Days 4 & 5 Isleton, CA

Ahhhh, flat roads for a while. Twelve mile per gallon, diesel loves pulling. So many highways to move lots of traffic. Even the Sacramento area was easy to travel. Only minor slow downs.

I understand the California Dept of Transportation mission. Money for many new roads / freeways means less money for road maintenance. "Flat roads" is a relative term. 6” pot holes and ¾ ton truck chassis are not nirvana for back or sore arms. Michelle reminded me why her main expense while living in California was for shock absorbers and front end (sorry, vehicle) maintenance.

We arrived in Sacramento almost on time to meet Wendy and Katie for the first time and re-acquainted with Flo. We had lunch at Lyon’s and enjoyed good food, service and conversation. Wendy is so up beat, Katie a bit more reserved, and I don’t think too sure about Michelle, LOL. As always Flo was so warm and welcoming. At the end of lunch I hope we made two new friends and deepened one other.

Wendy, Katie, Flo & Michelle

This is one thing about the disease we all share; we do understand where we are coming from and have an empathy that is beyond anything I have known before. This is why we enjoy these Vita Tour’s so much.

Any way, here we are in Isleton (is it I-L-Ton or Is-el-Ton?) We are on the “Delta” with marinas and resorts of every description at the Lighthouse Resort & Marina. Nice amenities and a 60’s kinda gal rockin’ out to”American Pie” at the general store.

We watched the movie RV last night and were amazed at how some one could make money filming our trips. But then Robin Williams could make money doing anything.

Well today is to relax so off I go to enjoy the rest of our day here. Tomorrow we are off to Hanford, so see ya there.

Don & Michelle

Day 3 Redding, CA

We love driving up the Siskiyou Mountains from Yreka to Redding. Past Mt Shasta, Shasta Lake and on into Redding is God’s canvas, California Style. We have our own mountainous portrait back home, when Mt Rainier is “out”.

By the way, some one needs to remind us to get fuel in Medford or Ashland and not wait for $3.45 a gallon in Hilt, CA. just as we really start climbing. Over the mountains and through the woods we got 12 MPG so am happy with that. 40 mph in 3rd gear for a lot of the way, but a lot better than previous trips. I had forgotten how rough the roads were here in Northern Calif.

Just south of Dunsmuir, there is a pull off for a Motel/Restaurant/Park that has old Rail Road Stuff. I pulled off to get some pictures for my oldest brother who is a train buff. An old wooden caboose and snow plow. Steam engines and rail cars used for the restaurant. Here you go big brother, enjoy!

We pulled into Mountain Gate RV Park here in Redding around 4:00, so time was good. We did stop in Yreka for lunch, what a nice town. I was pretty tired when we started setting up. Found another job for someone. Remind me which side of the trailer to raise when the bubble in the level is high on the right side. DUH ! Now I gotta back off and try again, raising the other side. Double DUH, I was right the first time but not raised enough. Maybe next year by train or plain? NAH, then what would I write about.

Lucy has been real good riding. She even got up front between mommy and daddy. That is until her butt kept pushing me out the door. In the back she went. After all she doesn’t have her driver’s license yet. That and her feet don’t reach the peddles either. Kinda like my co-pilot/navigator. This park has a nice off leash area so Lucy enjoyed that, too.

Michelle just got up from a nap, trying to combat the pain. Not her pain (me) but the pain in her arm.

Well it’s time to get this posted and dinner started.

Tomorrow is lunch with Wendy in Sacramento and a couple of days in Isletown. We get to do some of the house keeping chores and rest up a bit. See you in Sacto’ tomorrow, Wendy.

Don & Michelle

Day 2 at Rogue River, OR

We have been to this RV Park (Bridgeview) before and we are back for a reason. We are on the back row against the river the river. It looks so refreshing and clam, but, no takers from these campers. We prefer to let the resident ducks enjoy a swim.

Here is a nice breeze coming off the river, making the 90+ degrees ALMOST bearable. And to think we are headed to Arizona which has been in the 100’s. But don’t tell Michelle - she doesn’t do heat.

Well, let’s go back to this morning. I am doing double duty so we left a bit late. Beautiful drive from northern Oregon. The park there (Portland RV Park) was nice. We made residence at #9 Arizona Street. Let Lucy out in her X-Pen to enjoy the air. She seemed quite content just to be a lady of leisure.

We were off by 10:30 and arrived in Cottage Grove about 1:00. We met up with Kris and Aiden, her son. Cute little 2 year old. We have known Kris from pre-op and she was part of our local group. It was good seeing you again Kris. We met at the Coiner Park on Main Street in the cutest little town of Cottage Grove where she grew up.

Back on the road after a nice visit and on to Rogue River. Michelle is having more pain today, but is gaining mobility in her shoulder and arm. Shoot, she even held my hand goin’ down the road. We got our first diesel at $2.95 and 13+ mile per gallon. Much better than 2005 in the Tundra. We had little problem keeping up with the big boys on the hills but did have to down shift to do it.

Tomorrow we head for Redding, CA. It’s a short drive, but mostly mountains. Hopefully the Dodge will make mole hills outta these mountains. See ya in Cali’ tomorrow night.

Don & Michelle

On the road again

Off we go at 1:30, heading toward Portland, OR. We had an easy 4 hour drive to the RV park after the I-5 parking lot. However today is Friday. Let me tell you the exciting news about Wednesday. Now those who have watched us for the past several years know we have had some interesting things happen before we left for the ASBS Conference.

From my getting bit by a dog, to messing up my knee, Michelle’s trips to the ER, we wonder if we just aren’t meant to go by way of the highway.

This year, Michelle was out walking the dogs with Sheri (from Florida) and Michaelle. Sheri had her Riley, Michaelle has Lucy and Vitalady is attached to Barney. Well until he spotted a bunny rabbit sticking its tongue out at him. That is all it took, and before Vitalady could let go of the leash, she is on the ground.

They called me (thank God for cell phones) to pick her up and off to Urgent Care for x-rays. Yep, pulled muscles, some nasty bruises and scrapes. Fortunately, a sling and Vicodin got her through the night, but she is pretty sore.

So when you see her on this trip, stay clear of her left arm except to maybe to sign her sling…

So I get to double duty this trip as she mends. She loves having me wash her hair, and …… but it will take a little longer to get on the road. I wish we had a big motor home rather than this old Dodge ¾ ton pick up. It is pretty hard on her shoulder.

Well that is it for tonight. Time to take Lucy out for a walk and hit the sack.
See ya’ll tomorrow on the way to Rogue River and lunch in Cottage Grove with Kris. If you are in the area let Kris know and come join us.

Michelle & Don

Time to panic (Almost)

Here we are 2 weeks before leaving. Michelle is starting to gather her shoe collection and wondering what to where. I'm looking for my cowboy hat, you know the one Michelle thinks is dorky.

We are still looking for folks to help plan stops and there is plenty of time slots available. As of right now, we have confirmed stops in Cottage Grove, OR; San Diego, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Travis AFB, AC area and working on several others.

So as you can see, getting time for us to meet you is still open if you are along the route. I expect to add stops as we are on the road, too. So don't hesitate to ask us to stop in and say "Hey".

Remember this is a time for us to see you on your journey and perhaps to give us a little encouragement as we share what is happening in the business.

Michelle and I Hope to see as many of you as possible.

Don

I can't believe it is time to get the old rig ready for the next trip to the ASBS Conference in San Diego, CA.

This year we are planning for 6 weeks to meet as many of our friends as possible. From Washington, to Oregon, to California, to Arizona and back home.

This picture was taken at a party hosted by our surgeon in 2003. Michelle's hair is a little longer now, but she is just as cute. The background is the "Grand Staircase" from the Titanic and is a backdrop, fortunately not the real thing, because I don't swim so good any more.

We are truly looking forward to meeting you all (or as many as we can) on our travels this year. Please if you have the chance come on out and meet us. It would be our pleasure to "Celebrate" your success.