We find the Fountain of Youth!

Prince Reindeer at Fountain of Youth

Time moves slowly here but the days tick away quickly. We have adopted a leisurely pace at the Fountain of Youth. Most mornings Ed is up at the crack of dawn while Ross enjoys a more relaxed awakening. We have breakfast or should we say brunch, watch a little TV, walk the dogs to the dog park (Mojo and Teddy have met a lot of other dogs and they can romp around a very large enclosure complete with places to climb, places to hide, places to chase, and places to dig), then meander down to the pool for 2 – 2 ½ hours of floating and sun basking.

The large pool and hot tub are adults only. There is another pool, and three hot tubs that allows children (not that there are lot of children here) but usually has activities going on. That is where they have the “lobster pot” – a pool filled with hot mineral waters straight from the earth – very hot (hence the name!).

Of course after a strenuous day of walking and floating it’s time for a sundown cocktail, then dinner and an evening of TV/reading/computer work (when we can get connectivity).

And the sunsets! Did we mention the sunsets?

We have taken a few trips to explore the area. One day we piled into the car and took off for El Centro. Had a little look around some of the small towns between FOY and El Centro – Niland, Calipatria, Brawley, and Slab City.

Niland and Calipatria are small towns that probably flourished when there was an armed forces base here. There is precious little else to bring people and keep them here! Mainly agricultural – some citrus, some dates, some vegetables but no industry per se that we could see. Brawley happens to be the confluence of two state highways and so there are some fast food places, gas stations, and an actual “downtown” (although many of the stores are boarded up and sitting empty).

Slab City is another thing completely!! Years ago an armed forces base was located here with buildings and the hustle and bustle you expect on a busy base.

After the base was closed the air force dismantled all the buildings etc and left only the cement slabs. Over the years the place fell into disarray and the desert began to reclaim its territory. That’s when the travelers found the place.

Today Slab City is filled with a community all its own. You can find the hippies, the entrepreneurs, the travelers, and the homeless. There is a large hill (Salvation Mountain) that has been completely covered with religious sayings, and paraphernalia; there are the requisite cars and trailers that are “decorated” with multiple geegaws; some businesses (solar panels, restaurants/cafes, and a convenience store); many people in travel trailers/5th wheels/motor homes just looking for a free place to camp; and some people trying to escape either reality or the government (or both). Like we say, an interesting spot.

El Centro is heavily populated with Mexican immigrants (legal and otherwise) so there are many businesses that cater to the Hispanic peoples. One such business is Cardenas, a Mexican supermarket. Imagine a huge Safeway store completely filled with Mexican foods. They also have a tortilla factory (both corn and flour), a grill area that cooks all manner of meats (chicken, beef, pork, lamb), and a complete deli. Great place to shop. Great seafood, huge selection of hot sauces, incredible bakery, and a vegetable market that has huge bins of jalapeno peppers/nopalitos/citrus fruits/spices/etc.

Some of the hot sauces at Cardenas

One pound packages of LARD for tamales and other low-fat treats!

Next door there is a great clothing shop featuring stock that has not sold elsewhere and is offered at a great deal – baby clothes for $1, men’s shirts for $2. coats for $5. Have a few armloads of stuff for Emily! Fun time!!

We explored the Borrego desert area when we met Donna and Norm Lynch, friends of ours from Penticton. They have been going to that area for years and acted as our guides, showing us places we would never have discovered. In one day we had a picnic in Hawk Valley amidst rocky and boulder strewn mountains, walked a ways through the Anza Borrego desert park, and drove past a part of a massive parcel of land that had metal sculptures all over the desert.

The owner knew of an artist that sculpted (or rather welded) metal and hired him to make a few pieces for his home. The gentleman was so impressed with the sculptures that he kept the artist around to make pieces to display along the highway. Wild horses racing across the desert, some being stalked and attacked by saber toothed tigers, prehistoric elephants, a massive eagle feeding her young a squirming snake, mountain sheep butting heads, and a gold panner seeking his fame and fortune while his horse patiently waits for him. Quite well done…….and there are paths throughout the desert so you can drive from one sculpture to another.

We have also explored the north end of the Salton Sea. Going through small towns like Bombay Beach (named because this is where air force jets opened their bomb bay doors in preparation to drop bombs on and around the nearby Chocolate Mountains during practice bombing raids), North Beach (a thriving community of 2900 people), Mecca (really the very southern tip of the Palm Springs region), Thermal (where the very best date shakes are made……we even bought a few pounds of dates for us to eat), Coachella, and Indio. Great place and has all the favourite shopping places we need. Coachella, Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert all blend together and eventually run into Palm Springs. Although we did find that living in Palm Desert seemed to have certain requirements attached.

While driving through the city it seemed that everything was behind gates and high walls, all cars were made in places other than North America (Audi, Rolls Royce, BMW, Mercedes), everyone dressed to the hilt even to go out for coffee, all pets had a lengthy pedigree, and the houses were all well over our budget!!!! Oh well we like the Okanagan too much to move here!!

The dogs are having a blast. As we have said the dog park is a good walk from our place but there is almost always a couple of dogs for our guys to smell/play. A few days ago (~ Jan 28 or so) we got to the park. There were a couple of dogs there already, but before long there was a total of 18 dogs – small, large, short hair, long hair, friendly, some not so much (even had a woman there with two dogs – one that hated all other dogs but loved people, and one who hated all humans but couldn’t stand other dogs)!

We leave this particular Paradise on Feb 15 for a short journey to a casino just outside Yuma. From there we will nip across the border to Algodones. We are looking at picking up some glasses for each of us. Then a couple of days in Quartzsite and then on to Lake Havasu.

Lions and Tigers and Hot Mineral Spas!

January 11, 2011 –

We traveled from Anaheim to San Diego with little incident (how much trouble could we get into in a 2 hour journey?) and set up camp in the Chula Vista KOA.  This park is amazing – terraced and landscaped with over 300 sites.  The host a comely lad named Clint was most helpful, with suggestions, directions and all kinds of ideas for things to see and do. He also sold us tickets for the trolleys, the zoo and probably would have come with us if we’d asked!

Did laundry and noticed an ad for a tour from San Diego down the Baja Peninsula and back that was leaving that day………….HMMM, wonder how much money is in the bank right now??  Definitely something to check into later.  We decided to hold off exploring until the next day when we are rested. 

January 12 – Up at our usual time (quarter past coffee time), had breakfast, walked the dogs, and talked to some of the people on the Baja tour.  This tour company is based in Surrey BC (!!)  and has been around for quite a few years. 

They do not keep as regimented a schedule as some of the tours we have investigated…cheaper too! They don’t leave you stranded in the desert for days on end.  Much like our way of living.  They have a wagon master and a follow up rig and meander down the Baja on a 28 or 32 day tour.  We are very interested……..who knows, next year you may be reading of our adventures in Mexico!!

Drove down to Old Town (historical area that is the birthplace of California according to the people who should know) and had a look around – imagine Barkerville with warm weather and desert conditions.  Caught the trolley bus that takes you on a sightseeing trip around San Diego so we can see what we would like to explore tomorrow. 

Tour guides (you can hop off the bus, look around the area, and catch the next bus) were very knowledgeable with two having a quick wit, great repartee, and lots of puns and jokes.  We saw Old Town, Little Italy, the San Diego zoo, Coronado Island, etc.  There is much to see and do here so we go back to the park and book in for an additional night (3 in total).  Dinner was at a BBQ place recommended by our good friends in Victoria (Bruce and Buck).  Great food at a reasonable price, but difficult to find (very little lighting on their signs so we traveled up and down the street for many a mile!!

January 13 – Today we take on the San Diego Zoo.  This 120 acre world renowned zoo is nestled in a gorge…..so lots of up and down walking.  The animals are all displayed very well and look like they are cared for incredibly well.  Had a chance to talk to one of the keepers.  He was very knowledgeable about his particular animal and loved talking about the care and attention needed for this animal.  Enclosures are large and they have tried to copy the animal’s natural environment.  The neat thing is they have also given lots of opportunity for the public to view the animals for several different angles……..read as lots of pictures!!! 

Took the “overview” tour bus, then started walking.  Our plan was to start at the top of the “gully” and work our way down, but somehow we were always walking up hills, stairs, ramps, etc.  We saw all manner of birds, avoided the reptile house (note from Ed: NOT my idea!)  watched giraffes feeding (and drinking from a pond – can you say acrobatic?), lions sunning themselves, hippos sleeping in the warm sunshine, polar bears cavorting in and out of their pool, other hippos sleeping in shallow water with only their ears, eyes, and nostrils above water, monkeys swinging from trees, chimps chasing each other, and gorillas waiting by their hatch door (trying to trigger the hatch with a small stick through a hole by the bottom of the door), and lots more.  Suffice it to say, we could have spent the whole day there……………HEY, Wait a Minute……..we DID spend the whole day there!!  And our feet were sore enough to prove it!!

After leaving the zoo we drove around another area of the park that has some amazing museums.  We were too tired to look inside, but the facades were incredible.

During the city tour we learned that there is also a small outdoor amphitheatre in this park that for years hosted many musicals.  Then the San Diego airport added a few more runways……one that flew right over the theatre.  Apparently (this could be an urban legend) the low flying aircraft would drown out any performance so the producers came up with a plan.  There was a “plant” in the audience with a couple of bright lights.  When aircraft got too close the “plant” would stand up and shine a red light up to the sound booth and then to the conductor. 

The performance would freeze momentarily, the aircraft would fly over the theatre, and when the “plant” gave the green light to the sound booth and conductor the performance would resume.  Interesting to think about and very difficult for the actors and musicians.  Also in this park is a wonderful band shell that houses a magnificent pipe organ.  This pipe organ was donated to the city and the park by a wealthy San Diegan (we were told the name but can’t remember what it was).  The pipe organ was free only if there the city provided a free concert every Sunday afternoon…….and so the tradition continues.

Back to the RV park and we have arranged for the dogs to be clipped at PetSmart tomorrow.

January 14 -  Up early to get the dogs to the groomer, then off to find Ed a haircut (the groomer didn’t want to take him as well as doing the dogs – didn’t know if he bit and we didn’t have his rabies certificate – some groomer, huh?).

Waiting for the dogs gave us time to explore a little of Chula Vista – some VERY nice neighborhoods – great views, huge lots, huger houses, nice places.  We pick up the dogs and head back to the motor home as they are a little stressed. 

It also gave us a great chance to visit Mission San Diego…where it all started...yes….that’s right the first of the twenty one California Missions carved out of the wilderness by Father Junipero Serra.

Like so many of them Mission San Diego had fallen into ruin by the end of the 19^th Century but was lovingly restored and is now again a vibrant community.

Another night ‘at home’ as we are leaving this place tomorrow heading to Niland – or rather just north of Niland – the Fountain of Youth Spa RV park.

January 15 – Looking at the map the road looks easy with little to no difficulties and we find that is the case…………..until we head into the mountains.  California road crews thought it would be a very funny idea to let motorists know that there are regularly huge gusts of wind throughout the mountain pass (45 miles of mountain pass)…….just after motorists pass the last turnaround.  Big joke!! The signage warns drivers of large or tall vehicles that it is not advisable to travel this route.  They could have told us before getting on the road!! 

But then we remember that some warnings we have seen are not that terrible for Canadian drivers so we soldier on.  All was well with Ed gripping the wheel with both hands as gusts blew us one way and the other, but we were making great time.  That is until we reached a high mountain bridge that spans a deep gorge.  Halfway across the bridge a gust of wind hit the RV and I swear we were only on 2 wheels.  THEN Ross looked down into the gorge……….clean shorts time!!!  We made it across the bridge and crept the rest of the way to El Centro where we turned north heading toward the Fountain of Youth.

We arrive at this spa and are amazed how many Canadians are here – apparently (according to our neighbour who lives…..are you ready for it?......in West Kelowna!!!!) the park comprises of between 75% and 80% Canadians!!  We swear that we will see neighbours from back home sometime.  The park is huge (800 serviced spaces with 200 unserviced spaces usually used for people waiting for a space to open up….they don’t take reservations!!), paved, and terraced with most spaces having views of the Salton Sea.  We settle into one of the serviced spaces and breath a sigh of relief.  Then start looking around. 

The area around here has many hot springs and loads of hot mineral water and the park has been in operation for near 30 years.  There are 2 large swimming pools (both warm), 3 hot tubs of varying temps, all manner of activities (pool, shuffleboard, arts and crafts, library, mail room, 2 laundry rooms, a small mercantile store, a small restaurant, meeting rooms, a card room, plenty of motor homes/manufactured homes for sale at a good price……and sun, SUN, SSUUNN!!! 

After a couple of days we realized that we both would like to stay longer than the week we have booked.  We are relaxed and starting to have a little fun.  We are near El Centro, Palm Springs, Salton Sea, and Indio.  We are also told that the temp is usually in the 70s during the winter but gets up to 110s during the summer (that’s too hot for us, but we also are usually in Canada during the summer, so that takes care of that!).  The one drawback that we can see is the park has “iffy” WiFi service.

January 16 – We lounge around the rig for awhile, then take the dogs for a walk, then meander down to the pool, then back to the rig for sundown cocktails (and what a sundown!!). That took most of the day………I don’t know exactly WHAT we did, but we are feeling better/more relaxed.  We both still have colds but they will abate sometime soon…..we hope.  We are also hoping to see Donna and Norm Lynch for Penticton who are staying at Borrego Springs on the other side of the Salton Sea. 

The light show that is the ferris wheel

Disneyland 104, originally uploaded by TexasEd.

This is Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure. We snapped this while waiting for World of Color to start. The wheel is a light show of it's own.....all LED I'm sure...but they change colors in seconds...amazing!

Elephant Seal mom and pup

Elephant Seal mom and pup, originally uploaded by TexasEd.

The Elephant seals beach themselves here....on the beach at San Simeon to mate and give birth. This mom looks tuckered out and the pup looks hungry!

San Simeon and Hearst Castle

San Simeon and Hearst Castle, originally uploaded by TexasEd.

Indoor swim anyone? This gorgeous tile natatorium was hand tiled and is so large you could fit our entire house inside it!

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Aquarium 009, originally uploaded by TexasEd.

Some of the cardio equipment at GB3 in Fresno

Some of the cardio equipment, originally uploaded by TexasEd.

The Magic Kingdom

January 5 – Drive to Bakersfield was uneventful…..except for the fog.  Day dawned sunny and warm but when we got on the road (and over the hills) the fog rolled in and stayed.  Fog is expected to stay for the next week!!!!  So much cooler, dank, and not the best weather……….BUT when we get into our Bakersfield RV (Orange Grove RV park) the orange trees are loaded.  Orange Grove RV is built on the acreage of an orange grove and each site has at least one orange tree next to the rig.  We have three trees and right behind us is the dog run with two rows of loaded orange trees just waiting for someone to pick them.  There is nothing like tree ripened orange……..and they’re  FREE!!!  Tomorrow we get a Fantastic fan in the bathroom.  Our bathroom fan has developed a major fault – it doesn’t work and we need to replace it.

January 6 – Up early because someone Ross travels with someone who, while making the appointment with Camping World, said rather non-challantly: “Sure we can be there by 8:30”!!  Keep in mind that we had to get up, dressed, have something to eat, pack everything away, slides pulled in, car hitched and get the dogs walked……..all by sometime before dawn!!  But we did get things organized and we were off by 8:00.  Decided to have Ross drive the car and follow the motor home. BIG mistake!!  While going over some rough pavement the hitch arms fell down on the pavement.  Sparks flying all over so when we finally got stopped, the metal cords used as security cables were ruined, the end of both arms were slightly ground down, and the pins were gone.  We gathered what we could and were at Camping World by 8:27. 

So while the good people at Camping World worked on installing a new fan in the bathroom we took the dogs for a walk, shopped at Camping World, had a coffee at Starbucks, and filled the car with gas.  By 11:00 we were driving out of the CampingWorld parking lot…….with new pins, new safety cords, and a new bathroom fan that runs perfectly!!  Back at the RV park we set up camp again and then went out to explore Bakersfield.  This is an interesting town.  Mainly agricultural (oranges, nuts, other citrus, some vegetable markets), a railway hub, confluence of four highways, and that’s about all.  Took ourselves to Olive Garden for a late lunch and then explored the town.  Interesting neighbourhoods – some rich, beautiful homes, some run down areas, plenty of Mexican influence.  Then back home to watch a little TV, drink a little wine, and an early night.

January 7 – Today we are off to see the zoo, but before we do that, the dogs have got to be walked and there are oranges to be picked – the trees are loaded and we have picked our share.  Large, ripe, sweet, and full of Vitamin C.  And did we mention they’re free!!!  Left the dogs in the motor home (they would not be welcome at the zoo) and off to find this place – California Living Museum (CALM) – www.calmzoo.org.  CALM is California’s premier native zoo and botanic garden, focussing exculsively on California’s native animal exhibits and plants (this from their brochure). 

We found the place a little run-down, cages are small and some of the animals looked to be in some distress.  On the bright side all animals on display are not able to fend for themselves due to disability or their dependence on humans so they are in this zoo to be used for demonstration and educational purposes.  As we walked around the zoo there were an amazing amount of light displays.  HolidayLights runs from mid November to the end of December and has been going for the last 17 years.  Would love to see it sometime.

Back home and had some time with the pups then off to a restaurant that we discovered here two years ago – La Costa Seafood.  Great place for shrimp and other seafood – not as good as our favourite place in Fresno where we can walk in, pick up a beer, order whatever we want, and sit down to listen to a semi-good mariachi band……….but still good.  Ed had the shrimp diablo,  Ross had shrimp mi tierra and we both had a margarita followed by a great flan. 

Tomorrow we head over to Anaheim and the Magic Kingdom for a couple of days.

January 8 – Drive to Anaheim was rather uneventful except when we didn’t trust the GPS guy and took a right turn instead of staying in the left lane.  Saw a bit of LA that we hadn’t planned to see but very quickly found our way back to the highway and onto the RV park (Anaheim Resort RV park).  VERY nice and great office staff – exactly the type of people that need to be in the public’s eye.

By the way, and speaking of our delightful GPS, from the end of the Grapevine (mountain highway leading into LA on I-5) our navigator said: “Left turn ahead”, or “Stay in the left lane”, or “Keep left” a total of 46 times until we turned off into the RV park…………just thought you all might be interested in that little tidbit!!!

Got settled and watched the LAPD (or was it the Anaheim police) detain a couple of kids skateboarding on the school grounds – three cop cars, four cops, and a helicopter, Oh My!!  Dinner in tonight to rest up for the next couple of days.  About 9PM we heard fireworks and …. Lo and behold, we could see fireworks from the Matterhorn at Disneyland……..we are that close!!!  Impressive!

January 9 – First day at Disneyland and got to see all the usual haunts (except Haunted Mansion which is closed so they can remove the Christmas lights). This place is so much fun, so clean, so …….so…magical.  We are always amazed how nice the staff is, how clean and new all the attractions look (even after 55 years), and how some attractions have been updated (People Mover in
Tomorrowland is now Innoventions). Got to see a new section – Toontown. 

Now we have been told that Toon Town was built and used from 1955 until last year as office space. Now a great place for the younger set.  All buildings are out of whack, with garish colours, and cartoon characters all over.  Some great rides too.  However did have an interesting ride on the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin – it broke down just before we got to the end and we had to walk out of the ride - - - in harsh worklights - - - -destroyed the illusion. Home briefly to walk and feed the dogs so we can go back to the park for dinner (BBQ family style) and stayed for the fireworks display. 

Fireworks are incredible……Cinderella’s Castle is ablaze with spots, fireworks, laser, music, and even Tinkerbell flying between the Matterhorn and the Castle (lit up and with a great follow spot).  Simply amazing and narrated by none other than Julie Andrews.  And for about 30 minutes!!  We had enough time to ride the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster for the second time today – too cool!!

January 10 – Today we tackled California Adventures – a new park to us and we are excited to see what they have in store..  We get into the park (not as many people as we have seen so should be a good day) and Muppet Vison 3D is the first attraction (and no lineups) – great animation and incredible 3D.  Then through Hollywood Pictures Backlot and see the Hyperion Theatre is showing the musical “Aladdin” four times today (we will have to make time for that one).  On through Backlot (avoiding the Tower of Terror – too many screams coming from the place) and into “a bug’s land”. 

No lineups for “It’s Tough to be a Bug” so we had to see that (and it’s another 3D attraction).  Guess what………we get half way through and the house lights come up with the young man acting as host asking us to please leave the theatre immediately.  He has a note of urgency to his voice so we are off and out of there!!  Found out that the largest ‘bug’ sometimes has a little problem with hydraulic fluid leaking from one of his many limbs and theatre is shut down to keep from splattering the guests with hot hydraulic fluid!  (Also found out that originally they had the same trouble with the Mr Lincoln speaks animatron…..except the fluid used was red and it used to bleed out onto Mr. Lincoln’s shirt – not too great…….accurate maybe, but not the greatest way to portray a great President). 

Onto the Golden State section – saw a demonstration of making sourdough bread (real bakery making the bread with overhead TV segments with Rosie O’Donnell and Colin Mochrie),  The bakery is connected to a restaurant where they serve four kinds of soup in a bread bowl – will have to have one next time……..but for now we had a coffee and Mickey Mouse cookie while overlooking the bay, roller coaster, ferris wheel, etc.  Quick tour of tortilla factory (much like the bakery) and back to the Hyperion Theatre.  Lots of people waiting in line……let’s hope the theatre is large.  Finally doors open and we are led into a massive theatre – four or five  times the size of Cleland theatre……….lights everywhere……..real nice.  Did not know what to expect but were thrilled “Aladdin” is a musical…..with live actors and a whole bunch of flying.  Hey, we’re talking about Aladdin, and the magic lantern, and magic carpets, etc.  VERY, VE RY well done show.  After that we treated ourselves with a couple of glasses of port, some blue cheese, and some chocolate then some more port.

Back to the motor home to release the dogs, feed them, and get ready for another feast at the park.  Delightful dinner at Ariel’s Grotto – three course meal of an antipasto plate for appys, ciopinno (sausage, lobster, shrimp, redfish, scallops in a very zesty tomato sauce (almost too hot for Ross), and an incredible plate of desserts.  We could have taken a quick tour of Paradise Pier but we had reserved seating for the World of Color extravaganza.  So we waddle over to the reserved section only to find we actually don’t have “seating” but have to stand. 

To make sure we have a great view we decide to stay, ask the hosts/guides where a good place to stand and we stand there for about an hour.  The show is beyond description!!  Hundreds of water jets that can move in all directions - all with their own spotlights (with capability to change colors…the large lagoon seems to be filled with illuminated paint), lasers and holograms bring various Disney ‘starts’ to life  against a massive water spray, incredible music, fire,massive follow  spots….a techie’s dream!

There are times that there was so much water in the air that we thought the lagoon would be empty!

It left us breathless and totally wowed.  Those of you who know us well know that we can be a little jaded when it comes to theatrical productions.  This production (and the Aladdin show) were out of this world……….and only Disney could have put this together!!!!

Tomorrow we leave this magical place and we can only wait for the next time we can return.

Elephants (seals) Clams, and beaches!

Blog Jan 2

We left Monterey in the rain and headed south.  Rained all the way to Paso Robles.  The RV park (Wine Country RV park) is rated as one of the top 100 RV parks in North America and deservedly so.  Nice grounds – two tiers (both with clubhouses, pools, etc), 2 dog runs, nicely kept……..and we got upgraded!!

Arrived and got settled then off to see what Paso Robles has to offer.  Area is full of huge wineries and vineyards can be seen for miles in every direction.  The rains are starting to slow but we have showers throughout the night.  By morning the clouds are breaking up and we are promised good weather.

We travel over to Hwy 1 and onto Hearst Castle.  We were a little skeptical that this may be a tourist trap…….how wrong we are.  VERY impressive grounds, extremely informative guide, and the castle defies description.  William Randolph Hearst knew how to build some mighty impressive homes!!!  Suffice it to say, we will be back for some of the other tours (we had the general overview tour, now we want to get to know some of the sights in depth). 

Throughout the tour we had heard about the village of San Simeon so decided to take a gander – quiet, quaint, cute.  Off north on the road toward the old lighthouse ………… only open Tues, Thurs, and Sat.  BUT wait a minute, just down the road from the lighthouse entrance is an over flowing parking lot.  There is a sign – “Elephant Seal Viewpoint” and people are streaming into this lot.  So, why not……..we parked and walked along a boardwalk high above the beach.  We look down this sandy beach to see what seem to be huge logs littering the place……but they aren’t logs, they’re moving!!!  The beach is a elephant seal refuge and the place is crowded with these massive beasts for at least a couple of miles.  We watch as young pups cry out to their mothers to be fed, other females lie basking in the sun (yes, we have some sun finally), some young males are seen sparing with each other, and massive bulls raise their heads every once in awhile to see if their harem is still together.  They all heave their weight this way and that to get settled in the sand.  When they get a bit warm they plow into the sand or use their flippers to cover themselves with sand much like an elephant will use their trunks to cover themselves with dust.  And we are but 30 feet away (and 25 feet above) from all this.

Back on the road and heading south toward Morro Bay – cute city featuring a massive rock in their harbour (el morro).  It is a fishing and tourism town.  Find a couple of cute t-shirts and a great restaurant – Ed had fish and chips (with a bowl of clam chowder); Ross had shrimp skewer (and a bowl of clam chowder) all from the senior’s menu.  By now the sun (yes, we still have that burning orb in the sky and it is supposed to be with us for the next week or so) has gone to bed and we need to make tracks home………laundry night!!!

In the morning (Jan 4) we headed off to explore San Luis Obispo.  As we drive into the city Ross was a little confused why any business would actually name their place – SLO Bank, or SLO furniture…………..it took an embarrassingly long time to realize that SLO was San Luis Obispo!!  Found the info centre but no parking so Ross hopped out of the car and walked into the centre while Ed drove around the block.  First question was if they had a city map………”Right behind you sir….only $3.00”.  OK, so next question is how to find the mission……”Go out the door and walk up the street about ½ block – you’ll run right into it”.  Ed drove up to the centre at that time and Ross hopped in.  We found a place to park, and walked back to the info people…….where to find a Bank of America, etc.  Also were trying to find a cute little winery recommended to us by Sandra Oldfield (vintner and wine master for Tinhorn Creek in Oliver, BC – and a Facebook friend of Ed’s).  The winery is called A Pithy Little Winery and the storefront is right next door to the info centre……but they were closed for inventory.  Had a walk around the city – quaint, treed, sort of like Granville Island (BC) or Newport Beach (CA).  We want to explore more of this city next year. 

We then headed over to the beach……Pismo Beach.  Great little village that is tourist oriented ++ and found a great little café that has (according to them) the world’s BEST clam chowder…….and it was!!!  Then back to the motor home and a soak in the hot tub.  We leave tomorrow for Bakersfield and hope the weather holds for us.

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Port, Cigars and Quady....oh My!

Waaaay Tardy in posting this....there was just not time while we were in Fresno.  But while we were there I noticed that the wineries in Madera, just north of Fresno, were having one of their events. The wineries market themselves as the Madera Wine Trail.

Among the members of the group is Quady Winery maker of Quady Elysium and Quady Essencia and a host of other wonderful things!

For a very modest fee you were invited to each of the eight or so wineries to sample their wares. Several of them make most excellent ports and for the occasion were having premium cigars available to enjoy with their ports.....well....you don't have to ask twice!!

Quady had arranged huge sofas and big screen TVs in one of their warehouses....some fantabulous blue cheese and other munchies....an idyllic afternoon....one I will enjoy again next year!

Two Months Worth of Blog at Once!

Welcome back all you intrepid armchair travelers.  Did you think we had deserted you?  Fear not, we are still alive and well in the state of California.

The Santa gig at Fashion Fair is over and Ross has recuperated for the most part.  It has been in interesting year at the mall however each day Ross had at least one child that made him laugh or lighten his mood.  All in all, the children have been wonderful….some of the parents could do with a little talking to, but that is another story.

The requests were all over the map but some of the most asked for gifts were Barbie (and all her accessories), Dora (and her stuff), Wii controller and games, Xbox and games, Nintendo DS and games, clothes, Toy Story stuff, books, other electronic games, and animals (stuffed and real – puppies, cats, hamsters, snakes).  The requests that really got to Ross were the ones from little ones wanting a bed of their own, a room of their own, a home, a Christmas tree, their parents to get back together again, and one young girl who really wanted her sister to have lived until after Christmas instead of dying late November.  Teenagers wanted clothes, clothes, money, gift cards, clothes, musical stuff, clothes, and makeup.  Young adults were on Santa’s knee only to get a picture for Mom…….or Dad………or Grandma.  Some young couples were asking for money, a mortgage, a house, a job, and one young man only wanted his sweetheart to marry him….he proposed on one knee in front of Santa and the lucky young lady and she said YES (applause all around the mall).  A few women from an earlier generation only wanted a man (one woman – age 62 (she told me) wanted a man – 30 to 35, tall, blond, well built, and “able to keep me….. happy”……..and to live longer than the rest of her husbands!!  Santa also heard many requests from all ages of children that they just wanted their families to be happy and have a great Christmas.

Santa saw babies from 3 days old and up.  Some were sleeping so that gave him a good excuse to try for a sleeping Santa pose with Santa pretending to be asleep while holding the sleeping babe and an opened book that is dropping from his fingers.  The oldest person Santa saw was a 89 year young woman with her great, great grandson (3 years) sitting on her lap.  He also met with a woman being pushed around the mall in a wheelchair by family members.  Santa asked her if she was having fun.  She looked Santa right in the eye and said: “Son, I’m 85 years old.  I have raised 7 kids on my own, buried three husbands, broken my hip and am sitting in this wheelchair……….Hell, No, I’m not having fun!!”  Santa chortled for hours over that one.  He also saw a few twins, one set of triplets, and lots of families (largest one was 18 people).  There were groups/staff from the mall and the Fresno Women’s Chamber of Commerce (21 in all). 

Sure we had our problems, but in the end we had a successful year and the photo boss seems to be pleased.

While Ross was sitting on his duff at the mall Ed was merrily shopping for groceries, taking the dogs for their daily walks, making meals for everyone, and working out at the gym he joined when we got to Fresno. 

The gym was like nothing we’d ever seen before. More than fifty treadmills, about the same number of ellipticals and hundreds of other machines…the purpose of which wasn’t always completely clear!  There were free weights as well of course.

There was a sauna, a steam room, full size swimming pool and hot tub. Oh yes, and the one in NW Fresno is one of four…soon to be five owned by the same company.

Christmas Eve was spent resting, drinking, and nibbling appies from Trader Joe’s.  We had seen one neighbourhood that was lit up beautifully but did not get to see Christmas Tree Lane  the 2 mile long festival of lights where most all houses were incredibly decorated with  lights strung through the giant evergreens  over the street – quite festive.

Christmas Day was a quiet day where Ross got to sleep in.  We started with champagne and OJ, stollen, and coffee……then opened presents that Ed had bought (Ross was somewhat busy doing other things for some reason).  We took the dogs for a walk in Woodward Park and watched the geese and ducks beg for food from anyone passing by.  We had meant to go to Erna’s Elderberry House for Christmas dinner but thought that we could use the $500 elsewhere.  Ed found all the ingredients for a great turkey dinner at …….. you guessed it – Trader Joe’s (stuffed turkey breast, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans au gratin, Brussels sprouts, and our own plum pudding for dessert).

A few days later Ross became just another citizen of this planet Earth when he got his hair and beard trimmed.  The stylist took about 4 inches of hair off the head and about 2/3 of the beard.  And it feels soooo much better – cooler, but better.

We packed up all our belongings on Dec 30 and headed west to Monterey.  Found a RV park (of sorts) on the fairgrounds in Monterey.  This is where all the exhibitors park their rigs during the rodeo/horse and cattle shows/etc. during the summer.  But it has water, power, and sewer. Met with Brett (the big boss) and debriefed about the year then met up with his wife and two boys for dinner.  Great family and the kids are very well behaved.  Good dinner at Cannery Row Brewing Company where Brett ran into a group of friends he had graduated high school with.

Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve) – Met up with Brett and the boys to go to the Monterey Aquarium.  Brett’s two – Andrew and Will – know this place backwards and forwards so we let them act as leaders.  Great time.  Weather has been rainy and cool but the boys wanted to go for ice cream so found their favourite place and ate ice cream while almost freezing our dookuses off!!  Back to the motor home and picked up the dogs and back to Fisherman’s Wharf for a couple of bowls of soup – Ed had clam chowder and Ross had butternut squash – anything to get warm again!!  Hit Trader Joe’s (what are we going to do when we get home?) Home in time to watch the ball drop in Times Square (with a couple of power naps before the witching hour), then in bed for a great sleep.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Jan 1 – We were invited to Brett’s place for brunch and had a great time.  Molly and Brett are wonderful hosts and of course the two boys are great.  Back to the motor home to again pick up the dogs and head on to explore the area.  We saw a bit of Carmel and walked the dogs on the beach for a bit (lots of sand now in the car!) then down the road to Carmel Highlands.  Happened on the Mission there and had a look around because of course everything was closed.  When we got past Big Sur and the weather was getting wetter by the minute we turned around and headed back to Fisherman’s Wharf………..for more chowder!!!  The rains have started again and the place is WET!!!

In fact, while some of our friends in Canada have been having record snowfalls and frigid temps, we here in California have been having lots and LOTS of rain.  The deep depressions (about the size of a large football field) we see around the city (Fresno) are always fenced off with gates locked.  We now know that these “ponds” are like reservoirs – runoff from the streets is fed to these places.  They fill quickly and are slowly absorbed.  Impressive to drive by one of these ponds that is dry one day and filled to the brim the next. 

California  seems to be having a wetter winter than expected however the natives  are jumping for joy….they may not have as many fires this year as in the past.  However, with the rains there also comes flooding and there has been a lot of flooding here.  Floods always block highways, help to destabilize mountain cliffs so they come crashing down on homes and property, and sometimes even carry away homes.  There have been some minor washouts near us but thankfully the earth here is stable….for now!.