April 6, 2014 Lorraine’s report
So this week was a good week for us. Thanks for stopping by and checking on us. We’ve met two new couples, toured the Ronald Reagan Library and toured a lot of area we hadn’t seen before. Over all a very nice week for us.
What stood out for me was the Ronald Reagan Library. “Perched on a mountaintop with sweeping views of the mountains, valleys and the Pacific Ocean, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is one of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations.
The Library’s 300 acre site, just 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, represents the “shining city on a hill” often referred by President Reagan and appropriately serves as the final resting place of the nation’s 40 President.”
All the way up to the library on each light pole were flags with the portraits of all the presidents of the USA, it was impressive to see what they had done for all the presidents.
They were working on the library grounds, so we ended up going in to the library the back way around the work they were doing. So that is what we saw first, the crypt where they have the grave. Ronald Reagan’s grave is overlooking this beautiful valley. It was sunny, bright and a breeze was blowing- beautiful out that day!
“There were 18 new galleries in all, highlighting and illustrating the life and times of America’s 40 president. Our new exhibits capture President Reagan’s patriotic spirit, his respect for individual liberty, his belief in global democracy and his support of economic opportunity.”
You will find the Oval Office, the thanks for being Governor of California, an exhibit on the First Lady, his famous quote of “Tear down this Wall” for bringing down the Berlin Wall, and a selection on using Camp David. All were very interesting and most informative.
I also loved that Nancy Reagan had her things in there for being the First Lady. She played an important part of Reagan being who he was and what he did. You know, behind every man, there is a good woman…Nancy was one good lady. (I can say the same thing for Chuck too but don’t tell him I said that, it will be our secret!)
There was so much there to see; we enjoyed ourselves immensely. At the end of the tour when they were burying him, I cried all over again. It was so hard to see him die, especially with who we have in there now!
One more off our bucket list of things we want to see and do. And this was wonderful!
Chuck has written about meeting new friends. It was pleasant to meet Dwaine and Donna, and Dene and Bob. You just meet some of the nicest people, wherever you go! Thanks to both couples, for being there and enjoying our time with you. Hope to see you “Down the road”…
So last week we stopped at two homes-open houses in Oceanside, CA. Now that is a pretty nice place and I like it being so close to the ocean. The homes were nice, we found one open house that belonged to a Marine. He had kept it up pretty well. It had 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a swimming pool, and a place where we could park our rig. All for under $500,000. I really liked the area, and it may have to go on our list of places where we would “Like to Land” when we go off the road. I will have to think it over.
I think that is all for now…Hope everyone has a great week. Hugs to all. See you on Monday, Susy & Kaitlyn….
Lorraine
4/6/14 Chuck’s report
We are slowly making our way North from San Diego, currently we are North of LA, South of San Jose. Lorraine is really happy to see/visit the beaches in California but is really wanting some fresh Dungeness Crab like we get in Washington and more so, she is wanted to see our grand daughter, Katie. After all, it’s been since January.
Last Sunday we were still at Oceanside Elks and met Dwaine and Donna for brunch at Visa Elks after we finished our blog. We met them at dinner there one night and they told us about the brunch at Visa so we made plans to meet them. They have a lot and store their rig at Latitude 49 and have a house on Point Whitehorn in Blaine during the summer months, small world. We stay at Joe/Alice’s extra lot at Latitude 49 when we are there too.
Later we happened to see a couple of open house signs so we stopped to check out prices. We were both surprised to find a real nice, ranch style home, about 2700 SF with a swimming pool and place to park a rig like ours. The house was very well kept-up and even had a lemon tree in the back yard. And the price was - - - too high, $490,000 but we were expecting much higher. I asked about the taxes and the salesman said $4500/month, WOW. Actually, he said $4 or 500/month but we both misunderstood him at first. The other one was a split level, newer home and the price on it was $555,000, again out of our reach financially. Plus we still own our house in Bellingham although we are hoping the tenets might buy it this year.
Monday morning we left Oceanside and drove through Los Angles to Simi Valley Elks Lodge. A couple, Bob and Dene, we met at a trolley stop in San Diego suggested we may want to stay there as it is the closest Elks Lodge to Ronald Reagan Library. We got set up and lo-and behold, Bob and Dene were parked right across from us. We visited with them over dinner at the lodge that night and got to know them, they are from Camano Island in Washington, about 50 miles South of Bellingham, again, a small world.
Tuesday morning we headed out to explore the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Last week was Nixon, wow, two weeks in a row. We both liked this one a bit better than Nixon’s, can’t explain why but it was nice. They had displays showing some of the gifts they received from foreign heads of state and others, a full-scale reproduction of the Oval Office in the White House, Air Force One and some of the Presidential Limos too. Of course, there was pictures/info/records from their lives before, during and after they were president. The view from the back of the library overlooking the valley below was really nice. All in all, this one ranks pretty high on our list of the 4 we’ve seen so far.
And now for a little humble commentary on President Reagan. He became president during a rough period in our history, high inflation, highest interest rates, American citizens held hostage in Iran and American pride failing. He was a great believer in America and Americans and by the time he left office things were much better and continued to become even better due to changes made during his administration. One of the best changes was the pride Americans felt for our country, something we desperately need to regain now. I, for one, would back any plan that wanted to put his bust on Mt. Rushmore alongside 4 other great presidents. I believe he and Eisenhower were the best two presidents in my lifetime and I was only a little tyke during Ike’s terms.
Wednesday was a quiet day, we just toured the area and went to the produce store Bob and Dene told us about. This area is sort of in the hills and one would never know it was close to Los Angeles. There are all the large stores and such in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks is close by too but until we got back on 101, things were pretty barren and not too populated. Once we got on the main road again, things started looking like Southern California.
Bob and Dene told us about the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria and the BBQ dinner they have every Friday evening. We were planning on stopping in Santa Barbara but changed our plans and decided to head here instead as we’ve never toured this area at all. So Thursday was travel day for us. This was the third time we’ve hooked up the new car for towing and once again everything went well.
But I forgot to turn on the GPS before we left so we stopped in the driveway to the Lodge to turn it on. Of course, it wouldn’t turn on until I reset it, time for a new one I think. We get them at Costco and so far I think we’ve had to return 5 of them for one reason or another, good thing they have a great return policy. We are able to get back what we paid and then purchase a new one and most of the time we get a newer model for less money, good deal. But it is a hassle when the !@!#$ thing gives up at a particularly bad time.
After getting the GPS working, we continued with our trip. But as soon as we turned onto the main road, the car started acting up, it was jerking and swinging when we looked in the rear view camera. What now? We always check the lights and drive the coach a few feet to make sure the hookup is right and all the lights are working. We pulled over to the side of the road, it was two lanes in each direction and we sort of blocked one lane, oops. I checked out everything, even had Lorraine drive forward while I was watching again, couldn’t find any problems so we started off, checking things over carefully. We had no other issues along the way, I’m thinking maybe one of the arms wasn’t extended until we drove onto the main road and when we straightened the car wasn’t straight behind us until it wagged once. Anyway, this is sure something we’ll keep a close eye on.
We found the Lodge here and got checked in with no issues. I disconnected the car while Lorraine finished checking us in then we got in the coach and prepared to drive over to the RV park. Just then my phone ran and it was Bob, telling me they were here and the Friday BBQ was not happening this week due to Installation of Officers and asked if we still though we might come in anyway. By the time I could tell him where we were, we were in sight of his coach, ha.
Anyway, we got backed in and got set up then went back to the office to sign up for the steak dinner going on that night. While there the lodge manager gave us a tour of the place, lots of things going on in this busy lodge. He said they have over 4000 members and even have a rodeo, on property they own just South of here, in August that brings in big name rodeo stars from across the US. He also showed us their BBQ pit, must be 50’ long and all they use for cooking is red oak. It has sections set aside for beef, chicken, fish and one for cook your own steak nights. They have a wood storage area with 8 or 10 cords of oak wood in there drying and he said it’s empty compared to usual. I remember at least 4 different bars that can be set up/used for different occasions and that’s just inside. They have what looks like 4 or 5 trailers that can be used to set up for BBQ and bars elsewhere too.
They told us that most folks dressed up for dinner on Thursday, even though the installation wasn’t until Friday and the big ball and dance was on Saturday. So Lorraine dug out some “go to meeting” clothes for us and started getting ready for dinner. I snuck the camera in and got a picture of her with her hair in curlers, not sure if she erased it or not but if it’s still in the camera, I might just post it here, don’t say anything, ha.
Anyway, we had a very good dinner with Bob and Dene, I think there were about 130 in the dining room, everything went very smooth. They told us they have anywhere between 350 to 500 Elks and guests for their Friday evening BBQs so this was a smaller group. And yes, most folks were dressed up pretty nice, only saw one guy in jeans and tee shirt (no not me but I would have been had Lorraine not made me change.)
I’ve done some research and found this area is well known for their BBQ, mostly without any BBQ sauce, just a good rub before putting it on the grill. Their style of BBQ is called Santa Maria and I guess it’s well known among food folks, not sure I’ve ever heard about it before. But because we missed the Friday night BBQ here, I’m guessing we will return someday, it’s a good stopping point between Susy’s place and Los Angeles, if we take the 101 vs the 5 that is.
Friday we headed out to explore this area a bit. Lorraine wanted to go to Morro Bay, just a few miles North of us but along the coast again. There is this BIG rock right at the waterfront and lots of areas to drive out, park and enjoy the beach. We found a few surfer out on the North side playing in the surf, something we’ve seen in quite a few beaches here in Southern California. These guy were able to ride the waves longer than some of the other places, that may be why there were more of them, you think.
We drove around town, checked out a few shops and stuff then returned back to our place. We drove along the coast whenever possible on the return trip, checking out and enjoying the area. The homes along this portion looked to be pretty expensive, lots of really nice ones, we didn’t stop and check out any however. Both of us agreed this is a nice area but we liked the area around Oceanside better if we were to stop in California when we get off the road.
Along the way back we stopped off to see the Madonna Inn. We were told folks stop by to see the theme rooms and the men’s bathroom. So that’s why we stopped too, can’t believe the men’s bathroom is a destination stop. But I did take pictures, will probably add them here later. Later we rode with Bob and Dene to a BBQ place just down the road, very nice BBQ and nice place too.
Yesterday was the day we wanted to check out the surrounding area here. We made the usual stop at Wal-Mart also then spent the rest of the day puttering around the coach. Bob and Dene had left to tour Morro Bay and when they returned we asked if they wanted to check out a BBQ place with us but they had already ate so we drove a few miles to BBQ Land. It ended up being a hole-in-the wall place but the food was really good. They had probably the best BBQ sauce we’ve had, not sure what made it so good. But the meat was so good without the sauce we didn’t use much of it. A very good meal if you ever get Santa Maria, California and not too expensive.
There are a bunch of folks setting up for a dog’s agility course right in front of us on the big grassy spot next to the Elks, must be 35 cars or so. Not sure how long it’s going on today but they haven’t bothered us at all. Just one more activity at this busy lodge, I guess.
This morning Bob and Dene are getting ready to leave, they are slowly working their way back home to Camano Island. We are still here, plan to leave tomorrow and head up to Susy’s, got to be there for Katie’s 9th birthday on the 15th. We will be there for two weeks or so before we continue with our trek North.
The weather has certainly been cooler, long pants and even a jacket required in the early morning and evenings. We have had to run the heater at night too, bummer. But the forecast is for warmer than normal weather for the next week, even getting to the 80s early this week, yea. We both know we will probably be getting some of the wet, gray, cloudy, rainy weather back home soon enough. Like they say back there, summer doesn’t start until July 5th!
And now to go through the pictures we’ve taken this week and pick out some to add here.
A flag painted on some building and our rig at Elks Lodge in Simi Valley, just North of Los Angeles.
At the Simi Valley coast/beach and pier. Sorry, I didn’t know the shutter wasn’t all the way open.
The fish the folks were catching off the pier, saltwater perch.
This pelican flew up, dropped down on the pier right in front of us, looked around for a hand out and then flew off almost overhead.
Not real sure what this “building” was but it was right off the freeway.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
His burial place and memorial.
Lorraine experienced a screen test, the results on the TV on the right.
Here she is making a speech, I’d vote for her if she ran as president.
One of the campaign slogans and on the right is the Oval Office like in the White House.
Air Force One.
One of the limos used by some of the presidents.
A picture of one current and five past presidents, GW Bush was president at the time.
A portrait of President Reagan made from Jelly Beans.
View from the Library overlooking the valley.
Our rig at Simi Valley Elks Lodge RV Park.
A large tree growing through a big rock, notice the trunk going down through the crack in the rock to the ground on the right.
Driving North on highway 101 along the coast. I think this was South of Santa Barbara.
Lorraine getting ready for our dinner, she looks really good after too, on the right.
The rock in Morro Bay, California.
A butterfly bush in town.
Some surfers having fun, thought of you when we saw these, Glen.
The Madonna Inn, named after the owners, not the “singer”.
They even give tours of the men’s restroom, the sinks on the left, urinal on the right.
A large waterfall on the hillside just above the Inn. We couldn’t figure out how to drive up there however.
Our rig here at Santa Maria Elks Lodge RV park.
Dene and Bob in front of their rig and the dog agility course in front of us.
Ok, now to get this posted and get on with the day.
Thanks Chuck
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