2021/06/26 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - Natchez Trace Pkwy - Next Section

 Well, again my back is not 100%, so we will go in the afternoon, so we planned to do more of the Trace.

Before getting to the Trace were we left of yesterday we stopped at Starbuck for our morning drinks.

The first stop on the trace today was at the Cowles Mead Cemetery, Next was the Clinton Welcome Center.  We did several stops along the trace - Osburn Stand, a Old Trace location, Overlook at the Trace, Cypress Swamp,  River Bend Picnic Area and then Kosciusko Information Center.  We went into town to grab some lunch (McDonald's) before doing more of the trace north.  We did some time Little Mountain to enjoy the views.  

It took about 2 hours to get back to the RV.

I was checking things, I noticed that the bike rack cups is broken so did some moving of the cups to we don't loose the bikes.

We went to the convention center to check on the square dancing.  We went ahead and picked up our packets and registered for the next few convention.  Was able to talk to several people.  The turnout was very low for this convention.

We headed out for dinner at Babalu - it was good.

Back at the RV to relax.

2020/07/02 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 21 - Longest Drive

We finally left E place a little after 10.

First stop was at a Flying J's for the necessary gas for the RV and lunch for us.

Next stop yep Flying J's again.

Then the topping of the tank at another Flying J's

We finally pulling into the road to our friends place around 5:30.  I unloaded the van from the tow-dolly.  A drove the van up.  The road had a lot of washboards so I had to go slow, the tow-dolly did a lot of bouncing.

We didn't stay up to late, but we had a good time chatting.

Update:  The RV had a major issue around midnight.  A woke us up that the AC was a glowing fire.  We double checked and we could smell the burning and see the black scorched marks in the AC unit.  It did not trip the breaker, and it does not work any more.

2019/06/28 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - Exploration and Dinner

C.M. and I got up in time to do an activity on RoK. 

The first place we went was to The Joint to get my back tweaked again.  Then we headed over for lunch at J. Christopher's breakfast and lunch place.

We headed over to the Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area and A.M. got the Jr Ranger booklet.  They wanted a lot done in the book so she has not completed today.

We drove around and visited other areas of the river for a couple of hours.

We finally headed to the NSDC and got a few things and visited.  Finally our close friends L&F G made it and we visited for awhile.  We headed out for dinner.  We had a very good expensive dinner at Stone River Legendary Steaks.  Our friends headed back to dance while we headed to get some items from the Amazon locker and then back to the RV.

2018/07/11 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 20 - Spiral and Tire

Today was an exploration day.  We got moving after 10.

We headed to Spiral Jetty.  Before turning off toward Golden Spike road, we stopped for lunch.

It was about 11 miles of dirt roads, and Waze had it incorrect, it had a ranch road instead of the intended road to the location, so that will need to be fixed.  When we got to the parking location, I can hear air escaping from someplace.  Well it turned out to be our friends Jeep tire got a leak.  While almost everybody else went exploring the spiral, we worked on the tire.  We could not get the three of the lugs to loosen up.  So I had a can of fix-a-flat, so when it was time to leave we tried to use it, we got more of the stuff outside the can then what went into the tire.

We started back and the tire looked like we had just aired it down for off-roading.  We made it back to Golden Spike parking lot and we need to put more air in.  I used our little pump.  Then the pump stopped working.  It appears the pump died. So now we have a tire not up to the proper pressure.

We drove to the next town and found a place what would patch it and they did it for free.  When they took the lugs off, the air gun did not even indicate that it was on very tight.

Back at home, we finally agreed on where to go to dinner. Yummm. And we thanked our friends for treating us.

We chit-chatted outside until late into the night - said our good-byes to several of them.

2018/07/10 - Tuesday - Vacation - Day 19 - New Tread and Friends

We got moving a little early - 8:45.

Our first stop was a rest area for the necessary bathroom break.

So because we were getting into Salt Lake early, I made a decision to stop at Discount Tire first.  We got there at about noon.  We replaced three RV tires (the one that bubbled, the one that blew and the spare that we put on that looked to have the start of dry rot)  two of them was covered under the cert, the third one I got tread/mileage credit.  Looking at the tow-dolly they needed replaced, so I went ahead and got both of those replaced.  That took a little over two hours.

We finally made it to our dear long-time friends.  I got the RV down the very tight driveway.

We all went and we treated them to dinner at Black Bear Dinner.

Amanda and Mom M and two of the kids (adults.....) went to go see a movie.

2018/06/30 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - More NSDC and Friends

I got up early and did three loads of laundry while Amanda and Cheryl slept in.

We got going to meet friends for lunch, but before heading to lunch we stopped at Walmart to get a few things.

Went to the convention center to check on a few things - we did not win anything on the raffles.

We watched the closing ceremonies and then headed out for dinner.

Our friends headed to a round dance hall while we watched the dancing in the live band hall.

Back at the RV, Turquoise must have not like the weather/rain and peed on the couch and on the one of the bench seats.  So off to do more laundry very late at night.

2018/06/29 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - NSDC and Friends

We got moving really late, but we all wanted some more sleep in time...

Once we got moving we left a little after 1.
First stop was at a bank to take care of a few things, then we stopped for a late lunch.

Once at the convention center, we did some dancing, meet some friends and did more dancing.

We went out for our expensive dinner today - 801 Chop House.  The place did not compare to last years Morton's dinner.

Back to dancing and Amanda got  her shoes.  Because there is no photographer at this convention Amanda found a place and took some pictures with her phone.

We went back to the RV and meet our long time close friends (F&L) that just drove up and had a great conversation.

2017/07/07 - Friday - Vacation - Day 23 - HOT HOT HOT HOT

I got up early and got things ready to leave.  We chatted a little bit with friends and got going about 8:45.

Stopped for gas and lunch at about noon.

As we were getting close to St George, I was checking the SmarTire system and noticed the tires were getting hotter, so I slowed down to 55 MPH (from 60 MPH).

As we approached Mesquite, I pulled off at the first exit and waited in a parking lot to cool down the tires and transmission for about 30 minutes

The next stop I had to do at the top of the hill from Mesquite because the engine temp was get very close to red.  We waited there for another 30 minutes.

We made it into Las Vegas before the SmarTire system went off complaining about the temp of the tire (177). O and the temperature here was 117

As we were transitioning from the 15 to 515 the ABS light turned on.

We are camped at the KOA.  When we setup for camp, the A/C did not want to turn on, come to find out the circuit breaker tripped.  Once that was reset the A/C turned on.

The Cats where very hot, so we got them wet and made sure they were cooled down before heading into Sam Town Casino.

We got dinner, Cheryl and Amanda did some gambling, Amanda and I did some walking around.

I left and once back at the RV found out that the dog had peed on the bed, so stripped the bed, turn the mattress over and make the bed.  Needless to say I was not a happy camper!!!

Amanda and Cheryl returned with pockets a little lighter of money...

2017/07/06 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 22 - Friends

We left at 9 and we started to head out of town and they have road construction - chip coating the road...

About an hour later I stopped for gas.

Next stop was for gas and lunch.  I noticed somebody was having issues with their hitch setup and he asked if I could help.  I offered two carbines and we used two locks and some chain to get him going again until he can buy a new pin.

Next stop gas before stopping for the afternoon.

We made it to our long time friends.  We moved things around, put the tow-dolly down the driveway. then snugly put the RV down the driveway (the RV temps were high....)

They allowed us to connect to power so having the A/C on to keep us cool is greatly appreciated.

For dinner we went out and we treated their family to dinner.

Back we continued talking late into the night!

2017/06/19 - Monday - Vacation - Day 05 - Friends

We got going almost on time 9:05

We got gas at Fly J's and Amanda and Mom M went in to grab something quick and simple for a lunch/snack.

The toll road cost us $11

Waze did a total reset for some reason in the middle of the city freeways.

We got to your friends place shortly after 1.  I had to unload the van from the tow-dolly and then back in the RV to setup for the night.

We put Turquoise in the back yard so he could get some running and rooming in.

We headed to Wal-Mart for some items (we ran out of paper towels)

Back at the friends place, dinner was in the process of being cooked/made.

Dinner was very good and we had good conversations.

L.G., A.M. and I played a game on the PS2 system until it was way late in the night...

Lets hope we can get up in a reasonable time.

2016/07/08 - Friday - Vacation - Day 22 - Drive - HOT

We said our goodbyes and left basically right on time - 9:06

First stop of the day was at Flying J's in Beaver, we also got some lunch.

As we had passed Mesquite and was doing the climb up to the high plateau on the 15,  the SmarTire system alarm went off and said my inside rear passenger tire was at 177 degrees, so at the top is a parking area, I pulled into that to cool down the tires.

I waited about 10 minutes before heading out again.  I stopped two more times to get the tires to cool down.

As we got into Las Vegas we hit traffic and now the tranny temperature was getting warm.

We finally made it to KOA at Sam Town for the night.  This time were are camped in the North camping area.  We unloaded the van, the temp outside was about 111 (based on what the van had on the reading).

After we got things setup, we drove over to Sam Town to have dinner at TGI Friday's.  The north lot is further away from the casino then the south lot.

After dinner Cheryl, Amanda, and Mom D did some gambling.

They stopped in time for the light show in the atrium, which was a patriotic themed display.

Back at the RV, Mom D was heading to the bathhouse, she tripped and fell, so we had to do some TLC to her right hand.

The rest of the night was relaxing.

2016/07/07 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 21 - No Cave and Falls

I got up and attended a meeting for work - CAB.  After the meeting I got a hold of Tech Support and worked on the issue with my work cell phone.  Final resolution was I needed a new Sim Card.

We finally got everybody moving to go for a little drive today.  But our first stop was at AT&T to get the new Sim Card for the work phone.  Cool the phone works.

We had Mom M, Cheryl, Amanda, C, and myself in the van, W on his motorbike and R on his motorbike.  We were finally off to go see Timpanogos Cave National Monument

But before getting into the canyon R need fuel for his bike and I went ahead filled up the Van.

Then it was time for lunch so we stopped at Blue Lemon Restaurant and Cafe.

We finally made it to the park, but all the tours we full for the day and none of us really wanted to do the 1.5 mile hike up the hill.

Now done with the visitor center we went for the drive up the canyon and over to the next.  That drive was really cool, nice tight turns and great views.

We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls, but the first stop was in a viewing area and we noticed that there is a road below so we went and found the way to get closer to the falls.  We walked over to the base of it and the water was cold.

We headed back to our friends house to relax.  They made dinner for us and we talked until late into the night.  Sometime during this time I noticed that my work phone is no longer working again... I think I need  a new Sim Card again.  The magnets in my carry case might be wiping the card out.

2016/07/06 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 20 - Drive and Friends

Before leaving a neighbor asked me a few questions about towing and gas mileage and stuff, so of course I gave him several pointers and information.

We got on the road a little after 9.

Gas was necessary for the RV at a Flying J's

Before stopping for the next two nights, we stopped at another Flying J's in town of Salt Lake City.

Our long time friends made accommodation for us and the RV.

After setting things up, we headed out for a late lunch at Apollo Burger.

Back at the house, we talked and made some plans for the night.

We headed over to Temple Square and City Creek Center.  We did the tour at "The Beehive House" and walked by the Temple.

Dinner was needed and we found Brio Tuscano Grille.

After dinner we walked back over by the Temple and took some pictures.

We finally found the way to get to the cars and headed home.

I got onto the computers to do some work and to create the necessary report.

2016/06/23 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 07 - Arrived and Walked

Today we slept in (well me and the kids, Mom M seems to be always an early riser)

I had to get ready for work, trying to get the printer to print was a challenge, but finally printed the 22 page report. I helped co-chair my normal Thursday morning Change Advisory Board Meeting.

I was getting text from Cheryl about where they were at in their travels.

We went out for lunch, Cheryl and Mom D had us order something to bring back to the RV.  We returned back to the RV and did a few quick things before leaving again.

We headed for the airport to pickup Cheryl and Mom D, even though we left late, we still had to wait for them.

Cheryl and Mom D ate their lunch

We went into the Square Dance Convention and did our shopping and got all the necessary spending taken care of (hopefully...)

One the why back to the RV we stopped for dinner, good Italian place (even had gluten free stuff for Cheryl).  We also stopped for gas for the van and Mom M got some milk.

We changed and headed back to the convention. We tried to look for the photographer but could not find one, so hopefully there will be one tomorrow so we can get our group photograph. We were able to chat with old friends!

2014/06/27 – Friday – Vacation - Day 07 - Sherman Pass

Today is a drive day.  

We stopped in Techachapi for the necessary go go juice for the van and then stopped at the Star place to get the same for the occupants.

The first part was from Tehachapi to Isabella Lake via Caliente and Twin Oaks.  Very interesting to know how far away people leave out in the middle of no where in the mountains.  We did stop in the Isabella Lake area because we do that later during vacation.  I did stop on the side of the road near Kernville to make a phone call to tell my friend that we are starting the trip up and over...  By this time it was lunch time.  We finally stopped right before the turn off for the pass and ate lunch along side a creek (Brush Creek) that feeds into the Kern River.  While eating lunch three different times a jet pass over head, close to the canyon floor banking hard, it was sure loud. 

We started up the Sherman Pass Rd, we stopped at North Meadow Creek and explored up the creek a little bit.  A lot of wood logs all over that canyon, with a lot of debris that looks like it clogged the big culverts.

We finally made it to the top of the pass at 9200 feet. I finally did get to see the Sherman Pass 4x4 trail (entrance/exit).  

We stopped at several locations to take pictures of different things.

We finally made it to Kennedy Meadows and stopped at the "General Store" and spent some time with our friends.  We even talked with some people that are doing the Pacific Crest Trail.

It was time for us to head home.  We stopped in Ridgecrest for dinner and finally made it back to our home base after dark.  

I really enjoyed the drive!

2014/06/23 – Monday – Vacation - Day 03 - Visiting Old Friend

First stop was at the post office to pick up a package and then top off the gas for the van. 

Now on our way, I made a phone call, before we got out of phone coverage.  It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get up the mountain.  Mr McK. was waiting for us and guided us to his house.

It was so good to see him and his wife with their "kids".  The weather as great and we had a very good time getting caught up on things.  They even feed us lunch.  The time flew by to quickly and we finally had to say good bye.

Once we got off the mountain we headed to Ridgecrest for dinner.

We got home after dark.  The day was great visiting old friends and see their great homestead!

2014/06/21 – Saturday – Vacation - Day 01 - Getting There

We got a later start then I had planned but we finally got going.

We only  made it a short distance while traveling on I-710 and I start feeling a possible tire issue.  I pulled over into a gore point to check and sure enough, the outside rear dual tire had a bubble in the tread.  I went ahead and got off the freeway and found a parking lot to change the tire.  Finally we got on the road again...

We stopped in Mojave to top our tank off and headed to our final destination for the next three weeks.  We did unload the van before heading up the dirt road.  The tow dolly did bounce a lot going up the road.

The RV was completed a few days ago and it is great.  We will be parked for the duration of this vacation.

2013/07/02 – Tuesday – Vacation - Day 12 - Travel, Relatives, and Travel

Today is the day we start heading home.  We did get up at our normal time and we left around 9:30 so not bad.  It is always hard to leave friends but we must move on…

We stopped for gas at a Sam Club and then had lunch.

I did make a point of not travel on any toll roads today, the US routes have been nice with a sprinkle of towns to travel through.

Our next stop was requested by Mom D.  We stopped at a relative for about 45 minutes.  She was able to get the information she wanted.

Next stop gas.  I hate that the sign stats a price, but in a very small print it states that it is only for debit not credit, but you only find out after you start pumping the gas!

Tonight stop is at a KOA.  Amanda started on dinner while Mom M, Cheryl and I went for a 3 mile walk to a grocery store and back.

Mom M and I did some laundry.

I worked on my article that was needed yesterday, hopefully it is accepted. And now it is time for bed.

2013/07/01 – Monday – Vacation - Day 11 - Friends Place

We all got up at different times and slowly wondered into our friends’ house.

We had a late breakfast or an early lunch either way it was good.

Cheryl, Amanda, Mom M, and L.G. went shopping (of all places Wal-Mart).  They returned about 5 minutes before F.G. return from work.

Amanda, Eric, Mom M, L.G. and F.G did spend some time in the pool sometime during the evening.

Dinner was good and L.G. making different frozen stuff to try afterwards.

Of course it is hard to say goodbye / goodnight.

2013/06/29 – Saturday – Vacation - Day 09 - Dancing, Friends, Last Day!

Another day of dancing was planned for today!...

We made it to the convention center about 10:30 and for being a Saturday, of course parking was no problems this time.

Yep, we talked, danced, and watched and before we knew it was time for lunch.

For lunch we went across the street and when they first seated us there was a bad whistle, but the manager was able to solve the issue.  Lunch was good.

Came back we did a seminar and did more talking and watching and now it was time to go back to the RV and change.

Once back to the convention center we did more watching and talking before we knew it was dinner time again. 

 But this time we added two more to our ground and our friends joined us for dinner.  We did have to wait about an hour before we got seated.

Back to the convention center, we did dance, talk and watch – YES WE HAD FUN!!!   And then we had to say our goodbyes.

We made a detour and dropped of the CA State Council show case of ideas to the couple that is taking it back to CA

Now back to the RV and hopefully get up in time and hit the road for the rest of vacation.