Friday, July 31, 2009

All along the coast we keep seeing these signs. In Florida we have hurricane evacuation routes - here they have tsuanmi evacuation routes and signs informing everyone what to do in case of a tsuanmi.

Monday we left early for a drive down the Oregon coast. We headed south towards Coos Bay. Yes, we took our jackets, the temperature inland was to be in triple digits and on the coast it is 40 degrees cooler. We stopped along the way and took Charley for a walk - it was beside a river and she did get her feet wet. She is such a woose.


We saw real wildlife. Elk alongside the road, the first other than one deer on our trip. I don't count chipmunks, squirrels, etc. as real wildlife. We took photos of them.


We had a lovely drive down the coast and found the Harley store in Coos Bay. Well, what a disapointment there selection of shirts stunk!!!! They had a few in dark colors (not great for Florida weather) and a couple of light colors. They told us that no one received any shirts from Harley in Large, x-large and 2 x-large. Funny when we arrived back in Eugene they had plenty of shirts. Oh well it was a nice drive.


Tuesday morning we got behind the wheel early. It was already promising to be a very warm day. We thought if we got to the coast the temperature would be cooler. And we sure were right. We started driving up the 101 and found a great little campground in Tillamook, Or. We are all set up and it is early and we are going to be at this campground until Saturday morning. There is plenty to do around here, but we must stop and just enjoy being for awhile. I am exhausted from being on the go every day. This will be nice for us. Then we can get back on the road and be gypsy's once again.



Wednesday we took the day off from long trips. We went into Tillamook and grocery shopped. Then we headed out to the Pacific with Charley in tow. She ran and ran and ran in the water. She was so much fun to watch - she truly enjoyed herself in the water. When we got back to the motorhome we had to give her a bath. Nothing worse than an old wet dog. Anyhow she was not happy to get the bath, but she smelled much better.



Thursday Tom spent the morning getting our blackwater tank unclogged. After lunch we treated ourselves to a banana split in Cloverdale, Or. It was a long way to go, but really good. I had marionberry ice cream. When I asked about a marionberry, I found out that some ag agent in Oregon developed it. It is a type of blackberry and it tastes really good. Then we returned to the motorhome and just sat around listening to the i-pod and reading.


Friday morning and what a nice day. It is not going to be to hot inland today so why don't we call Aunt Billie up and see if she would like visitors? Great idea! We take the 6 into Portland and find her home. It is really quite easy to find. Her youngest daughter Beth is there so we get to see her. What a nice surprise. We talk, talk some more and really enjoy our visit. We had taken the computer with us so Aunt Billie and Beth got to see the Knepp side of the family. Tom had downloaded all Paul's photos that he had taken at the zoo, so that was really great. We also had some pictures of Mom from her 92nd. birthday, and then some from about a year ago. Yes, we took a couple of photos of Aunt Billie and Nancy. We think Aunt Billie looks like her mother - Grandma Mumu. What do you think?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Friday the 24th. we had the day to relax (?) and just catch up on things. Tom and Charley took the motorhome to a local shop and had an oil change. Meanwhile back at the campsite Nancy took care of the laundry. Big day! Oh well, we got our chores done and then relaxed.

Saturday we knocked a couple more items off our "bucket list". We headed southwest out of Grant's Pass, Oregon on US 199, back into California. We arrived in California and headed to Crescent City along the foggy, cold coastline. The coast on the 101 is usually dense sea fog cloaked during the summer from LA to Seattle. The Pacific Ocean current is very cold and the land is very warm causing awful foggy conditions til late in the day. The pictures show what we're talking about.

We then drove back into the giant Redwoods. Wow, is not enough to tell you how big and how many GIANT TREES are in the Redwood Forest. We will have to pick and choose the photo's and it will really be a chore. The trees are so big, some reaching 350 feet tall and are up to 20 feet in diameter. No, we did not go through the tree that you always see pictures of. That tree was a Sequoia in Sequioa National Park, SE of San Francisco, and it fell down in 1969. There is a tree further down the 101 in California where you can drive through for a fee, but it was just too far South from where we were. Our tour through the Jedadiah Smith State Park and Redwoods National Park was on the old "Pony Express" trail. The Ranger said it is the best part of the forest. We just loved our tour.

Sunday morning we started out early as the day is suppose to get high 90's or might even reach triple digits. We drove north to Eugene, Oregon and set up camp before noontime. We had just set up camp and Barbara called. How nice to hear her voice. Tomorrow we hope to tour over to the coast and see some sights. Our trip will go to Coos Bay, Or. and then back.

Carmen, Waldo & Charley wish everyone a good day.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

We will start out with a little quiz. Remember the Happy Cows come from California ad? Well, can you spot the "happy cow?" On the other side of the coin, can you tell if any of these cows are the "Chick-fil-A cow?

Wednesday found us leaving Yountville and we headed south then east then north. We figured that was the best way for the motorhome to travel. We left California. passed Mt Shasta, The highest peak in California and arrived in Oregon. We found our campsite at Grants Pass, Oregon, settled in to a lovely campsite. Not sure what we will do, but the owners of this campground gave us lots of info for the area.

We awoke early Thursday morning, and Tom called a local place for a lube and oil change on the RV. The appointment is for Friday at 1:00 so we have the rest of the day to tour.

On the way to Crater Lake Ntional Park, our road winds along the Rogue River. We cross it many times and find a couple of neat spots to pull over. One spot Charley thinks might be nice to go down to the rushing stream. When a leaf blows she backs away and barks. Then she gets a little to closer to the stream and bam, in she goes halfway up - good thing she was on a leash. Tom pulled her back to safety.

We coninue up to Crater Lake. Wow!!! What beauty. This is where a volcano erupted many, many years ago. The center of the volcano colapsed and now there is a beautiful lake. The water is clear blue, just like the Aegean Sea. The growth around the rim is old trees and of course the National Park Service lets mother nature take care of herself. Our hats should go off to President Teddy Roosevelt because he was the President who started preserving the grounds of the National Park System. Carter Lake is in the Southwestern part of Oregon. The scenery was something to behold. I think if you ever get the chance you should visit this wonderful National Park. Tom will post some pictures and I hope they to it justice.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

July 21, 2009
Today we review the maps for routes possible to taking the RV on to get to Oregon via "the 101". We have seen many routes in which it might be difficult to drive the RV to get to US101. We head south to Napa then west towards the Pacific. We find the route we think we will take tomorrow. It is still early so we think we should not waste the day. Looking at the map we could continue heading west right to the Pacific Ocean. We went West some more and found Bodega Bay. The sky is still cloudy and it's cold on the coastline. It is o.k. But not what we thought the coast would be like. Well, let's head north and see what we get.

What we find is the beauty of the Pacific coast. We turn into one of many beaches. They all have a different name, and of course we can't remember them all. But we do find beautiful rugged beaches. We keep turing off the road to take just “one more shot” of the beach. But around the next turn there is another perfect spot in which to photograph the beach. Finally we say enough and head for home.






We find great roads in which to travel. All of a sudden we are right along the Russian River. That river is noted for its trout fishing and rafting. It flows right along the road for quite a ways. We struggle to find ways to pull off and take a few photos.

How wonderful these United States are. Americans need to travel "the road less traveled" and enjoy all the scenery there is right here. All day long, in my head, I keep remembering the song America the Beautiful.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Katharine Lee Bates, wrote a poem in the 1800's that has since been put to music. We learned this going up Pike's Peak. She had gone up the mountain and wrote this poem: " Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!"
We all know the words and somehow this trip really brings that home.

We started out heading North towards the Pacific Ocean. On the way we stopped at Beringer's winery. It is what you would think of as an "old family winery". The typical big home with the vineyards all around. What a picture the site is. We did not take the tour. Instead we just went into the tasting room. Had a few tastes, and then we purchased some wine.

Leaving the winery, we wanted to get over to the coast and take the "1" north towards Ft. Bragg.



We drove thru a section of California redwoods, the small ones. The Giant Redwoods are a lot farther North than we were going today,The weather in Yountville when we left was mid 70's, when we got on the coast it was cold and foggy, we saw the temperature drop to the mid 40's and 50's. The coast highway is steep, rugged and no place to drive a motorhome. Glad this was a day trip in the car. Lunchtime found us at the Albion river gorge, we found a neat little restaurant at the bottom of the gorge. The restaurant had history of the area done up in scrapbooks for customers to look at while waiting for their lunch. The area at one time was a logging area. The lumber was being sent down to San Francisco to build the "Painted Ladies"? Well, that's just a guess but it was during that time frame that the mills where sending lumber to San Francisco.

Driving up the coast highway we found beautiful rugged areas and not many beaches. But we did find one beach in which Tom and Charley got out for a walk. Charley was on the black, stony Pacific beach scared of the waves and had a ball avoiding getting wet.

We stopped in the little village of Mendocino. It is well known for being an artist haven. Nancy shopped and had a great time. The photos for this village don't do it justice. Tom and Charley walked the boardwalk.

When we attempted to go over the mountains and head back to Yountville we found the terrain really difficult. Who says "tail of the dragon" is a great motorcycle ride? You haven't been on the roads between the coast and the middle of California? Lots of u-turns, ups and downs and you name it - we drove it. Nancy was really scared that we might go off the road in a few places. No Guardrails!!!!!

We arrived back at the campsite to have a lovely dinner and enjoy visiting with great new friends.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Friday the 17th outside Reno, Nevada was a do noting day for us. We sat around the campsite, and otherwise took a breather.

Saturday we were headed west, once again. Nancy went to put the jacks up and once again they would not go. Tom had to manually help them up, but this is not going to stop our vacation. It's going to be "rock & roll" for the rest of the trip again! We knew that we had about a 20 mile long up-grade and then a 40 mile down-grade getting from Nevada into California (Donner Pass, elev 7293'). We started out with Tom driving the motorhome and Nancy driving the car. We made pretty good time and about 90 miles into our drive we turned off on a side road and re-connected the auto to the motorhome to finish the trip to Yountville, CA.

We arrived in Yountville at the VA home. It is the largest facility for veteran's there is in the USA. They have an RV park. Not many spaces with full hook-up and a few spaces with just water and electric. We found a lovely spot under a big old tree and manage to set up for the night. Aren't sure just how long we will be in the area, but the rates are good. Saturday afternoon found us heading into Napa and eating out. We toured the little villages of Napa and Yountville. They sure are pretty, very quaint & very pricey.

Sunday morning we think we should head into the big city. We have looked at maps and so off we go into the wild blue yonder heading for San Francisco. When we arrive in the city we are heading south over the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. Wow, the fog is so heavy that we can't even see the top of the bridge, but over it we go. First we find the parks and just sit and park for awhile and watch for the bridge and the boats. We also make out Alkatraz and an escapee :)=

Next we think we will try and find Lombard St. Not an easy thing to do, but with our dumb luck Tom takes a turn and we find we are on Lombard St. heading down. The crazy street is full of curves and the flowers are everywhere. It is really a site to behold. We really did actually drive down Lombard Street!!!

From there we think our next stop should be Fishermen's Wharf. We drive down there and lo and behold in the big city we find a free parking spot, like most of the city the garages charge $22.00 per day. Anyhow we are 2 blocks from the wharf.

We walk down the Embarcadero and go out on pier 45 and it is a museum. There are some old WWII Navy boats tied to the pier and for a price you can enter them. No, thanks! Then Nancy wants to go farther down the Embarcadero to Pier 39, this is where the sea lions are and also where there are lots of shops. We walk until we are tired, then we walk some more. Nancy's knee hurts her so she is using Tom's cane. We had lunch at Boudins Bread Co. Great SF sourdough breads. Nancy found some new jewelry out on the pier for a pretty good price , too.

The next stop on our city tour is the "painted ladies", We find them, and Tom finds a parking space. Nancy gets out and walks and takes many photos of the houses. They are truly beautiful. Nancy is so happy that she gets to see them.

From there we head out towards Chinatown. We drive by the gate and then try to find a place to park. We were told there would not be any parking places and they were correct, so we just drive through and think we have had enough of playing tourist. From there we find our way to the Oakland Bay Bridge-going the wrong way to get any great photos, we are on the lower level. Darn, next time we should reverse the way we drive into the city. Oh well, a great day and a tiring day. We arrive back at the motorhome and hope to relax. Charley is so happy to see us. She spent the whole day in the A/C. We got home and all she wanted to do is "gotta pee, gotta pee"!

Everything in this part of California is like a tinderbox, just waiting for a spark! I mean South Florida in March/April doesn't compare. These people are prime for some really major, catastrophic wild fires. Sure hope it doesn't happen. If a fire starts here, it will be international level news.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Wednesday we took the day to arrive in Verdi, Nv (pronounced Ver-Die). When we arrived in Reno (about 10 miles away) we unhooked the Saturn in a Lowe's parking lot, then went on the prowl to find an RV park. Wow, are we glad we did that, there are a lot of RV parks in and around the area, but are they ever packed in! We thought we would get out of "Dodge" and perhaps find something a little further down the road, and Tom spotted an ad in Woodall's about this really great sounding RV park in Verdi at exit 2 off I-80. We called ahead and they had a spot for us so we both drove a vehicle and headed west again. We arrived and is it ever nice. Tom will post a photo or two of our campsite.

Wednesday afternoon, after getting set up it was on to some mundane items - like the laundry. A neccessity at this point. After getting it all done and put away it pretty much blew the day.

Thursday we had plans to go to Carson City, the capital of Nevada. We wanted to tour the capitol bldg., then drive around Lake Tahoe. Well on the way to Carson City Nancy spotted an RV sales office and they just happened to have Tiffin motorhomes on the lot. We did a fast u-turn and went to look. Yes, we are thinking of a new motorhome. No, we did not buy, but it gave us a chance to really see the inside of the Tiffin Phaeton 36 instead of looking at the floorplan on the web site. Really nice motorhome.

After a couple of hours we finally left and started our tour of the Lake. Oh, first we found a Harley store. Bummer they had nothing we wanted. We also found a casino in which to eat a nice meal at a low price. We headed south to South Lake Tahoe, it is on the border between Nevada and California. After find the Harley store here, we started out of town. Nancy missed the turn so we had to backtrack and get on route 89. Let me say the photos of Lake Tahoe do not do it justice. It is absolutely stunning!!!! The water is sooooo blue, the cliffs you're on are so high and the trees are so huge. We have photos to show, but again they do not show the area with as much depth and clearity as I would like. It was a very warm day so it was hazy background. If you look at the photos hard you can see the snow on the mountain peaks.

The end of the day found us heading into Reno to purchase a few groceries. Lynn, I found a stapler like you have, thank you.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Today started out in Wyoming. We left early this a.m. heading into Utah. We arrived in Salt Lake City and headed for a Costco. We purchased Nancy new sunglasses as she left her good pair in her motorcycle back in Estero. Bought a chicken for lunch and ate it in the parking lot.

The terrain in Utah is different than Wyoming. Just didn't think it would be so different. The rock outcroppings are neat. Really hard to explain. We stopped at a rest area and took Charley out. She tried to make friends with the prairie dogs but they just hid when she got close. The rest area was really nice and it was good just to get out of the rv.

Left Salt Lake City heading west. Hoped to make the Bonneville Salt Flats. Just outside of Salt Lake City the road is straight and flat and we did make good time. We saw the Great Salt Lake. It is huge, much larger than I had imagined it to be. There seems to be a dike around the lake and the swamp area around the lake is full of salt deposits. All along the road to the salt flats were deposits of salt. It was like looking at snow all along the road. When we get to the salt flats we get out and walk around. You can actually walk on the salt flats, it would be like walking along the shoreline of the gulf where the water had just receded. The area is vast and the salt is slightly damp. We all walked down to the salt flats and Charley had a hard time figuring out what it was. (After all most of the time we take her for walks she finds real grass)

Anyhow after our side trip we got back on the road and made it to Elko, NV. Tonight is just a stopover with us continuing on tomorrow. We hope to make it to Reno tomorrow.

We had such a different day, with all the salt deposits along the road. The mountains we could see behind the salt flats we saw for at least 50 miles. The area is so vast, and when we hit the state line into Nevada it was like the salt flats disappeared and the mountains came back.

Talked with son, Jeff today. The salt flats is somewhere he has not been. Wow, we beat him somewhere, imagine that.

Monday, July 13,2009

Sunday was a sunny day with just a hint of warmth in the morning. By 10:00 a.m. the weather was warm and we were on our way to Royal Gorge Bridge. We arrived to find you can't even see the bridge or the souvenor store without paying $25.00 for that priviledge, NO Way would we pay$25.00 each to view a bridge. We found a person and asked if you could view the bridge without paying that terrible price. We went and found a turnout and viewed the bridge from there.

We took Charley with us and so we returned to the RV to drop her off as our next stop was the Air Force Academy. We went through security and then off to the visitor center. We watched a movie and then went to find the beautiful chapel. The top floor is the prodestant chapel, underneath that is the Catholic chapel, Jewish temple and Buddist shrine. All are lovely and it was really something to see close up. We had been there before but you forget how lovely things can be.

Monday we left Colorado Springs early (5:53 a.m.) and headed north. We traveled I-25 north towards Wyoming. We had to get into Wyoming to be able to put up the dorkey little state on our state map that almost all RV and trailers. Let me tell you about Wyoming, we were entering Medicine Bow National Forest, with not a tree in site. That really bumed me out. Who ever tells you that Wyoming is a do nothing state is just about right. They do have lots of windmill farms. That is big business here. The winds they do blow, and blow and blow. We fought 40 to 50mph winds all day long. We finally stopped for the night at exit 34 by Fort Bringer. All in all a long day, glad to have stopped for the evening. Tomorrow looks to be another day on the road.

Waldo and Carmen have had an exciting vacation so far. Hope all our friends are in good health and reading our blog.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

This morning Tom Called Skip Wiley. Skip lives south in West Pubelo, Co. He came to Colorado Springs and we had a wonderful time catching up on family and things. We went into Manitoba Springs and found a neat spot for lunch. Then back to the motorhome and show a few photos to Skip and then he headed back home.

After Skip left we took Charley to a dog park. She loved being able to run and be off a leash for awhile, but even dogs have a tough time with air up here.

We went to the Flying W Ranch for a dinner show. It was lots of fun. They pair people up and you sit a picnic table with 12 people. The dinner is a cafeteria style and is chuckwagon fare. After dinner they had a 5 piece cowboy band and they play the instruments and sing old time fares. What a great time. We were with two other couples and our table only had 7 people at it. The other 5 that were slated to sit with us had 3 little boys and they found another table to sit at. Their youngest was only 1 years old and even before they started to eat he was not a happy camper. He had missed his afternoon nap and therefore we were sorta happy that they found another place to eat and hear the show from.

Well, Carmen and Waldo are tired so we are heading to bed tonight. Good night.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Carmen and Waldo had a wonderful trip yesterday. We did like 550 miles in the RV. Much to long of a day, but hey here we are in Colorado Springs for the next 4 days. The trip just wore us both out, we started at 7:30 a.m. and got off the road at 5:30 p.m., but remember we had an hour time change in there. But it was nice to arrive somewhere where we will be for a few days time.

Waldo touched bases with his cousins and one of them is in Michigan. Imagine that!!! Anyhow tomorrow (Saturday) we will meet up with Skip Wiley.

We had wanted to get into "Garden of the Gods" RV park but they were full up. So we called and found another park close by, not nearly as nice, but there is some big time trials for the Pikes Peak Climb this week-end. Guess we are lucky to get a spot.

Today we will check the weather report and if nice we will take the cog rail up the Peak. If not good weather report then we will head towards the Air Force Academy. Tonight it looks like we might find a nice restaurant for dinner and then back to the RV. Hey, at least we have cable here.

Hope all of my friends are having a great summer. Signing off for now. (It is like 6:30 a.m. MST)

Well we went to Pikes Peak on the cog train. What a nice time. We took Flat Stanley and they did not even charge us for his trip up to the top and back. Jeff called when we were at the summit, and we had no signal strength so the call had to wait and be returned when we got back down off the peak. All three grand-daughters called and wished me a "happy birthday, grandma" How nice to hear their voices.

This afternoon we went to the Garden of the Gods. Wow, the scenery is magnificient! The rocks are like what you see in Sedona, but the formations are really neat. Charley could go with us, as long as she was on a leash and we cleaned up after her. Tom, Charley and I went walking on the only path the information lady told us to walk on. Tom and Charley headed back to the car and Nancy continued to walk, with them picking her up farther down the trail. What a trial, the higher elevation and the warm weather made for difficult walking. But, they did manage to find each other. Nancy kept wanting to take pictures,so Tom would find the parking area, and out would hop Nancy to take just one more picture. Finally, Nancy's camera battery died, just three short pictures short of where she wanted it to. Oh well, I guess they will have to return and take those shots some other day.

when we were changing for dinner Greg, Lynn, Emily and Allison called to wish me a happy birthday. I did not answer the call and so they left a singing message. Yes, I did save it. Love to get the call.

This evening we have reservations for 2 at MacKenzie's Chop House at 6:30. Looks and sounds like a nice dinner place...you can look them up on the internet. Afterwards I think Waldo and Carmen (aka Tom and Nancy) will crash, big time. What a Birthday.

Aster checking my e-mail and facebook I had many more of you wish me a happy day. So nice to know that people are thinking of you. Thanks for the many wishes and making my day great.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

This morning we left Columbia, Mo. heading west. We wanted to get into Kansas, which we did but with some confusion. Anyhow we can add that state to our dorkey little camping map. Then we went back to Missouri, headed north into Iowa and finally into Nebraska. We are in a small town about 50 miles west of Lincoln. We had wanted to tour the capitol bldg., but that just did not work out. On the road we had left a file box under the dinette and it slid out into the walk way and Charley did not think it belonged there so she started barking. She does not like it when things don't stay where they are suppose to.

Last night we had 3 baby wrens around the RV. Charley was so fascinated by them. She would put her nose up to them and sniff and then chase then in their attempts to fly. Kept us busy watching her so she would not hurt the birds and had an audience watching her play with them.

Anyhow we are here for the night and off the road early. Tomorrow we leave and after another two days we should be in Colorado Springs. Hope to see Tom's cousins, Gordon and Skip. Sure hope he remembers to call them and see if they are even around.

Anyhow this is Carmen and Waldo signing off for the day (names my younger sister gave to us)

Tuesday, July 7,2009

Hello to all our friends. This morning we left Cisco, Il. and started our journey west. We got as far as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO. and stopped. We took the tour to the top of the arch. what a sight. If you have never done this it should be one thing on your "to do"list. We thought about touring the AB brewery again, but thought we should head back to the RV and get a lunch and see Charley.

We found a little something to eat and then hooked up the auto once again and headed west. We arrived in Columbia, Mo. where we found a really nice RV park. That is where we are for the night.

Mel was suppose to see the Dr. today at 1:30. Have not heard from Carol so we do not know what happened today. He has been very depressed and I felt bad that we left, but we had to start our trip. Sure hope the news that they received today was good. Remember to send cards.

Yesterday we just "veged" around the Cisco area. We did our laundry and then went into Decatur for last minute provisions we thought we might need. No, we probably did not need anything we purchased, but what the heck it was a fun trip.

Mel had really wanted Tom to take him to the Dr.'s this afternoon, but Carol had arranged with the Piatt County transporation to take him in a wheelchair van and they will help get him in and out of the van. That is a good thing cause when Phillip leaves on Saturday that is what the help will be for Carol getting him to the appt.'s and anything else that he might need. I know everyone is saying extra prayers for Mel, but please remember Carol, also. Carol is just beat, and she still has a broken foot.

The grandson Ethan and friends moved Carol and Mel's bed from the second floor to the old parlor on first floor. They had 2 bathrooms on the first floor and so Mel and Carol don't have to travel up to the second floor for anything. Mel is still depressed and of course that depresses Carol. I just hope that after today all goes well for them. Keep them in your prayers.

Sunday July 5, 2009

We drove back to Cisco today to find Mel at home in bed, just like he was in the hospital. I guess he acted up and they sent him home "HaHa"! We decided to stay til Tuesday and help Carol a little and then head West.

We spent an extra day (Saturday) in Plainfield so we could watch 4th of July Fireworks in Bollingbrook with the Woeltje Clan. Had a great time. Watched fireworks, ate strawberry shortcake in a cup and drank some "Pop" as it's called in the midwest!

Guess what, blind Tom found his missing iPod and FM modulator soon after getting back to Cisco. I also spent big bucks for a new iPod Touch.

Tuesday, its fire up the Triton V-10 and head for St Louis and points West.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Well today we are taking it easy. Son Greg has the day off and so we are spending time with him, Lynn, Emily and Allison. Went out for lunch then did some shopping. Right now Greg and Tom are looking at a new I-pod touch. Tom mis-placed his i-pod and so we may as well get a new one. When and if the old one turns up he can sell it on e-bay Last night we were in downtown Naperville, Il. and listening to the Naperville Community Band play oldies about America. What a great program. Our daughter-in-law Lynn told us about the program and we just could not pass it up.

We drove to Plainfield on Wednesday planning to spend a little time with the kids and grand-kids before we head for "out west" in the rv. It is always fun to be around the kids, makes you glad you aren't a parent any longer, and glad that you have grand-kids to enjoy. Life is great.

For those who know Mel, he was still in the hospital last night when I called Carol. She is not sure when they will send him home, but I know it would be nice for her if he were home. It takes her about an hour to get into Urbana and she stays all day. Her daughter Annette came from California to help her and will return to California on Saturday. I think Phillip will be coming in on Saturday. Anyhow we will return to Cisco on Saturday or Sunday and help if we can.