Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DO WE HAVE BAD LUCK OR WHAT?

RV PARK IN JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING





RIRIE LAKE IN IDAHO



TOW TRUCK DRIVER CHRIS TOWING THE MOTORHOME TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP



Well its Tuesday evening about 8:00PM in Pocatello Idaho. Not the destination we intended for today.


We were on our way to Twin Falls, Idaho only 2 hours away when the transmission in the motor home blew. Smoke and fire poured out of the engine underneath the motor home. I quickly stopped the motor home and jump out. We were both afraid the motor home was on fire. So, we were towed to a Ford dealership to have the transmission checked out. The technician agreed the transmission was gone and that it needed a new one. Cruise America arranged for an exchange of a new motor home but unfortunately the new one won't be here until 10 or 11 tonight. Then Mark and I have to empty the old one into the new one. We decided to stay the night in a hotel for the night because Twin Falls is 2 hours away.



The Ford dealership recommended a hotel in Chubbuck, the Ramada Inn. We checked into the hotel and quickly checked out. It was disgusting and looked so unsafe we couldn't stay there. I checked online (thank god for the Internet and that I brought my lap top) and found a beautiful Best Western Pet Friendly. We are here for the night and will leave early in the morning for Burns, OR.


We will stop in Ontario, OR to visit with Mark's sister, Jennifer at her work. We were planning to visit her in Weiser but Jennifer and her husband Paul received terrible news this week. Please pray for them. Paul was diagnosed with pancreas and liver cancer. I just want to see her and give her a big hug.


I have to say I'm ready to go home. We were so relaxed today cruising down the freeway to Twin Falls. Yesterday we spent the entire day in the motor home because it was raining all day. I BBQ in the rain and was it cold. So today we were looking forward to spending time outside in the sun relaxing at the RV park in Twin Falls. Now we have added expenses we just did not count on ie: hotel, gas, food, etc. Cruise America is going to hear from me!


We are only 12 hours away from home and will be home on Saturday. I missed Yellowstone and Crater Lake but will still be able to visit Crescent City on the ocean and the redwoods.


I have to remember that each moment is a gift and today is a gift.



Love,


Debbie

Monday, May 30, 2011

WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!

DRIVING IN THE SNOW

LAKE IN THE GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK



SNAKE RIVER IN THE GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK





I WOULDN'T SAY WE WERE WELCOMED




CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE TOWN NAME BUT THESE WERE SO CUTE




BEAR LAKE





SNOW CLIMBING THE MOUTAIN TO THE GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK








All I can say is yesterday was a nightmare or as Mark said, A Day From Hell. It actually started out great except for dropping Bob and Cindy off at the Salt Lake City airport to fly home.


We had a wonderful week together. I'm so happy to have spent this special time with them. I have so many memories that I will cherish forever.


After dropping them off at the airport, Mark and I packed up the motorhome and started our journey to Yellowstone National Park. All day we dodge the weather. Some places it rained and some pkaces it was beautiful until we reached Yellowstone.


As you can see from the pictures we went from hot desert weather to cold snowy weather. What a change? I know we live in the most wonderful place on earth. We get bad weather but nothing like what we saw yesterday.


So we continue towards Yellowstone going through the south entrance on our way to the west entrance to our RV Park Grizzley Bear RV Park. We were about 47 miles from the RV park deep in Yellowstone when it started snowing and I mean snowing. I'm driving towing my little bug and it was a mess. All of a sudden we look ahead and a big bus is turning around in the middle of the road and we see the road is closed. The ranger at the station we paid $25 to said nothing about the road being closed and let us go over 50 miles in the snow only to have to turn around and go all the way back to Jackson for the night. We were coming down the hill from about 6,900 feet snow everywhere in the pitch black. Not only did we have to worry about the weather but also the wildlife on the road. We saw hundreds of elk on both sides of the road. I have never been so scared in my life. Finally after 2 hours of this we made it to Jackson, Wyoming again. It was 10:00 PM nothing open except McDonalds and I have not taken my meds yet. I couldn't eat but only bites to get my meds down. The worst was to come.


We had no where to go. The only RV park in Jackson was The Virginian and it was closed. We drove around and decided to sleep in the parking lot of a bank. I never closed my eyes. My stomach was aching from the stress and I was so scared someone would bother us. It was a nightmare!


Both Mark and I couldn't sleep and finally felt better when the sun came up. We went to the gas station and filled up gas and propane. I waited till 8:00AM to call the RV Park to see if we could stay there. George was great. The park checkin was 1:00PM and I told him my nightmare from the night before and he allowed us to checkin early. We immediately went there, I paid and Mark set up the motorhome. By the time I got back to the motorhome everything including the TV was working. It was warm and cozy. I felt much better. I made breakfast and we sat and decided our destinations for the rest of the trip.


Also, on top of all that the dining area window blow out while driving and now we have no window. It's 43 degrees out right now and it will be 29 tonight. We have the heater which, thank God, works. We can't do anything until Tuesday because of the holiday today. Just one more thing. I don't know if someone is trying to spoil my fun but it's not working.


So now I have checked the road and weather conditions and our plans have changed. We will not be going to Yellowstone or Crater Lake. Both places call for snow and I'm done with that. So we are going to Jerome, ID Tuesday; Burns, OR Wednesday; Klamath Falls, OR Thursday and Crescent City, CA on Friday; Home Saturday. We decided to cut our trip short by one day to get home and unpack, clean motorhome and relax in our home.


Trust me it has been wonderful and I will never forget the moments. But there is no place like home. I can't wait to go home! I especially miss my boys, Erin and little markie. I can't wait to see little Markie. I got him so many cute little things from the places I visited. Maybe someday I will take him and my newest grandchild on a trip like this. First comes the lake. I want to take him to the lake house and take him fishing and feed the ducks. I plan to spend almost every weekend at the lake. Sun and fun!


Please enjoy the pictures! Remember every moment is a gift!


Love,

Debbie

Saturday, May 28, 2011

HOME IS WHERE YOU PARK IT!

LAKE POWELL











KOA GLENDALE UTAH




OUR OWN BRYCE CANYON AT THE KOA




ZION NATIONAL PARK














































































































































Home for us has been Yosmite, Laughlin Nevada, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park and now Salt Lake City.

On Thursday we went to Zion National Park. Again such an unbelieveable place. The cliffs with rock formations looked like layers on top of layers. We left late in the afternoon to go to Zion. It was Bob's birthday and we planned to have dinner in a little town called Springdale. The KOA we stayed at said a restaurant called Bit and Spur was good. We drove through Zion stopping to take pictures. We had a wonderful dinner at Bit and Spur. The weather was great and we sat outside watching the locals go by. Cute little town right in the middle of this national park. The people who live in Springdale or beyond have to go through the national park to get home. How beautiful that must be to see each day. We then drove back to the KOA just when the sun was setting. One unique spot in the park is the one mile long tunnel cut right through the mountain. That was incredible. Next day we are up early and on our way to Bryce which is only an hour away.



Cindy and I left first in the bug and drove to Bryce. The boys followed in the motor home. Cindy wanted to stop in the little towns on the way for shopping. We stopped in Old Town Bryce and did some shopping.



Bryce was absolutely beautiful. Mark was tired of looking at rocks so he stayed and dog sit Mia. Cindy, Bob and I took the little beetle and went to Bryce. It was so different then Zion. Zion had more cliffs with rock formations layers of rock. Bryce had rock formations called "Hoodoos" everywhere. These Hoodoos went straight up to the sky. It looked so pre historic. I was waiting for dinosauers to come out somewhere. Both places were awesome.

We have had a wonderful time! Weather has been beautiful. Today it is a little cloudy in Salt Lake City but warm. We have a beautiful site in the Salt lake city KOA park. Full hookups including TV and WIFI. I didn't even take a picture of the last place we stayed at called Ruby's Inn RV. The site was terrible. Dirt with no WIFI and cable. The bathrooms were miles away and crowded. We couldn't wait to leave that place. The shopping for Cindy and I was great. We found lots of treasures to bring home.



Tomorrow sadly but Bob and Cindy fly home. It has been such a wonderful time with them. I so happy I was able to experience these wonderful places and make special moments with them. I can't wait for the next trip. We all agree now it is "lake time". We want to enjoy our trailers at the lake and make moments to remember there.


Mark and I will be traveling to Yellowstone National Park. I will hopefully post when we are at Yellowstone but have to wait to see if the place we are staying at has WIFI.


Hope everyone has a blessed Holiday Weekend. Say a prayer for our troops every where in the world.


Love,

Debbie




























































































































































Wednesday, May 25, 2011


































Today was truly a day I will never forget! The saying I like the most "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but the number of moments that take your breath away". Today was that day!


We started our day at 9:00AM at the Grand Canyon Railway. We had reserved seats in the luxury car at the back of the train. It was terrific! What a way to spend the day. The train left Williams AZ at 9:00AM for a two and half hour drive up the mountain to the Grand Canyon. We sat in luxury with a continental breakfast, drinks, coffee and orange juice. We had a great rail car assistant named Carol who was a kick. She told us jokes and was so much fun. Oh as I writing this blog, the train goes by blowing its horn. Didn't sleep much last night because at 2 or 3 in the morning one came through the town blowing its horn. Can you believe that? It was great! I was so afraid Mia would start barking at it. She didn't but seem a little confused as to what that was.


Anyway, our day started with a pleasant and comfortable ride to the Grand Canyon. We arrived there at about noon. The walk to the Grand Canyon Rim I have to admit was pretty hard for me. It was many and I mean many stairs to get from the depot to the rim. I did it but my heart was pounding. Then it happened. My first sight of the Grand Canyon and it differently was "A moment that took my breath away". It almost seems unreal when you first see it. I thought it looked like a painting. I'm so happy I was able to see it. I will never forget this day!

We had a wonderful lunch at the El Tovar restaurant overlooking the Grand Canyon Rim. It was then time to get on the train for the ride back. Again we were in the luxury car and had wonderful appetizers and drinks including champagne. I had sparkling cider to celebrate a wonderful experience. All of a sudden the train stopped and would you believe "train robbers" boarded the train. They came to our car and rob us. The sheriff quickly came through the door and hauled them away. It was so fun!


I hope you enjoy the pictures. Please don't say "someday" you want to go to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite or somewhere else. Do it today! You never know how many todays are left I'm not living that way anymore. I'm going to live life!!!!!


Love,

Debbie