Happy Birthday Dave, May 28, 2012

Wanted to say again, what a good time we had at Marty and Dayna's. The last few times we had been there we really didn't get to see Dayna. It was very nice getting to have a long visit this time. The restaurant business, after 30 yrs., is still booming, Dayna cut back on her Dental Hygienist job to 2 days a week and Friday nights at the restaurant. They both seem so much happier, good for them. I just wanted to give them a shout out, when your in their area you got to go by and see them. Tomaselli's Pastry Mill & Cafe in Elkton, Oregon.

Let's move on. Today was Dave's 65th birthday, Happy Birthday Dave, and here we are parked in a Monaco repair plant. After he worked on the computers this a.m. we hit the road to find the Curves, in Springfield, so I can go tomorrow morning. After that we found the Enterprise Rent a Car place where we will rent a car to drive to Bend tomorrow to visit friends, Lee and Vicki. It's a long drive and our jeep is like driving a dirt bike on the highway. It's a 1991, no radio, and if you just move the steering wheel a little the jeep veers like crazy. Would feel a lot better having a little bit more stable car for this road trip. Plus, the jeep eats gas like it's nothing. After that we drove to Junction City to Guaranty RV to look at some new RV's. Just looking at some smaller ones, 34 or 36 foot ones, since they are much easier to park in National Parks. Then drove to Junkyard Dog but it was closed, bummer, was looking forward to a special hot dog.  Drove through Harrisburg, to where the old Monaco plant was and nothing has really changed there in that town. Then back to the RV, not a very exciting birthday, but as we always say, "it's just another day". We did go out for Sushi for dinner, something Dave hasn't gotten to do in a long time, so that was really enjoyable. I even tried some raw spicy tuna and salmon.
Well tomorrow, after talking to the Monaco repair people, we are hoping to be headed out for Bend, Oregon.

May 27, 2012 Coburg Oregon

Before we left the Redding, Ca Elks Lodge we had to drive over to their dump site. While we were dumping Dave decided to wash the windshield. When he was done he leaned the pole and spray bottle against the front of the RV. We hooked up the jeep, locked the bay doors, I waited in back to watch the jeep move and the arms lock on our tow bar and then next thing I hear is a big pop. I looked under the coach and sure enough we ran over the window washing bar. 1st mishap of the trip, will have to make sure and keep track of these. Anyway, on our way to Coburg we stopped in Corning, Ca. at a Speedco to have the oil changed in the RV. 1 1/2 hour later we were on the road again. We got to Coburg, Monaco Plant, and there were only 3 places left to park, at least we got one.

Tomaselli Pastry Mill
New Wood Fired Oven

Then we jumped into the jeep and headed back to Elkton to visit and eat at my brother, Marty's, restaurant. We drank lots of wine, ate pizza from his new wood burning oven and tried the lamb shank. Everything was excellent. The restaurant starting getting real busy so Dayna and Marty had to get to work with helping the employees. Dave and I went back to Marty's house and started doing laundry. When Dayna and Marty got home we sat and talked for another couple hours.
In the morning we went to the restaurant for breakfast, then Dave and I headed back to the RV. Needed to get the RV set up because we really didn't do it when we 1st parked.

Sacramento, CA

Got to the Carmichael Elks on Tuesday, early evening. (5/22/12). Had dinner at the Elks Lodge, Taco night a whole $6.00 for both of us, can't beat that. Food was pretty good too and enough of it. Wednesday I walked to Curves in the morning, Dave then fixed breakfast. After breakfast and showers we headed out, needed some parts to fix the brake buddy. After the brake buddy was fixed we needed to return the remote control we had purchased in Bakersfield at Walmart so we headed out for Walmart. When we got there we realized that we had forgotten to bring the remote, oh well, buy another one and return the 1st one later. When we got back to the RV we had lunch then headed over to Aunt Wilma's house.Visited with Dave's aunt, who is 93 and living on her own, got caught up on the family gossip stuff then back to the RV. Rosemary, RV friend, was coming to the Elks to have dinner with us and visit.
Thursday morning, walked to Curves again, had breakfast, then headed over to Rosemary and George's house to hang out for the day. Stayed all day, Dave and George worked on George's jeep and RV and we had a good time visiting. Had dinner at their house then headed back home. Heading out tomorrow for Redding, CA and a visit with Bob and Jackie.

Seeing the grandkids

Got to Bakersfield on Thursday, late afternoon. Had fun the last 4 days swimming with the kids in the pool. Kids meaning, Kim, Danny, Madison and Marcus. David Jr. and Joey even came up on Sunday and spent the day with us, great seeing them both, sorry that Jodi and Riley couldn't make it. Will be watching Madison and Marcus this a.m. while Kim and Danny go and sign papers for the new house. Will have an early lunch with Kim and kids, Danny has a dentist appointment, back to the RV Park and hit the road. Very excited for the road trip to begin, but also depressed to leave the grand kids. Needless to say Dave is having to put up with a moody bitch right now. I think I'll change once we get on the road, or at least he hopes I will. :)

Starting the real trip

Well it is almost time to hit the road again. We have had a great time visiting with Kids and Grankids. Lots of time in the pool at the RV park. Our 3 year old granddaughter loves to be in the water so does her 2 year old brother. On Sunday our Son drove up from Simi with our newest grandson. For just being one year old he sure wanted to splash in the pool. All of was went out to dinner as an early celibration of my 65th birthday.
Tomorrow we are driving to Sacramento so we can visit my aunt and some RV friends. But we may stop along the way if we feel like it. We are trying to driving times to no more than 4 hours a day and the drive from Bakersfield to Sacramento is about 5 hours so we may break it into two 2.5 hour days.
I have added a page showing a map of our trip and a calendar with travel dates. So far the only date that we are sure of is our appointment at Monaco in Coburg OR on May 29th. All other dates are best quess and will change if we want to stay someplace longer or leave sooner. This is a no presure trip.

On the road

The adventure has started. This morning at 6:20 AM we hit the road from our stick house in Cornville AZ. Today we going to Bakersfield CA this may be the longest driving day of the trip, 9.5 hours. We are traveling west instead of north because we must see the grandchildren before heading for Alaska.
For the last few weeks we have been getting the Motor Home ready for the trip. We changed both TVs, 32 inch flat screen up front and a 26 inch in the bedroom. All of the roof seams were covered with Eternabond. Used a 3M fiberglass cleaner polish to remove oxidation from the roof. We still need to service the engine at a Speedco on the road and have the shocks replaced at Monaco in Oregon.