We are back in KC - got in at 9 PM (did we mention 9 smashed pennies?).
Since we are not on the road - will there be more posts to this BLOG? You will have to wait and see...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Another Side-Trip Another Smashed Penny
Greetings from Tucumcari New Mexico!
As usual we got sidetracked today for a couple of hours. We paid $26 (total- senior rate) to see a hole in the ground east of Flagstaff. Actually it was a meteor crater and quite impressive, and you may recognize it from the movies or one of those late-night science shows on cable channel 26781. Helen of course found one of those penny-smashing machines and we have another penny for her collection
Since you are not allowed in the crater, they have setup this really authentic looking place where you can take pictures that look just like you are standing at the bottom of the crater!
And finally, a look out the window of the car at the scenery in Western Arizona
As usual we got sidetracked today for a couple of hours. We paid $26 (total- senior rate) to see a hole in the ground east of Flagstaff. Actually it was a meteor crater and quite impressive, and you may recognize it from the movies or one of those late-night science shows on cable channel 26781. Helen of course found one of those penny-smashing machines and we have another penny for her collection
Since you are not allowed in the crater, they have setup this really authentic looking place where you can take pictures that look just like you are standing at the bottom of the crater!
And finally, a look out the window of the car at the scenery in Western Arizona
Sunday, January 20, 2008
On the Road Again + A Late Night
Well - we are on the road again, and this post is being composed in Williams Arizona, about 60 miles from the Grand Canyon.
Our last night at Jennifer and Ryan's ended in a spirited discussion on No Child Left Behind that ended at 2 AM with no consensus reached and both Ryan and myself so fired up that we couldn't get to sleep. Thanks especially to Ryan for keeping me thinking, and to Jennifer for having the sense to go to bed.
My solution to chill out was to listen to the last hour of my Audiobook copy of I Am Legend, the 1954 book by Richard Matheson, adapted to film as The Last Man on Earth in 1964, as The Omega Man in 1971, and again in 2007 as I Am Legend with actor Will Smith (in my opinion and EXCELLENT movie).
Thanks Jennifer and Ryan for housing us, putting up with us and helping us see some of the sights. You are both great and we love you a lot!
Helen says... One more smashed penny for the collection - Route 66 - of course!
Our last night at Jennifer and Ryan's ended in a spirited discussion on No Child Left Behind that ended at 2 AM with no consensus reached and both Ryan and myself so fired up that we couldn't get to sleep. Thanks especially to Ryan for keeping me thinking, and to Jennifer for having the sense to go to bed.
My solution to chill out was to listen to the last hour of my Audiobook copy of I Am Legend, the 1954 book by Richard Matheson, adapted to film as The Last Man on Earth in 1964, as The Omega Man in 1971, and again in 2007 as I Am Legend with actor Will Smith (in my opinion and EXCELLENT movie).
Thanks Jennifer and Ryan for housing us, putting up with us and helping us see some of the sights. You are both great and we love you a lot!
Helen says... One more smashed penny for the collection - Route 66 - of course!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Last day in CA!
Helen Says:
Well Venus Beach, Muscle Beach... we really didn't see much muscle, but a few surfers were out and definitely some great people watching! We walked the beach, Ryan did a little skate boarding and we avoided all the "Rap Artists" selling their CD's.
My artsy picture.... the seagull flew away before I could focus!
Surfers ... trying to catch some waves.
Surfing of all kinds - they were having fun.
Ryan practicing his skills!Don't worry Sue, he didn't hurt himself!!!!! I made sure!He claims his board is for old people...but you won't see us on one!
Some of the local artwork on the beach.
Jenn giving it a go.... but a short ride... she plans to practice in the hallway of the apartment!
Off to see where Jenn & Ryan work.
One of the signs on the bulletin board at the lab that we thought was interesting.
We also got to see Jenn's aphids and Ryan's fruit flies.... it was really exciting!
Actually amazing the work they do, way over our heads!
The evening ended with a trip to the "Griffith Observatory" - "Rebel without a Cause" - remember that one??? Very interesting, we probably could have spent a half a day there. The view of the city lights was incredible to say the least. However we did not take the camera, so you will just have to take our word for it.
Tomorrow we pack up and head East....so we will try to find something interesting to report on on the way home.However we just looked at the tempture in KS and its 7 degrees.... we may take our time!
Well Venus Beach, Muscle Beach... we really didn't see much muscle, but a few surfers were out and definitely some great people watching! We walked the beach, Ryan did a little skate boarding and we avoided all the "Rap Artists" selling their CD's.
My artsy picture.... the seagull flew away before I could focus!
Surfers ... trying to catch some waves.
Surfing of all kinds - they were having fun.
Ryan practicing his skills!Don't worry Sue, he didn't hurt himself!!!!! I made sure!He claims his board is for old people...but you won't see us on one!
Some of the local artwork on the beach.
Jenn giving it a go.... but a short ride... she plans to practice in the hallway of the apartment!
Off to see where Jenn & Ryan work.
One of the signs on the bulletin board at the lab that we thought was interesting.
We also got to see Jenn's aphids and Ryan's fruit flies.... it was really exciting!
Actually amazing the work they do, way over our heads!
The evening ended with a trip to the "Griffith Observatory" - "Rebel without a Cause" - remember that one??? Very interesting, we probably could have spent a half a day there. The view of the city lights was incredible to say the least. However we did not take the camera, so you will just have to take our word for it.
Tomorrow we pack up and head East....so we will try to find something interesting to report on on the way home.However we just looked at the tempture in KS and its 7 degrees.... we may take our time!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Geeks, La Brea, and JP (Getty)
Another jammed-packed day!
As usual the day starts with the geeks siting around and checking what? Anyway the picture tells the tale.
La Brea Tar Pits
The quality of the site has changed dramatically changed since my last visit, there is a new building (at least new since the 70's) and several "pits" that you can view outside. The next picture shows one of those areas where asphalt perks up through the earth's crust along with methane and hydrogen sulfide gas.
This is one of the mastodon skeletons that have been pieced together at the site. The area has produced an astounding number of bones - all from about 30,000 years ago, which puts them well past the time of the dinosaurs.
This is a view through the glass into an area where they are working on cleaning and classifying the bones, all of these are from the California Saber-Tooth Cat (note Cat not Tiger!). This site is so rich that they actually have a decade or more or work to get caught up with what has been already been found on the site - and they say there is much more!
The J. Paul Getty Museum
The museum is an amazing group of buildings that sits on 570 acres in the foothills above Beverly Hills. The following two photos do little to give you an idea of the scope of the buildings - go see for yourself the next time you are in LA!
(PS - there are more pictures, artsie ones, I will post later! Helen)
As usual the day starts with the geeks siting around and checking what? Anyway the picture tells the tale.
La Brea Tar Pits
The quality of the site has changed dramatically changed since my last visit, there is a new building (at least new since the 70's) and several "pits" that you can view outside. The next picture shows one of those areas where asphalt perks up through the earth's crust along with methane and hydrogen sulfide gas.
This is one of the mastodon skeletons that have been pieced together at the site. The area has produced an astounding number of bones - all from about 30,000 years ago, which puts them well past the time of the dinosaurs.
This is a view through the glass into an area where they are working on cleaning and classifying the bones, all of these are from the California Saber-Tooth Cat (note Cat not Tiger!). This site is so rich that they actually have a decade or more or work to get caught up with what has been already been found on the site - and they say there is much more!
The J. Paul Getty Museum
The museum is an amazing group of buildings that sits on 570 acres in the foothills above Beverly Hills. The following two photos do little to give you an idea of the scope of the buildings - go see for yourself the next time you are in LA!
(PS - there are more pictures, artsie ones, I will post later! Helen)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ikea, Ryan's BD, Hollywood and Belated XMAS
A FULL DAY!
We started the day (if you can call 11 AM the start of the day) going to Ikea - possibly the 2nd most mind-boggling store after Frye's Electronics. Of course we were thrilled to find a personalized note from the fine police officers of LA informing us that we owed them $45 for parking a little to close to the fire hydrant that had no markings on the curb and was covered with trash cans. But on returning to the apartment we found a sweet spot right in front, which we will have to move between 12 and 2 tomorrow so we won't get a ticket, because they MAY clean the street. Stay tuned on that one!
Then it was off to dinner to celebrate Ryan's BD. The restaurant was a Latino-American fusion type of place in Hollywood. Great food and south-American drinks. After dinner we walked around Hollywood and observed the sites - both architectural and human!
To finish the day it was back to the apartment for a belated Christmas gift session.
The whole family together (Alice is the short one with the dark nose)
Helen observes and directs the session
Alice close-up
We started the day (if you can call 11 AM the start of the day) going to Ikea - possibly the 2nd most mind-boggling store after Frye's Electronics. Of course we were thrilled to find a personalized note from the fine police officers of LA informing us that we owed them $45 for parking a little to close to the fire hydrant that had no markings on the curb and was covered with trash cans. But on returning to the apartment we found a sweet spot right in front, which we will have to move between 12 and 2 tomorrow so we won't get a ticket, because they MAY clean the street. Stay tuned on that one!
Then it was off to dinner to celebrate Ryan's BD. The restaurant was a Latino-American fusion type of place in Hollywood. Great food and south-American drinks. After dinner we walked around Hollywood and observed the sites - both architectural and human!
To finish the day it was back to the apartment for a belated Christmas gift session.
The whole family together (Alice is the short one with the dark nose)
Helen observes and directs the session
Alice close-up
Southern California & More Relatives
Helen says.....(Bill said I had to start this way, so you would know I posted and not hime!)
Dad and Donna, in their natural habitat! They have slowed down a little, but still going strong for 86 years young. I will be glad to be within driving distance of these two so I can visit more often, neither of us are getting any younger.
Dad figuring out his camera so he can capture a few moments.
View from our motel - the mountains are very pretty. The traffic, well that we can live without! We found a great spot to eat in downtown Redlands, where we stayed, which is just down the road from the folks. We came across a wonderful children's book store, where we helped keep them in the black! Bill had to drag me out of there, with a full sack I might add, gifts for all the kids!
Sunset view on hi way one, and not far from the exit of hi way one, back to the freeway! On a clear day it would have been enjoyable, but it became a little tedious driving in the fog as the next pictures will show.
There is supposed to be an ocean out there, so they say! So much for the scenic drive down the coastal highway. As far as you could see it looked like you were in an airplane looking down on the clouds.
Even the road disappeared at times. And apparently there were a few rock slides, because there seemed to be some freshly patched road.
Lunch at Monterey was relaxing, we ate on the wharf and watched the sea otters and seals.
Della & Ralph took us to a closed gold mine, where we could have spent an entire day, especially listening to the volunteers tell stories of the operations. Reality check on the gold prices of yesterday!
One of Della & Ralph's babies - recovering from surgery - great solution to keeping him from digging the stitches out - and he certainly did not mind being dressed up! Notice the train on the shirt!
All for now, we are currently at Jenn and Ryan's in the heart of LA! We heard trash trucks and other strange noises all night long. They found they have to sleep with a "white noise" machine. Tonight we will celebrate Ryan's "entering his 30th year"! or the fact that he is 29! They are getting too old! That makes us old! We will capture some photos and post later... today we are on our own in the city! Yikes.... hopefully we will survive!
Dad and Donna, in their natural habitat! They have slowed down a little, but still going strong for 86 years young. I will be glad to be within driving distance of these two so I can visit more often, neither of us are getting any younger.
Dad figuring out his camera so he can capture a few moments.
View from our motel - the mountains are very pretty. The traffic, well that we can live without! We found a great spot to eat in downtown Redlands, where we stayed, which is just down the road from the folks. We came across a wonderful children's book store, where we helped keep them in the black! Bill had to drag me out of there, with a full sack I might add, gifts for all the kids!
Sunset view on hi way one, and not far from the exit of hi way one, back to the freeway! On a clear day it would have been enjoyable, but it became a little tedious driving in the fog as the next pictures will show.
There is supposed to be an ocean out there, so they say! So much for the scenic drive down the coastal highway. As far as you could see it looked like you were in an airplane looking down on the clouds.
Even the road disappeared at times. And apparently there were a few rock slides, because there seemed to be some freshly patched road.
Lunch at Monterey was relaxing, we ate on the wharf and watched the sea otters and seals.
Della & Ralph took us to a closed gold mine, where we could have spent an entire day, especially listening to the volunteers tell stories of the operations. Reality check on the gold prices of yesterday!
One of Della & Ralph's babies - recovering from surgery - great solution to keeping him from digging the stitches out - and he certainly did not mind being dressed up! Notice the train on the shirt!
All for now, we are currently at Jenn and Ryan's in the heart of LA! We heard trash trucks and other strange noises all night long. They found they have to sleep with a "white noise" machine. Tonight we will celebrate Ryan's "entering his 30th year"! or the fact that he is 29! They are getting too old! That makes us old! We will capture some photos and post later... today we are on our own in the city! Yikes.... hopefully we will survive!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Happy 30th BD John!
We've been traveling all day so will post more info tomorrow, but wanted to say Happy Birthday to John - it's amazing he is 30 years old already! Son - I'm proud of you and love you a lot! Hope presents arrived on schedule, will celebrate more when we get back.
Love,
Dad & Helen
Love,
Dad & Helen
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Dinner and Good Times at the Armstrong's!
We are staying with Helen's sister Della and her husband Ralph in Sacramento, and yesterday their sons Larry and Andrew and their families came over for dinner, talk and just plain ole good times. Some pictures from the festivities:
The wall that you see in some of the pictures, with tiles that have words or images on them, are at a local park that is very popular with the kids. Several years ago the play area in the park was burned by vandals and the community came together to rebuild the park. Some of the old tiles where salvaged and used on this wall others are new - some of them written by young adults who grew up using the park and where devastated when the arson occurred.
The wall that you see in some of the pictures, with tiles that have words or images on them, are at a local park that is very popular with the kids. Several years ago the play area in the park was burned by vandals and the community came together to rebuild the park. Some of the old tiles where salvaged and used on this wall others are new - some of them written by young adults who grew up using the park and where devastated when the arson occurred.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Bye-Bye Oregon - Hello CA
From Ms Helen:
Apparently California does not welcome Oregonians! We did not see one "Welcome to California" sign.
So we are on the road again, to Sacramento to visit the Armstrong family.
Concerns all this week about what the pass around Mt. Shasta would be like, well the roads were clear and the views were incredible. We are thinking we need a panoramic lens for next time.
This is Mt Shasta from highway 97.
This is Black Butte - which is off highway 5.
All for now, we made it in time for a chili and cornbread supper.
More later with pictures of the Armstrong's.
Apparently California does not welcome Oregonians! We did not see one "Welcome to California" sign.
So we are on the road again, to Sacramento to visit the Armstrong family.
Concerns all this week about what the pass around Mt. Shasta would be like, well the roads were clear and the views were incredible. We are thinking we need a panoramic lens for next time.
This is Mt Shasta from highway 97.
This is Black Butte - which is off highway 5.
All for now, we made it in time for a chili and cornbread supper.
More later with pictures of the Armstrong's.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
First Meal
Well today was a busy one, putting up temporary blinds, liner in the cabinets, getting the locks re-keyed, washer and dryer delivered....we were tired....so Papa Murphy's to the rescue!
Oven works great! Pizza and wine by the fireplace, what a treat!
Bill hard at work cutting liners for the drawers. Sorry it is a little blown out - this is a cell phone capture!
Notice first pan hung???? Hooks are a little long, something to work on, later.
The sewing "studio" has been christened with a few items purchased while here...after all Stitching Post in Sisters did have a 25% off sale!
Packing and cleaning tomorrow. So - should we leave a thank you note to our lovely neighbors above????
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Snow, NEW HOUSE! and Planning to Leave
Let it Snow! The view out of our apartment window today:
NEW HOUSE - FINALLY!
Yes - it can be a challenge to get up the driveway...
Helen - breaking the tape...
And the view out the front window...
Leaving...
I know - it sounds goofy, but now that we have the house this is the plan: Weather permitting, we hit the road on Friday for California. More later on that part of the journey as it happens. If the weather looks exceptionally bad at the mountain pass we may opt to put off the CA trip and head home - but the weather report looks fairly good for Friday so we shall see.
NEW HOUSE - FINALLY!
Yes - it can be a challenge to get up the driveway...
Helen - breaking the tape...
And the view out the front window...
Leaving...
I know - it sounds goofy, but now that we have the house this is the plan: Weather permitting, we hit the road on Friday for California. More later on that part of the journey as it happens. If the weather looks exceptionally bad at the mountain pass we may opt to put off the CA trip and head home - but the weather report looks fairly good for Friday so we shall see.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Sunday and Sunshine but...
It's a bright Sun-shiny day in Bend. Helen has not put in an appearance yet, but both of us have slept badly the last couple of nights. The night before last it was because the thugs in the unit above had left their heavy-metal music on all night long and where not home to shut it off.
On the subject of the house: We where called by our realtor on Friday who said that the Seller's realtor has called and said everything was fixed and ready to go for us to take possession. In a rush of adrenaline we went over there and only one thing was fixed from the list! Our realtor proposed that we hold some money out and take possession - we said no, we figure that if the people are not motivated by us holding hundreds of thousands how will a few thousand get them motivated? Plus of course the realtor doesn't get paid until we release the money.
More good news later - hopefully...
On the subject of the house: We where called by our realtor on Friday who said that the Seller's realtor has called and said everything was fixed and ready to go for us to take possession. In a rush of adrenaline we went over there and only one thing was fixed from the list! Our realtor proposed that we hold some money out and take possession - we said no, we figure that if the people are not motivated by us holding hundreds of thousands how will a few thousand get them motivated? Plus of course the realtor doesn't get paid until we release the money.
More good news later - hopefully...
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Houston We Have Problem
Well - we are supposed to take possession of the house tomorrow (Friday) but the repairs that the owner agreed to make are not completed yet. The weather the past fews days has been great but of course now it has turned rainy and some of the work is outside. Don't know what will happen but we have told the realtor that we won't release the funds until the work is done...
More later (hopefully)
More later (hopefully)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year
We hope that everyone had a safe and happy New Year's Eve!
Robert and Diane had a dinner party and we all managed to stay awake until midnight! It was a great time and we owe R&D yet again for their hospitality.
We close on the house on Friday - so our year is off to a running start!
Robert and Diane had a dinner party and we all managed to stay awake until midnight! It was a great time and we owe R&D yet again for their hospitality.
We close on the house on Friday - so our year is off to a running start!
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