The lost weekend

It was a very quiet weekend for us as Jeni was homebound from her knee surgery.I went out a couple of times for supplies but basically it was a TV weekend.I got to watch a lot of baseball as Jeni did a lot of napping.By Sunday she was almost her "ole" self
except for the crutches. The "chief bottlewasher"was hoping
for a demotion but no such luck!Oh no!Jeni's ringing the bell again!

Sunday Dan brought his son Nevin over to the RV to visit.We probably talked their ears off as their the only people we had seen in 2-1/2 days.We watched"the Monk marathon"on USA network all day.We love the" Kookie" detective.

and his cohorts.as they solve the case.Another favorite of mine is Frazier with Kelsy Grammer.It ran for 11 years.another great cast.

It was a sad week for celebrities as Farrah Fawcett,Ed Mac man,Micheal Jackson,and celebrity"pitch man"Billy Mays passed away.I can't remember that many famous people passing away in such a short time span.
This morning I took Jeni to the DR.to see how her knee is doing.The DR. gave her the"thumbs up"She will still have to use the crutches for a few more days but we can finally get out and around.She will also take some physical therapy in a couple of weeks.After the DR. we went out to Dennys for breakfast.It's nice to be out among people again!
While I was getting a prescription filled for Jeni Last Friday,I was asked for an address by the pharmicist.I explained to her that we were fulltime RVers and our address wasn't exactly where we are now.She was puzzled."How do you live like that"?.I explained that we choose to live this life.I told her of the places we have been,places we have volunteered at,and the wonderful people we have met and volunteered with.Every morning we wake up and out our bedroom window may be the ocean,or the forest with a herd of deer ,or the desert with all its beauty,it could be the everglades,the rocky mountains,or a beautiful lake.In times of family needs we just get in our home and drive it where were needed.After thinking for a minute,the pharmicist said"thats a great way to travel and see the country."Does it cost alot", she said. I told her people of all income levels" fulltime"It's just depends on how you want to do it.Shes(the pharmacist)very young but when she gets older it might appeal to her.Yes we choose to live the RV life but it is because we can ,not because we have to.We do this while were young and able enouigh.We will know when it is time to "hang up the keys"and when that time arrives,we will have our memories of our RV life.

what comes around comes around!

Jeni's knee surgery went well and the Dr. said she would be her" fiesty ole"self in a few days.So until then I'm chief"bottle washer"around here!For 39 plus years Jen has tended the helm of our family and did it well.But now I'm in charge!I hope I don't sink it !!
Well it's pretty much official,we are staying the summer in So. Cal.We won't be heading north to Oregon or Washington.Maybe next year.Too much to be done here.It's a plus for us as wherever were needed we just drive our house on wheels to,set up the "dish" and were home.
We found out that we are now #45 on the list at our homebase park,Park Sierra.we have moved up pretty quick so we may be in this comming winter.Park Sierra is a member park for the"Escapees"RV club we belong to.You buy in for a lot with full hookups and when you decide you want to leave you get your origional buy in back.It will give us a homebase thats half way between our families in Sacramento and So. Cal.The best thing is it's a volunteer park,everybody pitches in to run the park.It gives everyone a sense of a close knit community where everyone knows everyone.We can't wait!
I got a call from both my brothers today which hasn't happened in a while.It was great talking with them.Instead of talking about the drama going on lately,we talked about fun things. it was great.I am blessed to have such wonderful BRO's.
Well Jeni is ringing the bell so I better get movin and see what she needs".Chief bottlewasher",What comes around comes around!

Keeping up with the Jones

With a little overcast yesterday morning,I decided it was time to wash the rig(RV).Now it's been a while since I last did this chore and there is an unwritten code among the RV community that if you are parked next to someone,your rig better look as nice or nicer than theirs.In the park we are in right now there are a lot of newer and more expensive rigs next to ours so that was my motivation "keeping up with the Jones"!
first I get out my bucket,hose,nozzle and car wash soap.Then I survey my objective,how to wash my rig and not get water on my neighbors rig seeing they are parked so close to us on either side they can hear our clock tick! This means "close combat washing" meaning water hose on low flow,brush on long pole(no room for ladder),double brushing as low water flow won't rinse well,and double the washing time,an hour and a half job now a three hour job.But the hardest part of all ,the most time consuming, is fielding comments from your neighbors."Can you wash my rig next." "you know it is going to rain now." "you missed a spot." and the worst is the RVer who brings a lawn chair over so he can sit and critique your washing techniques.
Finally,the chore is done and I'm still in good standings with the neighbors.
In the afternoon,we headed to "campworld" for rv supplies.I love this place as I can browse the isles for hours looking at the gadgets,and things to make our rig look new and expensive et.("keeping up with the Jones!").
It was sad to hear the news this morning that one of my favorite actresses Farrah Fawcett passed away.She was a "class lady".It makes us wonder,it"s not how long your here,it's what you do while your here that makes a life fullfilled.
We are going over to Dans today to do laundry,and get things in order as Jeni's knee surgery is Friday morning.It's a minor "clean out"like the athletes get nothing major.
Jeni and I are official "NCIS junkies".The popular military crime show on CBS and USA networks.They are running NCIS marathons this week,so we have been glued to the TV yesterday and today.I love Mark Harmon as "Gibbs" a part he seems suited to.He has come a long way since his "bit part" days where he played the "airhead"surfer dude characters of the 70S.One good thing,when we go to Dans today,he has "Direct TV" so we won't miss the marathon.
We have a nice sunny day today.Seems like we should be outside walking the RV park,sprucing up our RV pad or housecleaning, but today we won't be" keeping up with the Jones",we will be "kicking back"and "munching"that is what us Dorans do best!

Fathers Day!

Sometimes in all the celebrations of life,we forget the ones close to us.For example,saturday and sunday Jen,I,my brother Gary,Martha,Dan and our grandson Aiden were at Dans house celebrating the June birthdays and Fathers day.Saturday night we all went to a ball game,and Sunday we were at Dans.My daughters called to wish me happy fathers day. one call I received was from my Grandaughter in Sacremento.she has no father,He ran out on her and my daughter a long time ago.She was home alone and being 14 yrs.old and very emotional,she felt she had no man in her life for this special day.It just "broke my heart"! I reminded her that she has many Fathers in her life.Uncles,Dan,Gary,Dustin,Larry,and me.We are all fathers in one way or the other to her and were there for her.I won't forget her next year.

Jeni and I have a busy week as we have things to do for our son and Jeni has a Dr.appt tomarrow and knee surgery on Friday.

I put a couple of pictures up of us at the ball game and Dan and son Aiden enjoying fathers day.

Road Trip!

Yesterday was Jeni's birthday so we loaded up the Grand Vitara and headed west and north.We took the I-10 west to Santa Monica,then jumped on hwy.1(the PCH) and headed north.The traffic was light except in downtown LA.On hwy.1 we checked out some of the state parks and beaches.Mcgrath state beach,just south of Ventura has 173 campsites and can accomadate big rigs.you are just a short walk to the beach,and there are many hiking trails.No hookups are available but there is a dumpstation.Another great beach and campground we found was Broomhill state beach.the campsites are close to the ocean and the views are great. Again,no hookups.

We ended up in Ventura at the "Channel Islands National Park visiter center.We were hoping to take a tour over to one of the islands(there are 5 islands) but we got there too late.They did have what they called "an iteractive diving tour"where your in their auditorium watching the park rangers underwater at one of the islands with a live camera.we could actually talk with the divers and ask questions.We saw the biggest lobster we've ever seen as the ranger held him up to the camera for us.Because it's a preserve around the island,the ranger said the sea life is much bigger(no fish zone).The lobster he showed us had to go 10 to 12 lbs.easy!Their main focus of studies at the islands are the kelp forests underwater around the islands.All in all it was very interesting and we plan making it back soon to do a tour of the islands.

Well hunger set in so we found a"subway"(our favorite lunch)and headed in to Ventura harbor , found a free place to park,took our lawn chairs,lunch and sat on the beach enjoying the ocean and the afternoon breeze

As the sun was dropping into the late afternoon fog bank,we decided it was time to head back.We stopped in Malibu for dinner as we had a "hankerin" for some clam chowder.We couldn't pass up a photo op as we left town(see pic.)then we headed home.A quick stop for dessert (mickey D ice cream cone)and home safe.

I think Jeni had a great Birthday!

Chef?

You know your nearing"rock bottom"when your watching cooking shows.You know,Rachel Ray,Giada,The Barefoot Contessa ,Emeril,and that big blonde guy that looks like he might also be with the W.W.F.You start thinking,"I can do this",and Poof,your a chef!You start dabbling a little,actually using a reciepe,buying spices you never heard of,and using words like,"blend","Saute"and"puree".STOP! Gormet cooking is an art best left to the pros.



My brother Larry{big guy in red in the picture} is a Gormet Chef and he would be the first one to tell you it takes years of training and experience and then maybe just maybe you might make it.



A while back Larry and I were driving back to Phoenix together and he gave me some insight into the knowledge he pocesses concernig food.I was in awe. like all craftsmen,they make it look so easy,but it Ain't! Maybe i'll watch "Desperate housewives"!

Jeni and I had a quiet weekend.Were still hanging out at Terrace Villlage RV park.We have been laying low to conserve funds but,Jeni's birthday is thursday,so we will party down for sure.Our son Dan has his son Aiden this weekend so we will certainly be over to see them.We all might take in a baseball game Saturday night.

Jeni says no more daytime tv for me.Shes afraid i'll want to be a "pitch man" like Billy Mays or the "shamwow"guy."Hi Phil Doran here for insta-cash"! Hey,sounds pretty good.

Date Night!

It was date night for Jen and I.We headed out to Rancho Cucamonga Ca.to "Victoria Gardens".This is a shopping and dining mecca set in the 1950s mode.it is set up like a typical downtown area you used to see in the large cities.
We dined at the "CheesecakeFactory"and walked dinner off strolling through the many shops along the streets.The pictures are of the crazy assortment of cars parked along the streets.The yellow one is a lambordini Jeni just had to stand behind.The red one is a 1957 Tbird in mint condition.Sorry as the pictures are a little dark,but you can kind of get the feel of the area.We found a nice bench to set for awhile and people watch.All in all we had a great date!
More "June gloom" in Riverside today but we have decided to ignore it!The park is starting to clear out a bit as summer is almost here.Our neighbors from Idaho left this morning and 4 other rigs pulled out too.Jeni and I think this might be a sign that it's going to get real hot soon!
We put a picture of our rig at Agua Caliente county park at the top of our blog thinking it would only fill the intro header,HOLY COW IT'S HUGE!the verdict is still out on it
I guess today is the deadline for anolog TV.We had purchased a converter box from "Radio Shack"last winter with the govt. coupon we got as our TV wasn't digital.When we arrived in Riverside this spring,The TV went out so we got a new digital TV.What to do with my converter? I remembered my daughter Katie didn't have cable and her TV`was an older model,so I shipped it to her.I expect a call anytime asking"Dad,how do you hook this darn converter box up!"

Where's the sun!

Mayday,Mayday!Where's the (as the kids say)FREAKEN sun!We had another gloomy day today.We dodooled around the RV this morning,then headed over to our sons house to do some laundry.I also tried my hand at body work on the" ole" Suzuki.I had a few small dents and scratches,so I bondoed,sanded,painted,and clear coated.How does it look? uh,it's not as easy as it looks.
My son Dan is a hard worker and a great father to our two grandsons.The picture on the right is him and the boys.He coached Aidens baseball teams the last couple of years.Nevin,his other son is too young for bball so he is the mascot.Dan has been the most important influence on the boys life,and he is doing what it takes to be there for them.Sometimes life isn't fair,but when your handed lemons,you make lemonade!
We had a nice dinner tonight,mexican food and Dan rented the movie"Grand Torino"with Clint Eastwood.It was ok but had a great line by Eastwood.as the local"gangbangers were hanging around outside his house,Eastwood grabbed his old army rifle,went outside stuck it in their face and said,"get off my lawn!"as only Eastwood can.Great line
Hopfully we can do some sightseeing tomarrow.Maybe Hollywood!

in a rut!

We should be enjoying ourselves llike this, but instead we are stuck in Riverside!Don't get me wrong we are here helping our son and thats what families do.We love him and his sons.It's just that somtimes we just get in a rut here.The RV park is a little cramped,and the"June gloom"as they call it here in Riverside has set in(very little sun).

Sometimes when we are down, we pull out our travel scrapbooks and kind of look back at all the places we have been and all we have done.The many people we have met,the friendships we have made.We have been able to do this in no small part because of our kids Jackie,Dan,and Katie.Without their support we would not have had the oppurtunity to fulltime RV.

As when we were young,are children will go through the trials,and tribulations of relationships,but they can count on Jeni and I to be there for them when they need us.

I read in one of the blogs today that Affinity group,which owns goodsam,and many of the related publications,is selling off their campworld rv supply stores!NOOOOO!!! there goes the great prices were accostomed to

high times at Terrace Village

Another cool morning here at Terrace Village RV park.Nicely tucked just off the 215 in Grand Terrace,Ca.This has been our home base for a month now.It's a far cry from the panoramic beauty of the desert in winter where we volunteered ,but it's quiet,well kept,and safe.

Our friends Stan and Diane Shelstad came in the park today(their picture on the right) on their way from SanDiego to South Dakota.We volunteered with them this winter where we all became fast friends.After they got parked and settled in We all went out to dinner and of course there were games of cards once we got back to the park.Stan and I just love playing cards with our wives!

Jeni and I have a light week, so we are going to do some sightseeing.We may venture down to LA and play tourist.We also want to hunt up the "Hollywood"sign and studio tour schedules as our Grandaughter will be comming in this summer and wants to see them.I guess we will dig out the ole"hollywood" sunglasses,and sun tan lotion,and of course our swimwear circa 1966.NOT!

Quiet time

This is a picture of our grandaughter Alyx at graduation while we were in Sacramento.She is now officially a freshmen.She is the apple of her grandparents eye.Don't mind the ramblings of a very proud grandpa!
Jeni and I spent most of the day resting up after the trip and three hectic days.Sometimes your just more comfortable in your own home(RV).Jeni made a lovely chocolate cake with whip cream frosting and topped with fresh blueberries.yummy.there goes my waistline.(what waistline!) The only time we left the coach was to go to dinner.

We got a nice email from our volunteer friends Stan and Diane Shelstad.They were wondering where the heck we are as it's been awhile since our last email to them. One of our short commings is we are not very good at keeping in touch with friends and relitives.We emailed them and also the rangers we volunteered for last winter.Stan,Diane,Jeni,andI became fast friends while volunteering together.Agua Caliente county park was a great place to volunteer as threre was lots of potlucks and card games and great comoraderie.
The weather has been very cool for Riverside these last few days.Hopefully it will continue as we think we still have another month here before we head north for the summer.
I saw a sign as we were headed to dinner tonight.It said"enjoy the wonders on this planet before the lights go out for good." Now it might have been a "save the earth"ad or "save energy now"ad, but maybe it was a sign for jeni and I to get down the road and see the country.The clock is ticking.Humm.........

sons,and grandsons

Grandsons!you got to love them.these are Dans two sons.we have been real busy with these two .Dan had nevin,(the little guy on the right) thursday which I help supervise,so we spent the afternoon and evening with,then friday we were up early and on the run doing errands so we could see Aiden(the little guy on the bottom) We picked Aiden up at school and met his teacher.we went back to Dans house for dinner and we were off aqgain to Aidens karate class in Hemet.We arrived back at Dans at 8:30pm.All three adults,Dan,Jeni,and myself were"worn out".Poor Dan had worked(he's an electricion)8 hours then drove home,probably 25 miles ,picked us up at his house drove all the way back to Banning to pick up Aiden,another 25 miles,backto his house,another 25 miles,to Aidens Karate class 30 miles,and back home 30 miles.135 miles!he will sleep good tonight.All in all,it was a Great two days.

thunder and lightning and big tv's oh my!

We drove back from Sacramento to Riverside yesterday so we didn't get a chance to post anything.In short it was uneventful the normal 9 hour drive on I-5.
we woke this morning to thunder,lightning,and the occasional rain shower.Even though the weather was dreary,I had some chores to do .I went to "Campworld "to pick up a gas filled lift for our utility bin.One of them broke and I have to use my head to hold it open when I access it.I replaced it,then it was on to some smaller maint. items.Dan had called me last night an asked me to help him pick up a TV at Costco.How heavy can a TV be?.........Why two people?.......... oh well I met him at his place and off to costco.Dan is my son if I hadn't already told you.when we got there they rolled out this HUGE box on a cart! I asked my son,"where are you going to put it!" "on the wall" he replied.This monster was a 55" diagonal screen and 80 bulky pounds.After straining every back muscle getting it in Dans truck,we got it home and unloaded.Dan bought a mounting bracket to put the "behemeth"on the wall.This item also weighed 20 pounds.After a couple of hours,lots of "cussing,and more "strained" muscles,it was up.sitting in a
chair resting after the ordeal,I looked up at the "Behemeth"and noticed how nice it looked,the clear HD picture,the rich vibrant color,it's like being at the movies.I wonder how big a TV I can get in our RV!

Graduation

You know when you go to bed knowing you have a lot to do the next day,and you want to get an early start,and you have been up early your whole working life.Well the"ole"retirement clock kicked in and "BAMO"it's 9am!What happened! It threw our whole schedule off for today,but being RVers we knew how to adapt,Just"go with the flow" and we did.an hour later we were on the road
We had breakfast at Mimi's in folsom and got a graduation present for Alyx.We also stopped by Folsom lake state park to see what changes they have made since we last" camphosted" there in 2007. We could not beleive how full the lake was,and the new bridge over the river was fantastic.
After a little R&R at the hotel ,we attended our grandaughter Alyx's 8th grade graduation.After the ceremony we all went out to a "celebration dinner"Alyx got to pick the place,Chinese it was!
After dinner we said our goodbys to our daughters and family and called it a night.Tomarrow we head back to Riverside.
It is always so sad to leave the ones you love,and no matter how much time you have,it's never enough.One thing Jeni and I are greatful for is, our children letting us follow our dreams in our RVlifestyle.we are truley blessed.