Good morning my friends. Our 6 day drive from Athol ID. to Boerne TX, was so worth the experience. Even haven driven this route already a couple of times, it truly seems like the first. From the beautiful mountains to the scorched desert. North Idaho polished and rustic with sophisticated comfort and urban charm. With the great south west having the spicy influence of our native Americans. Driving in the comfort of your car and being able to make stops along the many historic sites learning American history. The landscape transforms to the many agriculture areas we so depend on for daily food supply.
Fields of bright green corn stalks, the beige of wheat gently swaying in the breeze. Acres of soy beans, oats, pecan groves, peach, apple, and cherry orchards, and fields of brilliant yellow sunflowers. The stalks sturdy and stretching to the sun. Then we have the small farmers that sell their fruits and veggies on the side of the road. Which by the way is always best fresh from the farm.
American livestock that graze upon lush green grass. Dairy cows, sheep, cattle, deer, elk, and horse's. Remarkable the dedication of our farmers. They work the soil sun up to sun down, preparing the ground, planting, and harvesting. Not to mention the many acts of nature that could make or break the growing season. Draught, excessive rain, harsh winds, and prolong winter season of ice and snow. So many unpredictable factors that cause mayhem on our nations food supply. So have you hugged a farmer today.
You have heard me whine and complain about the drastic change of climate. The crisp mountain air to the smelting heat. It is like flipping a switch from comfy cool to stifle hot. Need not say anymore.
Time to sign off for today. If I remember next time I will share the many different cuisine.
Be safe xoxoxo
Juju
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Texas
We are now in San Antonio. We arrived a day early. However glad to have the driving behind us. Our youngest Malissa was so excited to see us. She wanted to take Monday off. Her and I love shopping, and hanging out. We have a few movies we liked to see, I think we can fit all into our schedule. We shall be here 11 days before we head to Galveston.
Well that old saying what comes around goes around. Very true, while in Athol I would brag to people back home about the comfortable temp. Always gave them a smug daily report of the super nice weather conditions. Of course my sarcasms has come back to haunt me. Temp here in San Antonio is 103. No rain, no cool down, in the near future. I am now in Hell. We are having to run both AC's our ceiling fan and a box fan. We did get a little lucky with our RV space. We have a small tree and we get a very late afternoon shade. Gosh being in the shade just cools us down a cool 1 degree.
Looking so forward to taking a dip in cement pond, water temp is a boiling 90. Yes being a Blondie I don't always make good choice. I REALLY MISS ATHOL IDAHO the high there today is 67.
Would like to share some good RV parks we stopped at along our route. First stop Dillon MT. South side RV park I give it a 9. Pull through, super clean, lots of trees, level
sites, laundry rooms, showers, cable TV with Showtime and HBO. Easy in and easy out. Second stop. Springville UT.
http://www.eastbayrvpark.com/ I also give the park a 9. This park had a pool, WI-FI, a beauty of a sunset, a good stop for a full days drive. Yes we will go back. Third stop Sleeping Ute Mountain R V Park (970) 565-6544 or 1-800-889-5072. Again a good park had all you need. This one located on Indian Reservation, complete with a Casino. Did not get to go and check it out. That was the day of my vertigo attack. Harry being a sweetheart would not leave me alone. So sweet how he worries about me. 4th day 229 miles to Rio Rancho NM. we stayed at a KOA been there many times and as always very pricey. They do offer pancakes for morning breakfast. Our favorite is reason for stopping is the Mexican burrito with green chilies, too die for. Yes we would absolute go outta our way for this burrito. Also I was able to get my green chilies to take home, love Mexican food.
Day 5 was a short drive to Roswell NM to Town and Country RV Park. Again we have been at this park many times very comfortable plenty room for any size rigs and
accommodations for alien space ship. They do ask that you do not smush their pets, tarantulas. Day 6 leaving Roswell very early Saturday morning leaving behind pleasant temp of 73. We crossed the border into TX and was hit with a heat wave. We had 6 days on the road and gonna make it home tonight. Kept the wheels rolling till we got to Boerne. A nice surprise Jay and Stella were returning from dinner, great to see them again. They have just returned from a Colorado vacation. Trying to adjust to the heat. Will have some time to catch up with each travels.
Our boomers RV buddies will have a 10 year annv. party Labor Day weekend. Gonna be a big party. Lots of happy campers for a 3 day weekend.
OK my friends will chat again soon.
Be safe xoxoxo
juju
Well that old saying what comes around goes around. Very true, while in Athol I would brag to people back home about the comfortable temp. Always gave them a smug daily report of the super nice weather conditions. Of course my sarcasms has come back to haunt me. Temp here in San Antonio is 103. No rain, no cool down, in the near future. I am now in Hell. We are having to run both AC's our ceiling fan and a box fan. We did get a little lucky with our RV space. We have a small tree and we get a very late afternoon shade. Gosh being in the shade just cools us down a cool 1 degree.
Looking so forward to taking a dip in cement pond, water temp is a boiling 90. Yes being a Blondie I don't always make good choice. I REALLY MISS ATHOL IDAHO the high there today is 67.
Would like to share some good RV parks we stopped at along our route. First stop Dillon MT. South side RV park I give it a 9. Pull through, super clean, lots of trees, level
sites, laundry rooms, showers, cable TV with Showtime and HBO. Easy in and easy out. Second stop. Springville UT.
http://www.eastbayrvpark.com/ I also give the park a 9. This park had a pool, WI-FI, a beauty of a sunset, a good stop for a full days drive. Yes we will go back. Third stop Sleeping Ute Mountain R V Park (970) 565-6544 or 1-800-889-5072. Again a good park had all you need. This one located on Indian Reservation, complete with a Casino. Did not get to go and check it out. That was the day of my vertigo attack. Harry being a sweetheart would not leave me alone. So sweet how he worries about me. 4th day 229 miles to Rio Rancho NM. we stayed at a KOA been there many times and as always very pricey. They do offer pancakes for morning breakfast. Our favorite is reason for stopping is the Mexican burrito with green chilies, too die for. Yes we would absolute go outta our way for this burrito. Also I was able to get my green chilies to take home, love Mexican food.
Day 5 was a short drive to Roswell NM to Town and Country RV Park. Again we have been at this park many times very comfortable plenty room for any size rigs and
accommodations for alien space ship. They do ask that you do not smush their pets, tarantulas. Day 6 leaving Roswell very early Saturday morning leaving behind pleasant temp of 73. We crossed the border into TX and was hit with a heat wave. We had 6 days on the road and gonna make it home tonight. Kept the wheels rolling till we got to Boerne. A nice surprise Jay and Stella were returning from dinner, great to see them again. They have just returned from a Colorado vacation. Trying to adjust to the heat. Will have some time to catch up with each travels.
Our boomers RV buddies will have a 10 year annv. party Labor Day weekend. Gonna be a big party. Lots of happy campers for a 3 day weekend.
OK my friends will chat again soon.
Be safe xoxoxo
juju
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wed. August 18th
Hello my friends. Hope you doing fine this Wed.? Lot's to share with you guys.
First I will start with Deb's visit. Just to update a few who might not know. Deb and I have been bbf for 50 + years. We went to grade school and junior high, before her and family moved to Texas City. We managed to stay in touch after high school and Deb going on to A& M. Then moving out west when she was 21. Oh my the many teenage pranks I could share with you. There was this one time at the teen club, just a hang out for us teens, well anyway we thought it would be fun to, oh my such a long time ago I can't remember what I had for breakfast. You know the saying what happen then stays then. LOL
Deb drove from Central Point OR. a good 2 day drive to Athol ID. She arrived Wed. afternoon and we headed to the big city of Coeur D' Alene. Had a few cocktails at a local restaurant which has a patio for us to people watch. A great afternoon sharing fond memories and catching up since last years visit. Afterwards we shopped the local farmers market. I finally found some fresh tomatoes. Also planed to get some fresh cut flowers, which I usually have on my dining table. Flowers just the perfect gift from God. Getting late and Deb having a long day we decide to head back to the park. First we had to give her a quick tour of the park. We all settled in for the evening. Thursday we spent the better part of the day in the park. That evening was party time. We had a park ranger celebrating her birthday, so off to the floating patio in Bayview. I believe we had some 75 people giving Erin birthday wishes, many drinks, along with duck farts shots, some insisted on a B57. We tired to tell her she meant a B52, no she said a B57. Turns out a B57 is a B52. Scott owner of the patio is always making sure his guest are happy campers. He is not shy with the alcohol. There was a few intermittent showers, determined we would not let a little rain spoil our party. Then came the downpour being so sweet I could not melt. So we made a fast dash to the truck and head home. I have mentioned we live in a gated part of the park so yes I had to get out in the dark with pouring rain, a little tipsy trying to put this key into a small whole in the a lock. Not sure how long it took but I was drenched big time. Harry and Deb laughing at me Harry enjoying turning the truck light on and off. Getting the gate open Deb suggesting to Harry to inch the truck up then stop and do it again. Ha ha you should have been there it was really very funny. Adding another memory to keep in my many pages of life. Friday afternoon the campers begin showing up for the weekend wedding. I know Deb and I was so excited another wedding in the park. This time it was gonna be big. They unloaded chairs, by the dozen, BBQ pits, band equipment. Oh yes another get down hoot en nanny. We parked our chairs in the street for front row view. We had corn chips and a bottle of mountain dew. So giddy we could hardly wait. With out any warning here comes the bride all dressed in white. Yes, what a disappointment. This couple was so traditional the only thing exciting was the little flower girl. She must have been 3 and being outside she had picked flowers and blowing bubbles. A real dud of a wedding. Well I let the park ranger have a ear full. These people were not welcome back. All was not lost Deb and I did a little star gazing and topped the evening off with a cup of coffee and Baileys. Sunday came to fast and time to say farewell to my dear friend. Deb is on a mission she is looking for RV parks for our return next spring.
My grandson called and wants his granny home. What Cody and Ryan want they get. Granny said good bye and is heading to Texas. We did talk with Erin and as it turns out a couple arrived 3 weeks early. Boone and Betty ahead of schedule from Alaska they were very eager to slide into our place. We made our preparations for the long journey home. Leaving was bitter sweet, having made many new friendship and say good bye to old friends it was time to depart. We will spend Labor Day weekend with our family and visit some friends in Boerne. Our plans to stay on the Island, I want to be close to my grandsons. Football games, soccer games, choir, and having lunch with them just to name a few.
Again I have kept you too long. Will say good night and will chat again soon.
Be safe XOXOXO
Juju
First I will start with Deb's visit. Just to update a few who might not know. Deb and I have been bbf for 50 + years. We went to grade school and junior high, before her and family moved to Texas City. We managed to stay in touch after high school and Deb going on to A& M. Then moving out west when she was 21. Oh my the many teenage pranks I could share with you. There was this one time at the teen club, just a hang out for us teens, well anyway we thought it would be fun to, oh my such a long time ago I can't remember what I had for breakfast. You know the saying what happen then stays then. LOL
Deb drove from Central Point OR. a good 2 day drive to Athol ID. She arrived Wed. afternoon and we headed to the big city of Coeur D' Alene. Had a few cocktails at a local restaurant which has a patio for us to people watch. A great afternoon sharing fond memories and catching up since last years visit. Afterwards we shopped the local farmers market. I finally found some fresh tomatoes. Also planed to get some fresh cut flowers, which I usually have on my dining table. Flowers just the perfect gift from God. Getting late and Deb having a long day we decide to head back to the park. First we had to give her a quick tour of the park. We all settled in for the evening. Thursday we spent the better part of the day in the park. That evening was party time. We had a park ranger celebrating her birthday, so off to the floating patio in Bayview. I believe we had some 75 people giving Erin birthday wishes, many drinks, along with duck farts shots, some insisted on a B57. We tired to tell her she meant a B52, no she said a B57. Turns out a B57 is a B52. Scott owner of the patio is always making sure his guest are happy campers. He is not shy with the alcohol. There was a few intermittent showers, determined we would not let a little rain spoil our party. Then came the downpour being so sweet I could not melt. So we made a fast dash to the truck and head home. I have mentioned we live in a gated part of the park so yes I had to get out in the dark with pouring rain, a little tipsy trying to put this key into a small whole in the a lock. Not sure how long it took but I was drenched big time. Harry and Deb laughing at me Harry enjoying turning the truck light on and off. Getting the gate open Deb suggesting to Harry to inch the truck up then stop and do it again. Ha ha you should have been there it was really very funny. Adding another memory to keep in my many pages of life. Friday afternoon the campers begin showing up for the weekend wedding. I know Deb and I was so excited another wedding in the park. This time it was gonna be big. They unloaded chairs, by the dozen, BBQ pits, band equipment. Oh yes another get down hoot en nanny. We parked our chairs in the street for front row view. We had corn chips and a bottle of mountain dew. So giddy we could hardly wait. With out any warning here comes the bride all dressed in white. Yes, what a disappointment. This couple was so traditional the only thing exciting was the little flower girl. She must have been 3 and being outside she had picked flowers and blowing bubbles. A real dud of a wedding. Well I let the park ranger have a ear full. These people were not welcome back. All was not lost Deb and I did a little star gazing and topped the evening off with a cup of coffee and Baileys. Sunday came to fast and time to say farewell to my dear friend. Deb is on a mission she is looking for RV parks for our return next spring.
My grandson called and wants his granny home. What Cody and Ryan want they get. Granny said good bye and is heading to Texas. We did talk with Erin and as it turns out a couple arrived 3 weeks early. Boone and Betty ahead of schedule from Alaska they were very eager to slide into our place. We made our preparations for the long journey home. Leaving was bitter sweet, having made many new friendship and say good bye to old friends it was time to depart. We will spend Labor Day weekend with our family and visit some friends in Boerne. Our plans to stay on the Island, I want to be close to my grandsons. Football games, soccer games, choir, and having lunch with them just to name a few.
Again I have kept you too long. Will say good night and will chat again soon.
Be safe XOXOXO
Juju
Monday, August 9, 2010
Good morning. How U doing? Harry and I are having such fun. So many place's to see we don't have enough time to do it all. Sandpoint a small town about 25 minutes from us will have their annual festival. Lots of music for dancing, vendors food, arts and crafts. The 10 day fest is a local favorite, and a must to do. Aug 14th is Athol Daze. Only 10 minutes from the park. Bayview celebrated it's centennially this summer. They had a jazz fest, ice cream social, fireworks, street party. You can now understand our full plate, and we keep going back for 2nd's and 3rd's. Such good times.
Thursday we had to put our home in the shop for some repairs. The gears slipping on the kitchen slide. Harry had to manual crank the slide in. Remember he has been retired about 6 years. Those days of climbing 300 feet ladders, swinging a sledge hammer, well my baby's tight muscle and awesome physic is now to put it kindly is jello. Yes he has gotten soft. He is totally enjoying the life of leisure. With the RV in the shop we had a day to do some more exploring. We drove over to Post Falls just a short drive. I saw an ad for a Italian deli and market. Thought that would be a fun place to shop. Turns out the ad was just a little exaggerated. Granted they had a deli and a few cans of tomatoes and box of spaghetti. Just not exactly what I was looking for. So off to CDA for a Mexican lunch. We then decided to drive to Wallace ID. A small old mining town, but big city fun things to do. As we drove downtown we spotted a authentic BBQ cafe they had a big BBQ pit in the front parking lot and just a smoking. The authentic aroma brought a sense of familiarity. Our belly's still full from lunch we could only imagine how tasty the food could be. Many antiques shops to browse. Old fashion ice cream parlor complete with a soda jerk. The weather was so perfect to walk the streets and marvel at the all the sights. Our long day of exploring had all to soon ended. It was time to head back to Athol and pick up our home. Did not take us long to get set-up back in the park. Our routine has become second nature but not so complacence that we take our check list for granted. This is one constance ritual you must take the time to do. By doing your check list it will save you money and aggravation. We do know mistakes made are mistakes learned.
We were to have a wedding this past weekend. However we got word someone had cold feet. So we had a quite time in our neck of the woods. We made a visit to other camp host. We sat in their pads and watched them work. Selling firewood, answering questions, just got a little exhausting for us so we moved on. Harry and I have the very very best area of the park to maintain. All others are so jealous, sometime they ride into our hood and through water balloons at us. Tuesday we have another pot luck gathering. So loving the many new friendship's. Gonna be sad when summer end.
I have a special treat this week my childhood bff is coming to play. Deb will arrive Wed. and we can let the ruckus begin. Oh my 50 plus years of friendship. Deb moved to the west over 35 years ago and the distance never gave our friendship any roadblocks.
OK it is time for afternoon nap. You guys have a good day. All be safe.
XOXOX
Juju
Thursday we had to put our home in the shop for some repairs. The gears slipping on the kitchen slide. Harry had to manual crank the slide in. Remember he has been retired about 6 years. Those days of climbing 300 feet ladders, swinging a sledge hammer, well my baby's tight muscle and awesome physic is now to put it kindly is jello. Yes he has gotten soft. He is totally enjoying the life of leisure. With the RV in the shop we had a day to do some more exploring. We drove over to Post Falls just a short drive. I saw an ad for a Italian deli and market. Thought that would be a fun place to shop. Turns out the ad was just a little exaggerated. Granted they had a deli and a few cans of tomatoes and box of spaghetti. Just not exactly what I was looking for. So off to CDA for a Mexican lunch. We then decided to drive to Wallace ID. A small old mining town, but big city fun things to do. As we drove downtown we spotted a authentic BBQ cafe they had a big BBQ pit in the front parking lot and just a smoking. The authentic aroma brought a sense of familiarity. Our belly's still full from lunch we could only imagine how tasty the food could be. Many antiques shops to browse. Old fashion ice cream parlor complete with a soda jerk. The weather was so perfect to walk the streets and marvel at the all the sights. Our long day of exploring had all to soon ended. It was time to head back to Athol and pick up our home. Did not take us long to get set-up back in the park. Our routine has become second nature but not so complacence that we take our check list for granted. This is one constance ritual you must take the time to do. By doing your check list it will save you money and aggravation. We do know mistakes made are mistakes learned.
We were to have a wedding this past weekend. However we got word someone had cold feet. So we had a quite time in our neck of the woods. We made a visit to other camp host. We sat in their pads and watched them work. Selling firewood, answering questions, just got a little exhausting for us so we moved on. Harry and I have the very very best area of the park to maintain. All others are so jealous, sometime they ride into our hood and through water balloons at us. Tuesday we have another pot luck gathering. So loving the many new friendship's. Gonna be sad when summer end.
I have a special treat this week my childhood bff is coming to play. Deb will arrive Wed. and we can let the ruckus begin. Oh my 50 plus years of friendship. Deb moved to the west over 35 years ago and the distance never gave our friendship any roadblocks.
OK it is time for afternoon nap. You guys have a good day. All be safe.
XOXOX
Juju
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Howdy Neighbor
The Doe and Fawn
This picture is fuzzy because
it was taken out our back window.
Moon rise over the mountains in front of our trailer.
Camp host pot luck supper.
Last Saturday The Church of Latter Day Saints volunteered to come and clean the park. They prune the trees,cleared the underbrush on the trails and raked pine needles along the beach shoreline. Over a thousand volunteers most were families. Mom and dad working side by side with their children. These kids are awesome. They got right in the groove with the clean up, raking, shoveling, bagging the debris, and hauling the big trash bags weighing a ton to trucks. Not one word of complaints coming from the kiddos. No, I am tired, this is too hard, I'm hot, these kids had smiles on their face and happy to be here. I was so impressed with the family unity. These people could not do enough, they kept going I mean really kept going. We had to stop them for lunch which the church provided. Good fried and baked chicken with all the fix ins. I will admit I have politely closed the door when they have knock. I am also guilty of making comments under my breath. A few years back we had a neighbor who was Mormon such nice people She being a stay at home mom with two children and her husband educated with a business degree. He was the hospital administrator. It is true there beliefs were different from mine. Our faith on both side of the street was strong. Each family practicing their own belief in the one supreme being. Respecting each other beliefs living in harmony. it may be corny but I knew April would give me the shirt off her back, and she knew I had her back. Our friendship was short lived when hubby was transferred to MO. You know the saying we will keep in touch, but the years pass by.
No matter what you may believe or not. We all hope to be with our creator when it is time. Inspiration pass it on.
I did go shopping Wed. went into Spokane Harry went to Wal Mart, I went to Dress Barn. Love this shop, such cute clothes at reasonably priced. I found 2 summer dress half off and a darling top. You ask why dresses. Well they are half price and cheaper than jeans. They will be ideal when I get back to Texas hot humidity, and I like wearing a dress. We then headed back to Couer D Alene had lunch downtown at the famous local hamburger joint with a 45 minute wait in line. Burgers not to shabby but not a Whataburger. Afterwards we took a short stroll downtown stopping at the candy shop. Just enjoyed samples, still full from lunch. Beside Harry makes the best homemade fudge.
We had a group of 60 to 70 kids Mon and Tues and Wed. The adults were very smart took the kids to a theme park wore them out. When they got back to the park kids went straight to there tents and was out before the moon came out. Adults sat around the camp fire relaxing, getting second wind for next day.
We had a pot luck dinner last night with all camp host, park volunteers and some park rangers. Always such fun fellowship with so many different back grounds you get a wealth of knowledge. So many stories to share you will be amazed at how small our world is. Tonight we will share a camp fire with our friends and exchange more tall tales. Sunday is our weekly gathering for breakfast. We are trying to schedule a ice cream social for our next gathering. Being adults now we don't have to eat our veggies first.
Harry and I are a little deeper in the woods than others and not a lot of traffic so we get to see a little more wild life. I often see a doe and her two fawns graze back behind our trailer. I have also seen them camp down for the night close by our patio. The fawns still having spots makes picking them out among the thick brush easy. They are so pretty. Mom of course very protective.
Granny's boys are back in Galveston they have spent 3 weeks with their grandparents in AK. The Haymans live in the country several acres and to the boys delight they have open range. Lots of space to run and roam. They also get to go camping in Albert Pike. Fishing, swimming always the top of the fun to do list.
Want be long and the ole school bell be a ringing. Cody hates to get up early so Maureen has to start getting him ready 2 weeks prior to first day of school. He takes after his granny we like to wake up on our own and when we are ready.
We plan to leave Idaho after Labor Day and plan to spend some time with our young' in Lisa Pooh. She lives in San Antonio and misses her mommy and daddy. Such a loyal child. The three of us plan to go to Sea World and weather permitting maybe a float down the Guadalupe river. The river is a cool 72 degrees and after the initial shock it is so relaxing. We should have the river to ourselves school being open and family vacation being history. Harry's brother also lives near by so we will have play time with him.
Well my friends I was winded today. I need to get busy and get the ole chores done. Yes I still have house duties.
Be safe chat again soon
Juju
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