Hunting the Elusive Uninhabited Conch

This was day 2 of shell hunting on Sanibel Is.
Yesterday with the best intentions we headed out only to wander abit trying to find the beach parking lot. It has been a few years since we were here and then it was a quicky.
But we strolled the beach talking to other shellers and watching the dolphins .
We also met Joyce Matthys an Oregon resident by summer and volunteer at at the Bailey/Mathews Shell Musem by winter but also the author ,narrator and videographer of "Mollusks in Motion" ( pretty neat video about shells, you know the why's and where for's in shell world) So we stopped for breakfast at a really cool resturant that was so dog friendly they about outnumbered customers and then spent a couple hours at the Shell Museum. An absolute must for anyone interested in the sea.
But today we arrived before dawn and were finally successful in finding a Horse conch we could keep(it is against the law for just anyone to collect live shells on the island.)

Here's John just as the sun was coming up. Click on the photo to enjoy some of our other finds.

NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH FUN

Once Jesse gets out of work mode there was no stopping him.
Here he and Cindy "Ham" it up at the Hog's Breath Saloon. Good beer, food and music. We made several stops there.

Then there were the tours.
The Hemingway House was way cool.

Watching the Sunset from Mallory Square.
Followed by a stop at HBS(see earlier in the post)
But the Ghost Tour got me the best. It was really fun and Jesse seemed to enjoy the fact that it scared the be------ outa me!
Unfortunately Jesse and Cindy had to leave before us so yesterday John and I took the trolley tour(courtesy of our neighbor David,he works there)

But we missed David's tour(we were goofing in front of the webcam at the Hog's Breath, so Curry here kept us entertained while ... expanding our knowledge of all things Conch(that's like konk)

And as usual 1 thing leads to another so following the noise to Mallory Square we caught a bit of the Superboat Offshore Racing.

MOTM 2007 Barefootin

Need I say more?

On to Key West and MOTM

Finally heading to Key West and the Parrothead Convention(MOTM). We were starting a day later than planned because of the weather but the further south we got along the South Florida Coastal Range (a low hill of landfills that flows south thru eastern Floridas metropolitan areas.) the better the weather got.



I just couldn't resist this shot of a Starbucks... I wonder if corperate headquarters knows about this one?

And then we arrive. Gieger Key Marina and Smokehouse.

I'm on Island time and have everything I need right now...oohooo. A good book, Jimmy on the player, a nice glass of wine and nothing much on the dance card.
If it worked for Thompson, Buffett and Hemingway I think I can suffer thru.

And here is the Muffin and crew in our slip!

Kayuba Picnic

Once again we tried to go kayak diving near Ft Lauderdale.
This time it was with the Kayuba dive club but NOOOO after postponing the picnic and dive earlier because of weather followed by a couple weeks of 2' or lower seas, we were ready to party no matter what. And we did....in the rain.
Dick and a couple guys did the " arghghghhg" manly thing and attempted to break thru the waves but didn't dive. So we BBQ'd and visited till we all were as wet a possible. With this group a good time is guarenteed come rain or shine.
A couple nice suprises tho, I met Chris' Uncle John (Her moms brother) and Jim was there (he was in town to fix Marilyn's computer) believe it or not it is less expensive to fly him in from AZ then get some one to make a computer house call. I definitly am in the Wrong business.

TURNING EAST

One more "Have to" stop before leaving Washington.
Stopping by N.Whidbey RV Park to say hi to Barb and tearfully bye.
This was our home last year and I really miss Barb but she admits to looking forward to being able to travel again soon(but right now without her this Park would fall apart) We got our mail, propane and a lotta hugs.


We left the Is. and headed east on Hwy 20 another untraveled road by the Muffin and crew... get used to more pictures like this as it will be my view for many miles.

I know I'll miss the mountains alot (it doesn't get much flatter than Florida!)We spent the first night at a WallyWorld in Okanagon Wa.
Yep we are in travel mode. Someday we'll take a slow ride again.

EasternWashington looks alot like_____. (You fill in the blank.)
And then we were in Coeur d'Alene Id. to visit long time friends from Tahoe.
yes is does seem like we cluster sometimes.

John and Joe at he and Dolly's cabin in Heyburn SP.

And here is where we stayed for the night infront of Howard and Joanie's new home in Id. Now she said she would send me a picture of all of us (I was being camera challenged again).
And then we were off.
A windy ride thru southern Montana and Wyoming.
We boondocked for the night knowing that we would rest in Sturgis

Lucky for us the Rally was over and only a few stragglers were left. Like this little toy hauller.
Hopefully tomorrow the wind will die down but we are skirting a doozy of a storm.
Next stop Ry and Steph's in Minnesota.

My Version of the Path to Florida From California

The house is done and the Muffin is packed but Ron and Mike think "just one more time and I may catch that elusive trout... NOT! they had to admit they have never fished so much and caught so little.

They called it quits. But what the heck...Look at the one that got away!

And with a fishing buddy like this at least it was a lotta fun!

Now we are on the road and this will be my view for a few thousand miles.

This is the Columbia River heading west.

We stopped in Bend to see Sabrina and Dave , a quick hi and CYA and we had to be on our way.

We also lucked out and got to have a quick visit with great friends and fellow RVer's Jim and Chris there for an FMCA rally where the were giving seminars on a variety of computing subjects.

Suprise Diane and Andy were also in the area so it was another first when we were all in the same place at the same time.... WAY COOL

Then it was a 1 day drive(in our time not every RVer's day) and we were in Port Townsend Wa(another former home and favorite place)

We parked in front of Tim's and while John and Tim played golf and worked on his garage I visited Aunt Betty and checked out the Uptown Sat. market

And visited Jeannie(cohort in crime, former employer and just "Too much fun!."

While John Is Away...Lynne Will Play

Although John and I work , play and live in an 8 by 30 ft. Rv we sometimes get the time to visit friends and family on our own. Like me last Feb meeting my grandson in Minnesota , John went to meet his grandaughter this weekend.
I dropped him off at the airport and took that time to hunt down friends I hadn't see in in quite a few years.
I started with Melbergs' a really cool family that I lived across the street from for many years.

Ken still cooks a mean breakfast.

And Marcus and Mike definitley aren't the small guys that used to play with Ryan and warn me when the bears were walking up my driveway. Robin (mom)is still putting up with them and I can't wait to go back and spend more time catching up.

I even touched base with a friend that I first skydived with, worked with for many years backstage at Harrahs' and is just what you consider a "Keeper".

Someone that no matter the miles or time you just pick up where you left off.
Believe it or not Jazz and I thought that the other might have died it had been so long! Whew! That is a scarey thought.

Sophie Meets G-Pa John

John has worked hard all Summer and while all that was going on Sophie joined the family. Now that we were pretty well done with the house it was time for John to meet his grandaughter.

A short flight from Reno to San Diego and Josh picked him up at the airport for a weekend with the kids.

After a full weekend visiting family ,working in the back yard and entertaining Grandpa , Sophie and her Dad need a rest.

So This Is What a Trout Looks Like

Well not your everyday Rainbow trout. I guess Michael thought I should see what we are trying to catch. There are a couple regular trout mixed in with all these albino (and one blue... even more rare) trout.
The hatchery is located next to Baum Lake not far from the job site.


We keep trying but Hell,

If I'm having this much fun and haven't even caught one yet I can't wait till I finally land one!!


Of course in the meatime I have caught almost every type of bush and tree in the area. So when I have lost enough flies there is always Geocaching!

Luckily there is always one nearby... here's Oz with the find of the day.

Life IS Great

Ahh day 78 and it looks like we are getting close. The roof and facia are being put on, a few more days of that and then it's exterior doors and windows.

Check out the Photo Album about this project.

And then Michael and Ron took me fishing ... boy am I a dork.

I had everything put together wrong so Michael fixed that.

Then he was kind enough to get up in a tree to get my worm down.

We didn't catch a dang thing but it was fun.

And to top off the day we were invited to Michael's grandparents home for fresh baked Strawberry-Rhubarb pie that Michael and his g-ma Sharon had just baked that morning....

Yes it was DELICIOUS.

Northern Trailer Sales

50 years in business is something to celebrate and this weekend we stayed at Tom and Brenda's to celebrate with them( and a few hundred of their friends)
Friday the boys at the shop fixed our fridge(the Dometic recall issue) and Saturday we PARTIED!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah We Finally Met Diane and Andy

Here's the scoop. We live in RV's , we have mutual friends, we have checked each other out over the last several years on our blogs but today Diane and Andy took the time to stop by the jobsite and see what we are up too.
Way cool...


We visited for a couple hours and John and I agree spending more time with them playing would definitely be great fun.... and with as slow as they tour there is a chance we will see them later in our travels this summer.
One more thing... Thanks Jim and Chris for introducing us to 2 of your really nice friends.

Here's Sophie

We just got our first pictures of John's grandaughter...his reaction?
She's so tiny.

Fire Season

Yesterday afternoon this was the thunderhead generated by a wildfire about 6 miles east of us. It took less than 10 minutes to build to this height.

And this is what that the same fire looked like from the highway(299) a 1/4 mile from our construction site. Can you see the the bomber heading straight our way after dumping it's load?

Luckily the wind and weather was on our side. Many homes were threatened and evacuations were mandatory but all is well. A cold front with no wind arrived.

Yes it happens every year here in the west... it's just when, where, how bad and was it you.

It's like hurricane season in the east and tornadoes in the plains. I am not being flippant about it but it is all a matter of luck. You can build your home on solid ground, the best of materials and take all safety precautions you can and if she(mother nature ;the most powerful force on earth) has a bad hair day you just hang on cause you may be in for a bumpy ride.

The smoke is a constant reminder but we in the west are tough, we live here because the beauty, opportunity and fun far outway the risks.

Our thoughts go out to all those that have lost so much. It's not over yet but for those of you still planning on a vacation here enjoying the awesome parks and ocean come on, just be safe and aware.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE

On July 2nd at 8:04 pm PDT Josh and Sandy welcomed Sophie Kinghorn to earth.
She is starting out at a mere 7lbs.8oz. and only 20 inches tall but we are expecting big things of her. John can't wait to see her so I'm sure a trip to San Diego won't be far off.
As of yet there are no photos but soon....stay tuned.

Just For the Fun of It

Sometimes the perfect end to a day of pounding nails and lifting walls is to have acouple of cool guys with quads (that happen to be fellow geocachers )stop by.

Here's Griz and Oz with there first find!

Merry Solstice!!!

Just another excuse to dance with my broom in the forest!

Big Night Out

Yeah !!! We finally saw Pirates of the Caribbean 3.
It was fun. We always enjoy a good battle at sea and I personally could watch Orlando Bloom for hours (really looked like Errol Flynn.... should I have put a link to that for anyone who doesn't know who Errol Flynn was?)
BUT the great surprise was the theater itself. Mt Burney Theatre is really sweet.
Small , remodeled and last night there was a whopping 10 of us there.
John said we would definitely being going back.... does that mean he'll pay next time?

Let the Fun Begin !!!! ??!!1

We just arrived at the site of Dick and JoAnn's new home. This is why we came back to the west coast for a few months.

And this is the view from our front door. They have been making improvements on the property for a few years(well and well house, septic, last summer a 3 car garage shop) and this year along with us we will frame and close the main house in for the winter. Day to day pictures will be posted on Have Tools Will Travel and in Photo Albums link. Wish us luck, we love building homes and traveling so we should be on our way again in a couple months.

Back and Mom and Dad's

We arrived in Quartzsite a few days ago and have been catching up on hugs , cleaning and life in general. We didn't have much of a visit when we passed thru on our way to Florida last January and now it seems like Mom and Dad are about the only ones around. They will be heading out on an adventure in July but until then Dad is creating "critters" for Mom to paint and then it's summerizing the place.

We did catch up with friends Chris and Lou the night before we left and had a great dinner. Of course we'll be seeing everyone later in Burney where we are building a home with some friends. Chris and Lou live near there and Mom and Dad are beginning there "excellent adventure " with a stop by the job to make sure its going well.

Some things never change!!!!