Sun. Apr. 14 Day 94 Rain & showers off & on all day but clear, sunny & warm in Burlington

We pulled out of Kelso @ 10:45 @ 159481km.   Into a gas stop @ 12 noon @ 159577km, & out @ 12:15 PM.  Then we did a non-stop run to Camping World in Burlington arriving @ 2:40 PM @ 159788. Coming through Seattle on I 5 around noon on Sunday there was a traffic jam all the way through.  Why the hwy through downtown should be busy in the middle of a Sunday is a mystery.  At Camping World they have instituted some rules for staying here, 1 night if you are a Good Sam member, (unlimited if you are having work done).  As usual, some people spoiled it by staying several days & using it like a Wal-Mart free-parking lot, except it has power, plus water & a dump station are available on site.  Suits me fine! I used to worry that there won’t be space with people just pulling in or overstaying.  We went down to the Four Seasons Buffet for a lunch/dinner, it was great as usual.  Then we checked out Costco & Fred Meyer for some last minute groceries.  I discovered that the Costco here has the 2 year old Tillamook cheese and it is cheaper than at the factory in Tillamook!  There is a Costco in Bellingham that’s closer to the border, wonder if it has Tillamook cheese?  I filled the Focus with gas at Fred Meyer, and then we headed home to the RV for the night.  I looked at how much gas I put in since Hemet and it is just under $750.00 and right now I have about ¾ of a tank still.  Back at the RV, I tightened the screw on one of the bedroom blinds, (it was beginning to come down) and checked to see if I can replace the bulb in the microwave, (I can’t), so we’ll have to get C. World to do it.  Sheila went for a walk, phoned Judy Shaffer, and then organized the various items she’s bought for the girls.  It was a quiet, (no TV here) but productive evening for both of us.

Distance covered – 454km – 282mi

Sat 13 Apr Day 93

Out "Old Stone Village" RV Park at 11AM @ 159183 and off down hwy 18 and a very winding hwy 22 through the forest to join hwy 101.  We pulled into the Blue Heron Cheese factory @ 12:45 PM @ 159295.  We had lunch there and bought a bunch of stuff. They had two guys playing guitar & singing who set up just behind our table, so it was a great lunch time.  Then, off to Tillamook Cheese Factory for cheese and finally back on the road at 2:05 @ 159297.  We came to a closed weigh scale which, in Oregon, is left on.  So we weighed the RV.  The front wheels showed 4550 lbs, and the back, 9550 lbs, so the total weight was 13,100 lbs.  We had ¾ tank of gas and the Grey/Black tanks would be about ½ full. Our GVW is 14,050 lbs. Of course we had excess cargo of 3 cases Cactus Cooler, several pounds of cheese and several bottles of alcohol. We pulled into the Kelso Elks at 5 PM @ 159481.  We reheated the leftover Casserole Italiano for supper and then I packed up the laptop and headed into the bar area to get WiFi which I couldn’t pick up in the RV.  Sheila followed a bit later after she’d done the dishes & spruced up a bit.  We spent the evening editing & blogging while Sheila finished a very potent drink, (called a “Watermelon”).  It is a mix of S. Comfort, Vodka, pineapple juice & grenadine.  (They were very generous with the booze!), and listened to the band in the next room that was playing for a Cancer Survivor Dinner.

 Distance covered – 298km – 185mi

Fri. Apr. 12 Day 92

After breakfast we walked over to the Air Museum because there is a path right from the RV Park to it.  It’s about a 10 min walk from the RV right to their door.  We got there at 10, and left at 5 PM.  I saw the Spruce Goose, (Howard Hughes giant 8 engine flying boat, built entirely of birch and canvas) which is amazingly huge seen  up close.  I took pictures of everything. They have a lot of very neat WW II planes – the P51 Mustang, the Corsair, a Messerschmitt ME 109, the jet Messerschmitt developed in 1945, a Spitfire, a P38 Lightning, a B17 Flying Fortress that you could go into, and many more, it was fascinating! When talking with the Docent at the B17 I learned some neat things,  - the wings of the B17 were partly covered in canvas to save weight and to repair them, DUCT tape was invented;  the expression “the whole nine yards” comes from the fact that the 50 calibre machine guns could only have limited ammunition, again for weight reasons, and the gunners had to use short bursts, therefore, the ammo belt that fed the machine guns was 9 yards long so if they ran out of ammo, they had shot, “the whole 9 yards”. They also said the 8^th Air Force daylight bombing raids almost came to an end because of huge losses, (a third of the aircraft on each mission).  At that time, they had no fighter escort that could go the distance, then, they finally got the P38 and especially the P51 Mustang which could out fly the Messerschmitt. The B17 was a very sturdy aircraft and made it home with its crew after being very badly shot up.  There were some paintings in the museum that depicted the real incidents.   Besides the museum displays and aircraft we saw 2 Imax movies each—all to do with flying.  I will post pictures of some of the aircraft we saw.  After we got back to the RV, Sheila made her Casserole Italiano--delicious as usual.

 The Spruce Goose flight deck photos that I forgot to  add to the other shots below

The Wheatland ferry we couldn't get on.

 The B17 side view

A painting of a shot up B17 with the actual picture above after it landed.  Landing was a problem because the damage blocked the pilots vision but fortunatly the navigator who was up front but survived remembered the coordinates for the landing field.

 The B17

 The Messurshmitt

 The P38 Lightning

 The P51 Mustang

About the P51

This is a painting of an actual incident.  A badly shot up & defencless B17 trying to make it home to England.  A Messurschmitt escorted it for a long time and never attempted to shot it down.  The two pilots met many many many years later and the families became good freinds.  The German pilot said shooting it down would be like shooting a man in a parachute. 

 These 5 shots are of the Spruce Goose.  It is still the largest aircraft ever built, the wing span would overhang the end zone stands of a footbal field - even a Canadian field!

Thurs. Apr. 11 Day 91    clear & sunny, cooler as we go north

Sheila had a bad night with a coughing spell that kept her up most of the night so she left a note to let her sleep.  Check out time at 7 Feathers is 11 AM so I disconnected everything, (quietly), and was ready to go at a moments notice. I had asked for an extension on check out time but our spot was booked.  Sheila woke about 11:30 so we moved down to the rest area so she could dress & have breakfast.  We finally pulled out at 12:50 @ 158858.  We changed drivers at 2:45, and we made a rest area stop 3:20 to 3:30, then were off down the road.  Sheila pulled into a Pilot station to fill up @ 4 PM @ 159123 where I took over & were on the road again by 4:10 PM.  Then the GPS took us to the Wheatland ferry over the Willamette River.  It is a toll ferry, I had checked off “no toll roads” on the GPS. When we got there the toll was only a few dollars but after missing one and waiting for the return, (the river is only a few 100 ft across, probably half or less than the old Albion ferry), and it is a cable ferry pulled across by a suspended cable; the ferry attendant came to us & said we would bottom out going up the ramp to board & could wipe out our sewer hose connection underneath.  So we turned around and then I checked the GPS avoidances and found it has a “ferries” choice so I clicked “no” for that.  Now it routed us to a bridge but this delayed us so we got into the RV Park later than planned.  The ferry episode cost us from 4:20 to 4:35 plus a long round trip to the bridge, so we didn’t arrive at the RV Park until 5:30 @ 159183.   At the ferry the GPS had said it was 18 miles to the park, but once turned around, going via the ‘no ferries’ route it was 27 miles over the bridge and on rural roads, (good pavement but slow).  We were all hooked up & settled in for the evening by 6:00. We’ll be at the “Old Stone Village” RV Park 2 nights because tomorrow is the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum day was they have the “Spruce Goose”.  By the way “Evergreen” is the man behind the museum, he started Evergreen Helicopters.  The museum was his son’s vision.  He was an ‘ace’ pilot who loved and wanted to preserve the WWII fighter planes.  Unfortunately he was killed in a car accident while still quite young, but his father brought his dream to fruition.

Distance covered – 325km – 202mi

Wed. Apr. 10 Day 90    Sunny, clear & warm

Sheila headed out to the clinic this morning, I stayed with the RV.  I went up to the lodge to get on WiFi to check emails etc then back to the RV for lunch.  Sheila returned from her Dr. visit about 2 PM.  It was a L-O-N-G wait at both the clinic and the pharmacy.  The doctor, a young woman, (who looked barely old enough to have graduated high school), said she has Bronchitis too but as it begins as a viral infection, (not responsive to antibiotics) we’re assuming the antibiotics she prescribed for her are to prevent further complications.  Sheila’s not complaining as she just wants to feel healthy again & soon!  Sheila wanted to go on to 7 Feathers Casino, so we hooked up & pulled out of the Red Bluff Elks RV Park at 2:20 PM @ 158459km.  I had to stop in Weed CA for some gas to make it over the Siskiyou Pass. Into a Pilot stn in Weed @ 4:10 & out @ 4:25.  I only put in 15 gallons, just enough to ensure I get over the pass & into the next gas stop.  As we approached the pass the clouds got thicker & it started to rain lightly.  We passed the CA/OR border at 5:15 PM.  As we rolled down hill into Oregan, the rain stopped and the sun came out.  We stopped at a Pilot gas stn @ 5:50 PM @ 158749km, & were out again by 6 PM.  We arrived at 7 Feathers Casino RV Park @ 7:10PM @ 158858.  After we got parked & hooked up, we took the shuttle down to the casino for a $10.99 Buffet supper.  The buffet area here is quite small as buffets go, and because the booths are attractively arranged along the side of the room, with coloured subdued lighting it seems more like a fancy restaurant than a buffet.  Food was good; there was sufficient variety, though it’s not the bargain that the Hibachi Grill & Buffet in Hemet is.  We returned to the RV Park for a session in the hot tub and a nice shower.  We made it back to the RV just before 10 PM for my CSI show, & then route planning work before bed. 

Distance covered – 399km – 248mi

Tues. Apr. 9   Day 89   Sunny & clear

Sheila’s feeling a bit better this morning but still thinking she wants to see a Dr to get an antibiotic prescription. She did ask the campground host about the GPS mess & they said a lot of people have had a problem with it taking them way west; some even got taken north of the park – really odd.  So today, the plan is to get to the Elks Lodge RV Park in Red Bluff where we can stay a day or more at a flat $15.00 a night with power & water and have time to find a clinic in a reasonable sized town. We pulled out of Tulare at 10:10 @ 157899km.  Lunch break was at a rest area 12:20 to 1:05.  I pulled into a Flying J for gas at 1:35 and out 45 gallons later at 1:50.  We pulled off the road at Willows, exit 603, @ 4:25, 158384km, for the Wal-Mart and for supper at Nancy’s Airport Café, (we have been there before, it’s great).  Out again after supper @ 6:10 and on up to exit 649, the Red Bluff Elks, arriving @ 7:05 @ 158456.  Thanks to daylight saving time it is still full sun & daylight till after 7:30.  We went up to the lodge, paid our night & got instructions to an Urgent Care Walk-in Clinic nearby.  They closed at 7 but open at 9 am, so Sheila is thinking of going over in the morning.  We unhooked the car so it is ready to roll. Sheila had a $3 rum & coke in an Old Fashion size glass and she had to get more coke in it after drinking it down a bit.  The bartender lady made it by pouring rum & coke into the glass together until it was full.  A bit too much rum for Sheila.!  Sheila stayed to watch “Splash” & “DwS” on one of the bar TVs that was right in front of us--they gave her the remote so she could mute commercials & adjust the volume.  Other patrons were sitting at the other end of the U-shaped bar or at tables so she wasn’t disturbing anyone.  I came back to do trip planning etc.  Sheila arrived just after 10 when the bar closed.

Distance covered – 577km – 346mi  -  on the road driving 6 hrs 10 mins

Mon Apr 8 Day 88      Heavy cloud & windy, periodic sprinkles at GVP in AM

We pulled out of GVP @ 157431km @ 10AM.  Up on Hwy 10 there was quite a strong wind.  We arrived at out gas stop in Boron at 12:25 @ 157603km and thanks to my RV Plus charge card we filled up the RV, (40 USG), and I put some gas in a can for the generator & away by 12:40. It really saves time not having to go into the station to have them set an amount then after I fill go back to get a receipt plus standing in line at the cashier each time. Then off westward on hwy 58.  We stopped at a rest area for lunch 12:50 to 1:25.  We were driving into a very strong headwind, then into low cloud.  I had the wipers on but the road was dry, we were driving through the moisture in the clouds at around 3000 ft elevation. With the head wind I had a hard time to keep us going at 45 mph, I periodically had to gear down to get it back up to 45mph.  Very few cars were passing me, the hwy warning boards were flashing, “high wind advisory, reduce speed, not recommended for trucks & campers”.  Finally, a few miles before we got to hwy 99 to turn northward we got back into calm weather & sun.  We had an RV park on the GPS but the GPS took us way out of the way and ended at a dirt field.  We made our way back to hwy 99 & the RV Park but the wrong direction probably cost us about 20 miles out of the way, I have no idea why.  One thing was that the address listed was on 200 Ave. and when we got to the park the street sign said Rankin Ave.  We arrived at the park at 5PM @ 157899km.   Sheila was feeling the worst yet and considered going to a Dr. for an antibiotic but we were late in the day arriving and most places were closed or only open for a short time.  She will see how she feels in the morning.

Distance covered – 468km – 291 mi

Sun Apr 7 Day 87      No temperatures because I rolled up the awning & the thermometer is now in the direct morning sun.

 

It was bit overcast in the morning but cleared to sun in the afternoon.  It was much like yesterday, maybe a bit warmer.   In the pool we started playing with 4 to a side and eventually got 7 to a side.  Back at the RV for lunch & then slowly putting stuff away, doing laundry, and getting the RV ready for the road. Without the awning to shelter one side we are running the A/C a bit to keep it under 80F/26½C inside. By the end of the afternoon we were both feeling tired so we went out for supper to Polly’s Pies.  Their house blend coffee was really good and they do their own roasting so I got a ½ lb to bring home.

Sat. Apr. 6 Day 86   59F/15C @ 9:15,   71F/21½C @ 2PM

Today they have the classic car show and a craft sale.  I went up for Volleyball while Sheila checked out the Craft Sale.    They either didn’t have a bake sale or sold out, (Sale started at 9 AM, Sheila got there around 10:50).  We played girls against boys again today, 8 men against 10 women. The men seemed to get more serves than the women so we won.  After the hot tub we had lunch at the Palms Cabana, (Anchor Pub & Restaurant) listening to Angela sing until 2 PM.  We split a Cobb Salad because they’re huge! Then it’s back to the RV to do some packing up etc for Monday morning’s departure.  I took down the awning and did the tire check on 10 tires.  Then, it was off to Winco for groceries & Kerns fruit juices etc. to take home. While I was out, Sheila had a short nap before getting our supper ready.  After supper, I was feeling tired so I lay down.  Sheila found a movie - Pride & Prejudice - on TV, so she’s watching it while I finalize our route home with options for overnight stops on MS Streets & Trips.

 

Fri. Apr. 5 Day 86   51F/10½C @ 9:45, 54F/12C @ 10:45, 61F/16C @ noon, 66F/19C @ 1PM

Very overcast in the morning but it cleared to sun by noon.  Sheila was not feeling up to Water Volleyball today, but I went up. Today we did a men VS women game with 8 women against 6 men.  It worked well; we didn’t keep score, of course, but seems to me that the men had longer serving sessions than the women and the women claim they had the ball more.  It was all great fun. Back at the RV I had lunch and did some housework while Sheila went into town to do some shopping etc.  When she returned, I was napping, so she made herself a sandwich and had a short nap also before GVP’s ‘flavoured wine’ tasting on the patio at 6 pm.  There were at least 12 different kinds of bottles on the shelf to try.  Most of them were sweet dessert wines of various kinds of fruit—blackberry, blueberry, cherry, plum, pomegranate, orange, triple berry etc., there was a saki which no one liked, and 4 chocolate & fruit flavour  wines which were more like  chocolate liquors than wines.

At 6:45 I left for Shuffleboard, Sheila stayed till 7:15 until she’d tried all the wines she wanted to, about 8 in all, and then returned to the RV to watched the last of Mon.’s DWTS tape & edit the journal.  I got back from shuffleboard about 8:30 & joined her watching TV. 

Thurs. Apr. 4 Day 85    62F/16½C @ 9AM,   80F/26½C @ 1PM,

I went up for the game in the pool. Sheila still not back to normal, she arrived about 11:15 & played till noon.  She said that was enough to tire her out.  Back at the RV we made lunch for us & Larry, (Judy had to fly home yesterday due to a Family emergency).  I went out right after Water V.Ball and & bought a lemon meringue pie which we used as a birthday cake since it’s Larry’s birthday today, he was born on the 4^th day of the 4^th month in’44.  Afterwards, the three of us went to see “Oz the Great & Powerful” in 3-D.  It was a very enjoyable movie, though probably would have been just as enjoyable in regular format.  We came straight back to the RV instead of going out for supper because both Larry & myself were still full from lunch.  It must have been that extra slice of lemon meringue pie we both had! Sheila is getting a bite to eat, and then she is going over to Larry’s RV to watch the premiere of a new show called “Forever Young” that he taped for her.  (I’ve seen the trailers and--no thank you!).  Sheila thinks the concept on “under 30's” and “over 70’s” trying to live together & accomplish tasks together is a good one.  She says the show would have been better done as a situation comedy rather than as another reality show.

Wed. Apr. 3 Day 84    62F/16½C @ 9:30AM,  80F/26½C @ 12;30PM, 

I awoke feeling much better but Sheila is not, so she is skipping the water sports to stay home & rest.  I went up & had a good game.  When I got back for lunch she was a little better.  She is using my cough syrup which seems to help. Sheila went out to get her toe nail fixed after it came off, (that’s the toe that she tore the natural nail loose on, 2 years ago and now has to have artificial nails put on), & then she had her other toes  retouched.  We spent the afternoon lazing around the RV, napping, reading etc.  Then we had supper & watched TV in the eve.

 

Tues. Apr. 2 Day 83        50F/10C @ 8:15AM,    62F/16C @ 10AM,     66F/19C @ 12:30PM.

I went out for the Tuesday Breakfast Club however. Sheila was running a slight temp and coughing and not feeling great so she slept in. I came back & she was up but decided to skip water volleyball, I went up to the pool and had a good game.  With people leaving we had one pool only but we had 8 to 10 on a side most of the game as people came and left.  Back at the RV Sheila seemed to be getting what I have so she wanted to go to a local clinic.  I reluctantly agreed to go even though I though I was slowly getting better, (very slowly though).  So after lunch we went to one clinic when we found one that would direct bill our insurance.  When we got there we discovered that our insurance has a deductable - $99.00.  So we decided that only I would go in to see the Doctor.  Turns out it is bronchitis type thing and I was given 2 prescriptions, one for the coughing plus an antibiotic.  The cough syrup has Codeine in it and works marvellously.  The antibiotic, 10 pills, I have to take for 10 days, 1 pill a day.  Back to the RV for supper then after which Sheila did R & R & watched DwS.  I went up to a room in the club house with Larry & Judy and Mel, (a water volley ball player), and we played Bridge for about 2½ hours, changing partners ever 6 hands. Then I came back to the RV to watch “Body of Proof”.  I already feel better after 3 shots of cough med, (supposed to be 1 tsp every 6 hours), & one antibiotic pill.

Mon. Apr. 1 Day 82    52F/11C @ 9AM,  55F/12½C @ 10:15AM,   60F/15½C @ noon   64F/18C ay 1:30PM

It is forecast for a cooler day with high only to the mid 60’s F, (high teens C), so I am going to skip Volley Ball today but Sheila went up to the pool.  I still have a cough & slight sniffles so I think I will stay in where it is warmer.  Sheila came back from the pool and we had her homemade chicken soup for lunch, it was very good, (we saved the bones from all the take out roast chickens we’d been eating and she did her usual magic with add ins).  After lunch we drove down to Richardson’s, an RV dealer for Jayco in Menifee but they didn’t have anything suitable at any price. I got some info and we came home.  We played bridge at Larry & Judy’s for an hour or so before supper time.  After supper Judy, Sheila & I went up to the Monday night crib match.  We just had enough for 3 tables.  I ended up tying for 3^rd place so I got 50 cents back, Sheila came in 5^th or 6^th. Back at the RV Sheila watched the last half of DwS, (it is on our VCR tape here but we can’t record Hi-Def so it is not as clear as watching it on TV).   Then we watched a Castle episode which was a take off on “Rear Window” starring Jimmy Stewart.

Sun. Mar. 31^st Easter Sunday  Day 81.    I forgot to check temp, but it’s like yesterday.

We got up sort of early to go to a church in Hemet that is putting on a special Easter presentation of the Easter Story – “Upon the Rock,” no service, just dialogue and singing in costume by the choir & the minister.  It was good.  We tried to be there by 10AM as they had a social gathering in the outdoor courtyard with coffee, cake/cupcakes with icing, and fresh fruit before the program.  Then, after the program, we came back out for more cake, fruit & drinks, (Kool-Aid type). It was all very pleasant on a nice warm morning.  Then, we returned to the RV to prepare for this afternoon’s Easter dinner in the ballroom.  GVP is providing a ham for 16 people, and we bring the other dishes.  Everyone signs up under a table # & lists what they want to bring so it all works out well.  Sheila made her yams in orange sauce that were popular, one lady asked for the recipe.  We brought back some yams & quite a bit of left over ham. We sat at a table with 6 other Canadians from Alberta & BC.  Larry & Judy sat near us at a table with 2 American ladies.  After a pleasant evening of good food & interesting conversation, we returned home for Sheila to watch TV—“Red Widow” etc.

 

 

Sat Mar 30 Day 80   60F/15½C @ 9:15AM,  62F/16½C @ 10AM,  77F/25C @ 12:30PM 

Off and away to Water Volleyball on another glorious day.  I was getting some great shots and having a good game.  However I did feel a slight twinge or light pain in my shoulder so I left the pool a bit early to sit in the hot tub.  Problem solved.  After the game & hot tub, I went over to the Palms Cabana for lunch & music.  Then it was time to head back to the RV as we had agreed to play bridge in the afternoon with Larry & Judy.  We played a while & decided to go out for Larry’s Birthday dinner.  We went to Los Vaqueros Mexican place just across the road.  I had the Taco salad with shredded beef & Sheila got hers with shrimp.  We came back to the RV to finish off our bridge game; Sheila came out on top - again.

Fri Mar 29 Day79    57F/14C @ 9AM,    64F/18C @ 9:45AM,    81F/27C @ 1:30PM

If anyone has been noticing the temperatures I’ve been posting you will notice that our morning highs are about the same as overnight temps at home but during the day the temp goes up a dozen or more degrees whereas at home there seems to be only a couple of degrees or so difference between high & low. It cools off nicely at night for sleeping and warms up fast during the day.  Today in the pool we had 9 players a side mostly and had a great game, lots of volleys as people kept the ball going back & forth.  I had lunch at the Palms Cabana, they had Datillo’s restaurant but they only had one guy playing guitar who was a cross between dull & insipid.  I ate & came back to the RV.  Sheila went out shopping with Judy while I sat in the sun by the RV reading & relaxing.  Sheila got back around 5PM, we used the Forman Grill to make supper and then I headed off to the shuffleboard building for the Friday night games.  Sheila R & R’ed in the RV and I returned about 9 to do the same.

Thurs Mar 28 Day 78   52F/11C @ 9AM,  74F/23C @ 12:30PM,  76F/24½C @ 2:30PM

We had a great game of water volleyball, enough people have left that we only had one pool playing with 22 players.  After the game they had Tom Racobs playing at the Palms Cabana but no restaurant serving food, so I went back to the RV, made a sandwich and returned to listen.  A bit after 2 PM I went back to the RV because today’s plan is to go to El Patron for Happy Hour at 3 PM & then to see the movie “The Call” with Halley Berry.  Our usual Thursday Happy Hour place - Emilio’s - was reserved for a big party.  The Margarita’s weren’t quite as cheap as Emilio’s, $4.20 for Sheila’s strawberry Margarita which she said was very good and there were no free appetizers, but they had ½ price appetizers, so we ordered the El Patron sampler to split, it was 4 each of 5 different items and we almost ate it all, (it was huge!).  It would have been a great deal at $10.99, but it only cost $5.49.  We left in time to make the 5:10 PM movie start.  I really liked it, Sheila found it a little too suspenseful, we both liked the ending.  When the movie got out it was too late to make the Mexican Train Dominos game at the RV Park so we just came home and watched TV.

Wed Mar 27 Day 77    57F/14C @ 10AM,   68F/20C @ 12:30PM

After our Volleyball game in the pool we changed and headed out about 12:45 with Larry & Judy to drive up to Idyllwild to see the village and to also see “Silent Valley RV Park” which is a private club park where Neva, a very dedicated water volleyballer, stays in the summer when it is well over 100F, (that’s 40C+), in Hemet.  The park is nice & green right now—lots of grass, large sites & lots of shade trees.  It’d be interesting to see what it’s like during the summer months when the temps are at least 20 degrees higher.  The road up to Idyllwild is narrow & winding, but we made it to the village before 2 pm.  It is like a ski village, although there is no skiing there.  There are lots of unique shops and a few restaurants set out in little village-square type areas.  We were walking around and came on a van with the tailgate door up and this nice Golden Lab dog with a collar & tie just standing there looking out.  The side of the van said “Mayor Max”.  We took pictures sitting on the bumper beside Max.  The whole time, Max just stood there—he never tried to jump out!  A lady came by and said we were invited to the inaugural party for his second term next month.  He really is the mayor of Idyllwild!  He has a web site www.mayormax.com .  We had lunch eating outside in the sun at Jo’an’s Restaurant & Bar, and then wandered around checking out shops.  Larry bought a jacket that was on sale for 40% off and Judy got a nice pair of earrings & a set of wind chimes.  I found a nice hat but am holding off as we may end up in Leavenworth WA, in May and I’d like to see what they have because that is where Ken found that neat hat that I lost.  Idyllwild is at 5,300 ft, Hemet is at 1500 ft, and parts of the road we drove went through 6,000 ft. the scenic views as we came down the mountain from Silent Valley RV Club to the town of Banning were great, covering the valley east to the wind generators of Palm Springs.  We were looking across the valley to the San Jacinto Mountains which were outlined in light & shadow.  The day was sunny & warm; we took light jackets but didn’t need them.  We arrived back home about 7 PM and settled in for the evening.  Well, I almost settled in, I had to go out for milk & bananas, a slice of pizza for Sheila & money.  As I was pulling out of the car port an animal ran across the road in my headlights.  It was about the size of a large cat but with short legs, a rodent head & snout and had a long thick tail.  It had short fur. It was an opossum. I confirmed that with park residents that they do have opossums around here.  At the bank this time Chase charged me $3 to withdraw US dollars, the last 2 times were no charge, weird. 

 

Idylwild village

 shop on the main road

 Sheila liked the name of this store

 another store on the main road

 a little nook of stores

 a neat bear carving near town centre

 I liked the Panda's on the roof

 Us at base of a big wood carving

 moving up the statue

 the top of the carving

Sheila with Mayor Max

Tues. Mar. 26 Day 76    48F/9C @ 8:15AM,   62F/16C½@ 9:45,  62F/16½C @ 9:45AM,   67F/19C½ @ 10:30AM,  74F/23C @ 12:45PM

We set our alarm so we could get up to go to the Tuesday morning Breakfast Club at Earlybird Café this week.  After we got back we went up to the pool for the daily volleyball game.  We only had one pool today, (22 players), as some people have already left the park heading for home.  There was also no music or restaurant at the Palm Cabana.  They may have cut that back to Fri/Sat only now, as people leave, we shall see.  Sheila decided we should go see “Life of PI,” so we went off with Larry & Judy for the 2 PM show.  My opinion is that I wasn’t bored, but I wasn’t thrilled either.  If I had missed it I wouldn’t have been upset at all!  Larry & Judy share my opinion.  Sheila, on the other hand really liked it.  She liked the story, & loved the scenery, animals & background music. She said it’s easy to see why it won so many awards at the Oscars.  After the movie we went to the “Hibachi Grill & Super Buffet” for the second time, and Sheila enjoyed it even more—the food is so-o-o fresh & tasty!  I counted the food tables this time.  They had 6 double steam tables each at least 10 feet or more long, plus a sushi station, a carving station with ham & beef, an ice cream area with 6 tubs of different ice creams plus the Mongoli Grill area.  We came home, dropped Larry & Judy off for their Pinochle game this evening, and we will watch TV.  Daylight time is starting to take effect nicely; it is sunny & bright till 7PM now.

Mon. Mar 25 Day 75    59F/15C @ 9:15AM,  62F16½C @ 10AM,  80F/26½C @ 1PM

Another beautiful day, so up to the pool for the game.   There was no music & no restaurant today.  It was supposed to be El Patron restaurant. So after the game & hot tub, it was back to the RV for lunch.  I guess I’m not 100% as I felt really tired after lunch and had a lay down for a cpl hours, no symptoms of anything, just tired.  Sheila went out & did a bit of grocery shopping.  After supper, I went over to the Monday night cribbage.  Sheila stayed in to watch “Dancing With the Stars”.   There were only 11 people so when I won I got $4.00. Then back to the RV to watch Castle with Sheila.

Sun. Mar. 24 Day 74    62F/16½C @ 10AM,  75F/24C @ 12:30 PM,  78F/25C @ 3:45 PM

We both went up for water volleyball about 10:15 and played to noon.  Back at the RV, I got myself a light lunch and felt a little tired but generally fine, although, after lunch I lay down on the couch for a while.  Then at about 3:45 we headed out to the Elks Hall for their Sunday afternoon, (4-7), music, dance & dinner, ($7.00 for steak or chicken).  Larry Stevens was playing.  Larry’s wife Sheri sat at our table with us and Larry & Judy Shaffer, so we had a nice time.  I let Sheila dance a bit as long as we were separate & she didn’t twist her leg at all.  It actually works quite well if she dances on her own because she can lift her bad knee & then pivot on one foot. And dances like the rumba & waltz don’t have fast twisting movements.  We finished dinner & headed home.  I’m still feeling a lack of energy so I lay down while Sheila puttered about & watched TV. 

Sat Mar 23 Day 73      57F/14C @ 9:45AM,     60F/15½C @ 10:30,     63F/17C @ 11:30,   76F/24½C @ 2:30PM

I had a tickle in my throat and was coughing a lot at night so I am tired this morning.   I didn’t go to the pool, just had breakfast & lay down again.  Sheila went up to play water volleyball. I got up about11AM & walked up to where an RV dealer had a Jayco Seneca on display.  It doesn’t have what we want but I talked to the dealer and they are a Jayco dealer just a few miles away in Menifee, CA.  We may drive down to see what they have some day.  I then came back to the RV & lay down again.  Sheila had lunch listening to the music at the cabana with Larry & Judy.  She brought me back a piece of lemon meringue pie.  By 4PM I am feeling better so we may be able to accept Larry & Judy’s offer of sharing their leftover supper from last night, (Judy made a very good bean casserole but like most casseroles it is large and feeds lots).  Then we will play some bridge. Hopefully Sheila has the recipe for the bean casserole somewhere, it was even better than I remembered. For bridge we played 6 hands & then changed partners.  After the 3 rounds Sheila came out on top again, she is consistently comes out on top, except when we play together in the prise games down here, we are never in the money.

 

Fri Mar 22 Day 72 54F/12C @ 10:15AM,   70F/21C @ 2PM, 

We slept in so missed the Fri. morning breakfast here.  We did get to water volleyball around 10:30, (10:50 for Sheila) and played till noon.  Larry Stevens was playing at the cabana but no restaurant was set up.  Fortunately I had some granola fruit & nut bars so that was lunch while I listened to Larry.  Sheila went out to get a haircut in the early afternoon.  We have a happy hour to attend at Graeme & Joanne Jarvis’s site this afternoon at 4 PM.  It went on to close to 7PM.  Sheila left early, (6:30)  to get ready for  the “Muzic Tastings” starring “Slim Man” which was to start at 6 PM.  “Slim Man” is apparently very well known in jazz circles, he has 11 CD’s out.  I joined Sheila later.  He was backed up with a drummer, keyboardist and sax man Rodney Taylor.  They are all excellent musicians but it is not a type of jazz that I like.  I’m into Dixieland jazz.  After 3 or 4 numbers I left, Sheila stayed.  It was all free, supported by Crater Vodka who had a cash bar for their products. There were a lot of people there, it was well attended so he certainly has fans or at least fans of jazz.  They were even dancing to music that, to me, had no beat, no melody and was not danceable.  But I’m an old fogy so what do I know.  Sheila said she enjoyed most of the numbers—some more than others, but was surprised it was as loud as it was.  She had to use ear plugs, AGAIN!!

Thurs Mar 21 Day71   60F/15½C @ 10:15AM,  72F/22C @ 12:30PM

We had another great day in the volleyball pool.  Home for lunch & chores and to rest up from all the activity of the last week or so.   Sheila finally had time to wash the RV floors.  She said she thinks they were the dirtiest they’ve ever been!  We went out to Emilio’s for the 3 to 5 Happy Hour with the volleyball crowd & Larry & Judy’s friends.   Sheila found it a bit cool at the restaurant, (their AC was working too well!)  so, after one Margarita,  she ordered a hot tea with a side shot of Amaretto to warm up.  An expensive option—it cost $8. for tea & shot, as compared to $3 for a large blended Margarita.  However, when you factor in free hors d’oeurve, (an 8 in. plate of nachos piled high with shredded chicken, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream & olives), it’s still a hell of a deal! Tonight at GVP it is Mexican Train night for me while Sheila is going to stay in to watch TV.  (Actually she napped while I was out.)  I won one of the 3 rounds so got my quarter back – again.  Each night I have been first or second in one of the sets of 3 games each, the most you can win is a whole 75 cents!  Actually the first & second out of 6 players per table wins a quarter. 

 

Wed. Mar. 20 Day 70    60F/15½C @ 9:30,  72F/22C @ 12:30,  74F/23C@ 1:30,

I was up to the pool a bit after 10 AM as it was nice & warm & sunny.  As usual, Sheila was about 30 min. behind me.  After the game, we came back to the RV to get ready for the Water Volleyball Happy Hour.  Every year we have a giant happy hour with everyone involved invited.  Don & Karen held it this year at their RV site.  Fortunately the site across the road from theirs was empty so they had the food at their site & we set up our chairs there.  Don & Karen made up some Male/female humorous awards, such as “One Most Likely to Hit the Ball to the End of the Pool, Latest to Arrive, First to Leave, Most Likely to Get Someone Wet,  Most Likely to Go Under” etc. I won one for “Quickest Serve”.  It’s a cute little ‘silver’ trophy cup with a little yellow ducky glued on top.  Sheila was sorry they didn’t have a Most Improved” category as she figures she’d have been a “shoe-in” for that.  As she says, when you start as a Klutz—there’s nowhere else to go but up!  It was a cute idea & hopefully will be continued next year.  It all started about 2 and went to 4 or so, when many of us had to leave to get ready for the “Spud Night” starting at 4:30.  We had a table of 8 organized and we stayed till around 7:00 listening to a few people sing Karaoke.  Two of the people singing were Judy & their friend Victor.  Judy & Victor did a duet—Sonny & Cher’s, “I’ve Got You Babe”.  Victor sang 3 more on his own.  He has quite a pleasant voice and the duet was very pleasant also.  Finally back to the RV to catch up on TV and relax, we were both tired, even though it was an early night.   All these fun & games are exhausting!!!!!     

My water volleyball trophy, recieved for "quickest serve"  It turns out I get the ball & serve it immediatly. 

Tues. Mar. 19 Day 69  56F/13C @ 10 AM,  58F/14C @ 10:15 AM,  76F/24C @ 2 PM,  72F/22C @ 3:30 PM

It’s still getting overcast in the early morning & burning off by mid morning.  Today is Breakfast Club at Hemet Dinner in San Jacinto so off we went, leaving in the RV about 8:15 to get there by 8:30.  After returning home we went to Water Volleyball and after hot tub time stayed to listen to Angela, one of the great entertainers they have at the Palms Cabana.  I was still full from breakfast so didn’t eat lunch until I got back to the RV about 2 PM.  Sheila went out to get some stuff for tomorrows events – the water volleyball player’s Happy Hour from 2 to 4 then the GVP Spud night 4:30 to??  Tonight, us, Larry & Judy, Mike & Elaine plus Larry & Judy’s friends from Seattle that are visiting them for a cpl days, Vivian & Victor, are meeting in the breakfast area of the Super 8 Motel, where Victor & Vivian are staying, to play bridge.  Judy’s friend Vivian has a set of cards for changing partners. So we play 4 hands then switch according to the card to see who you partner with at which table.  After 6 rounds, (24 games), I came out the winner and Sheila was second.  It would have been a very enjoyable evening, if it hadn’t been so hot & stuffy in the room we were playing in.  The AC was not working, & since the room is usually only used in the early morning, (6-9 am), it hadn’t been checked or repaired.  Sheila thinks it was probably close to 90 when we started playing at 6:30 pm, though it did cool down a bit when we opened the window.  As we walked back home about 10:15 it was quite cool & breezy—quite a contrast to the environment we’d been in! Sheila did find it too warm but I didn’t think it was all that bad.

Mon. Mar. 18 Day 68    47F/9C @ 9AM,   76F/24C @ 2:30PM

Overcast again but it cleared out by-mid morning for a lovely warm day.  After our volleyball game & hot tub I had lunch at the cabana listening to Larry Stevens.  Sheila stopped & listened for awhile before returning to the RV to have a low calorie lunch. On way back I stopped to talk with Graeme & Joanne & plan our supper out tonight at the Steer & Stein.  We decided to walk over.  When we got there, I discovered that the price had gone up to $16.99 for the 16 ounce steak dinner, (includes soup or salad, choice of potato & garlic bread), so I mentioned to the waiter that the price had gone up from $13.99 last year. When we got our bill the steak was only $15.99.  Proving that it pays to complain about being ripped off, charging $16.99 for the 16 ounce steak dinner, outrageous!!  Then when I got back to the RV I looked up last year and discovered that dinner was actually $15.99 last year and I had noted then that it went up $1.00 from 2011, when it was $14.99. So the $13.99 price was probably from several years ago. Sometimes a bad memory works out well. It’s still a reasonable deal. We have to have early supper, (5 PM), so that Sheila & Joanne could be back to watch “Dancing with the Stars”, the 2 hour premiere episode, while I get to go visit with Graeme in their 5^th wheel.  I came back to the RV at 10:00 for Castle.

 

Sun. Mar. 17 Day 67 St. Patrick’s Day 47F/9C @ 9:30AM,  52/F11C @ 10:30AM,   67/19½C @ 12:30PM,  70F/21C @ 1PM,  71F/21½C @ 4:30PM

This morning was overcast with a thin cloud cover.  However, before 10AM the sky had cleared, the sun was beaming down and it was warming fast.  Into the pool for our game, then the hot tub and back to the RV for lunch.  After which, we played bridge with Larry & Judy on a table outside their RV under the awning, it was nice & warm and a great afternoon. We finished bridge about 5 then Sheila & I headed over to the Elks Hall again for the Sunday afternoon, (4 to 7) dance music & dinner. Sheila wears her knee brace & we danced the fast ones, but separately so there no chance of me turning her & twisting her knee. They had the ‘Marge Kell Trio’ who were great, playing lots of the good old stuff.  For the 50/50 draw they actually did a 50/25/25 split.  They sell 10 tickets for $5.00.  The same person won both 25’s, about $35 each.  While we were there, Sheila asked if the Elks might be interested in cooking the corned beef for Fun Club’s St. Pat’s dinner next year.  She was given a phone number to call about it after April 1^st.  Sheila was feeling hungry so she ordered their corned beef & cabbage dinner so we could taste the corned beef their kitchen produces.  She brought some back for Larry & Judy to try also.  After dinner & a few dances, it’s back to the RV again for the evening.  Sheila watched the “Red Widow” mini series show; you already know my opinion of the show. 

Sat. Mar. 16 Day 66   58F/14C @ 9:15AM,  66F/19C @ 10:15AM,  71F/21½C @        4:30PM

We went up for our usual game in the pool and as they had Rob Robertson singing at the cabana I stayed for lunch.  Sheila went back to the RV to have a lower calorie lunch.  Rob is a new addition this year & lives in the park.  He is quite good. He kept going till 2:30 or so when the other entertainers usually finish at 2:00.  Back to the RV to do a cpl of chores, then get ready to go out to the dinner theatre at “Play with your Food” productions.  We had a table of 8 arranged so we each got $5.00 off our tickets.  There was us, Larry & Judy, Tim & Cathy, Janice & Gary all from GVP.  Doors were at 6:00 then dinner at 6:30 followed by the 1^st act then dessert at intermission.  Dinner was a choice of salmon in a mango sauce, pork with a blueberry sauce, (it was great, we had it) and beef in bordelaise sauce.  Dessert was a cheese cake with a few fresh strawberries. The play, “Love & Laughter” was based on Russian writer Anton Chekov’s thoughts about love & romance.  His thoughts were presented in two separate scenarios—Act 1 and 2. They were both entertaining but we liked the second act the best because of it’s hilarious portrayal of a gay guy.  We got out about 9 PM so 6 of us went over to the Elks Hall, (5 minute drive), where their St Patrick’s Day dinner & party was finishing up at 10 PM.   We had a cpl of drinks & had a couple of dances before the band stopped playing at 10 PM, then we returned home to the RV.

Here are some of the professionally taken pictures from the Academy Palms Gala night

 Celebrity guests - Tina Turner, Cher, Clint Eastwood, Jim Carrey, Johnny Depp-(Capt Jack Sparrow)

 Cher & Tina Turner with me in background

 Idaho Dave on stage

 Larry, Judy & us on the red carpet at the entrance

 Larry Stevens - voted favorite pool side entertainer

 My 30 seconds with Marilyn

Mega Liquor stores bar supplies - non are mixer, all Liquors & Spirits and all free

Hear are last years & this years awards.  They are in the window of Bob's park model so that's why the reflection

Fri. Mar. 15 Day 65   62F/16½C @ 9:30AM,  66F/19C @ 10AM,  83F/28½C @ 2:15 PM 

I am feeling almost back to normal today, just a slight back ache sometimes.  Sheila says she is even more tired today than she was yesterday.  She really enjoyed Emilio’s—good company, good drinks, & good free food!  We went up to play water volleyball and today Larry Stevens was playing so I stayed to have lunch & listen.  Sheila did her water running, (to strengthen her knee) and then went back to the RV to have a lower calorie lunch.  Then I came back to the RV to get ready for the Academy Palms Awards Gala tonight.  They have the red carpet laid out for our entrance and the ballroom is decorated up plus they have celebrity impersonators on hand to mingle and have your photo taken with. Dinner is catered & they have an open bar. Everyone dresses up as much as possible; some people even come in a tux. It’s great fun. Doors opened at 4:30 and as we walked in on the red carpet they had celebrities to greet us & take a picture with.  There was Jim Carrey, Capt Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Madonna, and Clint Eastwood as ‘the Man with No Name’ from the spaghetti westerns he did. Just inside the door they had an ice sculpture that they poured a drink in at the top, (Peach Schnapps), and it ran through and came out cool.  Plus the Mega Liqueur Warehouse had a full bar set up with many different bottles of different liquors & spirits, all free, as much as you want, just stand in line to get it. We found our table & I saw there was also Tina Turner & Cher here. All the celebrity impersonators mingled around the hall stopping at tables to talk & pose with people--they were great fun. We had supper, (catered but we still had to line up to get it), they did bring the dessert, (a delicious lemon cake with lemon icing & filling), around to the tables.  Then they started announcing the many awards interspaced with entertainment. We had music & songs from our poolside entertainers, Larry Stevens, Rob Robertson, Michelle, and also from Idaho Dave who plays guitar and did cowboy jokes & songs, (he is a retired school principle, - it must have been a great school to attend). The favourite sport was water volleyball which, much to our delight won over sand volleyball & pickle ball.  The favourite lunch patio entertainment was our favourite, Larry Stevens.  They had awards for males & females nominated for: funniest, most wild & crazy, friendliest, most helpful, most likely to invite you to a happy hour and, most likely to invite themselves, plus awards for: best looking RV site, best happy hour street, etc. etc.  Then towards the end they had Marilyn Monroe come in singing and mingling with the crowd and afterwards posing for pictures. They had the GVP photographer there taking lots of pictures of people so hopefully I can download some of the ones we didn’t get, like me with Jim Carrey and Clint Eastward, (Sheila tried but didn’t push the shutter properly). It was a fun evening, ending a bit before 9 PM.  When we got back to the RV, we looked at some videos of Mikaela showing what she’s learned in gymnastics classes, then Sheila went out to join the awards after party at a site on Fringe Street, the street that won the ‘best block party street award’.  I stayed home to write up today’s journal.