Apr 25, 2013 - The Coast Road

We spent most of yesterday afternoon surfing the net, peering into the Trailer Life Directory, and scrutinizing maps and any other possible source of camping sites trying to locate a campsite in San Jose where we hope to see Barbara's son, Brian. Finally found one this morning just south of San Jose, but near enough to drive in. It is an “RV Resort” which is a bit upscale from what we usually look for to lay our weary heads for short stops, but we're both happy just to have found a place. We're driving through California wine country with...

Sep 12, 2012 - San Jose, California

We were up to another great morning, warm and sunny and +16. We headed south along the edge of Yosemite National Park over hills, mountains, valleys and rock. The day warmed quickly and pretty soon we were basking in +34 heat. We turned west and snuck into Gilroy, Garlic Capital to make a purchase of ??? Guess what? Garlic! Yes, Patti is not too thrilled with the 3 braids of garlic, now in her suitcase. We headed into San Jose and spent the night with John and Sarah. We ended up walking to a restaurant – with African cuisine. The food was...

Aug 25, 2012 - San Jose, CA

I departed Weed, CA at 06:45AM on I-5 south. I arrived at Elks Lodge 0522 in San Jose, CA at 12:10PM. 50amp E/W. No dump on site. You have to drive a couple of miles to dump your tanks. After getting signed in for my RV site and setting up I took a short nap. I then went to see an old friend whom I had served with in Germany. I had last seen him in 1972. We had a nice talk and then he, his wife, and I went out to dinner. An enjoyable afternoon and evening. 314.6 RV miles today – 5 hours and 25 minutes driving time. 19.7 SUV miles today.

Aug 24, 2012 - Winchester Mystery House

Great tourist day today but we had to drive 76 miles to get there. We went to San Jose to go to the Winchester Mystery House. It was bought and built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester and heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune. In 1884, Mrs. Winchester left New Haven Connecticut and the graves of her husband and only child (who lived only 6 weeks), moved to San Jose, California and began the obsession that would last until the day she died. She purchased an unfinished 8-room farm house and for the next 38 years the sound...

Jun 7, 2012 - The night before...

I made it to Michael's without hitting anything this time but a teenager in a Honda almost hit ME when someone pulled in front of her and she swerved my way while hitting her horn. She thought better of slamming into a 24' RV and dumped her brakes instead. We plugged into Michael's house power and after one or two blips, it has been on steady for several hours now. No big deal if the converter doesn't work -- the aux. battery is still good. Have to take Katie to the airport at 7:15 tomorrow, then hit the road! Yay!,

Mar 9, 2012 - Coyote Valley RV

We are in the Coyote Valley RV park in San Jose where we are the host for the March outing of our Concord Cavanners RV Club. We were supposed to host the outing and on Sunday leave for a trip across the southern US to attend a rally in Rayne, Louisiana and then another visit to the motorhome factory in Red Bay, Alabama. It was to be a slow, simple, and enjoyable trip but yesterday we received a telephone call from Fredericton, New Brunswick that Marge's sister Geraldine passed away so things got complicated quickly. Marge is going to leave...

Oct 25, 2011 - HOME AT LAST

Got home at last. I used to get so excited to see San Jose as you go over the Sunol grade, but not so much anymore since we bring our home with us for our trips. That doesn't mean we are excited to get home though. We can't wait to see family and catch up with friends. The house wasn't too much of a mess (though we will clean up a few things). What a great trip with outstanding weather and relatives and friends along the way. No major mishaps or problems, so smooth sailing (we dread stepping on the scale to see the damage to our bodies...

Sep 19, 2011 - San Jose, CA

I downloaded 16 pictures and I don't know if you can view them. The first five are of the Drive thru Tree. It is the only living one that exists now. The one in Sequoia Park has fallen. Yes, I did drive thru. very tight- about 1-2 inches from my mirrors. The drive from the tree to the coast was horrific. 22 miles of 15 to 20 mph and every 200 feet you are braking and turning a sharp turn. By the time I reached the coast I was exhausted. Imagine going from Paul and Patti's house to Victor's house under those conditions. The next pictures...

Aug 13, 2011 - San Jose -- Chantal's Wedding

We are on our way back to Houston and we stopped to attend the wedding of Julieann's niece in San Jose, California. Chantal Mortensen is the daughter of Julieann's sister, Ae Ja, and her brother-in-law, Brad. Chantal married Bryson Renouard at the Oakland Temple in Oakland, California on Saturday, August 13th (while I waited in the RV for the ceremony to finish because you know there is no way I was going to be allowed to enter the temple, eh? Even the Catholics get nervous when I visit a church). Julieann took her normal amount of copious...

Jun 13, 2011 - Day 13 - Winchester Mystery House

Wonderful day today at the Winchester Mystery House. The house was built by Sarah Pardee Winchester the widow of William Wirt Winchester. In 1862, Sarah married William Wirt Winchester, son of Oliver Fisher Winchester, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and manufacturer of the famous Winchester repeating rifle. They had a daughter that died at about 8 months and he died in 1881 of TB. Sarah fell into a deep depression. She sought the help of a spiritualist. "According to some sources, the Boston Medium consulted by Mrs. Winchester explained...

May 18, 2011 - Do You Know The Way To San Jose??

Do you remember that title line, from a popular song a “few” years ago. We didn’t know the way, but with GyPSy Lady’s help, we were able to find our way there. The attraction that we were seeking was the Flea Market there, which has to the Momma of all flea markets. This one is open seven days a week, presumably 365 days a year. Its wares ranged through the typical flea market variety, but in a multiple of several times over. I saw more hand & power tools, new & used, than I could ever imagine, multiplied several times over. I don’t know...

Jan 23, 2011 - San Jose

The weather here has been perfect. 72 degrees was the high for yesterday. We went to a huge flea market in San Jose early in the morning and it was short sleeve weather! That thing was huge! The only thing weird about it was - Gary asked, just when was it that we crossed the border? They had a huge farmer's market within the flea market and they had samples of most of the fruits to try. I picked up some fruit I had no idea what it was, looked on the outside like a spaghetti squash. And the vendor had sprinkled some red powder on it, I was...