Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

Enjoyed a wonderful meal and afterwards all 3 of us received our own personal cupcake as a treat for our birthdays. Fun. Thanks for the great meal brother John. Glad we were able to celebrate with Dave before he moved on... Will go on back into town on Saturday and check out their flea market. Supposed to be great. Then back on road again heading into Or and eventually Washington...

Have to say we love the wildlife refuges we have visited across this wonderful Country and Louisiana was one of our favorites... wonderful country... and now it's going to be Ruined!  All man's fault.. sickening... Really makes me sick what is happening.  I did not know we already have over 37,000 oil platforms out in the Gulf now and we want more??? are we sick or what?  Every one spouts off about green technology but let me tell you we have visited a few times now the most southern point of Hawaii with wind turbines sitting still and going to rust... what is up with that?  Perhaps we all need to be lobbyists with our votes and get these crooks out of office.  People point to the top dog but we have others who have been in office a whole lot longer thru both ruling sides and this is the result.  Makes me so sick and terribly sad.  I don't know when or how the Gulf will ever recover from this devastation.

We have now been full-timing for 9 1/2 years and have been across this wonderful country of ours a few times... Have to say in all the traveling we have done to every state and every province in Canada and even a few of the states in Mexico the W O R S T roads have been 1. without a doubt - Detroit, MI area.  The State of MI is beautiful and am looking forward to going there again some day but they have some of the worst pot holes on their highways we have ever seen!  Look out... you may need a new car (which we think is their motive) of letting such large trucks (up to 44 tires on a truck) in that area!  Damage the roads, ruin the cars and people have to buy new. ha!  Isn't that the American way? ha!  ok - #2 has to be California... We spend a lot of time on west coast and I used to think I-5 in Federal Way, Washington was bad but man oh man.. 580 & 880 in California in Oakland area is a NIGHTMARE... almost as bad as I-10 in Palm Desert area and I-5 from Manteca to Sacramento!

Our 1st visit to Manteca and much appreciated sunshine. This 1000 trails campground was closed for a few years since it has flooded (right on San Joaquin river). This is a small campground but lovely setting right in the valley. Nice change from the cold weather up at Yosemite and a surprise visit from son Earl and family for a little b-day celebration! Wonderful of them to think of us. Not a park I could highly recommend but good location for traveling stop and convenient to all shopping...

Fortunately we have "Mr. Planner" among us.  He predicted there could be this cold wet stuff based on news he had picked up last week.  Didn't really expect it at our elevation 3600' but then we didn't know for sure either.  So thankful we have had our trips into the valley, with hiking and picnicking.  This could last a day or two and don't mind the rest.  We are snug and warm and that is what counts.  Birds are going crazy on our feeder too.  Fun

Took a side trip over to see the O'Shaughnessy Dam here in Yosemite.  This project was passed by Congress in 1913 despite a protest from people like John Muir back then.... Anyway, it is the main water source for the San Francisco Bay area and absolutely beautiful.  Enjoyed a hike over to the other side thru the tunnel and over to the Tueeulala Falls.  Afterwards we stopped at Evergreen Lodge, thru the Diamond O Campground (where Earl and brother John both went as boy scouts a few years ago).  On into the valley once more to the Ahwanhee Hotel and an enjoyable picnic under the shadows of "El Capitan".   Enjoying every minute before bad weather moves in...

Once again we are in one of our favorite places.  Yesterday left Coarsegold, CA and drove thru park to get to TTN (Thousand Trails campground) on north entrance of park.  Unfortunately, we had a little mishap and brother John scraped up the side of his rig pretty bad/good.  He is fine as is Bubba (his bird) but pretty scary.  Not sure what happened and fortunately he was on mt side of road so when he went off the road he slid along side the mountain.  Always have to think of the good part. If you can call it that... Met up with friend Dave here.  He has been wintering out on the west coast since he is planning on traveling up to Alaska this summer.  Always nice to see Dave.  Took a ride into the park today without John since he had to stay home to make arrangements to get fixed!  Guess someone will come out here tomorrow to take a look and estimate damage. Plan on being here a few days so should get some good  hiking in...

Took advantage of the time here in Acton to visit again with such wonderful relatives! Met Uncle Jim, Aunt Tootie, Vicki and Kevin for lunch at the "Odyssey" - a favorite. A great view of the valley below located up on the hills over Granada Hills. Guess it has been there many years but back when I was a child,never heard of it.. funny that we only lived a few blocks from Uncle Jim and never knew them then of course. Anyway, we all had a wonderful feast (luncheon buffet with seafood). So happy for opportunity to get together one more time before leaving area.

While stopping here in Acton for a few days, called cousins Pat and Baron to meet for lunch at the Farmer's Market. Picked a picture perfect day. Only took us 1 1/2 hours to get there but that was ok (did stop for fuel along the way $2.97 at Costco). Had a fun lunch at Dupar's and then a romp around the market. Found this "travel angel" and though it quite clever. His wings are maps. He looks a little strange but guess that's part of his charm. ha!

A special treat for Easter meeting up with sister Mary and nephew Bill for brunch!  Had a great visit and the day turned out to be very nice until later in afternoon when a 7.2 earthquake hit about 20 miles south of Mexicali!  How odd to be sitting in RV and feeling the ground rolling beneath you!  Somehow I just knew we were experiencing a good sized earthquake.  Fortunately for us I did not feel worried because we are a house on wheels so rocked and rolled a little but we are flexible.  Our home is experiencing an earthquake each time we take to the road! ha!  Everything is in it's place and if it's not it soon becomes apparent!  We did just fine.  Saw other cars rocking as well and spooked us some but we watched the local news which even interrupted the world news to keep us posted as to what had happened.  A LOT of aftershocks!