Portland, Oregon

The boss is on duty....where's all the happy hours?

2 beautiful camelia bushs on our site!

We're "home sweet home" for the next five months. It's not our actual home, but it sure feels like it. We arrived last Wednesday and were greeted by numerous friends glad to see us back again. We have a beautiful site this year as Tom is Camp Host for the season. We are parked at the front of the park directly across from the pool and club house. Tom started working last Thursday and really enjoys it. He gets to meet a lot of new people and be hospitable. Talk about a perfect job!! I haven't started my new job yet but will probably start this week. Not only do we have a free site and electricity, but I'll be getting a salary! That's going to be different after the last four years of retirement.I will also be volunteering at the store where I was fitted after my surgery. So, it should be a busy, fun summer. Yesterday, as a Mother's Day present, my daughter, Sarah, took me to see "Grease". It was fantastic and Taylor Hicks (former American Idol winner) was in it. We got within about 15 feet of him in the lobby of theater as he was signing autographs. What fun. I couldn't think of a better present. Girls day out is so much fun. Our good friend, Barb Murphy, is coming to visit us this summer and we're already giddy with anticipation. Also, our granddaughter will be coming up at least twice from California. Nothing but fun in our sights. What more could we ask for? The spring here is just gorgeous beyond words! We have been so fortunate this year to have a long spring from Hemet, CA all the way to Portland. Hope this finds all of our family and friends well and happy.

On the road again. . . .

Julia Rose with goggles ready for a little swim!

We left Ukiah, CA, this morning and although we're happy to be on the road again, we already miss our sweet granddaughter. We had a wonderful two weeks with her and her parents and the time went so fast. We are in Eureka, CA, tonight at the Elks Lodge. Tom is definitely taking advantage of becoming an Elk and we are enjoying the clubs along the way in our travels. Our ultimate goal is Portland, probably by Wednesday. We aren't in any hurry and love traveling Hwy 101. Seeing the giant redwoods, all the blooming flowers, the beautiful trees made for a wonderful day of travel for us. Tomorrow evening we'll probably stay at 7 Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR. They have a great park and we haven't stayed there yet. Tom is already looking forward to a hot tub soak. We've both been nursing colds but I think we're also both on the mend now. We have to be as our new jobs will probably start as soon as we get to the RV park in Portland. No more loafing for us. We'll also be celebrating our four years on the road the beginning of May. Where has the time gone? Tomorrow is 6 months since I had my surgery and I feel wonderful and so happy to be cancer free. Life if great for us!!!

Easter Sunday

The Salomones the Elks Lodge. Jim, Beth, and Julia

Julia Rose with the Easter Bunny at the Elks Lodge Ukiah, CA

We've been in Ukiah, CA, a week today and have a week to go. Yesterday we celebrated Easter with Julia, Beth and Jim. We had a wonderful time. We started out a little after 8:00 am and went to an Easter Egg hunt at the Elk's club. Julia did very well and had a blast. The Elks did a wonderful job with all the kids and everyone received an Easter basket and an opportunity to have their picture taken with the Easter bunny. The hunt was followed by breakfast at the Elks club, then play time at home. Late afternoon, Tom prepared some very good barbequed ribs and we took them over to the kids' house and had an outdoor picnic. After a few hot games of "Skip-Bo", we came back home. It was such a pleasant time being together for the day. Our week has flown by and we haven't done anything spectacular except spend as much time as possible with Julia. She's so much fun and loves our "moving house" so comes over at every opportunity. The weather is back to being beautiful again so we'll probably do more outside things this week. The park is one of Julia's favorites and is very close to their home. Next Monday we'll be off to Portland. Although we really look forward to being there, we'll miss our kids here.

Saying goodbyes

Tri-Tip Roast we served on our farewell dinner

Farewell Dinner With the Gang in the Journey

Sadly, many of our friends are leaving the park for their summer destinations. One of our dearest friends, Barb, left on the 31st and we were torn between hating to see her go and excitement that she'll be back on the road again. We plan to go see her on Vancouver Island in the fall when she returns from yet more of her adventures. Other friends, Bob and Cheryl, Norm and Susan, and Fred and Bonnie and too many others to mention have left and Wayne and Marianne are leaving the same day we do. The park is looking very empty now. We can see almost to the fence. Our leaving day is Saturday and we're slowly getting ready. Since we've been sitting still for over 3 months, there will be more outside things to do. Tom is very adept at handling all of that.

We've really enjoyed our winter here and have found some great restaurants in town - Dattilo's, La Fogata, Coco's and others. We would highly recommend both the RV park and the town as a great place to winter. Our activities are also winding down, but with getting ready to leave, that's okay. Saturday we'll be off on another adventure heading toward Ukiah to spend a couple of weeks with our granddaughter. More from the road.