Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

Early was really looking forward to this reunion since he has not been to any other previous ones.  He has been in contact with friend Jess but otherwise didn't really know too many people any more.  We had a great time.  It was fun getting to know new people and just enjoy the evening with all these other people doing the same thing.  Did see a few of Early's old "flames".  It was a good time had by all, at least at our table. ha!  Always good to see Jess and Pat again but didn't get much of a chance to visit with all the excitement from everyone "getting together". ha!  

Always wonderful to see family and all looking so well.  Of course Earl III has a foot issue but Amanda, bless her heart is working and going to school!  Can hardly believe Karl's son is 7 soon to be 8 years old!  The years just seem to fly by so especially nice to see them all again.  

You know how little children get excited about playing with a box or plastic containers, well that is about how we are when we see mobs of birds!  It is so enjoyable to see hoards of birds flying all crazy like - Natural Bridge is a very cool little beach where the birds congregate and there is a little park here and for some unknown reason the monarch butterflies also come here during migration.  We were a little early to see too many butterflies but did manage to see a few.  Notice how all the birds are facing the same direction - that is how they are wherever they are - or so it would seem - always facing into the wind.  Nice that there is a place for birds so many places with no birds anymore.  It's awful for bird lovers like us but this day was pure joy!

Talk about a picture perfect day!  OMgoodness, we had a great time yesterday!  My Early struck gold with choosing the right day and off we went with our picnic lunch over the hills to Santa Cruz for the day!  The beach was nearly deserted when we 1st arrived which was fine.  It would appear the rides may only be open now on weekends.  Not sure, but that is what it looked like.  Not a problem for us since we don't "do" the rides but what a festive and colorful place!  This is where we began our day really and there is a wonderful long pier with shops of all sorts right here too.  We heard the barking of the sea lions and had to go over for a look see!  They are so noisy and big and we love them.  They really crack me up - we enjoyed our time here so much!  One of the best days to be sure.  No big hotels but lots of smaller ones and a "Darling" B&B - Actually that is the name of it and am sure it is!  By the time we left the beach there were many more folk

One of our most favorite places is the Redwood forest in Northern California!  They are such giants and so peaceful and quiet!  Of course saying that I hope and pray I am never in the vacinity to hear one of these monsters fall!  That would be scary!  We were told by one of the volunteers that they were there when a tree fell and thought it was an earthquake!  These trees really splinter when they fall too so it could be deadly with the giant splinters!  Despite all that, we love it here and although we have been here many times, the magnificent trees always enthrall us!  As big as they are, they are are nearly impervious to fire and although they are too large to suck up the water from the ground their tree top, they thrive on the fog that comes in off the Pacific!  I do wish sometimes I could be a child again so I could romp and play hide n seek!  I never visited here when a youngster and each time I do now I just know it would be so much fun to be child and able to climb and run an

There is small Golden Bear Campground right off Hwy 101 on the coast of California right at the mouth of the Klamath river where we have made home for a few days.  We are out from under the dark trees and no we did not leave the foggy days behind!  Can't feel bad about the fog though because that is the nourishment the wonderful redwood trees need to thrive!  We have a great view out our front window of the river as it winds around a bend and opens up to the Pacific ocean.  Big problem here for locals and Indian tribe that lives here is the sand bar that has developed over time.  For what ever reason they are just now worrying about it cutting off the river and the route for the salmon! Anyway, could see where the sandbar could be a serious problem but why no one ever worried about it as it was building over these many years is a mystery.  Anyway, it's mayhem out there at the mouth of the river with boats all over the place and fisherman and nets running from all angles..  

Working our way south we stopped here in Florence for a few days.  Always fun to see the old "Classics" and customized cars.  They just happen to have a car show while here... amazing how people put so much into these cars and to think we thought they were old and wanted new cars way back then. A funny thing here on the coast is how much cooler the air is compared to the rest of the state and country.  Again, here we are on the coast and lucky to get into 70's if that for the day!  It's been so cool.  Planned to tramp up and down the dunes but fog doesn't life until late in the day if at all so gave that up. oh darn!  ha!  All kidding aside it has been fun and we have enjoyed visiting with old friends here and getting out and about some...

Heading south the rain began and really ruined so many of the blackberries we had planned to pick. ha!  Did manage to get a double batch of jam made as well as a pie and cobbler!  Then we heard the rain was coming back in a torrent so decided to take off a little earlier and cross on over to Oregon.  1st stop is shopping spree time!  All the empty space we started with is now all filled up including the space behind the sofa which is now housing our new 60" TV.  Our sleep number bed that has been with us since the beginning is being retired and a new mattress purchased for RV since weight is not the main issue any longer!  All these pieces of sleep number bed are now tucked away in various places in the coach!  Crazy but fun. What the heck.  Our trek so far has been fun meeting up with a few old friends.  Hanging out in Oregon until this weekend when we cross over in to California.  Original plans were to go to Yosemite but since the fire we changed plans and now heading to Re

Met for supper with friends Joyce & Dave and brother John and son Alex and friend Katy as final dinner out before heading south.  Fun time was had by all!  Good thing too since next day John left in between rain squalls on his way to Junction City, Oregon.  Day after we hit the road in between squalls and just made it to Chehalis before the great deluge hit!  We did get some on road but not too bad. Seattle really got hit and even had some flooding in basements.  Over an inch in record setting time.  Not like Seattle drizzly rain at all.  For now we are enjoying the wonderful Labor Day holiday picking blackberries and making pie and jam and getting some much needed exercise!