March 2015

Spring is here and I love it!

For the past several years, in March, Outdoor Resorts has it’s “Sunshine Invitational”  During this time, the resort holds several fund raising events to help fund the Coachella Valley Cancer Society.  This year, we raised $60,000. 
There are so many generous folks here.

Our ORI “Topless Cruiser Club”  had it’s first overnighter.  We had over 20
convertibles and we all went to San Diego for a really fun couple of days.   
We stayed a a great hotel.  Several of us went to a brewery for lunch.

Old Town in San Diego was colorful and very busy. 

We toured the USS Midway, docked in the San Diego harbor. 

What an interesting tour.  So much history and so much to learn. 

Mike went out with a few of the Jeepers on an overnight camping trip in the desert.  When they woke up in the morning, one of the fellas found this guy in his ball cap.  Glad he looked before putting it on his head.

The weekly Jeep trips show us the beauty in the desert.

We took the motorhome over to Phoenix for a week of

Spring Training Baseball games. 
We enjoyed the week with 3 other couples and had a wonderful time.

Spring Training Baseball.  Mike is a Dodger fan and I am an Oakland A’s Fan….
We are ready for a great week!

We saw 6 games at 5 different stadiums.  We had such great seats and we saw some amazing players….all getting ready for the 2015 season.

We saw the Kansas City Royals, The San Francisco Giants, the LA Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Oakland A’s, the Milwaukee Brewers, The Chicago Cubs, the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox’s.

One last “Topless Cruiser” trip.  We took a day trip up into the mountains toward Big Bear.  The weather in the valley has been hovering around 100 and a convertible ride to the mountains where the temperature was around 69 degrees was a welcome relief.  The mountains just a few miles north of Beaumont, CA are beautiful.

February 2015

We spent the first few days of February in Las Vegas.  This picture is of the Fremont Experience…….a screen over the closed street (made into a walking area)  We drove to Pat and Rollie’s, spent the night, then drove with them to Las Vegas for 4 days – 3 nights over Mike’s 68^th birthday……watched the disappointing Super Bowl and gambled!  Had a great time!

Mike went to the King of the Hammers off roading race in Johnson Valley.

Tony Pelligrino was Mike’s favorite racer…… He got 9^th. 
Mike had a great time.

The desert is beautiful….. and the sky is incredible. 
We have had a very warm winter.  I love it!

Some of the gals from “Thread Therapy” drove together to the
Hemet Quilt Show.  This was my favorite quilt. 
Oh – to have that kind of talent!

We went on two “Topless Cruises” during February
and really enjoyed them!
We are loving our new (to us) Mustang!

We had a great visit with Nancy Ardeel Brown, a Hilhi classmate and her friend Rog.  It was so great to see Nancy…..it felt we had visited just yesterday when it has been about 50 years!  We really enjoyed Nancy’s friend….he has many hobbies that are right up Mike’s alley!

My knee has been bothering me for several months and discovered on an MRI that I have a torn meniscus.  Feb 16^th was my arthroscopic repair/removal surgery.  Don’t I look beautiful…..ready for surgery? 
Actually just eager to get it fixed and get on with the winter.

We had a Mardi Gras parade.  Golf carts all decorated. 

We finished up February with a great concert at our resort. 
What a fun evening!

My knee is improving every day.  Still not pain free….but getting there!

January 2015

We have had a busy and really fun January.

The high desert has snow in the winter and it is beautiful.

The desert is growing on me.  I see beauty everywhere!

We were so happy to see our friends Bob and Paula on their visit to Indio.

I miss them so much.  I wish I could have spent more time with them but
unfortunately I got that nasty cold going around.

On our January “Topless Cruise”  (That’s topless as in convertibles)
we went down to the Salton Sea and had a wonderful lunch at “The Fountain of Youth”
RV park.  I tried to get some of that fountain of youth stuff….but alas it didn’t work.

While down in the area, we visited Salvation Mountain near the entrance to Slab City.

Some of our friends had never been to Slab city so we drove in a ways.  Couldn’t go too far because we were in our convertibles and the roads are too bad for them.  Slab City is an old military installation from WWII where the government put in slabs on which to pitch their tents.  The area has been abandoned for many years and now RV’ers have taken over and park their RV’s on the old slabs.  They have no hookups, no electricity.  It is a place where folks go to “drop out”.  What an interesting place. 

We were lucky to spend 4 days in Phoenix and attend Anna’s gymnastics event there.  There were 1000 gymnasts there.  Thin little muscular gals everywhere!

Look at that beautiful smile!

The meet was at the Arizona Grand…. A huge beautiful resort.  Here Anna and a couple of her friends were in front of the entrance fountain.

It was wonderful watching Anna perform!  She is amazing!

I went to the “Road to California”  southern California quilt show. 
It is getting bigger every day.  It’s huge!  We went on the first day to
avoid the crowds…… it was sooooo crowded!

So much fun!

This was my favorite quilt.  This is made from thousands and thousands of tiny pieces of fabric…..  so much detail.  All that and it only got a red ribbon! 
I would have given it “Best of Show” for sure!

Mike traveled up to the Oregon coast for his annual golf trip with the fellas.

Once again they had beautiful weather.  Who would think that in January on the Oregon coast it would be so nice!  He had a great time!

The “Desert Rats” our local off road group had a fantastic event.  It was an off road rally.  We were given vague directions and timed stop times at various locations.  We left a staggered times.  It was so much fun!  I think it was my favorite day jeeping!....ever!

Beautiful slot canyon!

At one of our last stops we hooked up with our friends the O’Connors.

Great day with great friends and great views of the desert!

Such a fun month!

December 2014

 Whew!  “2014” is coming to a close - then  ….. on to “2015”

A chocolate making class was a great way to start off this holiday month!

A lot of fun – but we all had to sample!  Of course!

We had a tree decorating party which was so much fun…. Then a few days later,
we had a “Spark of Love” Christmas Party.  Look at all these toys! 
The fire department was over joyed with all the gifts!

Our December “Topless” Cruise – (Don’t worry- it’s a convertible group!)
went down to Borrego Springs.  This is an old rusty sculpture of a stage coach. 
It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time!

The holidays are here and we want to be “home” with the kids and grandkids.  A short flight to Portland OR and we are plunged into the Christmas spirit!

But first……..

What a nasty time to have wisdom teeth pulled…..  but never fear. 
Camryn was great by Christmas day!

Many times, I’ve said, “If I lived in our motor home,
where would I put my Christmas tree?”
Well here you go……

Two trees……..A beautiful tree at Marc and Maria’s house

And another gorgeous tree at Brandon and Karen’s house!

I’m a lucky lady!  What a wonderful Christmas!

A beautiful Christmas Eve service at church in Vancouver, Washington.

Back in Indio…….Bonnie’s birthday!  Dinner with the best of friends!

We have had a wonderful 2014 and are so very thankful for our health, our great children and grandchildren and the ability to live this wonderful life.

We wish the very best to you for 2015.

November 2014

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is coming quickly.

It’s time to finish up the shopping!

but first……let’s re-cap November.

We borrowed Kim Hansen’s convertible for the November “Topless” cruise to Idylwild up in the mountains.  We had a fun day with over 35 convertibles.  We love these trips!

In the short time we have been here our newly potted
geraniums have gone crazy.
They are beautiful!

Well… We finally did it!  No more borrowing convertibles. 
We bought this Mustang and I LOVE IT!

Just a few days after buying our new “Pony”, we took it to Lake Havasu for Thanksgiving.  Runs like a top!  We are so happy – I AM SO HAPPY!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Pat and Rollie (Mike’s sister & her husband)

This is ths entrance to the “village” under the London Bridge
in Lake Havasu

While in Lake Havasu, we went to their Christmas Lighting event.
First over 50 people braved the 56 degree water and swam across the channel under the London Bridge.  The winner from the swimming event, pulled the switch to light the Christmas lights.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  It really put me in the Christmas mood!

Saturday, we went to the races in Havasu.  It was a beautiful day and
we really enjoyed the time with Pat and Rollie

While we were in Lake Havasu, Pat and Rollie bought a Mustang almost like ours.
Now we are twins  (almost)  I think Pat is as happy with hers as I am with ours!

Now Thanksgiving is officially over……..

Best Wishes for a wonderful Christmas season. 

October 2014

We’re here in Indio!  Hooray!!!!

The sun is shining EVERY day and the birds are singing!

I love it here!

 

Mike’s sister Sheri and her husband John stopped in Indio at the end of their “Route 66” retirement trip.  We had a great time with them!

John has a 1957 Thunderbird – totally restored – that they drove on their trip.  We met them in Barstow California…..John and Mike finished the journey to Santa Monica in the
T-Bird while Sheri and I drove back to Indio to rest up.

Mike snapped this shot of the very first McDonalds ever……. In San Bernadino.

While John and Sheri were here, we took a trip to “Salvation Mountain”  This is a hay bale man made mountain that has been totally painted with left over paint from “wherever” and made into a landmark of sorts.  Very colorful and interesting.

Salvation Mountain is at the entrance to “Slab City”  During WWII the troops would train just outside the town of Niland. (near the Salton Sea)  The military poured slabs of concrete where the troops could set up their tents……all that is left are the slabs.  Now many RV’ers camp at Slab City.  This picture is of one of the more creative campers.  It is for the alternative lifestyle type folks who want to kind of “drop out” from the norm.

Mike is getting the Jeep ready for his winter “Off Roading”

I love Diet Mountain Dew!!!!  But unfortunately because of all the caffeine I can’t have any after about noon…….  Our ORI neighbors, the Hansons, live in Minnesota and guess what?…. In Minnesota, they sell CAFFEINE FREE Diet Mountain Dew.  Love it – This year they brought me several cases!

Our ORI Octoberfest was a great success.  Beer, Brauts and all the fixens. 
We had a great turn out too!

Mike really liked my “beer serving frauline” outfit…. I wonder why?

We topped off October with my birthday! 
Had a great day and we hope the start to a terrific year!