Top 20 Travel Destinations for 2012

1. Anza Borrego Desert:  Our new year most always begins here. This is our happy place, our attitude adjustment, our return on investment. Overwhelmingly beautiful, yet fierce and unforgiving; it suits our fancy.  Boondock favorite...

2. Ajo, AZ:  We've buzzed through Ajo many times on our way to other destinations, but enough friends and bloggers convinced us it was a destination! We stayed a month, boondocking, off-roading, photographing, and enjoying the great little town.

3. Pismo Beach, CA:  The State Beach Park has large, grassy sites with no hookups.  Paths lead to huge sandy dunes with blooming ice plant, and groves of gnarly Eucalyptus trees housing seasonal migrating Monarch butterflies.

4. San Francisco:  We never tire of this beautiful City by the Bay, though there are several; New Orleans, Vancouver, and Seattle, to name a few. But this is the only one with...The Golden Gate Bridge!

5. Bridgeport, CA:  A plan had been percolating and Highway 395, in the Eastern Sierras, took shape.  Thus we discovered Bodie, a genuine ghost mining gold town near Bridgeport... 

6. Mono Lake:  Continuing on 395, Mono Lake became a fascinating photo challenge.  We would depart our June Lake home base for early morning and late afternoon shootings of tufa towers, and calcium carbonate spires and knobs.  The lake is 2 1/2 times as salty as the ocean...

7. Bishop, CA:  Bakeries and bristlecone pines awaited us about 50 miles south.  The world famous Shats Bakery would become a regular stop on our daily outings to commune with the bristlecone pine forest, ancient sentinels over 4000 years old....

8. Lone Pine, CA:  The last stop on our 395 adventure but certainly not the least!  It is the gateway to Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 49 states, sweeping upwards of 2 vertical miles from this high desert location.  Nearby, the Alabama Hills presented an enchanted, convoluted vision of keyhole canyons and steep slopes of shattered granite boulders...

9. Port Townsend, WA:  A slice of pure heaven; friends, views, even the weather cooperated though August is the premier time to visit this favorite Northwest location.  We have waterfront parking at the Point Hudson Marina.  A Victorian Seaport and Arts Community...

10. Arches National Park:  Our arrival in Moab was a bit overwhelming; the crowds, the uncertainty of our stay. And we have a schedule which precludes our usual ability to be spontaneous, in an effort to re-visit many of the National Parks in Southern Utah.  Though we did prevail....

11. Canyonlands National Park:  The northern part of Canyonlands is known as The Island in the Sky.  A scenic drive follows the rim of this sheer-walled mesa with pull-outs where you get amazing views of the surrounding country virtually 1000' straight down, including canyons that have been carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers... 

12. Bluff, UT:  Goosenecks, Gods, and Petroglyphs were all in a day's drive from our fabulous boondocking site at Sand Island BLM Campground.  We had never heard of, much less seen the phenomenon awaiting us at Goosenecks State Park or the wonders of The Valley of the Gods, a miniature version of Monument Valley... 

13. Capitol Reef National Park:  Arriving at Capitol Reef was like finding an oasis in the midst of colorful red cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, and twisting canyons.  Named Capitol for the white domes of Navajo sandstone, and Reef, the local word referring to any barrier to travel, describing the rugged upthrust known as the Waterpocket Fold.

14. Snow Canyon State Park:  Just when I think we topped the charts of landscape beauty, we drive into Snow Canyon, and there is a jaw-dropping moment of complete sensory overload.  Scenic is an understatement for this park tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs, petrified sand dunes, and volcanic cones; a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment... 

15. Zion National Park:  An easy day's drive from our St. George location for the Huntsman World Senior Games.  Zion...A sanctuary, a refuge; a sacred place considered perfect of ideal!  Zion National Park is all of that and more.  Everything takes life from the Virgin River's scarce desert waters.  Water flows and solid rock melts into cliffs and towers... 

16. Pagosa Springs, CO:  We arrived in Pagosa Springs, east of Durango, on a crisp, sunny fall day mid-October.  This was to be our birthday celebration so for 3 glorious days spent at the Healing Waters Resort and Spa we sunned and soaked and enjoyed great dinners out.  The fall colors were worth the drive alone...

17. San Juan Islands:  Anacortes, WA is homeport to the San Juan Islands and conveniently situated half way between Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  The Washington State Ferries are at our beck and call for those day trips to the San Juan Islands and Victoria on Vancouver Island...

18. Big Sur Coast:  Touted as one of the world's top driving tours according to National Geographic, though doing it in a motorhome takes on a whole new perspective!  This rugged and picturesque narrow two-lane road twists and turns, suspended precariously over deep chasms, held in place by viaducts, and threatened by landslides...

19. Petaluma, CA:  During spring and late fall our migration pattern brings us into home territory where Petaluma becomes our home base. This lovely historic town with its old Victorian architecture offers up great restaurants, cheese factories, sustainable farms, with the Napa Valley wine country just a short drive away.  And we have family....

20. Half Moon Bay:  The Coastside area is home to commercial fishing, pumpkins, flowers farms and giant waves known as Mavericks.  Just 30 miles south of San Francisco on narrow, windy Highway 1, this sleepy coastal town was "discovered" during the Silicon Valley tech explosion.  This is home territory for yours truly...  

So this is Christmas...

Merry Christmas 2012

HOHOHO...

Peace and Happiness in the New Year!

Lynda and Howard

Baby, it's cold outside...

It's 32 degrees and raining in Petaluma and the big diesel furnace has been running since 6 a.m.  Motorhomes, I don't care how insulated and double-paned the windows are still leak air around the aluminum frames and slide-out(s).  Oh, the desert calls!  Anza Borrego here we come, heading out a few days after Christmas.

Fortunately, we have multiple methods of heat:  the diesel furnace which takes lots of power, not to mention fuel; heat pumps that work off the air-conditioning system and electric...we don't use; a small electric space heater...occasionally to take the chill off, but...the propane catalytic heater is the best.  Less energy but a steady, radiating warmth that makes no noise.  That's where we are right now, as we settle back listening to Christmas Carols on our little iPod with Bose docker....Fabulous music!

Hip hop dance class

We took a break around noon to go watch Christina's dance recital's Christmas performance at the Veterans Memorial Bldg. in Petaluma.  An hour and a half of various aged classes performing everything from ballet, tap, jazz, to hip hop.  Christina was in the younger hip hop group. 



Howard fixed the best dinner; aged rib eye steaks from Whole Foods with an arugula salad.  He dug out our French cookbook and found a recipe that could be cooked on the stove-top, no barbecuing tonight.  It called for a Bearnaise sauce of sorts...garlic, shallots, white wine vinegar, Marsala, tarragon, reduced..... then added whipped egg yolks, butter, and cream  Steaks were braised briefly in a heavy skillet, then topped with sauce.  Arugula, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic.  Delicious!

Let the kids decorate!

I so wanted to decorate; found the perfect little table-top tree at Whole Foods but we're driving up to Sutter Creek, then Sacramento, later next week, and to Half Moon Bay right after Christmas, so mobility wins out over festivity.  We do have a rather nice poinsettia though.  And we'll be enjoying gatherings with local friends, and family of course.

I'm still stressing over the annual card.  I used to ponder over the year's photos, chronicling our travels, reducing them to an 8 x 11 folded card, and printing out 50 or more for mailing.  Last year I decided to send an email linking to this blog, highlighting the year with links to various updates throughout the year.  But I still felt as though I was taking the easy way out.  Now I'm wondering if I'll get anything pulled together.

Regardless of what's forthcoming, please know that you are all in our hearts with the very best wishes for a most happy holiday season and New Year 2013!

Housebound has its perks..

Annie, the Grandlab, is a morning dog!

The bedside clock blinks 5:18 a.m.   Howard and I have been practicing synchronized turning in a small double bed when a furry 75 lb. projectile lands in our midst, legs kicking and tail wagging; thus starts our day. 

Morning antics

We are babysitting our 6 year-old granddaughter, Christina, and staying at Norm's house while Wendy is on a business trip.  For traveling grandparents who are frequently away, this is a grand opportunity....and a challenge.  Of course, Annie comes with the job.   

Watch Grandma, I'll show you how!

The first order of business is the day's Advent calendar project (by Jacquie Lawson). Christina has mastered the computer and this online task, eagerly looking forward to showing me how she creates her very own Christmas stocking. 

And off to school we go..

A breakfast bagel is followed by  a fashion tug of war as we try to strike a compromise that suits her personal style and accommodates the cold, foggy day outside...not easy.  Lunch box packed and fancy water bottle filled.  Only later do we realize I forgot to attach the straw. A near catastrophe!   Grandpa gets Annie's leash and off we go! 

The line-up!

The scene at her school, a few blocks away, is priceless.  All the first-graders line up outside their classroom with parents and siblings, and a couple of grandparents, lingering till  the teacher opens the door. They are so excited and greet each other like long lost friends. 

BFFs

We are now off duty until it's time to go back and retrieve her from Kids Kare around 4:30 p.m.  Usually we go back to check on the motorhome, do some shopping and plan for dinner, or just have some quiet time.  



With Norm having a 1 1/2 to 2 hour commute twice a day, we like to straighten up the house a bit and fix dinner so he can come home and relax.  Really the best part is just being together as family.  But 5 days is plenty, thank you!  I am so glad to get back to our little Casa Mobile and our comfy bed, and no schedules, and lower energy levels.  I really need to recuperate now!!

Recuperating and Reflecting...

My procedure went well.  The best line was "After you see Da Vinci you'll be wearing a Mona Lisa smile".  'Nuff said!

This whole experience started with an abnormal biopsy, complex hyperplasia with atypia, a precancerous condition though borderline.  Afterwards my surgeon announced no cancer was present.  I am very lucky and grateful, needless to say.  I feel like I got a pass to carry on for now, to cherish our family time during this holiday season with great adventures planned in the New Year. 

Four months ago we shared with you a most wonderful celebration; Kyle and Wendy's wedding, my nephew and new niece, in Medford, OR.  This was such a joyous time of family, friends, and fellowship, with folks from near and far. Many we had not seen for several years, including a large contingent of Kyle's buddies from southern California who used to gather at our home in Half Moon Bay, a mid-point between Medford and LA.  These are 40 somethings, my kids' ages, so vibrant in the prime of their lives, happily sharing their own family news and work endeavors, getting caught up on each other's goings-on.

That's when we met Kellie, Scott's wife of 22 years.  Wow, has it really been that long?  They have two daughters, one in college, and one in high school.  They just remodeled their home so Kellie's mom could move in with them.  She has health issues and they wanted her close by.

Around Thanksgiving Scott announced Kellie had come down with pneumonia, and he, the good husband, was making her turkey soup.  Five days later Kellie passed away from metastasized breast cancer.  She had recently had a mammogram which was negative.  

This absolutely breaks my heart.  There is just no way I can understand how this happens.  Cancer is certainly understandable in certain environmental conditions, smoking, too much sun, and I know, genetics. Howard was diagnosed with colon cancer 6 years ago, had surgery, and no further treatment was necessary as lymph nodes biopsied were negative.  He goes in once or twice a year to have basal cell skin cancer spots removed though he refuses to wear sunscreen.  Both of my parents died of smoking related conditions: my dad lung cancer, my mom congestive heart failure yet I smoked for many years.

So many friends deal with this dreadful disease on a daily basis.  Scans. biopsies, waiting, becomes a way of life.  Most continue to lead a normal life with such strength, grace, and optimism for the future.  Something just has to be done.  More money, more research, don't know the answer....

Published!

After that wonderful trip along Highway 395 last spring, to which many of you contributed suggestions, I decided to submit an article to the Escapees Magazine.   After a month or so I completely forgot about it. So imagine my surprise  when I recently got an email from a friend congratulating me on the article.  Our mail which mostly consists of magazines and advertisements, everything else in done online, usually reaches us several weeks after the fact.  So here it is: 

Now writing is not my forte though it doesn't hinder me from trying.  My style is to overwhelm you with photos and try to add a description or humorous anecdote.  I struggle to stay grammatically correct and often don't.  So thanks for not being too critical.  But hey, if you can read this you will recognize several of the places you told us about!  So, in all fairness, thanks to one and all for making this possible!  And by the way, I even got paid...Let me know if I owe you a referral fee.

Giving Thanks....

Thanksgiving usually conjures up a mouth-watering day of over-indulgences surrounded by family and friends.  Ours was no exception!  Norm and Wendy hosted our extended families: Bogarts, Bellos, Stilleys, Wilhites, and Welchs, all joining in for a day of celebration and really good food.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bogart, Bello, Stilley, Wilhite, and Welch family!

The turkey had bathed in a bourbon brine for 24 hours and was juicy and tender.  There was also ham, just in case we didn't have enough sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts.  The wine selections were mostly pinots and very good.  For dessert there was pumpkin and apple pies but Chris' bread pudding topped with caramel sauce was the hit of the night.

The three younger grands, Damien, Liliana, and Christina,  played well and Annie the grandlab endured being ridden and providing rides in return.  Daniel, soon to be college-bound, watched football and kept his iPhone busy texting and gaming.  Those of us who travel and only see the other grandmas on special occasions enjoyed getting caught up on each others goings-on.  We so missed having Noelle, our high school junior soon to be 17, and Stephanie and Gary, Howard's daughter and husband, who have such a crazy work schedule in Sacramento.

Being thankful is really what this is all about and certainly can be practiced all year long, not just on its namesake holiday.  We are so blessed and grateful for a lifestyle that provides a multitude of  beautiful locations, new experiences and opportunities to expand our horizons, and push our limits on an affordable retirement budget.  To be able to visit friends around the country and make new friends along our journey; a priceless blessing indeed.

Our families, now all mingled from various marriages, are like one big happy family, and we spend 4 or 5 months throughout the year with them. They provide us with so much pleasure, watching them grow, sharing their trials and tribulations and applauding all their accomplishments.  Again, a blessing of our mobility to be where we need to be.

And all of you, friends, bloggers, virtual and otherwise, have enlightened and entertained me, caused me to laugh hysterically and cry in joy and sadness.  What a world we live in to be able to reach out and touch so many.  I am truly grateful for all of you.

I have an upcoming minor surgical procedure which will be done next Wednesday, Nov. 28th at the Santa Clara Hospital: A da Vinci robotic hysterectomy. Now seriously, this is state of the art. The difference between robotic and regular laparoscopy, she said, is like the difference between watching a movie in 2D or 3D. 3D gives her a more detailed view as she operates the robot from her computer.  

Hmmm...Hope Da Vinci is having a good day!

Gratitude is abundant in our lives and we give thanks for all our many blessings!

Gotta love a parade!

Petaluma in one of those great small towns with just plain good genes! The location here in the Sonoma County Wine country, along the Petaluma River, is just 30 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  

For decades local residents have worked to preserve the local Victorian-style architecture and maintain its mid-19th century charm.  

Throughout the year the town celebrates its heritage through fairs and festivals. 

The recent Veterans Day Parade and Vintage Airplanes Fly-In brought everyone out on a beautiful fall day to honor our Nation's Veterans.  Here at the Municipal Airport.... 



I know nothing about war planes but soon got caught up in the excitement and now know that..

This is the P-51 Mustang Fighter...

...And the Martin B-26 Marauder Bomber..Notice the ladies in period attire and the Corvette!

The pride of this lovely town that has now become our second home is contagious... 

We hurried into town as traffic backed up and secured parking, schlepping our chairs to Petaluma Blvd. to get a choice parade-viewing spot.

There were Biker Vets and

Vets with Vettes...

Rosie the Riveter...

..and Gaucho Marching Bands!

And even a precious Daisy Scout that happens to be our 6 yr. old granddaughter, Christina!

Fall...Really?

I know it's Fall!  The calendar says November, we "fell-back" to Standard Time, the kids visited the pumpkin patch and went trick or treating.  But it is a brilliant, sunny 82 degrees outside so think I'll take you for a picturesque walk through the neighborhood.

Our backyard at the Petaluma Elks

Fallen leaves

Reds and yellows

Sunburst

Brown and green against blue..

Tidal wetlands

Marshes

We stopped in Half Moon Bay for a wonderful daughter-cooked prime rib dinner to celebrate our October birthdays...she does the best!  A trip to Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch was a perfect opportunity to snap some family fotos:

Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch

The little fam..

Damien and Liliana..

Then on to Petaluma and our home base.  We got to man the door and hand out candy while Christina went trick or treating on Halloween:

Christina (on rt.), with friend Zoey, is a Warrior Princess!

Ahhh...we're home!