She's out..........

Linda got released about 4 PM tuesday afternoon after 8 days at JFK Memorial Hospital. We need to stay in the area for about two weeks for follow ups as her coumadin level is not yet high enough. Cancelled the move to Lake Havasu AZ on the 30th in favor of the Indio Elks #1643 for two weeks. They have 55 sites at their club. Thirteen campers showed up for the week-end today alone. The only down fall is their New Years Eve party is black tie. I didn't bring any ties! Ha-Ha. Dennis, the RV overseer says we party outside too. Therefore I picked up 36 pack Coors for $21.97. Happy New Year to all.

There's a pause in our blog

I've (Linda) been in the hospital since December 21st. Wanted to at least put something on the blog so our followers know why there haven't been any updates. I had rather severe pain and went to the emergency room. Ended up to be a blood clot in my lung. As early as last Wednesday (the day after I was admitted) I have felt fine. But the medication isn't making it to the required levels so I have to stay here. Hopefully, can leave the hospital tomorrow as they are increasing dosages of all medications. We cancelled our next stopover in western Arizona in order to stay here in the Palm Springs valley for another 2 weeks. All RV campgrounds are mostly full. But Keith found an Elks Club with 54 sites who will save us a spot starting the day after tomorrow. Not easy to find open spots at this time of the year as all the snowbirds (many, many Canadians) start coming down in groves. I suppose it could be worse, as the weather here has been in the low 70's and later this week, the mid 60's. Keith has been couped up in here keeping me company. Not sure what he had for Christmas dinner, but I'm certain it wasn't very special. Guess we don't have to worry about gaining weight over the holidays! Hope to get back on track pretty soon, but not too soon as the southeastern weather doesn't look that great!

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year.

Milton James Becker

We all lost a "great friend" today. Not only was Jim a husband, father, grandfather of the Becker family, he was a leader in our bowling world in Cortland. Many a great times were had at 281 Bowl, Moose Clubs, Elks Clubs and a few ABC tournaments. We don't want to forget Moravia Golf Course and the Tri Alley thursday night league. Jim is seen here over seeing the 2009 Labor Day weekend festivities at Becker's Campground Resort. Let us all remember the great times. RIP

Free Miniature golf at Desert Pool

No complaints about Walden Oaks CC greens after putting on this course. Even used our own putters the second time with no help. Always something going on each day.

Desert Pool activities

Last week we spent a week at Desert Pools RV Resort and pickle ball and water volley ball seem to be the big activities. Basketball and shuffleboard courts are shown here too. There is 287 sites in this park.

Damn Weather!!!

Sorry we havn't been blogging but blame the "damn" weather here. Pool time, cards, dinners with the old folks. Moved back to Catalina Spa & RV Resort Monday from Desert Pools, which was around the corner, for two more weeks in the valley. Hope the weather gets better ..... for you of course.

Our "Pot of Gold" in the desert?

Caught this view of a rainbow in the windmill farm down the road from us. No gold yet. Had Thanksgiving dinner at the club house on Thursday. Was told they fed 150. A lot of British Columbia natives moving in now. We move Monday a mile down the road to Desert Pools RV Resort for a week then back here to Catalina Spa for two more weeks. Pork loin dinner tonight at the Club house. It's tough to watch Syracuse football at 9 in the morning drinking coffee. Happy birthday Traci Sunday. Turns 39 again!

Joshua Trees

Was surprised the trees were larger, but guess not. Nice National Park.

We've put many pictures on so you will need to go to November, 2010 to see them all

Joshua Tree National Park

Quite surprising that the most interesting thing in the Joshua Tree park were the rock piles. These piles were formed eons ago by volcanos. These rocks pushed up through the earth until they look like someone piled the rocks and boulders by hand. They are rounded due to erosion.

First haircut yesterday at Blondies

Added many new blogs tonight, so make sure you back up to the title "Catching Up Again"

Thirty miles away from up here just over the sign

The Salton Sea, located in the southeastern corner of California, is actually a lake which occupies a desert basin known as the Salton Sink. This body of water covers a surface area of 376 square miles, making it larger than Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake. In fact, the Salton Sea is the largest lake in California. The Sea’s current elevation is about 227 feet below mean sea level, its maximum depth reaches 51 feet and its total volume is about 7.5 million acre-feet.

8516 feet up

Looking down on the city of Palm Springs and the PS airport.

Going down!

Halfway there as we pass the down tramcar.

Are we there yet?

No.... Just passed the first tower with four more to go. Ascend two and one half miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the World’s Largest Rotating Tramcars. The cars rotate 2 1/2 times on each 20 minute trip.
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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, the tram takes passengers from Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to Mountain Station on the edge of the wilderness, elevation 8,516 feet and a drop of 20 degrees in temperature.

Mount San Jacinto State Park

The deeply weathered summit of Mount San Jacinto stands 10,834 feet above sea level, and is the second highest mountain range in Southern California. The mountain's magnificent granite peaks, subalpine forests, and fern-bordered mountain meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy a scenic, high-country wilderness area and guess what else?

Windmill Farm up the valley

The windmill farm generates enough electricity to power the entire city of Palm Springs and some of the surrounding area. It produces 600-900 megawatts of power. Utilities buy the electricity produced by the 3,100 windmills at the wind farm. The Palm Springs area is unique, as the wind blows hard enough to power the windmills 300days a year. The San Jacinto mountains are the 3rd highest mountain range in California and provide a wind tunnel through the San Gorgonio Pass along Interstate 10. The wind runs east to west along the pacific plate. The winds usually blow west to east in the mornings and east to west in the afternoon so half of the windmills face east and half west to take advantage of this. Windmills are placed 700 feet apart for optimal use of the wind. As the wind goes through one windmill it becomes dirty and takes about 700 feet before it clears up enough to be used by the next windmill.

Catalina Spa & RV Resort

New home for two weeks. Resort has 485 sites, 2 pools , 2 clubhouses, miniature golf, pickle ball court, shuffleboard, horseshoes, pool tables and a country store along with many daily actives.

Catching up again

Moved on Monday, November 15 passing thru San Bernardino National Forest to our next stop at Desert Hot Springs, CA for another two stay week. We now have good cell and internet service and catching up the blog.

Faults of our location

We found out today, tuesday, that we are also on top of the San Andreas fault. Nothing has shook yet.

Location, location, location

The map right will show you where we currently staying our second week at "The Ranch" near Palmdale, CA.

Filmore Golf Course #7

Looking up the hill on The Ranch golf course's 149-yard white tee #13 brings back memories of Filmore's #7. I [Keith] birdied the second day of playing.

Linda's tee ball

Still on 5 looking at 300 yards to the pin but over the trees. She made to the fairway both times so far that we have played.

White tee on 5

A look from my tee [white] at 342 yards to the pin. That's the red tees shown below. Still a narrow fairway to hit, believe me.

The Ranch at Elizabeth Lake

You are looking down the fifth fairway from the 434-yard blue tees. The fairway is on the right. The course is within the RV resort we are staying at for two weeks.

Monday's move down the valley, we thought!

Next stop is 387 miles down interstate 5 and was fine for the first 300 miles. Then we found the summit pass to cross. Up 4000 feet for before leveling out.

Earl's show case

Mr. Anthony's trophy case showing a few major wins. We weren't alone looking at them.

The house that Earl bought

Nice house with 48 lanes, bar, lunch counter and pro shop.

What's in Dublin, CA?

Over 4000 miles so far and we make a 60 mile trip down to Dublin, CA to see a bowling alley, but not just any bowling alley.

Damn!

It's a freaken' dam at the end of the RV resort. That was not on the list of things to see in this area. We did visit our Uncle Paul's sister, Helen Steele in Vacaville on saturday. Had a great visit and dinner.

Checking out the resort

We were walking around Canyon Creek when Linda asked "What's that wall?"

Welcome committee

Pulling in to Canyon Creek RV Resort, we caught the welcome committee tidying up the sites.

Moving down on Friday

Traveled down and east of San Francisco to Winters, CA. Actually closer to Sacramento. No need to go to SF as we toured there in 1990.

Deer season....We shot one!

Out touring the area [Cloverdale] and had to stop when I saw the rack. Bagged it!

New friends at Russian River Resort

Took a walk around the RV park and founded these guys. There was six in total. Found a flock of blue birds in other area of the park.

More redwoods

Beautiful drive down to Cloverdale, CA for two nights.

Pacific Ocean...good-bye

Oh yeah, the view of the ocean one last time as 101 moves inland.

On the Road again

Moving on south on route 101 to Garberville, CA. Stop to look at the Pacific Ocean one last time, I think?

Finally.......Elk

Coming out of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park [the Big Tree], Linda saw some anters in a meadow. Just out there, sunning themselves.

Dimensions

This tree can hold a lot of tree stands!

The Big Tree!

This is a redwood tree. Details in the next picture.

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS

Hope to have better pictures of the redwoods if the weather clears.

SUNNY CALIFORNIA

Well, not a nice day in California. The sign says California, even though you can't read it.

Most western point

We're at the most western point in the continental United States - Port Orford, OR. Pretty much we're out in the middle of nowhere! As you can see there's a storm around. The wind blew all night and all day today, at 4:30 pm PT it has started to rain. Not leaving the RV today at all! Will be driving on the Pacific Coastal Highway for 102 miles tomorrow. Hope the wind and rain doesn't blow us away!

Home to the sea lions

Nobody home today! So we went to the Moose Club #1210 in Florence, OR. Had a $5 chicken dinner and cheesecake with $2 pints of Coors light. They talked us into playing Bingo. Can't remember the last time we've played Bingo, had no idea it would take 3 1/2 hours! June Riley's would make this her second home. Sixteen women and us! They keep us entertained. Oh, gas was $2.68 and the cheapest in the state.

Heceta Head lighthouse

Located 205 feet above the ocean, the lighthouse is one of the most photographed on the coast. The light at top of 56-foot tower was illuminated in 1894; the automated beacon, seen 21 miles from land, is rated as the strongest light on the Oregon coast. The picture was taken from the sea lion caves.

Sea Lions playing

We went to the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, OR. It is nature's home for wild sea lions and a variety of sea birds. They were out playing in the ocean as none were in the caves as we made the our tour.

Coming Down is way more fun

Wheeeee!

We're up there!

Climbing the Dunes

Keith is getting ready to climb the dunes. 40 miles of dunes in Florence, OR. The clouds came in and the temp dropped.

Oregon Coast traveling to Florence, OR

Keith took this beautiful picture at this turnoff on highway 101.