SIRS 15 RV BBQ JUNE 27, 2010

The annual SIRS 15 RV BBQ was held at Ed and Maureen's on Sunday June 27,2010.  This year we moved the date up a month in hopes of having COOL weather.  Well, that plan went out the window.  Sunday was the hottest day of the year, a whopping 102 degrees.  So much for a nice cool day...

We had 32 people in attendance, Andy and Jan, Arnie and Marilyn, Butch and Betty, Darrel and Jean, Dave and April, Ed and Dorothy, George and Bev, John and Adele, Ken and Betty, Len and Paula, Pat and Jane, honorary guests Stan and Patti, Ed and Pat L. Welcome to our new members Ed and Carol, and of course Ed and I.

What can I say about the food other than "excellent"  The club provided the steaks and our "chef" Butch did an outstanding job grilling the meat.  The gals in this group outdid themselves with the side dishes, appetizers and dessert. A big thanks to everyone who helped make this BBQ a success.  George was bartender and an excellent job, although his tip jar was looking pretty poor!

Some of us cooled off in the pool, some retreated indoors for the warmer part of the afternoon, the bar was open and the conversations were going full force.  What more can you ask for?  Good Friends, Good Food and a Bar!

Ed and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and looking forward to seeing some of you on our next trip. 

For those that could not attend, YOU were missed...

Until next time.....

Setting up for the BBQ!Starting to gather!What did you do now?George the bartenderFood is excellent!

Beau is socializing!Eating and Socializing!

New Member of the Family

Well, all my trips to Animal Control, we have adopted a dog.  I had been looking for a mid size dog, maybe a Boston Terrier/Mix.  Did not happen, we ended up with Beau, a 97 pound lab mix mutt.  He has been here almost two weeks and Ed and I both agree we have been lucky.  Beau was turned into Animal Control due to a divorce and both parties having to move to apartments.  He is very mild, we have not even heard a bark out of him, so much for "watch dog"  He has had two minor incidents, I had him tethered on the front porch with his $$$ leather leash, and he heard us in the back and decided to join us, chewed right through the dang thing.  We put up a pretty good size kennel for him especially at night, during the day he wanders from front to back. Anyway one morning the kennel was not exactly how it should have been, one entire section was inverted and at first we thought some huge animal had to be after Beau!!! NOT!!!!   When we were putting up the kennel there was one clamp that needed to be put on and we were too tired to deal with it, so Ed put a heavy duty pull tie, which he got a hold of and pulled in.  We found the evidence and he looked a bit sheepish that morning.  He has a place behind the barn that is his potty place, (no poop scooping)  y'all really needed to know that right? hehe...  He listens pretty well and follows me everywhere.  I think we made a good choice and he seems quite happy here.

More Pictures

Just some additional pictures from our trip

Maureen and Ed

George and MaxJake

Signs on the BridgeSue and SteveTable 1Table 2Table 3

River near the restaurantEd and DorothyEd finally sits down

Gateway Restaurant in Three Rivers

What ya doing Butch?

Look at that sky

Home Sweet Home....

Last night we had dinner at a great restaurant, The Gateway in Three Rivers. www.gateway-sequoia.com .  The setting was beautiful, we sat out on the patio with the river pounding over the rocks, I will post pictures as soon as I find Ed's camera in the Motorhome..  The food was good, many of us split dishes and everything was very tasty, it was a bargain for sure for those that ordered prime rib. What a huge portion.  We got a wee bit worried when a few raindrops fell but it passed quickly.  Did I mention I forgot a jacket? 

After dinner when we returned to the campground, wow, what a difference.  All week we had the place to ourselves and in a few short hours there were more tents and structures going up, kids everywhere and people coming in all night.  We all agreed we were getting out of Dodge in the nick of time...  Ed and I just got to bed when people showed up in the campsite next to us.  From 11:00 PM to about 1:00 AM they set up camp but not very quietly.  I was getting frustrated, almost had words out the window, considered the airhorn and finally they shut up!!!   I really hate inconsiderate people. 

We left about 8:00 AM, stopped for breakfast then again for fuel in Lockford, was home about 2:30 PM.  I had to drive to Rancho Cordova to Fed Ex to pick up a package that was going to be returned the last thing I wanted to do was get in a vehicle.  Ed is out fixing things, he will be in at dark if I am lucky.  All seems well in Amador county.  Hope all our friends had safe travels and for those still on the road, safe travels to you.

Will post more pictures tonight or tomorrow...  Until then...........

Day 5 Last Day In Camp

FRONT ROW.... Gary, George,Bev,Ed,Betty,Dorothy,Ken,Betty
BACK ROW ...   Dave,Mike,Steve,Butch,Rosie,Ed.Maureen,April

Our last full day at Kaweah RV Park,  We had a fabulous breakfast cooked by Butch, Steve, Mike and George.  What a feast, pancakes, eggs, sausage, steak, fresh fruit, cooked to perfection and so tasty eating outdoors.   Butch, Mike and Dave were brave enough to get back in a vehicle to do some more DRIVING on something like a 589 tight turn curve road.  The rest of us have been sitting around and relaxing, reading, playnig cards and of course Ed has a computer project going.  He does not mind working on the computers on down days because he has to do something.  We have some hope of this computer surviving but it has to go home with us to be completed.

We are having dinner out tonight and will report on that later.    We will be heading home tomorrow after a great week with great people, lots of laughs, lots of driving, always an adventure.  I love traveling with this RV group... WE are AWESOME.....  more later and I will post more pictures and fix the ones posted after I get home...

SAFE TRAVELS TO ALL....  until later.

Pictures King Canyon

                                                              The Bettys

Ed testing the waters

Songfest!!!

The Falls

Raging River Huge WhiteCapsAwesome  WaterBreathtakingThe Canyon

Are you boys in Poison Oak?????

Don't Jump Ed

Bev and George

Steve

Betty and Ken

Just Me

Day Four. Kings Canyon

WOW, Spectacular Amazing!!! Greetings to all. We had another long day, over 100 miles through King Canyon Park. I can't wait to get the pictures posted from today, will try and get them on here tomorrow. The Trees were just as gorgeous and huge as Sequoia National Park. But one of the most amazing sights were the raging rivers. I have never seen water flow as fast as I have seen today. White Water for miles it seemed. The waterfalls were beautiful and flowing quite heavily. THIS is the best time to see this area. We have been so fortunate with the weather as well, it has been perfect,up until today we have had this campground all to ourselves. It is Thursday evening and the weekend crowds are coming in.

We got back after five so happy hour is delayed to 6:30 tonight. It is appetizer night. Some of us thought we would have a nice lunch at the Lodge at the end of the road in the park. Some of our group was smart enough to bring lunch. When we arrived at the Lodge we found out they were not serving food until tomorrow. What is up with that? We were able to get bread and cold cuts at the little grocery and made sandwiches. Was so looking for a nice lunch......oh well we just chalked it up to another adventure. Check back when I get the pictures posted, they are spectacular. Happy Hour is starting so be back later.

Happy hour and appetizers went well, we always have such great food and adult beverages. Since we are going out to dinner tomorrow night,our last night here, Butch and Rosie broke out the guitars and we did our thing singing. The only thing missing was the campfire.

Tomorrow is a free day and a few suggestions are on the table. The guys are cooking breakfast so that will be a good start to the day...

Goodnight!

Day Three Kickback Day

Greetings! Today was a free day and except for some of the guys playing golf, it was a kickback relaxing kind of day. Rosie and I went to check boat rentals on the Lake. They have very primitive party boats,we are considering for Friday our next free day. We will talk about it tomorrow night. There is another drive some are considering for Friday, Mineral King Drive a twenty five mile drive with 589 tight curves. Some are thinking that is just too many dang curves, hehe so we shall see.

We had our potluck tonight and as usual,fantastic food. Butch cooked some mighty fine steaks,we had a potato dish that was so good, a rice dish, corn on the cob, green bean dish, oh so yummy, salads and beans, bread and of course wine. yummy stuff for sure,topped off kith dessert banana cream pudding with pineapple and ice cream bars.

Tommorrow, we are off to Kings Canyon another adventure. We will see General Grant Tree among other spectacular sights.

I did get some pictures posted today and edited some more to add again when I get a connection.

So until next time....

Day 2. Sequoia National Park.

First of all, the weather here is perfect. Last night was the first night we slept with the windows open, a nice breeze and listening to the rush of the river was outstanding. I also want to mention, I am writing this from the IPAD which is not easy, I will fix any errors when I have an Internet connection. Also, I will be adding pictures as well. We have some amazing pictures which I want to share.

We visited Sequoia National Park today. Ed and I rode with Mike and Rosie, as they are too young for the geezer pass, which I have. There were four vehicles making the winding twisty road in the park. We tried to time the ride in to avoid the 30 minute delay of road closure, darn it we just missed getting through, but as usual this group made the best of it while waiting. We made it to the General Sherman tree, which is considered the largest living tree in the world because of it's volume. The hike down was a bit steep and we were not looking forward to the hike back up until we discovered there is a parking lot right below the tree. The guys were kind enough to hike back up the trail to get the vehicles and pick up US women. While waiting we found out there was a shuttle that takes you from lot to lot!!! Wish they made this a bit clearer before all that hiking. We proceeded to the Lodge where we had lunch before the long long winding road back out. Fortunately for our vehicle we missed the road we were suppose to take, we later found out that road was the road from hell. We thought we were lost until Rosie got her GPS on her phone up and running to guide us back. We got back to camp after an eight hour day. We had appetizers and adult beverages to top off the day.

Tomorrow is a free day,some will play golf, not sure about the rest of us but I can assure you, WE are taking a break from riding in vehicles. Thursday we are going to Kings Canyon another long day. The scenery is so spectacular it is worth the Long days.


I may try to find a connection tomorrow to post pictures and correct mistakes...


Until Next Time.......

Waiting for the road to open.

Do WE really want to go down that trail?

Trail to General Sherman

General Sherman

Top of General Sherman

Another view of Sherman

Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park SIRS 15 RV Trip

THREE RIVERS

June 7' 2010 Day One Arrival Day...


Ed and I arrived at Kaweah RV Park about 1:00 in the afternoon. Butch,Betty,Rosie and Mike were already there setting up. We were all surprised on what a beautiful setting we will be enjoying this week. The main attraction in the campground is Three Rivers coming together and what a magnificent sight. The rivers are moving very fast,with rafters coming down river all day.

The rest of our group, Gary,Phyllis,George,Bev,April,Dave,Sue,Steve,Dorothy,Ed,Betty and Ken all arrived by late afternoon. Pat and Jane were not be able to make the trip due to difficulties with their rig. We are hoping they can get it fixed and still make part of the week. We all agreed the weather is gorgeous, especially after Ed and I spent a week in 100 plus degree weather in the Desert.

This evening Rosie,Mike,Betty and Butch treated everyone with Hot Pastrami Sandwiches, Coleslaw, chips and ice cream for dessert. just doesn't get any better than that. Thank you all for such a nice dinner.

Butch went over the itinerary and we start out tomorrow to Sequoia National Park. I am really looking forward to this part of the trip, as I have wanted to see it for a long time.

I am posting this from the IPAD so no pictures at this time but will post some when I can get an Internet connection.

our group is now tucked away in their rigs, getting rested for a hectic but fun week. Will keep ya all posted as often as I can....

Ed having an adult beverage

Guess Who?

The TrailBoss Butch

Travel Day to Bakersfield

We left the Desert about 9:00 am and it was 90 degrees and rising. We stopped at a little place in the middle of nowhere for breakfast/lunch. Traffic was heavier than usual on the backroads we take and of course when I was driving there had to be a string of cars behind me.  I did get 95 miles in today, only had one act of incompetance like slamming on the brakes too hard,  we had  a bit of a mess in the coach.  oooppss and Ed still let me drive.  We got to Bakersfield RV Resort about 3:00.  What a nice place, great pool which we took advantage of after our walk to Camping World down the street.  They have a full restaurant here and very nice.  We had a great meal and did not have to unhook the tow car and drive somewhere. 

Leaving Motorcoach Country Club

Relaxing tonight and meeting up with the RV group tomorrow.  Safe travels and more to come during the week with our adventures to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.

Dove in planter by the front gate

Bakersfield RV Resort  Our Ssite

Bakersfield RV Resort Swimming Pool

I will be posting on the blog with the RV group this next week.  The campground has iffy at best Internet so hopefully I can blog from the IPAD.  There probably will not be pictures but will post those after I get home.