer long.

Memere's Funeral was in July, it was tough, but we did have most all family, and many friends come to pay respect. Was a very nice service, after we had time to talk about the past and future. Memere's house was where we all met regularly, Birthdays, Christmas, and other times during the year. This will now change, so what will happen now was a question raised. Reunion was talked about, who knows.

When September came we raised the jacks and off we went to the North Island for what we think will be our annual fall holiday discovery of our Island. We stopped at our home base in Courtenay Americo and Claudette's for a couple nights, then off to Pacific Playgrounds RV park at Saratoga beach. Was a great week, and we really enjoyed the area, even though the rains had started for the fall. Jacks up again and we moved to Cluxewe |Resort for a week as this is such a beauty place by the ocean. We met Peter and Catherine Aspinall there, Polly and Peter have known each other for many years, and some good reminiscing was done this time. We made plans for next years trip here at same time.

We like to look around the north island while there. Keogh River was one of our stops thanks to Peter, who gave us good directions, we made an hour long hike in and got some great pictures of black bears at the river mouth feeding on salmon. Kwa'lilas hotel is a new addition to the town, we did not go in this time.

Also took a drive to Story's Beach, our first time here. I had been told of the beach by a friend from work a few years earlier, said good place to fish for Coho in the late summer early fall. We just went to look around, is such a beautiful beach. We will be back, and next time plan to spend more time. After this we drove into Port Hardy and took a look around, always nice to see the town and the waterfront.

We made a trip to the beginning of Cape Scott trail, to San Josef Bay. Was a long drive in, then a beauty hike to the bay. We were tired after, and just ate our lunch, talked about the trip in, laid on the beach, and made the return trip. Better to stay a night on the beach, or even at the parking lot I would think.

We also made a drive into Port Alice, always nice to see this place, we stop at the legion and have a beer with locals, and get a feel for how the town is doing since the paper mill has been down a couple years now. 

On our way back down island we stopped in Sayward for a couple nights at the community campsite in Saward, was a nice place to stay, even though we had torrential downpours most of the time we were there. We did get a few times to get out and about, and will stop again here, but make sure the weather is better.

Cable Restaurant Sayward was closed, but will try again next year.

As the month of September came to a close we planned to park at Osborne Bay RV resort in Crofton, as we had some repairs to get done to our trailer, and service to our truck before we leave the island. Also a doctor's appointment, and eye exam and glasses to be made. All the maintenance items done before we leave.

Last but not least we had a dinner with our family in Port Alberni the week before we left at the Golden Dragon, and this was a fun night. Watching grandchildren together, and family all talking, not like at Memere's, but the best we could do this time. Talk of what the next dinner would be like next year was talked about. Polly and I were just happy to see us all together again before we left. Christmas will be different this year, Christmas where we still do not know. This will be a different year.

I am writing this while we are in Hemet, California, two weeks after we left the island. Most of what we have done the last 2 weeks was expected, and somewhat planned. We stayed 3 nights at casinos,  one at Seven Cedars in Washington, and one at Seven Feathers in Oregon, and again at Rolling Hills in Corning. We got a message from Ed and Chris, friends from Courtenay that were doing there first trip south in there new van, and could we meet up? We made a plan, and met at Willamette Mission State Park for the night, was fun to hear of there trip and what they learned, and some of there fun times, as well as some of the places they had been. We sat around the Fire till we got just a little cold, and then in the trailer for some of Polly's good cooking.

Next morning we agreed to go see the Spruce Goose as Ed and Chris had seen the museum on there way here. Was that a good decision, even if we could not spend too much time there as we had to travel to Seven Feathers that afternoon. We got in the doors after a winding trip through the country roads, and what a huge aeroplane this is. We soon lost Ed and Chris, as they went to watch a video, and we went the other way. The building was huge to house the plane, and we had much to see. There was also another building for films, and another for Space craft. what a good time to stop, not to many people, and lots for us to see. At 1pm we had to say good bye and off we went on our way south.

Casinos stays are sometimes just a night and then you get on the road again, but or stay at Rolling Hills Casino was fun, and interesting. We pulled in at around 2pm, and had some daylight left to enjoy, as well as two couples that we parked next to that were from the Island too. Campbell River was their home town, and we wasted no time getting to know each other. Don & Barb and Curt & Odette. Was a fun time getting to know each other, we stayed outside with a propane fire pit going till the security got after us for the fire pit. Then we had to move into the casino for dinner, and of course a little gambling.

6 degrees of separation is a saying or a belief. I heard it many times, and does seem to have some merit as I go forward in life. When talking with Curt I realized he was a RCMP and worked on the island, and I knew another person in our Camera Club in Ladysmith that was also in the police so asked him if he knew him. Yes he did, know Charlie, and they worked together up north. He had known him for a long time. Later I was talking with Don, and found out he worked for Greyhound, and asked if he knew Cliff, and yes he did. Wow meet two people, and both have connection. We are 2500 km away, meet people from the island, and two know people I know. wow, that is cool.

We pack up the next morning early, and off we go to Orange Grove, and so are the others. We follow them most the way, and meet them the next morning before they leave Orange Grove for Vegas. We exchange card info, and they will spend time this winter in Yuma, at Fortuna De Oro, and we are going to be there for December as it looks now. Funny how things work.

On the way to Orange Grove we take highway 99, as did last year. A little shorter than I-5, but I had a close call last year on this road, and again this year, same kind of problem. I  was in the right lane, and someone wants to exit, comes in front of me and steps on there brakes!!! Lots of scary here. I just cram on the brakes, and I am sure I am going to hit them, then at last second, Zoom off they go off the highway. I lay on the horn, and they are gone. That is the last time I take this road.

We spend 3 nights at Orange Grove as we do need a little rest and the weather is now warm, so relax. Picking oranges does not take long, as there are many oranges here, and we can pick all we want. So I pick  3 bags, and Polly picks one more before we leave.

We then go to Hemet as was recommended by a friend as a good place to hang our hats for awhile. The first place we stay was under repair, so off we go to Golden Village Palms RV Resort. Was a nice place, well maintained, friendly people, and nice clean warm pools & Hot tubs. All the same expected amenities at a resort, and was Thanksgiving on the Thursday, so we managed to get on the list for the dinner, and was good. Turkey was supplied by the resort, and someone cooked it ahead of time for each table, and all other foods and cutlery was brought by people attending. Made for an organised group, and Polly had a surprise when a friend tapped her on the shoulder and said "Hi Paulette" Polly was Hi, and the woman says, you don't remember me do you? Joanne, Joanne Barr! Well Polly nearly feel over. This was a neighbour she had grown up with, and hadn't seen for years. Shocked is what I say Polly was, she was so surprised she kept saying how that was so unbelievable, all the way here and meet someone from home!

Our week went fast, and we did think of staying another, even about going toward San Diego, but after a trip to the Rv Resort and Casino in Temecula, we decided that in the bigger city type of places is not what we were really wanting. Will head toward Indio as we knew where another couple Neil & Debbie were staying and stay a few nights there. We would like to get to Yuma for the month of December, and spend Christmas there.

Monday we drove to Indio, and arrived at Indian Waters Resort RV at noon, and the gate was closed, and the sign read, Check in at 1:00 Gate opens at 12:30. Hmm, well now we wait. We did not get the memo re gate will be closed so we just turned the truck off and waited. Another surprised person walked up, and same never seen this before. Then someone that had a code came along, and he put in his code, and said Shazam! and let us in. Off we go to the office and checked in. Was nice as had a person with a cart direct you to your site, and help you park, this I always appreciate, and less often does it happen. The road was wide, and Nick directed me well as the pad to park on had a electric valve box beside it, so he new to keep my tires away from this. Sure makes it nice to have some familiar direction.

After Nick left, we were making our final adjustments, and Polly noticed a woman feeding the birds, and they were Road Runners. Well this was a first, and before we finished parking we had to go check this out. We found out so much about Road Runners in a short time. Hi I'm Brent I say, and this is my Wife Paulette, and Ann is this woman's name, and she feeds the birds every day since she has been in this spot, for last couple weeks. We find out that these birds are carnivores, and what she feeds them is small pieces of steak. They are a couple her husband David tells us later, and he fills us in on many facts about these birds.

We did get the trailer parked finally, and after we got all hooked up, I was parched, so Beer please Polly, and we open up the lawn chairs, and put them in the shade, and sit and yak it up with these tow, and another woman that happened by for a couple hours. LOL Sure is fun meeting people, and sharing knowledge. We find out that Evelyn and her hubby are full timers, and so are David and Ann. Now we have even more to yak it up about. The afternoon went fast, Bosco met there dog, and made friends, and we talked and made friends. Was a different kind of reception, not totally unusual, but different as we sat and the others stood, and we just yaked for the afternoon, till I was cooled down enough to get into the sun, then I had to put the shirt back on, was getting cool. Now we got away, as was feeling a bit trapped after awhile, we went for a walk to see the place, and see where Deb and Neil were.

We walked by there site, and no truck, but there 5th wheel was there, so we walked over to the pool, and around the clubhouse, and as we made our way back Deb comes out, and says Hey Brent, Polly, Hey! So we go over to a warm welcome, and sit with her, and Oh, we have another beer. Gee this is tough to take. More yakin, and getting familiar, and the Neil comes home from Golf, and we yak a little more, much about the trip here, there trip and ours trading stories. It gets cooler, and darker, so we go home for dinner with plans to meet up after.

Nice way to start our first day here in |Indio.

Loving our Life.

Desert, Ranches, Lakes, Farms, what Beautiful Country we drive through.

Polly took some good photos as we drove

We let out of Pahrump early and our drive was great to start as we had been to Beatty before, but past that we noticed much flat desert, and rolling hills as we made our way to where we hoped to spend the night. Tonopah was a bust as we drove upward to the top of a mountain 6047' Wow, not as expected. It was a very cold day, wind blowing and temperature has dropped to 52 Deg F, 11 Deg C Brrr. The town was not pretty, an old mining town that was somehow still mining to a small degree. Even if the weather was warm, we would not have stayed here, but may have walked around and took a look. We bought fuel, and a subway, and off we went toward Carson City, looking as we went for a possible stop.

We did stop as we made our way there, we went through a town called Hawthorne, on the way we saw many bunkers and were told later they were munition dumps, for old ammunition. We drove through, and saw The town looked depressed, and not doing well. We did see an RV park on the highway when we left, but not what we were looking for, very exposed, and wind blowing like crazy.
We passed Walker lake on our way and thought a nice spot, but looked like was nothing open yet for RV parks.

Our next stop was Yerington, for a bathroom break at a gas station, nice little town, much farming here.  I asked for best route, and an RV park recommendation in Carson City, the woman had no idea on RV parks, but did give me best route for us with the trailer. I find this local knowledge is so much better than just pick a route on the map, as she did say she would usually recommend another route, but too many twists and turns for such a windy day with an RV she said.

It is late now, 4:30 so we call ahead for a place to roll into when we get to Carson City, and Camp-N-Town RV says they have one site left, so we take it for the night, and make our way there in about an hour. We find our site, and make it home for tonight. Now a beer, and a yak. Polly and I do that well after our moves. We like to talk about what we did, saw, and feel about this last leg of our journey. The possible stop at Tonopah was top of the order, and we agree was not for us today. We did like the town of Yerington, was clean homes and well kept businesses and farms were well taken care of too.
Not for us to stay in though, Carson City was the destination.

We got up next day, and went for a walk around the town, was told the capitol building, and other areas there were worth seeing, and they were. Many interesting statues that with there written history on the plaques, made for good reading for us. We learned that Carson City was developed mostly by one man with a vision, here is the history link  Abraham Curry He saw a city where others saw land.

Our site first night at Camp-N-Town RV

No dogs in Casino's, unless a service dog

Never made it in, Next time!

Ain't we cute

Kit riding through the brush

Polly reading about the Miners Monument

We went up to Virginia City, and was a good climb up hill to get there. This is an old mining town, which there are many around Nevada, but this one is mostly intact, and was a real good view of what it was like in the past.

On the way up the hill to Virginia City

Love this sign

Was a school in past, now a Museum

Dressed in clothing from past

Many great bars here

View South

We also went to Carson Hot Springs, was a beauty pool full of very warm mineral water to soak in. Was a good day for us to do this, as wasn't busy, and was a beauty, sunny, warm day.  Only a couple hours, as could only take so much sun. Showers were with same hot spring water, so soap didn't want to come off easily.

Casinos in Carson City, like all of Nevada were plentiful, and we went to 3 different casinos, Fandango, The Nugget, and Cactus Jack's. Fandando was best, Nugget next, and never stayed in Cactus Jack's as was small, and real bad smoky.

We also went for a drive up to Lake Tahoe, was a beautiful place to visit. My first thoughts were fast speed for around a lake, 50 mph, and many No Trespassing, Private Property, and Keep Out, Private Property, No turnaround!

This gave a feeling of all here was out of our grasp until we got to a good pullout at Cave Rock State Park, where we could get a few decent pictures of the lake and mountains from above.

Our first look at the mountains and lake

I made it to the top of the rocks

Tie ups for boats in summer I am guessing

Polly loved the huge pine cones

Boat that takes people out for tours of the lake.

Further down the road we stopped at Zephyr Cove Resort, where it was free parking today, and we had a chance to get out and take a walk down the dock to where a huge boat was docked that would take people out for cruises. Clean clear water here, and all the lake we saw.

Next stop was Nevada Beach Campground and day use pavilion, a forest service operation. Was closest we got to the water, and with Bosco, was a no go on the beach, so we just looked from the trails and road. Gates were closed, so could not drive in, but the walk was good. Sunny warm day made for another good excursion for us.

Next we got to South Lake Tahoe, and Lake Valley, was a bit much for us, had many huge buildings, we didn't expect here. Made a drive through, then turn around and back to Safeway for some lunch, and a picnic at Zephyr Cove as was a nice place to stop, and a little less restrictive. All in all a good look around, even if we didn't go all the way around the lake.

At Safeway we talked with a local girl, and she said there are some beaches that they go to that you could bring your dog, and were less restricted, that made me happy to hear as so far all looked like dogs were a no go everywhere we went.

Our stay here in Carson City was just what we wanted, even took a trip into Reno our last night to see the Peppermill Casino we had been told about in Laughlin. A great card room I was told, so had to check it out. Yes it was a great card room, and a very nice casino. Polly did well at the slots, Me I left a few at the card table, but was a very nice casino, we will return again.

So much to see here in Carson City, will stop again if we pass by here.