Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hooray....Daisy is back to normal after her mild case of pancreatitis.A bland diet and two kinds of liquid medication for a week did it.She was able to go with us to visit my cousin in Santa Ana earlier this week.We all had a good time there with Rich & Bev.Their house was truly beautiful.Lots of room and beautiful decor flowing out to a terrific yard marvelously landscaped with designer pool and hottub.Daisy was remarkably comfortable with our stay.Normally she would pester us to go "home".I thought she was going to stay there.She loved Bev and the enormous kitchen that presented lots of possibilities of falling food.Lindy and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.Bev prepared a couple of great dinners and lunch on our arrival.Later the first day we drove into town at Laguna beach.After a visit to a superb bakery for some good coffee and pastry, we made our way to a unique aviation art store.Lindy And I hadn't been there in almost 20 years.Great paintings & pictures of mostly military aircraft.Good stuff.Next day Rich and I went to the aircraft museum at Chino airport.Also visited 20+ years ago.Totally new and lots of "new" airplanes.Always fun looking at the past in aviation.
We left the next afternoon after a fine lunch at nieuport 17.A great aviation theme restaurant we first visited in late 80's.Expensive aviation art decors the walls of the building designed after a bavarian hunting lodge.The owner is a naval aviator who flew flying boats in the 50's.After a delicious meal we said goodbye to our gracious hosts of our visit and departed for home.We made a quick stop at March AFB along the route home to see what goodies their BX might have.We bought a few things we couldn't live without.You know, wine, M&M's, more wine etc.The day after we arrived "home" we got up and prepared to start our walking routine as usual.Well, this was a very clear indication that Daisy was feeling good again.She gave every indication that she wanted to join us and in fact walked the three mile hike with us from that day on!Today we went into Palm Springs.We enjoyed it but clearly the town has gotten touristy.For grins we stopped in at Bentley/Rolls/Astin Martin car dealership.We found a few we liked but reasoned they would not be practical in NH!Right.They were beautiful.More lottery tickets please.Anyhow, as the song says "It Never Rains In Southern California".We've been here one month and it hasn't rained a drop!It was cloudy just one or two days at that.It rained about 50 miles north but it seems the mountains contain the weather and prevent movement to the valley and south.We start our last month here tomorrow before heading to Vegas in March.
'til the next time.......................adios
Hooray....Daisy is back to normal after her mild case of pancreatitis.A bland diet and two kinds of liquid medication for a week did it.She was able to go with us to visit my cousin in Santa Ana earlier this week.We all had a good time there with Rich & Bev.Their house was truly beautiful.Lots of room and beautiful decor flowing out to a terrific yard marvelously landscaped with designer pool and hottub.Daisy was remarkably comfortable with our stay.Normally she would pester us to go "home".I thought she was going to stay there.She loved Bev and the enormous kitchen that presented lots of possibilities of falling food.Lindy and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.Bev prepared a couple of great dinners and lunch on our arrival.Later the first day we drove into town at Laguna beach.After a visit to a superb bakery for some good coffee and pastry, we made our way to a unique aviation art store.Lindy And I hadn't been there in almost 20 years.Great paintings & pictures of mostly military aircraft.Good stuff.Next day Rich and I went to the aircraft museum at Chino airport.Also visited 20+ years ago.Totally new and lots of "new" airplanes.Always fun looking at the past in aviation.
We left the next afternoon after a fine lunch at nieuport 17.A great aviation theme restaurant we first visited in late 80's.Expensive aviation art decors the walls of the building designed after a bavarian hunting lodge.The owner is a naval aviator who flew flying boats in the 50's.After a delicious meal we said goodbye to our gracious hosts of our visit and departed for home.We made a quick stop at March AFB along the route home to see what goodies their BX might have.We bought a few things we couldn't live without.You know, wine, M&M's, more wine etc.The day after we arrived "home" we got up and prepared to start our walking routine as usual.Well, this was a very clear indication that Daisy was feeling good again.She gave every indication that she wanted to join us and in fact walked the three mile hike with us from that day on!Today we went into Palm Springs.We enjoyed it but clearly the town has gotten touristy.For grins we stopped in at Bentley/Rolls/Astin Martin car dealership.We found a few we liked but reasoned they would not be practical in NH!Right.They were beautiful.More lottery tickets please.Anyhow, as the song says "It Never Rains In Southern California".We've been here one month and it hasn't rained a drop!It was cloudy just one or two days at that.It rained about 50 miles north but it seems the mountains contain the weather and prevent movement to the valley and south.We start our last month here tomorrow before heading to Vegas in March.
'til the next time.......................adios
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Just completed our third full week in southern california and are enjoying it a lot.We take our three and half mile every morning and Daisy has decided to join us this past week.She does real well in realizing it's an exercise walk and not a stop and smell the roses dog walk.Unfortunately, a few nights ago Daisy got up in the middle of the night to throw up.We found she had eaten a macadamia nuts somewhere.This went on three nights.An immediate trip to the vet determined pancreatitis.She passed another nut or two.She's on liquid medication and all appears normal.But then other than throwing up the nuts, she was her normal self before the diagnosis.
We're two days into the medication and all appears well.Fingers crossed we are concerned because macadamia nuts are toxic for dogs.Daisy is our focal point as you probably know so we will do whatever necessary for her health and well being.
A couple of nights ago, we went to a doo-wop concert.We saw, The Crests, The Diamonds, The Drifters and Danny and the Juniors.Pretty good show, however most of the origonals are gone.I was "google-ing the groups on my blackberry to see who was origonal.I was depressed to read that Danny, from the group with the Juniors, had died of suicide in '82 and others on stage were very obviously to young to have recorded in the fifties.The songs were still good.Except for the "younger" new lead singer of the Crests who botched the words in the bridge of "Step By Step".I think I was in a small minority of diehards who realized he flipped the words.We got to meet the acts in the lobby after the show.That was a real treat.I got to speak with the "Juniors" two origonals now in their upper sixties.They started in high school in Philidelphia and Dick Clark helped a lot.All in all we had an enjoyable evening.
Lunch at "Hogs Breath" was neat too.Owned partly by Clint Eastwood, it was decorated with some full size paintings of Clint from various movie scenes along with lots of pictures.Nice atmosphere and good food.Yesterday, we drove up to an outlet mall that was impressive because it had lots of unique stores we don't normally see.Plus, since it was an outdoor mall, Daisy didn't have to stay in the Toyota.However, we had worn shorts in the warmth of Palm Springs and now forty miles north, the weather was decidedly cooler with a 12 to 15 knot breeze.We froze!I'm sure you folks in the northeast are finding that interesting with what your dealing with.It's all relative.Dress appropriately and we all can be comfortable.This week we are looking forward to visiting my cousin in Santa Ana.We haven't gone that direction so we will get to see some "new" things.For now, as Porky said,That's all folks.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday, January 16th, 2009
Yes Dorothy it is a happy new year!After yesterday's "miracle" safe ditching of a US Airways A-320 Jet.Luck and divine guidance played a hand, but experience and training were I believe a larger factor in the outcome.This crew led by a most talented professional aviator in the left seat make those of us in the airline business proud.Like the admiral said at the loss of his aviators from his aircraft carrier in "The Bridges AT Toki-Ri" where do we get such people?The real heroes are not in hollywood.They're right next to us!I have flown with a few I consider this way.Boy, was I lucky!
We are firmly planted in Indio, Cal-E-Forn-Ya, Palm Springs.If your wondering, we were a while in blogging- well Mr. Laptop passed away a few days ago.It had been sick a long time.You know virus, infection and finally cardiac arrest.I think it's in "Sony" vaio heaven.So-
here we are on a new 2.5 pound acer aspire net book.I love it.This is my first go on it and typing is just fine.Even came with a small mouse.Can print wirelessly and internal wifi.It's about eight times more capable than the Vaio.But not to bore you, if you want to supplement your PC or big laptop, at a reasonable price try one.The bad news is, I can't get any pictures on it for now.Hence no picture on bloggy for a while.
Getting back, weather has been great.Clear blue skies, temps in 80's.Cools to seventies after sunset.Yesterday it was 85, so we went to pool and hottub.We were here about a week went we got our first taste of California's welcome to Indio 4.5 earthquake!We were sitting in the motorhome when it started bucking around like some giant was jumping up and down on the back.Daisy slept thru it, Lindy got crazed when I looked at her as if she was responsible.Lasting only about 3-5 seconds, I jumped up and ran out the door to see what was happening.Another couple of folks came out to announce the quake.They were californians and started to tell me war stories of prior experiences.Tell you what, for an east coaster like me, it was an eye opener.I'll take our hurricanes thanks very much.We've been relaxing, enjoying the weather and shopping a lot.Lots of great stores here.The three of us drove to Temecula over some impressive mountains with a winding road, severe drop offs and no guard rails.Lindy was not amused.They were on her side!Got tickets to a doo-wop concert to see Danny and the Juniors coming up and a visit to my cousin in Santa Anna.The park had a nice lunch,(free margaritas included) last week
met some nice folks there.Not many easteners here though.Hope to have pictures next time for you.Really pretty countryside around us.Now checking new Nikon cameras to capture it......Adios
Yes Dorothy it is a happy new year!After yesterday's "miracle" safe ditching of a US Airways A-320 Jet.Luck and divine guidance played a hand, but experience and training were I believe a larger factor in the outcome.This crew led by a most talented professional aviator in the left seat make those of us in the airline business proud.Like the admiral said at the loss of his aviators from his aircraft carrier in "The Bridges AT Toki-Ri" where do we get such people?The real heroes are not in hollywood.They're right next to us!I have flown with a few I consider this way.Boy, was I lucky!
We are firmly planted in Indio, Cal-E-Forn-Ya, Palm Springs.If your wondering, we were a while in blogging- well Mr. Laptop passed away a few days ago.It had been sick a long time.You know virus, infection and finally cardiac arrest.I think it's in "Sony" vaio heaven.So-
here we are on a new 2.5 pound acer aspire net book.I love it.This is my first go on it and typing is just fine.Even came with a small mouse.Can print wirelessly and internal wifi.It's about eight times more capable than the Vaio.But not to bore you, if you want to supplement your PC or big laptop, at a reasonable price try one.The bad news is, I can't get any pictures on it for now.Hence no picture on bloggy for a while.
Getting back, weather has been great.Clear blue skies, temps in 80's.Cools to seventies after sunset.Yesterday it was 85, so we went to pool and hottub.We were here about a week went we got our first taste of California's welcome to Indio 4.5 earthquake!We were sitting in the motorhome when it started bucking around like some giant was jumping up and down on the back.Daisy slept thru it, Lindy got crazed when I looked at her as if she was responsible.Lasting only about 3-5 seconds, I jumped up and ran out the door to see what was happening.Another couple of folks came out to announce the quake.They were californians and started to tell me war stories of prior experiences.Tell you what, for an east coaster like me, it was an eye opener.I'll take our hurricanes thanks very much.We've been relaxing, enjoying the weather and shopping a lot.Lots of great stores here.The three of us drove to Temecula over some impressive mountains with a winding road, severe drop offs and no guard rails.Lindy was not amused.They were on her side!Got tickets to a doo-wop concert to see Danny and the Juniors coming up and a visit to my cousin in Santa Anna.The park had a nice lunch,(free margaritas included) last week
met some nice folks there.Not many easteners here though.Hope to have pictures next time for you.Really pretty countryside around us.Now checking new Nikon cameras to capture it......Adios
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sunday, January 4th, 2009
Our last week in Casa Grande went by with the arrival of New Years Day.About 15 of us went out for pizza at the hut.Passable but not terrific pizza.After arriving back home we watched all the crazy people in times square freezing their rears off in 17 degree cold.The crowd looked smaller than I've ever seen in 40+ years.At ten local time, the year flipped since that made it midnight on the east coast.The time changes never really bothered us in our working days but it sure has us messed up now.We think it has to do with the stomach!Anyhow, we were all ready on new years day to launch with an early (10am) departure.Having done the pre-launch drill the day before, ie: disconnect everything but electrical power, store movable objects in the coach, take on some water for the trip etc.
The 325 mile leg to Indio Palm Springs, went without a snag.We stopped halfway and Lindy made a nice lunch.Daisy got a walk in, and the weather was superb.Lots of hills on arrival into the Indio area.In fact thirteen of the last 25 or so miles had a 3-5 % grade down-
hill.We zoomed thru 80 miles an hour on some straight aways.Finally used "jake" brake to keep speed at a more comfortable 65-70 before resuming my normal 60MPH on the level portions of the road.The RV resort is really nice as you can see the entrance in the above picture.Lots of palm trees, waterfalls and ponds and colorful flowers.A class A only park that offers lots of amenities.Think we'll enjoy these next two months here.
Yesterday, we went to a local craft fair about ten miles away.A place called Desert College.Lots of nice things and good food too.Daisy enjoyed meeting a few other dogs that were strolling the grounds.We bought a beautiful glass piece of a dachsund that was made with gold
melted in the glass.The fair goes on every saturday and we decided we will have to return to see it more because it is very large.The weather forecast is expected to keep temps in the 70 range so we brought out all our summer clothes once again since we didn't need them in Arizona as we expected.Today we visited a market in La Quinta to get some fresh fruit.Afterward, Lindy went to a nice supermarket called "Ralph's".We're taking Daisy with us everywhere because when we change locations, she is a little disoriented.That is, she doesn't understand what happened to the familiar walk she had (in Casa Grande), or where her "friends" went.Consequently, she is very needy during the transition and wants to be held and reassured we are not leaving her.We give her gobs of attention and hold her even more than we usually do during the transition period.She
usually adapts in a day or two.
We have met a bunch of truly interesting, nice people so far on this winter excursion.But then, that's half the fun of a motorhome.Not even a the halfway mark yet, we're looking forward to meeting even more.This truly is a lifestyle you have to experience to fully appreciate.Kind of like sex, describing it doesn't have the same impact as doing it.........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)