MERRY CHRISTMAS

The shopping is done,the presents are wrapped,another Christmas is upon us.

Jeni and I reminisced that we have been together for 40 Christmases......that's a long time! Am I that old? Where does the time go?Hopefully we can enjoy many more.

This year we will have all the kids together for the holidays for the first time in a long time.My daughter Katie is having Christmas dinner for all of us.This will be a special one for us this year. I know I complain. about volunteering here in the winter,(cold wet weather) but it is nice being with our Sacramento family.Jeni and I are so lucky to be RVers,Able to freely travel the country being where we want when we want.

For the last couple of weeks,we have been watching all the Christmas movies on TV.You know,to get in the" ole" holiday spirit.The one thing I've noticed though,all those movies have happy endings.The guy got the girl,the family brought back together,the lost son that came home.The miracle of the holidays! All too often it doesn't happen in real life for some.On the tent side of the park we are volunteering at,it's too cold for tent camping but, we have people, homeless because of the economy,living out of their cars staying in the park.There are kids that won't have presents this year because their parents lost their jobs.Our homeless veterans living on the street, where are these people's Christmas miracle?Our family has had to cut back because of the economy this year, make do with less for Christmas, but we all have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and most importantly our health. This is our Christmas miracle.

Our family,as we gather this Christmas, will say a little prayer for the less fortunate in hopes that they too can have their own Christmas miracle. Merry Christmas to all!

Life at Folsom Lake

We started our workamper jobs at the lake as we donned our "state park"hats and vests for our first day.I snapped a picture of Jen and I inside the kiosk just before we opened.You know,I sure have a pretty wife.Anyway,our first day was very slow and uneventful as The weather took a turn for the worse as another winter storm was bearing down on us.
After our first three days on the job,we got the next nine days off as we switched schedules with one of the other camphosts so they could be off.We got to spend some quality time with our Grandson DJ.and Granddaughter Alyx.I would get up early in the morning and DJ would be awake and ready to go.I would fire up the"ole"golf cart
and we would head down to the "day use"area and explore the dry lake bottom.We had to bundle up both mornings as it was in the mid 20s and breezy.
With the 9 days off we got most of our Christmas shopping done.In the few times we were out,we noticed that the crowds were down compared to past years.With the economy,we have had to cut back on the value of our gifts too.
Our Daughter Katie is having Christmas dinner at her house and we will have all the kids there together for the first time in a long time.
The lake is as low as I have ever seen it.With the construction of the levees and the drought,it is only about 29% of capacity.I took a picture of the lake and from were I took the picture,that is usually the water line of the lake in a good water year.Attendance has been down because of the economy,and the price hikes.One benefit is we pretty much have the park to ourselves.
We got word that we are now #5 on the list at Park Sierra.We have to call into the office each Wednesday to see if there is a space available.We might be in by January,a lot sooner than we thought.When were in we will drive down to the park to pay our money,check our site out,and head back to Folsom.We probably won't return to the park until next October,as after we finish here in April,we head to Oregon for the summer.
With the recent rain and snow,the park has really turned green, luscious,and beautiful.When spring arrives,the park will be in full bloom.It is the best time to be here.
After spending the last several winters down south,it takes some getting used to spending winter up here.It is great seeing the kids and spending the holidays with them.But,I can't wait til spring!Until then,we will have to bundle up and endure the cold and rain.Such is life at Folsom Lake.

SNOW #$%^&*

We got up this morning for our first day as camphosts.I threw open the front curtains and we had snow on the ground.In Sacramento!I told Jeni to call the Ranger cause WE ARE OUT OF HERE!I don't do snow!!!I should be headed south at the first sight of the white stuff like a good RVer........After consulting with el jefe(Jeni),I settled down and we opened the kiosk at the park.It didn't get out of the40's all day and low 20's tonight,perfect!
The park actually looked real "christmas like"and our first day was quiet.Hopfully it will warm up soon.
Because of the economy,and the camping rates going up,not many people are in the park right
now.I left Jeni in the kiosk and I set out to find somthing to do.Finally 2:30pm came around and we were off the clock.We headed back to the RV to get warm as the temp was 39 degrees.I took a couples of pictures of the snow.It is highly unusual for Sacramento.In 20yrs living here, I only remember one time that we had snow.
If we can get through the winter,spring is beautiful here.One brite spot is we get to see more of our grandkids Alyx,and DJ.

at Folsom Lake

We are now settled in at Folsom Lake for our winter jobs as "camp hosts.We left Park Sierra Monday morning,got in to Sacramento about 2pm at "campworld"for some repair work on the RV.We spent the night in the parking lot as we had a 9am appointment.Tuesday morning we checked in with Todd,our service guy and he rolled our RV on the rack for a much needed oil change and lube .Jeni and I strolled down to a little cafe that Todd had suggested for breakfast."Vanita Rhea's".Great food and "delightful decor".A little "pricey" but I would recommend it to anybody in the area.They are located on Granite drive in Rocklin,Ca.

After breakfast we picked up the RV, (that's the fastest I've ever got service on the RV) and headed toward the lake.We also had to get the RV "smogged,gased up,get propane,and take back the trailer that we used to bring the golf cart here, before we went into the park.I had set as side the whole day for everything,but from the time we started at campworld at 8am til we dropped off the trailer,it only took 2 hrs.WOW!that was record time.By noon we were in our site at Beals Point state park at Folsom Lake.Site#D.I took a couple of pictures of our site.It's the same one we had when we "camphosted here back in 05 and 06.It's very spacious,full hookups,50amp elec.and paved level sites.The" big brown mound"you see behind our coach in the picture,is the levee they are working on to raise the level of the lake.There used to be big trees in front of that levee but because of the const.,they had to remove them.What a shame as we used to love to watch the "red tailed"hawks up in those trees swoop down in search of prey.Wednesday we got settled in,met with the other camphosts,Ken&Barb and Jerry&Deb.We had worked with them both when we were here a few years ago.The Rangers came by and got us signed up,gave us our camphost hats and badges and cleared us for duty.That afternoon we met with the camphosts at our site to formulate a schedule that we all agreed on.We all agreed on 3 days on 6 days off.We Will start Monday morning 9:30am til 2:30pm.
The lake is usually very beautiful here but because of all the construction,and the drought,it is very low.Wednesday night,we had the grand kids over,Alyx and DJ.for KFC chicken.It was good to see them and we really missed them while we were away but now that we will be here for awhile,"LET THE SPOILING BEGIN"!
Thurs.morning we went up to the Kiosk to get trained for our assigned tasks as camphosts.Mostly we will be manning the Kiosk 3 days a week.This used to be done by Park aids,but because of the severe budget cuts,the park can't afford to pay them so they are using the volunteer camphosts.It's a great idea and hopefully more parks will adopt this novel approach.
Thurs. night we got to watch DJ while our daughter and son in law went Christmas shopping for him.I love it at their house as they have a big screen TV.I watched the Oregon vs Oregon st. football game for the rose bowl.It was a great game.
Jeni already has the Christmas lights up and the RV dash decorated.I always complain that she over does it but it does look great and festive.I noticed that after our lights were up the other hosts and campers put theirs up.That a girl Jen!
This morning we have chores to do as laundry,shopping,and cleaning the coach are in order.We are glad to be here but Jeni and I were saying last night that we sure miss the folks at Park Sierra.We are now #9 on the list,so it won't be long and we will have a "home base."
The weather here has been cool but sunny so far.We weren't fond of winters here when we lived here as the rain and fog in Dec,Jan,and Feb made it dreary.They say "you can never go home",but for now we are going to try to make it work.

Happy Thanksgiving

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Jeni and I

The park had a breakfast a few Saturdays ago and we helped out as they were shorthanded. We were on the "egg crew".Jeni cracked and I cooked about 250 eggs!It was yummy.They served biscuits&gravy,eggs,and sausage.

Last Friday we headed to Pasadena to meet up with the family for our annual ASU college football game.This year they are playing UCLA in the Rose Bowl.Saturday before the game,we had breakfast at a delightful little diner called "Russell's."Clockwise from the left that's our son Dan and grandson Nevin,me,Jeni,my sister in law Martha, brother Gary,grandson Aiden,brother Larry,and Dans friend Mark.What a "motley "crew.ASU lost but we still had a great time.

Our plans have changed for Thanksgiving.We are staying at the park instead of going to Riverside as we had planned.This is our last week here at the park.We will leave Monday for Folsom and our winter job at Folsom lake state park.We have had a wonderful time workamping here at Park Sierra.We have made some great friends here and when we become members we will already know the ropes.

This week the Maintenance dept decided that since this was my last week here, we will pour concrete!Tuesday we poured two slabs and some footings.The slabs were for containment pads for

their gas and diesel tanks.The footings were for

a cover over the parks historic stagecoach by the clubhouse.It was the first time I actually had to "finish" concrete in a long time.Jeni took some pictures of our "motley crew'.I really enjoy working with all the guys here.For me, work has to be a part of my life.that's why the park will be a perfect fit when we are members.Jeni and I can't wait to become members.

Wednesday,Jeni helped prepare the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner here at the park.They cooked 11 turkeys in all.The clubhouse had the

delicious smell of thanksgiving feast.Thanksgiving day we are helping out again,serving turkey dinner to about 130 people in the park.
To everyone,from Jeni and I,HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Bird Watching

If you know us,you would never think of us as "avid" birdwatchers.Believe me we don't go around the world in those "kacki,Bwana"jungle outfits with big binoculars around our necks,"craning" our heads for that rare shot of the"yellow breasted"sapsucker!But we do enjoy sitting at our site,wherever we may be staying and viewing the wildlife in the area.At Park Sierra, we enjoy sitting on our porch

watching the" locals.Jeni took a few pictures of the residents at our site.We have California Quail,White crowned sparrows,Red headed woodpeckers,California Towees,and a big ole Swainson Hawk.Also ,Jeni"s favorite resident....The Deer!The camera didn't add ten pounds to the birds,Jeni did!She feeds them every morning.Before we know it,we have"covey's,and gaggles and flocks"of birds.

Fall is here.Cool days and frosty nights.The park has really" greened"up with the showers we have had a month ago and today.The rosemary is in bloom, the "live" Oak leaves have turned dark green, and the sycamore tree leaves are bright reddish orange.What a beautiful place!

Our time is growing short here as we only have a couple of weeks left. We have really enjoyed it here at Park Sierra.We now know this is where we want our "Homebase"where we will live.We should be in by next summer,but until then,we move to our new adventure at Folsom Lake St.Pk.for the winter.

We will be leaving the park for Riverside,Ca. to have Thanksgiving with our son and grandsons.Then up to Folsom for our winter job.

Tonight we are"Wii bowling" at the clubhouse.A lot of fun with our new friends.There is a lot to do here as every night something is going on at the clubhouse. Tuesday night is "bingo night",Thursday night is "Wii bowling",Friday night is "playing cards",Saturday night is"pegs and jokers",and Sunday afternoon is the ice cream social.Lots to do here.

At "break time",the other morning over coffee and cookies,my"pole barn buddies" and I discussed the pros's and cons of retirement.We decided unanimously that it was great! The only dissenter....a guy that used to worked in real estate.his complaint.....he couldn't make 200,000, a year anymore.YEA!He got some mean looks from the other guys!We got all types here in the park!

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Halloween Party

" RRR matie",happy Halloween. from Capt Phil and first mate Jeni.Park Sierra had a Halloween party, Dessert potluck,and movie night.It was a blast.We have so much fun at this park and have met so many people it will be hard to leave for the winter.We will spend more time here when we finally become members.We OD'd on sweets as they had every goodie you could think of and I have no idea how these people can stay so trim with all the desserts! Of course one look at my physic and you know I fit right in with the"Dessert people".Yea, another piece of cheesecake please!
The movie was "Frankenstein"the Mel Brooks version.Jeni and I had seen it before so we didn't hang around for the movie but we sure had a great time.
The picture of the "white haired"Wizard and his assistant is my buddy Wally and his wife Verna.And his purple hat does talk! They had the best costumes at the party by far.Everybody that wore a costume received a gift........what else,a big candy bar!More Sugar!Jeni and I both went to bed that night with "electric legs".
Speaking of Wally and Verna,The productions and plays they put on at the park here,Verna directs all of them and Wally stars in most of them.They are the type of people that keep the park young and active.Wally is also at the Pole Barn almost every morning with maintenance
crew doing what he can.They just two of the great group of people that makes up this great park.
You gotta love RV's and the" morons" that make em.I have had a water leak under the refrigerator in the drawer below it and at the entry stairs.I suspected the fridge so I pop ed the cover off the compartment outside.After I removed a ton of ""spray on installation"(you know the stuff that expands 50% after you spray it on) it occured to me that somebody(the morons) didn't read the can!Anyway, I found that the drain line from the fridge was never connected just "nuzzled" up close to the vent cover so that maybe it would drain out the vent(if the coach was slanted that way.)I fixed that! And the ice maker line where it goes in to the regulator was leaking.........the problem.............the" paper thin "supply line has a bunch of pin holes in it! Couldn't they put in a standard supply line that your home fridges come with?......MORONS!
OK I'm off my soap box for now.Jen and I have been enjoying the great fall weather here.Sunday we took a drive to a little town we heard about,Raymond Ca.Jeni had visions of quaint little shops and gourmet eateries but alas,it was a one horse town.just a little farming community.But the drive was nice.One thing,my wallet is still intact(no shopping)but we made the mistake of checking out a casino we heard of just northeast of Fresno."Table mountain Casino".Oh yea!that was a great idea.My poor wallet!

The Pumpkin Patch

We have been busy this week around the park so we have not had time to post.Last weekend we headed to Sacramento as we were invited to go to the Pumpkin Patch with Jackie(our daughter) and grandson D.J..It was a great day. We went on the hayride.D.J. also rode a pony.And of course,lots of pumpkins.
Saturday evening we Babysat D.J.My most tiring day at work(before I retired),can't compare to a night of babysitting the grandson!Playing trucks,wrestling,bath time,and trying to get him to bed.Whew! We slept like a baby.
Sunday morning we headed out early for park sierra as we had a barbecue to go to.
With the onset of fall,the park members are
flocking back to the park.Where we only had a
handful of volunteers at the pole barn this summer,we have had 18 to 20 volunteers this week.With more people in the park there has been more activities going on.Saturday night is Halloween potluck dessert and movie night.Costumes optional.Were going as "pirates" RRRRR matie!
We have a month left here as workampers and we have really enjoyed it here.Hopefully when we come back next summer we will be members.We heard back from the rangers at Folsom lake. We are accepted and cleared to start Dec. 1st.If you are in the area Dec. to April,stop in and see us in site#54
When we were in Sac. last Saturday I took a couple of pictures of our old house.It is my Daughter Jackie and her husband Dustin's house now.They have done a wonderful job of remodeling it.They have redone the inside and out and brought the old dinosaur to code.What caught my eye as Jeni and I drove up to the house,the new paint job.It's amasing what a paint job can do.

harvest festival at park sierra

Howdy partner. Me n Jeni Lynn have been sprucing up the "ole" golf cart for the Harvest festival.Thursday afternoon we decorated the cart and had it ready to go for the decorating contest and poker run on Friday.Thats us in costume in the picture with our cart.in the back of the cart we had pumpkins,boxes of apples,pears, and tomatoes.also flowers and straw.


Well to our surprise, we won first place for the best decorated cart. We were thrilled!


We have had a ball these last three days with the harvest festival.It started Thursday with the annual meeting.Then elections for the new president and board members and a patio cocktail party at 4pm. Jeni and I didn.t attend the patio party as we were decorating the cart and the time got away from us.But we did make it to the Wii bowling tournament Thursday night. The girls kicked us guys behinds.


Friday morning we headed the cart over to the clubhouse for the poker run and deco. contest(which as I said earlier we won). I took a picture of the parking lot it was full of carts and cars.They had all kinds of activities going on in the clubhouse and outside Jeni and I were competing in the golf cart "poker run" They give you a map with 5 stations marked on it.you drive to each station where they give you an envelope with a playing card inside(1-10 jack queen king). After going to all 5 stations, you head back to the club house where you turn in your 5 cards and make a poker hand out of it. The highest hand wins.we didn't even have a pair.I think the winning hand was 3-eights.


Back at the clubhouse we were in the cake walk which I won a very nice sour cream peach bundt cake.yummy!Another event we enjoyed was the pony races.Six people held wooden horse heads (made by my buddy Gary) and stood at the starting line,then the the race official(my buddy Gary) rolls two different color dice. One color is for the number of the horse and the other is how many spaces the horse moves.We didn't win a race.I bet it all on the horse the clown was riding (see clown in pic.) but that horse must of been lame!All in all we had a great day.


Friday night they had a delicious pork dinner with mashed potato's and mushroom gravy and veges.They served over 200 people.The clubhouse was at capacity.The hard working volunteers had us all fed in no time at all.This park runs on it's hard working members and our hats are off to all of them.Jeni even volunteered Friday pulling K P duty at the hot dog stand(I ate 2 foot longs!yummy)and she played security guard at the raffle prize table for a couple of hours .
Me, I just played games and ate hot dogs.But if somebody needed something I was their Man!The guy who runs these dinners for the members is Ed George(in the blue apron)He does a great job.The pork loin he prepared for the dinner was the best I've ever tasted.The price of this gourmet dinner including coffee and dessert,5 bucks,what a deal!

After we chowed down it was time for entertainment.the members put on a variety show called "Hillside hillbilly hoedown".What a hoot.They have some very talented people at this park.

after the play we headed home very tired but with great memories of the harvest Festival of 09.

Saturday morning we went over to the clubhouse for the "hitch up" breakfast. this is the end of the harvest Festival and all the guests will be hooking up and leaving today.What a great three days we have had.

Today also happens to be our wedding anniversary. 39 years! wow it seems like just yesterday.We went to dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant in Oakhurst called Decicci's.On hwy 41.I highly recommend it. Then we headed home to watch a movie Jeni bought earlier this week.We curled up on the couch and snuggled.and enjoyed the movie.I think it was called "the proposal".Life's Good!

Beautiful Weather

The weather here at Park Sierra has turned from summer to fall.The leaves are turning Autumn colors,the acorns are falling off the oak trees,and we have crisp cool mornings here.
That cool red golf cart that we are sitting in,well it's ours! I bought that baby from one of the guys here I volunteer with. He moved out of the park so I made him an offer he couldn't refuse(actually Jeni did).It gets us around the park and even has an enclosure that drops down from the roof and zips up to keep you warm and dry when it rains.I have been driving it to the pole barn in the mornings and Jeni takes it when she works in the office.
Speaking of work; it has cooled off weather wise so the working has been easier and not as physical as during the last few weeks when it was so hot.It's something different every day so you never get bored.I also like the fact that you work with different people each day so you get to know pretty much everyone.
The weather has been so nice that Jeni and I have been having our morning coffee on our deck enjoying the birds and the spectacular views of the park.Our site is elevated so we look down over the surrounding area.The picture I took gives you an idea of our vantage point.It doesn't get any better than this!What a life we live.
next week the park is having a three day event called "Harvest Festival" in conjunction with their annual meeting and board election.They are having a "poker run" and decorating contest for golf carts,(Jeni and I are entered in both) a silent auction,games and contests,food, a Fri. night dinner feast,and movie night sat. night.It is going to be a ball.Jeni has signed up to volunteer at various venues during the festival.I will have pictures for this on the next blog for sure!
The park is filling up now as with the bad weather up north everybody is headed south.Jeni and I have been keeping busy after work as Tuesday night is "dinner out with the escapees" as the park members eat at a different restaurant in the area each week.Friday night is card night at the club house with two nice couples we have met.We play a variety of card games but I've been very lucky so far,no "hand and foot"! Saturday night we play a game called "pegs and jokers" it's kinda like "Chinese checkers" but with more twists and turns.All in all we are busy little bees,today we went in to Fresno to get some material for decorating the cart."Stay tuned" for the outcome!
Tuesday of this week we took the RV to Oakhurst to get it smog ed.Now I had called ahead to make sure this place could do it and there would be no surprises when we got up there,RIGHT! the first thing out of the guys mouth was he wasn't sure as we might have a rig that needs an "enhanced smog",WHAT! you have got to be kidding me just smog it!He would check my Vin number but everything was probably OK.YEA!,after about 20 minutes he let me know he couldn't smog it!!!.........After Jeni pulled me off the guy(just kidding) we headed back down the hill to the park.Lets see ,a 32 mile round trip,20 bucks in gas,and 2 hours shot,what a deal.another place I won't be going back to for sure.As I" steamed",Jeni reminded me of the beautiful park we are at,and the beautiful weather,I could feel the "ole"blood pressure coming back to normal. Lifes too short i'll put it behind me.OOOMMM-OOOMMM,

Timber!

Well we spent the week recouping from the wedding and I could hardly get out of my cart to work on Monday.We really enjoy volunteering here at Park Sierra.Every day is a different duty. the only thing that is the same is breaktime with cookies.Jeni has been working in the office and cleaning and raking the rental sites.I have been backfilling where we replaced the water valves, building wooden covers for aeriator pumps,replacing the plywood floor in one of the rental sheds,and my favorite, trimming trees! They have some volunteers that have been sealing asphalt cracks in the roads and they have scheduled a truck to come in next week to "fog seal" the main roads in the park. I have managed

to avoid the "crack sealing" crew so far.

One thing I did get in on this week was the tree cutting crew. There was an old oak tree that was dead in the park, and we went out and cut it down.It was pretty big and probably yeilded a couple of cords of firewood. The picture shows the final remmnants of the big oak."monster"tree.Timber! That was the hardest I worked all week.I got 2 cookies that day!

We have been trying to decide where to end up this winter and as luck would have it we will be "camphosting" at the very place we started volunteering 5 years ago.Beals Point State Park at Folsom Lake. The Ranger contacted us about needing help this winter,and when we went to Sacramento for the wedding we met with him and finalized the deal. We will be there from Dec. 1st. til may 1st. If your in the area stop in. Jeni and I think that by next summer we will be members of Park Sierra as we are 24th on the list.

Jeni is upset as we haven't been able to play cards on Friday night at the clubhouse.Friday we had to head back to Sacramento as Jeni had DR's appointments so no cards again.I don't know how long my lucks going to hold!

We came back Saturday and the weather at the park went straight from summer to winter.It was 41 degrees last night and 65 degrees today.Fall is here!

A moment in time. The wedding

Friday morning my brother and his wife and my son and my grandson all met Jeni and I at Park Sierra for a trip to Sacramento in the RV for our Daughter Katie's long awaited wedding.We got into Sac. about 1pm. Our sister in law Martha had to get certified as she is doing the honor of marrying Katie and Bill.The rest of us were busy hustling and bustling about in preparation of the ceremony at noon Sat.Friday afternoon was the rehearsal and that evening we had a dinner for all the family at "Hacienda Del Rio" in Folsom. One of our favorite places for Mexican food, except this occasion where our 6:30pm reservation turned into an 8:45pm "fiasco" including "sub par" food and a "surly "manager that looked about 17 yrs. old! If your ever in Folsom Ca. on Sutter St.Pass that place up! We won't be back! Anyway At 7am Sat. morning our son and daughter,my 2 brothers,and our sister in law Martha headed to the park to decorate for the festivities.Oh! did I mention that is was a Thousand degrees outside.Well it felt like it but we managed.Jeni had this ice chest the size of "Omar the tent makers"coffin and she sent my brother Gary and I to Costco for the food,water, and Ice.Once we got that "Behemoth" loaded the car was trying to "pop a wheelie" all the way home.That "sucker" was heavy! Jeni was smart, all the water(140 bottles), soda stored in the RV,and soda,beer brought in all toll probably topped 700 drinks and it was basically gone by 3pm.All in all it was a great time had by all and Daughter Katie,She was Beautiful in her wedding dress and that "million dollar" smile.It was her day to shine.

The thing that made this very special for Jeni,myself,and Katie was that Katie's aunt Martha did the ceremony and married them.Kate and her new husband Bill are now Mr.and Mrs. William Hise. Katie has lots of friends as she is very "social". She gets that from my Father.He never Knew a stranger, as they say.One of her best friends that shes known forever is Jamie.That's them in the picture 2nd pic.from the top of the page.they and their kids are very close.
Jeni and I would like to thank our family for all their hard work to make it a special day for Bill and Katie".Through thick and thin,good times and bad,you are always there for us;THANK YOU.

All the pictures we posted are very special that we wanted to share but my favorites were my grand kids. Me sitting with Aiden(with glasses) my son Dan's son and DJ my Daughter Jackie's son.Also the picture of the lovely bride and her beautiful Daughter Alyx,my granddaughter.I love them both.(top pic.)

You know in life when you have something that seems to become a snapshot in your mind,an image that is there forever.Saturday,watching everyone celebrate,looking at my Daughter's smiling face,watching my family,my wife,kids and grand kids,enjoying themselves,that was my "moment in time".I will remember that image forever.

Good luck Bill and Katie.

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site seeing

Sunday Jeni and I decided to do some exploring so we checked out the little town about 5 miles up the road. Coarsegold, it is an old mining town like so many in the foothills of the Sierra's.It has the old western flavor of the small shops and restaurants.on weekends they have lots of vendors selling almost anything you can think of. Jeni was looking at this little "condo" thinking we could put it on our lot for guests,or for me when I'm in trouble.......I don't think so!

Next we headed for Oakhurst, a bigger town about 13 miles from Park Sierra. It has a Vons and Raleys grocery stores, banks, lots of great resturants, and a huge "true Value" hardware store. We checked out the stores but we didn't try the restaurants this time.Hwy 49 intersects hwy 41 right in town where it dead ends but you can take 49 and head north towards Mariposa and on north.

Before we started our adventure we had Breakfast
at our favorite place, "Chukchansi Gold" casino.

It is a pretty large casino for an Indian casino. It has a resort hotel where the rooms start at $150 a night. An indoor outdoor pool with swim up bar and all sorts of great restaurants and a "killer" buffet. We love the Wed. night seafood buffet for $8.99. They also have live entertainment on the weekends and have an outdoor stage for "top name" talent. "Three Dog Night" was here last week and Regis Philbin is here in a couple of weeks.

Monday we woke up to rain showers and much cooler weather. Once the rain cleared we sat outside and enjoyed our coffee on the little deck. It's been hot here this last week or so the cooler weather has been a welcome break.

We have met some great people here at the park and we have started playing cards on Friday nights in the "club house" with two other couples.

Tuesday nights the members have a "dinner out" where you sign up and they all meet at a different restaurant each week. We went this Tues. with them to Oakhurst to the "Sweetwater Steak House". We had a ball and the food was great.
When we first came into the park a couple of months ago,there were 150 people out of the park traveling,but now the park has more people in the park so more social activities have started. We now have bingo night and on Thursday evenings we play a game called "Peton", it is like "boccie but not as precise.after the game(men vs woman) we have a"potluck"barbecue.Lots to do here at Park Sierra.
Next week on Friday we are heading to Sacramento for Daughter Katie's Wedding. We are so excited! It will be an outdoor wedding and it will be an honor for me to walk her down the isle.
We should have pictures to share the following week.

Fitting in

Well Jeni and I have been getting used to life as a member of Park Sierra although we are not members yet. We are still workamping and volunteering and attending meetings to learn about the park. We have met a lot of nice people here as with us working here ,you interact with everyone.
As with any community, fitting in and doing your share is essential to a great "park sierra "
experience.I enjoy going down to the "pole Barn" in the morning to meet up with my "peeps" and pair up for our "chores of the day".A quick cup of coffee and load up the Golf cart and we are off. I'm usually paired up with the other workamper Sean. His mother is a member of the park. He is about 20 years younger than I am and a great worker. We have been working on upgrading the water system at the park and that translates into lots of "hand digging".Combine this, the hot weather lately,and your coworker that is 20 years younger,"ole Phil" is having trouble keeping up! It is the hardest work I have done since Jeni and I started fulltiming!
I got a little too much heat yesterday and this morning Jeni said "only work til break time today'. I told her I would see how I felt,Hey, I'm "the man",I don't want to be embarrassed in front of my "peeps"right! Well I worked til break time,then me and my fellow "peeps"(workers) went to the clubhouse for cookies and coffee and I was confident that I could work til 1pm. I felt pretty "cocky"As we all walked through the doors at the clubhouse.Suddenly my "cocky attitude" took a turn straight south! There was Jeni sitting at our table!!! "What is she doing here!"Why is she sitting at our table!"Everybody set down, had a cookie ,and chatted with her as.I sat squirming in my chair,"what is she doing here!"As break time was over we all headed back toward the door when I felt these"eyes"boring into the back of my head.I turned around and Jeni was giving me "the look!"I knew I had to make a tough decision fast."Sorry boys I won't be going back to work with you today." My wife cares about my well being.that is not a bad thing.I had her take me home.I sure love her.

Sacramento and back

Nothing but good news on the Doctor front for Jeni and I. We spent Thurs and Friday in Sacramento visiting our respective Dr's getting checkups.Boy I remember back when you only had one Doctor, now they are all specialists.Jeni and I each have three for our specific needs.Thank god for "union" insurance!

We headed back to Park Sierra Friday afternoon with our Daughter Jackie and grandson DJ in tow.They followed us and stayed with us Friday and Saturday.We had a great weekend with them. Jeni and DJ enjoyed the covered porch on our site as we just enjoyed the park ,played table games and barbecued.Sunday Jackie and DJ headed home and Jeni and I rested so we are ready to go Monday at the park.Speaking of workamping, Wednesday another workamper and I were locating a water valve in the park.It was for the main water supply and the park Mgr. wanted us to try turning it off and on to make sure it's working.They call it "exercising the valve."Well, I turned it and nothing.It would not move. I put a little muscle behind it and it started to turn.I put a little more pressure on it and "SNAP" Here came the water.LOTS OF WATER! I broke the valve and water was gushing everywhere! Panic set in." Where do I turn it off" as the only place you could turn it off at I thought was the one I broke! The park mgr. was not a" happy camper" he scrambled to get a set of plans to see if there was another way to get the water turned off. Meanwhile, 250 residents of the park had no.........WATER!!! I thought to myself as I stood there in shock,"this will be the shortest workamping job in history!"......"Jeni is going to kill me!" Lucky for me we located another valve and got the water turned off so we could fix the valve and get water to everyone.The park Mgr. said "it was no body's fault and all seemed well and I think I'm back in good graces with him.But,I have noticed the friendly people of the park have been waving at me with one finger,and their golf carts have been coming "Dangerously" close to me as I walk the park.....Hummm.

Park Sierra musings

Here is a picture of our "workamper site".It overlooks a gentle sloping canyon.It has a covered porch with a porch swing that looks out over the canyon.This is a delight for Jeni as she enjoys sitting out on the swing and reading in the afternoon.

We are both enjoying the volunteering here at the park.We were a little worried that not being members yet,and getting a free site might "outcast" us a bit with the members,but everyone has been great.They treat us like family.My work day consists of showing up at the "pole barn"(maintanence shop) at 8am.There is a park manager that assigns us our tasks according to urgency and difficulty.So far I have done a wide range of things,repairing waterlines,the septic system,patching asphalt,tree trimming,running the various equipment consisting of,backhoe,skiploader,chipper,chainsaws,and the dump truck.They pretty much take care of all maintanence in house.Breaktime is about 10am where we congregate at the clubhouse for coffee and cookies."lots of cookies"!Back to work at 10:30 and done by noon.

Jeni has been working in the office and is getting involved with some of the social ladies groups here in the park.We have met alot of the members by being involved in so much of the happenings at the park to see if we will fit in and be happy with living here when we are members{#35 now).So far we are impressed and can't wait to join.

I am amased at the spunk of the people here.They are up to the challenge every morning.If it is broke,needs repair,or replaced. No matter what it is, they pool their vast knowledge and abilities to get the job done.And some of these guys are in their 8os! Yea,I have a hard time keeping up with these guys. This is a close knit community for sure.

Here you are known by your first name and site number, hence Phil and Jeni site#426. If you are single it's your first name and site number only.I was surprised to learn that there is only a few single guys but alot of single gals in the park.Jeni has already told me not to get any ideas or it will be Jeni at site #426 only! "ole" Phil will be "dearly departed."

The main transportation here is golf cart.Big,small, all styles, and color.And when your out and about in the park,you better wave and say hello or they wonder if your an outsider and their security has been breeched!

This is an "escapee" park which is an RV club that supports the RV lifestyle. They have parks like ours at many locations around the U.S. They are very low cost and secure to stay at as you travel,but you must belong to the Escapees to stay at their parks.

We will be heading up to Sacramento Thurs. and Fri. for Dr. appointments and seeing the kids of course.

Workamping begins

Monday we start our workamping job here at Park Sierra. We have moved from site#421 to a nice spot with a view site#426.We get a golf cart to get us around to do our duties while we are here.It is a three month contract which takes us until the end of the year.As with most volunteer jobs there is no money but you get free rent, utilities ,laundry, and propane.In return we give them 24 hours a week between both of us.The work is always easy and the camaraderie is priceless.

My brother Gary and his wife Martha stopped in for a visit Friday(this is the only picture I have of them together from a couple of yrs. ago at Aidens soccer game.).They were on their way back to San Diego after a vacation that led them to Oregon.We showed them around the park and they seemed really impressed.Martha especially liked the dog run here at the park. As we strolled up, the people with their dogs started showing up and the dogs didn't disappoint as they put on a show for us.I would guess that about 90% of the population here has dogs.Jeni and I were proud of how warm and friendly the members here treated our guests.That is why we chose this place as everybody treats you like family.Friday night we played "skipbo"as I refused to be humiliated at "hand and foot"again. But alas,Gary and I got beat by the girls.I quit!No more cards!........Damn cards!

Saturday we all went to the casino for breakfast but managed to stay away from the slot machines.The last time we all were in Vegas, Gary and I found a "three Stooges"slot machine and played it all night.The girls were not happy with us as every time you made a bet it would sound off"whoop whoop whoop whoop" like Curley used to do.It also broke us both.

Today we moved the rig over to our new site and got set up.The only drawback was a light rain that fell all morning.It sure cooled it down here though.

We sure enjoyed seeing Gary and Martha this weekend They are great! Martha always brings along gifts for us.(yummy) We are a close family and our kids and grand kids are very lucky to have them in their lives.When the "going gets tough", they are always there for all of us.

Good friends,good food,Damn Cards!

It's been a quiet week here at the park. Me helping out with the "work detail "crew,and Jeni staying with the physical therapy for her knee.


We got the news this week that we have been accepted for the" workamper"position here at the park.We will start on the 24th of August.and work through December.Jeni will work in the office a couple days a week and I will keep doing what I have been doing. Were so excited!


We had a nice surprise Thursday as our friends Stan and Diane Shelstead stopped in for a couple of days.They got the site right next to us.When Jeni got a call Wednesday from Diane saying they were stopping by for a couple of days,my first thought was "uh oh," She read my blog blaming her for my card playing woes",but when they arrived, not a word about my "slanderous"accusations in the blog! Hmm,maybe she didn't read it?


We all went out to dinner Thursday evening for Chinese food in Oakhurst,a liitle town east of the park.The park manager had suggested the place to Jeni and Diane when they were checking into the park.The food was great and the owners treated us like family.The husband and wife included us in their lively bantering between each other.The husband was putting up shade screens on the windows of the restaurant while his wife of oriental decent,and her broken english kept us laughing as she kept her husband ,the cooks,and the waitresses on the move.I think they all were related.Back at the park,those "dreaded" words were spoken by the ladies,"HAND AND FOOT ANYONE'! Stan and I "cringed",but we knew we were doomed.Cards!We decided to play over at the clubhouse at the park.Stan and I thought that a neutral card playing site might be just the advantage we need.......WRONG! We got whipped by the girls again!


Friday Stan and Diane got to enjoy the park while I did my volunteer thing and Jeni her Phy.Thrpy.thing.Diane made a nice dinner Friday evening,we had hamburgers and this "fabulous" coleslaw she made.She is a great cook.Last winter at the potlucks where we all volunteered,she made some "yummy dishes".


After dinner,what else; Cards! Stan and I took another "trashing" at the hands of the ladies."That card game sucks!"I hate it!" Well the girls took pity on us and decided we would play C.L.R. A dice game where you play with dimes and roll the dice and have four options,C-put your dime in the center,L-put your dime to the player on the left,R-put your dime to the player on the right,and -a dot- means you keep your dime.The object of the game,be the only player with dimes and win the pot which is the dimes in the center.We all had fun playing and the tension of the dreaded card "trashing" was gone.


Saturday morning,we said our good byes as Stan and Diane headed south for more adventures.Jeni and I were sad to see them leave as I think we have all grown to be good friends.Hopefully we can meet up with them this winter somewhere.


I gave Jeni a tour of the "pole Barn" Sat. afternoon.this is the huge maint.bldg.that us volunteers meet at to get our tools and instructions for the work day.She was surprised how big it was and how many tools they have.I will try to get a couple of pictures of it,to give you some idea of the place.


Saturday night they had a dinner at the clubhouse for all of us.They served "pork loin",mashed potato's,green beans,salad and ice cream for dessert,and coffee all for $7 bucks.What a deal.

We met a lot of new people and Jeni made some contacts for volunteer work.A guy I have been working with this past week,George is an avid golfer.I told him that I would get my clubs out of storage in Sacramento and play with him in a couple of weeks.A guy and his wife at our table from Florida wanted to play golf while they were here so I "hooked" them up with George.I don't know if George was happy about it or not.

Monday we leave for Riverside for a couple of days to see our son and hopefully the Grandsons.Jeni also has a Dr.appt.for her knee.We should be back in the park Wednesday.

I love this time of year for sports as the baseball pennant races are heating up and NFL football is back with the preseason games going on.I sure don't get much done around the house and I put on a few pounds as I turn into a "couch potato" this time of year,but it's the"buena vida" time of year for me.

A cool ride

We are back at Park Sierra after 5 days in Sacramento. We got a lot accomplished and the biggest was our air conditioning in the Suzuki. Thanks a million to my Daughter Jackie ,her husband Dustin,and their friend Tony.They got the parts, put us up and fixed the AC for us.It was a cool ride back home yesterday. No 4-60 AC (4windows down 60mph) anymore.That's Jackie with Jeni and I in the picture. She is smart,pretty,and a great mother.
While in Sac. we also got to spend time with our grand kids,Alyx and D.J.We played cards,read books(D.J's favorite) and the girls went shopping(Alyx's favorite).
I'm calling our friend Diane Shelstead! I want to let her know that I Hate that card game "hand and foot". She taught us that game at "Agua Caliente
park ,when we all were volunteering out there last winter.I can't win! This weekend my wife,daughter,and granddaughter beat me every time.I consider myself a fair card player,but this game has my number! The last time I didn't finish last was with Stan(Diane's husband) when we played partners back in the spring!
I'm calling a "Shrink"!
My grandson D.J. loves "Monster trucks". He has about 27 toy replicas of them.he knows all their names and even the drivers names.He and I played with them but D.J.got irritated with me because I didn't know the different truck names. Hey,how can you remember names like "Monster mutt,the avenger,cowboy,grave digger,and brutus".
Well Saturday I had to pay our hotel bill at "Casa Jackie". Jackie and I washed and waxed her "Chevy Tahoe". It got the "showroom shine". Thanks to "ole"turtle wax!
I visited "campworld" in Rocklin Ca. for some supplies while in Sac. I am going to change out our "septic hoses" when we get back to the rig.
For just a few items,I spent a $100! How am I going to get this by Jeni.I can't get out of that place without spending a "bundle"!
Saturday night,after we finished the "Tahoe",and getting whipped at cards by the "gals"again,I decided to do something I enjoy,reading my grandson a book. We settled on the couch and began ,but as you see in the picture I failed. Actually,
I'm not sleeping,I am resting my eyes before the next sentence.Riiight!
Back at the park today,I met my buddies at the pole barn for work detail and Jeni had Physical Therapy for her knee.
I am really enjoying volunteering here at the park. The guys here are great.No word yet on the "workamping gig"yet,but we love it here anyway.We are #40 on the list for membership now which is still probably a year off but we will hang around and see what happens.