Back in Palm Springs

 

Sunday, January 03, 2010                                                                                                      Lorraine’s report

We want to wish a Happy New Year to all our family and friends! May your troubles be few, your friends many and your health great.

We had a quiet New Year’s Eve dinner out with Tom & Dorothy, and were home before the Big Crystal Ball dropped in New York City at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. I think Chuck went to bed by 9:30- 9:45 and I was in bed by 10:30 PST. We were all tired and happy to head to bed early.

This week has passed quickly, and we are here again at Thousand Trails, Palm Springs. The weather has been warm during the days, and I only need one extra throw on my side of the bed, instead of the two plus the winter weight down blanket we’ve used since this summer in Alaska. It’s so nice to be here with the palm trees all over.

We sure had it pour on us at Bakersfield, when we left there on Wednesday. While at the Orange Grove RV Park, Chuck and I picked a bunch of oranges; they were ripe and are so sweet and juicy, just delicious. We left the bay area on Tuesday. Susy, Mark and Kaitlyn left on Monday to head over to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, to see their alma mater, Stanford play. It was a long ride for them, but they just left here tonight, on their way to Disneyland before they head home on Tuesday. They enjoyed their trip and the game, even though Stanford lost to Oklahoma.

We’ve slowed things down a whole lot; there are days I’m still not up to par since I was so ill before Christmas; taking down Christmas here in the coach, packing it all away and moving sure tired me out. It’s nice to slow everything down and take it easier.

As I mentioned earlier, Susy, Mark, and Kaitlyn spent Saturday night and today, Sunday with us here in the coach. It was great to have them all stay with us for the night. They girls stayed in the big bed and they guys had the couch and chairs. Kaitlyn slept next to me all night, she is such a heat seeker. We loved having them! We will not see them for a few months, probably until April, when Kaitlyn turns five years old on her birthday.

Until next time, be well. Lorraine

Sunday 1/3/10                                                                                                                    Chuck’s report

It probably sounds like a broken record, Bay Area to Palm Springs to Bay Area and back to Palm Springs.  We’ve been in/out of Susy, Mark and Kaitlyn’s life since before Halloween but we probably won’t see them for awhile again.  They left their house on Monday last week, drove to El Paso, TX. for the Sun Bowl.  We left their area on Tuesday, headed back here.  We took down all our Christmas decorations and stored them in Susy’s garage, thanks for that. 

Susy, Mark and Kaitlyn stopped in here on Saturday evening for one day on their way back home.  Lorraine will probably fly back for Kaitlyn’s birthday in April, not sure when I’ll see them though.  Thanks for allowing us to spend time with you, it sure makes our day. 

Lorraine and Susy managed to get some time out this afternoon and we all went out to dinner later.  After dinner we finished loading up their car and they left, headed for Disneyland for a couple of days.  I guess Disney is taking down all the Christmas decorations tomorrow and they wanted to see them tonight.  Makes for a long day, sure glad they spent part of it with us however. 

We had a quiet trip over, made our usual stop in Bakersfield for one night then on to here the next day.  Boy is this place busy this time of the year.  They have over 400 sites and most of the time there is less than ten empty each night.  I talked with one of the Rangers, he said they had over 130 people coming in on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day.  That meant that many had to be leaving too, it was busy each day with all the comings and goings, seemed a bit slower today although they are still pretty full. 

I’m sure not in traveling shape, two days of driving left me beat.  We got here, got set up and that was it for me, I was tired.  The next day Lorraine called our friends Tom/Dorothy and set up a meeting with them over dinner.  We were finished eating and visiting and back at our coach before 9:00.  We watched the ball fall in New York and I called it day, that was our exciting New Year’s Eve.  Getting too old to stay up until midnight I guess. 

Lorraine “made” me watch football all week, the college bowl games and pros on the weekend and they still aren’t done yet.  There were lots of good games, sometimes the team I was rooting for actually won too. 

The weather here is sure nice, it’s been getting into the low 70s in the afternoon, cooling off to low 40s at night.  I haven’t taken the opportunity to change into shorts vs.. long pants yet but if it gets just a bit warmer - - - .  We do notice the lower humidity too, Lorraine says it seems to be warmer even though we have the coach at the same temperature as in the Bay area.  Last time we were here I spent some time washing our coach, it needs it again so I probably will take a day or two this week and get it cleaned up again. 

Last week I mentioned we made our minds up to travel back to Alabama and asked for ideas of things/places to see/do in the Southeast this spring.  Thanks for the suggestions, we have some of them penciled in as probable stops.  We have been in Alabama two times before, a quick trip when we picked up our new coach in April, ‘07 and a year later for 5 weeks for our first year’s warranty work back at the factory.  I hope this time we can get in/out in about three weeks and then spend more time exploring the area before it gets too hot and humid. 

This week and over the upcoming weekend is the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) rally here in in Indio.  We are going to stay here at 1000 Trails, driving over to visit with our friends and see the displays.  Not sure yet if we will get there in time for Lorraine to partake with the Maestros for their morning singing sessions but we will for sure stop by and visit with them.  We plan to stay here until the 13th then head for Quartzsite for what is becoming our annual visit there.  We plan on pulling into our spot in the BLM on Saturday the 16th. 

And now for a few pictures of our week.

Part of the trip over.  Yes, we did get a lot of rain that night in Bakersfield and the next morning. 

A road runner in front of our coach.  Our dog, Misty, sure wants to chase it, I bet she would lose. 

Kaitlyn at the steps of our coach.

Kaitlyn and Papa walking around the water fountain waiting for dinnertime. 

 

We sure don’t lead a very interesting life I guess, seems like we were busier than what this note sounds like.  But whatever, that was our week once again. 

Thanks   Chuck