Back Home August 19,2009

Home Sweet Home, or oh my gosh where did all that laundry come from? Two days later and I am still working on it. Saw Jane last night at the investment meeting, she and Pat made it home without any problems. Betty and Ken are back, and George and Bev should be home today. I wish we could have come home via the coast rather than the valley and 100 +heat but when Ed gets homeanitis, it is the quickest and fastest way home. The blacktop in front of the shop was not done on Monday as we thought. John and employees and equipment are on a fire so should be done this Friday. The coach is parked in front of the house and I just hope I don't hit the dang thing with my car backing out of the garage.

I know the rest of the group heading UP the Oregon coast are having a blast, wish we were there. Ya'all can comment on the blog and let us know where you are. Have a wonderful trip and as always safe travels.

The repairs on George's rig went very well and they were out on the road by 11:00 am yesterday. That is the way it should be, one day to repair rather than spending days at a time at the service center.

Just a note, Ed did open the house up before he was on the tractor. We arrived home about 1:30 from Redding. All lawns were cut and edged by 4 :00 sprinklers tested, water tank tested A-OK. The normal routine. Grass was green so Ed was happy. I got 267 miles driving time on this trip. Dang book was too good to put down. HOWEVER, I did have some of those scary roads and construction.

Hope to see some of you at the picnic on Thursday, we have appointments in Elk Grove in the morning so if all goes well, we shall see you.. if things go normal, maybe not

Coos Bay Trip Day 8 Travel day.

Coos Bay Trip Day 8 Travel day
It is always sad to break camp and move on, especially leaving good friends and heading home. We left about 8:15 am with Pat and Jane, Dave and April, Gary and Marilyn, Gary and Phyllis, traveling over to Interstate 5 to Redding. Dave, April Ed and I stopped at Seven Feathers for fuel and food. An easy place to pull in to fuel and we made a note for future travels. We had breakfast then back on the road. We would pass or catch up to the travel group but we stopped quite often so Ed could move around. I was not feeling very well today so did not drive but plan on getting some miles in tomorrow. We were the last to pull into Premiere RV Resorts in Redding. This is a good stop, easy access and a nice place. The plan is to meet for breakfast in the morning and five rigs pull out heading for Amador County.
I did not get to say goodbye to everyone this morning, but wish them all safe travels and more good times for the rest of their trip. Ed and I also want to thank Pat, Jane, George and Bev for putting this trip together. Also thanks to all those that pitched in to arrange busses and reservations, doing the breakfast etc. It was mentioned that it takes team work to put these trips together to be a success; it certainly shows with this group...
Below a few more pictures of a great trip.

Almost home. Redding Calif.Beach

Just gorgeous!

Maureen last day on beach
Ed last day on beach

Bella a new fur friend

Coos Bay Day 7 Seafood Festival Last Day

Coos Bay Day 7 Seafood Festival
We got through the entire week without rain, sunshine every day. The wind is kicking up now but we have been so lucky with the weather so far. Today was the Seafood Festival in Coos Bay. Most of the group wandered over. It is a small festival, lots of seafood and some crafts. There was a pancake breakfast which Ed decided to try.
Ed and I took a ride and checked out The State park campground next to the one we are staying in. It looked pretty nice, advantage concrete pads and grass but they did not have the beach access as we do here in Oceanside RV Park. We drove down the road a ways just to see what is in the area. It is so pretty up here, everything is green.
Ed and I took the last walk on the beach today. I love the ocean and one of my favorite things to do. The wind was a problem but had to take the last stroll down the beach. There were body surfers and lots of kids on skid boards.
The evening is ending with a trip to the Casino for dinner. Rosie arranged for the shuttle to pick us up here at the park, we have dinner reservations then an hour or two of gambling.
Tomorrow, we break camp; Ed and I are heading home, as well as Gary and Phyllis, Pat and Jane, Gary and Marilyn, Ken and Betty, Bill and Lil, Arnie and Marilynn, Dave and April. George and Bev are on the way to Cobourg for repairs, Leonard and Paula, Rosie and Mike, Butch and Betty, John and Adele are going to be on the road next week and meet up with SIRS 96 in Lebanon Oregon, a week of golf and more good times with good people. Thanks to everyone for a great time, all the good food, and SAFE TRAVELS to you all!!

Life Is Good

Can't Get Any Better

Coos Bay Marina

Maureen and Ed

Rosie and Mike Ken and Betty

Marilynn and Arnie

Leonard and Paula

Gary and Phyllis

April and Dave

Trisha and Tom

Betty and Butch

Jane and Pat

Bev and George
Adele and John

Marilyn and Gary

We also had Bill and Lil on the trip but they are extremely camera shy!

Day 6 Shipwreck Breakfast/ Potluck and Pirate Raffle

Another great weather day, just a bit of wind but sunny and warm. The day started with a “Shipwreck Breakfast”. A very unique way to cook breakfast. Bev, Jane and Lil spend quite a bit of time getting the ingredients prepared. Shipwreck breakfast … Use a zip lock bag, put in beaten eggs, ingredients that would go into an omelet, such as cheese, onions, peppers, ham, crab, mushrooms, just about anything you would like in an omelet. A ladle of beaten eggs and the ingredients of choice, take the air out of the bag, zip and drop in boiling water for about ten minutes. The omelet comes out perfect and even. I enjoyed this breakfast and I generally do not eat eggs. There was also Bloody Mary’s, Mimosa’s , fresh fruit, what a feast to start the day. Butch and George were the outside chefs, they monitored the boiling bags and only one exploded. This was a lot of fun and something easy to do on a campout.

Good news , Butch got the parts to fix his hitch. I think all of us out and about today wanted to follow the UPS trucks to see if the part was being delivered. The hitch is fixed and Butch and Betty are ready to travel. Folks just went in different directions today, a few of the gals did go to Coos Bay for a little shopping but nothing really exciting.

This evening we had a potluck and we had quite a bit of leftovers from last night’s catered dinner and with side dishes and dessert another festive meal. Tonight was also the Pirate Raffle. Each rig provided a gift and we had tickets, pick a gift then three steals, there was a very popular bird house, lighthouse, and scrabble game.

Our week is winding down, tomorrow will be our last full day. I have to get at least one more walk on the beach.

What are they up to?
Pirate Loot

Potluck/Pirate Raffle

The "real" cooks Shipwreck Breakfast

Shipwreck fixins

Outside cooks boiling the bags

Distributing the crab

Hard at work

Lots of crab

Coos Bay Day 5 Crabbing

The Crabbers

Coos Bay Day 5 Crabbing and Catered Dinner
A big thanks to the weather God’s again for an amazing day. A bit of chill in the early morning then a sunny warm day. The big adventure of crabbing out in the ocean was the main event of the day. Twelve of us, Ed, Maureen, Pat., Dave, Gary A. Marilynn, Ken, Betty, George Gary K., Butch and Betty were off to the wharf in Bandon for the day’s festivities. The outfit that we used was called The Prowlers. We were on the MIS-CHIEF boat and my first thought what an appropriate name for this bunch. We left the dock about 11:30 am and the ride was rough for a few minutes then settled down. The first catch was amazing; I think the count was 20 crabs in that first catch. The guys on the boat threw out some RINGS as we went out and there were two more crab pots that needed checking. Quite a bit of fun and everyone not only enjoyed the day but limited out on crab. There were some pretty good size crabs in those pots. We took the crab to a facility that will clean and cook them, a few exceptions; couple of folks brought them back to camp and did the cleaning and cooking themselves. Now all we have to do is figure out how to get all these critters home.
Back to camp and quite a few of us decided to walk the beach. Marilynn brought along Sugar who thoroughly enjoyed the beach and fetching of the sticks into the surf. Others on the walk, Dave, April and their dog Buddy who also enjoyed the surf, Betty F, Adele, Leonard, Paula and Mike. We were watching some body surfers out there and there were a few “our” age and some of us gals just looking on with envy.
Tonight we had a catered dinner, very good and so many choices, provided by FISHERMAD'S GROTTO, 541-888-3251 ask for Davine Evanow, located in Charleston, Oregon. There were appetizers including oysters in the shell, the main meal, had salmon, bacon wrapped tuna, deep fried cod, beef brisket, salad, bread and of course clam chowder. Enjoyed by everyone!! A campfire is going to top off the evening and what a fantastic ending for a fun filled day!! Life does not get any better!

Gary, Pat,Gary and Butch

Silly Boys Two fisted George

Betty and Ken

Correction on the boat.... we went out on MIS-CHIEF

Female crew Betty W. Betty F. Maureen and Marilynn

Another picture of the crabbers

Butch and Gary

Betty and Butch

The FIRST Catch

Coos Bay Day 4 August 12,2009

The weather Gods have been kind to us this week. Even though a bit of fog rolls in from time to time the days are spectacular and the evenings very pleasant.

Today a caravan left the park; the first stop was the rose gardens. Very pretty grounds and ocean views that are breathtaking. We stayed there about an hour then on down the road to seal cove. The seals blend into the rocks so well they are difficult to see but you sure can hear them.

Traveled back to Bandon and visited Old Town and met up with most of our group at a restaurant there. Food was good, view was amazing and to top it off, good friends. We all sort of scattered after that in town to seek out bargains in the local stores. Bev and I found some bargains at a little shop, got a bit of retail therapy in. Some ventured off to a shop that sold jams and jellies, some ventured off to a lighthouse. We did see the boat we are going out on tomorrow to do some crabbing, needless to say I am along only for the ride, and I am not picking up those nasty little things. Brings back a memory, when Katie and Sarah were little and The Little Mermaid was so popular all family members were given a character.. ummm, like I was Sebastian the crab!!! They said because he was cute!

When we returned to camp, Ed and I walked on the beach a bit and got back in time for the 5:00 Happy Hour. Quite a variety of snacks and everyone had a great day. There may be some card playing tonight, we will see if anyone is up for it... Until tomorrow........



Seal Beach

Crabbing boat we will be on tomorrow

Ed and Maureen

Bandon docks Rose Garden

PS... Trish and Tom just got back from the casino, my $5.00 bet did not do to well tonight... oh well easy come easy go.... Trish brought me back a dime!!!!

Coos Bay Day 3 August 11, 2009

The sun was shining early morning and then the fog rolled in. Fortunately it did not last too long and the sun peeked out to a lovely day. The plan today was a trip to the oyster farm. Everyone but Maureen pulled out about 10:15 am, I decided the odor of oyster farm and my icky feeling in the morning due to meds would not make a "good start for the day". Some people enjoyed the farm but others just were grossed out. A few were brave enough to eat the raw oysters.
Trish and I ventured off to the casino in the afternoon, Mils Casino in Coos Bay. We did OK, played on the casino money and came home with a few bucks. Others in the group went shopping, rested, read books, just a nice day.
This evening we had a fantastic spaghetti feed put on by Gary and Marilyn Anderson. It was a feast and the ladies provided salads, breads and dessert to go with the meal. Gary was a chef in the Army and then owned a deli/catering service in Novato. They were cooking all afternoon and was appreciated by all that attended. Thank you so much Gary and Marilyn.
We are ending our evening with a great campfire, dessert and songs and guitars playing. Butch and Rosie playing the guitar with everyone singing. Of course Butch threw in a few jokes. This is one of my favorite events of our camping trips with this group. Amazing people! LIFE does not get any better!!!


Trish and Tom Oyster Farm

Rosie and Butch
The Musicians

Gary and Marilyn
The cooks

Group gathering


Leonard eating a raw oyster YUCK!!!!