April 2015

Well, so much for keeping up the blog.  As it turned out we did not do any trips since May of last year except to take the RV down to MCC in Indio.  As it turns out Ed and I may have spent eight days there and Sandy and I went down for about five days.  As much as I like the place in Indio it is just not practical to keep it.  The lot is back on the market and hope it sells but probably not until next "season" that starts in October.  MCC has been rated the most beautiful Motorcoach Country Club in the United States. 

Our Boat dock looking across to the Yacht Club

 

From the Contessa

 

To the Suncruiser

 

 

 The street view to our lot

 

 

Golf cart path thru the golf course

 

Across the street from our lot

 

We have so many commitments in Nevada especially since we acquired another property near Yerington with some acreage to play, shoot skeet and pretty much be out of the city.  Of course our Amador property needs our TLC as well. 

My goal is to travel with our RV group this year, we are signed up for at least two trips. So looking forward to these new adventures, our group has so much fun.  Friends Alf and Sally from MCC are heading our way and plan on some Oregon coast trips with them.  Also plan on spending time with Jimmy and Tori who moved to Oregon and she is actually looking for a shack on the beach for me.  :-)  :-)    LIKE I need another property but that would be so cool.  Practically we will drive the RV there.  One more trip hopefully to get in will be a trip to Yosemite with Denise and family.  With all her international travels, she has never been to Yosemite.  I think Steve finally drove through Yosemite for the first time recently.  Hope he considers going on this trip as well.

Another start here and I will do my best to add when we travel or just on a whim.  I so enjoyed writing the blog for all these years .....

Random pictures.....

Beau and Bullet

 

Ed on the Segway at MCC

 

 

Maureen on Segway at MCC

 

 

Steve and Scout

 

Doug and Denise

 

Cousin BBQ

 

Baylee, Jessica, Wyatt, Sarah and Katie The Grandkids

Bullet, Beau and Zena the pooches

So until next time......

Dang, where did this year go?

It has been a year since I have updated the blog.  We did not go on many trips this last year with the move to Reno and all the other interferences of life.  I will go back and post some updates and hopefully have a few trips this year to post about.


One of the main issues is the new coach was in the shop for almost six months.  Moving to Nevada, the laws on coaches and drivers license are different from California.  The Beaver Contessa was just too heavy and we would have had to take tests for advanced license and know why and where everything to drive on the coach would be.  No problem for Ed, but all I need to know is where the accelerate, brake pedals and shifting gear is to drive.  The blog will stay Contessa on the road, as I have named this "other" coach Contessa.  Works for me......  anyway will be back with more info and looking forward to a couple of trips this year.

 

  

Been A While... and Changes

Been A While... and so much has happened.  First of all Happy Belated New Year.  We have been so busy with so many projects that we have  not found time to breath.  The main news is California has finally driven us out of the State. 

We are now official residents of Nevada.  We started looking last October and closed on a home in Reno.  Who would have thought?  Born and raised in California, never thought I would ever leave.   I always pictured Reno as the sometimes unattractive Downtown area.  We have found that the city is totally different from what you see from Highway 80. The University of Nevada for one is such a beautiful campus.  There are so many unique neighborhoods and shopping everywhere.  I love Amador County but have to say the convenient shopping is a huge plus.  We will still be a part of Amador County, being there a few months a year.  Until the market gets better (hopefully in my lifetime) we will continue to have the California property.

FAREWELL CONTESSA-WELCOME SUNCRUISER

One of the things we had to do is switch out Motorhomes.  The laws in Nevada are different and they go by weight rather than length as in California as to what one can drive with a regular license.  If we kept the Contessa, we would have to apply for another class of license and have to know the workings of the MH, climb under and around and explain.  Well I know where the gas pedal and break are, and that is all I need to know.  We found a 38 ft. gas model that we both liked. We were looking for a Winebago Adventurer and found the Itaska Suncruiser is the exact same coach and found one which was not easy.  I really like the floor plan and seems easy to drive.  So it was farewell Beaver Contessa and hello Itaska Suncruiser.  I had such mixed emotions, first the move out of State, then giving up my home on wheels, the Contessa took us to a lot of fun and interesting places, many good times with awesome people.  I am sure the Suncruiser will bring as many fond memories.

FAREWELL SIRS 15 RV GROUP-WELCOME SIRS 96 RV GROUP

We started the new year with a dilemma regarding our RV Group.  We only had two trips last year and lost some of our dearest members, plus others selling their RV's and moving on.  Our roster showed quite a few Sirs 96 folks in our group and quite a few of us in Sirs 96.  At our annual meeting in January it was decided to merge with 96.  I know quite a few folks from 96 and traveled with them, I think this merge will work out well.  There are several trips planned already and know that the blended RV family will be a fun and adventurous year. 

As you can see, quite a few changes already in 2013.  I am hoping things settle down soon   We need to finish getting settled here in Reno, it has been a very busy two months. 

I have to talk to Steve about our final official SIRS 15 BBQ/Picnic which will be held at the Nunnally Amador home in a few months.  I will do my best to schedule the event when it is not over 100 degrees.  Seems no matter when we choose a date, it gets hotter than heck!!

That is about it for now, I will still get some pictures up from our previous trip.... and will post a few pictures of our current adventure. Just have to get things transferred to a different computer.

Hope everyone is well, looking forward to warmer weather and Spring. 

So, until next time.....

Back to Amador County September 20, 2012

Homeward bound!!!  We were leaving Redding about 9:00 am and gave George and Bev a call to see where they were.  They were about to leave Red Bluff in about 45 minutes, so we told them we would catch up with them.  We timed it pretty good and as they were coming on the freeway we were right behind them.  Back in line, George and Bev,  Steve and Sue, me and Ed and Oneta and Bob taking up the rear...  never would have known we split up..  We stopped for breakfast in Corning, rehashed the trip and as always concluded we all had a fine time.  

We got home about 2:00 in the afternoon after a stop and fuel stop.  I headed up to Pine Grove to pick up Beau dog.  I was so glad to see him, I do miss him when we are traveling.  He has a better time playing with Maggie, Koda, Bogie and of course the smallest dog Mini supervising.  He plays hard and does quite a bit of napping when he gets home. 

End of the SIRS 15 travels for 2012.  I am looking forward to 2013 and  travels with good friends.

Until next time....

Redding September 19,2012

We all got back on the road about 9:00 am, stopped for breakfast and when we got to Redding the rest of the group traveled on ahead.  They wanted to check out a RV park in Red Bluff. 

We were going to visit with Jim and Julie, old time friends for many years.  We stayed at the Premiere RV Park Redding, where we have stayed many times before.  This is also a sister resort to the Lincoln location.  Jim and Julie's son and wife Jimmy and Tori along with their son Hunter have started a new business, a 50's type Hamburger Food Wagon.  It is called Fallis Around Town.   Absolutely totally amazing burgers.  They are half pound burgers, fresh beef and so dang yummy.  If anyone is traveling through Redding, check out their facebook page for a schedule of where they will be that day.  You will not regret it at all..   Jimmy and Tori set up the truck outside their parents home, it was fun and the neighborhood folks dropped by for a burger.  I looked out and saw a police car and thought oh noooo they are in trouble... LOL  no way the officers were there for a burger!!!  We all got a chance to visit later that evening and caught up on the last year or so....   I am looking forward to stopping back in Redding on one of our adventures and will be sure to visit the Burger Truck!!

Tomorrow, the last leg of the trip home...

Until next time....

Leaving Oregon... September 18, 2012

Time to head on home.  We all left Premiere RV Resort .  Dorothy and Ed left quite a bit earlier to try and get home a day earlier.  We had an uneventful driving day and arrived at Seven Feathers Casino RV Resort.  This is a beautiful park and they are very accommodating.  The provide transportation to the Casino and the Truck Stop restaurant.  We all went over to have dinner and made a contribution to the establishment.  A very nice evening.. 

Tomorrow, Ed and I are traveling to Redding to visit friends.  Bev, George, Oneta, Bob, Sue and Steve will be traveling a bit further down the road..

Until next time....

Lincoln City Oregon September 17, 2012

This was the official end of the RV trip.  I did not get enough of my ocean fix so extended another day.  George, Bev, Dorothy, Ed, Oneta, Bob, Sue and Steve decided to stay on for another day as well.  Dave, April, Paula and Len had plans to visit some other areas of Oregon and headed out that morning.  

This was a kick back day, just enjoying the sunny weather and getting things ready to head home.  Ed and I took a ride down the road and found another beach to explore.  We took a long walk and came upon a dead otter, icky and sad at the same time.  

That evening those of us that stayed on went to dinner at Inn at Spanish head.  This is where Bev and George had their anniversary dinner. Very nice place and the food was good, an excellent view of the Pacific Ocean.  A very nice way to end the trip.....

Until next time....

Lincoln City Oregon September 16, 2012

It occurred to me that I did not finish the blog for the last trip. Since it has been three months, I am going on memory... watch out!

Sunday, September 16th, it was a cool morning but prediction of another sunny day.  Tom and Trisa had to leave today to attend their grandson's birthday celebration.  Great seeing you both again and hope we can get together again soon.

Today was retail therapy day.  Just so happens there is Tanger  Outlet Mall a couple miles down the road.  The ladies of Amador County are retail deprived so we take every opportunity to shop.  Bev, Sue, Dorothy, Oneta, Paula, April and myself had a very productive day.  This Mall had stores that we do not have at home, one very popular store being the Pendleton Store.  I think everyone enjoyed that store.  We had lunch at the deli and moved on for more shopping.  I really do not remember what the fellas did that day. (This is what I get for procrastinating)

Our group went out to dinner for our official last night at Lincoln City.  It was a BBQ place and will post the name if and when I remember.  Dorothy introduced me to Lemon Drops!  Amazing, just like lemonade until one tries to stand up and walk.  Sorta sneaks up on ya!!  We all had a good time, we have such an amazing travel group.   

 We played some games in the rec room again that evening.  Enjoyed another game of farkle with Bob and Oneta....

Until next time....

Lincoln City September 15, 2012

YES!!!!  The sun is shining, it is a bit warmer, enough to put away the jeans and break out the capri's, well at least for the gals.  Ed and I started out the day with Trish and Tom and went to breakfast at Pig in the Blanket!  I think that is the name, a very nice breakfast.  We decided to go to Newport to the Aquarium.   I have to say I was very impressed.  This is an indoor and outdoor aquarium and it is so neat.  It is far better than the one we have in Monterrey California.  I hope the pictures turn out because the colors of some of these fish were really pretty.  We then started back to Lincoln City and stopped in a little town Depot City.  Trish and I went through some of the shops while Ed and Tom went over to the beach.  There is a Whale Visitor Center there that Ed explored.  We came back to camp and tried to get to the beach.  There is a tunnel under the highway but it goes to a hotel and really not to the beach. Ed and I went through the hotel to the beach and almost got blown away, it was so dang windy.  Decided to do the beach another day.  We had dinner at Mo's restaurant  a real popular place on the beach.  We did not have much of a wait but when we left they were out the door and down the side of the building.  We checked out that beach and there were quite a few folks having fires on the beach. Pretty cool!

Steve, Sue, George and Bev took a ride down and visited Newport and Depot City.  They did see some whales out in the ocean below Depot Bay.  Len, Paula, Dave, April, Bob, Oneta, Dorothy and Ed went into Salem to the Wool Factory tour and the State Capital.  They reported back that it was very interesting and they had a great day in Salem.  

Since there was so much spaghetti left over from last night, dinner was available again to those that wanted to stay in.  

Before I go on, I want to wish George and Bev a very Happy Anniversary. It is 55 years for this great couple.  Many happy wishes to you both, you are very special people.  George and Bev went out to dinner and was able to see a very beautiful sunset.   Bev is a very good sport, it seems we are always on a trip on their anniversary.  Much love to you both!

Bob, Oneta, Trisha, Dave and I played farkle again tonight, and for the second night in a row Oneta was the big winner.  In closing for tonight, I think everyone had a great day and tomorrow another day here on the Oregon coast...  

So until next time.......

Travel Day Coos Bay to Lincoln City 9/14/12

Travel days are tedious, I have decided.  George, Bev, Steve, Sue Ed and I started out first from Coos Bay.  It was only about 130 miles to Lincoln City but Highway 101 North is narrow and at times looking over the cliffs to the ocean.  I am so glad I did not volunteer to drive this stretch because I do not think I could have done it.  The scenery is awesome, the ocean is amazing but it took over three hours.  Bob and Oneta had to stop in Coos Bay for a water heater repair, which unfortunately when they got here to Lincoln City found out the heater was NOT repaired.  Ron and Evelyn made a reservation at another park in Depot City so they were going to spend Friday night there.   Dave, April, Len, Paula, Ed and Dorothy were about an hour behind us.  We are at Premiere RV Park in Lincoln City.

We had a few errands to run after we got settled in.  I was waiting for Trish and Tom from Salem to join us and the arrived late afternoon.  Trish and I have been friends for many years and whenever we come to Oregon we try to meet up with them.  They are staying here with us until Sunday.  

Gary and Marilyn who were to be on this trip and always cook a great spaghetti dinner had to cancel but they came through with the amazing spaghetti sauce.  Dorothy took on the spaghetti project and we had a fine meal of spaghetti and meatballs....  lots of meatballs, salad, french bread and dessert.  I can't say it enough, we eat very well on these trips.  A big thanks for Dorothy to carry on and she had Steve doing kitchen duty also.  

We ended the evening with some of us playing farkle, a fun dice game and some were playing canasta. We are expecting sun tomorrow and some wind.  Some of our group are going to Salem for the day and some of us are touring around the local area... 

So until next time......