Another family stop in the Bay area

June 5-9, San Jose, California

Hippie girl with her Portuguese Water Dog at the Woofstock  Cluster Dog Show in Vallejo

Having grown up in the Bay area, coming here is somewhat of a homecoming for Vic. Even though he moved away when he went to college at the University of Idaho in the 60s, his younger sister has lived in Sunnyvale since 1965 and his older sister now lives here as well as his 89-year-old mother who is in a nursing home in Los Altos. Until this spring, Vic's daughter and three grandsons were here too, so we are very accustomed to spending time here--but never before in a motorhome!  Where to stay was our first challenge. I was excited to find a 10/10/9 rated park that advertised a San Jose address, Coyote Valley RV Park Resort, where we intended to stay as a bit of a splurge; however, when I put their address in my navigation app, it turned out the park was actually in Morgan Hill, a 40-minute drive from my sister-in-law's home in Sunnyvale. Our intention in coming here was to visit the nursing home everyday and spend time with Vic's sisters so we nixed the plan to stay at Coyote Valley as we wouldn't be hanging out there much anyway to enjoy the luxury amenities. Plan B ended up being the antithesis as we are staying at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, a no-frills site almost in the heart of San Jose. We do have full hook-ups and a private space away from the very old full-time residences (think duct-taped parts, missing windows, tarps, old vines covering the trailer) and and it is much quieter than I thought since there are several events going on in this very large park including an off-track betting site, paintball tournaments, dirt bike track, auto auctions, and tonight--a quinceanera complete with fireworks. The best part was the price of $27 a night and an easy drive of less than 15 minutes from family.

Each day we were here, we visited the nursing home to see Vic's mom who now suffers from Alzheimer's. She is amazingly healthy physically but her short term memory is almost non-existent. She did seem to recognize Vic each day but her questions revealed a complete break from reality in thinking her husband, her parents, and sister were all still alive and that she had visited her childhood farm in Kansas recently. She has been in the nursing home two years already, but she has no sense of time other than the present. I kept wanting to do something tangible to brighten her day, so asked her what she would like me to bring but each day we came she had not even remembered seeing us the day before. I was struck by the similarity of listening to our three-year-old grandson when he tells little stories that blend reality with his own little fantasy world. Just be there to listen and affirm. The arc of a life is not ours to question. . . .

Sunnyvale is also a homecoming for our female Portuguese Water Dog, Jetta, as my sister-in-law, Sandy,  raised her until she was two before giving her to us. Sandy still has Jetta's mother, but she and Jetta no longer get along well together. I guess moms in the dog world are better at pushing their children out of the nest than most of us humans. It was interesting to watch Jetta sniff around the house and yard where she used to live; she certainly remembered it. Our other dog, Rico, Jetta's son, just thought it was great fun to be in a house and yard again, but each night when we returned to the motorhome they seemed extra grateful to find their cozy corner and curl up. Vic and I often feel the same way after nine months of full-time living in the Big EZ. After venturing out into the world for day trips and errands, we return to our own little cozy corners where we settle into our various pastimes. One thing I really appreciate about life in this small area is the minimal distraction of unfinished projects compared to those that loom around you in a stick or brick house. No garage to clean someday, no yard to weed, no closets to reorganize (well, only one and there's not much rearranging to do.) What I miss about a house is more conceptual--the idea of going home, having a bigger nest to retreat to, a more stationary anchor. It's a trade-off but for now our wanderlust is winning. I am, however, learning that I would like to plan more month-long stays vs. a few days here and there as I get a chance to feel more at home when we have an extended stay. (To be honest, before this year I was judgmental about people who just traveled from point A to point B in their motorhomes, but if you like these two places, I can get it.)

So much for my philosophizing. Today we left the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds to attend Woofstock, a 60s-themed dog show in Vallejo, about 70 miles north of San Jose. We are staying at the Tradewinds RV Park of Vallejo, another no-frills park that we chose due to its proximity to the dog show. Owning two PWDs (Portuguese Water Dogs) ourselves, we were interested in seeing this popular show where there will be fifty Portuguese Water Dogs, including one of our own little reindeer-named dogs from Jetta's first litter of nine puppies: little curly Vixen who is now Nixie just earned her championship there yesterday. The event is billed as four days of peace, music, and dogs. My sister-in-law Sandy, former secretary of the Northern California PWD club, had four dogs in the show and her own dog, Garth, won Best of Breed out of all these dogs.  She was thrilled and so were we as Garth was the stud dog of Jetta's second litter, the country-western named puppies. We had a puppy from each of  Jetta's litters in the show: Dolly and Vixen (Nixie).  Fun for me to see those little pups I helped deliver in the middle of the night under the spell of Pendleton to calm my nerves.  (A story for another time. . . .)

Sandy and Vic with Andy, son of Garth and Brook 

A better view of Andy who took 1st place in his group

 

An adorable brown and white wavy PWD puppy that I fell in love with!

The brown and white puppy won his division! Check out the judge's attire.

Our girl Nixie (formerly Vixen) earned her championship at the show.

Garth winning best of breed out of almost fifty dogs.

Tomorrow we had planned to start our trek northward back to Oregon via Redwood National Park, but our life of spontaneity is taking us to Plymouth, California, about 40 miles east of Sacramento instead. We just can't pass up another opportunity to reconnect with our Illinois Phaeton friends, Mike and
BJ, who are in California to pick up their daughter and granddaughters for a cross-country adventure.  I think we need to deliver some cranberry oatmeal dunkers from Trader Joe's to them; it's sort of an unwritten agreement. Peace, love, dove.

Last week in Southern California

May 28-June 5, Yorba Linda, California

Our second week with three grandsons has been full of busy days--going to the community pool, taking boat rides in East Lake Village, playing in the park, roasting hot dogs on the campfire, getting the cousins together for dinner, and spending a day at the beach. It's an understatement to say that life is full with three boys under the age of eight. I don't know how my step-daughter keeps up with their endless energy, varying schedules, and daily needs. It reminded me of my own more youthful days raising two boys on my own and my mother visiting saying "what can I do to help?" As a parent of young children, you get into a rhythm of the daily go-go-go and it sometimes hard to stop and let others step in. Such is the cycle of life, no? Now that I am approaching my first year anniversary of being retired, coupled with the slower pace of life in our motorhome, the contrast is greater when you are around anyone with busy schedules. We are just grateful to  have been a part of their lives these last two weeks and help out in any way we could.

Vic and I also managed to sneak in a day trip on our own to the Santa Monica Pier and to Hollywood to take my niece out to lunch one day. I had heard about the Santa Monica Pier a long time ago and always wanted to check it out. I have had a long-standing attraction to piers from fishing expeditions in my childhood to romantic notions of long walks on a pier in the moonlight. Notable piers all seem to have their own personalities and this one was no exception.

The 1922 carousel still twirls around.

There were trapeze classes and exhibitions on the pier when we visited.

The Santa Monica Pier is the official end of historic Route 66--something neither of us knew. Kind of interesting to think this pier built in 1909 is the end of the line for the great California migration. The pier also used to be know for its ballroom dance hall--something I have never seen before on a pier. The dance hall was later converted to a roller skating rink which may explain some of the derby queens we saw on the bike lanes. True to my images of the pier, was a carnival-like atmosphere with the vintage carousel, and newer roller coaster and ferris wheel.  I was also happy to see there were a large number of fishermen still using the pier for that purpose while others enjoyed the "street" artists, fortune tellers, or nickel arcades. I was also delighted that they kept such attractions as the old-fashioned soda fountain and photo booths. Slices of Americana that promote nostalgic memories for us baby boomers and a fitting end for Route 66.

Our second stop on this outing was a quick trip to Hollywood to have lunch with my niece whom I have not seen in five years. It was terrific to catch up with her and hear her latest dreams and aspirations as a young woman pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. She took us to one of her favorite Thai cafes where we enjoyed her company and some really good Thai food (pineapple duck curry and Thai iced coffee for me). The only challenge of the day was negotiating the crazy LA traffic which I could never deal with on a daily basis. Sure glad the motorhome has been securely parked in one place since we came to Southern California; it's challenging enough traveling in a car.

Another big highlight for us this week was meeting up with the granddaughters and my step-son who live about an hour and half away. Since the grandsons just moved to Southern California, this was the first opportunity to get the cousins together in a while so we all met together for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory near Pasadena, a half-way mark. The girls, thirteen and eleven, had much to tell us in terms of  their latest favorites and updates on their main sports activities: soccer and cheerleading.  (I was pretty surprised to learn they like Aerosmith and Queen as I would have guessed Justin Bieber and One Direction were at the top of their list.)  The best part was watching the cousins interact as the boys seemed a little baffled by all the girl talk but they were all ears.

On our last day in the area we (well, my step-daughter actually) packed up the boys and headed to the closest beach--Newport Beach--about a 45-minute drive to the southwest. We weren't sure which beach to go to so chose the closest one with the easiest access: Santa Ana River County Beach, a long stretch of beach just south of town with free parking on a side street--if you are lucky enough to find a spot. The day was rather cloudy and chilly (in the high 60s), but the boys seemed to be oblivious to the cold, racing in and out of the water in just their swim trunks.  What energy they expended running up and down the beach, digging in the sand, jumping the waves, stalking seagulls.  After three hours, I was tired from just watching them race around.  I would have bet money that all three would fall asleep on the drive home, but only one did.  Energizer bunnies for sure.

Monday came and it seemed too soon for packing up but with the boys still in school and our weekly rate at the campground complete, we decided to start the trek northward. With more family to visit in the San Jose area, Redwood National Park calling, and a desire to explore the Southern Oregon Coast, we will have no trouble filling the next three weeks before settling in Oregon's Willamette Valley for a month. We are also consoled by the happy thought of knowing we will see the grandsons and family again for an annual camping trip to the Oregon Coast in late July.

Another bonus--our close friends, Bruce and Sharon, who life in Mazatlan, Mexico, were in the area. We we were able to spend the day with them Monday at Sharon's sister's home and have breakfast together today on our trek northward to San Jose. (Sorry, Bruce and Sharon, I forgot to take photos of our festive little reunion.) Life is full and we are thankful for having the time to connect with family and friends as a major highlight of our travel adventures.

Time out for visiting family in Southern California

May 21-28, Yorba Linda, California

About three months ago, my step-daughter and her family moved to this area so our major destination here is their home; proximity to them is our main priority. With some sleuthing on her part, we chose to stay at the Canyon RV Park in Anaheim, a brief five miles from their home. It's a little bit challenging to find a reasonably priced RV park in this area that has the usual amenities we love: nice big sites, fire rings, attractive landscaping or nature's own beauty, and good proximity to local destinations. The park used to be a county park, now private, and has an amazingly rural feeling, considering its urban proximity, and meets all of the criteria listed above, with one major exception: it is tucked into the armpit of a freeway and the roar of cars is omnipresent 24-7 no matter what site you choose. Welcome to life in Southern California.

Our time here involves virtually no sightseeing, so my blogging for the next couple weeks is going to be minimal. We are enjoying visiting our grandsons (aged 3, 5, and 8) at their home, school, Taekwondo classes, and their community parks and pools.  Having lived at least a day's drive away from them all of their lives, it is a luxury to be able to be near them for more than a long weekend or a short stint while I was still teaching school. Of course, right now they are still in school but the bonus with this reality is that we were able to visit their new elementary school, go to a kindergarten musical performance, and see the two older boys receive their orange belts in Taekwondo. We feel lucky to be here experiencing their daily life adventures as our typical time with them is a week camping at the Oregon Coast--which is great but different than being a part of their lives at home.



Another bonus for being here is that two of our closest friends from Oregon happened to be in the area at the same time. We couldn't wait to see them in Oregon next month, so we made a little trip to Encinitas one day to see our friends and their five-week-old granddaughter--so precious. After a fantastic lunch at the Union Kitchen and Tap, a neighborhood restaurant and tavern, we took a lovely walk through the Encinitas Self-Realization Fellowship and Meditation Gardens. The gardens are part of a temple built by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1937, an Indian guru whose autobiography was pretty popular in the 70s--I was a devotee back then. The original temple itself was destroyed by erosion so the grounds were made into a peaceful retreat area with koi ponds, amazing flowers and trees, and a terrific view of the Pacific Ocean. We had not seen the Pacific Ocean for almost a year, so this was a good way to pay homage to it from the vantage point of this spiritual place. On the way to the gardens, I saw a great looking local coffee place in an old home painted the color of sunflowers called Pannikin Coffee and Tea. A late afternoon stop here rounded out a perfect day visiting with our friends Ann and Don, and their daughter, son-in-law, and new grandbaby.  (I accidentally deleted most of the photos of our friends and new baby--so frustrating!)

Yesterday we had a surprise visit from our friend Sharon who is in the area for less joyful reasons as her mother is in the hospital.  She and her sister Diane drove about seventy miles to have lunch with us at our noisy RV park. Her home is in Mexico and we manage to talk all the time on the phone, but nothing is as good as a big hug from someone who knows all your challenges and aspirations.  It wasn't hard to fill up about four hours with constant chatter and laughter. 

We sure look forward to reuniting again with these friends in Oregon and enjoying our week of camping at the Oregon Coast with the grandsons and family in July. Being on the road has been a wonderful adventure, but we have missed our connections with loved ones and feel grateful to be able to include these visits in our new lifestyle.

A Vegas delight

May 19-21, Las Vegas, Nevada

Woo-hoo. Our trip to Vegas from Zion National Park took on a whole new possibility when we discovered friends we met at a campground in Florida were going to be there at the same time. John and Sharon are the only other couple we have become friends with on this journey who are also full-time RVers. A special bond inherently exists in this world, but we discovered we share many similar views and aspirations, so spending time with them again is a real treat.

John and Sharon at the fabulous Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort

Our sole intention in coming to Vegas was to tour the Hoover Dam. Neither of us had much interest in hanging out in the big city lights on the strip or spending time in the casinos. Vegas just happened to be on the route from Utah to Los Angeles, our longer-term destination for spending time with kids and grandkids. We had originally planned to spend one night just outside Vegas but when we learned that Mr. and Mrs. Heyduke, their blogger names, were staying at the Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, we decided to join them. And what a resort this is—just a few miles from the strip with an adjoining hotel, a lovely saltwater pool and spa surrounded by palm trees, and a state of the art fitness facility—all for the discounted Passport America price of $22 a night for a back-in site.

We pulled in late in the afternoon on Friday, got set up, and joined John and Sharon at the saltwater pool. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the pool was a good choice. After swimming, we had the pleasure of being invited to their motorhome for homemade pizza, lava cake, and red wine—a winning combination but nothing compared to our joy in reconnecting and sharing our most recent adventures with one another.

Jetta made fast friends with Sharon

Our plans for Saturday were a trip to the Hoover Dam, hang out by the pool, and play tourist in the old downtown area of Vegas to watch the Fremont Street light show. The Hoover Dam was not a must-do for me, but it ranked pretty high on Vic’s list so off we went—about a thirty-minute drive from Vegas. There are four options for touring the dam: 1) walk around on your own for free; 2) pay $7 for a ticket to the visitor center; 3) pay $11 for a tour of the power plant which includes the visitor center, a movie, and an "underground" view of the hydroelectric generators at work; 4) pay $30 for the works which includes an inside look of the operation of the dam itself along with everything else. My original plan was to just do the walking tour and museum for $7, but for an additional $4 I was able to see the movie and the power plant. Vic went for the whole enchilada. We saw the movie and power plant together, then he went off for another thirty minutes to see the underworkings of the dam. I have to say the power plant tour was something I could have done without. There are signs warning people who have claustrophobia not to do this tour. I am not in many situations where my proclivity toward feeling claustrophobic is tested, so I thought I would be fine. First of all you take a 1000 ft.descent in an elevator where your ears pop, then when you exit the elevator it looks like you are in a cave. Not for me. You do eventually get to some open areas to see the generators at work, but I also am not a big fan of getting up close and personal with massive kilowatts of electricity. I  kept looking at my watch to psyche myself into believing this thirty-minute tour was almost over.

Vic joined me in the café about thirty minutes later. He was really glad he did the whole tour, although he said there were a few places where his acrophobia prevented him from taking advantage of the full views of the dam. Tourists can also take a walk over the newly constructed arch bridge, the Mike O’Callaghan Pat Tillman Memorial (opened in 2010), which spans the dam at 840 ft. above the Colorado River. Aside from the temperatures rising to almost a 100 degrees that day, Vic said he would only consider walking the bridge if he could be in the middle of it—which would put him in a line of traffic on US 93—not much of a better option.

The bridge we didn't cross--second highest in the United States

Lake Mead, largest reservoir in the United States

We made it back to our lovely RV park (which I forgot to take pictures of) with time to spend poolside. We thought about sneaking in a couple beers and discovered when we got there, that many “campers” just brought their whole coolers in. I guess it’s the Vegas factor.

For our last night there, we got together with John and Sharon for a light meal and then headed out to see the light show on Fremont St. The temperature at 9 p.m. was 89 degrees! We enjoyed the lively ambiance of the street with all the casinos, live bands, and, perhaps, most of all, the eccentric displays of humanity. The Viva Vision canopy and light show was amazing;  the $70 million canopy has more than 12 million LED lights extending the length of five football fields. Every hour on the hour from dusk to midnight the canopy lights up, music blares, and thousands of visitors watch and listen to images and songs paying tribute to different bands on the world’s largest screen. We happened to catch the show featuring Queen which included “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions”—hard not to get pumped up in this Vegas party atmosphere. They have also recently added a zipline under parts of the canopy where you can soar 800 ft. down Fremont at speeds up to 30 mph for a $15 ticket. (I have always wanted to do a zipline, but my vision is to do one in the backtrails of someplace like Costa Rica with monkeys cheering me on. I guess you could think of this as a wildlife experience as there seemed to be plenty of untamed characters wandering the street.)

Canopy with zipline platform in background

Look closely to see zipliner in middle of photo

Neon Country--the band we liked the best on Fremont

Barbarella of Fremont

Cupid, who actually propositioned our friend

Pee Wee Herman amongst the revelers

My personal favorite

A talented sculptor who makes creepy masks

Monday morning came too soon and we had to bid adieu once again to our friends. The good part is we have plans to see them in Oregon in a month or so as we will both be touring the West Coast this summer. One distinctive aspect of this lifestyle is the opportunity to meet up with people you met in one place and see them again in totally new environments—something you might only do once or twice in a lifetime with friends from your hometown. In either case, there is something unique that happens when you share travel adventures with others. Perhaps this quotation from the Italian poet, Cesare Pavese, captures it best:

Traveling forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it. – Cesare Pavese

The road is our oyster. Ciao.