Exploring the USA

We took our first USA RV Trip with our good friends, Sue and Bill, (and our dog, Sydney, of course!). Our wonderful journey started on August 11th when we left Lake Almanor in Nor Cal.We returned home on Oct 8th, 2014.

(we drove to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado)

We spent 8 1/2 weeks on the roads of northern America in our 40' RV, towing our jeep, on our trip of a lifetime (the first of several such trips).

Nick and I have camped our entire marriage. We started camping in a tent, before we bought a camper. After the camper, we owned 2-travel trailers (18" and 24"), 2-Class C motorhomes (22' and 28'), 1-Class A 34' motorhome, and 2-diesel pusher 40' motorhomes. We have always talked about seeing and traveling through all the states of the USA.

Last year we bought our USA map (those of you who camp have seen the USA maps on the sides of RV's). On it, we put the states' stickers for the states we traveled to in 2013 in our RV: California, of course, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  Now our USA map has 19 states' stickers, only 29 more states to go, 30 if we take our RV to Alaska!

Here's a look at our trip by the numbers:

We traveled 17 states:  (18 states if you count driving 20 miles through Arizona!).

We visited and or/traveled to:

*** 38+ American cities/towns

*** 6 cities visited friends

*** 8 National Parks:

    Glacier National Park
    Yellowstone National Park
    Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    Badlands National Park
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Arches National Park
    Bryce National Park
    Zion National Park

*** 26+  Points of Interest and National Historic Sites, including:
    National Bison Range, MT
    John D. Rockefeller Memorial Pkwy (the road between Yellowstone and Grand Tetons)
    Little Missouri National Grasslands, ND
    Mt Rushmore National Memorial, SD
    Custer State Park in the Black Hills, SD
    Crazy Horse Memorial, SD
    Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, SD
    "Wall Drug," SD
    Jefferson Expansion, St Louis Arch Gateway to the West, MO
    Anheuser Busch Brewery and Budweiser Tour, MO
    Branson. MPO
    Air Force Strategic Air Command and Museum, NE
    Holy Family Shrine Chapel, NE
    The Mall of America, MN
    Minnehaha Falls, MN
    Harley-Davidson Museum, WI
    Wisconsin Dells, WI
    Vesterheim - Norwegian-American Museum, IO (both Sue and I are Norwegian!)
    Covered Bridges of Madison County, IO
    United States Air Force Academy and AF Cadet Chapel, CO
    Pike's Peak, (14, 115') CO
    Garden of the Gods, CO - National Natural Landmark
    Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, CO
    Grand Mesa outside of Grand Junction, CO
    Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, NV

*** 4 baseball parks: Minnesota Twins, Target Field; Milwaukee Brewers, Miller Park;
               St Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium; and Kansas City Royals, Kaufman Stadium

*** 33 RV parks, including 3 state park campgrounds and 2 city RV parks

*** 28 days/nights of rainstorms with thunder and lightning, like we've never seen in southern California! Everywhere, along our trip, locals told us it was the "wettest" summer in years, which we can attest!

***12 audiobooks listened to along the way

*** 2,000+ pictures taken

*** and 8,600 miles put on our RV and 1,500 miles on our jeep.

America is so much larger than we imagined, with the most amazing beauty, vastness and diversity of the terrain. We saw green rolling hills, lush foliage and forests;

many rivers, including the Missouri River, the Mississippi River, the Arkansas River and the Colorado River; waterfalls: many lakes and the very Big Sky of Montana; the wildflowers; glacier, hot mineral springs, and geysers;the brilliant blue skies over America with the clouds almost close enough to touch; the beautiful sunsets;

the sunflower fields, as well as the endless fields of sorghum and soybeans, and corn fields; Hoodoos (spires); the plains; the many mountains, including the mighty Rocky Mountains; and many different wild animals, including: American Bison, Elk, Prone Horn Antelope, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Prairie Dogs, bear, chipmunks, ground squirrels, and Mountain Goat.

We drove on two lane highways, interstates, back roads, and dirt roads; throughout National Parks; through small towns and large cities; in the middle of what seemed like nowhere, alone on an interstate and stuck in traffic (YES! there is traffic outside of California, although shocking, I know!); used 4 GPS's and a good old-fashioned Atlas, at one time, to guide us along our way, sometimes finding a "different" way to get to our destination. We drove on sunny clear days and through some torrential thunderstorms; had warm weather and some really cold weather in the fall (woke up to 27 degrees in Bryce Canyon National Park); through the plains, over the continental divide several times, and over the Rocky Mountains via the Independence Pass, 12,096 ft.

To see more of our trip check out  my flickr page !

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2012

We spent some time RVing last summer with our BFF's the Nances, at the Crown Villa RV Resort in Bend, Oregon. While Nick and Rick went fishing on the Deschutes River, Lynn and I quilted outside for a couple of sunny warm days, which was really had fun.

After a couple of days, we headed to Sisters, Oregon, about 30 minutes from Bend.

Every year, for the past 37 years, on the 3rd Saturday of July, in a small town in Oregon, named Sisters (named for the 3 mountain peaks which were named after 3 sisters), there is an one day outdoor quilt show. For those who have never been to it, it is truly a "must see" to be added to any quilter's "Bucket List" of places to see. 

Most of the 3000+ beautiful quilts, from all over the US and beyond, are displayed outside on building walls,

fences, large quilt racks, railings and balconies, etc.,

all over the town of Sisters. It is a sight to behold!! 

The quilts are amazing and one day is hardly enough time to really appreciate and see each and every quilt, especially last year. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show on July 14th, 2012, will be remembered, not only for being a fabulous great quilt show, but also, for being the only year the quilt show was rained out! It was our first visit to this quilt show.  We had only seen about half of the quilts, and the quilts were all removed and taken down within an half an hour, by 3:30 pm. It didn't just lightly rain; it also hailed and poured rain for several hours!

We loved seeing all the beautiful quilts and do plan to return this year.  We are praying (probably along with many others) that the show will not see any rain this year!!

After our time in Bend, we headed back to California, spending some time with the Nances at their home in Redding.  Then we caravaned to Lake Almanor and spent a week with our other camping friends the Lauries and Merandis. It's a rustic campground, right on the lake's edge, but it's seeing our friends that draws us there!!

  Great vacation, as always!! 

You can see more of my pictures from the Sisters Quilt Show on my flickr page.

To see our summer vacation pictures click this link.

Camping with our BFFs

We spent a wonderful week camping in Fort Bragg, a small town nestled on the beautiful rugged coastline of northern California, spending time with family and great friends! Nances and Pavones always have the best times together and this trip was no exception.

This year our daughters (Nicole and Emily) and their families joined us, as well as 5 adorable grandbabies (3 of ours and 2 of the Nances, as well as one to be born in August)! It was heartwarming to see the newest generation becoming great camping friends, as their moms before them! 

The oldest girls, Gigi, 5, and Isabelle, almost 4, even liked doing the dishes on the table benches (reminiscent of their moms, many years ago)!

We had the best campsites ever at Pomo Campground! They were so private, we hardly knew anyone else was there. We had gorgeous views of the large redwoods, pines and blooming rhododendrons surrounding us.

We relaxed, played games, visited the quiet town, and talked, a lot!  

Guys went abalone diving and were successful both days.

A delicious abalone feast was consumed by everyone, even the little ones loved it! 

Eric shows David,Brody, Gigi, Isabelle (Nicole)and Olivia (Emily and baby) an abalone in its shell.

  

We explored nearby "Glass Beach" at the north end of town, on a foggy morning,

David, Nicole, Brody, Auntie Grandma Lynn, Papa and Emily 

Rick, Lynn, Karen and Nick

 enjoyed campfires each night, roasted marshmallows and made s'mores

Beautiful weather, sunny days, crisp nights, camping, and friendship, mixed with only one afternoon/eve of some rain, a rarity for Nor Cal, made for a great week of fun!

More photos

Anniversary Trip

Cancun, Mexico

For the past 6 years, we have taken a trip with our Cruising/Camping Buddies (Nances, Lauries, and Merandis--last 2 years) to celebrate our anniversaries. We've been going on cruises, but this year we decided to go to an All-Inclusive Resort.

Our friends, Lynn and Rick Nance own an N-hance Wood Renewal business. Each year they go to their company's convention, and this year it was in Cancun. So the rest of us decided we'd tag along and make a great vacation out of it together!! We stayed at the Gran Melia Resort-Cancuna beautiful resort located on the Caribbean Sea.

We had such a great time just relaxing by the poolside, under palappas, sipping all the margaritas, Miami Vices, and beer we wanted! Reading and dozing were the activities of the day, for most of the week! The weather was perfect, in the mid-70's-80's, with balmy breezes, light clouds floating above, and some humidity (just enough for my curly hair and skin to love it!!)

We also took walks on the white, sandy beach, and the Caribbean was warmer than the pool water! One day while Nick, Rick and Bill went fly fishing, the girls

(Sue, Karen, Robin and Lynn)

took a tour to the Tulum Ancient Mayan Ruins, a very beautiful place.

The best part of the vacation was spending time with great friends once again!

You can enjoy the pictures from our great trip here.

My Version of the "Madness"

SPRING "MADNESS"

March and April look to be busy months, a kind of "madness" (no NOT basketball !) with all that will be happening. At the quilt shop I work at we've got the upcoming San Diego Cruisin' Quilters Shop Hop starting this Saturday, and I'm working a lot of extra hours and long days!

Then there are the planned getaways or happenings: a trip planned to Peoria, Arizona for Padres' Spring Training, for a long weekend, followed by a weekend Women's Retreat with my church. The next weekend we will celebrate Easter, followed by another weekend(YES! another) Brown Bag Quilt Retreat in Buellton. The third weekend in April we will have wonderful great friends and house guests to shower Angelina and Alex's baby Micah. To cap off the month of April we will be hosting a retirement party for two retired firefighters from Nick's fire department and then the last day of April is the Annual Appreciation Dinner put on by Rotary of Rancho Santa Fe for Fire and Security personnel!! I'm exhausted already.

Along with all those activities I do hope to complete a few projects in March:

(1) quilt and bind the quilt I am making for my niece Amalia and her new husband, Rick;(2) a machine appliqued, McKenna Ryan pattern for a "special" pillow for a very special friend

(3) a baby quilt for a new firefighter's daughterand (4) several cheerful, colorful pillowcases (similar to this one) for children who are sick with cancer or other serious illnesses for the ConKerr Cancer pillowcase project,
known as A Case for Smiles.Many quilt shops in southern California and all across the nation are participating in ConKerr Cancer by hosting" sew-ins" for making the pillowcases, collecting the cheerful pillowcases for the children who are sick and then donating them to local hospitals.

The pillowcases are really easy to make and basically take one yard of fabric (3/4 yd for the pillowcase body and 1/4 yd or so for the top border trim. If you have a heart for helping others by way of using your talents and love of sewing, go to the ConKerr Cancer website for information about the project in your area! If you'd like a free pattern just email me and I can send one to you.

Our Blessed Thanksgiving Tradition

The month of November seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye! We returned from our wonderful cruise, had two weeks of regular life and then we went camping for the entire week of Thanksgiving, Sunday to Sunday!

For the past 32 years or so we have almost always gone camping with family and friends for the Thanksgiving weekend. The few years we stayed home and had a "traditional" Thanksgiving, our kids would say, "This is boring! Let's go camping next year like we always do!" So we pack up the RV and head to the campground, this year (as in many past years) we headed to South Carlsbad State Beach.

Most years, including this one, the weather has accommodated us and we usually have a warm weather Thanksgiving. We've only been rained on a couple of times over the years. We cook a full Thanksgiving dinner while there with all the trimmings. Nick smokes our turkey in the smoker and friends deep fry their turkey. Everyone pitches in making everything that goes along with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. It's truly the best way to enjoy Thanksgiving!

Above top: Our "Stuffed Turkey" table decoration made
by mom almost 30 years ago;
just above: Nicole and Susie and Dane in line for the feast!

We have so much to be thankful for and spending time with family and friends tops the list!!
We are blessed! This year we all shared what we are thankful for and a new tradition was added to our way of celebrating this holiday!

To view more pictures go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72308330@N00/sets/72157622920644710/

Girls Weekend !

The women of Lake Almanor camping group (most of us: Robin, Sue, Lynn, me, our daughters and grandbabies, Kelly, Pat, Debbie and more) gathered in Orange, CA., for a weekend of friendship and gab and to attend the baby shower for Andrew Michael Churney, due in Sept. Friday night we drove to Pete and Robin Merandi's home in Upland for a delicious BBQ. Saturday afternoon was the baby shower and baby Andrew was showered well!! The rest of the weekend we spent mostly at the home of Christy and Stephen, proud parents-to-be.

L to R: Christy and baby, Emily and Isabelle, Kristina and Sarah, Nicole and Gigi

Kristina and Sarah (17 months) flew in from San Jose. Sue, Lynn, Emily and Isabelle (1 year) flew in from Sacramento (there's something about baby showers and flying south from Sacramento airport that just doesn't mix--always takes many hours more than the hour flight time, with delay after delay!!).

Always a great time when we all get together and reminisce of fun times at Lake Almanor.

Picture from the weekend can be seen on my flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72308330@N00/sets/72157621896881387/

Charming Girls' Quilt Club-July Projects to Complete

So, I joined the Charming Girls' Quilt Club, a virtual quilting club, whose purpose is to encourage quilters to complete their projects. Many of us have several WISP's (Works In Slow Progress) in our sewing rooms. Those who don't quilt don't seem to understand how we quilters can start a new project before an old project has been completed. There are numerous reasons for this, but suffice it to say, almost all quilters do have many projects in various stages of the process, that they are working on at one time. Has something to do with the creative mind, I think!

I have two projects that I plan to complete during the month of July. One is a lap quilt in golds, oranges and dark reds from Eleanor Burns" Quick Trip Quilts book. It's actually almost finished. I am in the midst of quilting it myself. Then I have to sew the binding on and bind it by hand....
My second quilt project I haven't started as yet....but plan to start it next week. It is a gift I need finished by the first week of August, so I think my goal to cut, sew and complete it before the end of July is doable! I'm not sure of the pattern; I'm thinking of possibly doing 4 or 9 patch blocks alternating with solid blocks (that I may applique some animals on) or a crazy nine patch design. Here's a picture of my fabrics....More on this quilt as it develops!

Now I'm off to Pensacola, Florida, for the weekend with family. Going to my niece's wedding! I'm taking some hand applique (Bunny Hill's "A Tisket, A Tasket" BOM) and a good book with me!! I have two very long travel days, there and back.

A Tribute to Captain Bill!

Our good friend, Bill recently achieved a life long dream which had been on hold for over 35 years. That dream came true on December 23, 2008, when Bill passed his flying test and received his private pilot's license! Not only did he pass on his first try, it was also his 30th wedding anniversary on the same day!! As his daughter, Kristina says, "Dad's love of flying began well before his more than 30-year career with the Federal Government--first in the US Army, where he trained to be a helicopter crew chief, then after he graduated with his A & P (Airframe and Powerplant) license, he worked as a crew chief on some of NASA's most specialized aircraft, working his way up to aircraft maintenance supervisor for NASA Ames' research aircraft. After he retired, he was able to fulfill his life-long dream that had been on hold for over 35 years... He now enjoys exploring Northern California in his Cessna 150."

To commemorate his achievement, I recently made a special quilt for Bill. It's a quilt from Eleanor Burns' book, Victory Quilts, entitled "Flyboy," made with two 1940's blocks, the propeller and the airplane.

Here's a close-up of the airplane block.

I made a special label for the quilt with a picture of Bill and his plane!!

CONGRATULATIONS, CAPTAIN BILL!! We are really proud of you!

PS We also can't wait to fly with you sometime !!