Nov 30, 2005

This is a down day. In an other word, we are relaxing and staying home. I am catching up with my pictures and Val is doing the laundry. We went for a long walk and just enjoyed the sun. I also washed the truck which was overdue. We have pretty well seen everything there is to see around here. Also got propane for $20.

Yesterday, we went to the China Ranch which is a date farm. We took HWY 373 to Shoshone and turned left instead of right as the last time. We then went on to Tocopah then on to the "old spanish trail road" to the turn off for the ranch. WOW! What a scene! As we went on to the ranch we started going down and entered this very narrow canyon. The walls of the canyon were almost on top of us. We saw holes in the walls of the canyon and an old tac mine which had collapsed and killed two miners in the early 1900. IT was shut down of course. We visited the ranch and the date farm; tall trees with the dates hanging down. They cover them to keep the frost from them. We had a date shake and bought a homemade date bread and some cookies.
From there, we took the old spanish trail road and ended up on Hwy 160 then home. A pretty drive and even got lost and saw more scenery. Afterwards, we went out to the Nugget Casino for dinner...All you can eat for $8. for the both of us! Can't beat that. But we wasted $20. gambling.

I have now downloaded all my pictures to date for your pleasure. Just push the link on the right column.

We are leaving this coming Sunday for Las Vegas

Nov 28,29/05

Well, we did go to Sherrie Ranch which is situated beside the "chicken ranch" (another brothel). I have to say right away that we were very impressed with the classy joint. It was decorated very tastefully and it seemed very discreet. We had a buffet there for lunch then we were given a tour of the whole place. We were shown rooms such as the "romantic room", the "Hot Tub room", the "S&M room" equipped with all the acroutment one could desire. There was a high back chair with chains and cuffs, chains on the wall to tie one person....very strange....even sat in the chair! Prices range from $500 for a simple coupling to $20 000. for a cabin and the girl, and also includes champagne, a small meal and all you can drink.
They also have a motel for those who just want to spent the night without any "extra". Didn't take any pictures except from the outside which I will post later as I haven't downloaded them from the camera. We were there for 3 hours and saw some of the girls....CUTE!!!!! And dressed candidly. WOW! My eyes were crooked by the time I got out of there. There were about 8 couples in our group from the resort. You can imagine the jokes that went on.

Today, the 29th, we are headed for more exploration of the surrounding area. Will let you know where we ended up

Maps

No 1 Shoshone, California
No 2 Ashford ruins
no 3 Mormon Point
no 4 Badwater Lowest point in the valley @-282 feet
no 5 Artist Palette
no 6 Furnace creek ranch
no 7 Stateline road to home.
314 km....196 miles

Nov 25 to 27th More Death Valley & exploring

On Friday, the 25th, Val attended a swimming exercise class and I attended a seminar on a "brakeguard" system. After listening to the guy and talking to a couple people, I decided to purchase this sytem at $ 295. installed. It distribute the braking power evently between front and rear brakes and reduced wear and tear on the front pads as they usually create 70% of the braking power. It did make a difference and anything that increases our safety is worth every penny.
Val did some shopping later and we just relaxed. We overlook the whole valley of Pahrump. We are at 2800 feet elevation and it's 70 degree (20 C)

Nov 26 was another sunny day and we decided to take a drive to Shoshone on Hwy 372(Nevada)/178(California). It was a very small place consisting of a couple buildings and an Inn/restaurant. From there we climbed to 3200' at Salsberry Pass then down to Ashford Ruins, about 500' . Took pictures of the ruins then drove north to Mormon Point at 260 feet BELOW sea level. The Hwy follows the dry bed lake which is covered with salt (tasted it and it is VERY salty). At Badwater Point, the lowest point in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level, we took some pictures. From there we headed for the "Natural Bridge" where we hiked in with Tucker of course, and took a few pictures. The rock formation is quite fascinating. It's very much like sandstone and you can see the water erosion and what it does. One sure does'nt want to get caught here during a flash flood.
When we returned to the truck we had lunch. IT is getting very windy but still warm.
We drove on to Devil's Golf Course where the salt floor upheaves itself during water floods and it forms a unique landscape. Took pictures and then headed for the Artist Palette.

Now, there is a drive!!!! Words do not do justice to describe the beauty of the canyon. The rock formations were kinds of a pastel color. Blueish, yellow, turquoise, greenish. Absolutely mind-boggling. I think this was our highlight!
We then headed to Furnace Creek Ranch on hwy 190 where we bought a CD of the valley and had a beer. Then we headed home. Winds have now really picked up. We drove to hwy 127 where we turned right then left on Stateline Road for a direct drive back to Pahrump.

Arrived at 5 p.m to a windstorm, temp. dropped to 45 F and with the wind, it feel below zero. After fuelling up @2.65/gal., we got home to find our satellite blown over and cracked but still operational.
The whole night, it blew and it felt like the 5er was going to tear apart. Val was nervous.
We did a total of 314 km today (196 miles)

Nov 27: GREY CUP DAY!!! I should mention that fuel in California was $3.95/gal. It's now 2 p.m. and I am bringing this to date then will watch the game.
Still windy...gusting to 40 mph and it's only 55 degree F ( 12-13C)
Got e-mail from Lynden and Charlie with a picture of snow in Logan Lake Brrrrrrrrrr!

I am having problems downloading my pictures so will try again later. I have signed us up to go to Sherry Ranch tomorrow for lunch. It's a real brothel, they will give us a tour and I am wondering if they will allow samples!????? SMILE! JUST KIDDING!

Nov 24 To Pahrump

After loading and breakfast, we headed back northon HWY 273 to Hwy 95 where we topped up in fuel and headed for Pahrump. An hour later we were at our site #218, Charleston Peak RV resort at a cost of $7/night through AOR

After hooking up, Val wanted to do a wash so a while later, we found water leaking under. Upon checking, I realized I hadn't opened the bottom drain which created quite a mess. How BlOODY STUPID OF ME!!!!!! Got everything cleaned up and then had dinner and watched Survivors with our satellite hook-up. It was a balmy 70 degree F today. Shorts and short sleeve shirt again.

Maps and pictures

Tonopah to Armogosa Valley







Armagosa to Pahrump, Nevada















Death Valley trip:
No 1 Titus Canyon
No 2 Furnace well
no 3 Ebehebe Crater
no 4 Scotty's Castle
no 5 Furnace Creek ranch and return home

Nov 22-23 Tonopah to Armagosa Valley & Death Valley

Nov 22, After getting everything put away, we left our site at 9 a.m. Stopped in a small town call Goldfields. Looked like your typical western town. Quite neat actually! We slowly drove from 6600' down 2200 feet over 140 miles. Past Goldfields, we started to see more and more Joshua trees. From HWY 95, we turned onto HWY 373 South and 16 miles later, we were at our site at Longstreet Inn & casino RV park. Cost: $15/night. We stayed two days. This is a casino in the middle of nowhere, only 5 minutes from California and one hour from Death Valley.
WE ARE in SHORTS AND SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT!!!!!!!! YIPPEEEEE!!! A balmy 64 F at 4 p.m.

Nov 23, we got up early and headed north to 95 to fuel as the local gas station had no diesel. Drove back to Beatty then took HWY 374 and headed up to an elevation of 4000 feet and a second pass at 2200 feet. Then it was down, down to minus 82 feet below sea level...Yes, below sea level! The scenery is absolutey awsome! Words are hard to describe this valley. Temperature is around 70 F. Very rugged country! Stopped along the hwy to read the historic placards, turned NorthWest onto hwy 190. Stopped at Titus Canyon where we drove up to above sea level and into a small parking lot where we got out and walked/hiked for a one hour into this canyon which allowed traffic one way only (we were headed the wrong way). We met 4 vehicles coming down from Beatty. The canyon twist and turn and the geoligical formation is absolutely fascinating. We went up about 500 to 800 feet than had a small break where we met people coming down and told us it was more of the same so decided to return to the truck. We were gone for 2 hours.
From there, we headed to Ubehebe Crater. An extinct volcano, we drove up to the rim than walked. Quite fascinating. From there we headed for "Scotty's Castle" on HWY 267. Anotehr beautiful and interesting site. It looked like a Mexican Oasis. Very Spanish and palm trees everywhere. Strange in the mist of a great desert environment. Val bought a hat here, very colorful.
Being 3 o'clock, we decided to head back the way except that instead of going to Beatty, we kept going on hwy 190 to hwy 373 and our camp site. Tomorrow, we move on to Pahrump Nevada.
We made 357 km visiting the desert.

Nov 19 to Nov 21, 2005

After leaving Boise and saying our good-byes to our friends, Steve and Linda, we hit the road with the intention of going to Ely, Nevada or further, however, after thinking about it, we decided to stop in Twin Falls, Idaho. The reason was mainly logistic. If we went on, we probably would have to stop in Ely and the forecast there was for -10 to 12 C (17F). We stopped to fuel then went on to a nearby KOA for $25/night. We went shopping in town for groceries and crossed a fabulous bridge over a chasm which was absolutely wonderful. WE stopped to take pictures and saw guys jumping off the bridge and para sail down. They had to be crazy. I am surprised cops allowed that. Apparently Evel Knievel tried to jump this bridge.

The next day, we were up at 7 a.m.and left around 08:30 a.m. local time heading for Jackpot, Nevada. The drive was really interesting. We climbed slowly to over 6000 feet and stayed around that level most of the trip. Skys were sunny all the time and warm during the day. We stopped in Jackpot for a coffee at 10 a.m. We went from 3400 to 6100 feet. The truck had no problem handling it.. We went on south on Hwy 93 to Ely. The desert is a very desolate place yet very beautiful. Stopped a couple times to enjoy it and walk around. Tucker wasn't sure what to make of all this. We stayed mainly around 5800 feet and climbed again once we reached Wells at 6100 feet. The way to Ely was more of the same. Desolation intermix with beauty and ruggedness. It is absolutely incredible. We fuelled at each town we came to as we were burning between 9 to 10 MPG. We had a head wind most of the time...(my luck) and arrived in Ely at 2 p.m. local time. We climbed again to 6500 feet and entered the Humboldt National Forest. What a change and beauty. Climbed and climbed to 7200 feet and the truck had no problems. Went down to 6000' and drove on Hwy 6 to Tonopah where we arrived at 5;30 p.m. Went to the casino for dinner and tried our luck at making our fortune. They won, the bastards!!! Paid $15/night for camping with full hook-up.

Today, Nov. 21, we went exploring the town and look around. Took a drive to different places such as the airport where we saw Joshua trees and old hangars from the second world war still standing and being used. Also filled another tank of propane at $21. and fuelled up $2.79/gal.
We are in the casino pub writing this and watching people and listening to the clinging of the slot machines. As we are near "Area 51" and Val is really interested in UFO sighting, we plan on going out to the desert tonight and watch stars and look for ALIENS!!!!! Let you know the results!

Averaged 10 mpg and drove for 10 hours. We made 692 km (430 miles)

Maps and pictures

Road to Twin Falls from Boise, Idaho

Map from Twin Falls, Idaho to Tonopah, Nevada

Talk about loneliness!!! And incredible beauty!!! Onwards to Tonopah, Nevada

Humboldt National Forest, Nevada

Twin Falls Gorge, Twin Falls, Idaho

Jackpot, Nevada

The "gang".... Linda and Steve Holder and Val

Nov 18

What a great day. Didn't get up until 8:30 local time then we went to a bird sanctuary for big raptors and hawks. It was very interesting and informative. Saw a california condor. What a majestic bird. The guide was a bit overwhelming but informative. Only cost $4. each too. After that, we went for tacos at a small mexican restaurant....3 for $3 and a drink. Can't beat that. Very delicious too. Picked up a tank of propane for $22. Pretty expensive.
Had a marvellous ceasar salad for dinner with anchovie and chicken. Afterwards, we played mille born. It's now 11 p.m.

Tomorrow, we are leaving for Nevada. Don't know how far we will get.

Nov 17, 2005

Another sunny day! And a busy one at that. Got up this morning at 8 a.m. just in time to see Steve and Linda's friend leave for the airport. At 10:30, Steve and I took the truck over to the glass store on South Cole St to get the glass fix. It cost only $235 to replace the whole window in the back. Not back since we had been quoted over $400 at another store. Anyway, while it was being fixed, Steve and I went to Costco and got some groceries. When finished, we phoned the glass place and he came to pick us up and we went back to his place to pay. Now that is what I call service! WOW!!!!

The girls went out for dinner with other girlfriends so Steve and I went to a local pub and had sinner there. The food was great and the price was quite cheap. Steve took me to a hill with green grass where people actually take blocks of ice up to the top then glide on it. WOW! Incredible. Even saw a couple with skis. On grass!??? You have to consider that all the hills around here are brown like in Kamloops. Very desert like!

Heard from Charlene, she is much better and it sounds like they will be leaving on Dec 1 and coming to Mexico. That's good news all around! Linda and Val called her tonight.

We are thinking of leaving either Saturday or Monday. Want to take advantage of this good weather while it last and also want to get south where it is warmer. The nights here are very ccccold!

nov 16, 2005

Here is the map from Chwk B.C. to Ferndale Wash.











Here's the one to Hood River, Oregon

And finally to Boise, Idaho

Nov 12 - 16, 2005

We are presently at the Holder's in Boise, Idaho. We had a great trip down. It;s sunny but cool during the day and blooming cold at night. ( -4 C or 28 F)

Saturday, the 12th, we took Vanessa out for lunch at Boston Pizza then went shopping for her gift. She wanted books so she chose two and a CD. She was very pleased with that. I also bought a new printer for ourselves from Future shop. Last evening, we were at Rochelle for dinner ( roast beef and mash potatoes....delicious) and Vanessa B'day cake. We had a pleasant evening and got home around 10:30 p.m. after saying our goodby's to everyone. Lots of hugs and a few tears.

The next morning, Sunday the 13th, we got up around 8 a.m., had breakfast, packed and headed out by 11 a.m. We crossed the border at the Aldergrove/Lynden border which went very smooth even though there was a line up of cars. We had 4 burly guy searched the outside around the wheel wells and under but not inside. Didn't even ask us if we had booze...DARN!!!!!! and I left a whole case at Rochelle.
We arrived at Cedar Park, a Holiday Trail Resort in Ferndale, around 1p.m. and set up. Another free night. Met our neighbours Marilyn and Alfred who are also fulltimers and were waiting for some parts for their fridge. They are headed for Palm Spring. The truck averaged about 11MPG which is pretty good. Did 102 km.

Monday the 14th, we left around 9:30 a.m. and hit I-5. Sunny and a pleasant 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Traffic was light going through Seattle and even lighter on the Hyway south. Went by Portland around 3:30 so traffic was picking up. Fueled at a Flying J truck stop and were going to spend the night there but it was full so we went on to Hood River for the night at a Walmart parking. Got there around 6 p.m. Another free night but noisy. We had a truck beside us and also two other mortorhome. Val made a nice stir-fry for dinner. YUMMY YUM!
Did 530 Km and averaged 10 MPG. @ 60 MPH

Tuesday the 15th, we left at 08:30 and headed east on hwy 84. Crossed the 45th parallel and arrived at Nampa, Idaho at 5 p.m. We had some snow on the side of the road in the passes by La Grande, Oregon but otherwise, it was sunny and fairly warm considering ( approx 3 or 4C) We changed our clock once in Idaho....one hour back.
We arrived at the Garrity camp site in Nampa, Idaho and paid $11. for the night, thanks to our membership with Passport. We called Steve and Linda and got direction for their place. Will see them in the morning. Had dinner then off to bed by 10 p.m. It's very cold outside (-4C or 26F)
Did 530 km and averaged 9 MPG due mainly ot the high passes we had to go over.

Nov 16/05 The water hose froze overnight so thank goodness I had water in the tank. We were able to have a shower in the morning. Sunny out in a.m. so by 10 a.m., the hose had thawed out Packed and moved on to the Holder's.

Had my first major incident. I went by the turn off we had to take so I had to make a U-turn. Forgot to move the slide back due to the short box on the truck so smashed my rear window. Phoned our insurance once at Steve and got the OK to get it fixed.

We are now at Steve and Linda and I am writing this from our 5er as they have wireless internet and I can hook up to it with my wireless hook-up. AHHHH Modern technology!!!
We had a wonderful visit and a friend of theirs from Denver showed up and we had BBQ Salmon for dinner and a cake that Linda baked. Also went for a long walk around their neighbourhood earlier. Tucker is happy to be staying put for a while and enjoying all this outdoor activity. Now it's time for bed. Tomorrow, we get the window fix.

We only did 30 miles today.

Nov 8 to 11

This will be our last entry before leaving Sunday. We will be heading to Ferndale Wash. than on Monday, south to Portland or beyond depending on the time of day.

This week, we got ready for the trip. Picked up some US dollars and some cash for Rochelle to get our mail forwarded. Also got last minute groceries and boxed our booze that we cannot take across and store it at Rochelle. Today, Friday, we are having Lynden and Charlene and Phil and Betty for lunch. Then we will head to Rochelle for dinner and cake for Vanessa b'day as they will not be around on Monday. Saturday, we will take Vanessa for lunch and a shopping spree for her b'day. There will be a limit of course as to how much she can spend!!!!

Sunday, we will pack and move to Ferndale at a Holiday resort campsite and try it out for a day and see if it's worth it.

See you all on the road....can't wait!!!!!!!!

November 2 to Nov. 7, 2005

We are back from Vancouver Island. We had fair weather going over on the ferry (didn't rain). Cost $58. each way OUCH!!!!! Visited with Vals cousin, Gladys and her husband George, also aunts and uncles. Had a great time. Went to Jordan River along the coast, north of Sooke and watched surfers and kayakers. It wasn't warm and I thought they were brave souls to attempt that.
Sunday, the 6th, we visited Val's friend Tony and had dinner at Tony's daughter Willow. The next day, we took the ferry at Mill Bay ($16.) to save time and fuel cost but I am not sure we gained anything. We barely made the 9 o'clock ferry back to the mainland. At least we had a sunny day, finally!!!

After picking up the 5er at O'Connor, we came back to Camperland and set up camp. We had the shower fixed (O'Connor paid for that) and had some cover for the vents moved and new ones installed. Now, all the vents on the roof are protected.

Monday evening, we went to watch Vanessa play. A very important game for them and they won both matches. What a game...lots of excitement. My voice is raw today. Her dad and Graeme(brother) made an intro video of the team and they showed it that night. What a wonderful thing. The girls were really proud and excited. The fact that they won also helped.

Today, Tuesday the 7th, I took the truck over to the garage as I had an appointment and am getting the rear brakes fix. Learned that the calibers need replacing and the rotors turned. Will also replace two rear pads so that everything is new back there. That should be it for repair. Knock on wood!!!!

Our plans now are to leave next Sunday as the kids are not going to be home Monday the 14th so no sense of us hanging around for nothing. We will stop in Ferndale for the night to check it out than onwards to Boise, Idaho.

By the way, I've updated the album "our kids" and made a new one call " Claude & Val family" at our pictures at Picture trail so check out the link on the right and click on "my pictures".

catch you all later