BEADS!!!!

Last fall when we were here (in Kitsap County), my friend Tory offered to show me how to make Lamp-work beads. She learned a few years ago and she is an artist... her beads are so beautiful. I thought 'there is no way I can do that' but thought it would be fun to try. So when we returned for the summer, I got my chance. I will never be as good as she is, but it is very fun... alot like walking and chewing gum and rubbing your head and patting your stomach all at the same time with a 2500 degree flame involved! I managed to make a few beads under her tutelage, and I was suprised at how well they turned out. I'm hooked. I won't ever have my own set up, but am grateful to be able to use hers once in awhile.

Weenerbago Ramblings

There used to be a show on NPR called 'The Bryant Park Project'. One of the features of the show was called 'The Bryant Park Ramble'. The 'BPP' had fallen in the face of budget cuts and I kind of miss it. As I ride along in the passenger seat of the motor home, I think of stuff that could qualify as 'ramblings' so here we go.
We came west this morning thru Washington's Wine country. There were lots of vineyards. There were orchards. I suspected that some of the trees were cherry trees cuz it's that time of year. I was sure some of them were apple orchards cuz that's one of the things Washington State is (or at least used to be) famous for. There were fields of stuff growing. The corn is easy even when it's just little. Onions are pretty easy too. At 50+ miles an hour, sometimes it's tough to tell. Some fields are labeled. I love that! I think all fields should be labeled. I know farmers have better things to do than go out and post signs saying what's growing, but it makes for more entertaining passing by.
Some places in the midwest, we drive thru the 'meat and veg' areas... cows on one side of the road and corn on the other. Then there are the soybean fields. Tofu on one side, and steak on the other? I told you it was a ramble.
And while we're at it, at the risk of sounding like Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes.... could we do something about drawing around the states and labeling them? It would be easier to figure out where you are as you fly over. Let's face it, 'they' have pretty much taken most of the fun out of flying, it could at least be informative!

What's going on?

We're in Nampa, Idaho. It's 9:11 pm Mountain Daylight Time. It is still broad daylight. I can see the sun just disappearing in the west. 9 o'clock at NIGHT. I guess we've been in the south too long. I used to love being able to work in the yard til nearly 10 pm, but I guess I forgot. We should be back in Kitsap County at the end of the week. I'm looking forward to seeing Katie and Dave's folks and all of our friends.

Arches National Park

Today it was arches, hoodoos and a lizard. Perhaps because it was Saturday but many of the lookouts were crowded so in at least one case we missed a walk to a view point for a couple of significant arches. What we did see was stunning. I wonder though where are all the medium and small rocks. There are large/huge rocks and sand, little or no gravel/pebbles. Missed the picture of the lizard. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

17 mile Drive into the Valley

M-ahhh-nument Valley. Yet another spot you've seen on TV and in movies for years, but you have to see it in person.

We decided not to take the guided tour (starting at $40/person for 2 hours) and took the Jeep into the wild. Not really so wild, but certainly bumpy and dusty. We did see one lizard in middle of the road but he was not so impressed with us. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to make the 17 mile loop but it was truly amazing.

When we got back from this, Dave and I got back in the car and drove over to Four Corners. I have been wanting to see this, even tho' I know it's now believed to be in the wrong place. Scott stayed with the dogs and we drove an hour and a half, saw the 'monument' bought some fry bread and hopped back in car and returned to the coach.

Tomorrow we say good-bye (for a little while) to Scott. He is going a little farther east and we are moving north. We will see him again probably in July. He is good company and we wish him fun adventures.

Monument Valley part one

A short day today from Flagstaff to Goulding's RV Park (Resort?) in Monument Valley. It's possibly the most picturesque campground we've ever camped in. I will take some pictures later.... it's after cocktail time here and we seem to have missed lunch (hic). I did take some pictures on the way into the campground. The first one shows sheep who have had their summer haircuts. I want to know, Where's the wool? Tomorrow we will go for a drive in the jeep, more pictures!

The view from the RV park is as good as any RV park can offer.

US-89A Just Possible the Best Motorcycle Ride in AZ

Scott and I headed out this morning riding west on I-40 mostly to Ash Fork AZ and then south on US-89 to Prescott AZ where we turn east on US-89A. US-89A returns to I-17 just south of Flagstaff. In the process it winds up and down through the mountains, passing through Jerome, Cottonwood, and Sedona. Traffic was generally light and the weather was warm enough. Arizona has solved budget shortfalls for road maintenance, they have signs made that warn "Rough Road Next 10 miles". It seems that if you set these up at 10 mile intervals road maintenance is no longer a budget issue. Despite the rough roads the ride was excellent. I wish I had better pictures but I haven't mastered riding and pictures at the same time.

First Leg of the Season

Days end finds us in Flagstaff AZ with sunny weather lacking the heat of the desert. This leg was a shakedown for our new tow setup. Gone is the tow-dolly and in it's place the Jeep is towed flat and the bike rides on it's lift. We are still 60' long but the setup/breakdown is quicker and easier too.

The bad part about leaving this time of year is there's no one there to wave 'good-bye'! It will be fun in the fall when there are people coming in and you can run out and say 'Hi! How was your summer, Welcome back!'