Fri. Dec 31st, 2010 Ramona CA.

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,

since August 2006

      Well it was a lovely clear night and lots of frost on our car again this morning, here's a sample for you.

frosty

      Now that is enough for this year, two of our neighbours had their water lines freeze, but not us we were fine (I think we still have some Mexico Heat on board from last winter). The sun came up and was bright and warmed things up considerably. After coffees and computing I went to Ramona for a few food items on our list. I bought some Real Milk, it's nice that they clarify that, I don't like imitation milk, does it come from imitation cows ???

Real Milk !

      I am glad we are not going too far today as the traffic was very heavy everywhere. Rv's with trailers full of ATV's and dune buggies and toyhauler trailers were everywhere. Back home a walkabout the resort by the clubhouse and checking out a few more of the tree stumps that someone had carved, very nice.

Beaver, Bear, Eagle

Clubhouse

     I opened our awning to let it dry out after the rains on Wednesday and we were able to sit in the sun for a couple of hours and enjoy our books. It's not quite as warm as we would like it but very acceptable considering our location in the California Mountains. As the sun disappeared behind the trees and mountains we retired inside to read a bit more and whip up a nice supper of a hot pork sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy and peas, a tasty favourite of ours.

hot pork

     Now for New Years Eve they had planned a simple get together at the clubhouse (from 7:00 to 9:30 pm, because midnight is way to late for us old folks), bring a snack to share and your beverage, socialize, listen to some music and welcome in the New Year at 9:00 p.m. (midnight new York Time) with the countdown on TV, dropping the ball at Times square.

lots of snacks

      Well all went real well with the food, introducing ourselves to the crowd, chatting and getting to know new people. Some music, then somebody realized that they forgot to hook up a satellite dish to the clubhouse TV (they have local cable) so that we could celebrate midnight with New York. Well no problem we took the opportunity at this point to go back home just before 9 pm  to turn on our TV and celebrate  midnight with the crowds at Nathan Philips square in downtown Toronto. This was actually very special to us, because neither one of us can remember the last time that we have done this. We were usually at a dance or party some where late and have missed this celebration, So we got to go to the party, socialize, enjoy the festivities, and celebrations, do the countdown to midnight and get to bed at a decent time, an AWESOME finish to another AWESOME year!

Happy New Year !!

Visitor Number

Caribbean Cruise, 2008

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Thurs. Dec. 30th 2010 San Diego

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,

 since August 2006

      After a rainy wednesday it was cool overnight and we woke up to a very heavy frost on our car in the morning. Something we haven't seen for quite a while.

Frosty car roof

      But its going to be a sunny day and almost warm enough. We started the car to defrost it and headed out to San Diego at 8:00am this morning, a nice one hour drive thru the winding mountain roads, very scenic. Today we are going to take a sightseeing tour with Vizit Tours . We located their sales office in Old Town San Diego and were directed to a free parking lot 2 blocks away. We have never been to this area before so we find a sightseeing tour is usually a pretty good bargain. We chose this tour for the good price and flexibility of it. When we arrived we find that for $15.00 each we can get a pass for the two loops for two days, half price. So this is a deal, an open air bus, narrated by John, a jolly fellow with lots of information. Oh and we can hop on and hop off anywhere along the route and pick up the bus and hour oh so later.

Suzie by the Bus

      We have a nice day ahead of us and we have another bonus as well The Port of SanDiego Big Bay ballon Parade, this is billed as America's Largest Ballon Parade. The Parade route is of course right where we want to go and slows us down somewhat but, hey we got to see more sights at a slower pace and up close view of the parade from the vantage point of the open air bus right from the beginning. Then we were detoured around the Parade thru downtown to Seaport Village, at the south end ofthe parade. We got off our bus here and enjoyed some more of the balloons and bands for a while. With Seaport Village right there we decided it best to begin our walkabout before the parade ends to avoid some of the crowds. The souvenir shops, restaurants scenic walkaways and waterfront view was very nice. We grabbed a snack at one vendor to hold us over until we had lunch. As nice as this place looked it was just an expensive tourist trap, So after about 90 minutes we were ready to move on. Next to the village was an aircraft carrier that we could tour " The USS Midway"  , but thats a day all to itself.

We saw this beautiful flower in one of the gardens,
does anybody know what it is??
It is the Bird Of Paradise, Thanks Sharon!!

      Now Shortly after 12:00 John returned and we hopped on the bus for a nice narrated tour of  the Gas Lamp Quarter downtown, Horton Plaza, ( both have high end restaurants and shopping). Then on to Balboa Park,  the famous San Diego Zoo ( this will another day of sightseeing) and back along a different route to Seaport Village to pick up another couple. Then a different route thru Little Italy then to Old Town. Here we got off the bus and we shared a nice late lunch at Miguels Mexican Cantina. From the free chips and salsa, a coupon for a free appetizer ( tasty, tender calamari), then a delicious appetizer of ceviche (raw fish, scallops and shrimp in lime and onions) and bacon wrapped camaron (shrimp) tortillas, spanish rice and beans. So good (a little spicier than Suzie likes thou), After this a walkabout Old Town for a bit then decide its time to head home about 4:00pm to avoid some of the traffic that is coming into town for the football game tonight.

      Now with so much fun sightseeing and information to absorb after a great day of sightseeing and full tummies, we can relax at home and reflect on what we saw and did with the couple hundred pictures that I took for the day. An maybe plan another excursion into town at some point before we leave the area.

Lots more of Todays pictures

Visitor Number

Caribbean Cruise, 2008

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Wed. Dec. 29th 2010 Ramona CA

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 

 since August 2006

      I had to look at this today because we had no sunshine at all for the whole day. It rained all night and it rained all day. There would be a heavy rain, and start to let up then heavy again then almost let up and so on all day long. Well got the umbrella out and open our awning so we could get out for a bit and a walkabout. I did not take any pictures outside today because of the constant rain. We did not notice any mudslides or problems in this area, I am thinking probably because of the trees, grass and rocky soil.

      I went to town (Ramona) about a 5 mile drive down the winding mountain road. It is a fun drive in the car, we did not notice as much coming up here with our coach thou. Well into town i went and checked out the three grocery stores Albertson's and Stater Bros were typical for this area, large and a good selection. Then the IGA a little smaller was fun, I could have sworn I was in Mexico. The loud Mexican music is the first thing, then a distinct odor from the bakery, spices and meat counters. Fresh baked Mexican buns (bollos) and pastries (pasteles), and the products available on the shelves, some items I have only noticed in Mexico especially the fresh meat counter. Also a lot of the signs in both English and Spanish, an interesting shopping experience.

       Back home a bite to eat for lunch then a good day to do the laundry. The laundromat here was unique in that it was like a screened in front porch on somebody's house. A little to cool and damp to sit outside in the rain so I just relaxed in the car with my book. The laundry goes much quicker with a book. Back home we researched a bit more on the area for things to see and do. And I carved up a huge pork loin roast we bought on sale, we got 20, one inch thick boneless chops and a nice pork roast out of it for less than seventeen dollars, good deal. So after that we had a pork roast for supper that I had removed from the freezer earlier to make room for the new meat. This was combined with some left over rice, corn and sauerkraut for a tasty meal. And some applesauce as well.

yummy

      Then afterwards a relaxing evening, chatting, reading and a few minutes of tv.

Thanks for stopping by.

Visitor Number

Caribbean Cruise, 2008

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Tues. Dec. 28th 2010, Ramona Ca.

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 

 since August 2006

      Today is a another bright, sunny and warm one. But time to hit the road, we have been here two weeks and getting itchy feet. So coffees, computing and a walkabout we putter around then on the road by 9:30am. On I-10 past the wind farms, in Banning Pass hundreds of these giant wind generators planted in rows just like farmers plant their crops.

wind farms

      Westbound towards Los Angeles but at Beaumont we take CA-60 towards Riverside then south on I-215 then I-15 thru some beautiful highways and valleys rolling hills and at one point we both mentioned that it reminded us of pictures that we have seen of Switzerland, with crops and orchards on the hillside, some mountain goats grazing on the slopes, and houses perched on the hilltops,  pictures just don't do it justice. Then we turned off at  Escondido and took I-78 winding thru more beautiful country side, with orchards that looked like Oranges and other ones with grapes for wine. We also passed the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park with a huge lineup of traffic, maybe we will go back for a tour. Into Ramona and a nice winding road for a few miles to Ramona Canyon Resort.

Today's travels

      So we arrived here shortly after 12:00 noon a nice refreshing and scenic short drive for the day. We picked out our site in this resort nestled in the mountains, with streams, trees and rolling hills, very nice. We puttered about for  while setting up and checking out things to do in the area, then before we knew it was time for supper. So I whipped up chicken parmesan with spaghetti noodles and a spinach salad, very yummy. Then we can relax a bit more with a book and a bit of tv.

Todays pictures

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Visitor Number

Caribbean Cruise, 2008

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Mon. Dec. 27th, 2010 Palm Springs, CA

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,

 since August 2006

      A beautiful sunny warm morning, coffee, compute and walkabout. I must have been so busy enjoying the weather yesterday that when I finished composing our blog I forgot to publish it. But mom sent me an email in the afternoon to see if we were alright, because I had not done the blog. Thanks ma for keeping you little boy in line!

      I picked up a few last minute groceries while Suzie vacuumed and dusted our coach and back home we had a light lunch. Nice and warm and sunny it was a good day to cut my hair outside so I got it all done and Suzie came out to do the finishing touches for me. Then we had a very nice video call with my three children, their spouses and all five grandchildren from back home in Ontario. They had all gotten together for a Christmas visit, it was great to see everybody together. This certainly rounded off our Christmas family get togethers, with Suzie's family done yesterday.

      Now by this time its mid afternoon so I puttered about a bit, storing our BBQ and tables, sewer hose, check the tire pressures and fluid levels as we are on the road tomorrow to Ramona California for a week , about 2 and one half hours away. Now we can relax in the sun for a while with our books and chat with a neighbour. Today for supper we had decided to go to Rocky's Pizza again and meet up with over 35 people there from the resort for a nice supper and social time.

placing our order at Rocky's

      Once here at 4:45 we lined up, placed our orders and took our beverages to a table and chatted with some people from the resort, some we have met before and some we just met now. While in line the gentleman behind gave us a coupon for $3.00 off a large Rockys Special with 10 items, sure do like a deal. Always fun and interesting conversations going around the tables then our food comes in shifts, but nobody is in a hurry.

pizza, wings and beer

       Now with a nice supper, full tummies, social outing and left overs, its back home to relax with a book for a while and few minutes of tv before calling it another great day!

Visitor Number

Caribbean Cruise, 2008

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Sun. Dec.26th 2010 Palm Springs CA.

OOOPPPSSS!
I finished the Blog early this morning, got side tracked and forgot to post it,
Thanks Mom for letting me know.


Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 

 since August 2006

      This morning up early again to watch the sunrise, coffee, juice, bloggin and a nice walkabout. Its a bit cooler, overcast and only about 60f (15c) until after lunch. Then the clouds parted and sun shone through and warmed things up. So after packing away our Christmas decorations we got the chairs and our books out to enjoy the fresh warm air.

enjoying the day

      Even our neighbour Gerald (the guy who made the Christmas coleslaw) was out with his dog polishing his truck.

Gerald polishing

      A few hours of sunshine, reading, chatting with neighbours and a walkabout then its time to go inside as the sun was setting behind the mountains. We were going to BBQ pork chops, but with the cooler evening decided to make something we have not had for quite q while, a shake 'n bake pork chop casserole with rice, veggies, canned tomatoes and cheese.

easy dinner

yummy

      This was a nice easy, tasty, one dish dinner that we added a spinach salad and some tasty red coleslaw to round it off very nicely. Then we can relax chat for a while, read our books and a little bit of tv just to finish off another great day.

Visitor Number

Sedona AZ, 2009

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Sat. Dec. 25th 2010. Palm Springs

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,

since August 2006

Merry Christmas

      Well with Christmas morning here and the excitement we are up early (5:30am) to make the most of this very special day. And as it never fails Santa found us here in California this time with some very special gifts for us.

Santa was here.

Chocolates and cashews for Suzie

a Folly Pack for me, 4 beers, 3 of each= 12 beers

      Thanks Santa all will be enjoyed by us and it is disposable, nothing permanent to add to our small house. We started the day with our juice, a pot of a special holiday blend coffee and danish pastries.

danish pastry

      The christmas morning phone calls to family members wishing everyone all the best, then a nice video call with my oldest daughter and 3 grandchildren running around, so nice, checking emails, update the blog and a walkabout enjoying the sunshine and desert vista, so peacefull and quiet.

desert vista

      Then back home to chat with neighbours and help one from Saskatchewan set up his satellite dish, while he was waiting for his children to arrive from Longbeach CA. after a one week cruise. With all the rain that we had I noticed some black streaks on the side of our coach, so I proceeded to wash them off and wax our coach again while I was at it, was such a beautiful warm sunny day. A light lunch and more walkabouts wishing people a Merry California Christmas. Then relax in the shade today (the sun was too hot) and read for a while.

checking out the dishes

      Now its just about 4:00pm so up to the clubhouse with our shortbread cookies for our Christmas Dinner. Here we were invited to sit with 3 other Canadian couples that we had met in the resort. Introductions were made, everyone got comfortable then we were told to stand take your plate, and walk from table to table to sample all the many delicious looking pot luck dishes. Well with 125 people here and everyone brought something, there was no way to even think about sampling it all and everything looked so good. From meatballs, to salads, beans, ham, pickle trays, cabbage rolls, casseroles and deserts just to mention a few items, nobody would go hungry. The resort supplied the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing and cranberries so all was good, and did I mention that this was all free!

our table and us

yummy turkey

my samples

      The neighbour beside us, Gerald from San Francisco was new to cooking came up with an idea for his dishes, colourful coleslaw with raisins and slivered almonds on top he asked us how to put it together. I just told him to add stuff you like until it looks and tastes right, you can always add more. So there it is, he's was so proud of his Christmas creation.

Christmas coleslaw

      Of course we ate too much but that is what you do at Christmas anyway, don't you??. Everything was so good. Now after supper the tables were cleaned a bit and we sang Christmas Carols lead by a lady who was very good on the organ and singing as well, really into the Christmas spirit.

nice sunset

       After all this a few of us from BC, Alberta, Texas, Ontario and New Jersey sat around the clubhouse and chatted for a while before making our way back home to relax again after a great California Christmas.

Visitor Number

Sedona AZ, 2009

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Fri. Dec. 24th 2010 Palm Springs CA

Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,

 since August 2006

HO HO HO

      What another wonderful day, sunshine and warm. coffee, computing, walkabout the resort, chatting with neighbours and a quick trip to the store for a few last minute things. We had an early lunch and thought we would try again to take a quick drive to Palm Springs. We took the shortest route passing some road crews cleaning up the mud, kinda reminds us of the snow plowing back home only its not white and much warmer.

roadgrader

cleaned up roads

      After a 10 mimnute drive we are headed down Indian Canyon Dr again only to find the road still closed. So Suzie stopped at a store by the road block and they informed here that 3 more exits west or 2 east we could get thru but still a very long drive to downtown. So we drove thru the barricade just to see the problem and stopped where the work crews and equipment are working on clearing the roadway of several feet mud.

work crews

       Well all was not lost we just turned around and had another nice drive back home, checking out the wind mills and the snow capped mountains so scenic.

windmills

very scenic 

       So back to our house to enjoy the sunshine, warm air, crowded pool, hot tub and an ice cream cone.

crowded pool

yummy

relaxing

cool jet stream looks like a rocket launch

      Reading our books and chatting with a few neighbours and then to chat with a couple from western Canada Jim and Sharon the jointed them for happy hour. After a nice visit with them back home to fire up the Barbie and get cooking. Steak, baked potato, corn, with mushroom and onions.

on the barbie

 yummy

      Following supper a nice relaxing Christmas eve with Christmas carols our yule log on tv and a good book.

Merry Christmas

Visitor Number

Sedona AZ, 2009

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