About Me

The mountains are calling and I must go...Got the t shirt in Georgia one year and this is our calling! We'll see y'all down the road!

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Another catch up...

 Saturday morning we had plans to head next door in the afternoon. John was home for the weekend to pick up Karen for a few weeks so they were having a family barbecue.  

I made up some spinach dip and baked some cookies.  I used some of the almond flour I ordered and baked up a couple of things for Ken and me using new recipes. Now when I bake for him we can eat the same things as I'm getting him use to almond flour instead of regular flour. I made some banana bread which turned out excellent. The apple muffins...well I won't be making them again. haha. 

We headed over in the afternoon and of course had a great time with them all.  Too much food, but it sure was good! 

Because our idiot governor cancelled Street Vibrations (one of the biggest money makers Reno has) people got together and held their own rally from Reno to Carson City and on to Virginia City.  Wish we could have gone but we had plans. Turnout was awesome! Even Reno PD showed support with their BMW motorcycles, closing streets and holding traffic.  

Sunday morning found us doing things around the house when Ken said, "Let's go for a ride in the Can Am" ok! We headed out to the BLM and saw some new uncharted territory for us.  It was a good two hours and 19 miles we were gone. On the way out we saw a jeep. Stopped and talked a few minutes with Walt and Diana. 

Ken's favorite mountain...

Gotta love these back roads so close to home..
Even a tunnel...too bad about the graffiti 



Just miles and miles of roads....



Later in the afternoon they stopped by for a visit. Very nice couple. 

I made up some low carb "hamburger buns" for Ken to use with his delicious barbecued burgers. Zucchini fries on the side and we were set. Great night outside with our campfire in a can. 



Karen called earlier to let us know John got called to a different job so she wasn't going with him at this point. 

Monday morning we left here about 0700 heading towards Discount Tire in Carson City. We left the spare tire and rim we bought for the Can Am to be mounted.  Started heading towards Reno when I get a text saying the tire was done! What?!! We only left it a few minutes before, so we turned around and picked it up. No charge..nice!

We got to Ken's opthomologist appointment about 0945.  They are only letting patients in so after using their facilities I went back to the car and waited and waited. After two and a half hours out he comes.  He said there were a lot of unhappy people inside with the wait.  Kind of like Toyota, way overbooked. From there we went by and made an appointment with Western Skies RV for next Tuesday to get the hot water heater fixed on the Mansion.  I had a 1340 appointment back in Carson City for them to look at my computer. 

We got there, looked at and supposedly hooked up to the external hard drive so we left with quick instructions on what to do when we got home to delete stuff..any way we will be cancelling the 200 a year Geek Squad plan and looking for a computer person in a near by town.  UHHH...

We then headed for Betsy's Big Kitchen because we were starving and it was almost 2:30 pm.  Had our delicious meal and then headed back to Reno as we had an order at Total Wine that had to be picked up. We thought we would have had time before the geek squad appointment, but didn't. 

On the way home Karen called so after a long day of frustration we headed over for a nice happy hour. 

Tuesday morning we had a phone appointment with our Medi gap insurance girl, Teresa.  Got me all set up with a supplemental and drug plan. I'm a happy camper! 

We decided to work on our old fifth wheel.  Things become a catch all and that's happened to this.  Because of our freezing temps during the winters and age, (18) it needs a new toilet, bathroom sink and kitchen faucet. I ordered those later in the day.  Ken took them all out and I started the mess of emptying cabinets etc.  It is hooked up to the septic system so it really makes a nice place for guests to stay. 

Ordered this little cutie the other day. Can't wait to try it out! 

A mini waffle maker...

It got hot in the afternoon so worked ended for the day.  We attempted to watch the debate, but after about 3 minutes we gave it up! We decided to head outside and have a fire! Much more worth our time.  

This morning (Wednesday) I woke up at 0545 and started the coffee.  Remembering back to 11 years ago today.  One of the best (we learned we could afford to retire right then) and one of the worst as later that afternoon my mom passed away :( Still missing you mom!! 

Back to the fifth wheel this morning while temps are cooler. Have a great day! 


Friday, September 25, 2020

Catch up once again..We're home..

 Sunday morning we woke to cold temps after the rain Saturday night. Actually Saturday was the first day I had to put on jeans after wearing shorts all summer. Sunday was another day of jeans. 

We left the NFS campground and headed towards Idaho Falls with our destination being Craters of the Moon campground near Arco, Idaho.  It was a lovely drive.


When we got to Arco it was time for gas and groceries.  We noticed a laundromat next to the Sinclair station so decided to do a load of wash. Not a bad place, but definitely not up to Patsy's standards! We put a load in a washer and then drove to the grocery store. They had a sign up suggesting people wear masks but not required. Got back to the laundromat with minutes to spare. Load in the dryer and then I made lunch in the Mansion.  Clothes folded and we were on our way! 

We got to Craters of the Moon National Monument about 1/2 hour later somewhere around 1500 I'm thinking. WOW! The campground looked full but we found a spot. Not a spot we would normally choose, but it worked for the night. We couldn't be picky! 

Craters of the Moon campground. No hookups and very crowded right now. For $7.50 

no complaints..



Love these silos!


Monday morning we left the campground around 1030. We were headed to someplace we don't remember going before.  We were headed to the Sawtooth Recreation Area near Ketchum, ID.  Thought we'd spend a few days there just because.  Found the turnoff and followed the highway through Bellevue, Sun Valley and then Ketchum. Way too yuppie for us! Just not what we were expecting. We found the visitor center for the Sawtooth and it's closed! Geezzz! Couldn't get any info on anything. I was frustrated and Ken I think more so.  I suggested leaving and just heading out and find something else. He said he was thinking the same thing but didn't want to say anything. Headed back through the crowded rich towns to the rest area we had stopped earlier.  I made lunch and he looked at the map. 

There was a Reservoir nearby so we thought that sounded good. We found the road for Magic Creek Reservoir and turned off..badly washboarded road for 5 miles so we turned ourselves around.  There was another one near Jackpot, NV so we throughs we'd try that one.  We found it, traveled another washboard but for only 2 miles.  We got there and there's the lake, have no idea where the campgrounds were! Uhh..turned around and headed for Jackpot and their RV park.  We've stayed there many times, just not what we had in mind though.  Found a nice full hookup site for $24.00.  Ken barbecued some awesome chicken, thighs for him and breast for me. 

Sun Valley, Idaho..way too rich for us! Get me outta here! LOL..
Sure was smoky up there! 
Gotta love the smart deer they have in Idaho near the NV border.  These are deer 

crossings!! :) 



New Frontier RV Park, Winnemucca, NV..There is a Wingers Restaurant close walking 

distance 

Tuesday morning we headed for Winnemucca, NV our old stomping grounds for a few years. haha.  Pulled into New Frontier RV Park and for $21.85 Passport America price a nice back in full hook up spot.  Surprising how many spots were full! It was a lovely afternoon watching more people come into the park. Left overs for dinner. 

Wednesday morning Ken unhooked the tundra and we went to Parker's Model T Restaurant in the casino.  Delicious meal and great service! After that we headed 20 miles out of town to Paradise Ranchos to see what was up with the old neighborhood since we hadn't been out in a few years. Not much changed. The guy who bought our old property has added more covering on the RV cover and he's planted tons of bushes and trees.  They actually are growing so he must be out there pretty often. 


Humboldt General Hospital..very nice!

They are a very patriotic town. Flags everywhere and one street has flags with 

pictures of service men/women on the light poles all the way down the street 💙

Our property we bought in 2010 and sold a few years later.  


We headed back to town and got ready to leave.  We figured we'd head for Lake Lahontan and extend our vacation a night or two.  Again when we got there the campground was pretty darn full. I didn't like the site Ken wanted to pull into..brush around so I knew there was a snake in there somewhere waiting for me. We headed to the beach and in the end after a short happy hour decided to head home. There would be no kayaking as the lake is soooo low, so really why not go home. 

Earlier in the summer the water was up to the tree line on the right! 
For once the picture looks better than it looks...lol..


On the way we decided to extend our camping one more night and not even go in the house until the morning.  We were able to sit out back and Ken started a fire. A really lovely evening. 

Thursday morning after our coffees we headed inside. I did cook breakfast in the Mansion as everything was still out there.  Spent a few hours getting her all cleaned up and ready for her trip to the shop..woohoo. Later in the afternoon we headed over to Karen's for a nice happy hour. She's heading over on Sunday for a few weeks with John in Ca.  Worked out perfectly as she picked up our mail and packages for us and now we can do the same. 

Friday morning I was working on the blog when the computer tells me my disk is almost full..aww hell what does that mean?!  Delete some stuff, I deleted a ton of stuff and it doesn't look like the numbers even change. I have a back up hard drive made for macs but doesn't seem to be working. Got an appointment Monday at Best Buy, we'll see what they can mess up this time. 

We headed to Walmart in Gardnerville this morning. Spent a small fortune in groceries and then Raley's for prescriptions and then we came home. I made a couple of low carb wraps for us for lunch and then we worked on the computer until we couldn't stand it anymore. 

Got a paper in the mail from United Health Care (if you can call it that)..I turn 65 in December. Come November they'll raise my rate from $505 to $731..$225 a month more.  Basically for two $35.00 dr visits a year as it was a high deductible major medical plan. Good thing I won't need them! Ken made a call this afternoon and talked to Teresa, our agent he used 4 years ago. Tuesday I'll get the supplement all good to go, for much less with Medicare. 1 good thing about turning 65! 

We had a great trip, saw some beautiful country but it's always good to come home! We know it won't be long and we'll be wanting to go again! 

Going to see if I can post any pictures. Have a great evening. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Breakfast at Angus Cafe in Swan Valley..Mesa Falls..moving on!

 Saturday morning we were up at 0500 unfortunately because of water heater problems we didn't start the generator until 0730 or so. The water heater will run on electric just not on propane. UHHHH..back into the shop once we get home. It's been doing this the whole trip. Worked fine when we took it to the shop for warranty work. 

It was raining and chilly when we got up. WE took our time getting ready and then went to the Angus Restaurant for a delicious breakfast.  Cute little mom and pop shop ran by a husband and wife. They are open for breakfast and lunch. We would definitely eat there again. Don't be in a hurry though, the food takes awhile. 


Cute little place and great food! 

I liked this sign going in...


Us and 1 man were the only ones there when we walked in..by the time we left it was hopping.  Only 1 cook in the back..
Swan Valley, lots of amazing ranches! 


 

After that we headed out on our drive with the end purpose to see the Mesa Falls. Lots of people on the road, but we are near Yellowstone NP. 

We got to Driggs ID and then followed the Teton Byway. It was certainly different than we thought as it was through agricultural areas which is pretty but we were thinking mountains because of the name. Oh well, it was enjoyable anyway! 

Driggs, Idaho






Love the shape of this one!



Eventually we were at Ashton, ID and continued our drive to the Mesa Falls Rd.  We stopped at the lower falls first and took a couple of pictures. The upper falls was next just about a mile away.  Luckily we ran out of rain, just chilly.  It was nice to see but not spectacular. Fremont County apparently has a mask up rule whether you're inside or outside.  Like us, most didn't follow that rule. No problem keeping 6 feet away from anyone. Again, lots of families were out enjoying.  

Lower falls..



Upper falls..



After that we followed the road to the end where it intersected highway 20. We did drive through Island Park which boasts "The longest main street in the world". 33 miles but really the town is in the first 1/4 mile of that! It was incorporated in 1947 to circumvent Idaho's law that liquor could only be sold in the city limits :) 

The sign does boast "The longest main street in the world"...LOL...
There's the whole town right there..we didn't drive the 33 miles to see more..

We made a stop at a fishing area down the road, thought about having lunch there and decided against it. Well, we should have as we ended up just eating our sandwiches and wrap going down the road. OH well..live and learn..probably not! 

Ashton, Idaho..the Seed Potato Capital of the World..their claim to fame! 


These greet you coming into town..
Near St Anthony's Idaho..
St. Anthony Idaho..Wendy..


We got back to camp near 1600.  250 miles later. Cold and cloudy so we didn't get to enjoy being outside. We did get treated to some rain, lightning and thunder. A little hail too! 

We are waking on Sunday morning to some cloudy and cool temps along with some wind.  Leaving this nice campsite later this morning. We thought we had a plan but that might be changing based on weather. Guess we'll decide over breakfast. 

Sunday night we were at Craters of the Moon campground..no service so I'm posting this so I don't get too far behind. We are in Jackpot, NV this am (Tuesday).  We plan on being in Winnemucca this afternoon so hopefully I'll get caught up. :) 


                         Russell and Lori at a wedding this past weekend! 

   

Have a great day!