Mini Vacation..

 Here we are coming to  you from Pahrump, NV!  After talking with Russell and finding he wasn't ready for Ken's help this weekend we said let's take a little trip and get out of the cold! Wednesday morning we finished packing up The Mansion and off we went about 1100.  

Tuesday morning Adam had texted wanting to come over and spend the night.  He got there around 1300. We visited a bit and then he ran to Wilson Canyon to take some pictures.  I ran to Raley's to get some wine lol.  Tacos for dinner and then a couple of movies we all watched. He left about 0900 on Wednesday morning and then we left.

Adam and Papa 💗

Death Valley was our destination and only about 5 hours from our house. We got to Furnace Creek Campground around 1600 or so. Plenty of sites available and with Ken's America the Beautiful pass it's only $7.00 a night. No hookups but there are bathrooms with flush toilets and fresh water. Barely cell service and little internet. I could comment on blogs but no way could I do my blog. 

Cool looking skies near Walker Lake, NV...

Hawthorne, NV 💙

There it is Russell...spooky!!

Of course, The Mizpah..we KNOW is haunted!!

Tonopah Brewing..

Love our Nevada roads and traffic!

A little wind....

Our view from the campground...

Unique isn't it..The car goes on the trailer too..

Got ourselves set up and then settled ourselves inside as the wind was crazy. It blew all night long, but we loved it.  

Thursday morning we awoke to a 50 degree morning.  It was 17 at home. The day ended up being about 73! We'll take it.  Ken took a walk over the hills ending at Texas Spring Campground. A nice area, crowded but no generators are allowed.  I put on shorts and read a book. After lunch we took a walk across the street to visit the other campground. They have huge sites that are reservable and some have water and electrical hookups. Campground was full. The visitor center was only letting a few in at a time, with masks. There was a line of people, but we weren't two of them. 

We sat outside and lit the Little Red Campfire and then Ken cooked some pork on the propane stove as this campground isn't allowing charcoal barbecues. No idea why. Not like there's anything to catch fire. Oh well turned out delicious.  Once dinner was cooked we  were inside watching the original Vacation until 2100. 

We stopped at Salt Creek..this creek runs year round.. not drinkable for humans but it keeps wildlife alive..

Thought this was a pretty cool tent

Texas Spring Campground...love where it sits!

Texas Spring...

Close up of the toy hauler....

Friday morning after breakfast we took a drive over to Stovepipe Wells and their campground. Sites were smaller and seemingly more cramped. We made the decision to stay where we were. 

Another beautiful shorts day :) Read and just took it easy. Ken too. A nice afternoon just enjoying the scenery and people watching. Eventually a nice Happy Hour and then Ken made turkey burgers for dinner along with tater tots for him. 

We woke up this morning to a lovely if not cooler morning.  At home we would have woken up to snow. Karen sent pics this afternoon 😱 Talking at breakfast we (he) decided it was time to move on.  Decided to head for Pahrump, NV for the night and then on to Boulder Beach at Lake Mead for two nights. Then we'll head home!  The wind was really blowing but at least it was blowing us towards Pahrump.

  We could have woke up to this....

We saw that Lakeside RV and Casino was a Passport America Park.  Pulled in and decided too stay one night. Good thing as with the discount it's still $60.00.  Not sure how that one works. It is a beautiful park though.  We got settled in, had lunch and then after a bit we took a walk around the park.  There are very few empty spaces, some long term but all awesome looking rigs. Love seeing how people set up their "homes".  

The wind has done my hair no favors..haha. Happy Camping!

Lakeside RV Park..Pahrump, NV...

This is the hugest RV we've ever seen!! 

It's a beautiful place! Too expensive, but beautiful! 

So grateful to be retired and living the life we live! Happy Hour time! Have a wonderful evening!  

A visit with Matt and Eva, progress on the motorhome :) working at home

After lunch on Saturday we headed out for a visit. Matt and Eva bought a house about 40 minutes from here and they invited us out to take a peek at it.  Matt took Ken's locker on Ken's last day of work and Matt's first.  We've seen him a few times over the years at different events. 

                    😊They have an awesome long driveway and beautiful place! 

The place is gorgeous and sits at the foot of some huge mountains along Highway 50 corridor.  It'll be a vacation spot for them for the next 10 years or so, and then it will be their home. Thinking ahead as prices are only going up in the area. 

We spent a good couple of hours visiting with them and their friends who were there to paint the interior.  I enjoyed my visit with Eva, she is so easy to talk with.  They invited us to stay for dinner, but we're not much for night driving. Next time we'll take an RV and spend the night :) 

Sunday we enjoyed a leisurely morning and then I finished up the curtains for the motorhome. Got the chalkboard primed and ready for some writing, which I haven't done yet. Ken worked on the "toy hauler". The toilet was leaking the last time we had it out so time to figure out the problem.  Just a seal, ordered it from Amazon. 

Later in the afternoon we talked with Karen and invited her over for a fire and some barbecued hamburgers.  John had sent her some beautiful flowers for Valentines Day so she brought half the bouquet to share with us 💗

Karen's flowers she's sharing with us and in a cool glass milk jug 😍

We had a nice fire, visit and barbecue! She said she's been craving a burger and she got a good one for sure! Tater tots to complete hahah. 

This morning we woke to cloudy and cool conditions, seems to be a pattern lately.  It was a clean house type of day, gotta be done. Ken got the generator going on the motorhome and a vent back in over the bed.  He also got the bed, dinette and all that stuff put back where it belongs. 

It's getting closer to being able to take out.  There is a water leak, which we knew when we got it. With weather being the way it is he doesn't want to unwinteuize it for just a day because night temps require it to be winterized. We'll wait a few more weeks until we have warmer nights. 

When we were in Carson City the other day we stopped at AAA and got their package for towing that covers RVS so that makes us feel better if something were to happen. It is 32 years old now. 

It's looking pretty good inside now, we're really liking it. Just the dinette I've got to figure covers for that.  Of course Ken says it's fine the way it is...uh no! LOL. 

The chalkboard ready to write on...

Priming the chalkboard...

Close up of the curtains over dinette, in bathroom and kitchen window...

Found this gem on Amazon for $6.00..Mountains and it says "Let me show you the way!" 

Bathroom window

I loved this material as soon as I saw it! 

Karen gave me these two pillows..I loved them because we've been every place but Acadia..

Living room..

Dining room..just the cushions need redoing..Table's wet not messy haha. 

These are the curtains for the "bedroom" bunk area...still need curtain rods..

Hopefully this next week I can get it finished..we shall see! Tomorrow is a Walmart and Raley's day so that day will go fast. I can't believe it's the middle of February already! 

Stole this from FB...Michael, Steve, Russell and Antoine..4 founding members of Sacramento Beer Enthusiasts! 💙💙

Looks like Seth made it home for the Valentines weekend. Some good looking food was certainly had there! Christina, Mason and Seth..💙💙

Happy Hour time! Have a wonderful evening!

Staying home mostly, Carson City yesterday, meeting new neighbors in Walmart!

 Pretty much another stay at home last few days except yesterday. I've been working on curtains for the motorhome and just a few other things.  Got the refrigerator chalkboard painted and we both like it!  Now to find some chalk so I can prime it. 

Joe came over yesterday morning to borrow Ken's utility quad for a side job in Tonopah, NV.  Once they loaded it up he came in and I fixed breakfast for all of us. He had his Mason pancakes once again. I told him we should have started this a year ago and maybe they wouldn't be moving! LOL.  Ken and I had the more traditional breakfast of eggs etc.

Joe putting the quad on his trailer...

Once we were done we headed for Carson City as Ken found a nail in a tire on the Tundra.  Dropped it off at Discount Tire and then headed for Gardnerville for prescription pick up and Walmart.  

We were headed down the curtain/rod isle and saw a couple there looking at curtains. They had masks on, but down below their mouths talking to each other. Took one look at us and off went their masks. We had a nice conversation and found that they just closed on their house in Yerington! Turns out they are only a mile or two from us, right by the gun range. Small world! Moving from Joshua Tree, CA.  They said the little town is just overrun with tourists and AirBNB.  They won't have that out here on their 63 acres!! 

Headed back over to Discount Tire and then drove to Yerington and Dini's for a 4:00 pm dinner.  We totally enjoyed and then because we had no wind at all we decided on a fire pit fire.  

As soon as we got groceries put away I gave Karen a call and she came over. We had a nice evening enjoying the warmth by the fire. Eventually we called it a night!

Beautiful fire and beautiful sunset...

This morning (Thursday) we didn't wake until 0630! Darn, half the day is gone haha. I needed to do some baking as Ken was out of treats and me too.  Spent part of the day on that and then finished one set of curtains.  

Almond flour Banana cookies..yes I had to try a piece..delicious! 4 ingredient recipe

Ken put the tire back on so we took a short drive over to see where Larry and Lynn's place is. We could see it from the main road and it's nice! They got a steal on it too. I'm nosey, looked it up on realtor.com hahah.  Welcome to the neighborhood!

It's been a lazy afternoon, it cool and cloudy outside.  Got on the computer and did a little shopping for some pots and pans (Thanks Grandma Birthday $$).  

A cloudy, cool, windy evening 

Got a couple of cool things from Joe before they totally  moved. Time to find a place for them. They gave us a "new to us" patio set. Thanks guys! 

Primer on the MH fridge..It's finished now but too dark to get a picture :(  

Our great niece Cassidy, ready for the day! Gotta love the glasses and purse! 💖

Happy Hour with the hubby! Have a great night! 

Time sure flies! Barbecue next door! Joe and Stacey's home is empty :(

 Happy Sunday! Can't believe almost another week has come and gone! Not a lot going on here, which in some ways is a good thing! LOL.

We've mostly been at home other than a trip to Reno for Ken's eye appointment on Friday.  This check up was for his glaucoma and that's doing well.  Pressure was low so the eye drop is working. He does have a cataract but not at the point for surgery yet. His other eye has a film that's forming but not to the point to do anything for that yet either.  They do keep a good eye on him so back he goes in another 6 months. 

After that we headed for Joann's in Carson City to find material to make curtains for the motor home. I had ordered some for the dinette area, but they didn't have the one I wanted for the living room. Here we found fabric we like and bonus I got it for 50% off! Now to get to making them. 

A quick stop at Walmart and I got chalkboard paint for the refrigerator doors in the motorhome. We shall see :) 

Ken called Joe on the way home so we met Joe and daughter Rylee at Tailgators in town for lunch. Yummy food, great service. They've been open years now, but we had never been. We'll definitely be back. 

Yesterday we headed over to John and Karen's for a Valentine's Day barbecue. She planned it early as she expects that John will be gone next weekend working somewhere. 

John used some telephone poles for the sides and peace sign! You have to see it in person as it's amazing! 

Before chalkboard paint...

He barbecued a prime rib (which was amazing). I made Pioneer Woman's mashed potatoes, brownies and deviled eggs to take. Her mom added some really cute romaine lettuce cups. OH YUM. As always, way too much food! 

Pioneer Woman's Restaurant potatoes filled with sour cream, cream cheese, cheese, onions, bacon, oh and of course butter! haha. So sinful and yummy! 

Was a really nice afternoon and evening. Once everyone else left we sat by the fire for a few hours. Yep, that fire always gets us in to trouble! 

Ken's over helping John work on a building. Earlier this week he helped Joe move some stuff to storage and a trip to the dump. 

Joe and Stacey's house is SOLD and due to close this week :( We're happy for them, but definitely sorry to see them go! Having wonderful neighbors on both sides of us is a rarity and we definitely cherish their friendship. Stacey posted a video of their empty house yesterday and that one got to me 😥 😭 Sounds like they'll be around until the end of the school year, then off to new adventures in Alaska! Hopefully one day we can plan a trip there to visit if things ever get back to some sort of normal. 

Time to get started on the curtains! Have a wonderful day! To those of you who watch the Super Bowl enjoy!! 

            My FB friend, Georgine posted this and because I liked it I stole it! 😍 Most days I feel just like this, especially the playlist and the night sky!💙 Sometimes

coffee too! 

Carson City, The wall is gone, great weekend! Happy 16th Birthday Mason!

 

1996 after Russell's graduation and before he left for the Marines we all went to Pismo Beach.  Hard to believe it was 25 years ago this summer 💙💙

Friday morning we decided to head for Carson city to spend the night at the Days Inn we like there. With points it was an inexpensive decision. By staying there that would cut an hour and half or so off our time to CA on Saturday. We left here around 1300 and ended up there around 1500.  It didn't really take us that long but we did a little sight seeing around a neighborhood that we looked at back in 2013.  Makes us appreciate where we live :) 

Friday morning we were surprised to wake up to SNOW! By the time we left for Carson, it was all gone! 

After checking in we just enjoyed the afternoon being lazy.  I had made a turkey meatloaf at home so we had our dinner in the room.  

Saturday morning we were out the door at 0615 to head for Russell's house. The drive down I-80 was beautiful with all the snow covered mountains. Traffic wasn't too bad going our way.  The exit for Squaw Valley Ski Resort was something else though. It was 0730 or so and the lines on both sides of the freeway were REALLY backed up!! So much for staying home haha. 

We got to Russell's just about 0900 to let ourselves in.  He got back a few minutes later after visiting Krispy Kreme. We visited a bit and then had our egg casserole that I made the day before. Time for them to get to work haha. 

My sister Wendy, picked me up around 11 or so then we headed to sister Linda's house. Dusty and the kids were there, so I'd rather visit with them than go shopping. Owen and Cassidy are just too adorable.  Chelsea came a little later and then they were off to a picnic in the park. 

Linda, Wendy and I headed off to Lumberjacks for lunch.  After that we headed to Midway Antiques just down the road.  Way too expensive! After dropping Linda at home Wendy drove me back to Russell's. 

They quit around 1630 and the wall is down! Looks great! 

Measuring for the last piece of the ceiling. 

One big GREAT room looking from the front door. 

How it looked when they started in the am..

We all went to an incredible dinner at their friends house. Dee and Katie are awesome people.  He barbecued tri tip and Katie made potato salad and some other things. Russell had Lori make his baked beans. OH Yum!  

Dee had gotten some reality goggles. OH that was something! Those things are scary! In your head you know you're standing on the floor, but with those on you feel like you're on a plank 50 stories up!! Lori had her fit bit that clocked her heart rate at 99! I hate to think what mine was, as I don't like heights one bit!! You'd have to be there! 

Allissa with the goggles..

Russell is obviously enjoying watching Lori with the goggles!! 

Ken :) 

Once we got back to Russell's some more visiting and then off to bed. We made plans to to go to lunch together before we headed home on Sunday. 

Sunday was a late morning and we headed off about 1045 following Russell and family with Aaron driving. :) 

We love the place we had lunch and hadn't been there in probably 2 years. We used to go all the time when we lived in Colfax. It's a small place, but very popular.  The place was packed in defiance of the governor's order.   Good for them! No masks anywhere (except the servers).  For the first time in a long time it felt "normal".  

This is in reference to CA governor imposing a mask and # of people rule and then violating it himself the same day! Love this sign!

Allissa, Lori, Russell and Aaron...only one missing was Jacob, but we did get to say HI to him via the phone. 

We eventually had to say goodbye.  A nice easy drive home and we arrived about 1600.  No sooner than we got unloaded we got a picture of a fire so next door we headed. 

Our grandson, Mason turned 16 today!! I called him later and had Venmoed him some birthday dollars.  

Christina shared these pics of Mason on FB...my favorite pic of him as a little guy!!💗💗

Happy 16th Mason!!

Monday was a stay at home day except for taking the motorhome to town to get gas and new wiper blades.  Rides nice! I painted near the doorway so now painting is done except a little touch up.  Still waiting for my fabric for the dinette curtains :( 

Ken made a fire outside about 1600 so I texted Karen.  John got home and they came over for a bit.  Eventually it was time for barbecue burgers and zucchini fries then to call it a night! 

Today (Tuesday) is a Walmart run and a quick stop at Raley's for a prescription. Time to get the day going!