Mishmash

I wrote this a few days ago but haven't had time to post it before this so here goes:

We are finally southbound! As I write this, I am sitting in the waiting room of the Camping World in Vacaville, CA. I have to admit, having only blown by Vacaville on past journeys, I am quite surprised at what a modern, upscale burg it is. In case you are wondering why we chose to stop, the answer is quite simple. Just before the house closed the trailer’s heater went on strike. Since it was only a matter of days before we’d be moving into the house, the decision was made to buy a space heater for the trailer and put off repairing the furnace. Our first stop after leaving home, in Medford, OR, when the nighttime temperature dropped to 28°, made it abundantly clear that furnace repair was in our immediate future! Vacaville was the closest Camping World so here we are.

I never got around to writing the promised blog entry about the house, so here it is with a little travel mish mash worked in.

We had a grand time furnishing the house together. While we waited (and waited and waited) for the bank to do its thing Chris & I spent many days exploring furniture stores and learning about each other’s tastes. Not surprisingly, we generally have similar leanings when it comes to likes and dislikes with only a few big differences. One slight conflict was the size of the television. Chris wanted the 50” model and I was quite happy to “settle for” a much smaller version. He won that discussion but now that we have it mounted on the entertainment “wall” (IKEA special) I have to admit that a smaller one would probably have looked out of place.

An even grander time was entertaining family and friends over the holidays. Once we got the house “put together” we were able to host several parties (only the beginning I’m sure). We haven’t been home for Christmas in 3 years so it was a special treat to spend time with the kids and grandkids and actually be able to see them open their gifts. We have especially enjoyed being here to spend a little time with Chris’ first grandbaby, Asher. He was born September 26^th and is growing so fast. By the time we get back next June he will likely be on his feet and running.

Abby has absolutely loved having her very own squirrel filled yard where she could run and pursue the enemy to her heart’s content. The windows in the living room are quite low to the floor so she is able to be on the look-out for squirrels, cats or guests. When she sees a cat or squirrel in front she immediately runs to the backdoor to be let out as she is just sure it will be there waiting to be chased. She has also discovered that there are lots of sunny spots on comfy carpeted floors where she can take an afternoon snooze.

Once all the work was done on the house and we had arranged for a house sitter, it was time to start readying the trailer for the trek to Mexico. That last week before we left home was exhausting just moving everything into the trailer, cleaning, writing lists and watching the weather to make sure we wouldn’t be skating through the mountains in mountains of ice and snow.

So, Tuesday morning we left Vancouver and spent that night in cold Medford. We were concerned about freezing fog going through the mountains so delayed leaving until 11 on Wednesday and the road were clear and dry. As a matter of fact, the only snow we saw was a very light dusting on the very tops of the mountains in the distance and Mt. Shasta had less snow than it did when we went north last June. I predict (weatherperson that I am) that if something doesn’t change soon there will be drought conditions in the northwest next summer.

By the time we reached Vacaville yesterday the temperature was in the 70’s and we were able to change into t-shirts. Hallelujah! It’s sure nice to be back in the land of Palm trees and sunshine.

The Sentinel

The Sentinel attends his post in the gray and gloomy dawn. Faint morning light, fall’s chill in the air, and still he stands, unmoving, as he surveys his territory. His countenance is statue-like and with the cold, blue-gray of his suit he melts unseen into the surroundings. Eyes forward, posture unwavering, trance-like. Only his sharp eyes and unblinking gaze belie strict attention to his environ. Intruders may advance only so far before he stalks haughtily away or takes wing with a primordial squawk and flourish in search of a more secluded haunt.

“Who be these strange creatures”, thinks he, “who clomp about on awkward appendages, blathering and clanging with no regard for solitude or meditation? Have they no care for the thoughts of others? Or be they fearful of the quiet that is dawn and dusk?

Do they not feel the shudder of the fish below their feet? Fish, whose very scales vibrate with the touch of insect foot upon the water’s surface. Fish, who scatter madly at the slightest change in light or temperature. And what of the infant ducklings huddling in terror beneath the boards?

Behemoths, bahhhh. Let them all fly away on their winged craft and leave the waters and serenity to we who appreciate it.”

Sandy Smith (Edmonson) Fall 2006

Just thought it would be fun to start out the New Year with something old. Happy 2012 to all.

Fall Colors,...a little late!

I had intended to write a blog entry a couple weeks ago about the beautiful fall we have had in the northwest but somehow the time just time just flew by and now we are busy moving into the new house and fall has eased into the beginning of winter.

Personally, I have been through approximately 50 autumns in Washington as this is where I have spent the majority of my life. I was born in Port Angeles and lived there until I was twelve at which time my family moved to Tacoma. After high school I spent several years in San Diego before returning to Vancouver where I resided until 2008 when I sailed off into the sunset to begin spending cold, dark months in places more along the tropical lines.

Chris, on the other hand, has spent most of his life in Arizona where fall does not, apparently, arrive and depart with the same impact. It is mostly desert there and cacti and palm trees don’t react the way the deciduous trees in colder climes do when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.

This year we have had one of the most spectacular seasons of color I have seen in a long while. I don’t know the reason for it. Maybe because the Spring lasted so long and summer (what there was of it) didn’t really arrive until sometime in August. Maybe the cause was global climate change. There could be any number of factors, but the reality is the colors this year were spectacular. Every day, as we drove or walked around the area, we’d see dramatic trees showing off their autumn finery. A sharp intake of breath and “Wow!” would ensue. Chris was continuously telling me that he’d never seen anything like it and how much he loved the beauty of the whole thing.

The trees are mostly naked now and every morning we wake up to find a thick coating of frost on the grass. The sunny days are spectacularly clear and crisply cold and when the fog settles in it often sticks around all day. I know the weeks and weeks of rain and gloom are on the way and already the weather guys on TV are beginning to speculate on the possibilities of a white Christmas but for the moment I’m good. I, like many long time north westerners, have always disliked the long, cold, rainy winters in this part of the world but the summers are spectacular so we slog through one to enjoy the other. I suspect it will be a lot different now that I don’t have to go to work. Oh, and it will probably help knowing that we will be heading for Mexico again come January!

Dreamin' 'bout Mexico!

I have awakened the past three mornings from vivid dreams of being back in Mexico and it is making me homesick. Adding to the feeling that time is fleeing is the unavoidable realization that the weather is clearly getting colder and wetter, the trees are shedding their leaves at an alarming rate and every day is growing shorter by 4 minutes. It doesn’t sound like much but when you add those 4 minutes up into one big lump it comes out to TWO HOURS in one month! Then, in just two short weeks Daylight Saving Time comes to a screeching halt. Once that happens the days will REALLY get short. Judging by my “old life”, when the weather gets cold, wet & dark I tend to get very bear-like. Chubby, grouchy and somnolent.

The land and sea cruisers are beginning their annual migration to the south. “Follow the sun” being our motto. I am jealous. And restless. I find myself wanting to go shopping for boat parts, canned food and paper products, top off the propane, start planning a route and all the other last minute things we would normally be doing at the end of summer.

Under normal circumstances we, too, would be starting the southbound trek but this year is different. This year we have made the (possibly idiotic) decision to purchase a house in Vancouver. The offer was made in early September and we have still received no answer from the bank. This is a short sale and we were appropriately warned of the traditionally longer timeline to obtain these homes but this is getting a bit aggravating. One would think the bank could at least give you a “yes” or “no” but alas that is not the case. Our realtor has been harassing the seller’s realtor. The seller’s realtor and the seller have been harassing the bank. All to no avail. In the meantime, time is whizzing by as we wait and hope that the snow doesn’t arrive before we get some sort of resolution. Our “moorage” in this RV Park expires on Nov. 3^rd. In past years we’ve been in Mexico by then.

Suffice it to say I am clearly missing Mexico. I miss the sunshine, the heat (it is currently 90 daytime/75 nighttime in San Carlos), the traveling, the food, the beautiful sunsets and anchorages, and, especially, the people. Walking back to the boat in shorts and tank top after an evening at Philo’s. Fish tacos and a cold cerveza at a palapa on the beach. Pelicans dive bombing next to the boat while they collect their dinner. Ohhhh…CATCHING a nice big Mahi Mahi for dinner! Dinghy raft ups. Local bands providing impromptu beach concerts.

OK. I’ll stop it. I’m sure it won’t be long now. Will it????

Still Waiting

Summer is definitely over and the fall rains are beginning. Yesterday we paid for another month in the RV park. EEEK! All our cruising friends are readying to go south and here we still sit, waiting for a decision on the house. The offer we made included a deadline of 15 (we thought it was 10 but apparently that got changed) working days for the bank to either or accept or reject. We are now 7 working days beyond that deadline and still have received no response. Why is it that this bank lost 2.39 BILLION dollars due to the huge number of foreclosures they have had to do and yet they are in no hurry to sell these homes. The realtors have become quite reluctant to show short sales and repos specifically because it can take as long as six months for the sales to be completed. It is not unusual for the banks to decline a legitimate offer and counter with a request for more money than they were originally asking. We have heard plenty of these stories from folks who have purchased (or attempted to) these homes as well as from realtors. Given the fact that houses are like cars and boats, and they deteriorate when they sit vacant, one would think the banks would be happy to reduce their inventory. It appears that is not the case. The house we are interested in buying is no exception. The exception (that I am sure the bank does not realize) is that we are NOT married to this house. If they continue to dick around, we WILL withdraw the offer and go south. After all, we already have two homes so we aren't exactly going to be on the street. Besides...neither of us is terribly excited about spending the winter here!

The Tennessee Trip

I’m finally back in Vancouver and happy to be here. I missed Chris, Abby and “home” in general.

Tennessee was an interesting experience.

When we arrived in Knoxville our first difficulty was picking up the baggage and our rental car. Dad is 85, mostly deaf and fairly infirm. He is able to walk, very slowly, with a cane but the distance he can go is pretty limited. The airlines were very good about pushing him around in wheelchairs but they tend to drop him in the baggage area and go on their merry way. It was a long walk to the rental car pickup so we just took our time. Of course, the vehicle I had ordered was not in residence and instead of giving me a free upgrade, I was offered the next smaller size. The other option was to wait 15-20 minutes for the right size car to come in. I don’t think so. Dad was already pretty tired out and there was nowhere to sit and rest.

The rental company provided a cryptic map of the Knoxville area but it didn’t cover our destination so it didn’t help much. The agent gave me directions to Pigeon Forge but, unfortunately, he wasn’t exactly correct. In addition, the highways in Tennessee all have two (sometimes three) numbers and road signs and “towns” are extremely far apart. This means you can drive a long way before you find out you are going the wrong way. It took over two hours to drive the 50 miles to our destination but since I am pretty strong in my “cruiser’s mentality” I was able to remain calm and enjoy the scenery. Dad was a bit tenser and couldn’t hear the small talk I was attempting in order to reassure him. By the time we arrived at our hotel the group was preparing to go out for dinner. They waited while we got our luggage into the room and then we were off.

Pigeon Forge is best known as the home of Dollywood…a country themed Disney-esque amusement park but that is only the beginning. The main portion of the town is a huge “gut” that is lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir buying opportunities and entertainments. Remember the 60’s when we used to cruise “the gut” showing off our cars and trying to pick up guys/girls? According to Trip Adviser there are 95 hotels and most are along this long main drag with restaurants, shops and entertainment options filling in the spaces between.

Besides the regular fast food options (McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc) there is a plethora of local restaurants, many of which offer the ever popular buffet. Dad loves a good buffet but I diligently ordered off the menu in order to reduce the likelihood that I would be taking in enough calories to feed a small village. If you aren’t familiar with southern food it generally has lots and lots of carbs and calories. Think fried chicken, biscuits & gravy (both favorites of mine), beans, cornbread, corn on the cob, home-made chicken and noodles (I actually learned to make this yummy dish from my ex-mother-in-law), green beans cooked with bacon, macaroni and cheese, okra and grits. Delicious food but given my current propensity to “put on a pound or two” if I ate like that I would very soon be as big as a house. I also discovered that Tennessee is a dry state…except, of course, for the moonshine.

I was surprised to discover that this part of the country still has a great number of smokers. Everywhere we went people young and old were smoking. I have gotten spoiled by living on the west coast where smoking is becoming rarer by the day. I’m just guessing here, but maybe the smoking and high fat diet contributes to the fact that Tennessee ranks 45^th in life expectancy.

Here’s an interesting factoid. Apparently lots of people go to Tennessee deliberately wanting a hillbilly experience. Thus, there are cabins for rent everywhere and the amenities range from very “rustic” (no electricity or running water and an outhouse out back) to luxurious. I was also surprised to learn that Pigeon Forge is a big wedding mecca. Of all the beautiful destinations in the world in which to tie the knot this one being on the list just seemed odd.

There isn’t much fear of becoming bored in this little town as entertainment opportunities are endless…the majority of them family oriented. Dollywood is, of course, the main attraction but there are also (to name just a few) the Titanic Museum, the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the Dixie Stampede, the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Show, a couple Comedy Clubs, indoor (?!) skydiving, the Motion Seat Theatre, the National Elvis Museum, Nascar Speedpark, Wonderworks Museum, several zip lining tours, whitewater rafting as well as several themed miniature golf courses and water parks. We attended the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show and really enjoyed it.

The trip lasted five days and Dad was able to get in lots of visiting with the remaining members of his Army unit (the 532^nd) from WWII and the Korean War. I enjoyed meeting these friends of his but I was mostly there as Dad’s escort. On one day Dad & I made a trip to Gatlinburg which is a bit more quaint but it’s mostly another shopping opportunity. The 4 mile drive, however, is drop dead gorgeous. It is right on the edge of the Great Smokey Mountains and the road runs alongside the Little Pigeon River under a canopy of deciduous trees. It was beautiful and I’d love to do a bit of hiking through the area someday.

One of the really fun activities (for me) was the car show. Twice a year there is a Rod Run here that attracts people from all over the country. Everywhere we went there were old cars that had been beautifully restored. If Dad had been more able to walk around it would have been fun to just wander for hours looking at them. I wondered if my friends from California were there with one of their ’40 Fords but I had no way to reach them to find out.

So that was the trip. It was a great opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with my Dad and see a new area of the country. The state is beautiful and the residents are super friendly.

And, as I told Dad while we were between planes in Chicago on the trip home, “I love the whizzing through airports. I think I’m going to start traveling with a “crip” more often.” We both got a good laugh at that.

Travels with Dad

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack and where was I? Spending an entire day on airplanes and in airports escorting my Dad to, of all places, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This next few days is the annual reunion of his Army unit (he serve in the Korean War) and he has attended every year. Mom used to love going along but about three years ago her Dementia had progressed to the point where she really can't make a trip like this. Dad is now deaf and walks with a cane so he is really not able to go by himself so the first year without Mom, his sister went along and last year his brother went. This year, since Chris & I were in Washington for the summer and had no big travel plans I volunteered to go. So here I am, in the biggest tourist trap I have ever seen, hanging out with a bunch of very fun people in their 80's and 90's.
Due to the jet lag, we have missed the continental breakfast today and all Dad's friends have likely already taken off for their scheduled activities. As soon as Dad is ready to go I'll take him to breakfast and then I MUST do some walking around and picture taking. This place is absolutely mind blowing. You have never seen so many cheezy "entertainments" on one street in your life. I was stunned when we were trying to find the Best Western among what has to be hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shopping/entertainment "opportunities". As we drove here from Knoxville (the loooong way due to bad directions from the rental guy and a serious lack of road signs) we were treated to views of a very beautiful state but this town is beyond the pale when it comes to tacky.
I hope I can find a Walmart as I forgot my comb (that's a joke, folks!).