Apr 21, 2013 - Paso Robles,CA

We are here in Paso Robles, on the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. The Sierra Nevada snowmelt is the best water source in California, and eastern side of the valley has the best access to it. Californians have worked for 150 years to harness the spring floods in order to avoid the summer and fall droughts and to keep their land fertile and productive. There are canals and aquaducts everywhere. As we drove west from the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas into the broad, flat central valley of California and then to the foothills of the...

Sep 21, 2012 - Lost

We got up early to do wash and have a continental breakfast at the main office of our campground. Eilene, the manager was very accommodating and stood with us as we watched for the ‘fly over’ of the Endeavor Space Shuttle. It was to make a circle around the Golden Gate Bridge and then head our way. Several people were straining their necks along side of us looking for any sign of the shuttle but to no avail. We packed up and a drive south on highway 101 took us to Paso Robles where we had reservations at Wine Country RV Resort. Prices sure...

Aug 31, 2012 - Wine tasting - Dinner with friends

Back over the 'hill' to the fix-it shop. They took the generator out and will see what they can do by Tuesday. So far the Extended Warranty is denying any help with payment - we'll see. Back to the campground - a wine tasting at 3pm. Five wineries were there with 4 - 5 wines to try. They gave you a decent size glass each time and you could try them all if you wanted. Snacks were also supplied. It was very nice. Bob went napping and I went drinking - works for me. We went to have supper with Cheryl and Gerhard and Carl and Annette at their...

Aug 30, 2012 - Fix-it Day NOT

Our auxilliary generator is not working. We don't need it all the time, but when we do we want it to work. It generates electricity when not plugged in at a campground. Anyway, Bob found a fix-it shop near the campground and we were there by 9am. At noon they told us they could not fix it - we needed to go to an Onan repair center. They were very nice and called one for us. We had to sit back at the RV park in case they called that they could take us today. Believe me, we didn't expect to hear from anyone until tomorrow but we were...

Aug 28, 2012 - Travel Day - Split Day

Travel day - split day. We traveled together until after having lunch together in a rest area. seemed a little weird not to following Gerhard. I had to start paying attention. Uneventful - very nice RV resort - Wine Country campground. It was very hot - but cooled down at night so that's okay. We were lucky to get a site - Labor Day weekend.

Jul 12, 2012 - Paso Robles, CA

On Thursday, we headed inland to Paso Robles for one night. Due to a mistake on my part, I had us leaving Pismo Beach a day earlier than I had wanted. Since the RV resort was full for the extra night, we decided to just get on the road and get a little closer to San Francisco, which is our next stop. So we got on Hwy 101 north and headed to Paso Robles. As soon as I opened the door to the RV once we arrived, we realized we weren’t close to the coast any longer as the temperature was in the high 80’s. And through the day we heard everyone...

Jun 15, 2012 - La Lunita Neuva Farm

An easy drive from Barstow to Paso Robles put us at Annie & Steve's farm by 1:30. There was time for chatting wine sipping,, (next) trip planning, hot tub soaking, more wine sipping, dinner @ The Loading Chute, cuddling, more chatting ... I mention wine sipping? Their 2010 Zin was really quite excellent, as was the Tobin James "Ballistic" Zin we had at dinner. Not, you will note, time for much journaling. .

Jan 12, 2012 - A Quick Visit

Hannah left for SDSU this morning. She wanted to get back a bit early to get some things taken care of before the semester starts. It was sad to say, "Good Bye" but we will see her in a week or even sooner depending on when we get down there. We were headed to Paso Robles to visit Nancy's aunt and uncle. They 'full timed' in their RV for years going between Idaho and Arizona. It was about a five hour drive for us and we left a bit late, so we arrived as it was getting dark. The campground we found was small, but it was just outside Paso...

Nov 19, 2011 - El Camino Real

Had problems with the internet last night so couldn't post this so here it. We headed south this morning along US 101, el Camino Real for much of the way. I decided to travel this route rather than the more scenic Pacific Coast Highway because I thought that neither Winnie nor I wanted to negotiate the rather narrow and contorted route along the coast. It's beautiful, but would have been hair raising. We'll get to see the Pacific as 101 hugs the coast down in the Santa Barbara area where it's much more Winnie friendly. US101 runs inland...

Oct 26, 2011 - Day #49,10-26-11

Day #49, 10-26-11 At about 9:30 last night after posting yesterday’s blog, a series of Gunshots rang out. First 4 reports in quick succession, followed by another two. Bu-Bu-ah’s shoot’n gators? Or…. There aren’t any liquor stores around. The RV Park is probably 25 acres with a lot of trees. We picked a secluded spot for the night. Now we are feeling too secure out here in the dark. I WILL be buying a gun before the next long trip! We awoke to some of the other RV’s (early risers) leaving. They came from somewhere in the back. We too wanted...

Oct 21, 2011 - On the Road Again...

We woke up this morning to a chilly 38 degrees!! Packed up quickly to descend the mountains and enjoy low 80 temps in the central California valley. Just a travel and "housekeeping" sort of day. No pics. Arrived in Paso Robles in the mid afternoon. Tomorrow we set our sights on Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Although I took no pics today...I do have a real treat from San Franciso. This is a video I took of a young man drumming 5 gallon plastic buckets near Fishermans Wharf. Enjoy!!!

Oct 10, 2011 - 10th Update

Friday, September 30, 2011 -- Friday night was the beginning of John’s 50th High School Reunion, starting with the informal night which was held at the Sonoma Chicken Coop in downtown Campbell, CA. He was delighted to find out so many people remembered him, as he always said he didn’t do a lot in HS and didn’t know a lot of his classmates. His classmate, Craig Morton, was also in attendance and was very congenial. We returned to Kirk and Debbie’s for a quick good night and then turned in for the night. Saturday, October 1, 2011 – Saturday...