The Cosmic Muffin Rides Again

Finally her wheels started turning in a bit of a snow flurry on March 9th almost a year to the day when we started our trip north last March. Nothing new for this winter but we were itching to get started on our new adventure..... IOWA! hey it's right in the middle and with a totally bicoastal lifestyle it sounded good to me when I bought a 100 + year old church last September.
We just mosied south hoping for a stop in Bend Or. to visit friends(too much snow) and maybe Tahoe (too much snow) but did spend a few days in Redding Ca. thanks to Tom and Brenda's hopitality we not only took a day trip up to Burney to see Dick and Joannes home finished while Brenda watched Ariel... we got all the stuff that was worn out on the Muffin checked out including a leak test(very important after a winter on the Hood Canal in Wa) at their shop,Northern Trailer Supply.
We will miss our friends in Port Townsend so much but it was time to dry out the Muffin and visit family.
We have had an awesome year even tho' things don't always go as you'd hoped. Anytime we can be in the NW is a blessing and soon we will be testing new waters (fresh)
Our first day on the road from Mom and Dad's winter digs in Az was great, very little wind and blue skies. We always have and always will have that unquenchable "travelin' jones".
The cool thing about this time is we got to see the kids in San Diego and instead of "cya sometime" to mom and dad, it was see ya in a couple of weeks when you get to Iowa.
You won't believe who all is planning to visit and hopefully help with the project...!!!????
All will be revealed soon.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

If you do something 2 years in a row is it now a Christmas Tradition?

Response to RV Wardrobe

At times I find I must consider the source.... that of co-horts in crime and fellow full-time Rver's Jim and Chris.

and for now this is my version!!!

Merry Christmas.  TELL THOSE YOU LOVE HOW YOU FEEL EACH DAY!!  and  ENJOY THE JOURNEY WHERE EVER IT LEADS YOU!

Instant Change of Scenery

Who says I have to go somewhere for a change of scenery?
It wasn't that long ago we were being dazzled by the fall colors and in a mere day,



Owalla!!!!! It's christmas. Now I feel like putting up a few lights and making cookies.
but before that I better get my hairdryer and unfreeze that one spot I missed on the water faucet!

IMUSTUPDATEBLOGIMUSTUPDATEBLOGIMUSTUP......

WELL YOU GET THE IDEA.
It has been so long I think I forgot how to make picasa albums, which order I have to post pictures to have this make sense or even how much we have been doing and believe me it is alot!!
I'll figure it out. Everyday I blog in my head but after I let it go so long I didn't know where to start.
We are still in Washington, in the Muffin and into all the stuff we always have been.
John did a few more fixture installations than I as I was taking my Washington State Frerries training. (but it took so long for the Coast Guard to complete my background check that the summer season was 1/2 over and we had started a New Target Store fixture install that I guess I'll wait till next year and try.) I am NOT a security risk, I just have had to many jobs, in to many states under to many names ....hmmm.
We spent the 4th of July with John's Uncle Rich and cousins in Southern Washington and had a great time promising to keep in touch which as usual isn't happening.LOL
John has been really involved in local residential remodeling since the Target store completion in Sept and I am back doing upholstry .
While John and Ariel held down the fort I went back to Iowa and with the encouragement from Uncle Lee and Aunt Betty scoped out and bought a church.
yep just call me "Sista Flamingo".Next spring we start the restoration with Mom, Dad and any family and friends that are up for it. While there I got to see Ry and his family along with a few friends in Wis. No moss growning on this stone.
The Olympic Peninsula is still the beautiful and inspiring place we have been drawn to again and again so it looks as tho' this will be home for a while.
hmmm. John loves baseball so for him... Go Rays (just coz they are the Cinderella team).
and last but not least VOTE! I don't care who for (well I do but that isn't the point) JUST VOTE.
PARTICIPATE. It is fun and it makes you feel good.
There I did it, and now just to add a little twist starting November 1st we will be blogging on Have Tools Will Travel and Seamistress this will still be here and I will be filling in the blanks of photos and such but for the fun of it in a new home with our work being centered less on the travel and more what we are doing it'll be fun ...I hope.
As always Be Safe and Enjoy the Journey.

May Day!

What a great day! First Blessed Beltane (John you should be here, the weather was great and May Day just isn't the same without you.)
It conjures up all kinds of memories. Picking wild flowers with Mom , making baskests out of old wall paper books and filling them with candy and flowers to be hung on doors of friends and sweethearts, to be chased ( and caught recieving the must sought after kiss) and may poles and a little dancing and bon fires! Ahhh the memories old and not so (nudge,nudge, wink, wink, No-what-I-mean.)
AND it was day one of training to be a deck hand for the Washington State Ferries I can't believe I made it this far. We made it up here in time for the interview, passed a few can u tests( like can you lift this, haul this, climb this ,wear this, and the usual pass this-drug test.)
Then you wait. Then you prove all over again who you are and what you have been up to your entire life this time for the coast guard(that is another whole story... just a note to you divorcees ,double check to make sure all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted).
So now it's 13 days of all kinds of training, like water survival, fire fighting , crowd control... to cool huh. This new chapter will be like nothing I have done before but a little like a lot of stuff I have done before.
Can you tell I am excited... yes I know it it that first blush of new love but I (we) love being back in the NW.
John is working in Boise for FNW again doing a new Walgreens fixture install and that allows me to persue this new adventure.
Of course I haven't even touched on life back in Port Townsend, the local theatre group, furniture, friends, the water (in and on) running, knitting, repairing the motorhome(just worn out not crashed stuff). Josh and Sandy's upcoming visit, looking for a piece of property, discovering that time(away) is relative and....
the new "seamistress blog and Look for the "Dream City Dream Team". It is the major reason not much is happening on our blog coz not being a webmeister it is taking me a while to come up with something worthy..
AND pictures will be up soon. Love to all and yes Aunt Betty and Uncle Lee I know I still have to nail that piece above the door.... Mom told me!
Be safe and have fun!

SMILE

Spontaneity is fun and Mom wanted more of it... so I grabbed her for a mission (Smile). Off to find grtrunning.com what ever that was.
Over dinner last night mom and dad told us about this guy they saw in Parker Az. that was running in a pod-kinda-thing.... hmmm they just thought he was another "little left of center kid"(like us) (Smirk). and that was all it took.
Online and there he was. Kid is relavent and so is "left of center".
Meet Glen.

(Bigger Smile)
I was afraid I couldn't find him but the tracking link on his website is the coolest.
Serendipity has always been a word I associate with my life. (n.) The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. And this was one.
Mom and I spent a lovely hour or more with Glen in the only restaurant in Salome Az. He'd met his goal, and we'd met him.
So for any of you following our Journey click on the link above to get the whole story and the picture above to see more of our visit with Glen.
And when you see the route he is taking and you are in the area make an effort to stop and see him, share a meal or a story . We are all made bolder by our efforts , which become accomplishments and maybe even inspirations.
HUMONGUS SMILE.

FLY ME TO THE MOON AND LET ME DANCE AMONG THE STARS...

What else can I say... a chance to fly in Tom's awesome ultralight with Dale (his instructor and cohort-in-crime)

It's like riding a motorcyle in the air.
Hopefully I'll have more opportunities to try this(like being in control)......... oops was that my outloud voice?! Such a control freak.
The whole bunch of people out here in Brenda are so neat... the airstrip is on the west side of town... stop out there and "Get some air".

STILL IN QUARTZSITE

Still? Yes I know I have been remiss in keeping this all up to date,I very often get caught up in the day to day to the exclusion of doing the things I would like to do...
So much for Enjoying the Journey!!! NOT SO!!!
We still enjoy family and friends, awesome sunrises and making cool stuff ( I have been knitting up a storm thanks to the inspiration of Barb on Whidbey Is. and just recently the gang at All Strung Out in Cocoa Beach Fl.)
I seem to be doing the same thing I always do when we stop at Mom and Dads; put out the word that we are looking for a little work. Some understand and we find some good side jobs but mostly I think these retired people confuse work with keeping busy. Busy I can be, I love to build ,sew,knit , write letters, read, hike ,(scuba when possible)and now with the help of John get ready for my first run in May in Port Townsend Wa.
This is also the time of year that I apply for construction jobs online. Since we puchased our own Hughesnet a year ago from Jim and Chris online job hunts are way easier! The satelllite connection is a bit slow but heck a few years ago when we moved out of the house and into the "Muffin" it would have been unheard of.
Today is also the birthday of my daughter-in-law.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH !
It is the first day that "early-birds" can show up for the Gypsy Journal Rally in Casa Grande Az. It should be a great time. Although we were really trying to make it we will at least go for 1 day but without the "Muffin".
So bear with me.... when I bring this blog up to date it will be time to back it up and head in a new direction. One that will perhaps reflects more of John and my interests where we will be living and working.
Although we have both had " a severe travelin' jones" putting on thousands of miles a year ,we will be making our home base in NW Washington.
Don't think there will be any grass growing in our toes (we already have a dive trip for Jan 2009 booked in the BVI's)
WISH US LUCK AND KEEP CHECKING IN! THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING EXCITING JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

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.