Cody Wyo.,and Glacier National Park Montana

We are in Cody Wyoming and we were really surprised what a great place this is.Lots to see and do.
We stayed at Buffalo Bill State Park while in Cody.We hiked a lot of their trails and enjoyed the Sioux river which runs through the park.The sticks Jackie and Dustin gave us are getting a workout.We have been buying these little hiking medallions that you place on your stick.All the parks and national monuments are selling them now,their very popular,well at 5 bucks a pop between both our sticks so far,I figure we got about 80 bucks in them! But its fun anyway.Hey if hiking keeps the Doctor bills away its worth it.





Every day when we went into Cody

from the park,we saw "Bobs Big Boy" out there on the prairie all by himself.nothing else around and no big boy restaurant in town....what gives! I talked to the locals and their theory was...Aliens put him there.I think one of those big ranchers that live nearby had a "Big Boy hamburger fetish!"
We did a lot of things while in Cody.We rode horses,went to a rodeo,checked out the local Museums,went to some fabulous western dinner shows,shopped downtown,It was non stop.

 The Cody Nite Rodeo is very popular.They fill this place every night.We bought what they call the "The Trifecta".Its a chuck wagon dinner,western musical review,and the Rodeo.They must sell this same package to the tour operators because there were a ton of tour buses in the rodeo parking lot and half the audience were from another country.
My favorite was the clown in the barrel.He could not get one of those bulls to take a run at his barrel.It was a great night of entertainment.           
One of our favorite Museums was the Buffalo Bill Center Of The West.

It is dedicated to the life of Bill Cody.
He was a Rancher,a guide,and a Showman.This Museum spotlights his talents.It is 5 museums in one.Your entry fee  is good for 2 days because you can't see it all in one.
We took a scenic drive out of Cody on the"Chief Joesph scenic byway" rated one of the best drives in the USA according to the late Charles Karalt.It goes up into the Bear tooth mountains and loops around into Montana at Red Lodge Mt.At the top we ran into snow and lots of it....In late June! 

We left Cody and entered Montana.We made a slight detour to Billings to get the car fixed as our backup screen went black.Luckily it just needed an adjustment.We did some site seeing around the Billings area.

We left Billings and drove all day toward Glacier.We stopped for the night in Helena Mt.We stayed an extra day to play tourist.We checked out the city and the downtown area.They have a nice Museum dedicated to the old west in and around the state.It was a very nice.Very informative and a lot of history.Bill Cody,General Custer,Jeremiah Johnson,Butch Cassidy,and other famous outlaws roamed Montana back in the day.
Jeni loved this church in the downtown area.I think it was a catholic church,but it was old!

We finally made it to Glacier National Park.We stayed in St Marys on the east side of the park at a very nice campground.
The only downside here is they are working on the "going to the sun"road that runs through the park.The real bummer was you could not travel all the way to the west side because the road was closed 13 miles in.plus they had delays of up to1 hour at 2 places along the route.No animals were within 100 miles of that road so while it was very scenic,it was slow go.
Hey,you make lemonade out of lemons,go for plan B.

I talked with the Mgr at the campground and he told us to go a little north of St.Marys and there was another road that goes in to the park,Many Glacier.It went in about 7 miles but what a fantastic drive!
Glaciers all around,and lots of water.We also saw a herd of Big horn sheep while hiking.I think this was the true Glacier park.

We stopped by this beautiful lodge right on the lake.It was very European.
Jeni and I took a little hike around the area,had a nice picnic,and took pictures
It has been cold and windy here.The locals say snow is not uncommon.in mid June here.
One thing that has been good in Wyo.and Mont.is the lack of traffic.The highways have been a pleasure to navigate with the motor home.

Jeni and I spent the whole day in Glacier just enjoying the views and catching up on reading.
.all for now from Cody Wyoming,and Glacier National Park Montana.

Our Trip!

We finally made it to Yellowstone! The weather is great and we are on our dream trip.

Hayden Valley in Yellowstone is a prime spot for viewing Elk,Buffalo,Wolves,Bears,and Big Horn sheep.We did see lots of Buffalo and Elk but no Bears or Wolves.But what beauty

The lower falls area of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone falls

Lots of Buffalo in the park

Jeni enjoying the Yellowstone river.We had lunch here and enjoyed the quiet.

Jeni at the lower Falls area

One of the many thermo features in Yellowstone

We are out of Ventura beach and on our way on our trip,.But it has been a struggle just to get going as repairs to the RV and our new car has slowed us down and been very costly.Hey, that's part of the adventure right.
We had to reschedule our reservations at Yellowstone park because we were stuck in Sacramento waiting on parts for the RV.Our kids were nice enough to put us up for almost 3 weeks while we waited.I'm sure the son in laws were glad to see us go!
Finally we were off heading through Nevada on I-80 w3hen we hit a big piece of a big truck tire and  took out our elect cord for the tow vecicle lights and a plate underneath our new CRV.A detour to south Salt lake camp world for a new cord ,and getting under the car to secure what plate was left under the car and we were off again for Rock springs Wyo.our first destination
We rolled in to the RV park in Rock springs and the car was completely dead.I charged it up and promptly undid the charge line that the RV place had installed to keep the tow car charged while towing.This had happened twice before

our first stop in Wyoming

With everything that's happened we are having a ball so far.We have seen many sights and enjoyed Wyoming.We didn't realize what a beautiful state it was.from rock springs to the Tetons,Yellowstone,Cody and across the plains,what a great experience

While at Rock springs we visited Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge

what a beautiful place this is

the Grand Tetons behind us

the wildflowers were fantastic along Jenny lake in the Tetons

camping in the Tetons

cattle roundup near Jackson hole Wyo.

 Well this is our first week into our 4 month trip and we saw some amasing sights and camped in style.Hiking trails have been fantastic and we have pretty much stayed on the easy ones to minimise any Bear encounter as the easy trails seem to have more people on them.
Our next stop is Cody Wyo.before we move into Montana.The rig and car are doing better so its onward.....on our trip!

Road Trip!

 While we were in Ventura we went whale watching at the channel islands.Beautiful day but no whales.I got a great pic of Jeni at Anacopa Arch.

 No whales but a nice day at sea. We sure enjoyed Ventura during our stint here. Gary and Martha were great hosts.

Oh yea, we did see Dolphins,lots of Dolphins! After our sea adventure we all headed for lunch
 As I write this blog we are back home at Park Sierra after a summer working at Yosemite Pines and a winter working at Ventura Beach RV Resort.Now we are preparing for a road trip to Yellowstone and a summer of travel north and east.A year gone in a flash.but with a lifetime of memories and our summer travels signal the start of more adventures and fun.
Because of the terrible Internet at Ventura,blogging has been almost impossible this winter but I will pick up the pace now.It's time for a road Trip!

Too Much Fine Dining!

 Food and eating is the credo of the Doran's.There isn't many foods we don't like.My brother his wife,Jeni and myself tried out this concept this month.The verdict is still out on the success of it.
We have wined and dined at some assume places but I think our pocketbooks and waistlines have taken a beating.But we persevered.When February came we decided we better scale back.
We started on my birthday when Gary and Martha took us out to Mexican food.After dining at some of Ventura's fine eateries, we surrender! Back on track for us all.Back to the beach.Ah my wallet is feeling better already.

Our old microwave/convection oven gave it up so we bought a new one.another hit to the ole wallet in January.It also didn't get a lot of use either with our "pig out in Ventura month!"

 No its not Madi Gras or Carnival,Its us at a Superbowl party.Jeni and Martha were kinda for Denver,I was kinda for Seattle,and Gary was well for the "Leather heads!

Jeni at her favorite place...the beach.Wit her favorite Granddaughter Alyx

Jeni and Martha at their favorite place....the beach!I'm gonna have to keep an eye on her or she might be looking for a condo here in Ventura.

Jeni and I enjoy cruising down Santa Barbara for a nice breakfast on the beach.The seaside cafe fits the bill.It has a Mexican theme to its menu.Great food and a great view.This place was on our January" pig out" itinerary.

Our dining adventures always ended with a trip to Starbucks on Main St.Mainly to counteract the wine from dinner.

One of our dining venues,The"wine rack".We sampled a large variety of local vino's and enjoyed some appetizers.We took a taxi home after this evening.

Dinner at Casa Fiore for some great Italian food and pretty loud regee music.Luckily we were seated way in the back.After this night we said uncle!We can't eat and drink our way through Ventura....But it was sure fun trying.
Jeni and I have about 2 and a half months left here at Ventura Beach Resort.We have been picking up more hours of work now which is alright with us.We have run up a pretty big tab for partying in January so the extra work is a blessing.
Once we leave here we will head back to Park Sierra to get ready for our summer travels.Then off to Sacramento to get some repairs to the RV,see the kids then off to Yellowstone National Park.But we still have a lot to do here in Ventura.Whale watching,sightseeing,the beach,and more Santa Barbara.
January was a blast and I enjoyed a great birthday dinner at Sories Mexican restaurant and we ate and drank.and ate and drank........Too much fine dining!

Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Holidays,they come too slow and in a blink of an eye,they are over.We had a great holiday this year starting with Thanksgiving.Katie and family came down to Ventura and Dan and his boys came down too.We all met at Gary and Martha's to visit.We all had Thanksgiving dinner at Mimi's.They do a great job of putting out a very delicious traditional turkey dinner.
For Christmas,Jeni and I headed to Sacramento to see Jackie Dustin and DJ.Also Kate,Billy,Alyx Waylan,and Cody We spent Christmas eve with Katie and family,and Christmas day With Jackie and crew...In their new house which was assume.We had a great time.
For New years I had the 11pm-7am shift at the resort which was unusually quiet.No trouble.
On to 2014,a new year.new resolutions,new adventures,and new states to see,WOOHOO! 

DJ got a new Quad from Santa for Christmas.Jackie got one too.Dustin is going to take them to the "off road park on Sunday to try them out.

 Look what Waylan got for Christmas,a big truck.He also got a drum set and a tool bench.He is the "Apple of his sister Alyx's eye"Christmas eve was very special to us.Katie did a great job.

My brother Larry came down to Ventura right before Thanksgiving to go to the ASU game at the Rose Bowl with Gary,Martha,Jeni,and I.We did get him down to the beach for a photo op.

Jeni and I attended the Tree lighting ceremony in downtown Ventura.They had carolers,dancing,and hot chocolate.The tree was a sight as it was right next to an old mission.What a sight.

Here's the family at Gary and Martha's right before we headed out to Mimi's for turkey dinner.Jeni wasn't in the picture because she was taking the picture.

Christmas eve with Katie's family.Philly's not in the picture because he is taking the picture.

Christmas eve at Katies we are opening our presents(I was taking the picture)

Its a new year and we are still hangin at the beach "Dude." Our new years resolution is to get bodies like this....YEA RIGHT! That's not going to happen.We love to eat and exercising....FORGET ABOUT IT!

Its November and in a blink of an eye its January.Time flies when your having fun and fun is what we had.Spending time with all our family and enjoying all of our Grand kids.
Its a new year and we have big plans for 2014.We have been planning for our big trip to Yellowstone and beyond this summer.Were trying to save for gas money but the "Ole"RV has had other ideas.First the fridge went on the blink just after we finished at Yosemite Pines Resort.Then the "Ole"Throne(toilet) gave it up.While we were here at Ventura Resort our Microwave/convection oven went kaput.Well you get the idea but hopefully we can get back on track this month.
I kinda like the security gig I'm doing here at the resort.Something different for a change.And the best part is the beach is only 5 minutes away.We spend all our off time at the beach and at my favorite place on the beach "Beach house tacos".Yummy!
Well "Ole Barney Fife" has to make his rounds around Mayberry So Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

Livin the La Vida Bueno in Ventura!

 We love Ventura.It is a great place for the winter.My brothers,My Son, the wives, and,myself all went to the rose bowl to watch ASU beat UCLA for the Pac Ten South title.We ate lots of hot dogs and cheered ASU to victory.

It was a close game all the way til the end

The Rose Bowl  is one of the finest venues in the country to enjoy football.I have watched 1 Rose bowl  and 4 or 5 ASU-UCLA games in this Stadium

Back at the Resort, Mr. Security is on the job keeping the guests in line and happy.Its a tough job.But somebody has to do it!

No 2 sunsets are the same.Each one is unique

When we are at the beach the Taco House is our favorite spot for lunch.We have been there so many times,they know us on a first name basis

This is the Ventura beach pier.Good food and good fishing off the pier.

We walk the seashore and sit and enjoy the scenery

One of my brothers neighbors son plays high school football for Santa Barbara so we went to his game.

While in Santa Barbara,we just had to sample the wine at one of their Wineries.We had taken the train from Ventura and it was late for our return trip so we "Stomped some grapes!"

Jeni with "flipper" while shopping in Santa Barbara

We are still smiling On our return trip back to Ventura on Amtrack

We are living the good life here in Ventura.Doing a lot of site seeing and enjoying the company of my brother Gary and his wife Martha.With 5 days off a week,we have lots of time to explore the area.
Our Daughter Katie and her family,and my Son and his boys came over for Thanksgiving . we all had dinner at Mimi's so nobody had to cook or clean.We all spent Friday Saturday at the resort enjoying Karaoke and live music.Sunday we were Toast!
The weather here has been so summer like but it is supposed to turn cooler this week.
We are in the planning stages for our big road trip for this summer.We have made reservations for Yellowstone National park for early June already and finalizing a plan for the summer trip as to what and how far we will travel.
Christmas is almost  upon us as the year is almost gone, We have more family coming in for Christmas and it will be party central again in Ventura. We are livin the La Vida Bueno!