Its just a bunch of rocks....

Karen (the rock and tree hound of the two of us) has had a wonderful few days. After waking up in an amazing campsite that overlooked one of "The Mittens" and "The King on the Throne"; surrounded by fabulous rock formations.... (who wrote this)?  We started Friday morning in Monument Valley - on a guided tour of the Navajo Tribal Park - which is where John Ford shot a lot of those John Wayne westerns and as you drive around the area - they can point out to you all the backgrounds where scenes from such famous and diverse movies like 'Stage Coach' and 'Back to the Future III'  were shot.  It was quite the day.



Lei, Willie and Liz in Monument Valley Tribal Park

 We met our guide, Willie Blackwater, at the visitors center.  He is a native of the area, having grown up in the park - but now lives in town with his wife.  The park still has residents living within it - although they tend to be from the older generation.  There is no electricity nor running water in the park and that seems to keep the younger generations from wanting to live there.



Navajo - Hogan (both male and female type)

 Willie's people have lived in this area for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1920's when a sheep herder from Colorado names Harry Goulding with his wife Mike moved to this area to set up a trading post that the rocks were given names.  Harry was well liked and respected by the locals and was even given a Navajo name (although for the life of me - I couldn't pronounce or spell it for you...) and he spent time going around and seeing something in each Mesa or Butte which provoked a name in his mind.  Sometimes you have to really use your imagination - other times it is so obvious -

Willie took us around the path that is open to all to explore as well as some areas which were only accessible with a Guide.  He spent time conveying stories from his youth, talking about life in a 'hogan' - a dwelling traditionally used by the Navajo until the middle of this last century, as well as playing and singing for us some traditional instruments and traveling songs.  The picture above is of the two types of 'Hogan' - the larger round version is known as a female hogan - while the'teepee- like structure is a male hogan. It was interesting that he said modern homes were draughty unlike the cosy hogans. Traditionally within the Navajo culture - the male cannot gaze upon his mother-in-law's face so the only time he sees his wife is when his mother-in-law is away - made for some tense times according to Willie.

After spending the entire morning in a very small area, it was time again to hit the road.  We went south - so we could get back on track to set up for our next stop tomorrow - The Petrified Forest...(see what I mean about Karen the rock and tree hound - what could be better - she gets both of her most favourite things wrapped up in one...).  The remaining drive through the Navajo reservation was diverse and beautiful. 

We drove on through the day - the wind started to kick up a bit - but was generally a lovely day.  As you know, when things are going well, everyone is enjoying themselves, all is well with the world - that is the time you need to watch out.  I had just gotten on I 40 heading west - when I looked out my R/H mirror (when you're on a 2 lane highway, as I had been for the entire day, you don't tend to use your R/H mirror so I hadn't looked at it much that day) and saw that it was about to fall out of it's holder. (Remember our San Francisco adventure - when I 'bumped' another truck and lost the thing in the first place?) So I commented to Karen that I needed to pull over to see what I could do to try and save it.  Just like before - as if by magic - as soon as I said that I needed to pull over - the mirror fell off - this time crashing to the ground - well beyond saving, so now we are driving without any visual contact with the right side of the vehicle.  As long as I stay in the slow lane and don't pass anyone - I will be fine.  As they say in Murphy's law...or is it Sod's Law?   "What can go wrong will go wrong"....  Right about that time I looked at the monitor that  gives us a glimpse of the back  and ... it had gone off! So, only one mirror left but you have to get used to it. We decided that we'll get it done in Vegas. On Monday we are returning to Vegas to get Liz back to the airport - so we shall deal with it all then - I hope!

We made it to Holbrook, Az, where we put up for the night and Saturday morning - we were back on the road - heading for the Petrified Forest.  Prior to departing the campsite though - the wind again picked up only this time - it was really blowing.  Blowing so hard - that it actually picked up a camper off a truck and deposited on the ground.  I can't imagine why it wasn't tied down - but there you go. Meant to get a picture of the guys trying to manhandle it back onto the truck - made me appreciate the fact that I only have a mirror to repair. 

On our way into the National Park - we stopped at a lovely Museum/Store for rock lovers.  The amount of petrified wood was amazing.

 They had also imported some petrified wood from Indonesia - which was white - not the rainbow colouring of our native types.  After spending way too much time in the store - we came back out to the caravan - having to face into the wind to get to it.  Couldn't believe how strong it was. 

The Petrified Forest is actually located in the Painted Desert so the scenery was quite diverse.  You have the Petrified wood - lying all over the southern portion of the park - and once in the north - the scenery becomes more Painted Desert and remote.  I can't imagine people of old - coming across this area and what they thought that they had discovered. 

After the spending the afternoon in the National Park - it was time to hit the road again to try and beat a predicted snow storm coming in and get our campsite set for the night.  Much discussion, considerable debate and alot of checking on the Internet - and we finally decided to bypass Flagstaff campgrounds - and go further down into the Valley - towards Sedona.  Found a lovely campground - the managers were very helpful and we set up for the night - waiting on the impending 6 to 18".  As it turned out - we didn't get much more than rain - seems Flagstaff got alot more inches and when we started to pull out of the campsite - another camper stopped us - asked us our destination and told us that I 17 was closed going both North and South from the Cottonwood exit and I 40 was closed across most of state.  So we decided we would travel up to Sedona - check out the area (can't begin to describe how beautiful that area is...) and after we were done - try for Flagstaff and start back towards Vegas today - with the intention of making it back to Sin City by Monday so that we can take in the Cirque de Soleil show we have booked for Monday night. 

We were given a phone number for road status - and all morning it just kept saying that I 17 and I 40 were closed - yet we saw no snow on the road - so we decided to chance it - and by the time we got to the interstate - the traffic was flowing quickly.  So off we went - and glad we did.  While the road report said closed - we found no problem progressing.  The only thing we saw that suggested bad weather was a semi (HGV for our British readers) jackknifed on the other side of the freeway - with its trailer completely broken in half.  I just hope that the driver managed to walk away.  Well, as you know things come in 3s and true to form as Karen was driving she noticed a crack in the windscreen... all to do with glass ... some sort of sign or message eh? Maybe I need to change my glasses!

Now we are in Kingman Az, enjoying a bit of downtime - and knowing that we only have 120 miles to go tomorrow - can't ask for anything better than that.

Traveling the Southwest...Back in the Saddle again

Today - we traveled from Williams, Az - gateway to the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley in Utah.  Karen reminded me that I haven't updated the blog for a few days and if I wasn't careful - I would get a nasty email/comment from Logger about my tardiness.  So, when someone is right - you don't argue - just follow their advice and hence - another entry.

When I last updated you on our travels, we had spent the day touring the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead.  We rested on Saturday and Sunday - spent another marathon day touring the surrounding countryside around Vegas.  We first went to Mount Charleston, spent time in the upper altitudes and watched the citizens of Las Vegas while they sled in the snow.  We went up to the Ski resorts - although to be fair - most people don't come to Vegas for the skiing and there is a reason for that.  The resort seemed OK - but it would be more like the ski resorts of Michigan - not Vale or Tahoe. 

Then - back down the mountain and further north until we came to a small village called Beattie - which is the gateway to Death Valley.  We had starved Liz as our food options were fairly limited up till then, so we stopped in a small cafe prior to making the trek through Death Valley (didn't want to end up like the travelers of old in Wagon Trains trying to cross to the promised land.)  Then off for a tour of the Valley.  The variety of scenery that we experienced that day was amazing - and all within a couple hours drive of Vegas.

Monday - we stayed close to Vegas, went to the Venetian and decided to go ahead and book a show at the Mirage for when we return to Vegas next week.  That way - we will have something to look forward to.  All in all - a fun time in Sin City.

Tuesday morning we set out fairly early (although as Liz said - we haven't got a rush in us - so fairly early is really late to most others) for the Grand Canyon.  After Karen's trip earlier in the week - we thought that we would stay at the campsite up in Grand Canyon Village and use their shuttle buses for getting around the south rim.  I had mentioned to Karen that we ought to book - but neither of us took the initiative and so when it came time and we called - they were all filled up.  That meant that we would need to stay down in Williams and drive up to the Canyon in the morning.

We arrived in Williams in the late afternoon - and spent a fair amount of time going around to the different options of RV parks as Williams is far from flat and with the recent snow, we had to make sure that we were convenient to all of the necessary facilities and that the snow wouldn't hamper our progress.  Williams is a small community - the last town on the original Route 66 to be bypassed by the Interstate.  It makes its living off of tourism and does a good job of it.  After reviewing our options for the Canyon, we decided to leave the motor home in-situ on Wed and take the train up to the Canyon from Williams.  Made for a great day - starting with a very corny Wild West Show - (got talking to one of the 'cowboys' in the show and he was from Freeland, Mi - kind of takes the shine off the 'old west' myths), then the train departing for the canyon.  It is far from fast and takes 2 hours and a bit to cover the 65 miles.  We then hopped aboard our booked bus tour of the canyon and had the time to enjoy the most amazing sites.  Even managed to see a young Elk - crossing the road in front of our bus - not particularly bothered that there was a diesel bus filled with tourist taking pictures less than 10' away.  No matter how much you read about the Grand Canyon, or how many people tell you about it - your still not prepared for what you see and the grandeur of it all.

By the end of the day - we were worn out and ready to sleep on the train back to Williams.  Unfortunately - that wasn't to be - as the cowboys from the morning decided to rob the train - after the engineer kindly stopped the train for them to get on.  The kids were thrilled - their parents not so much since they were looking for tips - and those of us that were looking to get some sleep - had to accept that that was not to be.

Thursday - another day of travel - We got on the road around 10:30 - and planned on only driving about 200 miles - so I didn't think we would be pushing the daylight available.  But no - because no matter how short a drive we intend - we manage to use up all our time stopping for pictures, eating or shopping - there may even be a bit of time wasted pumping gas - which take my word for it - is usually a minimum of 30 min to complete.  We drove through some amazing country, finally ending up in Monument Valley, UT.  There we found a fantastic RV park with amazing scenery.  We are planning on taking a guided tour through the valley tomorrow - looking forward to that...We shall keep you posted...

It's a long,long road....

As Lei has asked me to write the blog on The Grand Canyon Tour, I can do nothing else but write it! She would have done it I am sure but as she didn't go would have just made it up. Basically, this is what happens....

You get up at 5 : 30 am and beg Lei to take you to Planet Hollywood in Vegas where the Tour begins. We had to be there at 6 : 30 am in order to get booked in and on the bus. Helen, Rob and myself were very grateful to Lei when she dropped us off just after 6 : 30am. We registered and picked up some doughnuts, got on the bus wondering how on earth we would survive the 5 hour journey to the Grand Canyon. Answer, we slept. Rob watched a film on Las Vegas and its history, followed by one on The Canyon... we were oblivious and slept well. The landscape is very much the same so I stopped thinking I was missing something and decided on a good kip!

That was the right thing to do as we had, had a late night seeing The Blue Men on Tuesday night. Lei and i thought it was very creative and enjoyable. It was at The Venetian Hotel... something to see if you ever get to Vegas as it has a ceiling that looks like real sky, so you are walking around as if you are really in Venice during the day. They have upmarket buskers who play opera and musicals. i sat for ages with an ice cream, listening to them. There are gondola rides around a canal... a bit too much for me in all ways! (Price and that it is a concrete canal!)

Anyway to continue, we met a couple from Castleford and the husband had worked at Kellingley Colliery with Bob and a friend of ours - John Evans-  its a small world!

I managed to find a great Camping Park for the motorhome - 2 nights in The Grand Canyon... so it will be good to see it with more time. In any case Rob, Helen and I went to two viewpoints.. and they were absolutely awe inspiring views and cannot be appreciated on photos as the views are panoramic and vast so I will leave you with a couple. The Grand Canyon is around 277 miles in length with The Colorado River running through the base. They do mule treks to bottom...which has a long term effect on the bottom I would imagine as they go 11 miles down and back!!!! Also there are river trips - white water rafting and camping from 3 days to 3 weeks. That sounded fun to Helen and Rob.

After a rest in the lodge we set off back and watched a film called 21... about a young  student who took Vegas for a lot of money. 5 hours back. Lei picked us up at 9 : 00pm and we went back to her famous spaghetti Bolognaise mmmmmmm....

The day had tired us all... especially Lei!! What had she been doing (obviously not watching 21 learning how to take Vegas for alot of money)?

Phase II over - Phase III begins...

It is Saturday - the 19th of Feb (Happy Birthday Felice).  Helen and Rob left yesterday for New Orleans and the final week of their amazing 3 months of travel.  I know this as the piles of Rob (and Helen to a much lesser degree) have disappeared.  I won't miss the piles - but will miss the kids.  They have been alot of fun - yesterday - we dropped them off at the airport - they caught a flight out to New Orleans where they will spend the weekend with Jessica and her boyfriend.  Helen and Jess have been friends for almost 15years - having met when they were both on holiday (vacation for the americans) in Hilton Head back in 96 or 97.  Long time to maintain a friendship via facebook and emails - but they manage.  After the weekend in Louisiana, they are back for the final 2 days in LA - They have booked a Lakers match as Helen has always loved basketball - so hopefully they will enjoy it. 

On Wednesday - Liz from Doncaster arrived.  Karen,  Helen and Rob went off to the Grand Canyon on a bus tour that day (More from Karen on that later - I will just include a picture to prove that the 3 were there) - I stayed back to pick up Liz at the airport - one would think - especially with Sat/Nav that I had an easy job.  Lounge about all day - play a little black jack and then drive 15 min to the airport (which I had already been by taxi to pick up the car) to pick up Liz.  But no - nothing is ever straight forward.  First of all - I was following the GPS - it was doing fine - going the way that the taxi driver had told me - until we got to Russell Road.  Then - it went haywire - kept 'RECALCULATING' which I hate - and had me going in all sorts of directions.  I finally turned it off figuring it was better to follow my instincts then to continue to 'recalculate'!  Got to some airport signs (Vegas with all it's lights and signage has the poorest excuse for airport signs that I have ever seen!!!) and finally thought that I had cracked it.  As I approach - I quickly realise that Vegas has 2 terminals (didn't know that) and no one mentioned in their emails which one they were coming into.  I eventually picked Terminal 1 (as I couldn't find Terminal 2 anyway - just a sign for it) and discovered it was the domestic flights - and Liz had already landed at Terminal 2.  So the kind information lady told me that my best option was to leave my car where it was and walk over to Terminal 2 - only a 5 to 10 min walk - and catch the shuttle back with Liz once she clears customs.  So that is what I did - although I will admit - for the length of time Customs and Immigration kept Liz - I could have gone into Vegas - taken in a show and still made it back to Terminal 2 in time to greet her.  Liz must have that 'look' about her or its just that it is an extremely small terminal and understaffed to handle a full plane. 

After I got Liz - I received a text from Helen asking that I pick them up at pm in a location different from where I originally dropped them off.  Now I don't know about you - but I think the most logical and SAFE option when in a strange city - is to always have your driver return to pick you up where they dropped you off - that way - you are at least guaranteeing that they have a good chance that they can find the spot again and thus - find you!  Another good thing to do is tell them a specific time...not just in the pm.  But sometimes Helen's mind works at a speed the rest of us mere mortals could only wish for...while her texting thumbs skip over the mundane details.  So I could only guess what pm meant (from previous texts and the tours information about the amount of time the trip would take).  So - complaining all the way - under protest if you will - I set off with Liz to find the 3 intrepid travelers - and while I didn't hit it spot on - we managed to find them and alls well that ends well.

Thursday was Helen and Rob's last full day in Vegas - so as usual - her schedule was full of all of the things she decided she was going to do.  We planned on meeting them for Lunch at the Olives restaurant terrace overlooking the Lake in front of the Bellagio.  Got a marvelous seat - right outside overlooking the fountains - and ready for a ringside view when the dancing waters started at 3.  The meal was lovely - too much food - but tasty.  Karen, Liz and I left the kids to continue their attempt to break the bank at the casinos - and returned to the campgrounds.  We always knew it would be an easy day to allow Liz to start to recover from the flight over - and the jet lag she was bound to feel.

Friday came - we shipped the kids off (last seen carrying their over packed backpacks into Terminal 1 of McCarron International Airport) - then the 3 of us took off to see some sites - Valley of Fire National Park, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.  Took alot longer in the Valley of Fire National Park then we ever thought we would - the sights and feel of the place amazing...They have discovered 4000 year old rock carvings that are wonderful.  Karen (being the rock hound that she is) found the geological history of the valley fascinating - all in all a great day...Lake Mead was considerably down in the water level - but we think that has due with the time of year.  Still impressive - but as Helen would say - it is after all - just another lake...

59 and still trucking...

Hello All - it was my birthday on Saturday - thanks to all of you who sent your best wishes on Facebook and called.  It was a fabulous day.  Karen and Helen agreed that we should do what I wanted on Sat - so I opted for snowmobiling.  Karen and I both decided that we would go the extra $ and get 2 single machines rather than share - very good decision.  We started off slow - in fact they put Karen at the back with me the second to the end.  They moved Helen and Rob forward in the group as they were faster - so everyone was properly positioned and off we went.  We rode through the forests of Lake Tahoe - just south of the North Star Ski area.  We went to picture vista areas that you just can't get to without cross country ski's or a snowmobile.  It was fabulous and exhilarating.  The couple in front of me switched off drivers half way through - and went another 500 yards when she nearly ran them off a cliff - a bit of excitement - more for them than me - but what the heck.  Karen got promoted to the second from the end - until they switched back to the original driver - then back to the back of the pack she went.  By the end of the 2 hours though - I will say that she was giving our guide a shock by putting on the gas and blowing him out - something he wasn't expecting.  

On Sunday - it was off to Las Vegas and the strip for us.  446 miles later - we had arrived.  The drive between Reno and Vegas is on a 2 lane highway for the first 400 miles - but with minimal traffic the drive was easy - Karen even took her turn at the wheel.  Then we got to Vegas - Karen had done her homework and decided to set us up in an RV site outside the main drag at Sam's Town which is proving to be a great decision.  We have all the comforts of home - conveniently located - plus gambling if we want it, bowling and cinemas also within walking distance and to boot - we have a WalMarts just across the street.  Can't ask for anything better located than this.  Last night we went into Vegas to have dinner with Helen and Rob (who were spending Valentine's night at the Flamingo on the strip), then we walked the strip to see the sites.  A fascinating town - but I don't think that Karen is overly impressed with the 'bright lights / pretty baby' atmosphere.  Plus the noise in the casino's is deafening...I had forgotten just how loud it was.   

So we finally got home around 10pm,  although based on how tired we were, you would have thought that it was alot later.  Today will be a bit more relaxed.  We plan on a trip to the strip to see the Blue Man Group at the Venetian Hotel.  Should be fun.  We will let you know in the next update...

If you've seen one lake , you've seen them all

So... Here we are in our campsite at River's Edge. We are at the side of the River Truckee and on the edge of Reno. It has a small Vegas - like strip and of course a Walmart. We decided to do the perimeter of Lake Tahoe for a reccie trip and all I can say is " beauuutiful".

The lake is deep and clear and, according to Lei  who impressed us by informing us that it has an elevation of 6600 ft, evaporates 1.2 million gallons a day and is 1000 foot deep (how was I to know that she was reading it all straight from a brochure of the lake?).  All I can say since I didn't read the brochure is it is blue and so very clear and a great scenic trip of 70 miles or thereabouts around the shoreline. We stopped at South Lake Tahoe for lunch and that was my first experience of a Casino.. it was called Harrahs and it blew me away. I could not get over the sounds and the people gambling!

After a lovely lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe ...thanks Rob and Helen, we set off again. We were searching for ideas on things to do over the next 2 or 3 days. I decided that Helen and Rob could kayak if they wanted but I would give that a miss! We had options of Dog Sledding, Snowmobiling, Sledging, Sleigh Rides, Skiing and of course all the trekking and trailing you could think of. I looked at the brochures and read all about what there is to do ... and that Lake Tahoe was 6600 feet above sea level... etc....etc  Lei the scammer and  I thought you were just a show off know all.

We opted for skiing and snowmobiling and of course a bit of shopping.  At the end of the day, as the sun was going down and we had spent the entire day driving around the shoreline of Lake Tahoe (or at least 70% of the 71 mile shoreline) Helen asked if Lake Mead was tree lined like Lake Tahoe - I said no - there weren't tree's around the lake - and she said that perhaps we wouldn't need to see Lake Mead in Vegas since we had seen Lake Tahoe and it would just be another Lake ... but without the trees. Only Helen would view the world quite this way...

So, off we went up to Diamond Peak ski slopes .. a difficult decision since there were about 6 other areas to choose from. Helen and I bought bright ski trousers so we wouldn't lose each other and off we went. Needless to say, I kept on the easy slopes but Helen went to the top of the mountain. She fell .. tripped over her ski and so came back to join Rob and I . Fantastic! Blue skies and scenery that was unbelievable... views of the lake were stunning.

Then came the 2 hour lesson with Steve from Hawaii. (Who, incidentally shared his time between Ski Instructor and Cabin Crew. He saw his wife once a week whether she wanted to or not). Helen reckoned he was very much into flirting! Anyway, he was very challenging as we were all at different levels... I had not really been for many years, except an odd outing in  Scotland and I was a coward to say the least! Helen managed to stay upright but Rob and I had a couple of falls.

 He has ended up with a huge bruise on the top of his leg and got a lot of sympathy; (and has showed it to anyone who has shown any interest since).  Ask him on Facebook and I'm sure he'll send you a picture.

 I, on the other hand chose to head straight for  Steve and clasp my arms around him which brought us both down with me on top.  Helen was beside herself laughing but only managed to catch a picture of me getting up. All in all I wore yellow and for a good reason... I would not go on the harder slopes despite the fact that Steve said I should. Perhaps another day....

So the day was a success - we loved the resort and all the fun and Helen and I both love our new ski pants.  I don't know if I will get much more use for them this trip - but I know that they will come in handy for Scotland...

There's always a flip side...

In case anyone is wondering - I now have proof that if you are having an absolutely marvelous day - one of those 'one to remember' kind - BEWARE - there will be a flip side to it.  In our case - it was back to back.

On Tuesday - we spent the day touring San Francisco - we did Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, rode the city bus, trolley and cable cars.  Had a great time - enjoyed everything about the city.  Was fascinated with the streets - couldn't imagine living there trudging up and down everyday.  Saw one girl walking down a street with about a 24% incline in 4" heels - and not even breaking a sweat.  Can't imagine...The day was crystal clear - you could see for miles from Alcatraz.  The Sea Lions off Pier 39 were in rare form - enjoying the lovely weather.  It was cold - but sunny - just the kind of winter day that you think of when thinking about San Francisco - (even though you rarely get the kind of clarity we experienced.)

Alcatraz was a tour well worth taking.  The audio tour made all of the difference - with prisoners and guards alike relating stories of their time 'on the rock'.  Helen, Karen and I took the tour as Rob had already done it a few years back.  He enjoyed his time in the city - visiting some of the sites that he remembered from his last visit while we were on the tour.  The cable cars were fun - we took the Hyde St car down to Powell street.  The steep inclines and declines made me absolutely sure that there was no way I would attempt to take the motor home into the city.  I would stay on the motor ways and keep safe.  Helen wanted to try and walk through Haight Ashbury - but I had to tell her that she was going to be disappointed this time - as I wasn't brave enough or stupid enough to try. 

So our day ended - catching our shuttle back to the RV park - thoroughly enjoying ourselves and the day we had...

Wednesday arrives, we have decided to take the Golden Gate bridge north - go up to Earnest and Julio Gallo's place - then continue on to Reno - where we start phase 3 of the holiday with Helen and Rob.  Good plan.  Starts a bit off when we realise about 1/2 mile out of the park that we had forgotten to return the restroom key - and so lost our $5 deposit.  On a scale of 1 to 10 - not life changing - but it should  have been a clue. 

After this auspicious beginning - we got onto the US101N on our way to the Golden Gate Bridge - I wasn't sure about it - but wanted to try.  As bad luck would have it - because of some recent construction - the instructions were confusing and I missed some turns and ended up driving this RV straight downtown San Francisco.  I quickly realised my mistake - but had no choice but to go forward,  trying to keep calm, weaving my way through narrow streets and heavy traffic and following a GPS that I no longer had much faith in.  For a time - things were OK - we were managing -then Karen mentioned how proud she was at how well I was doing.  I said - we're not through this yet - and 5 seconds later - I clip a truck (which was double parked on this street) mirror - knock mine clean off and got stuck at a light - with a homeless man shouting at me that I hit this guys mirror and what was I going to do about it?  Obviously - without a mirror I couldn't see what if any damage I did to his mirror - and with the traffic - it wasn't exactly like I could pull over.  So there we are - driving through SF with the passenger side mirror dangling by its electrical cord and Rob - with his head and arm out of the window - trying to hold onto what is left of it and shouting to me - 'you can pull over to the right lane - no one is coming...

One would think that I have been punished enough - but no - it isn't over yet.  My GPS decided to take me to the Golden Gate Bridge via the 3rd most steep inclined street in the City.  It must have been at least a 30% incline - which was bad enough going up - but once I hit the top and looked at what I was facing going down - I knew that I had just blown the wad on this.  We bottomed out at every cross street - Karen suggesting strongly that I turn left - although I still had to get down the hill so I wasn't quite sure what turning left would do, and me just focused on getting down with some of my brakes intact while Rob was half hanging out holding onto the mirror and dodging signs and other various objects which are closer to the lane than you actually realise.  Helen was so quiet - I almost thought we had lost her at the top of the hill but found out later that while all of this is going on - she and Karen (who were sitting on the couch in the back) were desperately searching for the seat belts that were on the floor under the couch in case the police stopped us and checked. 

We finally make it to the bottom of the street - turn onto a flat, fairly straight road with the Bridge visible in the distance letting us know that this nightmare will eventually end.  I am still trying to negotiate with no mirror - Rob is my only connection with what is happening in the right hand side and Helen (ever the one to take advantage of whatever the situation) having Rob move onto the floor (with his arm still hanging out - trying to hold onto the mirror) so that she can get a great picture of the bridge through the open window - not once but 4 times!!!  To try and really relay what actually happened is impossible - but hopefully you get the idea. 

We do make it across the bridge without any further incident - managed to pull into a Vista Point right after the bridge and Rob and I go out to check out what the situation is and come up with a plan to deal with it.  Meanwhile - Helen and Karen start searching the Internet for the nearest RV service shop that maybe we can get to - to deal with the problem.  Needless to say - we were all slightly fraught with nerves having just gone through what we all went through.  Thank god - at this point - some of our luck started to change...

First thing - with Rob's help we were able to jury rig the mirror so that I could use it.  I think that I could have probably made it all the way to Reno if necessary with the job of taking the stress off of it that Rob did.  Helen was a champ and found a mobile repair group who agreed to fit us in if we could make it to Petaluma.  Not exactly on the way to Reno - but what the heck - perhaps this wouldn't be a complete disaster after all.  So off we drive to Petaluma - and once we get there - pull over to the shoulder of a very busy road.  We then wait for another hour until the repair van shows up.  The bad news is that we will need a complete new mirror - and his supplier doesn't have an 18" mirror - only a 13".  The good news is that my repair guy has an idea for a possible way to repair it - can't guarantee that it will hold forever - but he is pretty confident in his plan.  He explained it to me - it seemed pretty viable so I decided to go with it.  2 hours later - we have a mirror - one that I am pretty pleased with and have paid him for his trouble and were back on the road to Reno.  It is now 3pm - we are still facing a 5 hour drive to Reno so off we go. 

Now I know that this blog is sort of dragging on - and I imagine that you all think that it is about all that could happen to someone in one day - but no - it is not.  Mainly because most of you have never had Helen to contend with.  She had this plan - stop at a WalMarts along the way - get some food so that when we get to Reno we can whip up a dinner - and get back on the road.  What could go wrong with this plan - quick stop off, a little shopping and back on the road.  Adds an extra 1/2 hour to our trip - tops!

So off we go - with Helen keeping her eyes peeled for a WalMarts.  We get outside of Vacaville - and Helen spots a sign for WalMart - and says - get off at the next exit.  I also see that sign - but found it a bit disconcerning that I couldn't see the store - just the sign.  I do as instructed though - get off at the next exit and realise that we still have no idea where this WalMarts is.  Can't even begin to guess which way to turn - and even the GPS doesn't acknowledge the store in the area.  So we pull into a gas station and Rob goes and checks out where the store is.  Comes back and says just go a few blocks and its there.  Now - I know that most of you understand the size of a WalMarts - even the parking lot will get your attention.  Here we are driving up and down this road - trying to do an 8 point turn to reverse our direction - and no WalMart in sight.  Rob even used the binoculars to locate this store - to no avail.  Finally - we manage to get on line - check the WalMart store locator and get an address for this store.  Believe it or not - we had been passing it by but it was so well hidden - that it wasn't visible from the road.  By the time we finally find this store and Helen and Rob are able to locate everything they wanted and we are back on the road - our 1/2 hour turns into 3 and I now discover another thing that I never want to do again - drive through the mountains like Donnor Pass in the dark!  Oh well - so many things I have learn today - finally - at 11pm - we pull into the Reno RV park.  More on this later.  I have dragged on long enough with these two days...

San Francisco - Here we come!!!

To catch everybody up with what has been happening - Helen and Rob arrived.  Karen was waiting on a text from Helen saying they had their bags and would be catching a taxi so she could walk down to the office to greet them.  Instead - we got a knock on our motor home door - and there they were.  Found us with no problem - although - there wasn't many in the park - and we were the only Winnebago Brave in the group - so she had it pretty easy.

We stayed the day in LA for them to begin to get over their jet lag.  They managed to stay up the day - even took a bike ride up to Venice Beach - about 7 miles away.  Not bad after a 14 hour flight I would say - and they arrived before they actually left - as they flew over the International Date Line and went back a day.  They left Auckland around 8am on the 5th of Feb and arrived in LA at 6:30am on the 5th of Feb.  Not bad - right?

We left LA Sunday morning going North.  ended up in Pismo Beach - along the coastal route.  It had been our intention to drive up Rte 1 - along the coast - stop at Hearst Castle along the way - etc.  Instead - I decided to go up US101 - mainly as we have discovered a problem with the Hydraulic Levelers - got a major leak on one side - this caused alot of hydraulic fluid to be on the exhaust - and hence for the motor home to smoke alot when we started it up on the Monday morning.  We were 90% sure it was from the leak - but I didn't want to chance the coastal route if I had a problem with the engine.  So up the 101 which was a pretty enough drive - although slightly boring the 2nd half of the trip.  Karen and Helen decided to spice it up for me - by requesting a chance to see Carmel by the Sea.  Although out of the way - I figured it was the least I could do - forgetting that if any place was not built for a 11' 11'' tall/ 34' long motor home - it is Carmel by the Sea. Rob used his IPhone to direct us to the Scenic Drive - absolutely lovely - but totally impractical for a motor home.  After negotiating this small, twisty and tree lined street - Helen in all innocence says - can't we stop so I can look around?  Stop?  I wasn't even sure I would make it out of there with a roof left on.  Plus - prior to going down the street - a big sign said not suitable for vehicles over 20' long - so I thought 'what part of this warning didn't she get?'  But that is Helen - ever the optimist.  Long and short of it - that day - there wasn't much traffic and we actually came to a parking section with a bunch of open spots so I was able to pull over and at least give her a chance to take a few photos.  Not what she was hoping for - but more than I expected.

After Carmel - she wanted to see Santa Cruz - as her brother had highly recommended it.  Again - parking was an issue - although we were able to find someplace that would accommodate us - for $25.  I was willing - but after seeing the board walk - we decided that it really was just a slightly upmarket Blackpool and not worth $25.  So after a drive through - we were off again to San Fran.

Our camp site is directly across from Candlestick park - too bad football season is over.  We pulled in at night - with Karen trying desperately to get me to understand what 'straight back' means when backing in the motor home.  It is actually more difficult than people realise when it is dark out and you don't know what you are going straight back into.  But eventually much to the amusement of some of our neighbours - I succeeded in getting it where she wanted it and we have settled in for the night - more later...

From the North Sea to the Pacific

This is moments after we finally arrived in LA - 2743 miles and we are here.  The site is actually at the end of a runway for LAX - so perhaps not the most peaceful site we could have found - but it is convenient in meeting with Karen's daughter Helen and boyfriend Rob who are flying in from New Zealand Saturday morning at 6:30am.  Saves me having to try and negotiate this motorhome through the airport to pick them up.  They are but a short taxi ride from here.

We left Tucson on Wed., drove to Phoenix and found the resort that we had booked.  As we arrived, they informed us that they had had a power surge and that the electricity was out for most of the park.  They were working hard to get it back up - but couldn't say when.  Because I wanted to have time to see Margaret, an old friend from Michigan Girl Scout days, I decided to stay in the park anyway.  So, while sitting curbside waiting for an escort to my site, who should show up at my door - but Margaret.  It was absolutely great seeing her again...

While chatting with her, Uncle Hersch and LaDonna called and said that they would be over later that evening to see us.  So we managed to fit in a Dinner with Margaret, her Mom Deloris, and partner Kathy prior to seeing Uncle Hersch and LaDonna in the evening.  Next day it was a full out 'Howell' day.  Dwayne and his wife, Gene and his wife, and Uncle Hersch and LaDonna all met us for lunch.  That evening we had dinner with Carolyn and Ted - and I still managed a couple hour visit with Margaret.  The only one I didn't manage to see was Aunt Betty and Mary (who had just flown in that day) as she was under the weather and we decided not to put anyone at risk - her or me.  Needless to say, I think that Karen is pretty well 'Howelled' out for awhile.  Got to give her credit - if your not part of this family - it can be a bit overwhelming at times...

Back at the park - they still were fighting the power issue - on our first night - they were working just outside the bedroom window - trying to install a temp generator to keep the park lit.  Needless to say, they underestimated the amount of draw - and blew out 2 generators trying.  Finally about 3am - they gave in.  So the next day - they brought in another generator - about the size of a house - parked it again directly outside the bedroom window and began the process again.  It caused quite the stir in the park - and I think everyone came to look at it.  So we spent the afternoon staring out of the motorhome at the people who had come to stare at the machine.  With all of this fun going on about me, I decided to see if I could get a discount on our nightly rates (seeing as sleep wasn't in the cards for us) and the park kindly decided that due to all of the problems they would give us our visit free gratis...so I guess I can't complain.  Got a place to dump, fill the water tanks and by the evening of the second day - we even had power.  Just a bit noisy - but that just trained us for our next site in LA - so no problem there.  I do believe sometime that if it weren't for bad luck - we would have no luck at all - but it was still a great visit and the site was absolutely beautiful - if you ignore the hum and fumes of the generator next door.

The benefit of all of that was that I woke up early and decided to pull out around 5am - to get through Phoenix prior to rush hour.  By 8am - we were at the California border and by 1pm - we were in LA.  Along the way was some lovely scenery, and some fairly ugly bits.  As we entered Cal, we had to stop at the border Agriculture Center for inspection.  Karen was driving and this was the first time she had seen something like this between the states.  First, she thought she didn't have to stop - even though the sign definitely said 'ALL VEHICLES MUST STOP!' - so after I convinced her that this applied to her she stopped - then while trying to figure out how to roll down the window - the agent passed her through - but she wouldn't go - as she still wanted to roll her window down - needless to say - he was getting a bit frustrated as was she and I.  Finally, we managed to understand what he wanted and off we went.  Small bits of panic within what turned out to be a lovely day.

So here we are, waiting for Helen and Rob and then we will be off on part II of the trip.  Looking forward to that - and we will definitely keep you posted...

In Tucson they have Pink Mountains, and other interesting facts...

Hello to all.  Here we are, traveling on from Tucson to Phoenix - visiting with family and friends who live here in the winter along the way. Monday night we had a marvelous home cooked meal.  Aunt Margaret hosted Uncle Al & Alice, Sandy & Brian and Karen & I for dinner and it was delicious.  Karen and I have been surviving on basically microwaveable food on the trek west - which is fine - but nothing like home cooking...While sitting over coffee and a brownie - Karen noticed the sunset on the mountains in the distance and what a beautiful color it was - hence the picture.  We had some great times just catching up - which I must admit I really enjoyed.

On the Tuesday - Elton and I went in search of a bike shop to fix the two bikes that we had borrowed from Jim and Maur.  Nothing like the blind leading the blind.  Uncle Al saying - I know there is a bike shop around here someplace, Brian press ganged into checking the yellow pages and coming up with out of business shops who haven't taken their number out of the phone book yet, and us needing Sandy to finally come home, find a shop and verify that they existed prior to us driving there.  It was fun anyway - driving around Tucson with Al.

In the afternoon - Sandy, Margaret, Karen and I went off for a scenic drive through the Saguaro National Park.  I know that Karen has already told you about the Saguaro - but suffice it to say - that it wasn't what I was expecting.  I think westerns make you think that they are dotted about - one here and one there.  Not so - at least not at the park.  As you drive further north towards Phoenix - yes - but in Tucson - they abound.  The park was scenic - hard to capture in a picture, the company excellent.  It was a fabulous day for the drive - although chilly.   We took a picture next to one of the mature Saguaro's - which shows just how tall some of them get.  You can tell that they are not small and yet they seem very graceful.  They live around 200 years starting from a seed no larger then a poppy seed.

Today - we arrived in Phoenix to a power outage at the RV park that we had booked at.  It's not that we couldn't find another park - it's just that this is the park that an old friend - Margaret Britain is at visiting her Mom and I did want to see her along with the family in the area.  So we have put up on the site - even though there is no power, the weather is an unseasonably cold at 35 to 40 degrees so we have needed to run the generator to keep warm, they had workman working outside our unit until after 2am in the morning to no avail running a generator for their light - but not for us, and Uncle Hersch recommends I don't attach the water as they are forecasting more freezing weather for tonight.  Welcome to Arizona - home of the Winter sun. 

A Happy Interlude... Karen

I know that I usually keep my nose out of this blogging business but I really wanted to add my penny's worth into the pot! I am sure that, by now you have a reasonable understanding of Felicia Howell speak... if you can understate things... then do it.
WELL! The last few days on the road before arriving in Tucson were truly A NIGHTMARE.. centred around a most stubborn individual who persisted in driving across 100's of miles of Texan land, coughing, sputtering, sneezing ...probably f...ting and the rest! ( For those with delicate countenances please obliterate the last sentence from your minds!) Anyway, needless to say it was not long before I also suffered from said infection. Now, as people know I do pride myself in taking care of the sick - but there is a limit! When Lei refused to speak to myself or Maur I knew that the limit had been set. So, I left things alone for 1/2 hour and then continued to take her temperature whilst she emitted the most perfect purple hue frm her cheeks.Some forced medication and at least the temp came down significantly and she took th driver's seat! Needless to say not long after it was my turn to burn up and join her with coughing and spluttering and feeling I had had a few rounds with an elephant. And yet we drove on....through Texas, New Mexico and into  Arizona.

Saguaros in The Saguaro State Park



Uncle Elton , a serious moment

On arriving into the park in Tucson we were greeted by Sandy, Lei's cousin and before long we had reversed the RV into its spot and were having fun chatting with Aunt Margaret, Uncle Elton and Alice and Brian and Sandy. What a lovely night catching up with each other and reminiscing. looking at old photos and trying to work out who was who in them from way, way back. After feeling so sick and not really eating for a few days we really enjoyed the fine dinner Aunt Margaret served.

After much cajoling Lei finally went to Docs .. yippee and got some very strong and very expensive antibiotics! $200 for 10 pills. Worth every cent if they get rid of the germs. She has had two now and appears improved. She says shes a lot better but then again she always says that.... Watch this space.

Sandy was patient teaching us how to put up our awning which ... I pray I will remember for when we need it. I am not well known for my master mind memory! As you will see in the photos we were are in The Saguaro State Park which protects the Saguaro plant. I was enthralled at the scenery and the sheer numbers of these magnificent plants. They grow up to 50 ft and live for 200 yrs... amazing. I thought they just grew alone in the desert but there are forests of them and they are fascinating.

Back to the RV and another lovely meal from Sandy and lots more fun and laughter. Home for a sleep now we no longer feel as ill. Ummmm  Phoenix tomorrow