The Beginning of our 5 Months on the Road

Here we are in Riverside California, Veteran's Day November 11, 2008. It is a day that Rod and I find very special, it is a Holiday where millions of people have the day off to remember our men and women in the Military, those who have fought for our Freedom. Hopefully, some of the millions of people that had this special day off, thought of these wonderful men and women and what they have done for us, through their service to our Country.



Rod, myself and Riley left Burley Idaho, last Wednesday November 5, in a hurry to beat the storm we knew was coming eventually to our fair city. Our house was winterized, shut down and secured and we were ready to head for Pahrump, Nevada...our planned first stop. Even though our hearts were heavy with disappointment in the way the election turned out for the Leader of the Free World, we pushed forward,thinking "hopefully" he will only be in office for 4 years. God help us...and I mean that with ever fiber in my body through the next 4 years. We did an overnight in Ely, Nevada where it was 19 degrees. Our water froze, but this time our pump survived, although frozen water pipes with a working pump did not do much for us. Our next night was spent in Goldfield, Nevada. A true Ghost Town of the Old West, it's one of our favorite places to stop over for the night on the way to Pahrump. Thankfully, there are some hardy folks, that love Goldfield enough to restore it to the way it was in the early 1900's and were very glad of this. Since we were there last, the town has taken on a certain shine and is looking really good. Next, we found Pahrump, Nevada; on a sunny Friday, balmy and warm. We met up with friends Annette and Ron, Eileen and Chris and Kenna and Kevin. Had great conversation and much laughter, with many hugs and some tears, we left on Sunday morning for Riverside. The weather here is wonder, sunny and warm. Bud, Rod's brother, is the main reason why we are here, in addition to hopefully seeing Rod's daughter Erin. Also my dear friend Ruth Anne who lives in Hemet. At 86 Bud appears to be in good health, which we are thankful for.



Today we took a wonderful drive up into the foothills of Beaumont to a beautiful area called Oak Glen. We stopped and walked around, savoring the fresh Apple Cider and samples of every kind of apple you can think of...I bought some Braeburn apples and made an apple pie for tonight's desert. It would take a full day to experience everything in Oak Glen and with Riley along for the ride, it wasn't possible at this time, but it will surely be a place we will eventually go back to one of these days. We will be in Riverside for two weeks, through Thanksgiving, Rod and I are looking forward to having many fun times while we are here, experiencing the Museums, the Mission Inn and anything else we can find to do!!

Just one little note, but an important one. This is the first time we have left for this long of a time without our sweet Kuma, our Siberian Husky. We lost him in May of this year and even though he is not with us in life, he is still and always will be in our hearts forever. We miss him so much, there is not one day that we don't mention Kuma's name in some memory or another that we have of him. Riley is with us now, our 18 month old Australian Shepard. He has slowly slipped into our hearts and is becoming a fine little traveling dog. We are looking forward to the day that you all will meet him.

Until next time, take care everyone!