Bday Party, SLC, and Today -- Island in the Sky, Canyonlands NP

 

Grand View at Island of the Sky, Canyonlands NP.  But before we got here...

 

...Granddaughter Addie had her third birthday party on Saturday.  About 20 adults, perhaps a few more, and ten kids, along with two babies, enjoyed a morning in the park behind my son's house.  People there, besides the parents,  included my daughter Stephanie, Grandma (known as GG to Addie) and her husband Brian, GG's sister Cindy, who lives in Sacramento, a couple of my kid's cousins, Anna's (son's wife and mother of Addie) mother and her sister, and a bunch of friends of Michael and Anna with all of their kids.  Above Addie is kicking her new soccer ball into the new net, both of which "we" gave her (at the request of Michael who said..."She is wanting to kick things now".  Good time by all....

 

So we left Monday for Salt Lake City (SLC), and arrived at "GG's" older sister Debbie's house on Tuesday.  We stayed for two nights, and we visited a Dog Park twice, I helped her with a few things, and enjoyed my visit with a former Sister-in-Law that I have known for 42 or 43 years...however we had lost touch with each other for the much of these past 20 years (my fault, divorce does silly things to you sometimes...)  This year we visited Debbie three times as we went through SLC, and camped in front of her house with our Camper Van.  Above are her two Golden Retrievers...Tucker on the left (5 years old) and Rookie on the right (9 years old).  These two dogs are so loving, and well trained.  I think over the years Debbie has owned five Goldens.

Thursday we left SLC around 1 pm, and drove to a rest area about 35 miles from Moab.  First thing to do in Moab was to go to the Maverik Gas Station on the south side of town to empty our grey and black tanks, get gas, buy some bottled water and get two coffees.  That done, and after a couple of phone calls, we headed to Island in the Sky, the northern portion of Canyonlands National Park. It is a pretty 45 miles drive which, with all the stops to get pictures and such, took us most of the rest of the day. 

 

 

There are SO MANY canyon areas, rock formations, and general landscape shots, that here are just a few.

  

As you can see...the effects of the California and Oregon fires have put smoke into the pictures too.

   

The rocks that have a reddish color are on the south side of "Island", the lighter tan colors on the north side.

If only the smoke was not part of the picture.  I guess you have to wait for a good rain storm, with a good wind, to blow all the crap out of the air to get the real "GOOD" shots. 

   

A few more views from the "Grand View" area.

 

Indy always keep an eye on me when I walk to an overlook to get pictures.  So very happy when daddy gets back.

 Panoramic view of the Green River overlook. 

I did not know there was a mini "Half Dome" like the original in Yosemite NP 

 

This area reminded us of a smaller Monument Valley...

We visited this area of Canyonlands National Park back in 2014.  We visited the southern area between then and now...and I am glad we revisited this area today.  There were no crowds, but the temps were hot...up to 98 degrees in some areas.   Tomorrow we will be in Arches National Park, which we have driven through about six or seven times already...just can't get enough of them Arches!  And Indy even got to visit a Dog Park in Moab, although there were no other dogs there...too hot!

 

Orange Grove in Bakersfield...again

 

We have probably stayed at the Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield more times over the years than any other park.  Some we have stayed at for weeks, even months...but we stay at Orange Grove at least once, and many times twice per year as we travel back and forth from Florida to California.  The above shot is from 2019...tonight's spot looks much like this one, but we are on the far south side of the park.

Took Indy to their little Dog Park twice, and she met other dogs each time.  Right now, she is out like a light.

Hope to be at Sandy and Arny's by 2 pm, perhaps by 1 tomorrow.  Had planned on getting the motorhome washed again at the Blue Beacon, but they are closed for Easter.  Hoped to have dinner from Jimboy's too...but again they are closed for Easter.  

Last night we enjoyed a Good Friday service via the Internet, and then watched The Passion of Christ from Amazon...truly made it feel like Good Friday.  Hope to catch church as we drive tomorrow...Marcia can watch it while I listen.  Hope you all have a nice Easter Day.

10th Anniversary, and what did we do???? Got Indy Spayed, of course!

 

Here we were, February 25, 2011.  We had ONLY met in person earlier in the month, but we both knew we wanted to be together.  It was a cold, windy day in Pine Bluff, and the only person there was a preacher, fellow Rotarian, Library Board Member, and Friend, Robert Thompson; who married us and took this picture.  Yes, in Arkansas, you don't need witnesses.

How did we meet???  Online, of course.  Dating Site???   Nope.  It was a gaming site, we both were playing a 'war game'...we were on the 'same team'.  The team would have Skype meetings, which at the time meant you can talk but not see due to the number of people in the Skype, but you could private message during the meeting, which is what we did from time to time.  One night everyone left the Skype room, so we started our own Skype room and actually saw each other.  One thing lead to another and we decided to get married...but thought we should at least meet each other in person first.  So Marcia came out to see me, and two weeks or so later she flew out again and we got married.  Gave my one year notice to the Library Board, and our RV part-time adventure began at the end of March 2012...as did this blog.

Yes, yesterday Indy was finally spayed.  Back in July the Vet in Citrus Heights would not do it because she was in heat...although she never did bleed.  In November, around Thanksgiving, she really went into heat.  I called our local Vet's office at the end of January, and the first appointment we could get was for February 8.  After a $47 new dog exam, we scheduled the spaying for February 25th, again, the earliest date they had available.  Unlike most businesses here in Florida, they won't let you in the door...you call when you get there, they come out and get her, they come out to talk to you and you sign papers, they do the exam, they come out and get your credit card, the Vet comes out and talks to you, they bring back your credit card and your dog and you drive away.  So personal, but as 'they' say, safe.

I dropped her off at the Vet at 8:00 am yesterday...but it was more like 8:15 when they came out to get her.  Of course, I had a few things to sign before I could leave.  WOW, that was a hard day...we both felt like something was missing.  When I picked up Indy at 4:30 she was a mess.  She knew me, was happy, but her face was sopping wet, she had this large, awkward, heavy plastic cone around her neck, she looked very tired and beat-up, and she SCREAMED when I picked her up to bring her inside the condo (my bad--need to pick her up at neck and butt for a few days).  We immediately took the cone off her, gave her a body wrap so she won't lick the incision (reason for cone in the first place), and put her on her bed next to me.  For the next hour she rotated, got down, moved from place to place trying to find anywhere where she could lay down comfortably.  Finally, she slept.  About 6:30 she wanted outside, did her business (both kinds) and came in and drank a lot of water.  She would not eat anything, and she was coming out of the daze.  Overall, she had a good nights sleep, and so did we.  We did wrap an additional Ace Bandage around her to be sure that the body wrap would stay in place, and so far this has worked well.  This morning she did eat, but only part of a hot dog.  She has what amounts to one hot dog per week normally as a 'treat'.  She would not eat any pork, her daily food is pork and dry food, so I gave her a little more hot dog and her pain pill...which knocked her out for most of the day.  We 'were' planning to have dinner at Mama Maria's with Marcia's brother Mike and wife Sandy for our anniversary, but Sandy got ill.  Looking back, that was all for the better because Indy, who would have stayed in the car while we ate, did much better being at home.  We did have Mama Maria's for dinner...to go though, and it was good, with lots of leftovers for tonight too!

In the next couple of hours we will get a delivery from Amazon which includes one of these 'Recovery Suit for Dogs/Cats After Surgery' to help keep her from licking the incision.  The back part comes off (Velcro) for potty breaks, and it also adds a little cushion when she lays down.  ANYTHING is better than the cone of shame.  Here it is 4:30, and it still says "Out for delivery, Now estimated 4:15 PM - 6:15 PM" from Amazon.

Wednesday, knowing she would not be able to go to the Dog Park for awhile, I took Indy there.  We make it over there at least once per week, normally on a Saturday or Sunday.  Last Saturday there were nine dogs in the small dog park area, and she had a ball...she was tied with another dog in speed and agility, and those two played and played and others joined in from time to time.  But on Wednesday, she was all alone until this dog arrived.  

'He' is 8 months old, weighs 10 pounds like Indy, and they both were equally fast and agile.  'He' had been neutered, so nothing to worry about (not that she was in heat anyways.)  Just as I was getting ready to leave, another two dogs arrived, so I took her leash off and let her play another 10 minutes or so.  As we were getting into the car, two more small dogs arrived, and as we were pulling out another one pulled up.  Well, she had her 40 minutes worth, so we continued on our way.

Marcia has now finished all her Doctor's appointments, and now it is my turn in late April.  I had been thinking about getting a Recumbent Exercise Bike for some time now, but since we are not home but three months or so, I have always used that as my 'not yet' excuse.  But last year, due to Ryan's wedding which was delayed by COVID (they married in a private service), we were here for six months, and this year, due to Ryan's hopeful Wedding Reenactment Celebration, we are here for at least six months.  So I talked to Marcia, and she agreed and encouraged me to get one, and it arrived last week.  What I like about it is that you sit in a chair, and not a bike seat.  I have used it each day, two to three times per day.  I feel my legs getting stronger, and don't over do it ... so far, my knees have held up fine to it.  A few times Indy wanted to help, so she jumped right up on my lap as I was peddling away.

So that has been our 'month', and no, I have not got the camera out just yet.  Still working on that one...

 

In The Middle of He**, I Mean Nevada

 

The road from Reno to Winnemucca is so ugly, even Indy couldn't stand it!  She spent much of her time laying down between my chair and Marcia's chair.  She got up on Marcia's lap a few times and immediately wanted down.  I had her up on my lap twice for short, remote parts of the drive, and she even wanted down from my lap.  Yep, that is how Nevada is for Indy, and frankly, the same for us too.  Now I have driven this stretch of road more times than I can even count.  During winter when the mountains have snow on them, it isn't as bad.  Many times when I lived in Utah going to school, we would drive Nevada during the night...easier on the young children, and easier on the eyes.  But I am not in my 30's any more...driving at night is not like it use to be.  Anyway, we got the motorhome washed in Fernley, and arrived in Winnemucca around 2 pm.   We are at the New Frontier RV Park, Passport America rate of $19.50 plus tax for full hookups.  Just wasn't worth driving any further.

Last night near Truckee the road noise calmed down around 10 pm, and I had a reasonable nights sleep...Marcia not so much.  Around 6 am I turned the motorhome heater on to 60 degrees because it was 35 degrees outside.  Indy did not do so well with that new noise, but finally adjusted to it.  At 7:30 I turned it up 65 and started our coffee on the stove...that old fashion peculator style takes about 40 minutes to produce decent coffee (better coffee than the Mr. Coffee style maker makes), so we were ready to leave by 8:30.  No issues driving all day except trying to get gas at the busy and narrow lanes of the Flying J in Fernley.

Bubba is a pro at finding and enjoying the smells of the new RV Parks, Rest Areas, or other places we stay.  Indy is learning fast.  If there was only grass...

They have a Doggie Park, with no grass, and I took the dogs there one at a time.  Indy had a ball.  She first chased out a white/yellow lab who is 6 years old, but the lab had just had leg surgery a few months ago and was not up to the play.  Then two Scottish Terriers arrived...one a boy who was around 8 years old, and a female who was 2 1/2 years old.  The two girls had a ball playing with each other.  After Indy's initial bark, she calmed down and played very nice.  I think the lack of grass kept her from running too fast, and gthe male came and joined in for a bit before he went his own way.

Bubba was off on his own, like usual.  A Irish Setter came and Bubba ignored him the entire time.  He smelled every inch of the west side of the doggie park, and that was enough for me since 30 minutes had expired. 

Tomorrow we will probably get into Idaho, or right at the border...depends on if we want electricity or not.

4 Days of Christmas

Skruffy scored with a new blanket from her Aunt and Uncle back in Sacramento.  Bubba, well he got a bunch of treats…but the diabetic old baby got babied with this nice fleece blanket.  She knew it was “hers” very quickly.  Can’t wait until Bubba comes over for a visit and finds that “she” has her own blanket now.  Bubba’s blanket is ten years old, falling apart, and he loves it to death…along with his backup beach towel that we use with his blanket.  Glad the post office came through and got our package to us in time for Christmas…and yes, there was a little something for Marcia and I too...and we sure appreciate that!  We sent another Arkansas Petit Jean Spiral-Sliced Smoked Ham for the family dinner at Arny and Sandy’s house.  We hope to be there for Christmas next year to enjoy one ourselves with them!  On Christmas Eve we did head to Brooksville for the Theodore Christmas Eve gathering, and then came home and watched our church service over the Internet.

   

Around 11 am Christmas Day we decided to go for a bit of a drive, going over to see Marcia’s son John first..  Next stop, the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs to see what was open.  Most shops were closed, a few were open, and two restaurants looked to be a bit busy.  It is nice that they decorate many of the sponge boats, and have the large Christmas Tree near the Fisherman’s  memorial.

    

Then we scooted over to the Dog Park, which is not far from the Docks, where at first Skruffy was all alone…

Then Max arrive, and they had fun playing together.  Of course, Max can run twice as fast as Skruffy, but she is much faster this year than last now that she has shed a few pounds…Diabetes and Pancreatitis does that to you…and we have been good about keeping her weight down.

Then these two larger dogs came…one of which should have been in the large dog area (the other side of that distance fence…it was empty), and the other could go into either.  Well, these two just surrounded Skruffy, but she held her own.  The larger one got into a small squabble with Max, and we decided to leave.

Not sure if Skruffy is saying good bye…or telling that large dog to go to the other dog pen…either way, I knew it was time to leave, even though another small dog was arriving.

Next we traveled back over to Crystal Beach, where there were only a handful of people, and a great skyline for taking pictures.

     

Nice calm water, cloudy sky, some birds…yep, it was a nice day at Crystal Beach.

      

Always birds at Crystal Beach...at a wonderful Christmas Day high of 78 degrees, around 74 degrees while we were out.

     

Such a quiet, relaxing place.  We stayed for less than a half hour, enjoyed the view, and then we headed over to the local mountains.

You didn’t know there were local mountains near us in Tarpon Springs, now did you?  Bet you did not know that there were huge dinosaur looking creatures there too…like this one in the middle of the picture (above).

Ok, so it is just those rocks in the middle of this picture…but when I saw it through the camera as Marcia was taking pictures it looked like a mountain…so I had her take a few close up pictures.  It wasn’t until we got home and on the computer that I saw the little Gecko there on the rocks.

After our drive we got home, got the roast into the oven, and rested until it was ready 3 1/2 hours later.  (240 degrees, slow cooked).  We also had some shrimp (which is also what we took up to Brooksville the day before).  I cleaned the shrimp tails, and Marcia lays them out on top of sliced lemons, melted butter, sprinkled with select seasonings, and cooked for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven, pull out and cover for 5-10 minutes. Yummy!  

Monday we had a relaxing day at home, except for when I went over to the RV for its Monday morning start up and battery recharge.  On the way there, my sister sent me a text to say that mom had fallen around 5:30 am Pacific time, and they were in the Emergency Room…but four hours later she was headed home to the assisted living place with no broken bones, and little memory of the fall. 

Today (Tuesday) we had lunch with Cousin Mary, who we see often while here in the Tarpon Springs area.  Mary is around 85 years old, lives alone, and her and Marcia are cousins.  Mary’s sister passed away a couple of weeks ago…met her sister’s son for the first time at the Theodore Annual Christmas Eve get together on Saturday.  

And with that, you now know how our four days of Christmas went this year.