We always have a great time with our BFF’s Donna and Jeff but when we party over New Year’s it’s ever better!  We shared our first really big RV camping trip with them last New Years at Wine Country RV Resort and I can’t believe a year has passed already!

This cracked me up, especially since nary a marshmallow was found this weekend.  We drove up to Boulder Creek, a 2 hour drive in pouring rain, on Friday the 30th, got all set up, had a great dinner in our friend’s RV, then when the rain let up we headed over to the lodge to hang out by the fire, play games, and eat ice cream.  A great first night.  I should also mention here that the 30th would have been my brother Rick’s birthday.  He always joked that Chuckie and his Bride were his kids so we often travel with them.  Miss you Rick…miss you every day ❤

Saturday and Sunday we played games inside and out, ate like kings, played at the lodge, soaked in the hot tub, and hiked.  We found beautiful quartz on our hike which are in the rock tumbler turning into huge diamonds… A girl can wish!

Some great campfires!

On New Year’s day we watched football and ate traditional New Year’s day food for luck and prosperity … black-eyed peas and coleslaw…along with Jeff’s amazing prime rib.  The resident park cat “BC” loved Donna of course…and came to visit when she wasn’t guarding the aviary inside the lodge. Another weekend rich with fun, and new memories made with our best friends Donna and Jeff.

 

 

 

I know people who do it regularly, and I always thought they were nuts…but we did it, we camped over Thanksgiving!!

Last year the kids were here for Thanksgiving so their in-laws got them this year for the actual day.  We did get together for an awesome Thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before at Nikki and Elliott’s house with the family and Lee was in town, and it was wonderful!

We didn’t want to eat a turkey burger and watch Seinfeld re-runs on Thanksgiving day, and our friends John and Craig lost Craig’s mom this year and wanted to spend the holiday with us…so off we went to Boulder Creek in Lone Pine for what turned out to be one of our best adventures yet!

We arrived Wednesday night and enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner prepared by John then started the preparation for Thanksgiving dinner.  Gary deep fried the turkey and John and I prepared all of the dishes from scratch.  We had Craig’s mom’s famous stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green been casserole, homemade bread and cranberry conserve, pumpkin pie and pecan pie.  All homemade and all delicious!!

Friday we explored the Alabama Hills area of the beautiful Eastern Sierras, and we also visited Manzanar. Such a great day!

Naturally formed Heart in an Arch.

Up to Whitney Portals where it was COLD!

Another successful adventure!

 

We headed down to the beach on November 11th for a couple of nights.  It’s so gorgeous there! From the RV park you literally walk across the bike path and you are on sand.  And the sunsets, spectacular!  Only one problem…loud traffic on PCH.  Next time we will stay on the beach side for sure.  All the kids and grand kids joined us and we had a great time together!

While in Long Beach a couple of weeks earlier, we noticed a hose hanging down under the RV and our electric mirror adjusters and windshield mounted fans didn’t work.  So when we got the call that the backordered light was in we headed for Camping World Bakersfield. It took a little while but they solved the problem for the mirrors and fans, installed the light, fixed the hanging hose and we were on our way to Orange Grove for a nice restful overnighter.  Next adventure is Bolsa Chica State Beach!

Everything was done except one light was back ordered.  We drove up Friday night and came back the same night.  So nice to have it back.

Marlowe’s baby dedication to the Lord was the next day so we drove it to Lakewood and stayed at Golden Shores RV Resort in Long Beach.  Great location and park, but with the wonderful festivities we were only there to sleep.  Will visit again for sure!

 

 

Where is our RV? Hurry up and fix it Camping World!

Update: They serviced the slides, fixed the water tank and vibrating awning rail, and recalibrated the jacks.  Waiting for parts to fix the transfer switch, 2 more lights, an A/C vent, blind over the buffet, trim pieces on front of coach and around all 3 slides that discolored horribly in less than a year, even after we bought the warranty that includes sealing them, a burner on the stove that never lit, and I think that’s it.  Gosh!  HURRY! We really want go camping the end of October and we have 2 planned for November!  Ben at Camping World Bakersfield is a really nice guy and keeping us informed.  Can’t ask for much more.