San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show, more than we expected.

Lunch at Casino El Camino

I thought Rodeo, and Singers is what we may see, but before you even get in the gate the Ferris wheel is so prominent you know that a fair is here, with as we remember from our fair experiences past, and more. Done in just a little different ways, as this is Texas. Ford has a corner on the market here, and many ford ads and displays. San Antonio is in all you see, and Texas is everywhere too. Country gear from boots to all kinds of clothing and leather goods. Cowboy hats are on most every head, and boots on every child, woman and man. So much to take in here, my head keeps turning for many different sights. I'm on overload, and just love it. People are very friendly, and we always sit at picnic tables to eat, always meet someone there.

Yesterday we met a couple as we ate our brisket & sausage dinner that have been here most of there lives, the guy is from German background, and the woman seems like was from Mexican background, but a ways back. They had much to tell us about the city, and suggestions for what to see, and where to go, and what to try for restaurants. They work in service industry, her for the state, he in a hospital. I ask Polly there names today as I just didn't pay enough attention, she says "Oh god no!" Can't remember all names, we meet so many people, and so nice to say hi, just cant remember all.

Went to the pig races, was so much fun, and we see so many young families here. Plastic Pig noses were the thing, so Polly got a couple and we wore them through the races. Shopping is a big part of what we saw, and I'm not much of a shopper, I just follow and say yes that's nice honey. Got to see some big animals, cows that were so big! Saw a porcupine up close for the first time. Will go next time and look through the stables.

BBQ everywhere in Texas

After shopping we went into the stadium and got to our seats and Don and Chris were there already, we were on the end and had many ups and downs as people passed by to there seats. We are in the nose bleeds but for $30.00 still good deal. Rodeo is good, and we kind of know what to expect as this is our 3rd time here, and the routine is same each day. one thing different today, had a few very close calls to the cowboys today, one guy hurt his leg bad, had to be trucked off. Another had his hand caught in the rope on the bulls neck, that was very close to be a huge problem, but he finally got away. The clowns are so good about taking the bulls attention away from doing damage, so good they almost get run over too.

Friends for many years here

Bull riding on the mechanical bull

After the bulls finish, and things pack up there, they proceed to get the stage and all the chairs, and amps out and in place for the show. Stage is a revolving type, and has its own motor and wheels to propel itself in as the setup is done. Quite an interesting system they have developed for this daily show.

We have now seen all the shows as of my writing today. Took a little break in writing this blog post.

Choosing the best and biggest!

Now for the show, and everyone has been different, lighting pretty much the same, but the performance always different. Seats were different each time. Chris has started grading the performances, and some get a very high score. Our first was Darius Rucker, and he has the highest score, 9.5 says Chris. She has the most experience when it comes to country singers, and we all agree he was the best of all we have seen here, Brad Paisley next, we haven't put them all in a list yet. Maybe today as is last day we will be here in San Antonio, and tomorrow we will leave and go our separate ways, us south, Don and Chris north west.

Whatever we thought we might do here we did it, or we leave it for next time. We did make a trip to Corpus Christi, was a good day for a drive as weather was off, a little colder, and windy, so we stayed in the truck most the time, Don drove, was nice to look around and not have to think of traffic. We saw much of the farming lands, and drove along the beach toward Port Aransas looking out toward the gulf of Mexico and all the oil platforms that operate there. The beach was nice, and the water was rough from the wind. As we made it to the end of the beach we rounded the point and we were in the town so fast, and there was our destination, Bernie's! A pub that I had put in my phone as our destination, as lunch was in order by now.

Bernie's was as most places here self serve, get your beers, and order your food at a window, and then wait till your number is called. Keeps the price down, as lunch and beers were cheep. $1.00 for a beer was a nice change from $8.50 at the rodeo. Food was good, and the scenery was funny in the bar, and as per usual people were friendly.

After lunch we drove to a couple drilling platforms that were in port for service, and then a long drive home, with a stop at a vitamin shop for Chris. Was a nice way to spend a cooler, windy day.

We also went one day to Austin, for the RV show, and this was a fun day full of opening doors, and looking through some very nice new trailers and motor homes. Polly found one she really liked, she kept saying "it feels good in this one!", guess this is the one... lol

Polly's choice. I like it too!

OK line up for the picture

We had an interesting lunch at a place Polly found on the internet, Casino El Camino. This seems to be a trend now, look it up on the net. Dark and kinda dingy, but food was good, and it was packed when we came in so tells us gotta be good.

Looks like a good deal, till you do the
 $-USA vs $-Canadian

Traffic was busy on this day, as a Friday, and was all the way to and from Austin was busy. Not my kinda relax, but we are learning what we don't want, so will build that into our trip as we go, stay to the outside of the cites.

One last thing I want to say here is how in Texas you see everywhere the state logo, and if an American flag is flown, a Texas one is there too. As I finish this post we have now moved to Mission Texas, and I saw another reminder how proud they are of there state, a picture of the state with Wisconsin cowboy hat on the top of the state of Texas, which was coloured as a flag, and said "Winter Texan". So much pride in there state. I love it when I see this.

Love this life, Travel and see whats next!

Here we go again, further south and further east.

Travel time again soon as we get closer to the time where we pack up our home and move to our next adventure. This Friday, Feb. 8th we travel toward San Antonio Texas for a couple weeks of rodeo along with some great country entertainment. Our friends Don and Chris have made it to Yuma, and are staying close to us here in Fortuna, we will travel south together and take in the sights. They have been travelling south and all over for more years than us, and suggested the rodeo last year, so this year we will check out Texas just a little more in depth. We have booked ahead at Braunig Lake RV Resort as we have stayed there before, and is a nice place to stay while we check out San Antonio's sights.

The last 3 weeks we have had Lyn, Polly's sister stay with us & fun was had for the full 3 weeks. We showed her around here, introduced here to many friends, brought her to Mexico for a few Margarita's and of course shopping. Went to the dinner and dance, drove to Martinez lake and Yuma Proving grounds for a look around. Swam in the pool, played pool, but missed the boccie and shuffleboard we thought we might play. Got to leave something for next time. All in all was a good time, and plans are made for us to return next year to Fortuna for 2 months next year. All going well Lyn may join us again, maybe here, or maybe in Texas, or who knows maybe in Florida.

Lyn helped with many things while she was here, she's no slouch. She did most all the dishes, walked Bosco on many occasions, made a few dinners, and made a few sandwiches. Oh almost forgot, Lyn did serve a couple cold beers! 🍺 Made for a nice visit, and we both miss her. One question we get asked often is where did Lyn sleep while she was here? LOL we have fun with this, Lyn was on the air mattress, and as Polly describes it in the evening it would sound like we were vacuuming as the air mattress filled up, and the morning as it was emptied.

Lyn planned her flight back to coincide with our trip to Phoenix to go see the Kelly Clarkson concert, so the day we drove there we went for a visit Alex and Deb friends we met in Indio, that would watch Bosco for us overnight. Was nice to have her meet them, and spend a little time getting to know them before we had to take her to her flight. Airports are not a favourite of mine, and driving through this one is complicated, but after missing a few turns when we went to pick Lyn up, I now knew what to expect. All went well till the last hug, and I heard Polly say don't you cry! Of course she did, and so did Polly just a little, always hard to say good bye.

We made our way to an Airbnb we had booked, was a new experience for us, and all worked out well. All we needed was a clean room, and that's what we got, and a friendly welcome. That made for a nice short drive in an uber to and from the concert. The concert was fantastic, another new experience, I am learning to book with the arena box office rather than ticket master, and get someone that helps you get good seats. This time seats were not what was available where I wanted to be so we got floor and stood for 3 hours, but were right in front of the stage, so got a great view of Kelly and all the performances. Was a great show, and all went well. Nice when things work out like you plan.

On that note I want to talk about plans, we all have them, and sometimes they work out and others you modify as you go. We had been planning to do something special this year for our 25th Anniversary, and a few things we have started to plan have been changed, so right now no solid plan. But, always an iron in the fire I say, never know what may come. Leaving options open gives us opportunity to take in something we never thought of if it comes our way. Our plan looking forward is to travel south after the rodeo, check out Corpus Christi & South Padre, maybe even check out the towns above Brownsville. Then who knows, we hope to head north this year when the weather warms, and make our way over the boarder to Manitoba, then travel back to Vancouver Island through Canada.

Our happy hour we planned for goodbye to Lyn was fun

Plans are good, and help us going forward. I remember getting asked "What do you want Brent?" a few times in my life. I think I have it now. Choices we all have, what we choose is up to us. Polly and I have made the choice to peel off the layers that held us to a location, and strapped us in so our choices were less. Today if we get an offer, or we see something we think we would like to checkout, or even if we just want to sit in a chair and watch others rush about we can. What more can I ask.

Bosco on the other hand just goes where we go, but he does expect us to make plans for him, otherwise he gets out of sorts, and we don't want that. We make plans for him, and make sure he is looked after while we travel. He just went back to bed after staying with me for the last hour. Too much separation for him here on this love seat.

The last of our poker games will happen this week, as when we travel we are too busy for that, so will enjoy the last time with friends here, and get ready to leave. Not sad to leave, looking forward to our next adventures as we travel south.

Life is good when you have options! Love this life.

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.