We spent two weeks at Cattail Cove State Park and loved it. The park is on the lake; the spots are spacious and shaded. The bathrooms are clean, and the RV park cared for every day. It’s a short walk to the beach, and it has a boat launch for those who need it. A small gift shop and store are on-site; you can get ice, wood, and goodies.

Cattail had a nice dog park which included a place for the dogs to swim. Boscoe had a blast, Stanley is not a big fan of water, but he did get his legs wet. The spot is peaceful and meticulously kept; we would go back again.

Lake Havasu State Park is much larger and not so quiet. Even though the view is pretty with the lake just beyond our campsite, we enjoyed Cattail more. There are events on weekends which make it noisy and crowded. Boat noise can be constant on those days.

We did enjoy taking a day and going across the London Bridge (actually came from London), walking around the shops, and having lunch. It can be a destination spot for spring break, so be aware of those times.

Mike’s ex-boss, Kevin, and his wife Cindy came and spent two nights with us. We had steaks on the grill (excellent job Kevin), homemade potato salad, a regular salad, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. All in all, we enjoyed the time spent at both places.

Our next stop was Needles, California. One of our favorite places because of Don and Jane, our dear friends from Arizona. They used to be our neighbors when we lived in Chandler. Because of them and their son and family, we got to stay just a walk away from the Colorado River. The river has Arizona on one side and Colorado on the other. Within minutes you could be in Arizona, then California, and Nevada. It was a fantastic two weeks with friends. We enjoyed Nicole’s birthday dinner with them at Meonis Italian Kitchen in Bullhead City. I highly recommend it if you’re in the area; the food was excellent. We love you guys to the moon and back and felt safe with security officer Don, or should I say, Mayor of the property, Pepple Beach.

A funny story; Mike, Joscelyn, and I went to the store; I came out and went to the truck. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. After pulling on the handle a few times, I looked up when it wouldn’t open. It wasn’t Mike in the truck; it wasn’t our truck. The guy opened his window and was laughing. I repeatedly apologized, and he said, “That’s okay; I’ve seen that look on my fiance’s face when I didn’t unlock the door.” A few cars over, Mike and Joscelyn were laughing hysterically. That’s a typical day in Karen’s life!

After spending four months in Apache Junction at Campground USA in Arizona, we are traveling again. Mike and I settled in Arizona for the winter, thinking it would be a rest time, but it was the opposite. We used the four months to get caught up with doctors, dentists, and surgeons. We were busier than we’ve ever been traveling. All were necessary to squeeze in before moving on.

We attended a retirement party, Mike’s! His company gave him a nice sendoff, and those who worked with Mike said many lovely things about him. The customers he had were genuinely sad to see him go. They had known him for years, and genuine relationships formed with those customers.

Mike had a hip replaced, which went well, and his recovery is remarkable. He’ll be able to play golf and hike soon. Stanley, our puppy, had surgery too, neutered. Mike was happy that’s not the surgery he needed!

If you own an RV, you know scheduling for maintenance is a priority. The RV life has had excessive growth, and it’s not easy to get work done on them. We scheduled an appointment with RV Country in Mesa six months before returning. Our list kept growing as we traveled, keeping them up to date. With shipping the way it is, getting parts for repairs is difficult. I have to give RV Country a massive shout-out for their efficient company. From the sales department to maintenance, we are thankful that the same people seem to stay and work hard to make the company successful. Unlike our previous experience with La Mesa RV, they know what they are doing! One good thing about dropping the RV off for work was staying in a hotel. I took some long showers and flushed a toilet that didn’t need dumping. What a luxury!

Stay tuned; the following blog will be on Cattail Cove State Park and Lake Havasu State Park, Arizona.

We are in Arizona for the winter, and the end of 2021 brings an exciting time for Mike; he is officially retired. When we travel, we don’t have to plan around meetings, or if the WIFi is sufficient for Zoom. We can take a walk, hike, or bike ride anytime during the day. (After he gets his hip replacement done) We could sleep in if it weren’t for our puppy, Stanley. Stanley’s getting better; he sleeps through the night and gets up anywhere from 6 to 7 am, that’s sleeping in for us.

Tonight, we had a wonderful retirement dinner with Joscelyn, Nicole, and Dan. The food at Dominic’s was superb, and the service impeccable. Mike ordered the Alaskan King Crab Legs and enjoyed every bite.

Earlier, his company, Sumika, had a get together at the Culinary Drop
Out. For over 11 years, Mike has worked for this company. Many of his colleagues attended and said nice things about him. I noticed over the past month that many customers thanked him for their relationship and that they would truly miss him. The comments were touching and sincere. Having meetings in an RV, I can testify the remarks they made were genuine.

We will start traveling again at the end of February; new adventures await!

Congratulations, Mike, you’ve worked hard for decades, now it’s time to relax and as your t-shirt says, RETIRED 2021, NOT MY PROBLEM ANYMORE.

I want to personally say thank you for all you’ve done to support our family. I love you.

We have a new member in our family; his name is Stanley. He was born on July 19th, 2021; July 19th is our anniversary! We flew to Ohio to get Stanley from Gloria Janes. My daughter, Missy, and son-in-law Josh have two miniature schnauzers from Gloria. They have Murphy; he’s the older man and a new puppy called Louie. We fell in love with Murphy a long time ago, and when we found out Gloria had a male from her second litter, we took the jump into parenthood and told her we wanted him.

Stanley is adorable. He’s quickly adjusted to our life on the road and even made the Denver news when he took his first trip in a gondola in Telluride. He went with his best friend, Boscoe, my daughter’s chocolate labrador.

Stanley’s been on two planes, an escalator, elevator, and gondola. He’s flown from Ohio to Montrose and traveled from Carbondale to Ridgway, to Ouray, Telluride, Durango, Silverton, Moab, Monument Valley, Flagstaff, and then to Apache Junction, which will be home for four months. He even experienced his first snow while we were in Durango. Stanley is a trooper and such a blessing. Mike and I love him like crazy.

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What can I say about Steamboat? Possibly that it was excellent! We enjoyed some time at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort and took a nice break from the RV life. Ski areas are not just for skiing anymore. The time went by too fast.

We explored, shopped, and ate some great food. Early morning we could see a hot air balloon go by from our balcony. We experienced another natural hot spring, totally enjoyed it. My favorite is still the Lava Hot-springs in Idaho.

When you explore, don’t forget to stop at Smell That Bread Bakery for some delicious treats and eat at the Ore House at the Pine Grove for an exquisite meal.

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If you are going through Lava HotSprings, Idaho, you must stop at this hot spring! A perfect recommendation by the Tecca’s, a couple we met in Columbia Falls, Montana. They were spot on about how wonderful it was; the landscaping was gorgeous (kudos to the landscaper), the water clean, and the heat was therapy for Mike and me. The water is 102 to 112 degrees; I liked the 112 degrees the best.

Every night in the summer months, the pools are drained and refilled with fresh hot spring waters. In the winter, they have to work around the temperatures to drain them. The temperatures can’t be at freezing, so they do not drain them every night. I was impressed with the whole facility.

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Thank you, Tecca’s for the recommendation. By the way, “The Tecca’s” are a father and daughter country duet team; look up their schedule and check them out if they are in your area. They are talented, are up for awards in Tennesee, and are some of the most humble and kind people I’ve met.

We spent two days at Yellowstone, and it was not enough. I met an elderly gentleman that told me he’s come to Yellowstone for forty-nine years. He said, “I took a class about Yellowstone, and the teacher asked me why I kept coming back. I told him I wanted to see everything in Yellowstone before I died.” The teacher told him, “That’s never going to happen.” So, I guess the two days we spent there didn’t make a dent in all that Yellowstone has to offer.

I have so many pictures, and picking out the best to post is difficult. The wildlife, caldrons, waterfalls, hot springs, and mud pots are beautiful and not easily captured in a still photo. Since I’m not a professional photographer, the pictures will not reveal the beauty we saw.

Even though there are signs everywhere to stay on the paths where the caldrons are, sometimes you’d see a footprint. A gentleman that worked at Yellowstone, named Harland, told me a gruesome story of someone that thought checking out the temperature of the water was a good idea; it was not.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/17/man-who-dissolved-in-boiling-yellowstone-hot-spring-slipped-while-checking-temperature-to-take-bath/

The Sulphur Caldron is one of the most acidic hot springs in Yellowstone. It’s like battery acid and smells awful. Some steam vents can register at two hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately a thousand feet down, the Norris Geyser Basin records a temperature of four hundred and fifty-nine degrees Fahrenheit. And, that’s why they say, stay on the paths!

Watch out for wildlife, things like buffalo crossing the road. We got stuck in traffic for some time trying to leave the park one night. He looked at us with an attitude, “You’re in my home, be patient; I’m crossing this road and taking my time.”

Stay away from danger, and enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone.

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Big Falls Inn, also known as Upper Mesa Fall Lodge, was not a disappointment; you’ll find it listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. If you’re in the area, take a ride and see the falls, it’s worth it. The grounds and pathway are meticulously cared for; the views are spectacular. The Falls are near Island Park, Idaho.

Since 1986, the lodge has been a Foresty Service Center, but in the past, it was a hotel, a gathering place for social events, a cafe, and a dance hall. The Inn’s other uses consist of a police lodge and a Boy Scout Camp.

The structure was built in 1915 and is standing strong against the elements. The Snake River Electric Light and Power Company erected the building, possibly for an office or a residence for workers.

In 1936 Montana Power Company bought Big Falls Inn to use as a headquarter or retreat destination. A power plant never happened on the mighty falls, and I’m glad.

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A day trip to Mt. Baker Ski Area took us on a beautiful ride. In the winter, Mt. Baker’s snowfall can be the most in the world. The 1998-99 season was a world record at one thousand one hundred and forty feet.

The smell of pine, moisture in the air, and babbling streams proved to be such a treat for this Arizona girl. Originally from New England, Mike and I miss these things, and it’s why we take trips to the mountains when home in the valley. We don’t miss the snow, well, maybe a little at Christmas and the occasional urge to ski again. Me, not Mike; I never did get him on the slopes.

We had lunch in the lodge at Heather Meadows Cafe; you can’t beat the views. It was a chilly day, so their delicious soup was just what we needed. Blueberry crumble came out of the oven, but counting calories prevented me from getting one. Before we left, I ordered a hot chocolate for the road and enjoyed every sip.

On the way home, we stopped at a picnic area which brought us to the river. Boscoe had a fun time swimming and didn’t mind how cold it was. We had a chocolate lab that hated the water, not Boscoe; he loves it and would stay in it all day if you let him.

The drive, the mountain, lunch, and then stop by the river made an enjoyable day.

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We took a trip to Erie Mountain for some views, had lunch at The Little Red Hen in Coupeville, Washington (delicious), and bought some yummy coffee at The Cove Cafe.

Later, we stopped in Langley, called The Village by the Sea, and I topped the day off with chocolates from Sweet Mona’s Chocolates. Some Christmas shopping was in order, and I found a few things for my sister. Ann lives near the beach in Pensacola, so Langley was the perfect place for a few gifts. It was a full and wonderful day!

ERIE MOUNTAIN

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LANGLEY