Going out the front gate......
A nice day for travel - drove 318 miles to Lake City Campground, (we are still in Florida). I had made reservations at Lake City Campground; but when we arrived - no reservation... Hummmm. I had called the Lake City Resort ( use to be the IN & OUT RV Park) by mistake. The Campground had a spot for us, and I called the Resort and they cancelled our reservation without charging us. Yeah !! The Lake City Campground plans to change their name - the IN & OUT was sold and the new owner changed the name to Lake City Resort. That was not very nice of the new owner... We paid $32.26 and the water and elect. is OK. Only stayed 1 night here - not much to do in Lake City, and we had been here before...
Love this tree in front of the office
June 3 & 4 - drove 98 miles - to Tallahassee RV Park - I had asked for a 2 night reservation; but when we arrived, at 1400, she thought we only wanted 1 night We were fortunate - a 5th wheel who had planed on staying for a month, had left early as he wanted to beat the rain. So far the skies were clear. This is an OK Park. We stayed on Lot #9 - level pad with non-sappy trees. $45 per night. Water & Electricity are OK.
We took off looking for the I-MAX theater and ended up in a downpour of rain. Fortunately, the directions lead us to a covered parking lot; and the restaurant --Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill-- was next to the I-MAX. Harry's is where I wanted to eat at -- how lucky can one get... The I-MAX show that I wanted to go to was not playing at this time, so we went to Harry's to eat. The Jamboli was very good.
The museum was not just cars..................Vampire Kit
Pianos
President Lincoln's hearse
Bat Mobile and Robin's bike
June 5 & 6 (Monday / Tues)
Drove 225 miles which put us at Shady Acres RV Park, Mobile AL. - $27 per night. Nice Oak trees. Excellent Water 80 PSI, Good elect and WiFi. We arrived early afternoon and went to: A&M Peanut Shop - Bought mixed nuts, chocolate covered pecans and peanuts in the shell; which we fed some to the squirrels in the nearby park. Plus a little time to play cards.
Day 2, we visited Fort Gaines - very nice -- lots of history connected to the Civil War and War of 1812. Admiral Farragut defeated the Confederates and he is known for his slogan: "Dam the torpedoes, full speed ahead" (Navy Slogan). That night we experienced heavy rains which started at 7 PM. They predicted flooding; --- none near us.
Yup -- it's the latrine
Wed morning: June 7th--- easy hookup and on the road by 0845. After the New Orleans area the road surface was way bumpy for many miles - Ahhhhhhhhhh. . After Lafayette
the road was better
June 7 & 8: Arrived at A-1 RV Park & Motel : Sulphur LA; which was a 335 mile drive. Cost here was: $40 per night. Concrete pad, backed into a lot next to a pond - lovely fountain. Good power / electrical. Cell reception great - 4G / 5 bars. A lovely evening - good temperature for a walk.
Relaxed and washed cloths.
June 9th - took off at 1030 only needed to drive for 2 1/2 hours (130 miles) - roads just inside Texas were rather rough on I-10, then ran into some construction - took Hyw 105 which was a niece 2 lane road - smooth with little traffic. Stayed at Forest Retreat in New Caney, Texas (just north of Houston) for 3 nights. This was a lovely Park with several trees, wide streets, cement pads, good water/ Elec. $50 / night
We drove to Livingston Escapees RV Park to see what that looked like - some year we'll come back here and volunteer -- the Park is set as an Assisted Living Facility.
We visited with Patrick & Jane Sheeran & their children Bryce, Tommy and Jack on Sat. afternoon
Tommy and Jack (youngest)
Patrick, Bryce, Tommy, Jane, Jack
Sunday June 11th: we took a lovely walk (3 - 4 miles) around Lake Houston Park in the morning. There was a nice breeze, and many trees. Afternoon temps were near 90. The rest of the day was relaxing and we sat outside in the evening.
Monday June 12th -- The Rec Hall had several exercise DVDs. So I tried the workout with Denise Austin. We drove 40 miles south of Houston and booked one night at All Star RV Resort with plans to see friends Karen & Mike, then will take off in the morning. This is an ok Park, if sight seeing in Houston - wide streets, cement pads, good water, electric and WiFi. Nice swimming pool. $54 / night.
Karen had a mandatory meeting, so she stopped by after work - we gave her a lesson RV-ing 101
Morning of June 13th (Tues) we called into a Board Meeting for VIR owners, so it was --- AM before we headed down the road.for our 260 mile trek, traveled west and north of Houston
June 13 & 14th: Stayed at Buckhorn Lake Resort, Kerrville Tx. Kerrville is in the "hills" of Texas - very pretty place.
$43 per night.
Lovely Sunsets
June 15 - Drove 238 miles - We found a nice rest stop on the way and stayed One night at Fort Stockton RV Park. $34 per night. We are still in Texas
June 16 & 17 : Terrin was dessert on our way to Carlsbad RV Park , New Mexico - arrived after a 144 mile nice drive.
Cost: $39 / night.
We drove to Roswell to see the Alien Museum -- FUN
The road from Carlsbad RV park to the Caverns was a nice elevation,, with rocks.
At the entrance of the cave, if walking down, there is an amphitheater - we'll come back here this eve.
when the bats fly out.
when the bats fly out.
Decent is 80 stories -- a twisty winding trail
- I had my hiking poles.
Inside the cave are large rooms, a cafe and
an elevator to take us back up
an elevator to take us back up
June 18 & 19 : -- Still in New Mexico after 270 miles. Very different types of terrain on our way to Kira RV & Horse Hotel in Bosque N.M. $27 per night (cash). There were no horses at the hotel.
The reason for stopping here was to go see THE VERY LARGE ARRAY -- seen in the movie "Contact" ----- Amazing !!
We also found the Cibola Nat'l Park
Then back to desert........................
And beautiful sunsets...............
June 20 & 21: 102 miles to: Santa Fe Skies RV Park, Santa Fe, N.M. Beautiful skies along the way............... We wanted to check out the Mysterious Staircase. $45 / night.
We visited the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
The oldest church in the USA
Our RV Park was located up on a hill, with a hiking path around the perimeter. We had some gorgeous sunsets.
Breakfast on the patio
Wide open park, level cement pads.... $36 / night
and fabulous sunsets !
June 23 - 27 - 158 miles to: Eagle View Park , Fort McDowell - via Highway 87 - a very lovely drive.
At the RV Park all the pads were cement - lovely park, on the edge of Fountain Hill $40 / night. No need to reserve the "dulux view sites", as they all have a nice view. Plus there were wild horses roaming near us and Road Runners.
-- We spent several days with Joe and Kathy...
Kathy's Parents - Kathy and Joe - at Kathy's house
We drove just north of Phoenix to Cave Creek AZ. to see Justin (son of our x-neighbors when we lived near Seattle) and Savannah and their baby - Regan
Lovely Drive to their home --
Visited twice with brother Jim, Niece Star, and Issac
and their son Koal
and their son Koal
The Drive to Tortilla Flats (population: 6) just East of Phoenix
Colorful Saloon -- the walls were plastered with $1 bills
Colorful Ladies Bathroom also..............
WE also visited with Ray (x-coworker of Steve's) and his wife
Desert Sunset
June 28 - July 1: 163 miles to: Flagstaff KOA - very tight corners / narrow roads, most lots very undeveloped. After the 3rd try we found a lot that was "OK". $50 per night. We had a tough time finding a place to stay as it was so close to the holiday.
Explored the area -- so beautiful
Wukoki National Park
Crater Volcano Park - near Flagstaff
Ride on the Sky Lift up to San Francisco Mountain
A short but steep hike to the top................
Elevation from bottom to top - 2,000 feet. -- hazy in the distance, due to forest fire near Sedona
Cattle Guard -- only painted strips which stop
the cattle from crossing
the cattle from crossing
Life in the desert........
Beautiful drive from Flagstaff Az. to Panguitch Utah
via Highway 89 North
July 2 - 6: 269 miles to: Hitch N Post RV Camp Panguitch Utah - $32.50 / night. In town, restaurants within walking distance.
Lovely sunsets due to the haze of the forest fires
The day we checked in a fire was 5 miles away -- 65 % contained and heading away from us.
We Explored Bryce and Red Canyon.
Red Canyon -- After entering Highway 12 from Highway 89 and driving a short distance we came to Red Canyon -- WOW !!!! We hiked the short 2 mile loop through the Canyon . A great start to seeing the beauty in this area.
Highway 12 is approximately 140 miles long - lots to see here - we only "scratched" the surface of exploration - plans are to come back for a couple months and hike and drive through the area.
Bryce Nat'l Park
Arch in the Desert -- Traveled on the Kodachrome Road, the 10 miles on a dirt road
Kodachrome road was well named ! gorgeous sites !!
We traveled 6 miles down a dirt road so we could walk through a Slot Canyon
July 7, 8, 9 -- 228 miles to: Mountain Valley RV Park, Herber City Utah - $62 / night. 5 Star resort.
-- near Steve's cousins in Park City - Jim & Julie Sheeran
Pat & Donna Sheeran and daughter Mason plus Shea and her daughter Kelsey
Sites near Park City, Utah
July 10, 254 miles to:
Anderson Camp Eden Idaho $34 / night
Sights along the way.................
July 11, 12: 154 miles to: Ambassador RV Resort, Caldwell Idaho $37 / night -- sights along the way................
Lovely sunset ................
-- Visiting Cindy & Dick (Cindy is Linda Sheeran's sister) and Dick's Mom - Kay
July 13, 14: 290 miles to: Wine Country RV Park, Prosser WA. $38 / night
Sites along the way to Prosser ---
Crossing the Columbia River
Yakima River in Prosser
It's a new restaurant in town
Prosser is in Wine Country -- we found some lovely country side around the town -
rocks plus Vineyards which need irrigation.
rocks plus Vineyards which need irrigation.
July 15, 2017 -- 174 miles, arrived in Issaquah Village RV Park, Issaquah Wa. --
Sites along the way to Issaquah.
-- coming into Yakima Valley - hazy in the distance.
70 miles from Issaquah we start seeing the mountains.
Issaquah Village RV Park - an older park - advantages: Close to my two girlfriends, Chris and Nancy; a hiking trail right outside our front door which leads to a forest trail or into Issaquah downtown or up a hill to Issaquah Highlands which is where my favorite restaurant is THE RAM...
Views from the hiking trail
We were very fortunate that our second
Grandson Zane came to visit us for 2 weeks.
Here are a few places that we explored with him...............
Trip to Mt. Rainier - Sunrise
stopped at Black Diamond Bakery for coffee and donuts.
Road to Sunrise -------------
---- 4 mile hike up the mountain and around the top of Sunrise
-------3.5 mile hike on Cougar Mountain - near Issaquah
------------ Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island
--- Snoqualmie Falls View from the top
Falls is 270 feet
--- View from the bottom - hiked down approx 0.5 miles
---- The river, downstream from the falls
It was a hot day, so we
rested on the way up the steep hill ...
We Celebrated my friend Chris's Birthday ...
out to eat at Coho Restaurant in Issaquah
out to eat at Coho Restaurant in Issaquah
--------- Zane took golf lessons - so Chris, Zane and I went golfing - my first time ever -- lots of fun.
Zane and I had fun at the driving range.....
---------- Chris, her husband, Bob, Zane & I
at a Mariner's game
Goofing off on one of our shopping trips............ :)
To the top of the Space Needle in Seattle....
Lake Union
Puget Sound
***** we rode the DUCKS ******
Tour of the Mariner's Baseball Stadium
One of our many walks to the Issaquah Highlands
- 3 miles round trip
At THE RAM - after eating wings, we shared desert
-- cookie with ice cream and hot fudge...
-- cookie with ice cream and hot fudge...
Walked on the beach on Vashon Island
Zane loves wings -- we ate at WING STOP in Renton -- messy.... and yummy
Eating Wings in our RV -- with latex gloves ...
Zane arrived with light brown hair
AND left with bleached blonde hair ---
a surprise for his MOM..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zane and I had several evenings playing cribbage -- He won approximately 17 games out of 20 ... he was unbelievably lucky
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We were blessed to have Zane with us for 2 weeks
-- looking forward to our next adventure
with this wonderful young man
-- looking forward to our next adventure
with this wonderful young man
People we saw while in the Seattle area:
--- Jennifer - Steve's Step-Sister and dog Maggie
We had several visits with Jennifer -- So glad to see your apartment and spend time with her....
April and Christopher - at Issaquah Brewhouse
Walking Rustin Way with friend Keren :)
Hanging with Girlfriends: Nancy Chris and Lisa
Hanging out with Ann
Steve's sister
With Rick and Nancy & Dave at Brewhouse
Amy gave me a new Hair-do
A few of my x-coworkers and still my friends
-- Julie, James, Tena
Deb Alicia Pat and me
Maggie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JANINE AND KATHY
ELAINE AND PEGGY
CINDY AND MICHELE
MICHELE...............
KEVIN
ANN LANA JODI
So wonderful to see you all and unfortunately missed several other friends FHS
----------------------------------------------------------------
My dear friend Sheila !!
We also met Jim, her husband on this trip
Our x- neighbors
Larry / Kathy & Susan / Jeff
An evening with Gloria - Joe's Mom
A great day with Joe and Kathy -- in Seattle:
Lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Pike's Market
Space Needle - seeing the Terracotta Warriors
Rode the Seattle Wheel
Dinner on the waterfront
Steve and I exploring some areas we use to visit in the Puget Sound are ------- Ruston Way
On the Olympic Peninsula
Walking around Issaquah ---
The day of the eclipse
Frank and JoAn -- having fun in Frank's new car
Nancy's birthday party -------------
Nancy's family - Jess, Wes, Dave, Erica Richard
Painting with Chris and her
2 Daughter - in - laws : Kathy and Beth
Several outings with Chris and Nancy -- Celebrated Chris's Birthday - Lunch at Snoqualmie Falls, Shopping at Dick's, hiked up Little Si, ended up in a bar in Issaquah.
AT Natalie Merchant Concert
Sept. 12th Steve and I headed East ............................
Bye for now Seattle
