10/15/07 - Houston, we have lift off!!! Yes, after years of planning, organizing and work we have finally realized our dream. Our first stop was Pendleton, Oregon. We stayed at the Wild Horse Casino RV Park. Wild Horse is a wonderous place. It has the casino, rv park, museum and golf course. Loved their indoor swimming pool. One of the better ones I have swam in.

10/16/07 - After my swim we headed off to the Boise, Idaho area . There have been many firsts in our new motorhome. This was our first "mountain trip". With such a big rig we were a little anxious to go up and down those big hills. Well, there was no need to be anxious -- maybe just cautious. "Just take your time," as Kevin, our semi-driving son, advised -- and he was right. We are staying in Nampa which is about 15 miles west of Boise. Everything in the area is connected by I-84. Heard it was not the best area because of drugs, etc. We did not see any evidence of it, however, it is always best to be cautious wherever you go.
10/17/07 - While Lance was out taking pictures of Eagle Hills Golf Course, I spent the day finally getting our desk organized. With the paperwork and supplies I put in the desk and the storage above I emptied three file boxes and one storage box. This gave us a little more room in our "basement". The desk is fantastic. We really love it.


10/18/07 - Today I found a nice swimming pool in Nampa. I called to see when they had open swim. I was told it was all day until 9:45 pm. When I got there I understood how my questions might have seemed strange. In the swimming pool area there was a lap pool, a children's pool, and a regular 3 - 4 ft pool, a 10 ft diving pool as well as a small pool for little children. It was a great facility. Had a little "sticker" shock in that it appears swimming will cost $8 to $10. I was too used to Norpointe Center and my monthly membership of $30. I guess when we are seeking out rv parks, swimming pools should have a higher priority.

10/19/07 - Ran some errands today and explored the Boise area. The weather has put a damper on Lance's shooting pictures on courses. It means we will probably come back this way when we come up in June for Tia's graduation. Hope to be a little more prepared to explore more when we come back. We did go to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Had the best Cobb Salad I have ever had. And, they even had a low carb cheesecake with fresh strawberries. It was delicious.

10/20/07 - Off to Twin Falls, Idaho today. Just out of Boise we hit a two mile stretch that was like a washboard. It was so rough we felt like we were in a blender. Everything in the motorhome rattled more than I have ever heard it. The good news was we had been having trouble with the sensor in our black water holding tank. We knew it was empty yet it would show almost 2/3s full. Lance called Tiffin for advice and they said the same thing my brother, Jeff, and sister-in-law, Elaine, said. Put some Pine Power (like Pine Sol) in about a half full (fresh water) tank. So, we did it before we left. That two mile stretch of road and the Pine Power did the trick. The sensor seems to be back to normal. They also said putting crushed ice down the tank before a trip is good too.
10/21/07 - Twin Falls, Idaho - While Lance was off taking pictures of the Canyon Springs Golf Course I took my camera to take pictures of the beautiful Perrine Memorial Bridge just east of the course. On the way up from the canyon was this beautiful falls. God, I love this lifestyle. I am drawn to nature and there is so much beauty around us if we just stop a few moments and enjoy it. The people you meet in the rv parks are so friendly and helpful too.

10/22/07 - Ely, Nevada - I discovered I could use my notebook on my little pull-out desk in front of the passenger seat. I can even use our Verizon air card and write e-mail or surf the internet. It is real cool to sit there and read or play with the computer or take pictures or just doze. My recliner is soooo comfortable. What a life!
10/22/07 - Ely, Nevada - Our trip to Ely (pronounced Elee) was a beautiful one. We took Highway 93 which is a two-lane highway going almost directly south toward Las Vegas. The highway was great. The highway takes you through valleys with mountains on each side.

The colors were great too -- even the desert has fall colors.

We stopped at the Bonneville Truck Wash in Wells, Nevada, and had the motorhome washed. It was really dirty from all the rains in Boise. We paid $35.00 for both the rv and the vehicle. They did a great job! Highly recommend them for any of you rvers out there traveling the Wells, Nevada area. Then just down the road -- at the I-80 and I-93 junction -- at the Flying J we gassed up (or do you say "dieseled" up) and had lunch at their 4 Way Cafe. Lance raved about their chicken quesadilla and Coralee's mushroom soup was the best she had ever had.


10/23/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Another beautiful day on the road. Continued down Highway 93 South, then onto Highway 6, then over to Highway 318 and then back to 93. A little quicker and more direct this way even if it sounds a little complicated. Before we left we invested in a few books. One is called Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways by Jamie Jensen. It follows Highway 101 on the Pacific Coast, Highway 93 from Jasper National Park in Canada to the Meixco border, Highway 83 from North Dakoa to the tip of Texas plus three other north/south highways and five east/west highways. When we discovered it told us about the Highway we were about to travel we were very curious. The book tells you blow by blow (like a Milepost for the USA), city by city with interests off either side of the highway. It was a great addition to the long road from Twin Falls to Las Vegas.
You think the desert is all sand and sagebrush. Not so. There was an area north of Ash Springs (we think -- guess it is time to have a notebook handy) that has some magificent rock formations. Huge rock formations.

This is how we were introducted to Las Vegas -- the closer we got the less smoggy it was though.

10/23/07 - Ely, Nevada - Lance could not get the propane door open last night so we were without heat (our heat pump only can go so far without the gas component). Unfortunately, last night was the coldest night we have experienced -- 27 degrees. Needless to say we got dressed, ate and did our departure chores in record time. Only trouble with record time is we were not sure we had disengaged the steps that keeps them from coming up automatically when you shut the door. So here we are traveling down Highway 93 South and I am opening the passenger window and sticking my head out to be sure the steps were up -- THEY WERE!!! That part of the road did not have many turn outs.
And, that is not all of the story. I kept hearing a different sound. I have learned most of the rattles, bangs and moans, etc. in the moving motorhome. Finally, it dawned on me -- we forgot the anntenna. It was still up. Found a place (thank, God) real soon and put it down. Looking at it tonight we could have easily hit something. Revision made to our check list -- and no matter how cold we are we are going to READ it.
Our first stop in Las Vegas was Johnny Walker RV - It is a Tiffin Dealer/Service Center. They were so helpful. They found the problem with the propane door, did a temporary fix on a drawer that needs to be replaced and found out why my passenger seat sometimes shuts down (a wire was pinched under the seat and would short out causing the circuit breaker to go off.) They seem to really know their stuff. I was greatly relieved to find them so competent and pleasant.
That is the second time we have had good luck. The first time was just before we left when we had a tire monitoring system put on. Infinity Coach of Summer had Les Schwab take the tires off for them. Les Schwab found one of our tires in the back passenger dual set had a big hole -- probably from a bolt or something -- and was losing air. It was very fortunate we found it then instead of on the road.
Finally arrived at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. We will be here for a couple of months. Plan to fly up to Washington December 13th and come back the 20th. We can put the motorhome in storage for that week here on base for, can you believe this, $2 a day.

10/24/07 - 10/25/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Once we got settled into the Desert Eagle RV Park at Nellis AFB we started to explore the base. Lance always attracts golfers -- of course, have a sign on the back of our car helps a little too -- He has already signed up for two golf tournaments -- one is a Halloween one. Ought to be interesting.
We checked out the Travel office and found some good deals. We plan to spend my birthday at the Venetian to see the Blue Man Group. Then on the 8th of November we plan on taking a road trip through the base to a taping of The Price is Right. The Price is Right is one of Lance's favorite shows -- and I love Drew Carey. Lance even volunteered to drive (the drivers only drive one way). Next month we plan to see Mama Mia at the Mandalay. Cannot pass up the opportunity to really explore the Las Vegas way of life.
It is 9 o'clock in the evening and Lance has gone down to the Strip to play poker with his sons, Dan and Jason, and poker friends from Washington. Would like to be able to report it was a GOOD NIGHT! Stay tuned.

The weather was up in the 90s today. Right now it is 64. How pleasant to have a "summer" evening in October. When we explored the Strip today we also explored swimming pools. Amazingly, most pools are outdoor pools that are closed in the Winter. Found a good indoor one about 15-20 minutes away. It is a municipal pool called Municipal Pool and has a fitness center with the type of equipment Lance used at the Annika Storstam Academy. So, I may have a partner in exercising. Another amazing thing is senior swimming only cost $1.50 or $15.00 for a month. Can you believe it. HOW WONDERFUL.

10/27/07 - 10/28/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Installed our motorhome sun screen. It is fun to watch people walk by and notice two tiger eyes are looking at them. They cannot see us but we can see them. It also screens out the UV which in Las Vegas is definitely here. Right at the moment (1 pm) it is 88 degrees out (in the shade).
Ooops! Lance just called said he could not get into the RV park. They have police and guns all over the place. I just called the office and they confirmed there is an "incident" going on and to "stay put". I wonder if other peole know it!
I locked the door and pulled the shade on the door. No one can see in -- I can still see out but nothing is happening. Looks absolutely calm and peaceful. Darn. Lance said so much for my surprise latte.
Well, he just drove up -- darn -- again -- do not even know what happened!!! We will have to find out later.
Oh! I forgot. Lance ended up in 5th place in his poker game and doubled his money. That always feels good.

10/26/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada. It was my birthday today so we decided to go to the Blue Man Group."Blue Man Group's (as described in the Venetian flyer) critically acclaimed show has been called "visually stunning", "wildy inventive," and "hysterically funny". Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group's show at The Venetian is an intensely exciting and wildy outrageous experience that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state." I think that sums it up well.


You ask what has this streamer and marshmallow have to do with the Blue Man Group. Well, all I can say is you have to have a good right arm to catch 'em.



10/29/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Well, the strangeness continues. They are doing a lot of construction right behind us and on the other side of the fence behind us. In the last few days we have had water outages, power outages and today a fireman came buy our rig and said there was a gas leak and to stay inside. Then a little while later he came back and said it was worse and would have to leave and go up by the office. We decided to go run a few errands to pass the time. By the time we got back the gas was okay, but the water was down again. Is there a full moon out??? Is it a Halloween curse we don't know about?
Well, it is nice being self-contained. We can generate our own water and power. Can't do anything about the gas though!
The smoke from California has arrived. You could see it coming in from the southwest. Like a big, light cloud. If it is that bad here must be hell in California.
Other than that we found Camping World and Costco and a lot of our favorite chain restaruants not too far from us. Even found a Great Harvest Bread. We love their Honey Whole Wheat bread.



10/30/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Went out running errands aka checking out golf courses. We stopped at Ethel M Chocolates because not only could you see the chocolate process but you can see their Cactus Garden. Ethel M Chocolates is owned by Mars. Mars are the people that make M&M'S, Snickers, etc. Frank Mars, father of Forrest Mars, Sr. and founder of Mars, Inc., started making and selling chocolates from his kitchen in Tacoma, Washington (small world isn't it?), in 1911. The tradition of producing quality confections is reflected in Ethel M Chocolates. The name was chosen to honor Ethel G. Mars, mother of Forrest Sr. Unfortunately, the candy line was not workiing when we went through. The garden was filled with all kinds of catcus, however, they all had lights strung on them -- kind of took away from their natural beauty. Guess we need to go back after dark and see them.

These cacti are called Rabbit Ears.


Speaking of rabbits -- watched a couple of rabbits at the beautiful The Falls Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada. I am thinking of doing a book called Animal Butts since about all I ever get are shots of is their behinds as they run away.


I love the hills that surround Las Vegas. They are not the beautiful forrest-covered hills of Washington yet they have a beauty of their own.



10/31/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada - Happy Halloween!! I think we have a Spanish-speaking gremlin in our house. We'll be watching our television in the bedroom and suddenly you are watching Dancing with the Stars in Spanish. After punching buttons and doing this and that it finally comes back to English -- It has happened twice -- Woo!! Woo!! Yes, we think it is a Halloween Spanish-speaking gremlin! Hi Jose!