Travels With Rylie

The Cliff House

2012-01-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

I had dinner with my parents and Cammie at The Cliff House in San Francisco recently. We were treated to an absolutely stunning sunset. It was so nice to spend some time with my parents. They stopped in San Francisco on their way to Hawaii to visit Julie and Bob for six weeks. Six weeks! Now THAT's a vacation! This working stuff is for the birds and the border collies. How I wish I were retired...

Sunset at The Cliff House

Dinner at The Cliff House

Rylie sure has been frisky lately. He must be feeling so much better, because he often wants to play now. Maybe he is just as happy as I am in our townhouse, with lots of room for running around. He also likes to make the ducks and geese fly away on our walks. I don't take him jogging with me anymore, because I don't think he can handle that much running. He gets so mad when I go jogging without him.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff has been breaking the rules lately. She knows it's my job to lead the outside drill. The next time she doesn't let me come with, she'll have to drop and give me 50.

Christmas

2011-12-31T14:33:00.001-08:00

It has been five years since I've been able to have a real Christmas tree in my home, so I enjoyed my little Charlie Brown tree. It had some bald spots and lacked symmetry, but somehow, that just made it more endearing.

My Little Tree

Now if this isn't a recipe for disaster, I don't know what is: A dog, a Christmas tree, and a balloon. Miraculously, Rylie managed to play with this balloon in and around the Christmas tree for quite some time, and never popped it. Nor did he knock over the tree, or disturb any ornaments. He seems to know to grab on with his teeth near the knot, so he doesn't pop it. He loves to play with balloons!

On Christmas he enjoyed tearing up every bit of wrapping paper that Cammie and Doug handed him. Cammie also gave him a little stuffed toy that squeaks, and he has been playing with that a lot. He really likes it.

We had a near-disaster on Christmas Eve, when Rylie got into the bowl of Hershey's kisses that were on the end table and left over from the party. Normally, he wouldn't be able to get to them, but I had pushed the ottoman next to the end table to make room for all of the guests, and forgot about the kisses being there. Shame on me! I left the house for a half hour, and when I got back, Rylie had eaten an unknown quantity of them, foil and all.

My regular vet office was closed, so I called the animal hospital. They asked his weight and figured out how many ounces of chocolate he probably consumed, and said it most likely was not enough to harm him. They said I could watch him to see if he acted excited, or his heartbeat got fast, or he vomited, and said if anything like that happened, I should bring him in. I watched him carefully, but he was fine. That was pretty scary though, since chocolate can be toxic for dogs. I learned my lesson: no more chocolate anywhere that little rascal might be able to get to.

Rylie's Notes:

Merry Christmas to me! I saw a gift, and I went for it.

Comcast/Xfinity is Like a Bad Boyfriend

2011-12-29T22:02:00.001-08:00

They don't appreciate you or treat you right while they have you, but once you kick them to the curb, they are desperate to have you back.

I switched to AT&T U-verse. So far, so good. Much better customer service than Comcast.

The Pre-Christmas Party

2011-12-26T15:21:00.001-08:00

What fun I've been having! I had a small party the weekend before Christmas to celebrate the holidays, my friend Cheryl's birthday, and my new place. I cooked lasagna, and there was plenty of Christmas cheer. We played a game called Apples to Apples after the birthday cake, and had a lot of laughs.

Mari, Doug and Cheryl

Robert, Nancy, and Steve

Cammie, Me, Robert and Nancy

Cammie, Robert, Nancy, Doug and Donna

Donna, Cheryl, Julie and Steve

Steve, Tricia, Julie, Nancy and Robert

I'm really enjoying being in my new place, and was so happy to be out of the motorhome for the holidays. My walls are still pretty bare and I haven't found any curtains that I like yet. I also need some more furniture, but it will all come in time.

The motorhome is still down at the Lazy Daze Mother Ship, but the repairs from the tree damage are all done. I will pick it up after the New Year holiday. I'm trying to decide whether to sell it, or whether it's worth paying the money to store and insure it if I'm not going to use it that much.

My work project with PG&E has been extended until August, so I'm happy about that. Our team has been cut to half the size it was, and I was the newest member to the team, so I was lucky to make the cut.

I've been neglecting my blog post duties, but the holidays are a busy time. I'll post a few Christmas photos next time, and tell you what that rascal, Rylie, has been up to.

Rylie's Notes:

I don't see why The Staff feels the need to tattle on me. I'm sure she can come up with other topics to blog about.

Shot by the Dog

2011-12-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

A man was duck hunting in Utah, when he stepped out of his boat to move some decoys. He left his gun and his dog in the boat. I guess the dog wasn't too happy with his companion, because he shot him in the keester. This is a true story that I heard about on NPR while I was driving to work. It can't be easy for a dog to pull the trigger on a shotgun, and especially to hit the desired target.

Rylie seems to be pretty happy with his new home. He has been racing around like a puppy dog. Unfortunately, his hips can't handle that behavior any more, and his legs shake after playing like that. Poor guy. I'm still trying to find the right dose of Metacam to keep him comfortable without damaging his organs. I would like to find a good alternative to the Metacam, since I don't want to give him something that might cause organ damage. What does everyone else use? The good news is that he has started using the doggy stairs to get up on the bed, but not all of the time. He doesn't seem to like them much.

Cammie and Doug moved into their house in Brentwood shortly after I moved into my place. It's very nice--and big! They seem to be really happy.

I'm finishing up my course in the next couple of weeks, and waiting to hear what my next assignment will be. It looks like I'll have some time off around the holidays, since things get pretty quiet around the office at that time.

Rylie's Notes:

I bet I know what happened when that dog shot his staff. The dog was probably saying, "That'll teach him to give me dry kibble to eat after I fetch fresh duck for his dinner."

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T19:02:00.000-08:00

Delicious food, and good company. I am grateful.

Rylie's Notes:

What food? I didn't see anything special in my dish today.

The Move

2011-11-22T22:49:00.000-08:00

I'm in! I moved into my new place this weekend, and I have to say, I'm so happy to be out of the motorhome. That place was getting smaller by the minute. After 5 years, I was really ready to have some more space and a home base again. Maybe if I had slide-outs, I wouldn't feel so cramped.

I had to buy some furniture for the new place, so I bought something to sit on, something to eat on, and something to sleep on. That takes care of the basics. Then I bought a flat screen TV that will be mounted above the fireplace. I figure the rest of it will come little by little.

I really like my new place! It's a townhouse, with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a garage. I've been having fun playing with my dishwasher and the washer and dryer in my unit. I haven't had a dishwasher for 10 years (my old house didn't have one), and I'm so happy that I don't have to use a public laundry room or go to the laundromat anymore. Yippee!

Yesterday I got up at O dark 30 to drive the motorhome down to the Lazy Daze mother ship in LA so that they can do the repairs from the tree damage. When I got on the 210 down by LA, there was a huge traffic snarl, because they had closed off 2 of the 3 lanes. I saw some TV vans, and figured something major had happened on the freeway. When I got to where the action was, I saw a blond woman standing in the middle of the freeway in boots and a short skirt, being filmed. Nothing else going on. Then I realized, they must have been filming a movie. For crying out loud! Are they allowed to close off the freeway IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY to film a movie???? I thought they had to do that stuff in the middle of the night, so as not to cause a major traffic snafu like I experienced. Sheesh!

Rylie spent the night with Cammie and Doug while I went down to LA, because I had to fly back last night. He seems to like our new place, although I think he is a little insecure. He follows me from room to room as I go about unpacking and settling in. I guess he is used to being able to see me everywhere I go in the motorhome.

I met one of my next door neighbors, who seems very nice. She has a cat--named Riley!

Rylie's Notes:

Lots of new smells, and I like it! There is a lot to keep track of here, though. A cat next door, dogs all around, ducks in the pond, and there is a squirrel nest in the tree outside the window. I've got my work cut out for me. I think I should get a pay raise. Maybe an extra chicken strip, or a few more liver treats.

The Oven

2011-11-03T20:19:00.001-07:00

Now my oven isn't working. Why? I can't wait to move.

Rylie's Notes:

There are plenty of things that can be eaten without the oven.

Happy Halloweeny!

2011-10-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

Time for my favorite holiday again, and I went to a costume party. There was lots of dancing, tons of food, and fun costume-watching.

Mari and Me

Michael and Mari

Cheryl

I brought Rylie to the vet for some x-rays, and the news was not good. It turns out he has severe hip displaysia, which I guess is not very common in small dogs. He will need to take anti-inflammatory medication. Poor little guy. He is such a stoic, so it's hard to tell when he is hurting.

I'm not doing much better. My hip has been bothering me too, and then I injured my rotator cuff. I can barely lift my arm. What a pair.

In other news, I bought some furniture for my new place. I can't wait to move. Just three weeks to go!

Rylie's Notes:

It's my favorite time of year: squirrel season. The squirrels are out in full force, totally preoccupied with gathering up food to stock the pantry. They are so busy worrying about their next meal, they don't notice Super Squirrel Stalker sneaking up on them. I haven't caught one yet, but give me time. Give me time...

Happy Birthday Jeannie!

2011-10-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

Jeannie met the big 5-0, so of course we had to celebrate. The party theme was "hot and spicy," and it was supposed to be girls only, but one of the boyfriends snuck in. Jeannie's cousins threw the party, and cooked a delicious New Orleans-style meal of gumbo and shrimp etouffee.

I just crossed the finish line of a work marathon, but my presentation went very well. I've been working hard, so now it's play time!

I will be moving in about a month, and also bringing the motorhome down to the Lazy Daze mother ship for repairs from the tree damage. I'll take a few days off. I can't wait to move!

Rylie's Notes:

I finally had the moment I was waiting for: a squirrel on the ground, oblivious to my presence. But The Staff wouldn't let me near it. Then I discovered why. It was dead. Where's the challenge in that?

A Good Day

2011-10-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice day today. It started with a pretty hike in the Briones Regional Park, where I took these photos. After that I met Cammie for lunch, and we went to see the movie "Contagion." It was good, but I came out of there not wanting to touch anything. It was pretty realistic.

Rylie is so stoic, that I often don't know when he is injured. I brought him to the vet to investigate a lump on the front of his ankle. They did a biopsy but couldn't find anything, so they decided it was a bad sprain or a very inflammed joint. Poor little guy. I got some good glucosamine and an anti-inflammatory, plus I bought some doggy stairs, since he isn't supposed to jump up on the bed or the couch. I've tried getting him used to the steps with treats and praise, but he still keeps jumping around them. Hopefully he'll get used to it. The vet also said he should lose weight, so I'm supplementing some of his food and treats with green beans, at the vet's suggestion. He seems to like the green beans, but he's not happy about getting less of the good stuff.

Rylie's Notes:

I almost had them. I walked out the door the other morning with The Staff on the leash, and there they were, right outside the door. Two cats: one calico, and one tabby. I think they might have been drinking from my outside water dish. I tried to charge them, but they didn't even run. Silly cats. Obviously they don't know how this works. Dogs chase, and cats run. Do I have to train everyone?

A New Place

2011-09-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

I've had some fun lately. I went to the Walnut Creek Wine Walk, which I did last year, and it was a fun time. Wine tasting and appetizer tasting all over town. Yum! I also did a double loop at the Lafayette Reservoir and had dinner with some friends, went shopping with Cammie, and went to the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival. I also heard a great blues guitarist at a garden concert at the Benicia Historical Museum. It was a beautiful night for it, and the music was wonderful.

That's not all. I found a place to live. Rylie and I will be moving to a townhouse at the end of November. I'm excited!

Rylie's Notes:

Finally! I'll be getting out of this little tin can. The Staff tells me there are lots of squirrels at the new place. It will be nice to get away from all of these cats. They won't even run when I fake-charge them. Cats are no fun at all.

Bing

2011-09-18T01:04:00.000-07:00

Don't you just LOVE the photos they have on Bing.com?

Is $50 Million Really Necessary?

2011-09-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

I heard on NPR the other day that the CEO of some big company -- maybe GM, or General Mills, I can't remember -- makes $50 million a year. I know that many other CEOs make similar salaries, and I just had to ask myself, "Is that really necessary, or even earned?"

What could a CEO possibly do to be worth that much money? They aren't saving lives; teaching children to be kind, responsible citizens with integrity; discovering the cure for cancer, or any of the other really important work of the world. Why do they get paid so much? The same with celebrities.

If these companies took half of the fat salaries that they pay their CEOs and celebrities and put it toward creating jobs and increasing salaries for hard-working employees at their companies, just think what an impact that would make on the lives of many, many people in desperate straits. It would also improve the economy, since these people would be able to have homes and spend money again.

Instead, they give ridiculous salaries to a few individuals so that they can have multiple, over-priced homes, cars, boats, and all of the other trappings they buy to impress. I think we should limit the salaries that CEOs and celebrities make. Notice I said make, not earn. There ought to be a law, I tell ya!

Okay, that's my soap box rant for today. I don't have much else to report. I've had some dinners with family and friends, but I've been pretty busy with work lately. We have some crazy deadlines, but I really like the people that I'm working with. We have a great team.

Rylie and I have been battling fleas lately. I have had him on a flea prevention product, which I hate to do because I think they could be dangerous for pets, but he still got fleas. I have a terrible reaction to flea bites, so I have been continuously vacuuming, washing bedding, rugs, dog, and everything else. Still, we're both scratching. I hate fleas. I don't want to use a flea bomb, but if this keeps up, I may have to. I wish there was a natural solution to fleas that isn't a harmful chemical and that really works.

Rylie's Notes:

Those little biting weasels drive me nuts. If only they were big enough to get my teeth around...

Setting Your Intentions

2011-08-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

I find it interesting that when I set my intentions, things seem to happen to bring about what I want. I think it's really important to not only set your intentions, but to verbalize them, or put them in writing. After I wrote that I wanted to settle down in the Bay Area and have a home base again, I got a call from a recruiter out of the blue for this job. When I decided I wanted to buy a house back in 2001, I found a house that I wanted the first day I went out looking, and beat out the offers of 4 other people to get it. When I decided that I wanted to sell my house back in 2006 so that I could start traveling, I sold it in 3 weeks.

Setting your intentions, law of attraction, prayer -- whatever you want to call it -- it's important to verbalize, write, and concentrate on what you want. That's why I am now letting the universe know that I am ready to have another place to live. I'm not sure yet if I will rent or buy, but I'm ready for some more space. This tin can is feeling pretty small lately, and it's difficult to work at home when I have to use my dining table as my desk and I have no room to put anything.

This week I was able to work at home every day except Tuesday, which was nice. I am more productive when I work at home, and more comfortable. The work stations at the office are not very ergonomically correct. I have some really nice people on my team, and I'm enjoying my job.

I had a walk around the reservoir this weekend with some friends and a picnic afterwards, had dinner with a friend and ran into another old friend at the restaurant, saw The Help, which was really good and surprisingly true to the book, and had breakfast with Cammie and Doug. It was a fun weekend.

I got a new shipment of bully sticks for Rylie, and this was the first time he has not finished a bully stick all in one sitting. I was wondering if there was something wrong with him, or the bully stick. He always scarfs everything down right away like it's his last meal. But this time he ate part of it, and then tried to bury the rest of it in the comforter on the bed. I got a kick out of watching him try to push the comforter around with his nose, then finally grab it with his teeth so that he could move it better.

Rylie's Notes:

There's nothing wrong with me or the bully stick. I'm just an international dog of mystery, and I have a few surprises. I like to keep The Staff guessing.

The Bunco Queen

2011-08-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

After receiving invitations to join them for months but always being out of the area, I was finally able to join the bunco group. This was my first time playing bunco, and I had fun! Not only did I have the most wins, but I tied for the most buncos too. Beginner's luck, I guess. I brought home one of the jackpots. I like bunco! It's a fun group, so I'm sure I'll be going again.

In other news, I had to defrost my refrigerator - again. I just did it two months ago! But I discovered why. It turns out there is a tear in the rubber door gasket. I have no idea what is involved with getting that replaced. Can I replace just the gasket, or do I need a whole new door? I will have to investigate.

I've been working pretty hard, getting up to speed on the new job. I finally got my work laptop. It turns out that someone forgot to order it, then the IT department missed the order. I have also been doing my curriculum development work on the side, so I'm busy, busy, busy! I feel lucky to have more work than I can handle, in this economy. I know so many people who are out of work, and have been for a long time. It's scary out there.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff had to ruin a perfectly good weekend by giving me a bath. What's so great about being clean? It just makes me want to roll around in something stinky.

My Lucky Day

2011-08-14T17:24:00.001-07:00

If a tree falls in an RV park and everyone is asleep, does it make any sound? Yes - A lot of sound! I learned this first-hand last night. Rylie heard it first, and tried to warn me by barking. It was 2:00 a.m. and I was in the middle of a deep sleep, so at first I thought he was just barking because a cat or some other animal got close to the motorhome. I didn't hear anything at first, and he does this on rare occasions.

But then I heard what I later discovered to be the very loud sound of splitting wood, as two large branches in the pine tree overhead split off from the tree and fell over my motorhome, rocking it wildly. I thought we might be having an earthquake. Lucky for us, the branch ends hit the ground first, and prevented the larger ends of the two branches from hitting the motorhome. The larger of the two was about two feet in diameter, and they were suspended over my motorhome from the smaller ends on the ground. If those large ends had hit my motorhome, we would have been killed, or badly hurt. We couldn't get out the entry door because of the branches, so we had to exit through the driver's side door.

What caused it? There was no wind, no lightning, and the tree was healthy. Apparently the branches just got too heavy.

Luckily, we got off with only minor damage to my awning, refrigerator vent and air conditioner cover. This is my lucky day! Check out the photos:

Below is the awning damage:

This is the air conditioner cover - only a small puncture and dent:

View of the refrigerator vent from the roof:

I was feeling so lucky after this, that I ran right out and bought a lotto ticket. After all, today is the 14th, and 14 is my lucky number.

Rylie Notes:

Once again I tried to warn The Staff but she didn't pay attention. Not only is her sense of smell pitiful, but she can't hear either.

Life is Good

2011-08-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

So far, things are going well with the new job, considering I still haven't gotten my company laptop or a working card key to get into the building. Sigh. These things take time. Rylie seems to be handling the new schedule okay, although I'm still getting used to it. I got to work from home on Friday, which is nice. As usual with these projects, we have a very aggressive deadline, so I'm sure I'll be very busy. I'm also learning a lot, which is always good.

I had dinner with Cammie and Doug this week, and attended a family picnic with Doug's family. Tomorrow I'm going to see The Help with a friend. It's so nice to be able to spend time with Cammie and my friends on a regular basis!

Rylie got into the sticker bushes again on our morning trot. He veered off the trail to chase a squirrel, and was immediately covered in stickers. It took awhile to get those off.

The weather has been really nice this summer -- cooler than normal. I'm enjoying being here.

Rylie's Notes:

I don't see why The Staff has to keep pulling my hair just because I have a few stickers in there. They would fall out eventually.

Dinner at Luna

2011-08-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Me, Julie, Cammie and Doug at Luna

Julie is on the mainland, and she came up for a quick visit. We had dinner with Cammie and Doug at Luna. Last weekend I also went for a good hike with Rylie and a couple of my pals, and then out for Vietnamese food and some dancing. Rylie did really well on the steep hills, but I sure was huffing and puffing. I hadn't been hiking for awhile.

The first week on my new job is going well, except for the part where I have to get up at O dark 30. Rylie and I just aren't used to getting up when it's still dark outside. When I wake him up to go for a quick morning walk, he looks at me like, "What the hey?" The good news is that once I get my company laptop and VPN access set up, I should be able to work at home on Mondays and Fridays.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff has clearly lost her mind. She is getting up in the middle of the night, leaves me all day, and now we have our long walk in the evening. I am not happy with the new schedule.

The End of an Era

2011-07-26T19:54:00.001-07:00

It looks like I won't be going to Washington this summer after all. I received a really good offer to do a long term instructional design project in the Bay Area, so I won't be traveling for awhile. I've been wanting to stop chasing my tail around for awhile, so I'm pretty happy about this turn of events.

This could be the end of an era. To be honest, after five years -- four more than I had initially planned on doing -- I'm getting a little tired of living in this tin can and the uncertainty of my income. I'm ready for a home base again. I know that travel will always be a big part of my life, but I would like to start doing more international travel. There are so many great places to see! I will continue the blog, for awhile anyway, unless I get too boring because I've run out of things to write about.

I have really appreciated all of you, my readers and friends, for accompanying me and Rylie on our journey. I get a kick out of seeing the locations of my readers around the country -- and world -- on Sitemeter. Traveling in this motorhome with my beloved furry sidekick has been a life-changing experience for me, and I have gained so much. I highly recommend this experience, at least for awhile. Don't be surprised if I write a book about it.

Rylie's Notes:

Uh oh. I don't like the sound of this. The Staff is going to be at work all day. This is going to put a serious crimp in my treat schedule.

Duluth Childhood Memories

2011-07-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

I got a bit nostalgic during my recent trip to Duluth. My parents are preparing to sell the home they have lived in since 1967, and where I spent my childhood, so old memories kept popping up. My parents live on the outskirts of Duluth, up over the hill, as they say. They have 1.5 acres, but much of it is woods, so the woods were my playground.

Cheerful daisies and buttercups are everywhere:

and plenty of maple, birch, and pine trees. I used to play quite a bit on the big rock in the back yard, and apparently there is something special about it, because the geology students at UMD like to come out and look at it:

Far back in these woods a rope swing used to hang from a huge tree, so we ignored the ticks and mosquitoes and frequently made the trek. We would hop onto the big knot at the bottom and sail through the air. Across the road was an open field where we used to play baseball with the neighborhood kids. Now it's all overgrown.

One winter the next door neighbors flooded their front yard to make a skating rink. I was in heaven -- I loved to ice skate. Sometimes we got so much snow that we could climb onto their garage roof and jump into the snowbanks. After one blizzard, so much snow had piled up in front of our door that we had to jump out one of the windows to catch the school bus.

This is the spot on the deck where the bird feeder used to hang, which attracted a black bear a couple of years ago. The bear tried, unsuccessfully, to impersonate a bird, so Mom and Dad decided to take down the feeder:

My parents' house is just over the hill in the photo below. I was riding on the back of a friend's bicycle when I fell off, and the pavement scraped a big hole in my knee, plus gave me various other scrapes and bruises. The quarter-sized scar on my knee remains to this day. The lighter strip going across the road is the spot where Rylie and I met the bear on our morning walk during our previous trip:

We were walking in the spot below when the bear came out on the road. Rylie knew it was there and had warned me of its presence by stopping dead in his tracks and refusing to budge. But after waiting a bit and not hearing or seeing anything, we continued up the road. That's the closest I've ever been to a bear, and I still can remember the rush of adrenaline:

There are plenty of ferns and other greenery in the back yard -- it's wild back there!

This is the little house in the big woods where I grew up, although it looks different now, with the addition of the deck. The surprising thing about this deck, is that my Dad built it while legally blind. He compensated for his lack of sight by making measuring blocks out of wood and not using power tools:

I have to admit that it feels strange when I think of my parents selling this house. It has been a part of our family for so long, it almost feels like a member of the family.

Rylie's Notes:

That reminds me, I'm still mad at The Staff for not bringing me with her to Duluth. I like visiting The Grand-Staff. They have lots of rabbits and squirrels for chasing, interesting wildlife smells, and they give me lots of treats. It's a perfect vacation destination.

Duluth Photos

2011-07-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge With Boat Coming Into Harbor

As usual, my visit to Duluth was much too short and this time, bittersweet. I saw family I had not seen in decades, but unfortunately, it was at a funeral. We had to say goodbye to my Aunt Elsie, whom I admired and enjoyed so much. Aunt Elsie was widowed at a young age with 3 boys to raise. She had spunk, determination and humor, and she was a single woman RV traveler long before it was popular. Although she thought she would never remarry, she remarried when she was in her 70's, proving that it's never too late to find love again. I will miss her.

I did very little photographing on this trip, but I have a few photos. The photo below is a view of Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge from Thompson Hill, a couple of miles from where my parents live.

Below is a view of the St. Louis River from the same location:

The next photo is a tour boat coming into the canal and harbor:

The little lighthouse at the canal entrance:

Canal Park is the area on the edge of Lake Superior where many tourists come to stay in hotels on the lake, browse the shops and restaurants, and see the aerial lift bridge. At the foot of the bridge is Grandma's, a former bordello which is now a popular saloon and restaurant. It's a Cheers-type place where I used to meet up with friends:

Duluth has a long history as a big shipping port, so there's a few big anchors laying around:

You can rent one of these contraptions to pedal around Canal Park. What is that, a quadricycle?

This is the edge of Lake Superior looking toward London Road, where a lot of the old, beautiful mansions are, including Glensheen, which you can tour. If you keep driving to the right, you'll drive up the north shore of Lake Superior, and eventually end up in Canada.

More Canal Park photos:

After 8 changes in my flight departure time, including time in the Minneapolis airport, on the runway, and in a holding pattern over San Francisco, I finally made it back to Pleasant Hill. Rylie was very happy to see me when I returned, and couldn't give me enough kisses. He watched me very intently for the next 24 hours, and even skipped his breakfast the next morning. This is highly unusual, so I guess he was a bit discombobulated. He isn't used to being separated from me, but the staff at Romp apparently loved him and took very good care of the little rascal.

Rylie's Notes:

I don't recall approving any vacation request for The Staff. I will have to determine the appropriate repercussions for unscheduled, unapproved leave of absence. I may have to remove the morning snuggle from our schedule to discourage this behavior in the future.

Minnesota

2011-07-10T20:15:00.001-07:00

Still light at 9:00 p.m.? I must be in the Northland, and tonight, another thunder and lightning storm. Had a great visit with my cousin Kelly today, and I'm really enjoying the time with my family. Dad is slowly recovering. I've been working hard at my parents' house trying to get it ready to put on the market.

I have been getting daily photos of Rylie, who apparently has gotten quite attached to one of the workers at the doggy hotel. He thinks he's a lap dog. I have to admit, I miss that little rascal. I'll be seeing him Tuesday night when I return to the Bay Area.

Rylie's Notes:

The Substitute Staff adores me. I humor her by sitting on her lap and giving her kisses. It's a tough job, but I do what I can.

Fireflies and Thunderstorms

2011-07-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Minnesota yesterday evening and was treated to some of my favorite Minnesota things (besides my family), fireflies and a thunderstorm. I love watching those tiny green lanterns blinking around, and thunder and lightning is always a good show. The weather is gorgeous, and because of the wet spring they've had here, everything is very green and lush.

I hear that Rylie had a little trouble adjusting to sleeping at Romp, the dog boarding place. He was trying to go with me when I dropped him off, so I supposed he wasn't happy about me leaving him there. He seems to be adjusting a little better today.

Rylie's Notes:

(stony silence)

My Complaining Car

2011-06-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

My car has not been liking the heat around here. It almost overheated one day while I was working in triple digit heat, then the air conditioning went on the fritz. It also was running rough and kept wanting to sputter and die, so I brought it in to the car doctor. I've been driving more than 100 miles a day, so I don't blame it for wanting a little TLC. It seems to be feeling better now, but my wallet has an echo.

I've been seeing a lot of peacocks wandering around the orchards in this area. They are a little camera shy, but I managed to snap a quick one before this guy disappeared into the orange grove:

I'll be hitting the road soon for the Bay Area and a quick visit with Cammie before heading to Minnesota. Rylie will be staying at the doggy hotel while I'm gone. This is not a common occurrence for him, so let's hope he isn't too stressed and behaves himself.

Here are my recommendations if you ever visit Visalia. For fun live music, Crawdaddy's and The Cellar Door, or the free concerts downtown on the first Friday of the summer months. For breakfast, Main Street Cafe. For lunch or dinner, Fugazzi's, but there are a number of other good restaurants. For cupcakes, The Frosted Muffin. If you want to hike, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are not too far away.

Rylie's Notes:

Everywhere I go, there are cats. Cats on leashes, cats on fences, cats just lying around in the grass, and The Staff NEVER lets me chase them. Doesn't she know that's what cats are for? She is a real party pooper.

The Cows Are Upset

2011-06-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

I have been working in an area with a lot of orchards and dairy farms. I was at a dairy farm when I saw someone dragging a dead cow behind a tractor, apparently removing it from the cow enclosure. As he drove around the fence the cows were running along the fence after their fallen friend. They seemed upset. Who says animals don't have feelings?

I had to take Rylie to the vet. He was sick again, even though I had not given him any more of the new dog food. Maybe his system wasn't back to normal when I gave him the beef birthday cake. My bad! Poor guy. The vet gave him a shot, some pills, and a special dog food. He seems to be fine now.

It's hot! Triple digits this week. I'm working a little less on my Air Photo work, which is outside work, and more on my curriculum development project, which is inside work. I'm finishing up in this area and will be going back to the Bay Area soon. I'll spend a few days there before I fly to Minnesota to visit my parents. After that I head up to Washington for the summer. It should be much cooler up there.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff is on probation. There have been some pretty serious infractions. First she brought me to the vet, my least favorite place. Then she cut out ALL of the treats. It was strictly dog food, and let me tell you, it's a pretty bland dog food. I was just about to terminate her when she started reintroducing treats into my diet. She is not in the clear yet, though. I still have not had any bully sticks or chicken strips.

Happy Birthday to Rylie!

2011-06-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

My furry sidekick is 10 years old! We celebrated with a birthday song and a birthday cake: a hamburger patty. He ate it with gusto. That's nothing special - he always eats everything with gusto. I was planning to take him to the park, but it is too hot. It's about 100 degrees today. Instead he gets to lounge around in air conditioned comfort, thinking about that birthday cake.

I couldn't ask for a better companion. He wakes me up in the morning with kisses and a wagging tail, cheers me up when I'm feeling sad, and makes me smile and laugh out loud with some of his antics. He is always willing to keep me company during my morning exercise, although lately he has been insisting on some breaks if it's hot. Every now and then he finds a nice patch of damp grass in the shade, and he throws himself to the ground. It's his way of announcing, "Time for a break!" I sure love that little guy.

Rylie's Notes:

That hamburger patty was pretty tasty. I wonder if there's more where that came from?

On the Mend

2011-06-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

My Dad is feeling better each day, especially now that he is home from the hospital and can finally get some sleep. I remember what that's like from my hospital stays. They don't let you sleep for more than a few hours without some poking and prodding. It's a wonder anyone can get better in the hospital. We were all relieved to learn that his lymph nodes are cancer-free. Hooray! He did pick up the MRSA virus while in the hospital, so that is a concern, but we're hoping they caught it early enough that he will mend without any problems. Those hospitals are just one big Petri dish.

Rylie is feeling better too. It took a few days, but he is finally back to normal after the healthy dog food debacle. He is back to his old tricks, throwing my socks off the bed, then stealing them and hiding under the table, wagging his tail at me. That little rascal.

Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers. It worked! Keep 'em coming.

Rylie's Notes:

That food was nasty. It had FISH in it. That's not dog food, that's CAT food.

Let's Get Something Good Going

2011-06-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Lately it seems as though many of my close family and friends are suffering with serious health issues. I am going back to Minnesota in a few weeks to spend some time with my parents. For those of you that pray, I would appreciate your good health prayers for my parents. For those of you that don't pray, I would appreciate your positive thoughts for their good health. Let's get something good going here.

Even Rylie has been sick lately, and he has always been so healthy. He has been wanting to eat grass all of the time, which I'm told is an indication of an upset stomach. I thought I would try a different dog food, so I bought Solid Gold, which is a holistic, gluten-free food without preservatives. Boy did that backfire. I even introduced it gradually by mixing it with his other food, but apparently it did not agree with him. Poor guy. He still isn't back to normal.

By the way, someone has a big birthday coming up next week. Ten years old! Since we don't know exactly when he was born, we celebrate his birthday on June 15th. Get ready for a birthday bash, Mr. Rylie!

Rylie's Notes:

I'll tell you what I want for my birthday: beef!

Sequoia National Park

2011-05-31T22:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I had a little look-see at Sequoia National Park. There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground and it rained while I was there, so it wasn't a good day for hiking. However, I did get to see the General Sherman tree, the largest tree in the world, by volume. It measures 275 feet high, and 52, 513 cubic feet. It is thought to be 2,300 to 2,700 years old. How would you like to climb that tree?

Yucca in Bloom

Visitor Center

Rylie's Notes:

Now that's the kind of tree I'd like to give the one leg salute.

Death Valley, Part 2

2011-05-24T09:43:00.001-07:00

The Beauty of Death Valley

I love the texture and color in the mountains of Death Valley. If I were a good photographer like a lot of you folks out there, I would Photoshop or touch up my photos before I post them so they would really stand out, but I'm afraid I'm a lazy photographer, so you'll just have to view them in their original state. It's all that I can do to get them uploaded from the camera and resized for posting on the blog. I don't have time for all of that prettying up.

While I was in Death Valley, I visited the Borax Museum and home of the famous 20 Mule Train. I couldn't help thinking about how horrible it must have been for both the men and the animals to work in that shadeless summer furnace.

I've been trying to gradually increase the running that Rylie and I do in the morning, since we have both gained a few lbs. since we haven't been running as much in the past year. However, rewarding him with treats might be counter-productive. Ya think?

Borax Works

Borax Museum photos below:

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff's training is coming along nicely. I now have her giving me treats when I run with her in the morning. She already gives me a treat when she leaves for work. Next I will train her to treat me for napping.

Flat Tire...and Crawdaddy's

2011-05-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Normally I work on weekends when I'm doing Air Photo work. It's usually the best time to catch people at home. But today I drove over to I-5 to meet up with Cammie and Doug for lunch at Harris Ranch. They were driving back to the East Bay from LA, so we met up for a tasty lunch in the Horseshoe Bar. I was planning to head to work after meeting up with them, but got a flat tire, so I decided to have some fun instead.

My friend Charlee and I went to see Water for Elephants, which I enjoyed -- except for the fake animal cruelty parts -- and then we went to Crawdaddy's in downtown Visalia. I saw this place the other day and it reminded me of New Orleans, so I knew I had to go check it out. I love New Orleans. We had a bite to eat and listened to the band, Keith and the Crawdads. We had such a good time. The band is really good, but casual, and they allow the locals to join in and perform, singing, guitar playing -- whatever. I loved it. I'll definitely be going back there.

I'll deal with the flat tire tomorrow.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff brought home a doggy bag from her lunch with The Junior Staff. I have her trained now. Yummy. Come to think of it, I didn't see any doggy bag coming back from Crawdaddy's. I guess I don't have her trained as well as I thought.

Death Valley, Part 1

2011-05-10T21:19:00.001-07:00

Next stop, Death Valley. I visited Death Valley in March, after I left Las Vegas. But first, a couple of straggler photos from Hawaii and Las Vegas. I met this handsome guy sunbathing on a black sand beach on our way back from the Hilo side of the island:

While I was in Las Vegas we went to the Golden Nugget, and saw THE gold nugget. Wouldn't you have loved to be the people who found this? You can see its size in relation to the chandelier in the background.

Now, on to Death Valley. There weren't many wildflowers this year, but I did see a few. The photos below were taken in Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet below sea level.

If you double click on the photo below and look just left of center of the photo, you will see a tiny white sign high above Badwater Basin. It says "sea level". The next photo is a closer view.

More Death Valley photos to follow.

Rylie's Notes:

I found a tortoise in my yard once. Every time I tried to herd it, the darn thing just withdrew into its den and sat there. Carrying your den on your back is cheating.

Critter Update

2011-05-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

I called the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital to check up on the 'possum babies I rescued a couple of weeks ago. All three are doing fine and living with foster families until they are old enough to be released back into the wild. That made me happy.

As for the black widow spider, she disappeared before I could deal with her. There was probably too much activity going on in my recycle bin. I wonder where she is?

For the past week, I have been awakened every morning around 6:00 a.m. with the sound of birds crashing into my window and pecking. This continues throughout the day. It upset Rylie, who growled, whined and barked the first few days, but I guess he has resigned himself to his fate now. The guy with the red beret in the photo below and his twin have been hanging out in the tree next to my window, trying to beat up their reflections:

There are tons of orange groves and orchards in this area. Below is one of the orange groves with the snow-covered Sierras in the background:

I passed the below orange grove the other day, and wondered about all of the fruit carpeting the ground. What a waste. Especially when you consider all of the water these trees require, and water is a precious commodity around here.

My final update is about ants. In my bedroom. I made the mistake of putting something under my motorhome, not realizing that it was touching the bottom of the motorhome. Those little stinkers made their way inside the motorhome and came out one of the drawers in my bedroom.

When I hooked up my portable propane tank after arriving here, it didn't work at first. I had to let it sit overnight, and then it magically starting working again without me doing anything. Weird.

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. You know what that means: margaritas! Visalia is actually better than I was expecting.

Rylie's Notes:

If The Staff would open the widow and take off the screen, I could probably catch one of those annoying birds the next time it hangs by one leg to peck at the window. I told you she wouldn't do anything about that spider. At least she disposed of the ants. They taste funny.

Black Widow Spider and More Hawaii Photos

2011-04-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is the first time that I have stayed at a place that gave me my own trash can. Half of the can is for trash, and the other half is for recyclables. Pretty cool. Except for the large black widow spider hanging out in the recyclables side. I know it's a black widow because I saw the red hourglass. I thought that after the trash was picked up it would be gone, dumped into the garbage truck, but it's still there. Did I mention that it's very large? I don't like spiders. I don't want to kill it, but I don't really want it hanging around near my motorhome, either. What to do? Spider spray? Is there such a thing that will actually work? I will have to investigate.

More Hawaii photos below.

Turtles

Tiki Torch Lighter

South Point

Old Boat Hoist at South Point

View from South Point

Where They Used to Tie Up the Canoes at South Point - the current is very strong here

Another View from South Point

Hawaiian Graffiti -- It's written with coral rocks

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff is a big chicken when it comes to spiders, especially big black widows. Should we take bets on how long she is going to avoid it before she does something about it?

'Possum Rescue

2011-04-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Rylie and I set out for our usual morning walk. We were about a half a block away on a very busy street when we came across what looked like a dead baby opossum on the sidewalk. We walked a little bit further and came across another baby opossum, but this one was very much alive. It hissed at Rylie when he stuck his nose near it, which really started him.

I looked around, but there was no mom in sight. I knew they wouldn't survive in that busy spot, so we ran back to the motorhome and got a box. I put the active one into the box, then gave the dead-looking one a tiny nudge and it moved -- it was still alive. So I put that one in the box too. We walked a little further, and Rylie found another baby hiding in the leaves. Into the box it went.

I brought them to the Lindsay Museum wildlife hospital, where they take in injured and orphaned wildlife. You may recall my post last year when I did a squirrel rescue. Unfortunately, that squirrel had been run over by a car and didn't make it. The opossums looked like they might make it. The volunteers at Lindsay Museum Hospital take care of the babies until they are large and healthy enough to be released back into the wild. It's a great organization.

I learned that female opossums have two uteruses and can have about 20 babies. When they get a little older, they hang on to the mother and hitch a ride. Unfortunately, they sometimes fall off, and Mom doesn't know it, so babies commonly get left behind.

On Saturday I had a great day with my gal pals, Mari and Cheryl. We went to the Earth Day celebration at the John Muir House in Martinez, then did a hike nearby. The hills are still very lush and green, with dainty little wildflowers. I didn't have my camera with me, so you'll have to use your imagination.

From there we went to Crockett and The Dead Fish, where we had a tasty late lunch overlooking the bay. There might have been wine involved. It's really a nice spot for lunch or dinner and they have a large outdoor patio with great bay views. Afterward we walked across the Carquinez Bridge and back. Views from the bridge below:

Cheryl, Mari and Me

Cheryl and Mari

Today I arrived in Visalia, CA for more Air Photo work. I guess the party is over.

Rylie's Notes:

If it weren't for my superior nose, The Staff never would have found that third opossum. She really needs a lot of help when it comes to her olfactory sense. Humans have a poor excuse for a nose.

Place of Refuge

2011-04-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

The Great Wall

While in Hawaii I visited the Place of Refuge, also known as Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, which is a national park on the Big Island. In ancient Hawaiian times, people could be executed for violating an enormous system of laws. One law stated that the lower classes could not look at or walk on the same trails as the upper classes. Another said they could not walk in the shadow of the king. Violating this complicated legal system resulted in execution by club, strangulation, fire, or spear. However, if the lawbreaker was able to escape his pursuers and make it to the Place of Refuge, he could perform certain rituals as dictated by the priest, and then all would be forgiven and he could return home.

I had a very interesting experience while visiting this Place of Refuge. I'm not sure if it was spiritual or emotional, but it definitely affected me. Since Julie's back was bothering her that day, I visited this place by myself, and it was almost entirely deserted when I arrived. As soon as I entered the grounds I felt feelings of peace and comfort overtake me. It sounds strange, but I felt like this place was familiar, like home, even though I had never been here before. As I strolled the grounds I smelled the sweetest fragrance, although I could not see flowers or anything blooming. I was so overcome with emotion that I actually had tears in my eyes, although I could not tell you why. If you go to the Big Island, I highly recommend a visit.

The photo above is of the Great Wall, which was built in the 1500s. It was made without chiseled stones and without mortar. I took a lot of photos here, as you will see below.

A Game

Rylie's Notes:

Dogs know all about places of refuge. They are called dens.

Big Island Restaurants - Brown's Beach House and Canoe House

2011-04-08T15:29:00.001-07:00

The Hawaii photos are still trickling in. The photo below was taken at a fantastic restaurant called Brown's Beach House, which is located in the Fairmont Orchid Hotel in Kamuela on the Big Island. Every dish was excellent, and you couldn't ask for a better atmosphere. We were right next to the beach with tiki torches and live Hawaiian music. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset as we sat down to dinner.

The photo below was also taken at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel, before going to dinner:

We had another excellent dinner at the Canoe House, which you can see below. The live music playing that night was really great, and so was the food.

Rylie's Notes:

What?! Excellent food and no doggy bags? What a scrooge.

Las Vegas, Pneumonia and Family

2011-04-01T20:48:00.001-07:00

Wondering where I've been? For the past two weeks I've been in Las Vegas visiting my parents, who were visiting from Minnesota. Cammie, Doug, and my nephew, Nate, showed up for a weekend and surprised my parents. They really got a kick out of that. Mom and Dad flew back today.

The Family at The Peppermill, left to right, Mom, Dad, Nate, Doug, Cammie and Me

Unfortunately, I missed seeing them for a few days because I developed walking pneumonia and had to wait until the antibiotics kicked in. Since I never get sick, I was not happy this had to happen while they were here. I got an extra bonus of spending some time with my friend Charlee. The weather was lousy the first few days I was here, but it has really turned beautiful -- and even hot -- lately.

My freelance writing business has been taking off lately, so that has been keeping me pretty busy too. I will be headed to Pahrump after Las Vegas to attend a rally that my client wants me to attend, then I will return to the Bay Area to celebrate Cammie's birthday.

Today I had some service and repairs done on the motorhome. The guys at Desert Mobile RV Repair do an excellent job and they are so nice. I highly recommend them.

I know, I know, I owe you all a bunch of Hawaii photos. Here's a few from the deep sea fishing trip I told you about earlier.

Captain Rob and First Mate Teddy welcoming us aboard the Integrity, the "little boat" owned by the founder of Cirque de Soleil, Guy Laliberte. He also owns a $30 million sailboat. His father, Gaston, invited us along, and we had a really fun day. Fishing is not normally my thing -- I feel sorry for the fish -- but I have to admit those yellow fin tuna made a tasty dinner.

Left to right, Don, Julie, Bob, Me, Rob and Gaston

Teddy giving me lessons on how to reel in the big one. That turned out to be unnecessary, although Bob reeled in a 580-pound marlin two weeks earlier in this same chair.

Rylie's Notes:

How nice to get a visit from The Grand Staff. I'm her favorite grandpuppy, you know. (She still calls me her grandpuppy.)

Hawaii Dolphin Photos

2011-03-15T14:26:00.001-07:00

In a previous post I told you about the spinner dolphins that we saw right outside of the harbor when we went out on the fishing boat. Unfortunately, my camera has a delay, so I couldn't seem to catch them when they were leaping out of the water, except for the last photo. You'll have to double click on the photos to enlarge them and see them a bit better.

One pod of dolphins

Mother and Baby on the upper left

Jumping for Joy

Rylie's Notes:

While The Staff was off having fun in Hawaii, I was experiencing the culinary delights of Chef Doug. That's right, I'm talking table scraps. Tri tip, for starters. The Staff never cooks tri tip. What's wrong with her?

The Beach

2011-03-10T21:50:00.000-08:00

Whether you want to splash in warm, turquoise-tinted water next to a burly sea turtle, ride the waves on a boogie board, or squish your toes in the warm sand, Hapuna Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is where you feel like you are really on vacation. I especially enjoyed swimming with the turtle.

Picnic Area

I had such a wonderful time in Hawaii, and I have many photos to share. The Big Island is so diverse and interesting. Did you know that it has 10 of the 15 types of climatic zones in the world? Did you also know that Hawaii's tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, is actually taller than Mt. Everest? It's just that its base is 17,000 feet below sea level, so it doesn't seem like it. We could see snow on Mauna Kea from Julie and Bob's house, where we sipped mai tais while wearing shorts.

Julie and Bob have a fabulous ocean view from their place, and we could see whales breaching and spouting from their dining room. We saw many whales while I was there. More on the whale watching later. It will take me awhile to get all of my photos posted. You'll just have to be patient.

Rylie's Notes:

I can't believe The Staff went to the beach without me. She knows how I like to dig in the sand. Doghouse.

Hawaii!

2011-02-26T15:00:00.000-08:00

I am one lucky bugger. This week I am in paradise on the Big Island of Hawaii. Julie and Bob have a really nice place overlooking the ocean in Waimea, also known as Kamuela. The whales come in really close to shore along the road we drive to and from town, so we have seen quite a few so far. Tomorrow we go on a whale watching boat, so hopefully we will get up close and personal with some of them.

The day after I got here, we went deep sea fishing on a boat owned by the founder of Cirque de Soleil, Guy Laliberte. Guy is not in Hawaii right now, but his father, Gaston, took us out on the boat. He is friends with Bob and his real estate business partner, and a very nice man. We also got to see Guy's house -- or one of them -- since Gaston and his wife are staying there for the winter. It was fun seeing how a billionaire lives, and wow, what a gorgeous place. He bought it for $35 million a few years ago. Too bad I couldn't take photos. I also got to meet Guy's brother, Jean, who lives here in Hawaii fulltime.

Anyway, back to the fishing. On our way out of the harbor we saw a large pod, or maybe a couple of pods of spinner dolphins. That was fun watching them leaping and spinning, and we saw mothers with babies too. Julie, Bob and I all caught some tiny yellow fin tuna, so we had yummy fresh fish for dinner the next day. Bob had caught a 558 pound marlin on that boat two weeks ago, but this time we only had a bite from a 120 pounder, before it got away. We had a fun day and the water was as smooth as a skating rink. I'll have to post the photos later.

Last night we had a really excellent dinner at Brown's Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid hotel. What a beautiful place! We sat outside amongst the tiki torches for a dinner that lasted several hours, and every course was a mouth-watering delight.

Rylie had a little trouble the first night at Cammie and Doug's place. I think he must have awakened confused about where he was. He was sad the first day and didn't eat his dinner. which is highly unusual for him. But after that he seemed to adjust just fine. I miss that little pork chop, and our morning snuggle.

Rylie's Notes:

Hey, I kind of like it at The Junior Staff's place. They have lots of room, they give me treats, and I get to hang out with a guy for a change. Best of all, I get some table scraps, and this guy can cook!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

The canine patient seems to be feeling fine and is back to his usual tricks, trying to chase squirrels and alerting me when cats get too close to the motorhome. He has very strong feelings about keeping the perimeter of the motorhome a No Cats zone. There's a bunch of them wandering around here.

Our long spell of Spring-like weather finally broke with some rain showers today, but my spirits cannot be dampened -- I'm going to Hawaii! I'm very excited. It has been about six years since I've been there. Cammie and her fiance, Doug, will be taking care of His Royal Highness while I am away. Hopefully he will behave himself.

Get a load of this tricked out Eldorado that I saw at the Lone Pine Film History Museum on Highway 395 when I was there last September:

Does anyone remember which movie this car was in? I have forgotten.

Rylie's Notes:

Short walk today because of the rain. I found an abandoned pizza box ripe for investigation, but of course The Staff pulled me away. She obviously doesn't recognize a real treasure, even when it's right in front of her nose.

The Canine Patient

2011-02-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

After I pulled into the parking lot at the vet's office on the morning of Rylie's dental surgery, I opened the passenger door, and he hopped out of the front seat. He looked at where we were, then hopped right back into the car and got into the back seat. I managed to get him out of the car, but he kept trying to go in the opposite direction. Poor little guy was trembling with fear when we got inside.

They wanted to keep him all day so they could give him another pain shot before he went home and make sure he was okay, so I didn't pick him up until after 5:00. It's the first time in our nearly 10 years together that he has not been happy to see me. Not only that, but he kept his back to me the entire ride home. He has never done that. I was definitely in the dog house.

He had a rough time that night and the next day, with lots of whining and pacing, which is not like him. The vet's office advised me to increase the frequency of his pain meds, which I did. He seemed to be feeling much better on the weekend. I'm still giving him soft food and treats, so we're taking it easy. The vet said the remaining tooth was cracked and tough to get out, but it's good that they did so that he wouldn't get an infection. I told him it was for his own good.

Rylie's Notes:

That was a nasty trick, but I made The Staff suffer for it. I gave her the cold shoulder all the way home, and no morning snuggle for two days. That'll teach her to bring me to the vet.

Broken Tooth

2011-02-01T21:48:00.001-08:00

Mt. Whitney

Remember all of those photos from my travels along the Eastern Sierras last fall that I keep promising to get posted? Well, here's a few more.

Mono Lake

June Lake

There is a loop around June Lake, as well as some other little lakes, that you can take from Highway 395 that is around 12-15 miles. It's very pretty and there are some quaint towns -- I recommend it. Maybe not this time of year, unless you like snow.

When I was vacuuming last week I discovered that Rylie broke a tooth. A big molar. No more Nylabones for him. I brought him in to the vet, and the rest of it needs to be extracted this week because the pulp is exposed. They will need to put him under anesthesia, and will clean his teeth while they are at it. We also started him on an anti-inflammatory for the limp he has been experiencing off and on since last summer, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin tablets. Does that stuff really work? I hope he is feeling better soon. Poor guy can't always make it when he jumps up to his favorite spots on the bed or the back of the couch.

In other news, I'm going to Hawaii! My sister Julie has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for two years now, and I can't believe I haven't been over there to visit yet. That's waaaay overdue! I'm very excited.

Rylie's Notes:

Wait a minute. This just sounds like bad news and more bad news. If The Staff thinks I'm going back to vet, she's crazy. I will make my escape while she is sleeping, or maybe when she's in the shower. I can live with a broken tooth.

Aflockalypse Update

2011-01-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

The mass bird deaths continue, and are apparently not limited to our country. Sweden had a similar situation in early January. Yankton, South Dakota is the latest place to experience a large number of sudden bird deaths, but it turns out our government is to blame. They poisoned them. Cammie sent me the link below, which has an article about it:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41178569/ns/us_news-environment/

I came across the National Geographic article below saying all of these mass bird deaths are perfectly normal and happen all of the time. Have you ever heard of it happening before? I haven't. It seems to me that when large quantities of wildlife die suddenly, it's usually the result of something humans did.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110106-birds-falling-from-sky-bird-deaths-arkansas-science/

I'll keep my ears and eyes open for any more mass bird deaths.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff is in the dog house, or perhaps cat box is more appropriate. She comes home from the neighbor's house smelling of tuna and cat litter. When is Kit's staff coming back???

Blog Change to Comments

2011-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

Just recently I discovered that only readers with Google email accounts could post comments to my blog, but that I could change this setting. So I did. Now all of you non-Google readers can post your comments, so feel free!

The sun is out this week, and I am loving it. After many days of foggy, misty, gray, it is finally sunny and warm.

Below is a photo of the Eastern Sierras I took last fall when I was driving along Highway 395 from Nevada to Southern California. I need to get my photos organized so that I can get them posted here. More to come.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff has been consorting with the enemy. This week she is taking care of Kit, the neighbor's cat. This could be grounds for termination.

Aflockalypse

2011-01-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

More dead birds, this time in Sonoma County, California. They are saying that more than 100 birds flew into a truck. Apparently there were a bunch of dead birds in Louisiana on January 3rd, too. They are saying the thousands that died on New Year's Eve in Arkansas were scared by fireworks, and flew into houses and buildings. Wouldn't that happen every New Year's Eve then, and all over the country? I'm just not buying it.

I've been working waaaaaay too much lately, but my project is wrapping up -- I think. There could be some more work popping up before it's laid to rest, but it looks like I have some time off this week. Yippeeeeeee!

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff has been glued to her computer way too much lately. I manage to drag her out a few times a day for walks and a quick squirrel chase here and there, but man -- she has been boring!

Something Fishy

2011-01-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else concerned about the thousands of fish and birds that have been dropping dead lately in our country? The reasons being offered up for these mass deaths sound pretty lame to me. Blunt force trauma to thousands of birds because they suddenly all flew into a building or crashed into the ground? I don't think so. I would like to know what is REALLY going on, wouldn't you?

I got my propane line modified this week so that I can hook up an external propane tank. They don't fill motorhome propane tanks here, so I would have had to bring the motorhome out to fetch it otherwise. So far, everything seems to be working pretty well. Francisco did a good job.

Work has been keeping me pretty busy, but this project could wrap up in another week or two. Then what??? Stay tuned...

Rylie's Notes:

Someone has a big birthday coming up this week, and she appears to be in denial about it.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

Work has been keeping me pretty busy, but I did manage to get out with some friends for a meal and a movie. We saw True Grit, which we all really enjoyed. Tonight I will ring in the new year with some friends. I'm wishing all of you a happy and safe New Year's Eve, and a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2011!

Rylie's Notes:

This place is teeming with cats. They stroll back and forth outside my window, taunting me with their insolent looks. They drink from my water dish, lounge on my doormat, and even climb on The Staff's car. If only I could open the door...That's my New Year's resolution - perfecting my door opening skills.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

I made it to the Bay Area after a half day delay in the LA area for repairs. My wiring connection from the motorhome to the car broke somewhere along the way, so I had to get that fixed. It was pouring rain in LA off and on, so I was glad to get out of there. I had four long driving days, but I made it in time for Christmas and with as little down time from work as possible.

I'm including a link to a Christmas greeting from me and Rylie. I hope it works. I stole this idea from my friend Nancy, who sent one to me. I hope it gives you a smile.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Umjiqqb936zRfwOCZFBm

Remember to be kind to everyone at this busy time of year. Even the rude drivers, frantic shoppers, and especially to the animals. I appreciate all of you, my family, friends, and readers, and I wish you much happiness and all the best for the coming year.

Rylie's Notes:

I think I make a pretty good-looking elf.

Does Texas Cover Half the Country?

2010-12-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

It sure seems that way when you're driving across it. I'm on the move again! I'm on my way back to the Bay Area to spend Christmas with Cammie and friends. If you're wondering why I haven't posted for so long, it's because I got a couple of other jobs. I was working three jobs before I finished up my Air Photo work and left Texas. I got another instructional design contract job writing training materials and recording computer screen videos, plus I got a freelance writing job doing web pages and blog posts for an RV tour company. This will keep me very busy, so you'll have to excuse me if I don't write blog posts very often. I'm excited about my new gigs!

I've had a couple of problems on the trip back. My electric step stopped working, plus the wiring/cable to my tow system broke today, so now the brake/signal lights don't work on the car while I'm towing. I'll have to deal with these problems in the morning.

I'm happy to be returning to the Bay Area. I've missed Cammie and my friends. Also, I was working in the middle of nowhere in Texas. It was 30 miles to the nearest supermarket, movie theater, store, decent restaurant, or entertainment of any kind. But the campground where I was staying was actually quite nice, and I'll write more about that later.

Other news: Cammie got engaged! She and Doug are planning to get married in a couple of years.

That's it for now, I've got more work to do tonight, and I'm hitting the road bright and early.

Rylie's Notes:

I have been spending the past three days in my den, my little space beneath the passenger seat. I only come out when we stop, and we have been driving very long days. To top it off, we have had some mechanical problems along the way. You know how The Staff gets when we have mechanical problems. Not only that, but we hit wind, rain and fog in California. I think I'll just stay in my den....

Bodie

2010-12-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

One of my stops along Highway 395 in California was the ghost town of Bodie, which is a state park. While traveling the road to Bodie, it's easy to understand why this once-thriving metropolis with a population of 10,000 residents, is now a ghost town. That road is terrible! Especially the last few miles. I believe it was the road to Bodie that signed the death warrant for the shock absorbers on my motorhome. ( Of course I know that the roads were different back when Bodie was a thriving mining town, and that they weren't made for motorhomes.)

Bodie claims to be the most well-preserved ghost town in the country. I have included a lot of photos, so you can judge for yourself.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff has been doing her morning run without me. First she takes me for a 30-45 minute walk, then brings me back home and feeds me breakfast. Then she goes back out for her run. She gives some weak excuse about my leg being too sore to run. That's okay, I get my revenge. While she is gone, I get up on the table. heeheehee

Yosemite

2010-11-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

Lembert Dome

Climbers on Lembert Dome

I couldn't travel up Highway 395 this fall without a stop in Yosemite National Park. It had been years since I had been to Yosemite, and I was anxious to get back. Although I didn't have enough time in my schedule to do a proper visit, I did want to at least have a quick, little, look-see.

My pal Lorna was headed that way, so we both managed to snag a campsite in the Tuolumne Meadows campground. It's pretty high elevation there, around 8,000 feet. That meant chilly nights and a lot of huffing and puffing when I went hiking. I did a hike to the top of Lembert Dome, and then took a side trip to Dog Lake on the way back down. You'll have to double click on the photos to see some of the finer details.

Hiker on Lembert Dome

View from Lembert Dome

Dog Lake

Rylie's Notes:

What the _______?! The Staff went to Dog Lake without a dog?

Best Honda Service Ever

2010-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

I'm headed to Texas, to chase better sales. Let's hope I catch some. However, before I left Southern California, I had the oil changed on the car at DCH Honda in Temecula, California. It was the best service experience, EVER. I have gone to Honda dealers for service all over the country, so I have sampled a few. Not only did they give me immediate attention as soon as I walked in the door, but they started driving my car back to the service bay while I was still being checked in. That never happens.

Once I was checked in, the service manager led me back to the waiting area. While I was waiting, I was treated to a free manicure and a free chair massage. Not only that, but someone brought around Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, warm out of the oven. By the time I was done with all of that pampering, my car was ready and I had to go home. I was kind of hoping I could stick around. I bet they would have been serving pot roast for dinner, or maybe lobster. I would definitely go back there again.

One of these days, I'm going to catch up on all of the blog posts about my activities the past couple of months. But not tonight, I'm pooped. It was a long day of driving.

Rylie's Notes:

I can tell we're not in California anymore by all of the stickers I'm getting in my paws when I walk outside. Ouch.

Blood-Sucking Parasite, Continued

2010-10-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

Before I left Carson City, I had to get my front shocks on the motorhome replaced. One was completely broken. I think the road to Bodie signed the death certificate on that one. Another $300 down the drain.

And now I'll start the catch up on my recent activities. After I left Pismo Beach I headed to a Lazy Daze Ladeze (ladies) get-together. This was my first with this group, although I have known and traveled with Lorna and some of the other gals before. We stayed at the BLM Tuttle Creek campground at the foot of Mt. Whitney in Lone Pine, CA, on the eastern side of the Sierras along Highway 395. What a view.

The Rigs

My Campsite

The Ladeze

We learned, we ate, we did some wine tasting, and we took in some of the local sights. More on that later.

Rylie's Notes:

There were lots of dogs at this gathering, but as usual, The Staff wouldn't let me hump any of them. How else am I supposed to let them know who's boss?

For Laila

2010-10-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

Cammie and Laila

When dogs come into our lives, they worm their way into our hearts, they are woven into the fabric of our daily lives, and we are forever changed. For many, dogs become almost like children. I know that for me, just seeing Rylie's wagging tail and freckled face will move me from a sad place to a happy one, and I can't help but smile. When we lose our furry loved ones, it is just as painful as losing a beloved friend or family member.

Laila, also known as The Little Squirt to Rylie, came into my daughter Cammie's life when she was just a little pup. Her beautiful Sheltie coat was complemented by her sweet and loving spirit. Laila struggled with strange health problems that the vets could never diagnose, despite numerous and costly medical tests. Poor Cammie tried everything she could think of - numerous food changes and medications -- but nothing seemed to work. Even though she was only five years old, Laila aged. Her fur became gray, her eyes stopped blinking and she sustained corneal abrasions, she vomited frequently and lost all muscle mass. Despite all of her health problems, Laila never lost her sweet spirit. She always greeted everyone with a wagging tail and kisses, no matter how poorly she was feeling.

Finally, her poor little body couldn't take any more, and Cammie had to say goodbye. For those of you that have lost a pet, you know the toll this takes and how traumatic it can be. Cammie and Laila were both so strong and brave, and this wound will take time to heal, but sweet little Laila will live forever in our hearts. We are better people for having had her in our lives.

We will never know for sure what caused Laila's symptoms, but we wonder if it was the flea treatment she was on since she was a pup. It turns out that many pets are getting sick and even dying from various flea treatments, even when the dosing and application directions are followed to the letter. Dogs younger than three years and less than 20 pounds that are given flea treatments are especially prone to problems. If you give your pet flea treatments, please observe them carefully for any irritation or problems. Also, if you have noticed any problems with your pet after receiving flea treatment, I would be interested in hearing about it. Symptoms can range from hair loss, skin irritations, excitability after receiving treatment, nausea, and neurological problems.

Rylie's Notes:

The Little Squirt was the sweetest little sister a dog could have. I will miss her.

My Blood-Sucking Parasite

2010-10-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about Rylie. I'm referring to my motorhome. I had another electrical problem last week, requiring another visit from the RV doctor. This time it was apparently a loose wire in the automatic transfer switch behind the converter that caused the wire to melt and I lost my electricity -- again. Grrrrrr. I have decided that this is an expensive way to live when you consider all of the repair costs.

At least it stopped raining. It was really cold last week, and very dreary with lots of thunderstorms. Poor Rylie was shaking like a leaf and sticking to my legs like a barnacle. He hates thunder. The temperatures in Carson City went from 95 degrees to 48 degrees in just a few days. It has warmed up a bit since then.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff gets very grumpy when the motorhome requires repairs. She gets all worked up over a little thing like an electrical problem. Now thunderstorms, THAT's something to get worked up about.

More Pismo Beach Photos

2010-10-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm posting some more photos that I took while I was at Pismo Beach. There were some really neat rocks on the beach in a variety of colors, as you'll see below. You'll probably need to double click on the photos to get the full effect.

Tire tracks on Pismo Beach. You can drive on a portion of it.

One day while we were walking on the beach we saw all of these people in the water, and they were not wearing wet suits. That water is cold! These brave souls were there helping disabled people to surf. Everyone cheered when someone successfully surfed a wave. It was a great sight.

There is an old stairway at the end of the beach, with a sign stating that it is dangerous and closed.

You can see why when you get a closer look:

I love the photo below. That's something you don't see very often on the beach.

Rylie's Notes:

Some people might find those beach photos interesting, but I prefer the one below:

Me in my new bed. Ahhhhhh.

Where Have I Been????

2010-09-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

Lots of places!!! That's why it has been so long since I have posted. I had a big batch of fun while on my vacation, but first I'll start with something I did in San Francisco before my vacation started. I did a Go Car Tour with my friend Nancy, and we really had a fun time. Tooling around San Francisco in a three-wheeled vehicle that only goes 35 miles per hour, seeing the sights on a beautiful September day -- how could we not have fun??? The word of the day was Wheeeeee!!

We saw Ghiradelli Square, East Beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Lands End, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, Robin Williams' neighborhood, one of the houses where the Zodiac killer got one of his victims, and even drove down Lombard Street. You get to create your own tour and can go at your own pace while the car gives you driving directions and a bit of history on the sights you see along the way. It's a great way to see the city. I did an article about it (link provided), and you can see some more photos in the article slide show:

http://www.examiner.com/rv-travel-in-national/tour-san-francisco-on-three-wheels-instead-of-six-with-go-car-tours

View of Marin Headlands

The View South

We also had a nice lunch outside afterwards and some Ghiradelli ice cream. What could be more perfect?

Rylie's Notes:

I'll tell you what could be more perfect -- if I had been invited. No need to stick my head out the window in that vehicle -- it's an open vehicle. A perfect ride for a dog. What's this, lunch, ice cream, and no doggy bag? The Staff was being piggy.

Beach Boy

2010-09-14T13:20:00.001-07:00

We made it to the Central Coast, and of course, Rylie insisted on going for a walk on the beach, pronto. He loves the beach. Once his feet hit the sand he kept running, and running, and running. He only stopped running for his second favorite beach activity: digging.

There are always birds to fake charge.

And rocks to explore.

I got my new converter installed the next morning, and all is well now with my power, but not so great with my wallet.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff doesn't know what she is talking about. This is my favorite beach activity:

Marking my territory. I continue my quest for world domination.

Houston, we have a problem

2010-09-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm not very pleased with my motorhome right now. I have been dealing with battery/power issues the past few days. I replaced my two house batteries, because they were not maintaining a charge. $350 later, they still aren't maintaining a charge. It now looks like I might have a converter issue. That's going to cost even more. It will have to wait until I get down to the Central Coast area on Tuesday.

That's the one thing that really stresses me out about this lifestyle -- repair issues. That's because I am not mechanical, and it's very difficult to find reliable RV repair techs that don't leave you with a bigger problem than you started with. At least that's my experience. Also, I always have to do tons of research to figure out what should be done, which brand parts to buy, and check prices, because on more than one occasion I've had people trying to overcharge me. It just happened this week when I got some service done on the motorhome.

Rylie's Notes:

"You want us to pay HOW much for those batteries?"

Bra Party

2010-08-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Get a bunch of women together with some wine and a suitcase full of lingerie, and you never know what might happen. I went to my first bra party recently. If you don't know what a bra party is, it's like a Tupperware party with bras instead of plastic containers. No men allowed. It's a way to get properly fitted for a garment that can be a devil to fit right. It turns out I have been wearing the right size, although technically, I'm kind of in between sizes. Whose idea was it to come up with that sizing criteria anyway? For you men out there, I'm sorry to report that I do not have any photos to share of the event.

Now for my weather report: Summer has finally arrived in the San Francisco East Bay. We have been blessed with really nice daytime temperatures this summer, but way cooler than average. Today brought the first 100+ degree day. The past couple of nights have been really warm and pleasant, instead of cold and windy like we've had all summer.

As I write this there is a wildfire out of control on the back side of Mt. Diablo, but no homes are threatened at this time. Clayton and Blackhawk are close to the fire, so I'm sure those folks are a bit nervous.

Rylie's Notes:

I had a bra party once. The main feature was a sports bra left on the bed by The Staff, which I tried on when she wasn't looking. It didn't seem to fit quite right:

More Social Stuff

2010-08-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I went for a hike with some gal pals (above) in the hills above Martinez. The scenery looks pretty bleak in the photo above, but that was just a short portion of the hike along a ridge, and we did have a nice view of the Benicia Bridge, below.

Another time I had dinner with another friend in Benicia, which is a really quaint little town just over the bridge from Martinez. Their downtown area has some nice restaurants, a nice wine bar, and cute shops in unique buildings with character. Martinez has some quaint buildings and homes too. I'm a sucker for those quaint little downtowns. They don't seem to make many interesting buildings anymore. The newer ones all seem to look the same.

I saw Eat, Pray, Love this week with a couple of friends. It definitely was not as good as the book, which I read twice, but it was okay. It sure made me want to go back to Italy. I wouldn't mind going to Bali either, or India, for that matter. I'm itching for an international trip. Maybe in January.

I have also been to a barbecue with some friends, got a visit from a friend I met in Pahrump, had a massage, and went to see an acupuncturist for the first time in my life. She put me on an elimination diet to see if I am having food allergies. No wheat, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol, and the kicker -- no Diet Coke. Just shoot me now and put me out of my misery. Since those were all of my basic food groups, I'm having a hard time coming up with meal plans. But it will be worth it if I can figure out what has me feeling lousy.

Those of you who have been following me for awhile may remember that I attempted to give up Diet Coke a couple of years ago. I don't drink coffee, so Diet Coke is my coffee, and I am attached to it, like many people are to their coffee. When I tried to give it up two years ago, I failed miserably. I went from two Diet Cokes per day down to one every other day, but couldn't give it up completely. Eventually, I was back up to two per day. This time I'm having a little more success, but still have not given it up completely. I have stumbled a few times, and it has only been ten days. I had a headache every day for a week, but it's better now. However, the cravings have not disappeared. What an addict!

My work project is winding up, and I will be going back to my Air Photo work in September. But first I am going to take a vacation in one of my favorite areas, the Central Coast area of California. My sister Julie and her husband Bob will be visiting from Hawaii, so I'll get to spend some time with them and my friend DeAnn. After that I'll head to the mountains for a get-together with some of the Lazy Daze ladies, or Ladeze, as they are known. After that I'll head back to work. I really don't feel ready to leave this area, but someone has to bring home the bacon for Rylie.

Rylie's Notes:

Bacon? I don't see anyone bringing home bacon for me. I get DIET dog food. If it weren't for the chicken strips and liver treats, I would have to fire The Staff.

Camtasia

2010-08-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Does anyone out there know how to use Camtasia software? I need help with a training video I created in this software. Email me as soon as you can at heidiLyoung@gmail.com if you do. Thanks!

Rylie's Notes:

I already have the solution to The Staff's software problem, but of course, she didn't ask me.

For the Animal Lovers

2010-08-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful story.

http://www.twobitdog.com/DrFox/ShowDrFoxArticle.aspx?ID=1341

Rylie's Notes:

And some people think we are just "dumb animals." Well, someone is dumb, all right, but it isn't the animals.

Slowing Down

2010-08-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest, I'm having a hard time coming up with the time and ideas for blog posts now that I'm doing the working stiff 40 and staying put for awhile. I haven't even been writing as many Examiner articles. I need to have SOME time for fun! I don't think I'll be posting as often, but I'll still post now and then.

Rylie's Notes:

Maybe I should take over. I have plenty of time on my paws.

A Call for Stories

2010-07-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

I love summer. I've been riding my bike, going for hikes and walks, and having dinner with friends. I also got together with some friends for bocce ball. Now that's a sport I can handle. It doesn't require superior strength, skill, or endurance. I have seen a couple of movies, Inception and Salt. Both were good, but I liked Inception better. It's a mind bender.

I took Rylie to a new vet on Friday. For once, he wasn't shaking with fear in the waiting room. He checked out fine, and didn't even need to get his teeth cleaned, which I thought he might. He has lost a couple of pounds, although I don't see how. I've been spoiling him with treats. We do get a little running in, so that must be helping.

I would really like to hear from all of you folks out there that are RV travelers. What has it done for you? What are some of the favorite places that you have seen, or your favorite campgrounds or RV parks? I know the wonderful ways these four years of RV travel have changed my life for the better, but I would like to hear your stories. I might use the information in an article, or even a book, so let me know if you want your name changed to protect the innocent. I will let you know if I decide to use your story. If you would like to share your story, please email me at: heidilyoung@gmail.com. Thanks!

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff clearly does not understand the source of my shaking at the other vet offices. I was shaking with anticipation and excitement, not fear. I am a tough, macho dog and it takes more than a visit to the vet to scare me.

Extension

2010-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'll be hanging around the Bay Area awhile longer. My contract work has been extended through the end of August, and it's possible it could get extended again. I'm very happy about this, since it allows me to stay here near Cammie and my friends, it pays well, and I get to work at home instead of going into an office. Sweet!

Last Saturday I went to Winterhawk Winery to see Loose Blues perform. Loose Blues is a great band and the lead singer is a friend of my friend Nancy, so we went and kicked up our heels. Winterhawk has a great deal on Saturdays during the summer. For $5 you can taste their wines, get a full glass of your choice, free pizza, and great live music. Plus the area is covered, so there is shade. What fun we had!

I also had a bike ride this week, a walk around the reservoir with some friends, and went to see a filmed performance of La Boheme at The Met. Tomorrow night I'm going to another free outdoor concert. I've been having a great time!

Rylie's Notes:

Sweet it is. I know how it makes The Junior Staff's day when she sees me. She can't stop wagging --er, I mean wriggling with joy -- make that smiling with joy. Not only that, but now I have more time to catch one of those squirrels that keep scampering up and down the tree and across our campsite. They sit right outside the screen door, nibbling their nuts. Don't they know that I could crash through that screen door if I wanted to?

America's Birthday

2010-07-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Concert in Pleasant Hill

Well, did you help America celebrate her birthday?

I think I've been celebrating most of the week. I had dinner with Tricia at Pizza Antica in Lafayette, with Brenda at Maria Maria in Walnut Creek, with Nancy at Buckhorn Grill in Walnut Creek, with Cammie and Doug at Texas Roadhouse in Fairfield. I don't think there are any restaurants left that I haven't been to! On America's actual birthday I went to the Alameda County Fair and attended my first horse race. My horse didn't win, but it did show (third place). I was pretty pleased with my picking ability, seeing how it was my first time, and I didn't see any odds or description of the horse before I chose it. I just saw it walking around prior to the race and figured it looked like a good one.

This week I also saw the movie Knight and Day, which was really fun. It's a spoof on the Mission Impossible movies and besides the over-the-top action, it has some good laughs. Oh, and I joined some friends for a walk around the reservoir and breakfast, and Cammie and I played tennis.

There are a lot of free, outdoor concerts going on in the area, and here is a link to my article about it, plus some photos:
http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m7d5-Jumping-on-the-bandwagon--Free-summer-concerts-in-the-San-Francisco-Bay-Area

Outdoor Concert Gang

More Outdoor Concert Gang

Rylie's Notes:

The worst day of the year -- that's how I feel about Independence Day. Firecrackers and fireworks blasting away for days. What does a dog have to do to get a little peace and quiet?

I babysat The Little Squirt (also known as Barfie McBarfer) while The Staff and The Junior Staff went to the fair. I'm happy to report that once again, there was no barfing on my watch.

Wine Walk, Hiking, and More

2010-06-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Whoooeeee, it was a busy week and lots of fun. I went with some friends to the Walnut Creek Wine Walk, which is an annual event and a great idea. Many of the shops and restaurants in Walnut Creek host wineries who provide tasting and very yummy appetizers. People wander the streets for blocks with their wine glasses in hand, popping in and out for a taste of this and a sample of that.

I also went on a hike with Nancy in the Shell Ridge Open Space, and we saw quite a bit of wildlife. Not only did we see a large rattlesnake in the middle of the trail, but we also saw a deer, and rabbits and ground squirrels were everywhere. I'm including the link to the article and photos:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d29-Rattlesnakes-and-wine--Two-very-different-walks-in-Walnut-Creek

I also went out to dinner with Nancy, saw the movie Please Give, and had dinner with Cammie and Doug. Cammie and I also watched Avatar. Oh, and I had a bike ride too. I don't know how I found time to work a 40 hour week, but I did. I'm having a really wonderful summer.

This week I hope to find out if I will be done with my contract work after July, or whether they will be extending me. I would be perfectly happy continuing to work from California, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Rylie's Notes:

Meet my nemesis:

The River

2010-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun on the river! We had a choice of going down the Cache Canyon River in either a two-person raft or an inflatable kayak, and everyone in my group chose the kayak. What a blast! There is only one Class III rapid in the one day trip, and both Simone and I managed to stay in the kayak, although I did have one close call. Other members of my group were not so lucky. Veronica got dumped into the river twice, and lost her sunglasses. Victoria went in once. There were a lot of people that ended up in the river that day. We got stuck on some rocks for a bit and I thought we might never get off, but eventually we managed to work our way free.

I couldn't photograph while I was on the river because I didn't want my camera to get wet, but I did buy the photos that the rafting company took. You can check them out in the article I wrote about it:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d20-This-river-isnt-wild-just-a-little-bit-naughty

The river was moving pretty fast, because of all of the rain this year. It was only an eight mile trip, but we did stop for lunch along the way. We had a choice of bringing our own lunch or buying a barbecue lunch from the rafting company. I brought my own, and was amazed that it stayed dry with all of the water that we took on. Luckily the kayaks are self-bailing.

Rylie's Notes:

For once, I was glad I was not invited. No way would I get into one of those flimsy things and head into the rapids. The Staff has a strange idea of fun.

Rafting

2010-06-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm excited -- I'm going rafting tomorrow! I've been wanting to go for awhile but just couldn't seem to make it happen. I forgot how many fun things there are to do around this area. There is no shortage of activities to choose from, that's for sure.

I haven't posted the links for my last few Examiner articles, so here they are:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d16-Part-2-California-Food-Wine-and-Beer-Festivals-in-July

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d12-California-Food-and-Wine-Festivals-Scheduled-in-June

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d7-Get-ready-for-glamping--glamorous-camping-at-Santa-Barbaras-El-Capitan-Canyon-Resort

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d4-No-designated-driver-needed--wine-tasting-and-overnight-RV-parking-with-Tres-Hermanas-RV-wine-club

Rylie's Notes:

I guess I will have to give The Staff a positive review. Yesterday we got a package from Dog.com that included liver treats, bully sticks, and chicken chips. My only complaint is that she didn't let me sample them all to make sure they were acceptable. Well, I guess I do have one other complaint: This morning on our daily trot she didn't let me chase the squirrel that darted right across our path, or the cat that was hanging out next to the trail. I could have had them both, they were so close! What's wrong with her? Doesn't she have any natural instincts?

More Hiking and Fun With Friends

2010-06-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

I had a fun weekend! I met some friends for happy hour Friday night, then met up with my friend Nancy to hear all about her recent vacation. Saturday I met another friend for a trip to the farmers market and some conversation, then Cammie and I got pedicures together. I also had dinner and caught up with another friend I haven't seen for a long time.

Not only that, but I had a great hike on Mt. Diablo with Nancy. It's a nice hike with a good mixture of shade and sunshine, we crossed the creek several times, and the wildflowers were plentiful and colorful. The buckeye was blooming too. I saw a really unusual flower that I've never seen before. It almost looks like it was hand-painted with a design. Does anyone know what it is? I need to work on my flower photography, and I don't know my wildflowers, but you can see some of the photos below.

Rylie's Notes:

I had a good weekend too. The Junior Staff came over to see me, and The Staff let me eat some grass. Usually she is in such a hurry on our walks that I can only chomp on a few blades, but she let me do more grazing than usual. Moooooo.

Yoga, Massage, Hiking, and More

2010-06-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

My neck has been fussing and whining a bit lately, so I took it in for a nice, relaxing massage this week. The massage therapist did her best to work out the gremlin on my neck, but it will probably need more work. It was heavenly, and sooo relaxing. I always have a hard time coming back to the real world after a massage. It's almost like waking up from a too long nap. I feel a bit groggy and fuzzy.I also took a yoga class this week, and it felt really good to have a thorough stretch. It has been close to a year since I was in a yoga class, so it was long overdue. Time flies when you're having fun! There are so many fun and relaxing ways to fill up your spare time -- the choices are endless! If only I didn't have to work for a living...

I had a nice hike on the upper rim trail at the Lafayette Reservoir with some friends. There are two hikes at the Lafayette Reservoir. One is the lower trail, which circles the lake with small, abbreviated hills, and is close to three miles in length. I have done the lower trail many times. The upper rim trail is more challenging. It's about five miles, but there are some steep hills to maneuver, and you really need proper hiking shoes for this one. The nice thing about hiking at the reservoir is that it is so close to downtown Lafayette, but it's a convenient place to get some exercise and feel like you are out in nature. We saw a gaggle of wild turkeys while we were hiking, including babies.

Beau, Karen, Barbara and Me at the Lafayette Reservoir

Lafayette Reservoir

Lafayette Reservoir Dam

Ron, Karen and Beau

Rylie's Notes:

What?! There was a canine on this hike and I wasn't invited? The Staff has some 'splaining to do. I like chasing turkeys!

Avila Beach Blues Festival

2010-06-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

DeAnn, Me and Cammie at Winery

What a great weekend! Cammie and I took the motorhome down to the Pismo Beach area to visit my friend DeAnn. Dee just bought a house down in the area, so we parked out front and had a really fun time. We had a fire in her new fire pit with some friends, went wine tasting, attended an outdoor concert near Santa Barbara, and then went to the Avila Beach Blues Festival. I have attended this festival a number of times before. When my sister Julie lived in Cambria, we used to go to this annual event, and often met up with DeAnn at the concert. The weather was absolutely gorgeous over the weekend, although it did get a bit hot sitting outside in the sun all day. That's where the margaritas came in handy!

DeAnn, Me and Cammie at the Blues Festival

I wrote an article about the Blues Festival with a few more photos:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Dumpstaphunk-Tower-of-Power-and-Jonny-Lang-groovin-at-the-beach

Rylie's Notes:

While The Staff and The Junior Staff were off partying with their friends, I was in the motorhome babysitting The Little Squirt. She hasn't been feeling well lately, but there was no puking on my watch. She's on a special chicken and rice diet lately, and what did I get? Dry cereal. I don't care if it is called chicken and rice formula, it's still dry cereal. Hmmph.

Best Pizza Ever

2010-05-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Cammie, Doug and I went out for pizza at Zachary's in San Ramon, and boy was it good! It's my all time favorite pizza now. We had the deep dish stuffed pizza, but they also have a thin crust for you wimpy types. Their sauce is so tasty, but be warned: This pizza really packs a wallop. One slice will probably do for most people.

I recently got new tires for the motorhome, so my wallet is feeling considerably lighter now. I'm really hoping that does it for repairs and maintenance for awhile, although I see that my end caps are cracking. Sigh. I've had quite a run on repairs and maintenance lately.

The weather in the East Bay has been terrible! Well, relatively speaking. I know I'm spoiled. It has been cold, rainy, and the temperatures are about 15 degrees below normal. In fact, I just heard on the news that this is the coldest May in history. That seems to be the trend, wherever I go. Even Florida was cold, for Florida. That's okay, it could be much, much worse. I'm just happy that Rylie and I have still been able to get our exercise on the trail in the mornings. The rain has kindly avoided our morning outing time. It's supposed to warm up a bit this weekend.

I've been having such a good time with Cammie and friends. More fun coming up this weekend!

Here is the link to my latest article, if you care to read it:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d26-Pizza-and-a-place-to-stay-in-the-San-Francisco-East-Bay

Rylie's Notes:

It's kind of nice having The Staff working at home, although she spends way too much time on that computer. I was thinking that since she is here all day, I could be fed more than two meals per day. I keep trying to convince her that this is a good idea, but so far she just isn't getting it. What's the point of having all of that food around, if you're just going to store it in a cupboard? I say, put it to good use, and I would be happy to help with that.

Squirrel Rescue

2010-05-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Rylie and I were returning from our morning walk recently, when we came upon a squirrel lying flat as a pancake in the driveway of the RV park. It had not been there when we left for our walk 45 minutes earlier, and I assumed it had been killed by a car moving too fast. Rylie's eyes lit up when he saw it and he pulled at the leash, no doubt excited at the prospect of finally catching one of those elusive little buggers. I held fast to the leash and as we drew near, the squirrel startled me by opening its eyes.

The poor thing was paralyzed from the waist down, so I moved him off the road and beneath a bush while I tried to find someone who could help him. A nearby veterinarian hospital told me to contact the Lindsay Wildlife Museum Hospital in Walnut Creek, so I put the squirrel in a container and hurried over there. Even though there was a steady stream of injured birds and animals being brought in, the able volunteers took the squirrel to the back immediately to assess the damage. I was given some information, a free pass to the museum, and a reference number so that I could call and check on the status of the squirrel. Well, of course I did. Unfortunately, little Pancake didn't make it. I was told that he died shortly after I dropped him off. I suspected that they put him out of his misery, because he was in pain and was probably too injured to be saved. It was sad, but at least he didn't suffer very long. The neat thing is, the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital treats about 5,000 animals per year. What a great organization! We need more of those around the country.

If you like, you can read my Examiner article about it:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d20-Squirrel-rescue--Lindsay-Wildlife-Museum-Hospital

Besides attempting to rescue squirrels, I have been working hard, enjoying time with Cammie and her boyfriend Doug, and getting together with friends. Busy, busy, busy!

Rylie's Notes:

I almost had it! Finally, a squirrel within reach, can't move, and The Staff won't even let me claim my victory. I think this is grounds for dismissal.

Links

2010-05-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Apparently, my article links didn't work in the last post. (Thanks for letting me know, Cammie.) I'm going to try it again.

www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d10-The-biggest-thrills-best-view-AND-a-free-ride-at-The-Stratosphere-Las-Vegas

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d4-Red-Rock-Canyon-A-natural-alternative-to-Las-Vegas-glitz-and-glitter

If they don't work this time, I guess you'll just have to go to Examiner.com and search on my name to find the articles.

Stay tuned for my next post about the squirrel rescue.

Las Vegas and The Mother Ship

2010-05-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Before I left Las Vegas, Amy and I went out to celebrate her birthday a little early. We had dinner at Maggione's (yum!) and then went to the top of The Stratosphere for a drink in the lounge while the sun set. What a spectacular view! We even got to see people jumping off the tower for that SkyJump experience they have. In fact, when we were done with our glass of wine we went to where they were prepping a couple of people to jump. One guy was pretty nervous, even though he had been skydiving a bunch of times and done a few bungee jumps. But he was brave and took the plunge. This is a controlled free fall 108 floors with a zip line of sorts attached.

Here is the link to my recent Examiner.com article about it:

www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d10-The-biggest-thrills-best-view-AND-a-free-ride-at-The-Stratosphere-Las-Vegas

Here's a tip: If you have a drink in the bar, you don't have to pay the $16 to ride up the elevator in the tower to see the attractions and the view.

When I left Las Vegas, I stopped in Montclair, CA to visit the Lazy Daze mother ship to have some repairs done. I was supposed to get tires for the motorhome the day before I left Vegas, but they didn't get them in. I guess I'll be getting them in the Bay Area instead.

I was soooooo happy to see Cammie, and so was Rylie! We had dinner with her boyfriend Doug on Friday night, and then Doug cooked dinner for us on Saturday night. I had a great Mother's Day too. Cammie had to work, so I spent time with my friend Nancy -- I was soooo happy to see her too! Then Cammie and I had dinner and spent time together after she got done with work. It was a very fun weekend, and it's good to be back in the Bay Area among family and friends.

I'm providing the link to my article about Red Rock Canyon, because there just isn't enough time to repeat photos and everything:

www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d4-Red-Rock-Canyon-A-natural-alternative-to-Las-Vegas-glitz-and-glitter

Rylie's Notes:

Yeah, The Junior Staff was pretty happy to see me. She really misses me when it has been so long since we've seen each other. She brought The Little Squirt over with her, and she was REALLY happy to see me. The other thing about being back here: There's a major squirrel tree right outside the window. It's better than HBO.

Maintenance and Red Rock Canyon

2010-05-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Wild Burros in Red Rock Canyon

Yesterday I had a couple of RV techs here to do some maintenance on my appliances and fix a couple of things. These guys are good, and for once, I was pleased with the work I received from an RV tech. All of my previous experiences with RV techs have resulted in something being screwed up, but so far, everything seems okay. The guy who owns this business is master certified, and he seems knowledgeable, conscientious, and nice. How refreshing! If you need someone to fix or maintain something in Las Vegas, call Mark Price at Desert Mobile RV Repair (www.desertmobileRVrepair.com).

Tomorrow I have someone coming to flush out my black water tank. Hopefully my sensors will work properly after that. It looks like I will need to get new tires for the motorhome too. Even though they aren't even four years old yet and the tread is okay, they have cracks. That's going to cost a pretty penny. Between the car and the motorhome, I sure have been spending a lot on repairs and maintenance lately. I'm going to be stopping at the Lazy Daze factory this week on my way to the Bay Area to have some more work done. I need to have my electrical system checked and a couple of things replaced. Hopefully that will do it for repairs and maintenance for awhile.

I'm so excited to get back to the Bay Area and see Cammie! And my friends too!

Today I went to Red Rock Canyon and had a nice drive and a little hike. Rylie seemed pretty happy to get out of the motorhome and hop around on the rocks, but we didn't hike for long because he seemed tired. We saw some wild burros there which made me happy -- I was really hoping to see some -- but Rylie seemed unimpressed.

Rylie's Notes:

It seems to make The Staff happy when I get her out for a hike or to see some scenery. I could have hiked much longer, but she was lagging today. She lets me hang my head out the window when we're driving slow. That always gives me a good olfactory rush.

Just a Quickie

2010-04-29T21:23:00.001-07:00

Wow, was it ever windy yesterday! I had lawn chairs, dog dishes and door mats flying all over the place, and the motorhome was rockin' and rollin'. I think I heard the winds got to around 60 miles per hour somewhere around here. Talk about a bad hair day. Good thing I didn't wear a skirt to work.

This is a just a quick post to provide links to the last two Examiner articles I published, in case you missed them:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Dog-shot-after-attacking-and-killing-smaller-dog-in-campground

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Las-Vegas-luxury-and-convenience--RV-travelers-can-have-it-too

Work has been keeping me very busy, but tomorrow is my last day working in the office for awhile. I'll be telecommuting for a bit. Yippee!

Rylie's Notes:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Las Vegas

2010-04-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Boy, the time sure flies when you're a working stiff. I can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by. Before you know it, I'll be leaving for the Bay Area. Amy and I have been having some fun on the weekends, seeing the Vegas sights. Last weekend we had dinner at The Peppermill, which has been around for ages. Be warned, the portions are enormous! After dinner we went to the Fireside Lounge, which is part of the same establishment, and wow, what a romantic place. We didn't realize until the cocktail waitress told us, but we were sitting at the table that Sharon Stone and Robert De Niro sat at in the movie Casino.

From there we drove to Fremont Street for some vintage Vegas. I saw the Fremont Street Experience for the first time, and it's really something! They have free music on several stages, and that night Lady Antebellum was performing, because they were in town for the Country Music Awards. Unfortunately, there were about 20,000 people there, and we couldn't even get close to the stage. Luckily, they have this enormous, canopy screen that stretches the length of five football fields, and we could watch the band on the screen. You really should see that if you go to Vegas. I'm including the link to the article I wrote about it on Examiner.com, in case you want to see some photos:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d22-Sitting-at-Sharon-Stones-table-and-the-Fremont-Street-Experience--Las-Vegas

We also have spent a little time at the Sterling Club, a private club for people living in the condo development where Amy is staying. It's quite the posh place, and they also have bands playing quite often.

Amy at the Sterling Club

I'll update you on the happenings this weekend in my next post.

Rylie's Notes:

Well time isn't flying by for me. I wait all day in this rat trap for The Staff to come home, and then what does she do as soon as she gets me walked and fed? She gets on the computer, instead of paying attention to me. I tell ya, I get no respect.

I did see something interesting today, however. The Staff and I were out for our usual morning walk when we passed a Class A motorhome towing a large trailer. Next to it, we saw a huge, potbelly pig. The pig's staff was giving it some water and letting it walk around the campsite before getting it back up the ramp and into the trailer. I hope they don't keep that poor pig in that trailer very long. I imagine it gets hot in there. Anyway, that's something you don't normally see in an RV park.

My Examiner.com Page

2010-04-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention in my blog post yesterday that my Examiner.com column has moved from the Ft. Myers edition to the coveted National edition. I won't be on the front page all of the time like I was in the Ft. Myers edition and it's a bit harder to find my articles, so I'm providing the link to my new page:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner

If you don't have the link, you can just go to Examiner.com, click on the Select City button at the top, and then click on the link on the right for the U.S. National edition. Or you can search on my name in the search box.

I'm also posting the link to the article I published yesterday:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d18-Below-the-rim--Grand-Canyon-National-Park

Please feel free to pass on this info to anyone that you think might be interested.

Rylie's Notes:

I'm thinking of starting my own column. I could write a series of articles on training as a Staff Training Examiner.

My New Schedule

2010-04-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

Now that I have started my new job, I'm adjusting to a new schedule.

5:45 - 6:00 a.m. - The alarm goes off (yuck!), and I try to come to terms with the fact that I have to get up. Rylie comes up for his morning cuddle

6:00 - 6:15 - I get out of bed, brush my teeth, get dressed and get Rylie leashed up

6:15 - 7:00 - We walk, Rylie tries to mark as much territory as he can, and I try to get him to run as much as possible, so that I can get my heart rate up for heart health, physical fitness, and general well-being. This is a challenge, since he lags sometimes.

7:00 - 7:45 - I feed Rylie breakfast, then take a shower and get ready for work. Sometimes I check my email, and I have one eye on the Today show while I'm getting ready

7:45 - 4:30 - Give Rylie a treat, drive to work, and spend the rest of the day trying to figure out how to create training materials for a case management system that hasn't been fully developed yet. But hey, that's why they pay me the big bucks.

4:30 - 4:45 - drive home

4:45 - 5:10 - greet Rylie,and he is so happy to see me that he runs to get one of his toys from the toy basket, jumps on the bed, and chews on his toy while I pet him, scratch his ears, and ask him how his day was. I leash him up, and go for a walk

5:10 - whenever - get Rylie's dinner and mine, check email, write articles, do chores, and relax. When Rylie starts complaining, talk to him, pet him, and brush him. Go back to email, articles and chores.

10:00 - my bedtime. Rylie has been sleeping for hours

It's tough getting used to a regular work schedule and working in an office again. I've been spoiled for almost four years now. But I'm really happy to have this job. The people that I work with are really nice, it's an interesting project, plus I have the added bonus of working with Amy. Soon I will be working from home, so that will make the schedule easier. The best part is, I get weekends off! It has been a long time since I could take a weekend off without feeling guilty that I was missing out on my best sales days. I'm loving it!

Rylie's Notes:

My new schedule:

5:45 - 6:00 - Try to wake up The Staff so that I can have my walk. If I don't give her a morning cuddle, she won't get out of bed.

6:00 - 6:15 - Hurry The Staff so that she will get dressed and get out the door

6:15 - 7:00 - Do my part to water all vertical objects in my territory. Try to get The Staff to run as much as possible so that we can return home and I can have breakfast. This is a challenge, since she lags sometimes.

7:00 - 7:45 - Remind The Staff loudly that it is time for breakfast. If she gets caught on the computer, remind her that it is time for her to get ready and go to work, so that I can have my treat. Wait impatiently for my treat.

7:45 - 4:45 - The Staff gives me a treat, which I eat on the bed while she leaves. The rest of my day is spent perfecting my napping technique in various locations: The Staff's bed, on the floor next to The Staff's bed, my bed, under the table, and on the couch. I intersperse this napping refinement with my lookout duties. I watch for squirrels, cats, birds, and dogs walking by with their staff. This is done from several locations: The Staff's bed, the back of the couch, and my bed in the front seat.

5:00 - 5:10 - I greet The Staff warmly with much tail wagging and kisses. I grab one of my toys and chew on it to show her how hungry I am. I suffer through her chatter until I can get her out the door for a short walk, then back home quickly for my dinner.

5:10 - whenever - I eat my dinner, and watch The Staff prepare hers, hoping for spills and drops. If she stays on the computer too long, I remind her to get off. The best part is, Friday night. Friday is bully stick day!

My work is done, and I go to bed.

My Road Trip, Continued

2010-04-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

The next stop of my cross-country road trip was New Orleans. I stayed at the Jude Travel park where I stayed with some of my fellow Baja Babes back in October. This was not a sight-seeing visit and I won't go into great detail about New Orleans, since I posted about that wonderful city back in October. Suffice it to say that I am enamored with the food, music, architecture, art, and people of this city. This was just a quick stop, because I was on a mission. I wanted to tour plantation country in Southern Louisiana, so I was headed to the River Road area.

It was a short trip -- only 50-some miles -- to the campground where I was staying. It was actually located on a plantation on River Road in the town of Convent, called Poche Plantation. I thought this was a great place to stay if you are visiting the plantations, since there are many close by. It also has a lot of stately shade trees and a pretty swimming pool too.

I toured Houmas House and Laura Plantation, two very different kinds of plantations. The Laura Plantation is definitely the more interesting tour, with a lot of facts and history about the family and the times. Laura is a Creole plantation, and very different from the posh elegance of Houmas House. There are a couple of restaurants at Houmas, so you can dine overlooking the gorgeous gardens there.

Again, I have written Examiner articles about all of this with slide shows, so I'm posting the links in case you missed them and want to see the photos.

www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d6-Mint-juleps-under-the-oak-trees-at-Houmas-House-plantation

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d9-Louisiana-Plantations--Part-2

I thought it interesting that the Houmas House tour did not mention anything about slavery, nor did they have any slave quarters on the grounds. The Laura Plantation tour did not sweep the issue under the rug, but takes an honest look at the horrors of slavery and even how some family members viewed it. There are many other plantations in that area and I would have liked to tour more of them, but I felt like these two tours gave me a pretty good sampling, and I drove by others.

It was interesting to learn how they built their homes and even planted trees to take advantage of the breezes off the Mississippi River. Now you can't even see the river because of the levee that was built in the 1920's. It's probably just as well. The plantation owners might be horrified if they saw the river today. It is jam-packed with ugly factories.

Rylie's Notes:

So what do I do while The Staff is traipsing around the countryside touring plantations? I sit on the back of the couch, looking out the window. The squirrels and the birds tease me by parading back and forth outside my window, chuckling because they know I can do nothing. Cute little shitzus, Westies, and terriers stroll by, but I am unable to greet them. The only good thing about The Staff leaving is that I get a treat. For that reason, I try to hurry her out the door as quickly as possible. If she is lagging on getting into the shower, I remind her to get going. It usually works.

St. Augustine and Lake Seminole

2010-04-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, so St. Augustine was a little out of the way, but I couldn't go as far east as I did in Florida and not see the Atlantic Ocean. Plus I wanted to see St. Augustine, since it's the oldest city in the country. It reminded me of a European city with all of its history, and the narrow, cobblestone streets. I loved this little town! They have a neat pedestrian mall, and there are some beautiful historic buildings. I wrote a two-part article about St. Augustine for Examiner.com and included slide shows at the bottom of both articles, so I'm not going to re-post the photos here. I'll provide the links to the articles, in case you would like to see them:

www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m3d30-Almost-older-than-dirt--St-Augustine-Florida

www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m3d31-Almost-older-than-dirt-St-Augustine--Part-2

They have a state park called Anastasia State Park and I would have loved to camp there, but the campground was full. It's tough to get into the Florida state park campgrounds, because they take reservations eleven months in advance and are very popular, especially because the private campgrounds can be so expensive. I called several private campgrounds in St. Augustine, but they wanted $50-$70 per night. I did find one for $30 per night, so I stayed there, and I thought it was pretty nice. It's called Indian Forest Campground, and it's only about four miles or so from the Old Town area. It's also in a wooded area with a lot of large shade trees. By the way, Flagler College is a gorgeous campus, and they do tours of some of the rooms. It used to be a hotel. Of course I had to climb to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse, which is also on Anastasia Island, right next to the state park. If you're in the area, I recommend stopping in St. Augustine. There is plenty to see and photograph.

The second night of my cross-country journey I stayed on Lake Seminole, just north of Chattahoochee, Florida, but actually in the state of Georgia. I tried to get into Three Rivers State Park in Sneads, because they told me that morning there were several first come, first served campsites available, but they were full by the time I got there. They told me about the Corps of Engineers campground back up the road a few miles, and I was able to get a site there. It actually was a nicer campground, in my opinion, and still only $20 per night. I had a nice view of the lake from my campsite. I did an article on that too, so if you want to see the few photos that I took, check out the slide show at the end of the article:

www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d3-Road-trip-stop-at-Lake-Seminole

I saw a bald eagle sailing overhead when Rylie and I were having our morning trot at this campground. Apparently, there were also bald eagles in the Punta Gorda/Cape Coral area where I was staying and working, but the only one I saw was lying dead next to the road. I'm not counting the pair that were residents at the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, where they try to rehabilitate wildlife and release it, unless the animals are too injured. I did see a lot of osprey and many other large birds while I was working and sight-seeing, including spoonbills, great blue herons, sandhill cranes and egrets. Southern Florida is great territory for bird-lovers.

Rylie's Notes:

The Staff sure has been pounding the highway lately. While she is driving, I spend the time in my little den beneath the passenger seat. She put down one of those little furry blankets to make it all comfy for me. Of course, I can create my own furry blanket in a matter of days with the hair that I shed. Every time she stops, I come out to see if we have arrived at our destination for the day. If we have, I wait impatiently while she hooks everything up, and then I start whining to get outside and collect some new smells. It's a lot of work marking territory all across the country, but I'm up for the task.

Road Trip

2010-03-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am parked in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. I have begun my cross-country road trip -- destination, Las Vegas. I have only a week or so to travel the approximately 2,500 miles, but I still plan to do a little sightseeing along the way. More on that later.

I was sad to leave Southern Florida, and the friends that I made there. I really enjoyed spending the winter in such a nice place. I was camped in Punta Gorda, but spent most of my work and social time in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

I did an article for Examiner.com on Punta Gorda, and am providing the link to the article in case you want to learn more about it: Punta Gorda.

I stayed at the Sun N Shade RV Resort mentioned in the article. Florida can be a pretty expensive place to stay in the winter, but this park was a little less expensive than most of the other RV parks. Still more than I'm used to paying, but now the cheaper rates have kicked in. It's located south of town on the way to Fort Myers, and what I really liked about it were the trails going through the woods and along the canals. Rylie and I had some nice morning trots along the trails, when they weren't flooded from the rains. The park was nothing fancy, but it had a pool, clubhouse, and a lot of activities. The campsites were not especially spacious, but most of the time I was there I didn't have next-door neighbors.

I had a last get-together with my Florida group of friends. There were about 28 of us that gathered at Sundown Tiki for dinner and dancing, and it was a lot of fun. I was so busy having fun that I forgot to take photos, so you'll just have to take my word for it. I'm finding that the goodbyes are becoming increasingly more difficult. I really liked Southern Florida.

FYI, there are some incredible deals on houses down there. I was amazed at how many homes are for sale at considerably less than $100,000, and some of them are nice! There are also a lot of homes for sale on the canals with gulf access. If I had a more predictable source of income, I would probably invest in a home down there. It's a great place to winter.

Rylie's Notes:

It was sad for me too, saying goodbye to Barnie, the squirrels, and the pair of sandhill cranes. I never did manage to get that cat to budge. I hate leaving unfinished work.

My New Wardrobe

2010-03-23T16:20:00.001-07:00

I have been busy finishing my Air Photo work and making my preparations to hit the road for my cross-country journey. This involves some repairs and service on the car and motorhome. I have also had to completely replace my technology wardrobe. I now have a new laptop, printer, and Blackberry. Yes, that's right, I am joining the ranks of the Crackberries. Now I can view my emails right there on my cell phone. I can see how this can be addicting.

I hated to give up my old LG phone, and probably would have kept it longer, had I not dropped it and broken it so that it was hanging together by a mere thread. But it still worked! I just had to hold it together while I placed or received phone calls. I held on to it so long because everyone (Verizon employees included) kept telling me that they just don't make phones that good any more, and they are right. I have proven that you just can't kill that phone.

After a few days with the new Blackberry I had to bring it back and get another, because my contacts mysteriously disappeared and refused to be reloaded. Although I like the features and ease of use of my Blackberry Curve2, the jury is still out on whether it will be reliable. I have decided that you can't buy anything technology-related in one visit any more. Everything requires at least one more visit to the store to fix problems or replace the original purchase. You just can't get good products and service any more.

The same goes for my repairs on the car and motorhome. I had the water pump on the motorhome replaced last week because it just stopped working. I haven't even had this pump for three years. The first water pump started leaking while I was in Baja after only six months, but it was replaced under warranty. The RV tech who replaced the pump last week, tried to put in the wrong pump, even after I made it extremely clear which pump I wanted. He had the wrong pump almost installed before I caught him and pointed out that it was the wrong pump. Now it's leaking, so I am dragging him back here tomorrow. Where is a Canadian when you need one? (Lorna will understand this. We frequently had Canadians helping us out with problems when we were in Baja.)

I had another situation when I got two new tires for my car. The tire shop told me one of the other tires was low, but apparently did not check to see why. I found out the next day there was a screw in it. I have completely lost faith in mankind. By mankind I mean the men who do service and repairs. It seems I have to babysit everything they do, otherwise they screw something up, try to fool me, or just plain do poor work. Men! Yes, I'm irritated. I hire the professionals because I am not mechanically inclined, but the problem is, the professionals are not very professional. There seems to be no pride in workmanship. Okay, enough of my griping. Now for some fun.

The other night I went out for Thai food with a group of friends at Chaang Thai in Port Charlotte. The food was tasty and we had a good time. Below are a couple of photos of the dinner gang. I am on the right toward the back in the first photo. I took the second photo from the other end of the table, but of course, at least one person has to shut their eyes in a group photo.

I will be leaving Florida toward the end of the week to head West. I am sad to say goodbye to my new friends here, but excited about my new work opportunity. I know I'll be having fun with Amy in Las Vegas, and then I'll probably head to California to park and work for the summer.

I also met up with one of my Air Photo co-workers this week. I have met two AP co-workers here in Florida, and we've had a good time swapping stories.

Wildlife of the week: wild pigs. I often see young pigs along the road when I am driving home from work. They're cute!

Rylie's Notes:

Pigs are not cute. I've looked in a mirror. I know what cute is.

Subscribing to My Examiner.com Articles

2010-03-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me how to subscribe to my articles on Examiner.com, so I am posting the instructions again, in case anyone needs them. Go to my page at http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner and click on the Subscribe button toward the top of the page. This will prompt you to put in your email address, which will send you an email notification when I publish a new article. There is no charge to subscribe.

Here is a link to my latest article:

www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m3d14-Road-Trip--Arches-National-Park-Utah

Thanks to all of my subscribers and readers for your support!

Rylie's Notes:

It's still flooded here, which means I am not getting my usual amount of exercise. Someone is going to be sorry.

Another New Endeavor

2010-03-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

The wind is blowing in a new direction again. I have accepted a four month contract position working with my sister Amy on a project she has been working in Las Vegas. I will be doing instructional design/training work, and will be taking a break from my Air Photo work. I hope to continue my RV travel writing for Examiner.com. Although most of my work will be telecommuting, I will need to be in Las Vegas for the first few weeks and last couple of weeks of the project. That means I will be leaving Florida in a couple of weeks. I am excited about this opportunity, and to spend time with Amy. This will also put me closer to Cammie, so I will be seeing her soon.

I'm so glad that I got a new laptop -- it's a whole new, wonderful world! I knew my old one had gotten slow, but this one is soooooo much faster. I am in the process of migrating to my new email, but I guess that will take awhile.

We got a bunch of rain on Friday -- four inches -- and it's all flooded everywhere. Rylie and I have not been able to do our usual trot on the trails around here because of all of the water, and they have had to pump the water out of the park and into the canal.

I have so much to do before I leave Florida, and I was really hoping to do some more exploring before I left the state, but that doesn't look likely now. I have enjoyed being in Florida for the winter, even though I'm told this is the coldest winter they have had in 30-40 years.

Rylie's Notes:

I'm getting the itch to hit the road.

Computer Attack

2010-03-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

While I was out shopping for a new laptop computer yesterday, my old laptop was apparently sending out an email to everyone in my contacts with a link to a Canadian website. If you are in my contacts and you received this email, do not click on the link. Apparently, I have been attacked by the computer monsters, despite my anti-virus software.

I will be sending out a new email address soon, to those of you in my contacts. I hope this doesn't cause anyone else problems.

Rylie's Notes:

What can I say? I was bored.

Olympic Games

2010-03-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

Rylie's Notes:

Day 78 of my Olympic games. The cat is fearless. He refuses to run when I charge him, instead assuming the bobsled position under the car. Surely if I tackle him, I will be disqualified. It is a test of wills to see who can hold their composure the longest.

The squirrels continue to taunt me with their half pipe routines on the palm trees, and their high jump maneuvers to the neighboring trees. They laugh hysterically at me and sometimes pelt me with their nuts. The judges ignore their breach of the rules. All that I need is a few minutes off the leash to be victorious.

The sandhill cranes continue with their "own the podium" strategy, but I am much better suited to the cross country course. However, what they lack in speed, they make up in attitude. And then there is the matter of those wings -- they do gain an advantage when they put those into play. It will take courage and endurance to get the gold with those yakkers on stilts in the game.

Now I would like to discuss the unsportsmanlike conduct of the bull terrier puppy, Laila. She broke free from her staff and tackled me in the middle of my downhill run. I was trapped by The Staff on leash as she tried to capture the overly enthusiastic pup. My composure and concentration were completely shattered. This young athlete should be disqualified. I would even recommend drug testing. She is WAY too energetic and strong.

A Night at the Ballet

2010-03-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to the ballet at the Philharmonic in Naples. The Moscow Ballet was performing Coppelia, and it was wonderful! The Philharmonic is a neat theater, and the dancing, and the costumes, well, they were superb. It has been years since I've been to the ballet, and I had forgotten how romantic it is. That was such a treat.

When Cammie was younger, we used to see The Nutcracker in San Francisco, and I used to enjoy going to the ballet when I lived in Duluth, but most of my theater experiences in recent years consisted of musicals and plays. I need to get back to the ballet more often.

Now for my weather report. Rainy and cool, although it's supposed to warm up this weekend. I could use another day at the beach.

Rylie made a new friend this week. He likes Barney.

Rylie's Notes:

Yeah, Barney is all right, but he's still young and thinks he's going to get me to play. Hahahahahaha!

Hunting for Shark Teeth

2010-02-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

I recently spent a lovely day at the beach on Manasota Key, hunting for shark's teeth and watching the cranes fishing from shore. I'm providing the link to my Examiner.com article, which includes a slide show at the bottom.

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m2d24-Sharks-in-Florida-waters-leave-evidence-behind

Rylie's Notes:

There are some cranes that like to hang out in the RV park, but as usual, The Staff never lets me chase them. I'd like to see how she would like it if I put her on the leash and dangled a piece of chocolate in front of her nose.

Another Local

2010-02-18T20:59:00.001-08:00

I've been so busy lately, I haven't had time to do a blog post, but I thought I would give you another photo of a local:

This guy had his eye on my lunch when I was on the Caloosahatchee pier in Cape Coral the other day.

Rylie's Notes:

I have two new pals, Bougeaux and Noireau, both from Quebec. They are French, but of course dogs can communicate in any language.

The Locals

2010-02-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

I have been meeting some of the locals while I've been here in Southern Florida, and I must say they are quite an interesting bunch. The fellow below was strolling across the road while I was working the other day on Pine Island, so I stopped to say hello:

His shell was about ten inches long and apparently weighed quite a bit, because it took him awhile to haul it across the road. There are quite a few of these guys in the pond where I'm staying, but they are a bit shy.

I was also in the tiny town of Matlacha, and I met the couple below:

They were kind of quiet, but nice.

I think Matlacha is such a cute little town, so I'm including the link to the Examiner article that I wrote about it. Be sure to check out the photos I included in the slide show, they are bound to lift your spirits just looking at them:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m2d9-Spend-a-sunny-afternoon-in-delightful-Matlacha

Working and writing articles has been keeping me pretty busy, but I have still been finding some time for fun. I met up with some friends for a game afternoon on Sunday. No, we didn't even watch the Superbowl, although it was on the big screen. We played Scrabble and Yahtzee at a restaurant called Porto Bellos at the Burnt Store Marina. It was a fun afternoon. I thought everyone in the restaurant was cheering because I won at Yahtzee, but it turns out they were watching the game.

Rylie's Notes:

I just watched the game for the commercials.

Flat Tire

2010-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I had the best flat tire experience I have ever had. I was on my way home from work when I suddenly felt the bump and wobble of a flat tire. I was able to pull over into the driveway of a recycling center, which was closed, so I was well off the high speed road.

Since I am one of those wimpy women that doesn't change flat tires, I called my emergency road service, and they told me someone would be there within the hour. I use my trunk as a storage unit, so I had to haul out a trunk full of heavy boxes in order to get to the fakey spare. It was starting to rain by this time, so I got that done in double time and then waited in the car for the tow truck to come and change it.

While I was waiting, I caught up on some of my phone calling, but I kept noticing emergency vehicles going back and forth. Apparently there was an accident not far away. I received a call from the tow truck driver telling me that he was about 15 minutes away. Not long after that a fire truck full of hunky firefighters pulled up next to me and asked if they could help. I told them a tow truck was on the way, but they were eager to change my flat tire. Apparently, they were bored. I had not gotten the jack out of the trunk when I dug out the spare, because I figured the tow truck driver would have one, so they proceeded to unload the boxes from the trunk once again, while I watched appreciatively. Just then, the tow truck driver arrived (darn it!). I thanked the firefighters for their kindness and sent them on their way.

The tow truck driver was extremely courteous, offered me a bottle of water while I waited, and when he was finished putting on the spare, he packed up my damaged tire in a large, plastic bag and placed it in my car.

The next day I brought the tire in to be repaired. It had a huge, weird nail in it with a bar at the head end that had gone into the tire first, then the sharp end bent around and went into the tire as well, so it required a huge patch. It still only cost $10 at WalMart to fix it. All in all, a very pleasant flat tire experience.

Rylie's Notes:

What's so great about firemen? So they have muscles and can change a flat, big deal.

Sanibel Island

2010-01-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

Me and Dad on Sanibel Beach

While my parents were visiting, we took a little drive to Sanibel Island. Sanibel has beautiful beaches, cute little restaurants, and a wildlife drive where you can see tons of birds. We saw spoonbills, anhingas, white Ibis, great egrets, cormorants and even an osprey. There were some others that I couldn't identify.

Spoonbills

Birds on Wildlife Drive

Rylie's Notes:

As you can see from the photo below, the Grand Staff is pretty fond of me. They didn't seem to figure out where the treat cupboard was, though. They usually like to give me treats when we visit. They did manage to slip me some leftovers, so I guess I'll forgive them.

The Grand Staff and Their Favorite Dog

Ahhhhh

2010-01-21T17:36:00.001-08:00

The weather has been gorgeous in Southwest Florida this week, with highs at or near 80 degrees. My parents are visiting from Minnesota, so they are in heaven. We're having a really nice time. We went to Sanibel Island and Captiva, and we all enjoyed that. No time for posting photos right now, so you'll have to wait.

In case you didn't see my latest article on Examiner.com, here is the link:

http://www.examiner.com/x-35849-Ft-Myers-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m1d20-New-Orleans-A-fascinating-temptress-for-RV-travelers

Rylie's Notes:

The year is off to a great start. So far I've had visits from The Junior Staff, and now the Grand-Staff. It's just too bad that The Staff tries to hog all of their attention. Doesn't she know that they came to see ME?