Monday, May 19, 2008
WELCOME HELEN!
Helen Irene is here!
Born at 8:51 this morning, she weighs in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long, a full head of hair, and the requisite number of fingers and toes.
She is already explaining to everyone how upset she is with the change in living conditions.
launch is on hold
Hold Liftoff
T minus 10, 9, 8, Hold the Sequence! Houston, we have a delay.
We're all prepped, IV a pumpin, monitors a blinkin, and about to be wheeled into the operating room. But wait! The lady in the room next door gets to go first.
Not to complain, though. She's been in labor all night long, and now they have to do an emergency c-section. We'll skip that, thanks.
Countdown on hold now. Expected launch is now 0830 local.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Donors, be happy
Well, we did it! They said it couldn't be done (they were wrong). They said we were crazy for trying (they were right). But we did it anyway.
Sara Tom and Miles rode 5 miles today to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association. Between the two of us we had over $500 in donations (thanks to you guys), we made up half of the entire Ventura County Fire team donations.
Despite 90+ degree temps and a chain that decided to lock the wheel up during our last big climb, we made it with no problems.
So thanks again to all who donated, we'll hit you up again next year!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
36 hours and counting
T minus 36 and counting. No action on the home front yet. Did have to go to the hospital today for some bloodwork, but everything checked out just fine. Tomorrow morning is the last bike ride and then off to the hospital.
Here's how Sara spent last weekend:
Here's how Sara spent last weekend:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
5 days to go.......
There is only 5 days to go until D-Day and everyone is getting really anxious.
Miles and Daddy had a long discussion tonight about how they were going to protect little sister from the grizzly bears. Miles has recently developed a fascination in bears. I guess we are letting him watch too much National Geographic.
Sara has been feeling quite uncomfortable the last couple of days. The baby had decided Mommy's bladder must be a soccer ball. The bath tub is looking like a good sleeping place for the next few nights.
Stay tuned for further adventures to D-Day.
Miles and Daddy had a long discussion tonight about how they were going to protect little sister from the grizzly bears. Miles has recently developed a fascination in bears. I guess we are letting him watch too much National Geographic.
Sara has been feeling quite uncomfortable the last couple of days. The baby had decided Mommy's bladder must be a soccer ball. The bath tub is looking like a good sleeping place for the next few nights.
Stay tuned for further adventures to D-Day.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
MY WATER BROKE!!!
Well, not really. But we sure made some people think so today.
Some background: During each firefighter academy, the instructors stage a large multi-casualty incident. This comes after the trainees have learned their EMS and auto-dismembering skills. We get the trainees all comfy in their classroom with a reeeaaallly boring video while we set it up. Then we bust in the room and send them out. We have multiple cars with volunteer victims inside. Our nurse does an outstanding job moulaging the volunteers. (One this year even had an eyeball popped out) We try to set a few cars on fire around the edges just for fun.
This time was no different. Tom acted as overall safety for the drill. Our friend Jodie was the dispatcher, our friend Janet was a hysterically-screaming patient. Much fun was had by all. Usually Miles participates, but this year he wanted to stay in school. Sara had to go to a doctor appointment right when the drill started.
So the cars were set on fire, the screaming started, and in came the trainees. Ambulances waited patiently for their victims, a helicopter circled overhead, and the press snapped pictures. Just when the situation seemed under control, when they had a good count of the victims and the fires damped down, the unthinkable happened.
The trainees hadn't blocked the road completely with their engines. Suddenly a jeep came barreling into the middle of the scene. It skidded to a stop with the horn blaring. As the trainees rushed over, a panicked voice screamed out of the jeep, "I'M HAVING A BABY, DAM#$#IT!!! GET OVER HERE!"
Yes, Sara did get to participate in the drill. She had quietly dumped a bottle of water in her lap (to simulate the water breaking) and then raced into the scene. It threw a complete monkey wrench into the trainee's operation.
One little oops: Tom forgot to brief one of the instructors about this surprise event, and he happened to be the first instructor to reach the vehicle. Talk about your classic "deer in the headlights look"!
Pics to come later. Until then, enjoy some artwork that Miles recently did in school:
Some background: During each firefighter academy, the instructors stage a large multi-casualty incident. This comes after the trainees have learned their EMS and auto-dismembering skills. We get the trainees all comfy in their classroom with a reeeaaallly boring video while we set it up. Then we bust in the room and send them out. We have multiple cars with volunteer victims inside. Our nurse does an outstanding job moulaging the volunteers. (One this year even had an eyeball popped out) We try to set a few cars on fire around the edges just for fun.
This time was no different. Tom acted as overall safety for the drill. Our friend Jodie was the dispatcher, our friend Janet was a hysterically-screaming patient. Much fun was had by all. Usually Miles participates, but this year he wanted to stay in school. Sara had to go to a doctor appointment right when the drill started.
So the cars were set on fire, the screaming started, and in came the trainees. Ambulances waited patiently for their victims, a helicopter circled overhead, and the press snapped pictures. Just when the situation seemed under control, when they had a good count of the victims and the fires damped down, the unthinkable happened.
The trainees hadn't blocked the road completely with their engines. Suddenly a jeep came barreling into the middle of the scene. It skidded to a stop with the horn blaring. As the trainees rushed over, a panicked voice screamed out of the jeep, "I'M HAVING A BABY, DAM#$#IT!!! GET OVER HERE!"
Yes, Sara did get to participate in the drill. She had quietly dumped a bottle of water in her lap (to simulate the water breaking) and then raced into the scene. It threw a complete monkey wrench into the trainee's operation.
One little oops: Tom forgot to brief one of the instructors about this surprise event, and he happened to be the first instructor to reach the vehicle. Talk about your classic "deer in the headlights look"!
Pics to come later. Until then, enjoy some artwork that Miles recently did in school:
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Goodbye cruel world...
Hello new world,
Well, we thought baby #1 caused huge changes in our life. He did, but Baby #2 is no different. Daddy did own two rooms in the house: his "study" (game room) and his "work room" (garage). Well, 'Study' now equals 'nursery', so lots of stuff has to go. Bookshelves must be reduced. Fire Sale! Everything Must Go!
And so some of it did. In a fit of cleaning frenzy, Tom attacked his room. No crevice was left unchecked. Large bins were set up labeled, "Dave's Books! Don't You Dare Throw Away!". And so the great pruning began.
Our book load was cut in half. Almost in thirds. Many, many, wonderful books went to the local library, and then on to the second-hand book shop (where some of them had started from).
So now just the comfort favorites are left. Almost too few to read. But that's OK. Who are we kidding? There Ain't gonna be any time to read soon, anyway!
Well, we thought baby #1 caused huge changes in our life. He did, but Baby #2 is no different. Daddy did own two rooms in the house: his "study" (game room) and his "work room" (garage). Well, 'Study' now equals 'nursery', so lots of stuff has to go. Bookshelves must be reduced. Fire Sale! Everything Must Go!
And so some of it did. In a fit of cleaning frenzy, Tom attacked his room. No crevice was left unchecked. Large bins were set up labeled, "Dave's Books! Don't You Dare Throw Away!". And so the great pruning began.
Our book load was cut in half. Almost in thirds. Many, many, wonderful books went to the local library, and then on to the second-hand book shop (where some of them had started from).
So now just the comfort favorites are left. Almost too few to read. But that's OK. Who are we kidding? There Ain't gonna be any time to read soon, anyway!
Tick.....Tick.....Tick.....
Have you missed us? WEERRREee BAAAaaaaccckkk!
But this time it is different! Yes! Better!! Bigger!! Larger Than Before!!! Even MORE Exclamation Points!!!! WOW!
Okay,so it's not that great. But it is new.
The last 2 blogs have been about journeys. Journeys across distance. Traveling across the country. This blog is also about a journey, but not across a distance. Across a lifetime.
The 4th member of our family is about to appear. He/She has been building and growing for the last 9 months. Originally a minor footnote in our life, it has now grown to a major bookmark. She/he will soon start writing her own chapter.
Why are we saying "She/He" or "He/She"? Because we don't know. Here is the consensus so far:
A family member who has had great success plotting events by the actions of distant stars is convinced the child is a girl, based on the moon being in the left armpit of somebody-or-other.
A friend of the family who is also the director of an ultrasound clinic and performed a detailed ultrasound says she is, "85% sure" it is a girl.
So, we are pretty darn sure it is a girl, using all methods of prognostication.
Stay tuned. 8 days and counting.
But this time it is different! Yes! Better!! Bigger!! Larger Than Before!!! Even MORE Exclamation Points!!!! WOW!
Okay,so it's not that great. But it is new.
The last 2 blogs have been about journeys. Journeys across distance. Traveling across the country. This blog is also about a journey, but not across a distance. Across a lifetime.
The 4th member of our family is about to appear. He/She has been building and growing for the last 9 months. Originally a minor footnote in our life, it has now grown to a major bookmark. She/he will soon start writing her own chapter.
Why are we saying "She/He" or "He/She"? Because we don't know. Here is the consensus so far:
A family member who has had great success plotting events by the actions of distant stars is convinced the child is a girl, based on the moon being in the left armpit of somebody-or-other.
A friend of the family who is also the director of an ultrasound clinic and performed a detailed ultrasound says she is, "85% sure" it is a girl.
So, we are pretty darn sure it is a girl, using all methods of prognostication.
Stay tuned. 8 days and counting.
Tick.....Tick.....Tick.....
Have you missed us? WEERRREee BAAAaaaaccckkk!
But this time it is different! Yes! Better!! Bigger!! Larger Than Before!!! Even MORE Exclamation Points!!!! WOW!
Okay,so it's not that great. But it is new.
The last 2 blogs have been about journeys. Journeys across distance. Traveling across the country. This blog is also about a journey, but not across a distance. Across a lifetime.
The 4th member of our family is about to appear. He/She has been building and growing for the last 9 months. Originally a minor footnote in our life, it has now grown to a major bookmark. She/he will soon start writing her own chapter.
Why are we saying "She/He" or "He/She"? Because we don't know. Here is the consensus so far:
A family member who has had great success plotting events by the actions of distant stars is convinced the child is a girl, based on the moon being in the left armpit of somebody-or-other.
A friend of the family who is also the director of an ultrasound clinic and performed a detailed ultrasound says she is, "85% sure" it is a girl.
So, we are pretty darn sure it is a girl, using all methods of prognostication.
Stay tuned. 8 days and counting.
But this time it is different! Yes! Better!! Bigger!! Larger Than Before!!! Even MORE Exclamation Points!!!! WOW!
Okay,so it's not that great. But it is new.
The last 2 blogs have been about journeys. Journeys across distance. Traveling across the country. This blog is also about a journey, but not across a distance. Across a lifetime.
The 4th member of our family is about to appear. He/She has been building and growing for the last 9 months. Originally a minor footnote in our life, it has now grown to a major bookmark. She/he will soon start writing her own chapter.
Why are we saying "She/He" or "He/She"? Because we don't know. Here is the consensus so far:
A family member who has had great success plotting events by the actions of distant stars is convinced the child is a girl, based on the moon being in the left armpit of somebody-or-other.
A friend of the family who is also the director of an ultrasound clinic and performed a detailed ultrasound says she is, "85% sure" it is a girl.
So, we are pretty darn sure it is a girl, using all methods of prognostication.
Stay tuned. 8 days and counting.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Home sweaty home
Wee're Baaack...
We made it home, all pieces and parts intact. Huge sense of Deja-vu on the last day. Last year, as we exited a freeway 150 miles from home, we saw a smoke plume for the Day fire. This year, same spot, much bigger plume from the Zaca fire. Guess we all know where Tom is going.
27 days
7,859 miles
3 tired people.
And somebody replaced our puppy with a full-grown dog while we were gone!
Friday, August 17, 2007
heading home
So much for fun. We now have to do the serious "heading home". As we left beautiful Kaibib plataeu, the sky got dark, the clouds threatened, and up came the wind. We battled some impressive winds and thunderstorms to make it to our last night's stop.
Grand Canyon
So where did we go? We went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Why the North Rim? It's much higher than the south rim, and much less "touristy". Only 10 miles as the condor flies from tourist central on the south rim, it's over 200 miles away by ground. (Unless you hike all the way down and all the way back up. We didn't do that.)
It was truly impressive, even to a 4-year old.
Next we stopped in a backcountry campground overnight and did a short hike. Miles decided on how we would carry our hiking sticks.
We were treated to a couple Arizona monsoon thunderstorms. They were all far in the distance, so the New York thunderstorm is still WAAAY better.
Miles slept through this one too.
We were treated to a couple Arizona monsoon thunderstorms. They were all far in the distance, so the New York thunderstorm is still WAAAY better.
Miles slept through this one too.
Where have we been?
Did you miss us? We got fed up with the boring interstate and decided to take one last detour. First we drove across this bridge and took a couple pictures.
OOPS
Yesterday, as we tooled through the backcountry of northern Arizona, SOMEBODY decided to do some camera maintenance. SOMEBODY decided to push one too many buttons. SOMEBODY wiped out 2/3rds of all pictures we have taken on this vacation.
This same SOMEBODY has contemplated suicide several times since then, the partner has disuaded her/him.
We still have the memories. Those can never be erased.
This same SOMEBODY has contemplated suicide several times since then, the partner has disuaded her/him.
We still have the memories. Those can never be erased.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Be careful what you wish for... (I wanted a smart kid)
Grandma Campaney was nice enough to give us the family "Trouble" game - an original that still has all its pieces. And she taught Miles how to play. Trouble is now a nightly tournament on the trip.
The little @$%&&^ has won 80% of all games played. Sara? 0%
In desperation, we taught him Bingo last night.
The little @$#%@&%^% won all 4 games.
Next time, we let Grandpa teach him poker, and we'll stop in Vegas on the way back.
The little @$%&&^ has won 80% of all games played. Sara? 0%
In desperation, we taught him Bingo last night.
The little @$#%@&%^% won all 4 games.
Next time, we let Grandpa teach him poker, and we'll stop in Vegas on the way back.
Mapping software (geeks only)
Okay, so I'm (Tom) a techno-geek, right? I admit it. GPS-based navigation has long been a part of my travels. Last year I ran my tablet PC with a couple different programs on it, each one with its own flaws. Read last years blog if you're a geek.
Before this trip I wanted an updated mapping program. My old standby is Garmin's "NRoute" - it works great in and around Ventura County. I used it for 2 years on my old P.O.S. laptop in my work truck. But it cannot be updated, it will not import POI files, and it has a clunky interface. To top it off, it will display only the most major highways, and at a false scale. But if you route using it, it "magically" learns the correct route and displays it. To me, that means it has the real roads in it, but only displays a "dumbed-down" interface. Lousy design.
Last year I tried Microsoft Streets and Trips, but hated their interface too. This year I found the latest Delorme Street Atlas 2008. I've liked Delorme in the past, so we bought SA08. It even had the extra benefit of understanding my 'hockey puck' Garmin GPS18 USB antenna - last year nobody other than Garmin could use it, until I installed a hack.
The trip planning functions on it work well. You can tell it what roads you prefer. You can add POI (point of interest) files. Some nice people out there have created lots of these files. I can add in the locations of Super WalMarts, Cabelas (my favorites), even low-clearance warnings. All appear if you want them. It updates road construction information (although it has been wrong 100% of the time so far).
BUT...
The damn thing has problems communicating with the Garmin antenna. Every once in awhile it just shuts down and swears to me that no antenna is attached. Or, it will say, "Yup, antenna is working just great, boss" while claiming I am moving down the freeway at 0 mph.
Then to top it off, first I dropped the damn tablet PC. The screen still works, you just have to look behind the cracked glass. Then the tip fell out of the stylus somewhere in Minnesota. Now I am using a mouse with it. And it still drops the antenna.
So here is the current setup: Use the tablet with Delorme SA08 for trip planning each night. Have it map out several options for distance and travel. Pick our final destination with it. The next morning, pull out the POS laptop that just keeps slugging along. Fire up Garmin's NRoute software, type in the final destination derived from SA, and drive on down the road. If we need to find out the location of FlyinJ, CampingWorld, etc we have to pull out the other one or rely on the mark1 eyeball (enhanced by binoculars from the copilot seat).
We have succeeded about 80% with teaching Miles what "silent cockpit" means. When entering an area of maneuvers (interchanges, cities, etc) he now knows to keep silent (mostly) in the back. If he ever goes flying with Uncle Dave or Grandpa John, he might just behave.
Before this trip I wanted an updated mapping program. My old standby is Garmin's "NRoute" - it works great in and around Ventura County. I used it for 2 years on my old P.O.S. laptop in my work truck. But it cannot be updated, it will not import POI files, and it has a clunky interface. To top it off, it will display only the most major highways, and at a false scale. But if you route using it, it "magically" learns the correct route and displays it. To me, that means it has the real roads in it, but only displays a "dumbed-down" interface. Lousy design.
Last year I tried Microsoft Streets and Trips, but hated their interface too. This year I found the latest Delorme Street Atlas 2008. I've liked Delorme in the past, so we bought SA08. It even had the extra benefit of understanding my 'hockey puck' Garmin GPS18 USB antenna - last year nobody other than Garmin could use it, until I installed a hack.
The trip planning functions on it work well. You can tell it what roads you prefer. You can add POI (point of interest) files. Some nice people out there have created lots of these files. I can add in the locations of Super WalMarts, Cabelas (my favorites), even low-clearance warnings. All appear if you want them. It updates road construction information (although it has been wrong 100% of the time so far).
BUT...
The damn thing has problems communicating with the Garmin antenna. Every once in awhile it just shuts down and swears to me that no antenna is attached. Or, it will say, "Yup, antenna is working just great, boss" while claiming I am moving down the freeway at 0 mph.
Then to top it off, first I dropped the damn tablet PC. The screen still works, you just have to look behind the cracked glass. Then the tip fell out of the stylus somewhere in Minnesota. Now I am using a mouse with it. And it still drops the antenna.
So here is the current setup: Use the tablet with Delorme SA08 for trip planning each night. Have it map out several options for distance and travel. Pick our final destination with it. The next morning, pull out the POS laptop that just keeps slugging along. Fire up Garmin's NRoute software, type in the final destination derived from SA, and drive on down the road. If we need to find out the location of FlyinJ, CampingWorld, etc we have to pull out the other one or rely on the mark1 eyeball (enhanced by binoculars from the copilot seat).
We have succeeded about 80% with teaching Miles what "silent cockpit" means. When entering an area of maneuvers (interchanges, cities, etc) he now knows to keep silent (mostly) in the back. If he ever goes flying with Uncle Dave or Grandpa John, he might just behave.
married too long
You know you have been married to a firefighter for too long when you can spot a brushfire from 5 miles away...
Anybody mention it is hot?
It is HOT! We chose I-40, not sure it helped. Driving yesterday afternoon, the outside air temp gauge hit 108. We had to run the generator and the house AC just to keep it below 90 in the back. A quick afternoon shower only dropped it to the mid-90's.
Decided to set the alarm clock this morning with the theory that we could get most of our driving in while it was cooler. Ha! At 7:30 this morning it was still 82 outside. Today we find someplace with a pool.
Decided to set the alarm clock this morning with the theory that we could get most of our driving in while it was cooler. Ha! At 7:30 this morning it was still 82 outside. Today we find someplace with a pool.
highway funding
One wonders just what Oklahoma has done with their portion of the $286 billion in highway funds, because they sure as heck didn't spend a dime of it repairing their roads. As we rattle and bounce our way across the state, we hope we don't end up looking like this guy.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Tennessee
Found a very nice state park campground last night. Miles had great fun throwing rocks in the creek and feeding the squirrels. It was still in the 80's when we went to bed. It's already 101 today.
NOw we have to decide - take I30 or I40. 30 is flatter, but further south. 40 is hillier, but cooler.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
virginia
No net access tonite, but the phone works. We have more teeth than anyone else in the campground.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Rain
Be careful what you wish for...
It rained today. Last night, too. This afternoon some more. Lots of rain, lots of steep mountain passes, lots of good truck drivers. 3 idiot truck drivers, too. Watched the nearest-miss I've ever seen on a freeway.
We're in Pennsylvania. Gave up on the rain, got to the campground to find they got deluged yesterday. Camping in a mud puddle.
In other words, it was wet today.
P.S. This buffalo is not in Pennsylvania. There might be (okay) a bison in PA, but you couldn't see them because of the rain. Enjoy the picture of the south end of a bison going north. It certainly woke up the people in the tent!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
more touristy
We then toured the Saratoga battlefield, labeled by most as the turning point of the revolution. Here American troops first defeated British (cream of the crop) troops on their own terms, and made the world take notice.
As a Morgan's Rifle's reenactor, I was especially interested in this battlefield, and the story of Timothy Murphy. The picture above through the trees shows the area of Freeman's Farm.
The bottom picture proves that Daddy's cannon is still bigger than Miles'.
French and Indian War for Dummies
Visited Fort William Henry today. After Fort Ticonderoga, it pales in comparison. To be fair, it is stuck in the middle of Tourist Heaven.
Above you see the tour guide and his assistant. The tour guide is portraying a member of a Scottish regiment, who has an advanced case of syphilis. Shaded spectacles were worn in colonial times, but only by those suffering from advanced VD.
And his assistant is portraying a grenadier, one of the elite of the Army. Competition was fierce to get into the grenadiers, including a minimum height requirement of 6 feet, and a maximum age requirement. Oh well, it's summer help...
Touristy area
Here is the authentic, historical sternwheeler paddleboat heading out for another excursion on historic (read touristy) Lake George. Pay no attention to the bow thrusters on this "historic" craft.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Fort Ticonderoga
Nice rain last night, trees stayed dripping into the morning. That made for a late start. Also made for incredibly high humidity in the morning. Had to break out the owner's manual to figure out the defroster again. Dang German engineering, takes two knob turns and a button push to turn it on.
The clouds cleared later, and it was a beautiful (hot, muggy, buggy) day at Fort Ticonderoga. Tom was here before in 1984 with his Dad and brother Jim. Great place, good museum, only found a few items mis-labeled. This whole area is jam-packed with history, pick a war before 1820 and it was probably fought around here. Tomorrow we'll hit Fort William Henry (Last of the Mohicans) and cruise where the Battle of Saratoga was fought.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
ON the road again, finally...
Did you miss us? We are back on the road, only 1 day later than I promised. It ended up requiring the National Guard and 16 crowbars to pry the Campaney family apart.
The first to arrive, we were the first to leave. The occasion of the trip was Sara's parents 50th wedding anniversary / family reunion party. As the family trickles back out, peace and quiet will return to Watertown. But not before new legends have been written, new sagas will be sung. The image of my 74-year old father-in-law chugging half a bottle of red wine will forever remain with me.
We happened to meet our old friends Randy and Steph on the trip. They were a Colorado stopover for us last year. This year they happened to be visiting home the same time we were, just long enough for a whistle-stop visit.
And no mention of the visit can be complete without mention of Saint Fiona, brother Andrew's wife. She arranged all the events with Sara via long-distance phone calls, while watching a household of kids that ranged from a lower limit of 5 to an upper limit approaching the population of North Dakota. We left Miles with her one night, hoping she wouldn't notice. I'm not sure she even did.
Now we are on the road, just a short 200 miles from start. We're going to visit some old forts and battlefields while we are still here. Drove through the Adirondacks today, a beautiful drive. I can only imagine how much better it is in the fall. That was the one nice thing I can say about being in the Army at Fort Drum, the fall maneuvers were very pretty.
We found a little campground nestled next to Schroon river (Dad, Jim, and I camped at Schroon Lake back in '84) buried in the pine trees. A storm is supposed to be coming, should be interesting tonight. We left her parents 4 hours ago, Sara has finally stopped sniffling. Boy, did I marry an emotional family!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
We did it
Well, here we are. 3 days stuck at 65 mph, we are in Watertown. On the plus side, travelling at 65 instead of 73 (our preferred western travel speed) caused our mileage to jump from 14.5 to 16.5mpg. Not bad for a 23 foot motorhome.
We'll be here through the weekend, look for a new post for the return trip on Monday. And we will post a bison picture soon.
Monday, July 30, 2007
It's SALSA, not SAUCE-LA, dammit!
Today we pounded out some serious miles. Took a bit longer, as we were forcibly reminded that on the East side of the Mississippi, people like to drive slow. And make motorhomes drive even slower.
We both took a vote and decided that Wisconsin has the countries worst drivers. Now, I don’t remember who I picked last year, but Wisconsin has them beat. I actually miss California drivers. Back home, I expect to be cut off, I expect turn signals to be ignored. Californians do it because we are rude. Wisconsinites just do it because they are plain stupid. Maybe they can’t drive without a foot of snow on the ground. But apparently, merging onto a crowded freeway at 30 miles per hour is OK here. Or maybe there is a sport called, “Make the California RV smoke his tires by braking”. There must be such a sport, they did it to me twice.
I was worried that incompetent driving was all I could write about tonight. Then we went to an “authentic” wild-west restaurant in Illinois. Yes, just like you I head to Illinois when I want real western cooking. It was quite western, buffalo heads on the walls, fake arrows sticking out of the furniture, even the waitresses carried (plastic) six-guns.
Our waitress, going by the western alias of “Marge”, raved about their chips and salsa. “Best dang chips and salsa you’ve ever had, pardner” was her direct quote. So we ordered some. The chips were pretty good. Not just Tostitos from a bag, I think they really fried them right.
The salsa, now. Umm, where to start. We almost got kicked out of the restaurant because we could not stop giggling about the salsa. Here is how to make authentic Illinois salsa: Open a #10 can of Tomato Sauce. Whisper a word in Spanish over top, such as “taco” or maybe even “frijoles”. Now serve.
Yup, the “salsa” was 100% genuine tomato sauce. Oh, maybe they mixed in one can of stewed tomatoes, but nothing else. I mean nothing. The cocktail sauce for Sara’s shrimp was positively burning in comparison. Gary Rake, I know you are laughing your head off at this one.
And we almost got kicked out again when the table next to us asked for, “More of that delicious salsa, please”!
P.S. It really was tomato sauce!
We both took a vote and decided that Wisconsin has the countries worst drivers. Now, I don’t remember who I picked last year, but Wisconsin has them beat. I actually miss California drivers. Back home, I expect to be cut off, I expect turn signals to be ignored. Californians do it because we are rude. Wisconsinites just do it because they are plain stupid. Maybe they can’t drive without a foot of snow on the ground. But apparently, merging onto a crowded freeway at 30 miles per hour is OK here. Or maybe there is a sport called, “Make the California RV smoke his tires by braking”. There must be such a sport, they did it to me twice.
I was worried that incompetent driving was all I could write about tonight. Then we went to an “authentic” wild-west restaurant in Illinois. Yes, just like you I head to Illinois when I want real western cooking. It was quite western, buffalo heads on the walls, fake arrows sticking out of the furniture, even the waitresses carried (plastic) six-guns.
Our waitress, going by the western alias of “Marge”, raved about their chips and salsa. “Best dang chips and salsa you’ve ever had, pardner” was her direct quote. So we ordered some. The chips were pretty good. Not just Tostitos from a bag, I think they really fried them right.
The salsa, now. Umm, where to start. We almost got kicked out of the restaurant because we could not stop giggling about the salsa. Here is how to make authentic Illinois salsa: Open a #10 can of Tomato Sauce. Whisper a word in Spanish over top, such as “taco” or maybe even “frijoles”. Now serve.
Yup, the “salsa” was 100% genuine tomato sauce. Oh, maybe they mixed in one can of stewed tomatoes, but nothing else. I mean nothing. The cocktail sauce for Sara’s shrimp was positively burning in comparison. Gary Rake, I know you are laughing your head off at this one.
And we almost got kicked out again when the table next to us asked for, “More of that delicious salsa, please”!
P.S. It really was tomato sauce!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Still traveling east
We left Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park today but not before more buffalo came through our camp. One stopped right outside our motorhome window. On our way out of the park, we saw a flock of wild turkeys. A mom turkey and about 8 or 9 babies trailing behind her. We also went past a prarie dog town. The prarie dogs were out and about. There were a lot of them. All in all we saw some very cool wildlife.
We made it as far as Minnesota today. We still have 4 days left on the road before we reach our destination for the weekend in Watertown NY. We will be there the weekend and then on Monday the 6th we start heading back west again. It sure is a long way to upstate NY. There has got to be a faster way to travel 3000 miles other than flying or driving.
We will be boon docking tomorrow night, and the remaining nights, so there probably won't be a post for a few days.
We made it as far as Minnesota today. We still have 4 days left on the road before we reach our destination for the weekend in Watertown NY. We will be there the weekend and then on Monday the 6th we start heading back west again. It sure is a long way to upstate NY. There has got to be a faster way to travel 3000 miles other than flying or driving.
We will be boon docking tomorrow night, and the remaining nights, so there probably won't be a post for a few days.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Coolest thing ever
Ok, I know we already sent a post tonight, but we just witnessed the coolest thing ever to be seen in a campground. As we were sitting at the table finishing up dinner, a herd of about 30-40 buffalo including babies came walking right through the campground. Of course, we grabbed our cameras and went and took video and pictures. I think Miles is one of very few 4 year olds who can say he was only yards away from a real buffalo.
Just seeing that sight, has made the heat worth it. Boy I am glad we opted to camp in a National Park instead of in town somewhere.
Seeing the buffalo up close sure beats the two deer that walked through our campsite last year when we were in Wyoming.
We will look at the pics tomorrow and if there are some good ones, we will post them tomorrow night.
Happy Trails.
P.S. I was just informed tonight I made a mistake on our Crater Lake post. I typed that it was the biggest lake in the US when actually it is the deepest lake, not the biggest, I think those would be the great lakes. I think all this hot weather is melting what left I have for brain cells.
Just seeing that sight, has made the heat worth it. Boy I am glad we opted to camp in a National Park instead of in town somewhere.
Seeing the buffalo up close sure beats the two deer that walked through our campsite last year when we were in Wyoming.
We will look at the pics tomorrow and if there are some good ones, we will post them tomorrow night.
Happy Trails.
P.S. I was just informed tonight I made a mistake on our Crater Lake post. I typed that it was the biggest lake in the US when actually it is the deepest lake, not the biggest, I think those would be the great lakes. I think all this hot weather is melting what left I have for brain cells.
Oh, the heat...
You know, the entire point of taking the Northern route was to enjoy some cool, non-california weather. Apparently the weather gods ignored us, and we have an incredible heat wave following us across the country. We actually got 10 drops of rain yesterday (I counted). It is 10 degrees warmer here in North Dakota than it is in my hometown in Southern California. Someday it will rain! Notice the green line (our route) follows the path of maximum heat.
We have also tried rough-camping it a couple nights in state and national parks, ones not known for amenities such as 50-amp electrical service. The motorhome is behaving perfectly, the batteries and solar panels let us live in comfort comparable to the tent campers next door. But I have this big air conditioner on the roof that is useless. Tomorrow we will spend the extra bucks for a full-hookup campground and luxuriate in cold AC and hot water. Tonight we dine on grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches and cold beer ( the fridge works). Oh, wait, we're out of beer. Guess it has to be cold Martinis tonight.
We drove through Miles City, Montana today. A huge build-up to a huge dissapointment. Miles slept through most of his namesake town. We stopped for the unique wal-mart (only 10,000 of them in the country). We discovered that Miles City, Montana is where the locals deport all the old, senile drivers to. Yup, if you don't know how to drive, or love to drive on city streets at 5 mph while weaving from lane to lane, Miles City is your town. I am not kidding, I almost hit the same rear-spring sagging, ciggarette-smoke belching, no-one-under-80-allowed-inside Caddilac three times in 5 blocks. This will NOT be our retirement town.
Now we are in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Since he established the NP system, I guess they felt they had to give him a park. The great ones were taken, so he got the leftover. But it's a pretty damn good leftover, with lots of bison (not buffalo, as Kendra/Kassandra/Ka-teenybopper working for the park service explained to Miles).
Friday, July 27, 2007
Still in Montana
Well, did you miss us? Made it in to Montana yesterday, still in Montana today, Probably still be here tomorrow. Montana is a looong state. Decided on a whim to take detour to Lewis and Clark State Caverns, a large cave system that was NOT discovered by Lewis and Clark.
This is a really cool cave system that has not been entirely sissified. You have to climb a mountainside 300 feet to reach the entrance. Fortunately, once there it is 300 feet down through the caverns, and a horizontal trail back home. Unfortunately, Montana is in the middle of a heat wave and it was 97 degrees on that mountain. The constant 50 degrees inside the caverns helped. Ominously, automatic defibrillators are prominently displayed throughout.
The cave was beautiful, Miles was very good, and now we are all sore.
Tomorrow Starts the mad dash for New York. No more fun side trips, we Must make it back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Freeway blast, here we come.
This is a really cool cave system that has not been entirely sissified. You have to climb a mountainside 300 feet to reach the entrance. Fortunately, once there it is 300 feet down through the caverns, and a horizontal trail back home. Unfortunately, Montana is in the middle of a heat wave and it was 97 degrees on that mountain. The constant 50 degrees inside the caverns helped. Ominously, automatic defibrillators are prominently displayed throughout.
The cave was beautiful, Miles was very good, and now we are all sore.
Tomorrow Starts the mad dash for New York. No more fun side trips, we Must make it back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Freeway blast, here we come.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Still traveling north
Crater Lake in OregonWell, we left Oregon today but not before seeing the great Crater Lake. This lake is the biggest in the U.S. , and it is so beautiful. Take a look at these pictures. No, that is not the sky you are looking at that is the true blue color of Crater Lake. This will be a place we visit again in the future.
After seeing the very beautiful Crater Lake, we continued to head north on 97 through the rest of Oregon, and we ended our day in Mary Hill Washington. Tomorrow we will start heading for Montana. Join us then for more adventures and sites.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
We are finally out of California!
Man, this state is Looong!
So we spent last night in a small marina rv park right on the shore of the main Stockton shipping channel. It's the furthest inland deep sea port on the west coast. (still nothing compared to the Saint Lawrence seaway). Still, the prospect of huge ocean-going ships cruising by your back door does sound cool.
Well, after the entrance excitement, we settled in to a quiet dinner and a good night. Met a retired Stockton City fire captain and swapped stories and beer. Turns out the big ships don't come in every day, so we missed the one entry. But this morning we saw fishing boats, rowing teams, and even a couple scruffy tugboats. And, Miles got to throw half the gravel pad back into the channel.
As we were buckling Miles in for departure, our neighbor came over and said, "Hey, a big ship is coming. It sure was.
Now we are in Oregon, think we will make Washington tomorrow. Except I forgot that Oregon is 55 mph everywhere, for everybody. AND THEY ALL FOLLOW THE RULES!
Maybe we'll make it...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Interesting Times...
"May you live in interesting times" is supposedly an old Chinese curse. If so, who cursed us?
Last year our trip started with a bang (literally) when the turbo resonator blew up less than 60 miles from home. Fortunately we knew about this problem and had planned ahead, with a spare ready to go.
This year has started much more ominously. The two adult partners on the trip started out with a major difference of opinion about "sense of urgency" and "get the lead out" and on the other side, "quit your bitching and help pack this damn thing". Once solved (reduced to mumbles), we were on the road. After a stop to fill with propane, then we were on the road. Then a stop for fuel, THEN we were on the road.
In other words, we didn't make it too far the first day. We are in Stockton, camped on the banks of the big river. Supposedly tomorrow morning ocean-going ships might travel by less than 100 feet from our campsite.
What else could go wrong today? As we were pulling in to the marina / rv park, one of us smacked the motorhome into the guard shack. The guard shack lost, but the motorhome sustained some damage too. The XM radio antenna was guillotined, so we are back to CDs until we can get a replacement.
Then later another one of us wiggled the tablet PC the wrong way and shattered the screen. It still works, but looking at the screen is like a scene from "Harry Potter" where he peers through a dark mirror. It's now on to the backup, so navigation is now going to be quite spotty, if it works at all.
Last year's trip only got better from the poor start. Let's hope this one gets better, or ...
Another Road Trip Excursion
Tomorrow 7/23/07 we are off again on another driving adventure. This time we will be heading all the way back to Watertown New York. Follow us on this year's journey to see where the Wandering View will end up next.
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