Tuesday Dec. 7 to Sunday, December 12th

Good golf game Tuesday, warm weather….I quite at hole # 6 but everyone else finished the 18….sorry it was just not my day.  Managed to get groceries in the morning and we all had a steak supper at our place….that put Larry in the hospital for two nights!!  No joke, but it wasn’t my cooking, it was his blood pressure, it had dropped so dangerously low that he fainted/passed out twice. 

Next day we went to visit him in the hospital; he looked a lot better and was just waiting for one more test.  We had Carol over for hamburger supper and she survived my cooking, but we were all pretty tired from the worry.

During the week I went shopping and got some great bargains at Kohl’s and Sears. We managed to get the laundry done and get a couple of trips to the pool.

Thursday, we started packing up things, getting everything stored for our trip to Rio Bend Golf & RV Park.  Larry got home Thursday afternoon and all the test results are good.  But no explanation or reason could be found for his problem, but we were all really glad to see him home.

Friday was a wonderful day (26c) for doing 151 miles into Rio Bend Golf and RV in (Seeley) El Centro.  We arrived at 2:00 and were set up in no time, then Carol & I went to Time Warner to get our internet service; we visited with a few other couples that have already arrived and by 7:00 we were up and running with internet plus enjoyed a great happy hour!

We are booked here till Jan. 31^st, 2011!

Friday night we had two earthquakes, one at 4:52am and it was 4.9 – which woke us up!  The second was very minor only 3.9.  We enjoyed the Pub Night and dance Saturday, as well as the pool time during the day. Sunday guy’s golf game with a tee off at 9am, as the temperature is going to 83 today.

Mileage stats to date….Motorhome mileage 4,671 Car Mileage 4,827 – Trip total mileage to date 9,498 that’s from Ottawa September 1^st to December 10^th, 2010 into Seeley.

Just checked the traffic cameras for Ottawa, looks pretty snowy and cold!

Hugs

R&B

Tuesday November 30 to Dec. 6 2010

Week had some good, some great and some damp weather.  Got some pool time, some shopping and we learned how to use the Wii Game!

Had a good Chinese food supper at the restaurant across the street.

Got the new shocks installed on the motorhome–able to do them himself.

We had a good day trip when the 4 of us went to Julian, across to Borrego Springs, over to Temecula and home again, about 200 miles.  We saw lots of sights, got a pie from the famous Julian Pie Company - peach and apple crumble pie, very delicious! Today we drove north to Beaumont then along Hwy #10 to #243 into Idyllwild, 6,500’ elevation with a temperature of 49 degrees. Crossed back down to Highway 74 and into Hemet by 5:00 where the temperature was still 63 degrees.  What wonderful views of the low desert and the valleys.  See the pictures.
We will be leaving Hemet on Friday Dec. 10 and will head to El Centro.

Hugs

R&B
PS. Welcome home from Peru Heather!

View over Beaumont and the snow covered San Bernardino Mts.

View of Hemet and Hemet Lake from Mt. San Jacinto

View of the valley leading into Hemet as we came down Mt. San Jacinto from Idyllwild

Monday November 22 to Monday Nov. 29

Was a cool week, only in the 60’s!  But we kept busy by going to the fitness center.  Carol & I did some shopping. Got laundry done. Attended the park breakfast.  We 4 went to Temecula shopping, which took a long time as the GPS led us astray!

Wednesday Jenna and Lilly arrived, we are very anxious to meet these two little girls. Mag & Joe we are glad to hear you survived the day.  We are thinking about you!!!

Saturday was a 200+ mile day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, the Keyes Lookout and the Cholla Cactus Garden.  Again we saw some incredible rock formations.  What an awesome view from the Keyes, which included the San Andreas Fault line.

Turns out I volunteered myself to be the Captain of Thanksgiving Dinner for tables 25 & 26.  Had a meeting with three ladies to work out the potluck food for our tables.  Thursday was the Turkey supper for Thanksgiving with lots of food.  Was 16 of us, it was nice to meet more people and we even got on the dance floor again.  Sunday we watched the Grey Cup on Carol & Larry’s new TV outside and were all very disappointed with the fact that Montreal won. Monday morning we had a 11:15 tee off at the Seven Hills Golf course.  We enjoyed the day, but came home pretty tired.
Happy Birthday Shirley H!

Hugs to all

R&B

Joshua Tree Nat'l Park, Keyes View

Everyone looks very pleased with themselves!

Monday, Nov. 15th to November 21, Sunday

Monday Marc & Heather left us to go to Borrego Springs for a month; they will join us again at Rio Bend RV in Seeley (El Centro).  Today was such a beautiful warm day, we went for a bike ride then got about 3 hours pool time.  The tans are really coming along!  Warm daytimes, but heat on at night!

Also, got the HHR repaired today.  Had to have the same part replaced, as was already replaced in Ottawa by Myers???  Good news it was covered again by warranty, so it was pretty to see the bill $0.00.

Tuesday we 4 went to the driving range then to Marie Calendars Restaurant for lunch.  We managed to get a couple of hour’s pool. Then Carol and Larry came over for happy hour and a hamburger supper.

Wednesday, 4 of us off to Menifee Lakes Golf Course for 18 holes!  Good time was had by all…..however we didn’t make it to the 18th hole! But enjoyed the 19^th hole.

Thursday, 86 degrees and another couple of hours around the pool, plus we did some afternoon shopping, had supper at Carol and Larry’s.

Friday went to the park waffle breakfast and the wine & cheese but generally rested up on this a cool 63 degrees day.  Kerry we were glad to hear you and Ruth (Grandma) arrived in St. Catherine’s safe and sound.

Saturday, rain for the weekend….but we 4 decided to travel to Temecula, good size city with lots of stores.  Went to Costco, Wal-mart and Sam’s, stopped for lunch at Chili’s, and then home for happy hour.  Guess you could say we made the very best of a very rainy day!

Sunday, more rain and cool temps!  We went to the fitness centre and worked out for an hour, then back to Carol and Larry’s to watch the football game and also enjoyed a great supper with them.  I will post again next Monday.

Hugs

R&B

Thursday November 11th to Sunday November 14th

Wild crazy day Thursday, lots of wild.  Gusts up to 50 miles per hour.... we are told it is most unusual for this area.

We 4 went out for lunch then it was off to Wal-Mart, the boys were looking for some things and we girls just roamed the store.

Friday some pool time then we went at 3 o'clock to a wine and cheese party put on by the owners of the park and met a few more people.  Heather's birthday Friday, so we along with Marc, Carol and Larry went out for supper at Heather's now favourite restaurant.  It was great celebrating with them. Saturday the 4 of us drove to Palm Desert to a flea market.  We travelled over the Santa Rosa Mountains which offered a wonderful aerial view of Palm Springs and the entire valley.  Saturday evening there was a dance, but we were all to warn to go!  Bruce went down to check out the band, and they are good, so hoping to make it next week.  Sunday was more pool time, and then got together with a group of BC and Saskatchewan people to watch the CFL Football game. That was a lot of fun!  The score was so tight right to the end of the game so there was lots of jesting back and forth.  After supper the 6 of us sat outside around the gas fireplace.  Pleasant way to end the day and the week!

Hugs

R&B

Desert road down off Santa Rosa Mountain

The Birthday Party

The BC vs Sask football game!

Tuesday, November 9th and Wednesday the 10th

Tuesday, November 9^th and 10^th

We had a pretty good drive to Hemet, it was about 2 ½ hours of 4 – 5 lane freeways with thousands of car and trucks.  So we were very glad to get here in one piece.  We are settled into the Golden Village Palms RV Resort, site 615 next to Carol and Larry.  Marc & Heather are just up the street at 625.  We had a great happy hour last night getting caught up on each others news and winter plans. We are staying here till about December 10^th.

Wednesday morning had lots of sun and the temperature going to 65.  We left about 11:30 for the Seven Hills Golf Club here in Hemet.  We paid for 18 holes but, had to tee off at the 10^th hole, we only did 15 holes before deciding we all had enough it was just getting to cold.  Had a quiet drink with Carol and Larry, had supper and I think we will hit the sack early – just so much fresh air!  The Blog updates will slow down now, maybe once a week. But I hope we still get e-mails with your updates.

Hugs

R&B

Sunday, November 7th Monday Nov. 8th

Sunday we went for a walk around our area of Northridge and into the big mall near the Park.  Also got the laundry done, I finished off one book and started another.  The plot of my new book is the murder of a Doctor on

Mulholland Drive

at the Hollywood Bowl Overlook.  So that inspired our Monday drive to

Mulholland Drive, I printed off the map of all the overlooks and off we went.  We stopped at about 6 outlooks starting at Westridge Canyon, most gave us great pictures of valley/canyons on both sides of the road, but the best one was the Hollywood Bowl Overlook which offered a closer view of the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Bowl outdoor theatre and Los Angeles.  Once finished

Mulholland Drive

overlooks we hopped the 101 to Hwy #134 to Pasadena.  We wanted to find the street the Rose Bowl Parade was on, but never did.  Sorry Ruth, we thought we would get some pictures for you!  We stopped for lunch and then worked our way back home. Today the sun was out, temp only 66ish with high wind gusts but tomorrow is supposed to be much better with less wind.  Less wind is a good thing on a bus travel day! But it is time to leave the San Fernando Valley and LA.

Hemet is our Tuesday destination http://www.goldenvillagepalms.com/rv-park-resort

Carol and Larry, Heather and Marc we are looking forward to seeing you guys.  I see we have “Elvis in Concert” on November 18^th.   

Hugs,

R&B

View of LA from Mulholland Drive

Universal Studio

Click once or twice to see all the information on the picture.....

Saturday, November 6th Wonderful day with Neil & Margaret

We met Neil and Margaret about 11:00 at the Getty Center.  In 1983 J. Paul Getty Trust purchased about 750 acres in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Architect Richard Meier designed the building, but artist Robert Irwin designed and conceived the central gardens. The Center opened to the public in December 1997.

We toured the incredible art collection then went for lunch at the restaurant there.  Neil & Margaret kindly paid for our lunch, which we thank them very much. It was a good opportunity for the Stewart boys to catch up on the last 39 years.  After lunch we continued touring the gallery, stopped for a coffee break and then it was time to say goodbye.  It was a wonderful day with good company and good conversation.

It was much cooler today only in the 60’s and we are expecting rain this evening and tomorrow.  Tonight is actually the time change, somehow got mixed up the other day.

Hugs

R&B

Neal and Margaret Stewart

Robert Irwin designed the central gardens

The Getty Center on top of Santa Monica Mountain

Friday, November 5th Temperature in the 90’s again!

Hollywood, been there, done that!  Not as exciting as we thought it would be and not nearly as glitzy glamorous as we heard it would be. 

Hollywood Boulevard

and Vine have all the Star’s stars!  But the street is not all neon lights, its full sex shops, tattoo parlours and junk stores.  We took the hop on hop off bus tour which was good as we were taken down

Hollywood Blvd

, Sunset Blvd into Beverly Hills along

Wilshire Blvd, Fairfax

Avenue.  We got off at the Farmers Market and the Grove, which was a very interesting place to walk around and have lunch.  We got back on the bus and drove

Melrose Avenue

, passed the Hollywood Forever Cemetery then back up to

Hollywood Blvd

getting off at Vine – Hollywood and Vine!  We found Roy Rogers Star plus his cement signature and boot print at the Chinese Theatre + Dale Evens Star, and got pictures for Gwen.  Walked back up to

Highland Street

and found the third floor of the Kodak Building which offered a good photo opp of the Hollywood sign.  On our return trip we took the

Laurel Canyon Road

to

Ventura Blvd

and travelled through Sherman Oaks and Encino back to Northridge.

Tomorrow we are meeting cousin Neil and his wife Margaret at 11am in the parking lot of the Getty Centre.  Should be a wonderful reunion for the Stewart boys!

Hugs

R&B

I'm sure you have seen this sign before!

Shopping center on Hollywood Blvd.

This is the trolly on The Grove, beside the Farmers Market

Wednesday, Nov. 4th another LA scorcher!

It was a wonderful relaxing day, got an extra hour as the time “fell” back last night.  We went for groceries in the morning, staples at Vons and meats at Costco, home by noon.  Lunch over with and we went to the pool, swam and suntanned, swam and suntanned till 3:30, temps of 90+ by then, but we were the only ones there!  Back home and relaxed in the shade with a good book. We had a great BC salmon supper thanks to Carol and Larry’s gift! Thank you guys!

Tomorrow it is back on the road with more sight seeing planned.  The temperatures are expected to return more to normal for the weekend. Darn!

Hugs,

R&B

Tuesday, November 2nd we are in LA and Nov. 3

After arriving Tuesday we thought we just needed a rest.  So on with our bathing suits and down to the pool!  The temp was in the 90’s, the cement almost burnt your feet as you walked into the pool, the pool was delightful and the two lawn chairs dried us off and even offered up 40 winks!  After a light supper we sat outside till 9:30 and came back into a nicely air conditioned bus! 

We talked to cousin Neil this evening and have arranged to get together Saturday; B is looking forward to reuniting with his cousin and his wife Margaret.

Drive along 101 into LA

Now doesn't this look like the perfect place to spend a night or two!

Wednesday we decided since the temp was going to 96 degrees that it would be a good beach day.  So we left about 10:00 drove over to the 405 San Diego Freeway (parking lot) and down Wilshire Blvd to Pacific Ocean Highway arriving at Santa Monica Beach and pier. We drove ahead to Venice City Beach (Muscle Beach) and Fishing Pier, parked and walked the boardwalk back to Santa Monica Pier about 2.5 miles + return trip in 97 degrees!!!  We saw many strange sights, strange people and even a dead body, in a black bag zipped up, with a dozen police investigating that turned out to be a move set!  The walk was worth doing.  Oh, gas in Santa Monica was $3.69 per gallon, so we were grateful we didn’t need gas which has been around $2.93-$3.12.  Once back in the car, we drove north on the Pacific Coast Highway as far as Highway 27 or the Topanga Canyon Blvd which snakes its way through the Santa Monica Mountains back up to Highway 101 which is called the Ventura Freeway, got off at Tampa, right on Nordhoff and home.  B had the energy to walk to the pool; I chose our shower stall and a cool drink. The evening has been gorgeous and we sat outside till 9:00 again.

Good talking to you Shirley K and Joe, nice to get caught up with each others news.  

Hugs,

R&B

Santa Monia Pier

Lynda K do you have this picture? Guess you could say end or start of the trail!

Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and 2 – we are in LA

Quiet Sunday, went for a walk downtown, B walked the beach and I continued reading David Baldacci “True Blue”.

No kids for Halloween trick or treat!  Good thing as we had no candy!

November 1^st, Monday

Repairs did not go as planned.  We arrived at 8:00, talked out the plan but unfortunately the shocks would take a week to get to Santa Maria, so they completed the manifold, exhaust leak and sent us on our way by 4:30.  We spent the night in the Santa Maria Pines RV Park with intention of moving on Tuesday to Las Angeles.  We sat outside till the warm wind gusts finally got the best of us. Our day time high was a sunny 84!

November 2, Tuesday arrived in LA

We left sunny Santa Maria and arrived in Los Angeles about 1:30 to a temperature of 90+… It is very hot, guess we will get to use our air conditioner.  We are in the Walnut RV Park in Northridge, just beside Hollywood!   http://www.walnutrvpark.com/ and can stay for 7 days if we want.  It was cheaper to buy the 7 days than just pay for 5…go figure! 

We had no internet last night, so wanted to post this early.

Hugs

R&B

October 29th, Friday and Saturday Oct. 30

Friday was a day trip to Santa Barbara, 90 miles south on sunny Highway 101.  We stopped in Santa Maria as there is a motorhome repair shop there and now have an appointment for Monday to get the exhaust leak fixed and maybe two new front shocks. Having this work done will give us the much needed confidence to get around Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara is nice, but just doesn’t compare to Santa Cruz, so I guess we have been spoilt.  One thing though, the country side/fields are so much greener, even the mountains!  There are farm field after farm field and grape vine fields by the dozens. The terrain is mostly flat until you pass through part of the San Rafael Mountains and there you find Santa Barbara built on the side of the mountains right straight down to the shoreline. We had a nice lunch opposite the Stearns Wharf, in the Breakwater Restaurant out on the patio watching all the boats coming and going.  On our return trip we took Highway 1, but it doesn’t really follow the coast so it’s not anymore interesting than Highway 101.  Except, to drive home the fact that a lot of food is grown around here!

The Park is filling up; there are motorhomes and fifty wheels pulling in by the dozens. Our neighbour told us the kids do door-to-door trick or treating on Halloween, so guess that will be a supper out!  The place is full of children!

Saturday: We had a lot of rain over night but stopped early this morning.  It has been an off road day.  I went to town to find a hair dresser, got an extreme cut and hoping the wash job tomorrow helps the cause.  We took our lawn chairs to the beach this afternoon; we walked the beach and sat out sun tanning!  Temp was only 63-4 but we were out of the wind and the sun made it very comfortable.

No idea about tomorrow, we are to leave, but we may stay, I guess it depends on how many families check out by noon, given its Halloween Sunday.

Good talking to you Heather and Hayley, sorry you couldn't see us???? Skype is becoming a real problem.....anyway

Hugs

R&B

(Remember double click the pic)

The start of Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA

Stearns Wharf and the hills of Santa Barbara

This is just a sample of the agriculture going on around here! As far as the eye can see.

Our Pismo Beach walk, but shows the country side around us.

October 28, Thursday

It has been another exciting day as we made the trip in sunshine, to San Simeon and the Hearst Castle.  It is just mind boggling to think he spent so much money on a Castle in the middle of nowhere!  The place is so opulent you feel like you’re in Roma or Spain with architecture equal to the finest European Catholic church, all though he was not a religious man.  We arrived for the noon guided tour and didn’t leave till 3:30. 

Our guide had mentioned that just north a short distance were the elephant nose seals winter resting place, so we went.  They are truly another kind of seal and sound completely different.  Oh, did I mention that I took more pictures of the seals!  We then slowly worked our way back to Pismo Beach stopping in Cambria, Cayucos and Morro Bay. 

Tomorrow will be another explore day.

Hugs

R&B

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA

The Neptune indoor pool, gold on the floor and walls

View from staircase down to the outdoor pool

Staircase up from the pool

View from the Enchanted Hill beside the pool.

October 27, Wednesday

It was farewell to Monterey, Sand City and Marina this morning.  This is Del Monte Foods farming country, lots of fields with wonderful green crops.  Castroville is artichokes and Gilroy is garlic! But they are growing most everything around here.  We’ve had some great white corn.

We had a third plug wire burn off today, so he’s not too happy with the motorhome just now.  It only took about 20 minutes and we were on the road again as it is always the same plug wire that burns off!  We have an exhaust leak and figure the heat from it is the cause of the melting plug wire!  I keep saying we are so lucky, we could be stranded for hours, but look, we’re on the road in no time. Anyway! We checked in Pismo Beach city regarding repairs, but it’s really not easy here, parts need to be ordered.  So we will probably get the work done once in Los Angeles area. 

Pismo Beach RV Park is located right on the ocean, so we relaxed by walking the sandy beach, the city pier, the downtown and back to the park in beautiful summer like weather.

We have booked 4 nights and the weather looks good, today was 70 degrees. 

Tomorrow is an explore day!

Hugs

R&B

Pismo Beach Pier and this guy was just waiting for us to feed him!

October 26, Tuesday Monterey Day 56

This morning we managed to resolve some Park issues by moving to another site, which enabled us to at least get the bus level.  Last night we had to raise up the rear end so much we felt the emergency brake was probably ineffective.  The refrigerator was also at such an angle that it could not function well, also the internet was sporadic.  So we had a bad night, but all is well this evening especially since our new site has great internet.

After our repositioning we left for Santa Cruz, north 40 miles.  This is a wonderful town, the beach boardwalk and municipal wharf are we think, the best we’ve seen.  There were shops, restaurants, amusement park and more seals!

Ruth it was wonderful that we caught you home today while we were watching the seals, so glad you got to hear them too!  They were so interesting to watch, snapping and snarling at each other, then robbing their heads together affectionately.  The noise they made almost drowned out our conversation.  Glad to hear you enjoyed your bridge game today, you are just an amazing lady!

We then travelled along

West Cliff Drive

to the lighthouse and Natural Bridges Beach. (More pictures)  What an incredible coast line, it’s the best we have seen this entire trip.  We started our return trip across Santa Cruz to

East Cliff Drive

that took us into Capitola, which is a really nice little town that a person could spend time exploring.  We went through Aptos and back on Highway 101 to Monterey with a stop at a fresh veg’s & fruit roadside stand for some good food to bring home.  Round trip was less than 100 miles.

We had a wonderful day, with great weather and great sight seeing and yes Ruth good conversation.  Also good to talk to you too Shirley H, sorry we interrupted the sorority meeting!  Forgot to say Shirley K, Paul, Peter & Alex it was good to see you Sunday night even if we could not hear each other!

Tomorrow we are thinking of Pismo Beach http://www.pismocoastvillage.com/ maybe even the Hearst Castle. http://www.hearstcastle.com/

Hugs

R&B

Double click on each pictures to see the details. Above are Oct 25 pictures

Above are pictures from Oct. 26th

Please remember to send us an e-mail so that we keep up with your news!

October 25, Monday

It was farewell to San Francisco this morning in sunshine and quite humid. We decided to leave via the Richmond (Double Decker) Bridge into Oakland and south on the Hwy 580 to the 101, turning out to the coast on Hwy #156 to Monterey.  All that and we were here in just 3 hours.  Had made a reservation, but the two spots assigned to us were both occupied when we arrived, the park host was not around, so we had to find the Fairground Office to get a space. Anyway we got set up finally and hit the road by 1:00.  We travelled into Monterey, visited Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row then took the “17 Mile Drive” from Monterey to Carmel through Pebble Beach stopping many times for pictures.  We also stopped at Pebble Beach golf course, toured the Lodge and almost had a glass of wine, but decided time was a wasting if we wanted to see Big Sur about 30 miles down the coast.  The coastal drive was awesome; you are way up on the side of a hill/mountain edge with some incredible views.  However, the town Big Sur is not what we expected; it’s in the woods, so we were pretty disappointed! 

We drove back to Monterey as the sun was setting over the water, found a restaurant and had a nice supper getting home about 8:00.   One thing I would say at this point is we would never recommend the Monterey County Fairgrounds to anyone. We have had several issues and are not comfortable at all.  Thank goodness we are only here for two nights.  Plus the internet is very poor!

Tomorrow the weather looks good; we plan a return trip to Santa Cruz for our walk on the Beach Boardwalk in the sun.

Hugs,

R&B

October 24, Sunday

What a day this as been.  Rain, rain and more rain plus wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour!  So we did not go anywhere today, just enjoyed the opportunity to do nothing.  There were many accidents because of water accumulating on the roadways, from the rain that started Saturday afternoon.

We are leaving San Francisco tomorrow morning; our plan is two nights in Monterey.  Hoping to visit with sun, some of the places we had to just drive by yesterday!

http://www.montereycountyfair.com/facility-tour-a-rv-parking/rv-parking

Hugs

R&B

Wanted to share this picture of a tall ship in the fog of San Francisco Bay.

It's just so ghostly, I love it!

October 23, Saturday

This morning was just overcast so we struck out for parts south.  Our first time to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge ourselves!  Was not as rough as we had first thought!  Anyway, we proceeded over the bridge and down Highway # 1 along the coast to places like San Bruno, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Pomponio Beach, Pigeon Point, Davenport, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel (Remember Clint Eastwood was the Mayor).  While it was overcast, we were lucky that we had no rain, so were able to enjoy the coastal drive.  Once in Carmel, we drove

Ocean Avenue

past soooo many shops and soooo many people!  We took a pass on the “17 Mile Scenic route” to Pebble Beach Golf course because of weather, but, are planning to do that Monday-Tuesday. Thanks Bonnie Jean for letting us know the golf fees at Pebble Beach are $530 each for a round; we might do the $11.00 glass of wine!!  We also want to return to Santa Cruz and do the beach boardwalk.

We hadn’t left Larkspur till 11am thinking we would just drive THE bridge, but here we are about a 150 miles south down the coast!  So we decided to go back on the 101 to the #85 to the #1 and back into Larkspur which turned out to be 140 miles.  So by 5:30 we were doing Happy Hour and glad for it!  We had rain all the way back so it was a tough 2 ½ hour ride in what turned out to be a 350 mile day!

Nice talking to you Carol and Larry isn’t Skype a wonderful thing!

It has not stopped raining all evening, just what California needs is rain, so I guess we should not complain…

Hugs,

R&B

This was in the Redwood Forest, just look at the size of the tree!!!

Laurie this is for you, this guy towes the truck and boat behind his motorhome!

You will have to get B to tell you about the hook up

On route to Carmel by the Sea!

Oct. 21, Thursday and Oct. 22, Friday

Sunday - We finally had our day of rest, got up late, had a late breakfast, went for groceries and got three loads laundry done; then curled up with our books for the rainy afternoon.

Friday morning we woke up to rain drizzling down and fog, but decided to head out exploring by travelling back north on the 101 to Hwy #37 to Hwy #29 into Napa.  Had a little tour of the town and drove to Lake Berryessa and saw the Monticello Dam built in 1957 when they had really high water.  Today the overflow hole is out of water some 25’.  We drove back through the Sonoma Wine region, both wine regions are just loaded with grapevine fields and wineries, all beautiful on a sunny day. We travelled across to Santa Rosa, cross country to Tomales on Highway #1.  Very different terrain compared to the wine country.  Along the coast it was farming, cattle and tourism that keeps the population working. Travelled Highway #1 till Point Reyes Station then through Fairfax back to Larkspur.  Don’t think we saw the sun all day, Saturday and Sunday calling for rain and fog…

Pictures tonight are a comparison of the Monticello Dam in 1960-70-80's from the internet and the second picture is today.  Gives you an idea of how much water is not there anymore!

Hugs

R&B

Water levels of the 1960-70 maybe 80's ??  It shows the reason the dam was built in 1957!

The cement ring is the spillway!

Just look how low the water is today!

You can see the water line...

It was pretty mind boggling!

October 20th, Wednesday

Yet another very busy day, although, we left an hour later this morning because of the fog, we are still pretty tired this evening.  We got lucky and the fog burnt off by the time we were on the 11:30 cruise to Alcatraz Island, which is now a National Park.  We spent 2 ½ hours doing the audio tour of the cell blocks, watching the movie about the history of Alcatraz and walking the grounds getting sunshine pictures of SF.  It was all very interesting and now we can say we have been there and done that!  We had a quick lunch then caught the “city tour” to Chinatown.   We roamed around checking out the stores, B got a real deal, three tourist t-shirts for $1.88 each!  They have some amazing merchandise that you just wouldn’t see anywhere else. We then took the Cable Car down California Street back to Pier 1.  What a ride, but we should have taken it from the very top! (Maybe tomorrow) We decided to have supper at a cute little restaurant just beside the ferry terminal, Sinbad’s on Pier 2.  Was a little pricy, but the view of the harbour and Bay Bridge was fantastic with the sun shining on the water and rush hour traffic crawling across.  We caught the 6:20 ferry back to Larkspur and the full moon lit our way back to Marin’s RV.

Still making plans for Thursday.

Hugs

R&B

Oct. 19th, Tuesday

We were up and on the walking path over to the Ferry Terminal at 8:45 to catch the 9:15 ferry to the city…San Francisco!  The harbour was totally fogged in, so we saw nothing and I mean nothing. That did not discourage us as it looked like it would clear before the day was done.  Sure enough the city itself cleared off and we had sun and pretty warm temps.  We bought tickets for the hop on hop off bus and did the city tour on the upper deck of a double-decker bus.  We then climbed up the hill to the base of 

Lombard Street

then climbed to the top and back down again; it’s the crookedest street in San Fran. Now, that was a work out and we felt we worked off the calories of our fattening lunch.
But, it was a nice lunch on Fisherman’s Wharf .  We then went on the second part of our “City Sightseeing San Francisco” ticket and where off to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito loop.  The approach to the bridge was in sun, but the top was in the fog, so again, we saw nothing!  Once down the Sausalito side the sun was out! Go figure!

Our ticket is good for two days, so we are hoping that the fog will be gone tomorrow and redo that loop.  They dropped us in the Wharf area again and we walked some more, then back to Pier 1 and our ferry back to Larkspur!  We enjoyed a people watching glass of wine & a beer on Pier 1 before boarding the ferry. There had been a baseball game today at the AT&T Park, Philadelphia and the Giants.  Giants won so we had a few drunken people returning to Larkspur on the Ferry!

Tomorrow we are taking the Ferry back across to continue our exploring San Francisco.

Hugs

R&B

Lombard Street view UP!

Golden Gate Bridge in the fog!

Check the white hat in the middle of the bus!