MONDAY APRIL 23rd

It turned out a little warmer here this afternoon.       Bob's daughter, Hope, had to go back down to the wholesale district this morning and when we got ready to leave the house it was sort of overcast & only 52 degrees, so we dressed warm.  Hope dropped us off in one section and went over to the drapery place and by the time she picked us up, the sun was out and we were dying we were so warm.  It might have only been 70-75 degrees but when you're dressed for 52.....well you know.   I took some pictures down there today.  They sell everything you can imagine. From underwear, shoes, jewelry, perfume to fabrics, etc.  It's unbelievable !  We even saw several women with little baby rabbits in cages they were selling.  I wonder how legal that is....they seemed awful small to be away from their moms.  I took a picture of one lady and she got sort of mad...and yelled  " $5 for picture."  I just gave her "the look" and kept walking.  Anyway, it's very interesting and not an area most tourists know about, let alone get to visit.   This afternoon Bob and I took their extra car and went to the Pasadena Goodwill again.  I got some like new books that will be great sellers on eBay.  I got one on American Quilts for $3 that retailed originally for $75.  Another one on James Dean and one on American Victorian Houses.  They are all in like new condition, so they should sell easily and for a little profit.  They were all priced at $3 at the Goodwill.

I talked with friends Judy & Phil this afternoon and they arrived home today.  They left about 3 weeks before we did.  They spent quite a bit of time in the Yuma, AZ area with friends and made several trips down into Mexico.  Bob had considered going down that way too, as he was interested in visiting a dentist he heard about just across the border from Yuma.  But I guess we just ran out of time. 

We're leaving here probably by noon Tuesday and heading north.  I still don't know which route we're taking.  I'm just going to getin that truck and sit down, hang on & shut up !!  So this will no doubt be my last entry until I get to the great Pacific Northwest.   I hope everyone has a good week...and if you remember...say a prayer for our safety each day.  Bob's a good & cautious driver but there's a lot of other idiots out there on the road.  And no matter which way we go, we have about 1,200 miles to drive until we get home.     Bye for now....Linda    xxoo

Sunday Update

It's still very cool in southern California.  Today it's overcast and 61 degrees.  Yesterday it might have reached 65-68 degrees but not any higher than that. I think in all the times I've been down here, this is the coldest it has ever been.  It would be perfect weather to go to Disneyland but for some reason, I'm just not in the mood this time.  If we went anywhere, I think I'd rather go to Knott's Berry Farm.  I haven't been there since the 1955 trip with my folks. Anyway, we've been turning the heat on the in the camper at night.  Yes, we're sleeping in the camper here, too.   It's parked up in their big driveway area and it's easier than dragging all our stuff into the house. 

Bob's daughter is working with a company down in the Los Angeles wholesale district on ordering new drapery rods for three rooms in their house.  Yesterday she had to go back down there, so she dropped us off at Olvera Street and we ate lunch and looked around at all the different shops there.  If you're not familiar with Olvera Street, check it out on Google.  It's the beginning of the city of Los Angeles.  I like to go there every time we're here because I remember when I came down here with my folks in 1955, we went there one evening with my uncle, aunt & cousin.  And my uncle bought me a turquoise & silver ring.  I had never had anything like that before so it was really a big deal. I believe in the pictures I have with John Wayne, I have that ring on as a matter of fact.  However, a couple years later, I lost it never to be found again. So when I walk the narrow cobblestone streets among all those little Mexican shops and places to eat...I remember that evening so many years ago.  Yesterday I bought some sterling silver hoop earrings to go with a beautiful silver necklace I bought at a Navajo Indian craft stand we stopped at on the way down from the Grand Canyon. We were there about 3 hours and then Bob's daughter, Hope, picked up again for the ride back to Pasadena.  In the past we've taken the Metrolink train to Olvera Street.  You can catch it here in Pasadena and ride to Grand Central Station in downtown Los Angeles for less than $2.  Then Olvera Street is a short 3-4 block walk from there.  The Metro runs between the freeway and it's sort of fun to be zooming along while the freeway is at a virtual standstill.   They do have a great mass transit system in this area.  One time Bob flew into LAX and took the Metrolink all the way from the airport to Pasadena, where his daughter picked him up.  That trip cost him about $4. And it saved her a lot of time & gas, not having to drive clear out to the airport.

Today, we're just hanging out here at the house.  We had a little wiring problem in the camper last night but Bob got that fixed today.  When we are not plugged into electricity, the lights and the water pump run off the truck battery.  Well, last night just as I was brushing my teeth, "the lights went out in Pasadena."  Bob was already asleep, so I just finished in the dark and crawled into my little bed.  Anyway, everything is back to normal.    He thinks after looking it over today, it was just some loose wires.  So if it goes out again, we'll just get a case of bottled water. And get stuff done before it gets real dark.  Then he can look into it when we get home.

We still haven't decided when we are leaving here for sure or which route we're taking.  It's not up to me though, because I'm only the passenger, not the driver.   :)

Until next time,  Linda

TAG..Got It From Robin Who Got It From Barbara in Texas

1. Are you a child of the 70s, 80s, or 90s?

Sorry, I have to back to the 50's

2. Where were you born?

Tacoma, WA

3. What kind of home did you grow up in?

The first house my folks bought after my dad came home from World War II was your ordinary 2 bedroom home, in the city on 4 lots. Then in 1952 we moved out into the country onto 10 acres.  The house was an old barn like house but mom always had ruffled curtains & made it as comfortable as possible.  We lived in that for several years while they built a beautiful new 3 bedroom rambler on the front portion of the property.

4. Did you enjoy your childhood?

Yes!!  I loved it...all except the chores I had to do.  With acreage and farm animals there was always chores.  But other than that I had a very carefree childhood.

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A housewife and a mom.

6. What do you want to be now?

Happily retired....oh my gosh I am retired...I almost forgot !

7. What was your first best friend's name?

Barbara/Joan/Judi/Nancy

8. Is she still your friend?

Yes we are still friends

9. Can you name all the schools you ever attended?

yes I can..

Park Avenue Elementary

Midland Elementary

Franklin Pierce High School   (Go Cardinals Go !!)

Bates Vocational School

10. Were you closer to your mom or dad as a kid?

my mom

11. What was the first record, tape or CD you remember buying?

when I was a teenager it was records....either 33 1/3 or 45's.  I still have all my long play records....Mama's & Papa's, The Everly Brothers, etc.

12. best age to be a parent

Late 20's or 30's

13. Are you scared of anything?

I am somewhat afraid to fly

14. What was your favorite class in elementary school?

recess, that is a class isn't it?  If not...I loved band

15. Did you buy school lunch or bring your own?

I usually always brought my lunch from home.  I remember  getting a new lunch box every year, I usually bought milk from school but I don't recall buying a hot lunch until I was older.

16. Broken any bones or had any freaky accidents as a kid?

Nope 

17. Were you a mean kid?

No 

18. Favorite board game of all time?

Monopoly & Clue

19. Did you play house or pretend to be a super hero?

I played house when we still lived in town.  My dad cleaned up an old chicken coop (even white washed the inside walls) and we used that for a playhouse.

20. Seriously, are you still just a kid at heart?

I try to be carefree....but sometimes circumstances prevent it.

 

FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE

We drove over to the Huntington Museum & Library but didn't go in. The admission prices were too high.  We looked around their gift shop and I wrote down some titles of books to look for on eBay after I come home.  So since we had the whole afternoon...we drove over to Hollywood.  What a zoo that area has become.  The old film stars would be horrified to see the weirdos that walk the streets there now.   We did see the beautiful Kodak Theater where the Academy Award Show comes from each year.  We walked along the sidewalk where the famous stars are...I took pictures of some of them.  Snow White even has a star.  And we stopped in front of Mann's Chinese Theater and I took a picture of John Wayne's square where his foot prints and signature are in the concrete.  We had pizza at a little hole in the wall place that's been there for over 50 years serving the famous and the not so famous.  It was rather cool but a great day to be out walking the sidewalks and we had our umbrella's for the occasional showers.  Anyway, I took more pictures again today...can't wait until I can post them.  I promise I won't post them all in one sitting.    :)

The sky is very black and angry looking this evening.  It's about 47 degrees and all the natives are freezing.  I wouldn't be surprised if there were thunder showers during the night. 

I guess we're going to spend the rest of the evening watching a movie here at home so....until next time, Linda

Friday April 20th..Sunny California, My Foot !!

It's pouring rain here today, started about midnight last night. There's always this ongoing discussion between myself and Bob's son in law, Jerry, about the LA weather versus Seattle-Tacoma weather.  He thinks it rains every day up in the Northwest.  So today, when I came out of the camper I had an umbrella up and when I walked up to the door he started laughing, I thought he was going to fall off his chair.  He accused us of going to church yesterday & praying for rain.  We are talking about going over to the Huntington Library/Museum today.  Hope and I drove over there last night but it was closed.  What I saw of the grounds was beautiful. We did take a drive around the Rose Bowl...lots of activity there...runners, kids playing soccer and lots of people riding bikes. The Rose Bowl sits in an area of beautiful home...so I always love to drive by.  Yesterday she took Bob & I to downtown Las Angeles.  We drove thru the wholesale district and then went to the old Million Dollar Theater.  A friend of theirs. Robert, and a group of other people are in the process of restoring it.  I think it was originally built in 1919 and was really something back in those days.  Charlie Chaplin and other great old stars played there.  It has 2,000 seats and even tho it needs a lot of work still, it it breath taking to see the beautiful architecture, etc.  Boy if those walls could talk...I'm sure they would have some interesting stories. I took some pictures but it was kind of dark in there so the pictures aren't all that great. 

We are talking about heading out of here Monday or Tuesday.  We haven't decided if we're going to come straight up I-5 or take the slower more scenic route on Highway 101 as yet. 

Hope all is well with all of you out there in J-land...take care and until next time....Linda

Tuesday April 18th

Hello from Pasadena, CA.  We arrived here late Monday afternoon.  After we left the house in Sun City West. AZ we went over to Tempe, AZ for dinner at Nancy & Don's house.  They had invited us Sat evening, and we just told them we'd see how it went, time wise, getting the camper loaded, etc.  We had a wonderful afternoon there...all their kids and most of the grandkids were there (along with everyone's dogs.) We ate left-overs from the party, relaxed and just really enjoyed being with their family.  We left there about 5pm and hit the road heading west.  We got as far as Quartzsite, AZ and parked the truck/camper in a parking lot for the night.  Monday morning we checked out some of the many shops and then continued our trek west.  We got to Bob's daughter & son in law's place about 6pm Monday.  Everyone was glad to see us and we had a fabulous dinner of In-N-Out burgers (gotta love 'em) and then retired for the evening.  Today we went to Target to pick up a bathing suit for Bob's grand daughter and then picked up his grandson & friend at Pasadena High School.  The weather is sunny & very pleasant for us Pacific Northwesters (about 68*) but the locals are all freezing and wearing sweat shirts, etc.  I love this city...you drive around and all the flowers are so pretty...their roses are blooming now like mine do in August.  Well, that's about all for now.  I'm sure we'll be here thru the weekend.  Bob's daughter has some painting to finish so I'm sure Bob will help her with that.  Her hubby works such long hours, that she's done alot of it by herself already.   I'm going to call my friend Judi (she went on the Alaska cruise last summer) tonight and see if she's available Thursday.  I may take a trip to San Diego on Amtrak to see her for the day.  It's a 3 hour ride each way...so we can still have about 5 hours to visit and catch up.

Until next time.........Linda

Saturday Night...the Party's Over

It was another beautiful day here in Arizona.  Not too warm..just right.  I spent most of the morning standing behind the ironing board.  Ater doing laundry yesterday, there was quite a bit to iron,  I brought the ironing board out into the living room in front of the TV (just like I do at home) to entertain myself while doing this necessary task.   We left here about 3:30pm to go to the birthday party.  By Map Quest it was 44 miles from where we are staying.  The traffic was heavy, so I'm glad we allowed plenty of time.  We got there a little before 5pm and Nancy's daughters had decided that Bob & I would sit at the same table as their mom & dad.  They placed me with my back to the entrance of the social hall (the party was held in the church where their oldest son is assistant pastor) so that when she was brought in by her husband, she wouldn't see me right away.  Anyway....after the initial shock wore off, she greeted different ones and eventually made it over to the table where I was sitting, She looked at me like she'd seen a ghost.  I stood up and we hugged and the first thing out of her mouth was..."did you fly down here?"  She knows I don't care to fly because she's tried to get me to Phoenix many times.  Anyway, it was one of the most beautiful parties I've ever attended..all the decorations & food were an Italian theme.  One of their friends who has a beautiful voice, sang some Italian songs and also some special love songs that Nancy's husband had asked for. All of their five adult children and spouses were there and as well as most of the grandchildren.  We hated to leave but knew we had a long drive back thru unfamiliar territory, at least the traffic was lighter coming back.

Sunday we are going to head west...I don't know if we'll make it to Pasadena or not but after we get packed up and do laundry (I want to wash up the towels, etc. that we've used here) we'll head in that direction. I'd like to stay here another couple days and see more of the area....I understand Sedona, AZ is worth visiting, but Bob's family in Pasadena is anxious for us to get there.  And I'm kind of anxious to be on the homeward bound trail.  If we decide to go up the coast, we could be a week or more there.  Especially since Highway 101 goes right thru San Francisco.  Then there's a place in northern California (I think it's north ofTrinidad), where the highway goes right along the ocean.  We've been thru there several times in the past and always said we'd like to pull in and park there by the ocean for a day or two. And we have friends that live on the Washington coast, so I'm sure we'll visit there for a day or two and after that.......home to my kitty.   :)

I hope to be back on line after we get to Pasadena...so until then, take care.          Linda

 

Friday Evening April 13th

Hello there dear friends...tonight we've had a great home cooked steak dinner in this beautiful "patio house" in Sun City West, AZ.  (Yes I've taken pictures of even the house...it is so charming.)  We've had quite a time since I last posted an entry.  A day and a half in Las Vegas just about wore my feet down to the nubs.  We walked and walked and walked and still did not see all the casino interiors.  They are truly fabulous....I have pictures and ofcourse will post them when I get home.  After Vegas we hit the trail for the Grand Canyon.  We were on the famous Route 66 for awhile and we both wished we would have had more time to explore that area.   The temperature really started dropping as we climbed in elevation.  And when we got to the Canyon Rim it was quite cold and windy, even saw a few snow flakes.  There were lots of clouds in the Canyon but I was able to get quite a few good pictures anyway.  We did not go to the area where the Indian tribe has built the Sky Walk out over the Canyon rim.  We were on a bus in Vegas and were talking to a couple gals & their daughters from England......they had taken a tour the day before and they did go to that area and did go out on the walk.  They told us that you are not allowed to take anything out there with you ( no cell phones, cameras...nothing) because the walk is made of glass.  They also give you special slippers to wear when you walk out on it.       When we left the Canyon we came down a different highway and stopped at several booths where Navajo Indians were selling their wares.  I got the most beautiful silver & bead necklace for $7.  Their prices were very reasonable and I wished I would have had the money to buy more items.   Yesterday afternoon, while we were coming down...the surrounding sky kept getting darker & darker.  First we were hit with only some light rain...but then it started to snow.  And I mean it really snowed.  We stopped in Flagstaff, AZ to get some dinner and it was really coming down.  Bob is an excellent driver and we made it down into the "rain" zone after about an hour of driving thru the heavy blowing snow.  We spent the night in a rest area and even tho it was cold & windy, there was no snow or rain in that area.  This morning when we woke up the sky was blue with big fluffy white clouds.  We ran into two interesting gals at this rest stop...I'll tell you about that when I'm able to post the pictures of their very unusual vehicle.    By noon today we were here at this wonderful little house.  I just love it !!  Wish I could pick it up and take it home with me.  I've done about 4 loads of laundry, we BBQ'd steaks, had baked potatoes & asparagus.  We even went to the local Wal Mart and I got another 190 pictures developed for my album and a CD made so I can post them in my journal.

Tomorrow at 5pm is the surprise birthday party.  I talked with my friends daughter this morning & she said that her mom seems to have no clue that this party is going to happen.  The daughters were taking her out to lunch today and her hubby and sister & brother in law are in town from up in the Pacific NW and they are all going out to dinner tonight.  

Well....I guess that's it for now.  I hope everyone is ok...since my alerts are off, I really have no clue as to what's happening out there in J-land.   We should be at Bob's daughter's house in Pasadena, CA by Tuesday so will hopefully be back on line there from time to time.  

I'm feeling ready to go home...I miss my bed but most of all I miss my kitty !    Until next time........Linda 

MONDAY APRIL 9th

Hi there...we are in Parhump, NV today.  Spent Saturday night at a campground in Death Valley.  We had hoped to see Scottie's Castle but got there just as it closed. I took a few pictures of it, got some postcards & a book that tells about it's history.   We wanted to go thru the valley..so headed out from the campground Sunday morning in the opposite direction.  It was about 100 degrees all day as we were driving.  We found a beautiful resort (Furnace Creek) in the actual town of Death Valley.  Had our Easter lunch there...got 5 gallons of gas ($4.29), visited the Borax museum (remember 20 mule team Borax?)  and continued on.  Even with the terrible heat we enjoyed the beauty of the valley.  I took pictures of course...  We got to Parhump yesterday evening.  (Much cooler)  We went to their Wal Mart and I got my 188 pictures printed out, started an album and had them all put on a CD for later when I put them in my journal (thanks again Monica for the help in that area)  Today we are at the library, while we wait for a 2pm appointment for a guy to check our propane tanks.  Then on to Las Vegas for tonight and then on to the Grand Canyon.  Bob's daughter & son in law, have a place in Phoenix that they rent out...there's no one there right now, so we'll be able to use it while in the Phoenix area.  That will be nice..a fully furnished home away from home for a few days.  I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend.  It seemed weird to us to be out in Death Valley on Easter.   But we did encounter a full grown Easter Bunny at the resort.   More later.....Linda

Thursday April 5th

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Easter weekend.  I was so touched the other day when we toured St Mary's Cathjolic church in Virginia City, NV.  Along the walls of the sanctuary were pictures of the Stations of The Cross.  It allowed me to stop and remember what Christ did for each of us, when he laid down his life on that cross .   It was certainly a time of reflection for me. 

Still in Carson City, Bob & his cousin went skiing at the Heavenly Ski Resort outside of town this morning.  I'm washing clothes and visitng with his aunt.

We are hearing sad news about an FBI agent getting shot and killed during a bank robbery in New Jersey this morning.  My heart goes out to the agents family.

Take care everyone and again.......have a wonderful Easter weekend.    Linda

Hello there !!

We are presently at Bob's cousin's place in Carson City, Nevada.
My laptop is not working and I'm having a fit about that.  We've had a good time so far, but he's getting upset at the gas prices.  We've found it up to $3.29 a gallon in California and his big truck only gets 10 miles to the gallon.  Plus the air conditioning in the truck is not working and if we go to Arizona as planned...it's very hot there.  So far we've been lucky.  We came thru snow in the mountains between Oregon & California.  Cool temps going over to eastern Calif.  My cousin lives in Lincoln, CA and we spent last Tuesday night with her.  And we missed seeing Robin & Gabby, tho and I'm sorry about that.  Hey Robin, that's a nice Wal Mart in Marysville...is that the one where you had the problem a few weeks back?
Bob skied (sp?) 2 days at Northstar ski resort up out of Truckee, CA.  Wow that place is la-te-da !!  Very beautiful resort and I took lots of pictures which I will post after I get home.   From there we went to Reno, NV.  I left about $30 there and decided, if I never go in a casino again it will be too soon.  Today we went up to Virginia City, NV and walked around there a couple hours.  I think we're going back again Monday, because we got there late in the afternoon and they roll up the sidewalks pretty early on Sunday.  
The weather here in Carson City is not really cold...about 65* but it's real windy tonight.  Bob's cousin has a big commercial building below their living quarters, so we've pulled the camper into that.  We have power and everything.  Quite a change from the last two nights in the parking lot at the Alantis Casino in Reno, where we were roughing it.
Well, his aunt has fixed some supper, so I'd better get off here and go eat.   More later...hope everyone is ok.
I sure miss my kitty.......................Linda